How to Have a Memorable Old West Dude Ranch Experience

      There’s a cowboy or cowgirl in just about everyone. If the call of the American West has you thinking about dusting off that cowboy hat, pulling on the boots and saddling up, a dude ranch experience just might be the trip for you. Be aware, though, that while it’s still possible to visit a working ranch and participate in cattle drives, modern dude ranches include luxury resorts and honeymoon suite lodging.

If you’re looking to create a true “Old West” experience, these dos and don’ts can help do just that.

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Do

• your homework
• ask questions
• stay open to new activities
• plan on getting plenty of exercise
• get in the spirit!

Don't

• neglect to sync time of year for your vacation with ranch location
• expect to feel comfortable in the saddle all day on the first day
• plan to be on the cell phone and checking email
• bring fancy clothes
• forget to stay hydrated

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Do

Do your homework

Are you looking for a working ranch? Would you like to help out with ranch chores or take off on a week-long cattle drive? How much do you want to work? Since today’s dude and guest ranches can offer everything from spas and shopping to camping out and calf-roping, do some research to make sure you find exactly what you want.

Dude and guest ranch associations exist at the national level (Dude Ranchers Association), state level (such as the Colorado Dude and Guest Ranch Association) and regional level (such as the Dude and Guest Ranches of Grand County). They can help narrow down choices, and assure you that you are looking at ranches that meet standards for safety, cleanliness, and authenticity.

Do ask questions

Before you go, ask about specific activities on the ranch. While all ranches offer horseback riding, each one differs when it comes to guest participation in ranch activities. Determine whether you can take part in cattle drives, branding sessions, tending horses, ranch upkeep, or others. Be aware that on a working ranch, some level of horseback riding experience is typically suggested, as guests work side-by-side with wranglers.

Do stay open to new activities

Dude and guest ranches are generally all-inclusive so guests can choose as many or as few activities as they like each day at no additional cost. Typical activities include swimming, whitewater rafting, horseback riding (and instruction for all skill levels), mountain biking, hiking, cattle work, fly fishing, western dancing, archery, riflery, cowboy skills, jeep trips, pack trips, and even zip lines. This is your chance to explore and try something new.

Do plan on getting plenty of exercise

Getting out of the car—literally—and out of the habit of driving everywhere is one reason dude ranch vacations are popular. Once you arrive, the only travel is by horse, bike, or foot. Many people like to ramp up their activity and fitness level before arriving at the ranch so they can comfortably experience more activities. Regardless, though, if you’re seeking a true old west experience, plan on being outside, getting plenty of exercise, enjoying a healthy appetite, and sleeping well!

Do get in the spirit!

This really is the time to relax and recreate in the spirit of the Old West. Sit on the porch of your cabin, read a book, and watch the river. Wear the cowboy hat. Enjoy staff talent shows or other entertainment. It definitely won’t be like home so enjoy the break.

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Don't

Do not neglect to sync time of year for your vacation with ranch location

If you’re looking to embark on authentic Old West trip in mid-summer, check out ranches in Colorado, Montana, Wyoming and other northern states. You may find some great rates during late spring/early summer, and early fall. If you’re looking to travel in fall or winter, think about places such as Arizona or Texas.

Do not expect to feel comfortable in the saddle all day on the first day

Even visitors looking to fully immerse themselves into the Old West may need a little “break-in” time. Understand the horse riding program of the ranch before you go. Most ranches offer instruction-based horseback riding programs where you learn skills gradually before setting out to the backcountry on morning and afternoon trail rides. Daily instruction, both in an arena and on the trail, improve proficiency. Riders work up to loping and all-day rides.

Do not plan to be on the cell phone and checking email

Don’t expect all the technology you may have at home. After all, it is a dude ranch, and at many ranches, cell phone and computer use are discouraged. Depending on location, cell and Internet coverage may be spotty or unavailable, especially in the lodging areas. And you’ll likely not find much in the way of televisions.

Do not bring fancy clothes

Pack casual wear that is appropriate for the ranch you’ll be visiting. Remember that mountain locations can get very chilly at night, even in mid-summer. If you are planning on riding a great deal, bring a pair of cowboy boots (and break them at home). Hiking boots or other rugged footwear is very helpful. Plan ahead for sore muscles with some over-the-counter pain medication and/or muscle pain-relieving cream.

Do not forget to stay hydrated

When you are active and outside for long periods of time, it’s easy to become dehydrated and not realize it. Add in altitude (many ranches in the west are in the mountains), and the situation intensifies. Fill your bottle with water on your way to the ranch—in the car, train, bus or plane—and keep drinking throughout your trip. Plenty of water also helps to prevent headaches often associated with visits to higher altitudes.

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Summary

      No matter what your experience or skills, it is possible to have a memorable Old West dude ranch experience. Just make sure to do your homework, follow some basic guidelines, and set your expectations before getting carried away in the romance of the range.

 

   Jerry Helmicki

   Owner

   BarLazyJ Guest Ranch

This article written by Jerry was  published on Expert Beacon. For the original post, go to http://expertbeacon.com/how-have-memorable-old-west-dude-ranch-experience/#.UWLbHZNQGC3

Llamadeer?

      The lands surrounding the ranch are a huge wintering ground for the deer and elk herds in our off-season. We see them by the hundreds. But yesterday we saw something we'd never seen before--here or anywhere else! A white mule deer! (Yes, we know it looks like a llama—but trust us—it’s a mule deer.) Perhaps he/she (they just shed their antlers so it's difficult to tell from a distance) will stick around and we'll be able to see it when it's all shed out this summer. Beautiful and very unique—don’t see too many of these!

      

What’s Not to LOVE?

     If you’ve been a guest of ours within the past 10 years, then chances are you’ll recognize this lovely bride. Nancy Short has been a part of our ranch family since 2003 when she moved to Colorado from Michigan and began with her position on our Crew staff. Her skills and work ethic quickly moved her up to our Lodge Hostess position, but Nancy had a desire to pursue other skills as well and after completing school in massage therapy, became the ranch’s first on-ranch massage therapist. And you can bet we knew how good we had it!  Our guests who have traveled all over the world tell us they’d never had better. It was just this past year that Nancy decided to pursue yet another skill she has acquired (She’s multi-talented. What else can we say?) and has placed the “massage therapist torch” (What? It could be a ‘thing’—just trust me) into another’s very capable hands. We are sad we won’t be seeing her around the ranch as much, but we are thrilled for all of her new adventures and mostly we’re content because we know she’s still just up the hill and forever part of our ranch family!

      So this ranch family was thrilled when Nancy asked so many of us be part of a very special day for her. Nancy met Derek DuLac here in the small town of Parshall and after a beautiful friendship, they knew they wanted to spend their lives together. On the 23rd of February, they said their I Do’s in a small ceremony on a wintry Colorado day. And we don’t think a bride has ever shined like Nancy did! We are truly happy for them both.

      So how was the ranch part of their big day? Well…….YES! That is Jerry looking dashing in his cowboy suit. Didn’t know he was a minister as well? Neither did he! But Nancy and Derek asked him to conduct the ceremony. So here is something you may not know about our state. In Colorado, you can officiate your own wedding—it’s true! You simply do the paperwork beforehand and then you can ask whomever you’d like to speak and do the honors. They need no special title or license. And THAT is what Nancy and Derek did. Thus they were able to ask Jerry—whom, like so many of us, they love and respect—to do the honors. And honored he was!

Look at this beautiful bride!

     Our very own Chef Eddie Allen prepared an exceptionally divine spread of food for the wedding guests. That man makes magic when he’s cooking! And ranch mama Tammy Yurich mixed art with cake to give the couple a beautiful wedding gift—chocolate roses and all!  I’m starting to get hungry. Let’s move on……

Everything was fit for one perfectly matched couple!

And thank you to Grand Peaks Photography for sharing these gorgeous pictures with our ranch blog! A beautiful, beautiful job!

     So what better place to have an after-party… than our beloved Parshall Inn! Over the years, dozens of staff have fallen in love with the area and put roots in the towns surrounding the Bar Lazy J. With a reason to pull us all together, it was a fantastic night of old friends and new beginnings. We had much to celebrate!

Nat was our farrier for many years. He met Emily when she worked Crew for us several years ago and they were married in 2011.

Elisa worked several years for the ranch in various positions starting back in 1998. She, too, stayed in the area and she and her fiance Matt will be getting married this summer as well! (Are you noticing a trend here? Me too…)

Nancy and her “ranch parents”!  Cheri, Chad and Tammy—this couple also stayed after moving out to work on the ranch, met in 2003 and married in 2005!

      And by chance-- on this already wonderful weekend full of old friends and ranch family--there happened to be a few more who stopped by unrelated to all the festivities. They have impeccable timing! Richard is from England and comes yearly both in the summer and in the winter to enjoy the snowy side of things here in the county in addition to the beautiful summers. He has been our ranch guest for many, many years and like many of YOU, he is family to us.

     Recognize the fella on the left there below? Goose! No I’m not playing that duck game. That’s his name. Or at least that is how he will always be known on our ranch amongst our staff and guests. “Goose” is just a few months from graduating vet school in Ft. Collins and will be giving some of  his time to the Army Reserves up in the Northwest part of the country. We were sure to have him fulfill all our veterinary needs before he left—because he owed us for that extra comforter we let him steal from the laundry room when he worked for us….. <keeping a straight face.> It was wonderful to see him and he’ll be visiting us again soon to bring his girl—perhaps on their honeymoon from what we hear…..

      AND the lovely Miss Christina  you see here with Cheri, who was a first time ranch guest this past September, came for a few days to share her new love with some of her friends. We were delighted to see her and show off our wintry paradise to her and her friends-- Abbie and Libby. Although the ranch looks completely different in the winter, they caught that bit of magic everyone feels and all are planning their summer trip back. Although Christina’s may be a more permanent trip sooner than later (fingers crossed!) But be careful Christina. Based on our previous trend…………...you may never want to leave!

(Did you think I was going to say something else?)

    Congratulations once again to our one and only Nancy Short/Tall-Pants-Dulac. Thank you for letting Bar Lazy J be part of your big day! We love you and wish you and Derek all the happiness in the world.  May your happy moments together number more than the stars here on a summer night. May your lives be colored like the sunsets. And may your love be as bright, clear and warm as a Colorado blue-skied day.

Enjoying the Snow!

      Well several people have asked about how we feed the horses in the winter. You know that during the summer, the ranch has a dozen feeders full all hay every day of the best stuff we can find.  But in the winter time, free-feeding like that can cause lots of problems with the local wildlife. You can imagine feeder after feeder of green, ready hay would be a huge lure if you were a deer or elk looking for food sources during the winter months. And perhaps if it was one deer, that wouldn’t be an issue.  But when herds of a hundred elk (many close in size to some of our horses) move in to your feeding area—you’re out of luck! (And hay…and money….) It’s also dangerous for the wildlife who won’t move the herd around like they should and become dependent on a human-provided food source. We’ve had several years here at the ranch where elk move in with the horses for a few months and push them off the feeders. And that’s no good!

      So to avoid this problem with the “locals”, we drop hay daily for the herd with enough spread to give everyone lots of room to get their fill. As you can see—they can see that tractor coming!

We love these fuzzy faces!

Of course, some think it tastes better right off the tractor….

And others think it tastes best RIGHT off the tractor! (Any surprise this is Navajo? Ya…that’s what we said, too.)

And even on a chilly day—basking under a Colorado blue sky makes everyone around here smile!

That sunshine gives you cabin fever and as often as we can, we take to the mountains—

--even in the deep snow! (Anybody seen Rocky? Oh, there he is.)

The ranch dogs love when mom and day get out for a snowshoe! They also love to stop in the middle of the trail.

Like we mentioned before—the Williams Fork is still flowing strong. Often there are fishermen standing out here in their waders—now THOSE are some hardcore fishermen!

A little snow on the nose is good for the soul. (Did we lose Rocky again?)

And the fresh air and a little exercise is good for everyone!

Just another day in paradise!

A member of our ranch family recently took a plane ride around the county and caught some amazing shots from above. We had to share this gorgeous perspective of our daily views.

And here are some shots right at the ranch!

Parshall and the Williams Fork

It sure looks different in the snow, but can you pick out the familiar points?

I bet many of you can see your “house” from here!

Thanks Lisa for sharing these beautiful photos! What else can we say when the picture below says it all?