Create those special memories at Blame Her Ranch

I’m happily married, and have been for thirty plus years, but if I were in the market to say “I do” again, it would be at Blame Her Ranch. 

The name alone should spur your curiosity about this unique New Mexico property. And when you find out the owners are Steve and Linda Blamer, you’ll get the play on words. Catchy, right? 

Well, there’s also a great story behind the name, too, and its roots are tied to the kindergarten playground. Steve Blamer was pestered by his classmates beginning in kindergarten and it continued through college. People delighted in changing his name from Blamer to Blame Her. And it never stopped. When Linda married into the family, she became a victim of the Blame Her curse as well, but unlike her husband, she embraced it and even put it on her license plate. 

Flash forward to when Linda and Steve bought the ranch. Their first thought was to give it a Spanish translation of Blame Her, but alas, the translation turned out to be, “woman of faults.” So, they opted to go with the English version and created the logo with the backwards B and hidden H.

The ranch is only 45 minutes from Santa Fe, but feels worlds away due to its location. Sitting atop Glorieta Mesa, adjacent to the Santa Fe National Forest, you’ll have all the privacy you want with nearly 2,000 plus acres to roam. Not to mention stunning Land of Enchantment views.

This is not a resort or B&B, but rather a luxury Airbnb that can be rented out exclusively to one family or group at a time for weddings, reunions, retreats and other occasions. Between the main lodge, barn and several glamping accommodations, the place sleeps up to 44 guests, and can comfortably seat up to 250 people for special events. And you can have an incredibly memorable bash without worrying the neighbors will complain about the noise (the closest ones are a mile away).

The ranch, which was built in 2007, got started in the event and lodging business after the owners’ daughter got married on site. The Blamers built a reception and ceremony area especially for the wedding. And when guests and caterers saw it, they all remarked on how the place lent itself to being an ideal event destination. The word got out and people began asking the Blamers if they could book the ranch for their celebrations. The rest as they say is history.

Weekends are now completely booked through the beginning of December and the first few months of spring are already looking quite busy. Weddings make up most of the reservations, followed by families who have embraced the property buy-out model for their reunions. 

It’s not surprising the property has experienced such success in a relatively short period of time. Chalk it up to the allure of the drool-worthy location, the handsome western style lodge and fun décor, multiple spaces for entertaining and relaxing, various options for outdoor activities and countless amenities.

When you enter the main building, you’ll be greeted by a divine panorama of the landscape through the large floor-to-ceiling windows. The centerpiece of the light-filled and spacious Great Room is a massive fireplace. Next to it is a large aquarium. Comfy couches and chairs invite you to sit and be mesmerized by the views…or the colorful, hypnotic fish. 

When hunger strikes, the gourmet chef’s kitchen has every high-end appliance you’ll ever need to whip up a delectable meal. Enjoy dining at the rustic mesquite table, using, of course, Blame Her Ranch dishware. There’s also an outdoor kitchen where you can cook and dine alfresco. The stone pizza oven is an added boon.

Head upstairs to party hearty at the 20-foot hand-carved bar, made from an old church altar. It’s traditional that guests of the ranch bring a bottle of their favorite tequila as a donation to the bar. In return, you’ll get your picture mounted above for posterity. Then feast your eyes on a game room with all the bells and whistles, where you can play billiards, pinball, foosball, air hockey, darts or poker at the custom table. 

Film aficionados will be ecstatic to discover the private movie theater with 120-inch screen, 4D chairs that vibrate, and over a thousand movies to choose from. But, if you’re anything like me, you need some munchies to enhance the viewing experience. No worries, as there’s a candy concessions bar, cotton candy machine, and 50’s popcorn and Coke machines. The retro vibe is clearly alive and well. 

The main building and its two wings can sleep 24. Each of the bedrooms has its own unique design with western and Native American themed decors. The master suite, for example, features 45 authentic Native American arrows shot right into the wall. The Duke Room is a tribute to John Wayne and boasts an autographed picture of the legend himself. Another room has a surfboard hanging on the wall a la Hawaiian cowboy motif. 

Nearby is the Barn/Guest House, with the Shed Suite. Rustic meets retro here with corrugated tin walls and repurposed red school lockers for a closet. 

Glampers can rejoice with the one-of-a-kind, furnished Tipi, which sleeps two adults and two kids. Located within spitting distance of the main lodge, the Tipi is a fun, albeit cozy, family option. Or you might prefer the Conestoga Wagons, privately situated at the edge of the mesa. Each of the two furnished wagons can comfortably accommodate four and has a fridge and small dining table. Don’t worry about roughing it too much, as they’re also equipped with air conditioning and heating. Private showers are steps away, as is a fire pit for late night S’mores and sing-alongs. 

At the edge of the cliff behind the lodge is a 40-foot lap pool and a putting green. Warning: You might get distracted mid-swim or mid-stroke by the glorious vista. Follow your pool or golf time with a sauna, which is also a “cliff hanger.” Or my favorite, the cauldron hot tub, which might just be the only such hot tub in the country, and yes, it too boasts an amazing view. 

If you can’t go a day without your daily workout, there’s a gym with weights and cardio machines. Personally, I prefer to get my exercise outdoors whenever possible, especially when the scenery provides the perfect motivation. Activities abound with horseback riding, hiking, birding, mountain biking, wilderness 4×4 adventures and more. 

The lodge really shines when it comes to its event spaces. If you’re getting married, the beautiful Adobe Wall, with its vintage door and church bell, sets the stage for that special moment when everyone turns and sees the bride for the first time. Guests can amass at the Cliffside Gazebo, to witness the ceremony as it’s performed against a captivating backdrop.

Receptions can be held in the Knotty Pine Barn, a 1,750-square-foot party/dance hall. It’s “rustic barn chic,” with wine barrel cocktail tables and bars. Or take it outside on the expansive Great Lawn and get lost in the jaw-dropping 70-mile views. 

blameherranch.com