RanchSeeker Blog

Trying to decide where to go on vacation is never an easy task. Nowadays there are so many different types of experiences to choose from and a guest ranch vacation is just one of them. RanchSeeker can help you find that perfect ranch vacation that suits your needs. Perhaps you have always dreamed of living the life of a cowboy for a week, or maybe you just like the idea of spending some time in the saddle as well as taking part in other fun activities like hiking, shooting, fishing or simply relaxing in a place that is surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty. 

Each ranch that you will find listed on our website literally offers “something for everyone” all you need to do is pick the one that best matches your vacation criteria. RanchSeeker’s website provides several ways that you can search for your dream western vacation all of which are user-friendly but if you prefer you can also contact Ashlie@ranchseeker.com for additional assistance. 

Maybe you already have an idea of what you would like to do on your ranch vacation but perhaps you are unsure of where you would like to go especially since there are so many great destinations to choose from. Let RanchSeeker help you with that. Below you will find the 1st installment of several blogs that we will be posting over the next few weeks that describe popular ranch vacation destinations with links to ranches in those areas that you might be interested in checking out in more detail. 

Arizona

There’s really nothing that says “the West” more than the Desert Southwest, and there’s nothing that says “Desert Southwest” more than the Grand Canyon State of Arizona. If you’re looking for the ultimate adventure experience in the Desert Southwest, you’ll find it at any Arizona dude ranch. From the history of Tombstone to the high desert country of Wickenburg, from the beauty of the desert surrounding Tucson to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon itself, there’s nothing that compares to an Arizona ranch vacation. Get away from the crowds, breathe in the crisp desert air and look out over amazing vistas—all this and more is waiting for you at an Arizona dude ranch. Some favorites are White Stallion Ranch, Stagecoach Trails Ranch, and Sedona Ranch.

Photo Courtesy of White Stallion Ranch

Ranches in Arizona take advantage of the desert landscape and diversity of topographical features to attract visitors. Imagine horseback riding through the Arizona desert or eating breakfast on the front porch watching the sun rise over the desert. This is possible at Arizona ranches. With the warm and comfortable climate, many of ranches in the Grand Canyon State are open year-round so it doesn’t matter whether you go in July or December.

California

A California ranch vacation takes advantage of the comfortable climate and variety of picturesque landscapes to attract visitors. From the picturesque Sierra Nevada landscape around Taylorsville, to magnificent ocean views from the Coffee Creek Ranch and Marble Mountain Ranch along the Northern California coast, to the always-sunny weather of Santa Barbara County in the southern part of the state, California dude ranches truly have something for everyone. You may not think of a California dude ranch vacation when you think of the The Golden State, but spectacular Western dude ranches abound in California.

Photo courtesy of Marble Mountain Ranch

Colorado

Colorado dude ranches take advantage of the state’s mountainous, Rocky Mountain landscape, and outback living to attract visitors 

Colorado is known for its spectacular scenery, and it’s no wonder. From the Great Plains to the Rocky Mountains, the landscapes of Colorado are as vast and as varied as the many Colorado dude ranches that are scattered throughout this great state. Whether you want to experience a sample of the Old West lifestyle or just take it easy and enjoy a little rest and relaxation, you’ll find it all on your Colorado dude ranch vacation. 

Photo courtesy of Vista Verde Ranch

Known as the “Centennial State” because of its entrance into the Union in 1876, Colorado has a rich ranching history. That history is evident today in each and every Colorado dude ranch. In addition to soaking up local history, your Colorado ranch vacation will give you the opportunity to enjoy everything from skiing, snowshoeing and sleigh rides to golf, white water rafting and mountain biking. A Colorado dude ranch truly offers something for everyone in the family!

Being centrally located in the US, guests from anywhere won’t have to travel far to visit a ranch in Colorado. During your Colorado ranch stay, you’ll be able to participate in cattle drives, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, and swimming. Some Colorado ranches are also working ranches, so you will be able to experience what it’s like to live like a cowboy. Try these favorites Laramie River Ranch, Latigo Ranch, Vista Verde Ranch and Colorado Trails Ranch

Georgia

Ranches in Georgia attract visitors using the natural wonders of the region including the coastal plains in the south to the Blue Ridge Mountains in the north. With its rich history and spectacular climate, Georgia dude ranches offer guests year-round accommodations and a heavy dose of Southern hospitality. Enjoy the many museums and historical points of interest in this Southeastern gem. Georgia dude ranches in the Historic Heartland district, located within an hour of Atlanta, provide visitors with magnificent countryside and beautiful weather no matter what time of year you visit.

A favorite dude ranch among visitors is the Southern Cross Ranch.

Photo courtesy of Southern Cross Guest Ranch

Idaho

Idaho dude ranches take advantage of the Rocky Mountain landscape and exciting outdoor activities to attract visitors. 

Imagine going for a mountainous hike first thing in the morning, white water rafting in the afternoon, relaxing next to a warm fire with your hot chocolate in the evening. All this and more is possible at an Idaho ranch. On subsequent days during your stay you may find yourself  horseback riding, relaxing in a hot tub or pool, or even rafting. One favorite is Western Pleasure Guest Ranch. 

Photo courtesy of Western Pleasure Guest Ranch

Idaho offers guests some truly spectacular scenery. Known as the “Gem State” because of its rich gemstone deposits, Idaho dazzles and surprises visitors with its geographical variety and stunning natural wonders. Each Idaho dude ranch takes full advantage of the state’s incredible scenery. From rich farmland to spectacular mountain locations, an Idaho ranch vacation will offer virtually any type of wilderness experience you can imagine.

Be sure to subscribe to our blog so that you can read next week’s installment about great locations for your next vacation.

Happy Trails!

If you have ever wanted to experience the life of a cowboy if only for a short period of time, then this historical Wyoming working cattle ranch is the vacation choice for you. Klondike Ranch is so much more than your typical dude ranch. Here, there is no head-to-tail horseback riding. Ninety percent of the spring, summer and fall is spent horseback riding and working cattle every day.

For those looking for a real adventure be sure to sign up for the overnight camp out at the ranch’s mountain cow camp. Spend 1-2 nights camping out either in one of their bunk wagons or in a tent under a brilliant, star-studded sky. Feast upon open fire cooked meals prepared by the “cow camp chef” while taking in the majestic beauty of the bighorn Mountains. Private outdoor bathroom facilities are provided to ensure your comfort.

If you would rather  spend all your time at the ranch then there are modern, rustic, comfortable cabins, each with their own private bathroom some of which feature kitchenettes and living areas as well. Meals are served family-style in true ranch fashion. You’ll dine on home-cooked, healthy, hearty meals while enjoying good conversion with new friends seated at your table. If you are out on an all-day trip a sack lunch will be provided.

While staying at the ranch you will have the opportunity to become a “ranch hand” if this interests you. This means helping out with the day to day “chores” like: fencing, doctoring livestock, cutting and baling hay, and irrigating pasturelands. Guests love to learn new skills and immerse themselves in the life of a true cowboy.

But that’s not all! Klondike Ranch also provides first-class fishing opportunities, hiking, rodeos, photography excursions, exciting historical tours and other experiences for you to choose from while on your Wyoming vacation.

 There truly is something for everyone!

 Get Adventurous

• Move cattle on a Real, Working Cattle Ranch
• Sleep Under the Stars on Overnight Camp-outs
• Discover the Past on Historical Tour

 Relax & Unwind

• Relax and Soak in Fresh Mountain Air
• Fish Crystal Clear Streams
• Capture Breathtaking Scenery with your Camera
• Unwind Under the Stars in Our Outdoor Hot Tub

 Become Family

• Sit Down with us for Family Style Meals
• Get An Inside View & Become a Part of Wyoming Ranch Life
• Enjoy Modern, Comfortable Accommodations with Rustic Charm

Check out what past guests had this to say about their visit:

 “Fantastic holiday, we all wish we’d been able to stay longer!!”

Joyce M. Aberdeen, United Kingdom (Klondike website)

“Live the life of a Wyoming Rancher ~ Beautiful scenery, Well Trained Horses, Amazing People”

GaPulley. Barnard, Missouri (Klondike website)

 “I have had a dream of being a cowgirl and my week at Klondike Ranch made that a reality.

Patty, Richard, and their family are a warm, welcoming group of people who not only make you feel like part of the family but are there to share their knowledge of local history, the workings of a cattle ranch, and their dining room table for amazing home cooked meals.

The horse I was pared with for the week, Stormy, was a great match as she was gentle and responded well to my attempts at proper commands. Throughout the week, we had the opportunity to ride around the ranch as well as in the mountains with the cattle. I have not seen anything more beautiful than the views around Klondike ranch and loved ever minute of my week there. The hardest part of my week was leaving to come back to reality.”

AEDO1,Falls Church, Virginia ( TripAdvisor)

For an authentic western experience choose Wyoming’s Klondike Ranch and fulfill your dream of living the life of a cowboy or cowgirl.

Happy Trails!

Let RanchSeeker help you find your ideal guest ranch vacation today. 

Spring is finally here and there is no better time than right now to start planning your next vacation. RanchSeeker represents many different guest ranches to choose from but for those looking for the ultimate wilderness adventure look no further than Chilcotin Holidays located in Super Natural British Columbia. I think Judge Thomas Chandler Haliburton described Canada best in the early 1900’s when he said:

“Canada is a country so vast that it is difficult to convey an adequate idea of its size ; so fertile that nothing short of official returns will exonerate a description of it from a charge of exaggeration ; so prosperous as to not only rival, but to surpass all other countries on the face of the earth ; so healthy in climate, so beautiful in scenery, so abundantly supplied with magnificent lakes and rivers, so full of commercial resources, and so rich in minerals, that I am overpowered with the magnitude of the task I have imposed upon myself in attempting to convey even a faint idea of it”

With that in mind imagine a vacation that is all about the great outdoors and authentic wilderness adventures. Chilcotin Holidays’ guests can choose from over 100 wilderness-related programs and guest experiences under the following categories:

Vacation Packages

Horse Pack Trips

Fishing Trips

Hiking Tours

Dude Ranch Experience

Photography Tours

Mountain Biking

Wildlife Viewing

Winter Adventures

Build Your Adventure Packages

For more detailed descriptions click HERE

Chilcotin Holidays enables you to connect with nature in a meaningful and life-changing way. With over 5,000 sq-km to explore with licensed guides and Cayuse horses at South Chilcotin Mountain Park you are sure to enjoy each and every day of your wilderness vacation. Whether you stay just for a few days or a week you will discover that it isn’t so much about the quantity of time spent in nature but more so about the quality of your time spent outdoors. Chilcotin Holidays is the ideal choice for those looking to try new things and discover more about themselves and their surroundings.

You can choose from half day, full day and full-length adventures. Should you choose to go horseback riding be sure to bring your camera!  You will be exploring hidden pathways, pristine mountain trails and riding past emerald lakes, snow- capped mountains, wide open valleys, and abundant wildlife. For those who love to hike there are endless mountain trails and picturesque look-out points to discover. The fisherman in your group will love the mountain-fed lakes and rivers that provide an excellent opportunity to catch up with friends or spend some quiet time alone while trying to hook “the big one”. 

But that’s not all Chilcotin Holidays also offer training courses for those interested in learning a new skill or seeking personal development like the following: 

Guide Training

Log Cabin Building Course

Horse Logging Course

Lodge Management Program

Entrepreneurship Program

Bushcraft & Survival 

ESL, English as a Second Language

Photography Course

Internship

For more detailed descriptions click HERE

As you can see Chilcotin Holidays really is the destination vacation that has it all! Everyone in your group or family will easily find activities to fill their days as well as broaden their horizons. 

Are you ready to embark on your wilderness adventure?

Happy Trails!

Let RanchSeeker help you find your ideal guest ranch vacation today.

The following blog has been provided by  guest contributor Jon Sutton to share his knowledge about fishing with RanchSeeker's readers. 

Guest ranch vacations are rarely boring affairs. Throughout your stay, you’ll be immersed in the dude ranch lifestyle. You’ll ride horses, learn rope skills, get a taste of ranch culture and enjoy wonderful cuisine. But most of the best guest ranches also give you the chance to do other things too.

For example, many guest ranches border rivers or lakes and provide great opportunities for fishing. And because most guest ranch vacations are family affairs that include the kids, they provide the perfect opportunity to introduce your kids to the sport.

It’s really a no-lose proposition: Even if the fishing trip doesn’t go well, you’ll get the chance to spend a couple of hours bonding with your children and sharing the great outdoors with them. But if you plan the trip well, you’ll likely have a fantastic time, catch plenty of fish and take home photos of your kids showing off their catch.

Just try to embrace the tips below to ensure that your kids enjoy the best possible fishing experience. If things go well, you may spark a lifelong love of the sport, and help them develop an appreciation of the natural world.

1. Outfit your kids with age- and size-appropriate equipment.

Too often, kids are forced to fish with a parent’s hand-me-down rod, which is essentially guaranteed to be too large and complicated for them. Instead, you’ll want to outfit them with something befitting their size and skill level. A 5- to 6-foot-long spinning or spincasting combo is the ideal rod and reel for most kids who are learning to fish.

2. Pick a good location to fish with your kids.

You have to put your bait where the fish are if you expect to catch any, so don’t just go down to the lake and started casting about randomly. Instead, look for places near vegetation or man-made structures like docks, or where the depth changes abruptly. These are the types of locations in which fish often congregate. 

3. Get started early or wait until later in the day.

Fish often exhibit daily activity cycles; they’ll become active and feed during some times and rest during others. In the spring, summer and early fall, these active periods are often most pronounced near dawn and dusk, when the sun is low in the sky. Additionally, these times often offer the most comfortable fishing conditions for you and the kids.

4. Target the species your kids will have the best chance of catching.

Don’t set your kids up for disappointment by trying to catch largemouth bass, walleye or pike. Instead, try to increase your children’s chances of catching fish by targeting abundant, easy-to-catch species. This typically means targeting catfish and bluegill (as well as their relatives), but perch and rainbow trout can also be easy to catch in small ponds that are stocked with them.

5. Use real or live baits, rather than artificial lures.

Fancy artificial lures may be productive and fun to use for experienced anglers, but fishing novices will generally struggle to use them and end up snagging them on the bottom. Instead, use natural or live baits when teaching your kids to fish. For example, small worms, crickets and small dough balls are very effective for catching bluegill, while hot dog slices, grapes and shrimp are excellent catfish baits.

6. Keep things light, positive and fun.

Chances are, it may take a little while for your kids to get their first nibbles. This can lead to frustration, which can cause them to lose interest in fishing altogether. Accordingly, you’ll need to maintain a positive attitude and ensure that they’re still entertained and happy while learning to be patient. So, make sure to learn plenty of kid-friendly jokes and allow them frequent breaks to explore the shoreline or chase frogs, if necessary. They’ll usually regain their interest in a few minutes and do so with renewed determination.

***

If you follow these tips and tricks, you’ll set yourself up for a great day on the water and help your kids form memories that’ll last a lifetime. So be sure to give fishing a try on your next guest ranch vacation – you’ll be glad you did.

Just be sure that you familiarize yourself with the fishing rules and regulations of the state you’re visiting and that you obtain all necessary licenses before doing so. You don’t want to taint your child’s first fishing trip with an unpleasant encounter with law enforcement.

In the meantime, cruise on over to Outdoor Empire and check out their comprehensive article about taking your kids on their first fishing trip. There, you’ll learn more tips and tricks to make your kids first trip a great one.

Happy Trails!

If you are looking for upscale luxury, a culturally diverse atmosphere, personalized guest care and spectacular natural surroundings then this Wyoming guest ranch is for you. The Hideout Lodge & Guest Ranch, located in Shell, Wyoming (east of Yellowstone National Park) combines a real working cattle ranch with great horseback riding opportunities as well as world class fly-fishing and old west hospitality.

With no more than 25 guests per week and a 1:1 staff guest ratio as well as access to 85 horses you will find that the owners and staff are actively involved with your well-being during your guest ranch vacation. In addition to riding, working cattle and fly-fishing, they offer an array of non-riding activities and adventures such as trapshooting, archery, canoeing, hiking, biking, 4x4 tours, and other exciting activities to fill your days. While riding you will experience a unique variety of terrains, biodiversity, climates and scenery since elevations in this area range from 4,200 to 13,200 feet. And with close to 650,000 acres to explore you will seldom ride the same trail twice so be sure to bring your camera! The Hideout Lodge & Guest Ranch is a Riding Guest Ranch with great horses for all levels of riders. Along with Quarter Horses and Paints the ranch also have a growing number of well-trained Mustangs for their guests to ride.

The Hideout Guest Ranch & Lodge, although more of an adult orientated ranch, also welcomes families and is an ideal vacation choice for solo travellers. Many of the ranch’s guests are repeat vacationers. They come back because of the warmth of hospitality, the high-end pampering and excellent, healthy food created by their culinary schooled chef. Accommodations include western-style log cabins that were built in 1992 and recently renovated guest casitas all of which feature your typical creature comforts from home. There is a swimming pond and hot tub for guests to use as well as emerald green lawns and well-lit pathways which connect to the main lodge. While staying at the ranch you will be treated to hearty Western fare and gourmet dinners and the view from the dining room, where meals are served, is simply spectacular! Open all year round the ranch offers many different rates and packages, so you are bound to find a time of year and package that best suits your upcoming vacation needs.

Happy Trails!

Let RanchSeeker help you find your ideal guest ranch vacation.

For folks looking for an exciting vacation as well as spectacular scenery, Banff Trail Riders is the perfect choice!  You will discover an aspect of the Canadian Rockies that is only possible from atop a horse, truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. With the help of your seasoned guides, the majestic Alberta Rocky Mountains will provide whatever type of western-style adventure you have in mind.

Choose from a variety of horseback riding options that range from one hour up to six days spent exploring the backcountry of Banff National Park. Knowledgeable park guides, who have been sharing their love of Canada’s first National Park for over 50 years, will expertly lead you through exhilarating remote trails.

For example, you could select the one hour “Bow River Ride.” Guests are lead along the peaceful Bow River which encompasses thick marshes and grassy meadows as well as varied wildlife. If you are lucky you might even catch an eagle or a hawk soaring high above in the sky. Be sure to take your camera along to document the endless pristine views of the grandiose Rocky Mountains. There are also several other 1-3-hour rides that you can choose from like the “Spray River Ride”, “Sundance Loop Ride” and “Sulphur Mountain Ride” to name a few. 

If you are looking for more time in the saddle, then the multi-day horseback adventure is for you. This is adventure travel at its finest. At night guests bed down in a cozy backcountry lodge or a well-equipped wilderness campsite after hitting the trails. At the Sundance Lodge expect some added luxuries like hot showers, indoor washrooms, comfortable bedrooms with Egyptian cotton sheets, a large country kitchen and a spacious living room with a cozy fireplace. The Halfway Lodge (utilized on longer rides) is a true backcountry lodge with a cozy interior, single beds, and outhouses. It also features a private, one-with-the-outdoors shower. Both provide a classic mountain lodge feel.

Spacious A-frame heated tents with single, double and family tents available do just nicely for nights spent in the wilderness. Each canvas tent sits on a raised wooden platform with comfortable camp cots ready for you and your sleeping bag. There is a large kitchen tent where all meals are prepared, and many social evenings are spent, and clean outhouses and washbasins are available at each camp. A 10,000-volt wildlife fence surrounds the camp and corrals, so you can rest easy knowing that there won’t be any unexpected wildlife visitors during the night.

You will discover that days spent in the saddle and fresh mountain air tends to work up quite an appetite. And although you are miles from civilization you will find yourself pleasantly surprised by the sophisticated hearty meals that are prepared by your backcountry chefs. Fully catered meals include such delights like braised beef short ribs to grilled salmon. Go ahead and ask for ‘seconds’ you deserve it!

As you can see Banff Trail Rides offer many exciting riding and vacation options to choose from during the warmer months of the year but now you can also experience the magical beauty of the winter season as well. Regardless of when you choose to visit you will not be disappointed! 

Happy Trails!

Let RanchSeeker help you find your ideal guest ranch vacation today.

Are you a photography aficionado? Do you love the great outdoors and horses? If so, then Three Bars Ranch has the ideal vacation package for you. From May 27st-June 2nd the ranch is offering their 2018 Equine Photography Week! Join them and award-winning photographer Ryan Courson for a week long equine workshop.

With the Canadian Rockies as your backdrop, and a heard of 80 horses as your subjects, you will have all of the opportunities and assistance that you may need in capturing some incredible equine images. In between customized shoots, you can enjoy all the amenities and activities offered at Three Bars Ranch.

Workshop cost are $2790.00 per adult, + 6.2% tax. Packages include all meals, upscale log cabin accommodations, unlimited horseback riding, and all other ranch activities, plus custom horse shoots, workshops and coaching by Ryan Courson. for more info on Ryan and his photography visit www.ryancourson.ca

Three Bars Ranch Equine Photography Workshop https://www.threebarsranch.com/events/

Be sure to let the ranch know that you heard about this exciting workshop through RanchSeeker’s Blog.

Voted Canada’s # 1 Guest Ranch 4 years running Three Bars Ranch considered “THE Adventure Ranch of The Canadian Rockies” is located just south of Banff in Cranbrook, Super Natural British Columbia. Three Bars specializes in 3 – 6 night all- inclusive riding and non- riding packages. Here you will find an abundance of nature, clean, rushing water, green fields, and breathtaking mountain views. There is a wide range of activities to choose from like horseback riding, hiking, river rafting, mountain biking, fly fishing, and tennis. Every day is a new adventure for you and your loved ones to experience!

At the end of the day a spacious log cabin awaits you where you can kick-back and relax on your porch while enjoying all the western charm that your cabin affords you. There are cabins suited for couples and families alike.  Aside from all of the modern amenities that are included there is also an indoor swimming pool, outdoor hot tub and Jacuzzi ideal for soothing sore muscles after a long ride.

When you choose to vacation at Three Bars Ranch you are choosing to experience something more than just your regular vacation you are choosing a “real ranch for real people!”

Happy Trails!

Let RanchSeeker help you find your ideal guest ranch vacation!

The Old Wild West conjures up visions of dusty towns, rolling tumbleweed, rowdy saloons, good time gals, sheriffs sporting six-point star silver badges, notorious outlaws and good ole cowboys. What is often overlooked is the hearty western cuisine that was prepared by the ranch’s cook during that era.  After completing a grueling day of wrangling cattle and working out on the range, the American cowboy would have worked up quite an appetite!  In those days, the ranch cook wielded a tremendous amount of power, so it was always wise to stay on his good side. His mood could determine whether the cowboys ate well or not that day. The quality of his food also played an important role in attracting top hands to a ranch, since other than getting a good night’s sleep there was nothing more important than being served up a top-notch meal at the start and end of each day. 

Western cooking entailed much more than baked beans cooked over an open fire. Below are just a few recipes that the American cowboy might have enjoyed after a long day in the saddle out herding cattle! 

IMAGE SOURCE 

Sonofabitch Stew

This was a favorite beef stew dish among cowboys of the America West. It was also known as rascal stew or by the name of some unpopular figure of the time. For example, some cowboys called it Cleveland Stew in (dis)honor of President Grover Cleveland displacing cowboys from the Cherokee Strip. If you’re not into eating animal organs, pass this one up. However, if you want to put some hair on your chest, belly up to the table and pound this meal down.

2 pounds of lean beef

Half a calf heart

1 ½ pounds of calf liver

1 set sweetbreads (that’s the thymus gland for you city slickers)

1 set of brains

1 set of marrow gut

Salt, pepper to taste

Louisiana hot sauce

Cut the beef, liver, and heart into one-inch cubes. Slice the marrow gut into rings. Place these ingredients into the Dutch oven and cover with water. Let it simmer for 2 to 3 hours. Add salt, pepper, and hot sauce. Chop sweetbreads and brains into small pieces and add to stew. Simmer another hour.

Source: Cowboys Recipes That’ll Put Hair on Your Chest  

Buffalo (or beef) Steaks with Chipotle-Coffee Rub

Ingredients:

3 teaspoons ground coffee

3 teaspoons ground chipotle pepper (or chipotle chile powder)

1/4 cup paprika

2 teaspoons toasted cumin seeds

3 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon salt

4 buffalo or beef steaks (8 ounces each)

Combine coffee, ground chipotle, paprika, cumin seeds, sugar and salt. Rub mixture into steaks.  Grill steaks until desired doneness.  Makes four servings.

Source: The Chuckwagon – Western Recipes 

IMAGE SOURCE 

Cowboy Coffee

Out on the trail, coffee was a staple among cowboys. Piping hot coffee helped a cowboy shake off the stiffness from sleeping on the hard desert ground, and it was also a good beverage to wash down the morning sour dough biscuits.  But cowboys didn’t have the luxury of fancy coffee brewers or french presses. They had to pack light, so all they usually had was a metal coffee pot, sans filter, to brew their coffee in. No matter. A cowboy could still make a decent cup of coffee. Here’s how.

1. Bring water to a near boil over your campfire.

2. Throw your coffee grounds right into the water. That’s right. Filters are for city slickers.

3. Stir the coffee over the fire for a minute or two.

4. Remove the pot from the fire and let the coffee sit for a minute or two to allow the grounds to settle at the bottom of the pot. Add a bit of cold water to help speed along the settling process.

5. Carefully pour the coffee into your tin cup so that the grounds stay in the pot.

6. Stand around the fire with your left thumb in your belt loop and your coffee cup in your right hand. Take slow sips and meditate on the trek ahead.

Source: Cowboys Recipes That’ll Put Hair on Your Chest  

Guest ranches today serve up anything from hearty western-style cuisine to haute cuisine and something in between. Regardless of which guest ranch you decide to stay at you will find that meal times are a special part of the day. They provide an opportunity to discuss the day’s events, make new friends and dine on delicious ranch fare. Click on the links below to see a sampling of just a few of RanchSeeker’s ranch recipes and learn a little more about the ranch’s featured.

White Stallion Ranch’s Hatch Green Chili & Cheese Breakfast Casserole

Sundance Guest Ranch’s Summer Berry Salad with ‘Liquid Gold’ Dressing

Red Reflet Ranch's Homemade Biscuit Recipe 

Happy Trails!

Let RanchSeeker help you find the ideal guest ranch vacation today.

                                                                                            Northern California's Finest Guest Ranch...
                                                                                            ...118 years of receiving guests who leave as friends

ROMANTIC WEEKEND GETAWAY SPECIALS FOR TWO!

Lodging for 2 nights, 3 days, all your meals and horseback riding are included at a special rate of $975.00 per couple.

Complementary bottle of wine is also included.

For more information please call 1-800-624-4480. Please check the website for exact dates of our Romantic Weekend Schedule.

Gift Certificates are also available for purchase.

Please be sure to mention that you heard about this special through RanchSeeker first.

Coffee Creek Ranch, located in Northern California, is 367 acres of natural, pristine wilderness that lies along the banks of the Coffee Creek. For fly fishing enthusiasts, this is a dream location. If pack riding or shorter trail riding is more your style, they tailor to suit your needs to ensure your expectations are exceeded. Everything about Coffee Creek, from their comfortable and cozy cabin accommodations, to their freshly prepared, delicious hearty meals says they want to be sure their guests stays are truly enjoyable. With budget friendly options, Coffee Creek is definitely a contender for one of the best guests ranches in California.

Happy Trails!

Let RanchSeeker help you find your ideal guest ranch vacation today!

Geronimo Trail Guest Ranch opens for the season in March and we still have availability. Plus there are several March events in New Mexico to take advantage of!

The beauty of being located in Southwestern New Mexico in the Gila National Forest is our weather. March typically finds most of the country in the grips of unstable spring weather. However, you will find our days to be warm, dry, and most importantly, sunny! It’s the perfect escape for those looking to get out of the cold. For families, it is the perfect place for a spring break adventure! For those who are looking for adult only time, we do have some stays available outside of spring break weeks.

Not only do we have lovely spring weather, but New Mexico itself has some wonderful events for you to enjoy. Read on below for March events in New Mexico.

March Events in New Mexico

First up in March is Cowboy Days at the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum. The museum is located in Las Cruces (4100 Dripping Springs Road Las Cruces, NM 88011). If you are flying into El Paso International Airport, it is a great pit stop on your way to the ranch. Cowboy Days are the museum’s largest event. They take place the weekend of March 3 and 4, 2018. The museum is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and you are welcome to come learn more about New Mexico’s ranching traditions. Admission is only $5 for this family friendly event.

Flying into Albuquerque International Sunport? Then be sure to check out the Rio Grande Arts & Crafts Festival Spring Show. Located only 6 miles from the airport, it  offers a wide selection of artists and craftspeople. The Festival takes place March 9, 10, 11, 2018 at EXPO New Mexico (300 San Pedro Dr. NE, Albuquerque, 87108). The festival is open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and admission is only $8 (children under 12 are free). More than 185 artists from all over the country are represented! This is a family friendly event with something for everyone. New Mexico is known for its art scene. Take some time to check out the state’s first major art event of the year.

We still have availability for the first 3 weeks of March and the first week of April, so contact Geronimo Trail Guest Ranch today. Take advantage of both the beautiful spring weather and March events in New Mexico!

For more information about Geronimo Trail Guest Ranch check out their listing on RanchSeeker.

Happy Trails!

*Original Blog post *