Drowsy Water Ranch Honored As Best All Inclusive Resort in the World

Granby, Colorado – January 20, 2010 – Drowsy Water Ranch was chosen as the #1 All Inclusive Resort in the World by TripAdvisor® in its 2010 Travelers’ Choice® awards.
Now in its eighth year, the annual TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice awards honor the world’s best hotels, earning their distinction from those who know them best – real travelers. Unlike any other hotel awards programs in the world, TripAdvisor® Travelers' Choice® winners are based on the millions of real and unbiased reviews and opinions about hotels on tripadvisor.com™ and content from across the web. “Inspired by the millions of trusted traveler reviews and opinions on TripAdvisor.com, the Travelers’ Choice awards have once again highlighted the finest hotels in the world,” said Christine Petersen, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor. “From remarkable bargains to the trendiest hotels, travelers worldwide are recognizing more than 700 hotels for their outstanding service, value and quality.”

For reviews on the Drowsy Water Ranch go to
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g33449-d125326-Reviews-
Drowsy_Water_Ranch-Granby_Colorado.html
For the complete 2010 Travelers’ Choice list, go to www.tripadvisor.com

Mac MaKenny Carries the Olympic Torch

Saddeling up with the Flame
By Jim Barr, SnowSeekers

Albertan Mac MaKenny, owner of the HomePlace Ranch in southern Alberta, rode his way into the history books tonight, by becoming the first and only torch bearer to have ever taken the Olympic Torch by horseback. Read More...

84th Annual DRA Convention in Billings, Montana...

CODY, Wyo.—Travel guides define Montana as having a “significant equestrian presence.” That presence increases dramatically next month when a couple hundred or so horsemen and women come ridin’ in for the 84th annual meeting of the Dude Ranchers’ Association, or DRA. Member ranchers, associate members, vendors, and media convene Feb 2nd – 6th for the signature event of the year at The Crowne Plaza Hotel in Billings, Montana.

For the first time this year, the Dude Ranchers’ Association has teamed up with Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch for a Casino night Fundraiser. The event will be held Feb 3rd. There will be a live band, auction, costume party, raffles and lots of good old fashioned fun.

The Dude Ranchers’ Educational Trust founded in 1988 has awarded over one hundred thirty thousand dollars in scholarships to students who in some way through their careers will help to perpetuate the Western Lifestyle of Dude Ranching. There is a wide range of careers that would qualify such as Culinary, Marketing, Farrier, Land Management, Herd Management, Hospitality, Accounting etc.

Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch Located on the edge of Billings, Montana, their 400-acre main campus includes nine residential lodges, two of which are intensive-care units, two therapeutic community homes, and an accredited school. They are an integral member of the Billings medical community. As a private, not-for-profit multi-service agency, they provide intensive residential treatment and extensive Community Based Services (CBS) for youth and families.

The first official meeting of the Dude Ranchers’ Association was held on September 27 and 28, 1926 in Bozeman, Montana. Ranchers, railroad officials and National Park officials attended the two-day event to discuss the five objectives set forth:1) Establish cooperation among ranchers and railroad officials 2) Discuss the transportation and proper care of guests 3) Create advertising and publicity for the association 4) Standardize practices 5) Create an efficient sales organization. Having agreed to all five objectives, the ranchers added a sixth - the Organized Protection of fish and game.

For more information about this event please, contact The Dude Ranchers’ Association at 866-399-2339 or info@duderanch.org www.duderanch.org

Guest Testimonial of the Week

Flying E Ranch, Arizona...This place is pure magic. There aren't words to describe how much fun and relaxing this place is, yet it caters to every whim of a seasoned traveler. The hospitality will rival the Four Seasons, yet the atmosphere is so laid back that it's just what the doctor ordered for the couple of family that wants to get away to a time when things were more friendly and more simple. The horses!! OMG! Not a bad one in the bunch! And my friend who has come 13 times said she's always amazed that they manage to match you with the perfect horse for your personality. And if you want to try anoter horse, you're given the opportunity every single time you ride. If you go on one ranch vacation in your life, let it be here. The accomodations are squeaky clean but you still feel you can put your feet up. If you're looking for beautiful scenery, wonderful horses, and a friendly, accomodating staff continually at your beck and call, this is your next vacation. Just promise to say Kristin sent you when you check in! :-)

Happy New Year to All!!

From all of us at the DRA...

"We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called "Opportunity" and its first chapter is New Year's Day."
Edith Lovejoy Pierce

May you have a safe, happy and adventurous New Year!

Join the Party on the Pavilion at Smith Fork Ranch!

Announcing some exciting dining changes for 2010!
Smith Fork is announcing two new family-style dining events! Join us this summer to experience "SFR Fiesta Night" and "Tour of Italy Night" on our romantic pavilion!

"SFR Fiesta Night" will be a lively atmosphere featuring gourmet Spanish cuisine, mariachi music, and custom-blended margaritas. What about the kids? Well, what's a fiesta without a pinata? Bring the camera for some after-dinner candy-smashing fun!

Dine in the Venetian-style ambience of our "Tour of Italy" night! Enjoy specialty homemade pastas and sauces from secret family recipes never-before-seen outside of Italy. Of course, our amazing wine cellar has been updated with a number of incredible Italian wine selections for a truly cosmopolitan experience!

December 31st, 2009 New Year's Eve! Dude Ranch Murder Mystery games!

Sundance Trail Ranch, Red Feather Lakes Colorado...
Get away and recharge your batteries for this "all evening" New Year's Eve Murder Mystery affair - the game starting with appetizers and solved about midnight.
Champagne Toast at midnight followed by a Morning brunch and a morning or early afternoon horseback ride...
Or come make it a week-end get-away!

Dan & Ellen Morin and the gang at Sundance Trail Ranch.
More details

Cowgirl up! Arkansas Dude Ranch Hosts ‘Women’s Weekend’

(EMAILWIRE.COM, December 17, 2009 ) JASPER, Ark. – In the northwestern corner of Arkansas, Horseshoe Canyon Ranch is quietly etched into the Ozarks, offering the perfect backdrop for leisurely horseback rides, hiking, rock climbing and soaking in nature’s beauty. When guests are done with their fun for the day, they retire to their luxury log cabins after being served mouthwatering meals. Read More...

Ski at C Lazy U Ranch This Winter

The C Lazy U Ranch's "One Stop Shop" Winter Wonderland just keeps getting better and better, and don't forget that KIDS STAY FREE this season (with restrictions).

We've expanded our ski terrain by 300% so now there's over 400 acres of skiable terrain.

Our private snow cat skiing gives our skiers access to six green groomed ‘beginner’ trails, eight blue intermediate runs, and boundless backcountry skiing for advanced levels, complete with bowls, chutes and tree shots. And no sitting on cold chair lifts here – our private snowcat skiing definitely sets us apart - after enjoying hot cocoa in our warming huts, our skiers ride in ‘high country’ style within the sheltered comfort of our snowcats right back up the mountain. We offer a morning and an afternoon session – three hours each – and our trained ski instructors can help beginners to advanced skiers progress to new heights! The cost of rentals and ski lessons are available at an additional cost. Contact us for more details.

Book your winter vacation now before it's too late! (A three-night minimum is required.) Our reservationists are standing by to take your call - why not treat your family to private cat skiing this season?!
They'll thank you for it!970-887-3344

Rowse 1+1 Ranch Award

Rowse's 1+1 Ranch in Nebraska Sandhills is awarded "The Best US Cowboy Experience" by Rustic Vacations.

We are extremely honored to share this award with our guests. Our guests come to have the opportunity to fulfill their dreams of being a cowboy and riding the range. Guests leave behind noise, crowds, traffic and the hasslte of everyday life to experience their vision of the Old West that still exists, cattle drives, sorting pairs, branding, roundups and roping. Generations of ranching traditions are very much a part of the Rowse family. Come ride with the 1+1 ranch and enjoy the Warm Western Hospitality. www.1plus1ranch.com

Dude Ranch Kids Qualify for USA Track & Field National Junior Olympics

The Van Berkum family of the Rainbow Trout Ranch in Antonito, Colorado is very proud of Caroline (9+) and Derek (8) Van Berkum who both qualified for the USA Track & Field (USATF) National Junior Olympics to be held in Reno, NV, December 12th, 2009. Caroline qualified individually and Derek qualified individually as well as with the team.

For the 2nd straight year the Penguin Track Club is going to the USATF National Junior Olympics Cross Country Championships. The club qualified a bantam boys cross country team and 4 individual runners in various other classifications at the Regional Meet in El Paso, TX. Each member of the club has put a great deal of energy and hard work into qualifying. These young athletes have been practicing 5 to 6 days a week for the last 6 weeks under the watchful eye of Coach Peter De La Cerda.”

Great job Caroline and Derek! Good luck in Reno!!

Guest ranching became a tradition for the Van Berkum family at the Rainbow Trout Ranch. Rainbow Trout Ranch is the perfect Colorado dude ranch for adults, families, singles, couples, groups and anyone else who wants a western getaway. Offering exceptional horseback riding, superb Colorado fly fishing, awesome children’s programs and a fun teen program, trapshooting, swimming, day trips to Taos, white water rafting and the chance to ride America’s highest and longest narrow-gauge steam train, the ranch brings timeless simpler pleasures to life all in a spectacular setting.

Vista Verde selected as "Best Resort Hotels in the World"

Just wanted to share this article with you...Vista Verde Guest Ranch was selected as one of the "Best Resort Hotels in the World" by the travel blog at www.holidayslangkawi.com
Read more...