| Looking for a rewarding and memorable family | | | | a rewarding experience, particularly for children. |
| vacation idea? A cattle drive may be just the | | | | It's a tremendous opportunity to build their |
| thing. We're talking about real ranchers on real | | | | self-confidence and self-esteem. |
| working cattle ranches. Ranch vacations are a | | | | You can typically expect to spend between 4 and |
| good way for them to help support the ranch. | | | | 10 hours a day in the saddle. This will most likely |
| But it's not all business with them. They want to | | | | mean a little discomfort but the rewards are |
| share their way of life and educate people about | | | | worth it. Just be sure to bring a long pain relievers |
| a quickly disappearing aspect of our American | | | | for muscle aches and antibiotic cream in case of a |
| history and culture. | | | | saddle sore or two. |
| Don't worry if you've never sat in a saddle | | | | Some ranches have cabins or lodges where you |
| before. Sure, some riding experience is helpful but | | | | sleep at night. Others put you in a tent on the |
| the activities are geared for whatever skill level | | | | trail. Some will even have you sleeping out under |
| you have. All the ranches provide horse riding | | | | the stars. |
| instruction for anyone who needs or wants it. | | | | Besides cattle drives you can also participate in |
| In general, the more experience you have, the | | | | real cowboy stuff. You can help sort and brand |
| more you can expect to get into the thick of | | | | the cattle. Learn roping. Check out the fence lines. |
| things on the cattle drive. Less experienced riders | | | | And it's not all work and no play. Relaxing around |
| put in the back or at the sides. But that doesn't | | | | the campfire, playing cards, pitching horseshoes or |
| mean you will be bored. There's still plenty of | | | | some good old-fashioned saloon dancing. |
| action and hard work for everyone. | | | | Every ranch has a different program so check |
| Yes, I said hard work. This is not a | | | | them out for what suits you and your family. |
| lay-about-on-the-beach vacation. But that's the | | | | Whatever ranch you choose, I think the whole |
| idea. You work hard and you play hard. This is a | | | | family will be challenged and have a heck a lot of |
| chance to tackle unique challenges in a fun and | | | | fun too. |
| adventurous way. A cattle drive vacation can be | | | | |