ACCOMMODATIONS, “WHERE TO STAY?”

RANCH STAYS “HOME ON THE RANGE”

BY CLAY LARROY

If you're looking to get away from it all with a trip away from home, don't forget to travel smart. Regardless of whether you are traveling to a nearby location for the weekend or taking a week-long destination vacation, you are always going to benefit from some tips and ideas on how to make the whole process, more fun and less stressful. Take time each day to alleviate stress while traveling or vacationing and you will thank yourself for it when you get back home. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!

While not necessarily rigorous, a ranch vacation will make modest demands on a traveler’s physical conditioning. In considering whether a ranch vacation is for you, take stock of your willingness to spend most of your day in the out-of-doors, in a saddle, walking, hiking and, in general, being very active. Some riding and exercising in advance of your vacation will help ensure that you do not spend your first nights on the ranch nursing sore muscles!

Travelers are well advised to book as far in advance as possible. Most ranches have a relatively small capacity, restricting the number of guests, and operate during limited season. Many sell out during particular weeks and may not be able to accommodate you and your companions, particularly if there are a number of others accompanying you. Booking well in advance also allows for the best possible airfares if you are flying to your ranch destination.

Spend time with your travel consultant working through brochures and other sales collateral. Make sure that the accommodations, programs, setting and food selection are all to your liking. In addition, look for indications that the ranch invites guests of an experience level comparable to your own. If you are a novice looking for an introduction to horses, cattle and outdoor life, the ranch you choose should welcome the beginner. Likewise, if you are an accomplished outdoor enthusiast, you want a ranch experience equal to your abilities.

Pack clothing that is suitable for outdoor activity. A typical day will have cool mornings and evenings with warm mid-days. Boots are typically a very good idea to protect your feet. Loose, comfortable clothing, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen are a must. Yes, a bandana is a good idea!

Most gear will be supplied by your ranch. However, check to see if binoculars are provided or if you should bring your own, especially if wildlife is abundant. Because of the beautiful natural settings of most ranches, make sure that your camera makes the cut! Your ranch operator and host will often provide a list of recommended clothing and gear to bring with you on your trip. Finally, not all ranches permit smoking, so be sure to check if you have a strong preference for smoking/non-smoking.

Is a ranch stay safe? Any travel entails some degree of risk. However, ranch operators are very much aware of the inherent risks of being in the out-of-doors and seek to minimize the risk of having novice guests around farm animals and settings.

Here are a few tips that can help you ensure that you enjoy your ranch stay with the maximum value and minimum risk:

• Prepare for the trip by making sure that you can physically participate in the activities the ranch offers.
• Listen to your host! They are very much concerned for your safety and will offer you a great deal of advice about being round livestock and ranch equipment. If you are a novice, ask for assistance. Even if you are experienced, be willing to accept instruction and to learn new skills.
• Livestock - respect them, love them, never, ever, ever abuse them or lose your temper with them. Same goes for humans.
• As with any active vacation, travel insurance covering trip cancellation, trip interruption and medical emergencies is a good idea.

In practically every state of the United States, province of Canada and in many South American countries, you will find ranches inviting guests. Your travel consultant can assist you with determining which location matches your preferences. In the western United States, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Utah have dozens of ranches offering vacation experiences while Virginia, Alabama and North Carolina in the east have many options. But the list hardly ends there! No matter where you desire to spend your vacation, it is highly likely there is a dude ranch close by. In Canada, British Columbia and Alberta offer a large number of ranches offering stays ranging from one week to months!

Your own preferences will dictate the location of the best possible ranch stay. Want wide open scenery and wildlife? Want to be at altitude with the Rocky Mountains as your backdrop? Is fishing a part of your dream ranch vacation? Ranches in western North America have a peak season during the summer, typically June through August. Most offer fringe seasons when early spring might impose some colder weather or even a late snow storm on guests. In particularly warm settings, like Arizona, late fall and early spring are often better choices to avoid the heat of mid-summer. In the final analysis, however, the best time to go is when the ranch’s season matches the one in which you want to travel! Remember, too, that because of the limited season and guest capacity of many ranches, opportunities can sell out quickly. Book in advance!

The cost of a ranch stay varies widely. At the low end, where the ranches are authentically "rustic" the food is "grub" and the entertainment is largely supplied by the guests, the adult rates will be in the range of $150 a day and children $110. A more generously endowed set of amenities will average closer to $180 a day for adults and $125 for children. Truly deluxe guest ranches with many amenities, (one advertises "Gourmet meals in the main lodge and Ralph Lauren sheets on the beds") superior lodging and food selection will be in excess of $220 a day for adults and $150 for children. Carefully review what is included in your rates. Some ranches include tips, some do not. Taxes are almost always additional. Food is typically covered, as are any fees for fishing or other activities, but cover these issues with your travel consultant when making arrangements.

REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/

“Beware the crazy traveler! Mind expansion can be contagious...” 
― Nicole Leigh West

Live Life and Travel Often!