First of all, I want to thank all of you for reaching out to me yesterday regarding MamaTess.
Greatly appreciated.
THE OUTLAW RIDE IS CANCELLED.
I am so bummed.
I wrote about THE OUTLAW RIDE several months ago. I liked the idea so much, I booked it for myself.
Yup, me and 24 strangers were going to assemble in Thermopolis, Wyoming to ride the Outlaw Trail. Food, camping, campfires, music, grog, great stories, river dunking, and miles and miles and miles of gorgeous, private trails.
I had planned this for 6 months.
I had planned this ride for 6 months…
All the (non refundable) tickets were purchased, cars rented, hotels booked.
I was going to go to Wyoming, rent a horse and ride the trails that Butch and Sundance rode – all through pristine ranches… 100 miles of Outlaw trails.
Cancelled. (Yes, they had good reason. A horrible tragedy with an integral team member.)
Sigh.
So, now I have a week totally open – and no where to go.
100 miles of private ranch riding… sigh.
ALTERNATIVES?
I remembered that I had a pamphlet from Hunewill Ranch. I knew they had a ride over the exact same time period. So, I called them.
When I was at the Sacramento Horse Expo, these people were so nice and really, really, really wanted me to come to their ranch.
But… whomever I spoke with today was very kind but they didn’t budge. They are no rooms available and have a huge waiting list for that week.
Totally booked. Solid. No wiggle room.
Aarrgh.
Hunewill Ranch is booked.
DOES ANYONE HAVE AN IDEA?
I want to keep it in CA or Oregon as I don’t have any more funds for flights and cars and hotels (Did I mention that none of my purchases were refundable? I will never, ever, ever use Travelocity or Priceline for advance tickets ever again.)
So, I’d like to be able to drive to wherever. I could do Oregon or CA.
I need to rent a horse as none of mine are in shape for daily, long riding.
I’d like a hot shower at the end and I’m very happy in a nice room – would rather not camp – unless it is real glamping.
I’d like a lake or river nearby, if possible. I need really good food, good wine, good people, etc… campfires.
Scenery and good horses. I want to ride for 5-7 days, if possible.
Dates: Aug 3 – 11.
If any of you have any ideas, please send them my way!
If any of you have any ideas of great guest ranches on the West Coast, please let me know!
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Your attitude (in the face of adversity) is amazing! Kudos to you for working at the eleventh hour to find a fun alternate. And I also, have two ideas for your consideration:
1. We offer a ride in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in CA – you ride through northern Yosemite. Yes, it’s camping – but they have a hot shower, you sleep on elevated cots with custom sheets, the food is exceptional and the riding is AMAZING – http://activeridingtrips.com/united-states/californias-sierra-nevada-gold-rush-ride/ I’ll check on availability if you like – let me know by emailing me.
2. Another really exceptional ride (but not offered by my company) is with Blue Sky Sage – http://www.blueskysage.com. I didn’t see any dates that match yours, but if you contact the owner Bobbi, she may be able to do something – it’s worth a shot, right?
Let me know what you think ;)
Stacey
P.S. We also offer a wine ride in CA, but I don’t have anyone else booked that week – if you don’t mind traveling on your own and that is of interest, I can check availability.
Here are seven ideas, maybe one will be perfect for you:
http://www.horse-vacation.com/ or
http://www.equitrekking.com/equestrian_vacations/destination/ricochet_ridge_ranch/
(Ricochet Ranch in Ft Bragg. (We rode on the beach with these guys on our honeymoon 24 years ago, and had a great time)
http://www.marblemountainranch.com/family-dude-ranch-vacation.html
http://www.wickyup.com/horseback-riding.htm#horse
http://www.equestrianvacations.com/california-northern-coast.php
http://www.equitrekking.com/equestrian_vacations/destination/jennys-tours-small-group-horseback-vacations/ (Oregon)
http://www.equitrekking.com/equestrian_vacations/destination/alisal_guest_ranch_resort-_california/
http://www.equitrekking.com/equestrian_vacations/destination/rankin_ranch_california_guest_ranch/
http://www.top50ranches.com/discover-ranch-vacations/42-california-ranch-vacations.htm
Aarrrggghhhh, I was going to scream “Hunewill Ranch!” and then I kept reading. I’m sorry they’re booked, because it was my best vacation EVER. I even saved for six months for their week-long cattle drive from Bridgeport to Yerington, but my sister had to cancel at the last minute. I’ll put on my thinking cap for you, but hopefully something awesome will pop up all by itself!
I rode through BLM land in Central Oregon. It’s a glorious desert area and the land is absolutely beautiful. We used Flyspur Ranch – they were affordable, genuine, and very knowledgeable. Their website is http://www.flyspur.com
Dang it man! I hate that your trip got cancelled. I know the feeling of anticipation…. I booked the Red Rock Ride a year and a half ago and it’s coming up September 1st. I would be totally bummed if it got cancelled. I hope you find something in your time slot. “Glamping” :-) I just heard that for the first time on a home improvement show recently.