Our Story
Rooted in Appalachia. Inspired by the West.
Hi, I’m Kim
Western Skies Ranch might sound like a place you'd find out West, but it's actually a 72-acre farm nestled in the Appalachian mountains of southeastern Kentucky, not far from where I grew up near the Daniel Boone National Forest.
And for me, it's a place that has been part of my story for a long time.
For much of the year, you'll find me working as a hunting guide and mule packer in the mountains of Idaho and Colorado. I've spent countless nights in a wall tent, traveled miles of backcountry trails on horseback, and built a life doing work that I truly love.
The Road Back
But the road that brought me here hasn't always been easy.
Some of the hardest years of my life were spent right here in Kentucky. There came a time when I needed to leave and begin a new chapter somewhere else. That journey took me into the mountains out West, where I found work I loved, faced new challenges, and discovered just how much I was capable of.
The West helped me regain the confidence I had lost, gave me the freedom to become the person I was meant to be, and, perhaps most importantly, brought me a sense of peace I had been missing for a long time. Those years gave me experiences I never could have imagined and a different perspective on what matters most. But no matter how far I traveled, these Kentucky mountains remained part of who I am.
A New Chapter
When the opportunity came to purchase this little farm in Jackson County again, I was both scared and incredibly grateful. I knew the property well, and I knew how special the land was. But this time, I was coming back with a different perspective and a new vision for its future.
With an old farmhouse, barn, ponds, campsites, and beautiful mountain scenery, there was already so much to love. I wanted to take good care of what was here, make improvements, and create a place that people would enjoy visiting for years to come.
I began picturing couples celebrating their wedding for an entire weekend surrounded by family and friends with the mountains in the background. Families gathered around the table, catching up on old stories and making new memories. Friends spending a few days together in relaxing and fishing in the pond. Turkey and whitetail hunters in the woods that time in the morning when the world starts to wake up. And people getting the chance to learn the traditional skills of mule packing and experience a way of life that has meant so much to me.
That's the dream behind Western Skies Ranch.
The Work Ahead
My boyfriend, Bird, and I both work in the guiding and packing industry. He also teaches the traditional skills of big-game guiding and mule packing. Between our seasons in the mountains, we make custom leather goods, and now we're preparing to take on our biggest project yet: restoring this old farm.
We've got quite a bit of work ahead of us, and we plan to tackle the renovations ourselves, one project at a time. I'm sure there will be challenges along the way, but hard work has never scared either of us. We're excited to roll up our sleeves and see what we can make of this place.
A Place to Gather
More than anything, I want Western Skies Ranch to be a place where people feel genuinely welcome. Whether you're planning a wedding, bringing the family together, attending a retreat, spending some time hunting, or learning to pack mules, I hope you'll enjoy the beauty of this place as much as I do.
There's something about these mountains that's hard to put into words. Maybe it's the scenery, the fresh air, or simply having the chance to slow down with the people you love. Sometimes, you just have to experience a place for yourself.
I'm especially grateful that God has given me the opportunity to care for this land and share it with others once again. It's a responsibility I don't take lightly, and I want to make the most of the opportunity I've been given.
We're just getting started, and I'd love for you to follow along as we bring this next chapter of Western Skies Ranch to life.
I hope you'll come experience this special place for yourself.
— Kim