Dude Ranchers Association Convention

Well, my apologies for being so late on the blog. JT and I have been traveling since January 18th. We hooked up "Homer the Hauler" to our fifth wheel and hit the road, ultimately reaching Tucson and attending the Dude Rancher's Association Convention. Before we got to Tucson, we stopped off to see the Grand Canyon (quite spectacular), the Petrified Forest, Painted Desert, and down through Pinetop up and down a quite spectacular canyon that turned out to be a nail biter for me (but we all know what a scaredy cat I am!).

We got to Tucson this past Tuesday, and pulled into this RV Park that JT picked out because it was close to the Tanque Verde Ranch where the convention was held. Well, thank you Jerry, as the RV Park was for Seniors Only, which they define as 55 and older. I told him I was the baby here!! Is this what I have to look forward to??? :-) We are traveling with the infamous "Francois Pierre", my 13 year old Jack Russell and JT's least favorite friend!

The Convention was awesome, as well as the ranch. Although, I must admit, I'm not too interested in riding in the desert and worrying if I fall off my horse that I would get stuck on a cactus! These big tall cactii called Saguaro's are amazing. They don't start flowering until they are 50 years old, and don't branch out until they are 75!! Now they would qualify to stay in that RV Park, wouldn't they?

We learned so much at this meeting. We both took the Wrangler Certification and Horse Safety Course, and have so much to tell Jeremy and Darlene when we return! They will love this information. Lots of fun vendors, and some fun new ideas we'll bring back to the ranch this summer. Also, JT was elected as a Board Member for the Montana District for the DRA, and that was very exciting.

We're currently in Wickenburg, Arizona, as the meeting ended today, and on our way to Vegas. Look out slot machines! We plan to be back in Bozeman on Thursday night, so more later. Any bets???
debi

A Winter Day At the Ranch

Well, it was quite the day at the ranch! Jeremy, Darlene, Brayden and Chase decided to make a visit and check things out and were surprised by two trespassers at the ranch. When they

first pulled up, this big old bull was hanging out by the playhouse just to the left of the lodge! They watched him from the steps of the lodge and thought they were done, when all of a sudden a second moose appeared at the ranch! Both of these characters didn't seem too frightened to see the Young family, so they just stayed there and decided to bed down right around Cabin 10. (the moose, that is!) Considering the snow was up to their knees, the Young family decided to stay close and do what they needed to do then leave the ranch! The moose (or do you say meese???!!) just stayed and watched them. Pretty funny! That's all for now,

debi

New Year's Day for the Horses

I'm not thinking they're having as much fun as we are on New Year's Day. Yikes! Look at the snow on their back and how well they insulate themselves. As long as these horses have access to water, forage, minerals and cover (which they have all of the above), then they are better off being outside grazing as opposed to inside a barn. They are choosing to hang out and graze, instead of running down in the coulee away from the weather. Amazing, isn't it?

debi

Happy New Year 2009!!!

Well, another year is about to embark upon us, and we're really looking forward to it. We wish you happiness, love and success in the year to come. "Things will be fine in 2009"

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Raspberry Butte, that is, the snow and the wind is giving Jeremy and Darlene and the little ones much havoc. Although the snow isn't deep, the wind blows up to 50 mph and keeps drifting them in! Meanwhile, the horses are smart enough to know to keep themselves huddled up in the coulee's where the wind won't get them. (see their tracks in the snow?) The Young family don't have that option. Not to get them down, they take advantage of the snow and have found ways to have fun! That's one way to shovel the driveway!!

Be careful tonight and please don't drink and drive. More importanly, watch out for everyone else on the road. If you can stay home, that would be safest. Until next year.............

debi

Merrry Christmas and Happy Holidays

Holy Bethlehem! I forgot to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! It's not too late. It's 3:30 pm MT and I'm getting ready to cook dinner for JT and his boys. Alaskan King Crab, Red Potatoes, and Fresh Green Beans. And don't forget the home made biscuits. Wanna come?

We have a White Christmas! It snowed most of the week and we have about a foot of snow on the ground. The horses were "horsen' around" the other day That's Rebel and Alfie goofing off in the snow. They feel their oats when the wind blows and it snows, and run all around the pasture. Then JT fed them the other day with the large round bales. Oprah just couldn't get enough! (see above. I couldn't get the picture just right)

I think I'll end for now. I thought I was going to be a lot more creative, but my computer skills are limited. Happy Holidays everyone,

debi and jt

Happy Thanksgiving to our Ranch Family and Friends!
We hope this holiday season is a great one for all of you. The horses are happy to be home to winter pasture and are resting comfortably.

The Covered Wagon Ranch is proud to announce that we have been officially accepted to the National Dude Rancher's Association www.duderanch.org . This was not an easy task!

First, we had to submit a lengthy application detailing all that we do and what we provide. After that binder was accepted, J.T. and I had to attend the National Dude Rancher's Convention in Cody, WY last February, and present to their Board of Directors. After our presentation, we were then asked a series of questions about our ranch and operation. We then passed that test, and awaited a site visit this past summer from the Association, and we passed with flying colors. Still not official, we had to wait for the Board of Directors Meeting in October, where they voted us in. We are very proud to be a member of this outstanding organization.

Here is an excerpt from their home page:
Imagine yourself taking the best vacation of your life at a dude ranch. The cool, fresh mountain air, the open spaces, the feel of a steady horse beneath you as you top the next rise... the flash of color from the dark pool as the monster trout rises to your offering...luxuriating in the warmth of the setting sun as you wait for the dinner bell's call ... shared time with family and friends.We now have over 100 members in The Dude Ranchers' Association, which was formed in 1926 to preserve this special way of life and the wonderful environment in which it takes place. Membership in the Association is not automatic. Dude ranches applying for membership go through a rigorous two year inspection and approval process. When you vacation at a Dude Ranchers' Association Dude Ranch, you can be sure of a quality vacation.

You will now notice that we have proudly placed their link on our home page. Jerry and I are off to Tanque Verde Ranch in Tucson, Arizona this winter for their National Convention. Here we get an opportunity to network with all dude ranches in the Western United States and learn all kinds of wonderful ideas on dude ranching! We can't wait for this trip!

That's all for now, and again, wishing you a Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving,
Debi and J.T.

Happy Trails

Just a quick note to let you know that our blog will be back up and running this season. Sorry for the delay. We had a great season this year and had the pleasure to hear stories from around the world, including Thailand, Italy, Belgium, France, Ireland, Germany, and of course, the U.K.

Half of our horses are already on vacation up on Raspberry Butte. Sarah was just up there today and said they healthy, fat and sassy! The other half are still working for Kurt and Rebecca in hunting camp and will join their family on November 16th. We're looking forward to giving all of them a well needed rest, as they worked very hard this year.

Lots of new things on the horizon this year. We'll keep you posted. Thanks to all of you for staying with us and making this the best season ever,

Debi and J.T.