RanchSeeker Blog

How Dude Ranches Are Making the World a Better Place

10/11/2013 5:00:42 PM

If you have ever visited a carnival, you may be familiar with a particular game often called ‘whac a mole’. The objective is to continue to hit the imitation mole-like critters that pop up out of holes in the game board until the time is up. They keep popping up, and you must continue to bonk them on the head. You may be now wondering of what relevance this is to dude ranches, and how this might relate to dude ranches making the world a better place, so we will now continue with an explanation.

Whack a mole

Common today are rising stress levels, and the familiar feeling that regardless of how hard you try to resolve all the challenging situations you are facing in your life - there is always one more waiting to ‘pop up’ through life’s game board. Taking a much needed, wind down style vacation can be the very thing needed to recharge and reset your priorities. Sometimes you can not change the types of challenges you may be dealing with, but you can adjust the way you approach them - and form new, healthier patterns that will be more positive. Today’s technology driven society inundates us with ways to ‘connect’. Dude ranches are unique in that they offer a place to ‘reconnect’ with natural elements in a comfortable, laid back style. Whether you search out a dude ranch that offers luxurious accommodations in a picturesque location, or a more rugged terrain back to basics style ranch - you will without a doubt leave behind the cares that weigh you down as you look up at a star filled sky, and enjoy an open fire cookout. Trail riding may just be what is needed to open your mind to the idea of new paths ahead in your life, and the adventure of a staying at a dude ranch may be enough of a jolt to your routine that you make up your mind to accept whatever comes your way.

Echo Valley Ranch
 Echo Valley Ranch in British Columbia

By offering to visitors a place to tune out the anxiety, and tune in to the simple pleasure of delicious food, warm hospitality and a close to nature experience - dude ranches provide a destination that can truly impact their visitors. With long lasting memories of the calm, relaxing environment, one can benefit from a dude ranch vacation for years on into the future. We may find ourselves trying to succeed at ‘wacking the moles’ in our life. What we may really need to do however is to find a new perspective, with a balanced and simple approach to success - and find a better way to play the game. A dude ranch vacation can re-energize our thinking, and remind us to not take ourselves quite so seriously. There are dude ranches to suit many traveler’s preferences, and all types of reasons for gathering. Whatever we have in mind for our dude ranch vacation - with a little research and planning, we will without a doubt agree that this type of vacation is in fact making the world a better place, one visitor at a time!

If you want to find that dude ranch perfect for you, Ranchseeker’s dude ranch search tool refines the choices so you just get the dude ranches that fit the parameters you choose!

Why Are Dude Ranch Vacation Trips Special?

9/17/2013 1:41:00 PM

Ranch vacations are becoming more and more popular today, but what makes them special? For many avid ranch-vacationers, it is not always the luxury that makes the vacation special. Sure, you may not have the same fancy dinners and spa treatments as last year’s Caribbean vacations or you may not be able to party like you did in Vegas but still, there is something magical about being in a place that is more laid-back, relaxed and in tune with nature. Dude ranches are places where you can get in touch with yourself and the people you are with.

With that said, it is a perfect destination for couples or families looking for a new kind of vacation experience where bonding with loved ones is the main focus. Many families love dude ranches because there are so many things to do for everyone. Most ranches ask visitors to stay for at least a few days to fully enjoy the activities. Others require at least a week’s stay. It does not matter if you stay for two days or five, because you can be sure that there is something for everyone. There are activities that the whole family can enjoy, and there are also things that people can do individually before getting back together at the end of the day.

The Apache Spirit Ranch in Arizona offers a Family Vacation Summer Special every year. This ranch offers in addition to horseback riding other activites such as horseshoe pitching, roping dummy, swimming, Jacuzzi, pool/billiards, Indian storytelling, cowboy school, reptile shows, saloon parties, campfires, live music and poker nights.

Apache Spirit Ranch
Apache Spirit Ranch

On a dude ranch vacation, you don’t have to worry about where you next meal is going to be. Most dude ranch vacations include meals and some luxury ranches even have top chefs developing gourmet creations. With breakfast, lunch and dinner taken care of, you can focus on those you are with and the time you are spending with them. Some dude ranches will even accommodate special dietary restrictions or grown their own cattle and produce.

Echo Valley Ranch features a “100 meter diet” and grow their produce and raise their own cattle, pigs, turkeys and chickens. You won’t go home with “vacation coma” with all the healthy meals served at Echo Valley Ranch & Spa.

Organic Produce
Organic Grown Produce at Echo Valley Ranch

Next time you are planning a vacation, consider a dude ranch vacation and start your planning at Ranchseeker.com. Our dude ranch database puts hundreds of dude ranches at your fingertips.

Romantic Couples Getaways At Dude Ranch Resorts

9/7/2013 1:03:18 PM

Most people planning romantic getaways initially think of beach or island resorts. However, did you know that you can also have a perfect couples getaway on the mainland? Indeed, you can experience fun, romance, adventure and relaxation all at once at dude ranch resorts.

Romantic Dude Ranch


What Are Dude Ranch Resorts?

Dude ranch resorts are ranches with an orientation on tourism. The location is usually at an actual dude ranch complete with the typical ranch features such as stables, grazing areas and riding arenas. In the past dude ranches started off as working ranches that offered a place for travelers to sleep. Today, dude ranches have evolved into some destinations featuring resort-like ambiances providing visitors with a more luxurious version of ranch or cowboy life. However, even with the popularity of dude ranch resorts, there still exist authentic working ranches where people can go to experience the actual daily activities and living conditions of a cowboy life. So, given the ranch setting, how can dude ranch resorts be a great place for romantic couple getaways?

Relaxing and Comfortable Dude Ranch Resorts

With new developments, dude ranches are no longer what they used to be. There are now many dude ranch resorts that aim to provide guests with the authentic outdoor experience in the most luxurious and comfortable manner. This makes them a perfect option for nature seeking types for individual vacations, family trips and romantic couple’s getaways. Many dude ranch resorts offer private cabins away from the main lodge for extra privacy.

One of these is Echo Valley Ranch in British Columbia, Canada. The level of comfort in dude ranches is steadily rising, but most ranches still keep a rustic theme. In dude ranch resorts you will most likely find very comfortable and charming furnished rooms.

Some resorts even offer high end ranch spas for the relaxation and rejuvenation of their guests such as Rancho De Los Cabllaeros. 

Wouldn’t it be nice to enjoy a romantic couples spa treatment with your partner after a day of outdoor activities? Most dude ranch resorts serve gourmet home-cooked ranch meals as part of their Western theme and if requested romantic private tables can be arranged.

Boundless Activities At Dude Ranch Resorts

Regardless of the level of accommodations, dude ranches usually put emphasis on the outdoors and have a wide range of outdoor activities you can enjoy with your partner, such as cookouts and campfires, barn dances, horseback rides and even western dance lessons. Some ranches have other outdoor sports amenities such as tennis and volleyball courts, kayaks, mountain bikes and the like. Some ranches even have outdoor trails where couples can go for a private hike or bike ride.

If you are planning a Winter getaway, some ranches, such as Lone Mountain Ranch , have an extensive list of snow activities such as cross-country skiing, snowshoeing. With so many things to do together at dude ranch resorts – there is no question why it is a great place for romantic couple’s getaways.

During the day, couples can choose from amongst the vast array of fun outdoor activities. If they want to spend the day in the shade, they can always relax in the comfort of their luxurious cottages or cabins. At night, they can sit in front of the campfire or enjoy a stroll under the cool night sky. They can also spend their time getting pampered by getting spa treatments and of course, if there is nothing else to do, couples can simply sit back, relax and enjoy the view of the great outdoors and each other’s company.

So, if you are thinking about taking a vacation that’s different from the usual beach or poolside trip, a quick weekend at a dude ranch would definitely be a good choice. An easy way to find a dude ranch is by using Ranchseeker’s dude ranch search tool. You can search by type of ranch, location and even activity.

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