A Family Affair: Raising Kids While Running a Wilderness Lodge

Life has a funny way of rewriting your plans. Not long ago, I was deep in the world of surgery—long hours, precise routines, and a high-stakes environment. Today, I find myself trading scalpels for shovels, stethoscopes for trout ponds, as I raise a family and run Vida Bonita Pecos, a rustic-luxury lodge nestled in the heart of New Mexico’s wilderness. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

Erica, my life partner and the heart of our home, has been my unwavering support in this new chapter. Together, we’re raising three beautiful girls—Maysen, who is nearly 9 and full of boundless curiosity; Millie, our joyful and wild 2-year-old; and Kizzie, my eldest, who just wrapped up her first year at acting college and plans to spend a few weeks with us this summer.

Running Vida Bonita Pecos is not just a business—it’s a lifestyle, a way of grounding ourselves and our children in something meaningful. Each day brings new challenges and rewards, and our kids are part of it all. Whether it's feeding the animals, collecting kindling, or simply walking to the Pecos River to throw stones, every experience is an opportunity to teach, connect, and grow.

Learning Through Nature

Maysen has become a little explorer in her own right. She’s grown up understanding how to spot animal tracks, how to gather firewood, and how to be quiet when a deer wanders close by. She loves helping me with chores—her idea of a good time might involve clearing a trail or gathering eggs. It’s incredible to watch her develop a respect for the land and a curiosity that no classroom could quite capture.

Millie, our spirited toddler, has a different kind of connection to the wilderness—raw, wide-eyed wonder. Everything is an adventure. A pine cone is a treasure. A ladybug is a miracle. She reminds us that magic exists in the smallest moments, and having her with us every day keeps our perspective fresh and filled with gratitude.

And Kizzie—she’s the bridge between the world we came from and the one we’re building. She’s smart, artistic, and wildly creative. When she’s home, she brings a spark to the lodge that energizes everyone. She’ll be helping with social media this summer, capturing the soul of Vida Bonita Pecos through the lens of her unique perspective.

Family and Business, Intertwined

Running a lodge with your family underfoot is both beautiful and, at times, chaotic. There are guest check-ins in the middle of bedtime routines, or the occasional toddler meltdown while trying to fix a broken pipe. But in the messiness of it all is authenticity—something our guests genuinely appreciate.

We’ve met families from all over who are searching for what we’ve found: peace, space to breathe, and the joy of being together without distraction. When guests see our girls running barefoot through the meadow, helping gather sticks for the firepit, or handing over a welcome s’mores kit with big smiles, they get it—they feel like they’re part of something real.

The Lessons We’re Learning

One of the most important lessons we’re teaching—and learning—is how to slow down. Life in the city, in the hospital, was constant motion. Out here, the rhythm of the day is determined by the sun, the weather, and the needs of our guests and animals. We’ve learned patience. We’ve learned flexibility. And we’ve learned to treasure the quiet moments: watching the sunrise over the mountains with a cup of coffee, teaching Maysen how to bait a hook, or dancing barefoot in the grass with Millie at twilight.

Why We Do It

The truth is, we didn’t choose this life for convenience. We chose it for meaning. We wanted our kids to grow up knowing how to build something with their hands, how to appreciate the natural world, and how to welcome strangers as friends. Vida Bonita Pecos has given us all of that and more.

We’re building more than a lodge—we’re building a legacy. One day, maybe Maysen, Millie, or Kizzie will decide to carry it forward. Or maybe they’ll take the values they’ve learned here and blaze their own trails. Either way, they’ll know where their roots are.

From our family to yours, we welcome you to share in the beauty, peace, and wild wonder of Vida Bonita Pecos. Whether you come for the fishing, the starry skies, or the quiet moments around a crackling fire, you’ll find more than a place to stay—you’ll find a place to belong.