Anyone been to a ranch???

[kwormann]

My mom is coming for spring break and wants to go to a ranch. Has anyone ever been????

[Robyncz]

What sort of experience is she looking for? Does she want to see how a ranch works or actually have a "ranching experience"?

We went out to the YO Ranch (outside of Kerrvile, Texas) this summer and it was fabulous! The guest houses are mostly old historical cabins (the first schoolhouse in the area, and old general store, and some other old cabins) and the landscape is phenomenal. They have horseback riding, hiking, a beautiful swimming pool, and a pretty cool wildlife observation "safari" you can take part in. They have a bunch of African wildlife (ostriches, zebra, all kinds deer and antelope) on their land and they take you out on this rickety old jeep to see it. It's NOT like the "drive-through" safaris I remember from my childhood and we really enjoyed it.

Meals and a nightly open bar in the lodge are included in the price for lodging. The meals are a hoot. Everyone eats family style at the chuckwagon. This woman who has been cooking for the ranchhands for the last million years, I think, cooks all the meals and has no trouble telling you off if you show up late!!


If you're interested, they have a website, but it doesn't tell you that much. Here's the link:

http://www.yoranch.com/RANCH/Index.htm (http://)

[kwormann]

She basically wants to stay on a ranch and see horses and ride, walk, etc

[Peggy]

Kim,

Are you looking for somewhere in Texas? We took our daughter and a friend to a Guest Ranch in California for her birthday, but I'm thinking you are probably interested in somewhere close to home.

Peggy

[Peggy]

Kim,

Here is a website that has all kinds of information on ranch vacations. www.hiddentrails.com

Peggy

[claire797]

We stayed at the Twin Elms Dude Ranch in Bandera when I was about 6. I don't know if it's still there, but it was lots of fun. Everyone lived in little cabins on the property. There was a pool, a gameroom, lots of trailrides and a chili night.

However, I remember my parents having some argument about how we shoud have stayed at The Mayan -- which is also located in Bandera. They have a website too. http://www.mayanranch.com/

[SusanL]

we live in PA~ We have just talked tonight on our evening walk about a DUDE ranch where we can ride horses, take long walks, canoe, and eat great food. I plan to investigate all of the websites posted here. Believe it or not, my co-workers and I hope to do a DUDE ranch together some day in the near future. Thanks for all of your suggestions, Kim thanks for the original post!! Hope you find the perfect place for your mom!

[kwormann]

Thanks guys. I am finding in Tx, Bandera is the place to go (nice, since it is only 5 hours form me!)

[SusanMac]

Been to one? I was married on one :-) (Just had to add that to the discussion :-) DH and I got married on a dude ranch and it was a blast. We were in Colorado, though.

I've heard awesome things about Bandera. Mom lives in austin and spends weekends in Bandera all the time. Dont have a ranch to recommend. let us know what you find and how it goes (I couldn't get my Mom on a horse at our wedding, but she had fun anyway :-)

[sneezles]

Kim,
Be sure to check out the Texas Parks website. Bandera is a wonderful area to explore. Lost Maples State Park,
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/lostmap/ , is really beautiful. And the YMCA has a ranch in that area called Hammand Ranch that you can stay at. We took the boys one year and stayed in the teepees but they do have a couple of cabins.
Here's a great link for Bandera:
http://tourtexas.com/bandera/

You could come stay here but we not very experienced in the "dude" part of ranching! :p

[Little Bit]

What a cool thread!
When I was little we stayed at the T Lazy 7 in the Colorado mountains out from Aspen. It was great fun, but I do have uncomfortable memories of being more than just a little sore after having spent the entire day riding behind my dad.
We went a few times in the summer, and had a great time riding horses, fishing, hiking, campfires, singing, etc. and once in the spring, when we got to ski, swim in the heated pool and sweat in the sauna.. All my experiences there took place 30 years ago, so I'm not sure what might be different now.
Here's a link:

http://www.tlazy7.com/

[kwormann]

Originally posted by sneezles


You could come stay here but we not very experienced in the "dude" part of ranching! :p

Thanks for the info. I have been meaning to ask you about the bar you own. You have music on the weekends, right? WHat kind? I think DH might enjoy such a place!

[Robyncz]

Sneezles? Bar? What part of Texas are you in?

Kwormann, I've also heard good things about the dude ranches in Bandera. Let me know if you find one you like.

Robyn

[kwormann]

Robyn, this is the one I found that I think I like the best (for the price)

http://www.dixieduderanch.com/dixiearea.html

[sneezles]

We don't really refer to it as a bar, it's a beer joint/saloon. It's 100 years old (and so are some fo the cob webs ;) ). It's in the little town of Fayetteville, Texas, some 18 miles SE of La Grange (and about 60 miles from Austin). We have live music about once a month (cutest little cowboy singer!) and occasionally twice a month (really don't like working that hard...). We just put in a karaoke machine and that has opened a whole new can of worms!
We only open on Fri and Sat (and then sometimes not then if we have a better offer :D ) so let me know if you're headed this way...
We are going to Scotland over Spring Break though (3/7-3/19) so we won't be open those weekends...

[Robyncz]

Wow!

I'm sure I've been through Fayetteville, but I couldn't say why. We'll have to take a fieldtrip and check you guys out. Nothing quite like a Texas beer joint with a cute cowboy singer. . .

[sneezles]

Robyn,
He's scheduled to be there again on January 19th, 8:30-12:30. He's a doll, sings like George Strait, and even sings up on the bar!Maybe you've been to Fayetteville because of the Antique Weekends in April and October? We have "Elvis" in the house on those weekends. Would love for you to come!

[claire797]

Sneezles,

My mom lives in La Grange and would love to come to your bar for the live music. I may send her your way.

[Robyncz]

Sneezles,
What's your place called?

Claire797,
Maybe we could take a field trip!

Robyn

[claire797]

That would be really fun! It's only an hour and a half away and we could stay overnight at my mom's house. There's plenty of room :)

[sneezles]

The name of the place is Baca's (sounds like gotcha) Confectionary & Saloon. It's located on the square in Fayetteville and when Todd plays the place is rockin' (sometimes literally)! Let me know and I'll save a table for y'all!

[katygirl]

How Cool, Sneezles! Does your place have a webpage?