Guest Comments from our Guest Register:

8/01/09
We had a great family reunion. We came from 5 different states and this was a good “gathering place” for all 25 of us. From ages 18 months to 16 years old, there was always something for us to do. Marco and Lora and the girls were so accommodating. When we needed something—you were there. When we wanted privacy—you let us have it. Our week went by so quickly (thanks Lora for talking me into booking a full week).
Thanks for all you have done for us.
- Bob, Kim and Sarah T. (Boulder City, NV)

7/24/09
We had a great family reunion! Lots of fun in the water, on the golf course, and at the playfield.
Marco and Lora, you were great! Thanks for all you did and being “everywhere” to help out. Hope to see you again!
- Jim & Carol B. and Family (Rocklin, CA)

7/16/09
The H. family found peace, quiet and hysterical laughter during our wonderful stay at Almay Ranch! The rushing water, the cool lake, the quiet trails and the evil golf course made for a perfect family getaway for all of us. We are looking forward to 2010!
- The H., D., D., C., T. and S. Families (Salinas, CA)

6/30/09
We had such a great time! There were 15 of us and the house accommodated us with no problem. The best parts were the water, fights in the canoes, the softball game and all cooking together at night, then sitting on the porch and eating as the sun went down. Really a fun time—thanks.
- Sarah and the rest of K. & Associates (Half Moon Bay, Los Gatos & San Francisco Bay Area, CA)

6/26/09
A great time was had by all! The scenery was/is incredible and the beds are so comfy! Thank you for everything and we hope we can come back someday.
- The M. Family (Murrieta, CA)

6/26/09
Marco & Lora,
I want to thank both of you for your kindness and consideration during our stay at Almay Ranch.
We thoroughly enjoyed our time together as a family and particularly appreciated the amenities and available activities.
I cannot think of a better location to get away from the hectic pace of S. California!
I have left a couple of t-shirts for your family—one of a business we owned years ago and the other from this week. If nothing else, they would be good sleep shirts for your girls.
Best wishes,
- Dennis M. (Murrieta, CA)

6/20/09
Hi! This is the coolest place I’ve ever been! Thanks for a great time!
- Jamie F. (Los Altos, CA)

6/20/09
Great vacation and a great place! We loved the golf, boating, hiking, biking and river swimming. Thanks Marco for showing us Little Boulder Lake and the view from the ridge and the swimming hole.
- Rob S. (Los Altos, CA)

6/20/09
Hi, I’m Annie and I’ve had a lot of fun activities, but the coolest one was when I fell in the lake while getting a ping-pong ball! Well, at least it was worth it.
- Annie S. (Los Altos, CA)
6/20/09
This is beautiful property and I had a great time here. I hope I can come back someday.
- Julia S. (Los Altos, CA)

6/20/09
Hi, I’m Lorenzo. I had a great time here. The one thing is that I am a danger magnet. Even though I got hurt a lot, I still had a wonderful time.
- Lorenzo S. (Los Altos, CA)

6/20/09
It was all we dreamed of and more.
- Rita S. (Los Altos, CA)

10/31/08
We had a wonderful and relaxing time here at Almay.
We were happily surprised with the beautiful setting, the challenging golf course, and lovely home.
We plan to return sometime in the future.
Everything was first-class! We appreciated all the special touches!
- Larry & Gail S. (Hollister, CA)

10/31/08
We had a wonderful time. We took full advantage of golf, and all the other games on the property. We will be back. Thank you.
- Jeff & Linda S. (Aptos, CA)
- Jan T. (Scotts Valley, CA)

10/31/08
Fantastic place. We really enjoyed ourselves and would love to come another time.
Thank you.
- Vic P. (Hollister, CA)

10/31/08
We had a wonderful time and enjoyed all the nice thoughtful touches—hope to be back when we can fly in!
- John & Martha Lou G. (Brunedale, CA)

9/16/08
We had an unforgettable 4 days at a true paradise. Even though this was a “company” retreat, the environment, housing and things to do make it a “family” experience. All 11 of us (and 4 dogs) spent hours on the deck, pond and golf course. We have much more to explore.
Our thanks to Marco and Lora for their courtesy and being the best invisible hosts ever to be known.
We’ll be back!
- K. & Associates (Half Moon Bay, Los Gatos, & S.F. Bay Area, CA)

8/29/08
Lora and Marco,
Thank you so much for letting my friends and I escape the city. The amount of thought and care you both put into this property is very impressive. You have predicted every need and supplied even the smallest of comfort. I will be sending a more formal THANKS when I return home.
I hope we kept the house in order when we left.
P.S. We found these glasses down on the lawn.
Mahalo!
- Justin T. (San Francisco, CA)

8/25/08
Almay Ranch is almost like stepping into a dream. We have had the most wonderful family vacation here…maybe the BEST EVER! It was a wonderful combination of TOTAL relaxation and fun activities.
Marco, Lora and family were amazing hosts and we had so much fun spending our last night with them. We’ve truly made some fabulous new friends and look forward to the next time we can come back to share their little slice of heaven.
Thanks for a fabulous time!
- The Rich, Connie, Lindsay and Steven W. (Saratoga, CA)

8/15/08
Another great trip at Almay. Thank you so much for keeping this place so beautiful. We did a lot more things this time here - we swam (a lot), hiked, played a lot of golf, played volleyball, and badminton. This definitely will not be our last trip here.
Hope to see you soon!
- Curtis, Leslie, Justin and Emma K. (San Carlos, CA)

8/14/08
Things are changing in over family constellation as the children (my children) are teens and the two oldest in their 20’s—one now a firefighter—the other entering the Navy to become a diver. This vacation may be the last with all of us—for years to come.
For me—the mother of it all—it has been wonderful to have everyone together (except for the eldest boy/man). I am very blessed to have had this time with them. A big hole is my husband—who would have loved quiet time on the lake in the canoe and fishing in the creek. He never had the opportunity to experience this amazing place.
Thank you Al & May (now Marco & Lora) for creating and taking care of Almay Ranch for our pleasure and enjoyment.
- Shirley W. (Alameda, CA)

8/14/08
This week at Almay was great. We swam in all the lakes gathered golf balls and golfed for hours on the amazing course. Thank you.
- Lisa, Amy, Jim and Garret W. (San Carlos, CA)

8/08/08
What a fabulous place! It is a place to come to and forget the world around you. The host was most pleasant. He took us on various journeys to visit places of great interest, which we would have never found by ourselves.
The dogs, kids and adults enjoyed the variety of activities available. We trust many more families will learn of this place and come to stay awhile.
- The S., C., B., & P. Families (Hayward, CA)

7/25/08
The W. family loves this place! Perfect for everyone.
- Mike W. & Family (Citrus Heights, CA)

7/25/08
Dear Marco and Lora,
Thanks for everything you do to make our stay so perfect. Everything is so clean and nice. It’s the best part of camping with all the comforts of home. You always make us feel so welcome! Our second year was just as great as the first.
- Jeri W. (Citrus Heights, CA)

7/5/08
This is the first true family vacation we have had in about 15 years, and it was amazing! There were 34 of us who came and went throughout the week and we loved it. We swam at the Mann Hole; fished; rode horses, 4x4 mules and quads; golfed, read, boated and biked—the list goes on.
Marco, Lora and the girls were great and we’re sad to leave them. The 4th of July parade in Weaverville truly put us in the patriotic spirit, and we are all leaving refreshed and relaxed.
As the saying goes. “Life is an Adventure”. This week we have truly lived. Thank you Marco, Lora, the girls and the owners of Almay. God bless you all.
Warmest thoughts and wishes!
- The H., H., D. and L. families (Arbuckle, CA)
- The W. family (Woodland, CA)
- The R. family (Coeur d’Alene, ID)

6/27/08
We had such a wonderful time here! It is breathtaking, with such amazing views and picturesque spots. Even though the soccer game was almost a blowout, luckily the S. Family went easy on us 7-3. Thanks for everything!
- Chelsea & Eric B. (North Carolina)

6/18/08
Almay Ranch is what the world is supposed to look like! In addition to all the natural beauty, there is so much to do—from absorbing all the grandeur to boating, games and any level of walking and hiking.
Our family of four generations loved every minute of our stay!!
- The L. Family (Sacraments, Napa, Willows, Orangevale and San Diego)

6/13/08
Heaven on Earth!
- Susan B. (Modesto, CA)

6/13/08
Wow!! What a fantastic week. We hate to see it end but are glad we are reserved for next year. We will be counting the weeks. Something for everyone. Loved the mini golf! Loved boating on the lovely lake and bonding with the bats. Loved foosball. Loved “vegging” on the deck reading, playing games with the family and just napping. Golf was fun and challenging - lots of water hazards. Thank you Lora and Marco for the special attention and for the great “last supper”.
- Muriel and John M. (Lincoln, CA) & Pat and Gina M. (Redwood City, CA)

6/13/08
Amazing! One of the best vacations ever and one of the most beautiful places. I loved the canoe the most. At least 3 times a day I would be on the lake and feeling completely at peace. The best experience however was going out at dusk and canoeing among the bats. Thanks for a truly amazing trip.
- Nidal (Portland, OR)

6/13/08
Great spot! Great hosts! Great family! Looking forward to coming back!
- John, Karen and Ben (Portland, OR)

6/13/08
Never want to leave! Most relaxing vacation ever. Loved Marco, Lora, their kids and Max and Twister. Loved the bats, turtles and jumping fish. Loved the evening fires down by the river. Loved the hiking trails and all the nature/fresh air. Next year I’ll bring lots of golf balls! See you next June!
- Love, Beth, Ryan and Nidal (Portland, OR)

5/24/08
This special place is blessed with beauty and tranquility beyond compare. The peaceful ponds, the whispering pines, and of course the extraordinary falls and cascades all combine to remind us what is truly important in this life.
Yet all those wonders are just a part of the story here at Almay. The generosity of spirit and deep love of the land that emanates from our hosts is delightfully contagious. Marco and Lora and their beautiful daughters make you part of their family. That truly is the greatest gift one will take from their time at Almay Ranch.
- With Affection, Bob, Carolyn and Emily D. (Santa Barbara, CA)