The History of Rock and A Hard Place Ranch

Thomas and Karen Bienz moved to Laramie in August of 1999.  They fell in love with the wide-open space and view of the mountains in the distance, the summer afternoon rain showers and breath taking sunsets and the absence of traffic jams and long lines at the store!  It didn’t take long for them to decide that Laramie should be their home forever.  In June of 2000 they began looking at property in and around the Laramie area.  Berner Mill Tracts 2 & 3 approximately 35 acres apiece were being sold from the Warren Livestock Ranch.  This location would allow for a quick commute to the hospital for on call nights, easy access to the airport via I-80, and close proximity to the activities that are the heartbeat of this community.
     Thanksgiving of 2000, Karen’s parents Ken and Betty came from Connecticut to visit.  While on a jeep tour of the property, Karen explained where buildings would be situated.  She told of plans for extensive landscaping which could be irrigated with drip lines.  “Maybe we’ll have Green Acres right in the middle of Laramie,” she joked.  “Looks more like a Rock and a Hard Place, to me,” answered Ken.  And so the ranch was named...
     The first work on “improvements” for the property began in May 2003, as Thomas (with his backhoe) began digging the 1400’ trench for the electric line which begins on the north side, heads south across the driveway, then turns east to come to the barn site.  It took 4 months to excavate, lay conduit, pull a line through and backfill.  Several spots required a hydraulic hammer to break through the solid limestone which we believe runs to the very core of the earth.
     By September 2003, work began on the Riding Arena, Stall Barn and Shop/Apartment space that is now home to the families’ horses…2 Missouri Foxtrotters named Thor and Chip, Zeus, a Thoroughbred-Arab cross and Cookie our pony, a Hackney -Shetland mix.  There are also several barn cats running about to keep the field mouse population in check.
     Thomas and Karen not only designed the details, from wash area in the barn to the kid corral stall and music studio, they also did some of the work themselves.  Karen painted walls and trim, including the mural in the kid corral and did all the tile work herself.  Thomas laid the flooring and both have spent countless hours with fencing and landscaping projects, which presumably will be never ending.
     We are happy that you have come to visit us here and hope that you enjoy your stay, for however long it might be. Enjoy the view and the fresh air, which will no doubt ,blow your hat off!

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