Blue skie ahead for dude ranches

Our recent conversation with Arizona's Russell True, new President of the Dude Ranchers' Association (DRA) and co-owner of White Stallion Ranch, included some good thoughts about the challenges facing dude ranches and their visitors in a tough economy. "We have to remind people that when you buy a ranch package, there are few to no add-ons," says True. "If you compare a dude ranch to another resort, it’s apple to oranges: we’re all-inclusive and a very good value."

But besides value, there's another good reason to choose a dude ranch now, he continues. "Families need ranches because we create opportunities for real family time and some of our best family memories," he contends. "You’re getting real experiences—not manufactured amusement park stuff," True adds. "And we love what we do: it’s not just a job for any of us," he notes.

The dude ranch is a uniquely American-born institution, and the first introduction to the West for some. Some ranches got their start at the turn of the century, so there’s history, culture, and tradition here, too.

"The Chinese word for crisis also means 'dangerous opportunity'," says True. "As ranchers, we’re must be more open minded, versatile, and adjust and adapt while protecting and expanding our future." No problem, says True. "Ranchers are flexible-we’ll get better at our jobs. And there’ll be more of us standing at the end of all this." And blue skies will return.

Arizona spring: White Stallion Ranch

Springtime in Arizona is, well, right about now. I just talked to Russell True, of Tucson’s White Stallion Ranch, and the way he describes the view from his window makes me want to jump on a flight south.

“It’s pretty well perfect today,” says True, “about 85° outside.” He’s sitting in the same office his parents used. “We’ve been ranching here 44 years,” says True, and he and his brother have continued the dude ranch tradition started by their parents in the 1940s. Gazing out his glass south wall, True notes, he looks at Panther and Safford Peaks, part of the Tucson Mountains, and it’s classic rugged Arizona—a lush and green desert in this season.

“People forget how green this desert can be in spring,” True says with a laugh, “but it really is.”

Across a couple miles of the 3,000-acre ranch, True can see Saguaro National Park, with the Catalina Mountains to the east. “We’re on five square miles of undisturbed desert, part of which is right up against the park,” he explains. It's an authentic cattle ranch, but with lots of amenities that guests love. “My parents sacrificed to grow the ranch and create a strong foundation,” True notes, “and my brother and I have had the good fortune to add to and upgrade the ranch.”

The ranch offers comfortable accommodations, from single rooms to suites with whirlpool bath and fireplaces, all done in a Southwestern motif. Amenities include a fitness center, heated pool, hot tub, movie theater, sauna, sports court with full court basketball, volleyball, badminton and paddle tennis, tennis court, shuffleboard, and a recreation room. In addition to horseback riding, they offer several guided hikes each week and evening programs.

All that they offer is part of what sets them apart. “We believe we’re the best value in the business,” claims True, “with our diversity of offerings, quality of rooms, and prices, we’re a super value.”

And there’s no better time to check out White Stallion Ranch than now.

Five ways a dude ranch vacation saves money

Getting away is more important than ever these days (who isn't stressed out right about now?). But with high gas prices and a challenging economy, families are having a harder time figuring out how to work a vacation into the budget. Road trips may be the quintessential American vacation, but staying in one place— that offers a variety of activities in one location—means big savings and less stress.

A dude ranch vacation can be the perfect value vacation. Five reasons should convince you:

1) A dude ranch is all-inclusive. Meals, lodging, activities are all included—unlike a cruise, where everything from soda pop to port fees and land excursions cost extra.

2) You know where the kids are at all times (they're having a blast—and supervised), and you generally aren't spending extra on babysitting.

3) Considering all the facilities and activities open to your use, a dude ranch gives you more bang for your buck.

4) Go during the shoulder season (often June and October at mountain ranches) or low season (summer at the desert ranches) and you can often find discounted rates.

5) All the memories you'll make as a family: priceless.

Randy George, owner of Latigo Ranch in Colorado's Grand County, put it best. "An all-inclusive dude ranch vacation requires no intricate planning, keeps every member of the family happy with a wide variety of activities, and lets people experience a real slice of the American West - all in line with a budget, with no extras or hidden surprises."

To find a value ranch, click on Ranchweb.com.

Targeting the women's market

My pal Jane C. sent me a hopeful note about the travel industry recently. She contends that, despite the difficult economy, women are continuing to travel. And April M. Merenda, President and Co-Founder of Gutsy Women Travel, says, "Gutsy women from all walks of life are braving the current situation and still determined to travel."

A key travel industry executive who has a good feel for this market, Ms. Merenda says that many women — especially teachers and mother/daughters and girlfriends— are deciding that no matter what shape the economy is in, they need a break and plan to take one, certain that they'll return revitalized and ready to tackle life's challenges with renewed energy.

Ms. Merenda believes that her company's success is due in part to the fact that women still view travel as a necessity—not a luxury—and many save up for their dream trips. Ms. Merenda's company has found success with competitively priced single supplements and also has introduced a 'guaranteed share' program which is designed for the many women who travel solo, but worry about whether they can afford high single supplement charges. Gutsy Women relies on repeat business (some 60%) and word-of-mouth compliments from past passengers has proved to be the company's biggest marketing tool.
 Sounds like a few of those ideas just might work down on the ranch.

Time to visit an Arizona ranch!

I'm looking out my window to cold, slashing rain and dreaming of Arizona, where it's 73° and sunny today in Tucson. Winter is the best season for most Arizona ranches and there’s still plenty of time to sneak away for a warm, sunny dude ranch vacation. Arizona ranches have so much to offer. There are those that focus on being casual and family-friendly, like the Grapevine Canyon Ranch in Pearce. Others boast elegant, upscale facilities, such as Hidden Meadow Ranch near Greer and the Rancho de los Caballeros in Wickenburg. Many offer warm and colorful southwestern architecture, like White Stallion Ranch outside Tucson and Kay El Bar Ranch in Wickenburg (shown in photo).

And all offer value options. Wondering which ranch to choose? There’s plenty of help. On the Ranchweb page, go to Selecting A Ranch and scroll through all the options that various ranches have to offer, from riding, fishing, and cattle drives to spas and luxury options. Or just click here. Another useful tool is on the Arizona Dude Ranch Association website. There, a page lets you compare prices, seasons, programs, and facilities; all various attributes of all their Arizona member ranches in a handy chart form.
Just don't wait too long. Prime time is now! Stay tuned for next week's series on Arizona ranches.

Winter at Vista Verde Ranch

In the depth of winter, I think of snowy scenes like the one at right, at Colorado's Vista Verde Ranch. And I long for the peace and beauty of snowcapped mountains.

I just got a note from Stephanie at Vista Verde Ranch, and it brought back memories. I've visited this ranch near Steamboat, Colorado, in both summer and winter. And while I love it in all seasons, there's something really special about winter at the ranch. It's so incredibly lovely and there's so much to do: riding shaggy-coated horses in deep snow. Cross-country skiing past tall, leafless aspen. Sitting by the fire with a crisp Chardonnay in hand. 

Since they have so much news, I thought I'd pass along the latest from Stephanie. "There’s a lot going on at Vista Verde the past couple years," she says. "We are in the midst of a major lodge expansion, which is due to be finished before summer and is stunning already!  Our indoor riding arena is being erected so we’ll be able to offer more riding opportunities in the winter." 

And she continues, "Cabins have been remodeled, with others waiting for their turn.  New ownership, a fabulous new chef, and some new members of management have added an extra oomph of excitement to what we are already passionate about- providing an unforgettable Western vacation experience."

There's a lot to do here in winter, from nordic skiing, sledding, sleigh rides, and horseback riding, to just relaxing in the outdoor hot tub. And the downhill ski slopes at Steamboat are just minutes away. 

We're always thrilled to hear about ranch news, so keep sending in those notes! Just click the envelope at left to email us.

News from the 2009 DRA Conference

I had a chance to chat with Colleen Hodson, Executive Director of The Dude Ranchers' Association (DRA) about their recent gathering in Arizona. The DRA is in its 83^rd year, going strong since 1926. “The turnout was great ,” Hodson said. “You can’t go wrong in sunny Arizona in the middle of winter!”

And she told me that the host ranch, Tanque Verde, really “put on the dog” for the group. “We had everything from fire dancers to foot rodeos to country western dancing and live auctions,” Hodson explained.

When I asked what a foot rodeo was she explained that it was a lot of fun contests played on foot (no horses allowed). “You catch a chicken— blindfolded, put panties on a goat, throw a tomahawk,” she said, with a laugh.

The fun stuff loosened up the crowd before they got down to business, listening to important messages from speakers such as James Owen, author of Cowboy Ethics and a former hedge fund operator who “got tired of Wall Street and realized that if we all lived the way cowboys and dude ranchers live, we’d all be better off”.

A web guru “told us all how to better use the web—which is increasingly important,” Hodson contended. Later on, Bill Reynolds from the nonprofit Paragon Foundation spoke about land use and water rights, “an issue to many of our members”. Tracey Knutsen of Alaska spoke about adventure travel litigation and explained the importance of waivers and releases.

“We give out scholarships to those pursuing careers in our industry, and we teamed up with TROT (Theraputic Riding of Tucson) to auction off weeklong stays at dude ranches,” she said, noting that they raised well over $18,000 for the good cause.

And the group elected its new president: Russell True, of White Stallion Ranch, near Tucson. True spoke about how ranchers are going to have to “cooperate, collaborate, and find ways to work together to strenthen the DRA.” 

We’ll have an interview with the new DRA president in the coming weeks. Watch for it.

From the 2009 Dude Ranchers Association Conference

Recently, the Dude Ranchers' Association Conference was held at Tanque Verde Ranch in Arizona. Later this week, we'll tell you more conference news. Gene Kilgore had some inspiring thoughts for conference-goers, and we thought we'd share a portion of his speech with you.

 “I have titled my speech Champions of Goodness. That is what dude ranching is all about. That is what you, Dude Ranchers, all share. Goodness! And do we all ever need goodness in the world today. An Interviewer once asked me what I like most about ranching and I replied ‘It is simple: no phones, no emails, no faxes, just some good old fashioned horsin’ around!’ 

These past 29 years in ranch country have been exciting, enriching, and tough, too. I began the first edition of my book [Ranch Vacations] in 1988, penniless in a small cabin in Lake Tahoe. I was working three jobs and wondering how I was going to make it. 

By the grace of God I am here today - surrounded by some of the best people in the world—the dude ranch community.

Thankfully, I have been supported by my wonderful Brazilian wife, Regina, and son Francisco. Supported by a magnificent team of men and women who work with me. And inspired by you—ranchers who share their lives. All of us are making the world a better place. My journey has taken me to many wonderful ranches and allowed me to meet so many good people. All I want to do is continue bringing the world the best of ranch country, which ultimately means bringing more reservations to ranchers who are riding with us. It is that simple—we are in the success business; we are all about helping you keep winning. That is what I have built my reputation on.


The challenges ahead for ranching, our countries, and the world are enormous. We are in a financial crisis most of us have never seen. The effects are rippling around the world and are now affecting ranchers. Leading economic experts say this will get worse in 2009. Millions of layoffs. These are tough serious times!

Yet the opportunities for us all to share the ranch message are greater than ever.

Ranching is still one of the best remedies to combat all the stress that is so pervasive in our lives today. Reconnecting with nature, old fashioned goodness, and camaraderie are what we all need. You bring out that goodness and make communing with nature and animals the best!"

Down Argentine way, take a whack at polo

Just outside Cordoba, Argentina, Estancia Los Potreros is a horse and cattle ranch run by the Begg family. Its small size (12 guests) belies the estancia's world-class reputation, honed by Robin and Kevin Begg and their wives Teleri and Luisa.

Guests get a close-up look at a classic South American cattle estancia, plus enjoy trail riding, birdwatching, hiking in the wide-open countryside, and Cordon-bleu inspired menus. On twice-daily rides, you can cover a lot of Argentinian ground, depending on your experience and skill.

But what most guests remember about Los Potreros: polo. If you're up to it, you can take a whack at the game the Brits spread around the globe. When they give you a mallet, helmet, and a horse used to novice players, you'll be geared up—or 'kitted out', as they say in the British-style English spoken here (along with Spanish). Then the Beggs will teach you the game's basics, like how to hit the ball without hitting your mount. Eventually, you'll play a practice chukka-one period in a polo match. 

It's open year-round (save for four weeks in May/June). Twice a year, Los Potreros offers two-week daily polo schools for beginners; check the web for schedule. And every Easter, the ranch hosts an annual polo tournament. As the Brits would say, "Bully, old chaps!"

Holiday in Yellowstone

Looking for a different holiday outing? How about snowmobiling, snowshoeing, or nordic skiing in Yellowstone National Park or along the Continental Divide Trail System? At Wyoming's Turpin Meadow Ranch, winter play options abound.

You can tramp about endlessly on snowshoes (it's fun and easy, even for beginners) or strap on skinny skis and glide onto a trail right outside your cabin door. Turpin Ranch is in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, so Grand Teton National Park is handy (just 15 miles away) and so is the southern border of Yellowstone National Park. The ranch offers snowmobile tours into Yellowstone park, where you can gawk over abundant wildlife (bison, elk, tundra swans, even wolves) along with hissing mud pots, frothy fumaroles, and steamy geysers. Or let them show you a section of the Continental Divide Trail (CDT); the little-known CDT traverses some of Wyoming's most diverse landscapes, from the craggy Teton Wilderness to the lake-strewn Wind River Range.

Bootcamp for dudes

Tucked away on 10,000 acres in the Santa Barbara wine country, The Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort has played host to city slickers and celebs since 1946 (Clark Gable was an early guest). Now, you can see a bit of Alisal's more challenging side: Bootcamp.

Rough it alongside accomplished equestrians and expert wranglers on 2009 Bootcamps designed for and dubbed Cowgirls, Couples, or Mother/Daughter. The three-night, four-day adventures are all inclusive and combine the best of wild west culture with the adventures of working on a real cattle ranch.

Upcoming dates: Mother/Daughter Bootcamp (Feb. 26-Mar. 1); Cowgirl Bootcamp (May 3-6); Couples Bootcamp (Oct. 22-25). For more, click on the link above.

For which we are thankful

Thanksgiving, 2008

As snow begins to fall in the high country, those who love the world of ranching are reminded of so many good things.
-Green pastures in spring.
-The beauty and grace of a horse.
-The sudden appearance of wildflowers in the mountains and deserts.
-Snow falling on hay bales.
-The warm comraderie between dude ranch guests, wranglers, counselors, and ranchers.
-For ranchers, the joy of being able to share their passions and love of their special world with their guests.
-And most of all: the good fortune to work or play in a place that nourishes both body and soul.

Dude and guest ranches with Women's Weeks

I'm not the best rider in the West, so I've always wanted a program where I could brush up my riding skills, learn more about horses (what are they thinking when their ears prick up?), and maybe get a little girly pampering, too. Several ranches now have programs that offer that kind of thing; classes are kept small and usually last a week.

Take Tanque Verde Ranch's Women of the West clinic, for example. You check into comfy casitas, dive into a week of horse training classes, and at the end of each day you sit around a campfire and get entertained by horse trainer Tom Chambers (he's also a singer and western music composer). On the last day, the gals are treated to a professional massage at the spa, plus Dom Perignon Champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries!

Chambers says the goal is to let riders experience "that magic place in time that I call harmony with horses!" Yep, but you all experience some pretty nice pampering, too.  Tanque Verde's Women of the West has six clinics in 2009 (start dates Jan. 31; Feb. 28; Ap. 18; Oct. 3; Nov. 7; Dec. 12); click here for the website. 

More ranches with women's week programs: ARIZONA: Flying E Ranch; Kay El Bar. WYOMING: Firehole Ranch; Paradise Guest Ranch.

Workaholic's therapy in Arizona

Are you a workaholic? Wickenburg's Kay el Bar Ranch offers a fun solution: horse therapy. At check-in, guests are offered the option of "checking out" by checking in their cell phones, and (as soon as possible) swinging into the saddle, and riding off into the sunshine. "This is a serious problem," says ranch owner Joe Beattie. "Blackberries (aka crackberries), cell phones, and constant work chatter are eroding our quality of life. Though a bit tongue-in-cheek, we do have a solution."

Arizona's oldest dude ranch also has some news: it just completed its largest restoration to date. The original adobe walls have been restored, lodge bathrooms upgraded, and traditional landscaping has been returned. But the most important thing hasn't changed: the peace and serenity you can find here in this lovely Sonoran Desert setting.

To learn more, visit Kay el Bar on the web.

ABC's new dudes

Alan Shore and Denny Crane on horseback? Yep, the wise-cracking, business-suited boys from ABC's Boston Legal are heading for a dude ranch on next week's episode of the hit prime-time show. Frankly, we can't wait to watch them saddle up.

We don't know if actors James Spader (Shore) or William Shatner (Crane) have ever been to a dude ranch in real life, but Shatner is, in fact, a fine horseman. He rides and breeds American Quarter Horses and owns the world champion Sultan's Great Day. The actor devotes time to AHEAD with Horses, a charity group which gives physically and mentally challenged children the thrill of riding a horse (while boosting their confidence); Shatner is also the annual host for the Hollywood Charity Horse Show. That merits a tip of the hat.

In next week's episode, Alan and Denny check into a dude ranch and find themselves "at odds with their fellow horse enthusiasts". Naturally. (Check local listings for time and station.)

Autumn colors on the ranch

Split rail fences zig-zagging into golden groves of aspen. Chocolate brown horses stepping across a meadow. A tangerine alpenglow melting over the top of a nearby mountain. Those are some of the hues of a typical fall day around some dude ranches. You see, not all of the ranches close for the season at summer's end.

At spots like the C Lazy U Ranch in the mountains of Colorado, autumn is one of their favorite times of year. It's perfect for long hikes through forests daubed with bright colors, rides into the mountains, and roasting marshmallows around a crackling campfire. It's also when wildlife begin to move down from the mountains. Said one recent guest, "While sipping a cup of cowboy coffee one morning, I spotted a moose by a nearby creek; other days I watched the beavers take their morning swim in the pond!"

At California's Highland Ranch, the season brings wellness programs, like the Yoga and Riding Weekend Clinic, midweek discounts, and a harvest of fruit from Highland's own 

apple, peach, and pear trees (see photo, below, right). "With 

the start of school," says manager Jim Gaines, "crowds are gone and fall is a really peaceful time to be here."

Of course in Arizona, fall color is given a twist. At Grapevine Canyon Ranch, where Chiricahua Apaches once roamed, the sagebrush after a rainfall gets a tangy scent and a freshly-washed, gray-green hue. "Now the ranch is covered with tall, silvery grass that is at the legendary stirrup height," says owner Eve Searle, "and there are lots of wildflowers only now beginning to fade away." October and November is also time for cattle round-ups, and guests are welcome to help.

And up in the White Mountains at the Hidden Meadow Ranch, one seasonal high point is the Wild West Rodeo Weekend, (Oct. 17-19); team penning is one of their best events of the year. Another highlight is the HMR Winemaker Weekend (Oct. 24-26): A Taste of Rebel Vinum, and including a five-course dinner. But ultimately, you could say that fall's main color is green (rates plunge after September 5, saving you lots of green).

So as October weather brings a chill, remember that it also brings a palette of colors to ranches everywhere.