The following article 1st appeared in Ranch & Reserve Magazine’s Vol 2 Issue 2 Author: Sheilan Dove
As winter slowly slips away and slushy snow still drips down city drains, thoughts of spring eagerly come to mind with its promise of warmer days, trees blossoming and newly-born lambs and foals gambolling among wild-flowered meadows. And nowhere could it be better or more beautiful than at a guest ranch to welcome this time of hope and rebirth and experience the wonders of a seasonal shift, which calls to all of us on some ancient primeval level.
As Mark Twain famously said, “It’s spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you’ve got it, you want – oh, you don’t quite know what it is you want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!”
A spring break vacation is the ideal time to give way to all these feverish yearnings and dare to do something different, unexpected and exhilarating by heading off to a guest ranch with your family or loved one, friends or fellow students to satisfy that inner wish, that ache to feel gloriously alive at this time of awakening and renewal. To become totally aware of your existence in the here and now with a giddy, heady sense of anticipation of exciting things about to happen as you herald the advent of spring.
A guest ranch vacation is guaranteed to fulfil all the senses; that joyous feeling of well-being and sudden adrenaline rush as you try something new or perhaps do something you already love, such as exploring the neighbouring terrain of a ranch by horseback and drinking in the breathtaking landscape vistas that Mother Nature so generously provides. A guest ranch vacation is a golden opportunity to have adventurous fun-filled days, whether riding the trails, tubing, rafting and hiking or taking advantage of the many other activities that guests can enjoy when not in the saddle. The cheerful camaraderie of mingling with other guests at dinner and afterward…. the utter bliss of sleeping deeply and well within the quiet peacefulness of the ranch property after a healthy day spent outdoors.
The following guest ranches are just three examples of the many ranches situated in stunning locations ideally suited for that super-special spring break vacation that will satisfy your heart’s longing to do something truly out of the ordinary this coming spring.
The White Stallion Ranch in Tucson, Arizona is proud of being awarded the No. 1 spot out of 129 properties in the area for six consecutive years. This well-known, spectacular 50 year old ranch of Hollywood fame is set in unspoiled desert, cacti and rugged mountainous terrain and is the perfect place to enjoy a memorable spring break vacation. Owned and managed by three generations of the True family, this traditional dude ranch is carefully blended with the service and amenities associated with a fine resort.
White Stallion Ranch
In addition to its exceptional riding program and varied trail rides designed to suit adults and children at all skill levels, the ranch also offers an array of activities such as rock climbing, hiking, a weekly performance rodeo, tennis, basketball, swimming, rec room games and a movie theatre plus evening entertainment and a bar. Children in particular are encouraged to experience the freedom and love of nature, with access to many outdoor physical activities and a petting zoo.
The comfortable, spacious and well- appointed 43 guest rooms situated throughout the White Stallion Ranch all come with private patios and are designed to accommodate families and couples plus there’s a four-bedroom separate Hacienda available for small groups. According to the ranch website, an appreciative guest commented:
“The accommodations are beautiful western-themed casitas with views of mountains, gardens and of course the horses.”
White Stallion Ranch provides a variety of delicious meal options to please most palates with a cooked-to-order breakfast menu and continental-style buffet. Lunch and dinner buffets satisfy hearty appetites with an appetising array of dishes. Tasty snacks and hot and cold drinks are available throughout the day.
White Stallion Ranch is a one-of-a-kind ranch resort, especially at spring time when the desert daytime temperature is refreshingly cool and fragrant.
Coffee Creek Ranch , founded in 1900, is surrounded by a beautiful National Forest and the Trinity Alps wilderness area in Northern California and sits at an elevation of 3,068 feet. The guest ranch exudes a taste of southern-type hospitality and old west culture with an expansive list of amenities to entertain guests along with its unparalleled horseback trails.
Owing to its wilderness location, Coffee Creek Ranch is an ideal vacation for those wishing to reconnect with nature and “get off the grid” since the electricity is ranch-generated and switched off between midnight and 7.00am.
Boasting a “a real cowboy experience” as one happy guest wrote, there are two rides per day divided by ability level with access to 510 miles of stunning true wilderness scenery.
Coffee Creek Ranch
Amenities include a swimming pool, hot tub, fitness center with gym/workout room and a bar/lounge area. The adjacent Coffee Creek is an excellent fly fishing stream for trout and tubing expeditions. Hiking and mountain bike riding in the wild Trinity wilderness can be arranged for the more active guests. Additional activities include badminton, volleyball, horseshoes, table tennis, pedal boating or basketball. Guests can also test their skill at the archery and rifle range.
Accommodations consist of 16 spacious, rustic and comfortable cabins; food is ample, fresh from the garden and superbly prepared by Ruth, owner and chef of Coffee Creek Ranch.
The Coffee Creek guest ranch offers a unique opportunity to visit an outstanding protected wilderness area with all the comforts of home.
Sundance Guest Ranch is close to Ashcroft, the site of many a western movie, in ‘Supernatural Beautiful British Columbia’ among sage-brush speckled high desert hills and sandstone hoodoos just 4 hours from Vancouver, Canada. The ranch has a herd of over 100 well-groomed horses for daily trail rides to explore the semi-arid desert terrain and sprawling valley grasslands. Horse and rider are carefully matched to optimize each guest’s riding experience.
One satisfied guest from Italy recently reported, “A beautiful location with helpful wranglers/staff. The riding was pitched just right for us with responsive characterful horses.” salinascape10 reviewer
Other outdoor activities include sunny decks, heated swimming pool, an authentic horseshoe set, walking and hiking trails. Indoors, there’s a games room, billiards room and a movie lounge to add to guests’ enjoyment. And yes, a registered massage specialist is on hand to soothe away any aches and pains.
Sundance Guest Ranch
Dining is a special event at Sundance and the food doesn’t disappoint starting with the breakfast buffet and daily morning specials, such as eggs benny and French toast and after that to set menus for lunch and dinner of maybe classic charcoal-grilled steaks and hamburgers to more sophisticated international cuisine. The dining room is licenced with a fine wine list and overlooks the pastures where the horses graze at night and gallop freely….truly a sight to behold, photograph and cherish. The ranch has an adults-only BYOB lounge for after dinner socializing, especially on a Friday or Saturday night, the place of some legendary parties, and a weekly country-rock DJ dance every Saturday.
Accommodations vary from well-maintained standard to king size rooms and come with private full bathrooms, air-conditioning and comfortable beds. All the rooms are on one level and accessed by a covered boardwalk.
Sundance Guest Ranch is a highly recommended and very popular Canadian guest ranch destination for an unforgettable adventurous spring break vacation.
So…. dust off your riding boots and cowboy hat and make plans to celebrate this year’s spring break at an amazing ranch locale whether it’s the Arizona desert, the high North Californian wilderness or the picturesque semi-arid interior of British Columbia.
As Mark Twain might have put it, “It’s all there folks, just waiting for y’all.”
Let RanchSeeker help you find your ideal guest ranch vacation today!