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Laughing Water Family - Page 1
We are so very proud of the staff here at the ranch. From the moment you step into the dining room you’ll be greeted with tantalizing aromas and friendly smiles. Everyone here at the ranch is excited to share in your Montana ranch experience and will bend over backwards to make your stay “the best vacation ever”.
Ted
Mikita, Jr.: Second Generation Owner
Ted is a second generation owner and original organizer of Laughing
Water Ranch. Born in Oak Park, IL, schooled in Montana and Annapolis,
Ted joined the Navy out of high school and became a P-3C antisubmarine
patrol pilot. His parents purchased the Ranch in 1972 and lived there
with Ted and his 7 brothers and sisters. Ted left the Navy in 1987 and
became a pilot with Northwest Airlines. He proposed that the family
turn the homestead into a guest ranch, which came into existence in
1988. He splits his time between his flight schedule and the Ranch where
he lives with his wife Lacretia and daughter Tallulah.
Lacretia Mikita: Owner
Hails
from Waverly, Iowa. She came to Montana by way of a professional life
as a budding actress and dancer in San Francisco, New York and Florida.
Before visiting Montana as a guest at Laughing Water Ranch she changed
careers and became a flight attendant for Northwest Airlines. Read Lacretia's
story of how she met Ted by choosing "Ranch
Romance" under the "About Us" menu.
Tallulah Mikita: "The Boss", Third
Generation Owner
Tallulah is 4 years old and lovin' the ranch life. Following
her folks during the off season she has traveled already to Hawaii,
Disneyland and on a cruise in the Carribean. She just received her passport,
so the sky's the limit now.
Jane
Woods: Head Chef
Born and raised in a Polish neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois Jane learned
to speak English when she started school. She has a Bachelors Degree
in Business and an Associate’s Degree in Culinary Arts from the
Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago. She put her talent and
skill to good use as a caterer and personal chef in the Chicago area
before moving to Montana in 1999. Jane has been spoiling us with her
delicious cooking for the past three years and we’ve put on the
pounds to prove it. During the off-season she works on her cookbook,
continues her catering and tries out new recipes on unsuspecting friends.
Stacy
Brann : Office Manager
Growing up in California, Stacy had been wanting
to live in Montana since she was a little girl. She has a love for horses
and the old ways of life. She has worked in a variety of fields and
brings all that experience here to our ranch. She is the all around
ranch cowgirl, helping wherever it may be needed. She enjoys riding,
cooking, gardening and woking on her country home in the high mountains.
Teaching her big family the old ways and values to become better people,
is important to her.
Bob
Davies: Kids Program Manager
Sgt. Bob grew up in Newark New Jersey and wanted to move to Montana when he was about 9 years old. He finally made it here when he was 55. He spent 20 years as an Insurance Agent and 15 years as a Scout Leader. Without a doubt Bob belongs in the Mountains of Montana. His hobbies include riding, studying wild edible and medicinal plants, hunting and fishing. Bob enjoys sharing his knowledge about the wilderness and surviving in it. He knows more about this country in the short time he has been here than many who have spent their life here.
Amanda
Reynolds : Kamp Kootenai Counselor
Mandy was born in Phoenix, AZ but grew up in Montana.
A student at Montana State University in Bozeman, she hopes to major
in child psychology. She loves spending time with family and friends,
playing sports, singing and keeping busy. She loves horses, having been
around them most of her life doing 4-H, horse shows and trail rides
around beautiful northwest Montana. She is taking equitation classes
as part of her college cirriculum. Mandy loves Montana and hopes to
raise a family here.
Our
riding program
is geared to your needs. You can ride in our corral or ride the mountain
trails that surround our guest ranch. If you are a return
guest you can reserve your favorite horse.
Our
ranch is bordered on three sides by national forest land. Check our
weekly activities
schedule for a list of the events to enjoy on or near your own Kootenai
National Forest.
The
Riding Program here at the ranch is designed for all levels of riders.
Our riding
instruction is well known for its thoroughness and emphasis on safety.
Get
more info about our special children's
program. They can join the Fort Laramie Cavalry or participate in
our Kamp Kootenai Native American program.