A Dude Ranch Vacation

ONE OF THE BEST leisure experiences in my memory, which I enjoyed with my family a few years ago, was a week's stay at a dude ranch located in the beautiful Hill Country of Texas. There were five of us, and we all had a delightful time being together during the Christmas holidays. It was a special treat to observe my father attempting to line-dance, and my mother sitting very still on a horse! My wife and I particularly enjoyed a breakfast on the banks of the Medina River, and our son was always ready to saddle-up for two trail rides every day. It was fun to put on bluejeans and boots, and take full advantage of the cowboy atmosphere for those several days.

During our dude ranch vacation, we found that the experience was both exhilarating and relaxing. As guests at the ranch, we could be as busy or as quiet as we wanted to be. While the ranch had a rustic flavor, it also provided up-to-date facilities and amenities.

The food at the ranch was out-of-this-world! There were three meals each day, and snacks available in-between. There was always more than enough to eat - with plenty of choices - and the food was delightfully delicious. The mess hall was a popular place! However, a trail ride to breakfast and an outdoor Texas-style bar-b-que were additional highlights.

Live music, western dances and games, campfires, a marshmallow roast, hayrides, and staff talent shows were scheduled for all the guests. Tennis, basketball, volleyball, ping pong, swimming, tubing, and fishing treks were also available. Special attractions included fireworks and a international trick-roper.

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We enjoyed riding horses on picturesque trails winding their way from the lowlands to the hills. Along the way we discovered panoramic views of the valleys beyond. As we gathered around campfires and listened to a cowboy singing and strumming a guitar, it was easy to have visions of the Old West. By the end of the first day on the ranch, and throughout our stay, we found ourselves in the midst of a wonderful world of western warmth. The ranch staff liked to say that they offered a special brand of "horsepitality."

Dude ranches can be found all across the United States and in many countries around the world. While some similarities exist among all ranches, yet each ranch is unique. Each ranch works hard to develop and maintain it's own identity, program, and reputation. Current information about ranches is easy to obtain on the Internet.

There are many choices when it comes to getting away and spending time with your family. But for an unusual family get-together, and a unique leisure experience for each individual, our family is happy to recommend a dude ranch vacation!

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--The picture above was taken at the Mayan Dude Ranch in Bandera, Texas.