RANCH STAYS “HOME ON THE RANGE”
BY CLAY LARROY
When you choose to travel,
whether it is for business or pleasure, it is important to plan your trip well
before hand. Don't be afraid to cash in your airline miles. Many travelers let
their miles accumulate and never bother using them. Reap the rewards of your
traveling and spend the miles you've earned! Miles have expiration dates, so be
sure to use them before they expire. Often you can use them on items other than
travel, so check out your options and get to spending. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!
A
ranch stay is often the perfect way to relax and rejuvenate. Whether referred
to as a "dude ranch", a "cattle ranch vacation" or a
"ranch stay", (our preferred term), here is the opportunity to get
back to nature and to interact with animals and physical activity in a very
special way. There are ranch stays of every variety, from family vacations to
singles, from those that focus on actual ranch work to those that are primarily
about relaxation in a western setting. Whatever your preferences, there is a
ranch vacation waiting on you.
- Ranch stays
typically refer to vacations or retreats that involve the following
elements:
1.
a
period of time on a working farm or ranch, often in a western North American
setting (although South American ranch stays are available);
2.
with
an emphasis on working with cattle, horses and other livestock;
3.
in
an environment hosted by experienced ranch personnel.
This
TRO guide will explain the various considerations for considering and planning
a ranch stay. Those travelers looking for an active, outdoor adventure will
greatly appreciate the tremendous value that many ranch stays offer. The
promise of a ranch stay is a memorable vacation, adventure and natural beauty.
Ranch stays are all about the out-of-doors. Here the traveler has the opportunity
to reconnect with an active aspect of life that is too often missing from the
day-to-day work world. Families, couples and singles alike enjoy ranch stays,
and find the experience not only brings them closer to nature, but also makes
for a greater appreciation of team work and physical labor. The ranch stay does
not have to be all about activity, however. There is typically plenty of time
for relaxation, reflection, and good food.
A ranch stay
is for you if:
- You enjoy active
vacations;
- You want to work
with animals, especially horses;
- You want to
spend your vacation time out of doors;
- You enjoy rustic
settings;
- You want to
experience a very different type of vacation.
There
are as many types of ranch stays as there are ranches. Indeed, every ranch
operation offers a slightly different experience based on the character of the
proprietor and the nature of the ranch. The most popular ranch stays include
the opportunity to spend a lot of time on horseback with plenty of time at your
own leisure. Some ranches will permit you to keep a single horse throughout
your stay and ride when you like, others will provide a pool of horses from
which to select daily. Most often, there is the option to work with either
cattle or sheep, or both, from horseback. The central activities typically
involve herding the livestock from one destination on the ranch to another, or
simply ranging across the landscape either alone or in a group enjoying the
scenery.
Family
ranches invite aspiring cow pokes of all ages. Such ranches may offer special
programs for children. Parents can participate with children in some
activities, or engage in their own pursuits while their offspring encounter
ranch life in a supervised setting. Other ranches are adult only, so be sure to
check the allowed age limits for you and your family companions. Working
ranches permit guests to be involved in other aspects of daily ranch work such
as branding cattle, fixing fences or gathering crops. Alternatively, guests can
observe the working ranch in progress, enjoying the view from a less engaged
more reflective vantage point. Other ranches emphasize specialized activities,
such as fishing, hiking, trail riding or wrangling.
There
is typically the opportunity to learn new skills during a ranch stay. The staff
will often teach guests how to work with cattle, how to rope and to practice
"cutting", or maneuvering, cattle in and out of a herd.
But
all is not work! Many ranches are located in the wide open spaces of rural
Canada or the American west, providing breathtaking sightseeing, fishing, water
sports, rock climbing, mountain biking and photography opportunities. Wildlife
abounds, and good photographers are rewarded with many opportunities for prize
pictures. Ranches provide down-time for guests for relaxation, reading or
mingling and sharing experiences with other guests. Decide if a heavily
structured environment is right for you, or if you would prefer a more relaxed,
unstructured vacation. The point is that there is a right ranch stay for just
about everyone!
Accommodations
range from rustic bunk houses to deluxe cabins with hot tubs and lodges with
complete bars. Your preferences in sleeping comfort and conditions will greatly
influence your choice of one ranch stay over another. Many ranches offer camping
on the range for some portion of the stay as a part of the experience.
Sometimes there is organized evening entertainment, or the guests may be left
to their own devices.
Food
quality and quantity is another variable of the ranch stay. Most ranches offer
food as a part of the package, but some meals are often taken off premises in a
local town or nearby restaurant. Many ranches offer special dietary
consideration for vegetarian or other cuisines. Request a sample menu during
your research. Finally, ask your chosen ranch about the advisability of renting
a vehicle for transportation from the airport, for running into town, or for
drives around the ranch.
REFERENCE
SITES:
Travel to create
marvelous memories for you and your family or friends!
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