Remember, you’re going to a guest ranch, so casual dress is in style at all times.  Comfortable clothes and casual shoes or boots work best; you’re there for adventure and activity, so several changes of clothes are desirable.  If its an upscale resort ranch, then you’ll want some nicer clothes for evening (cruise casual describes it best). For more details, be sure and check with your selected ranch.

THE LIST
Light waterproof jacket with hood
T-shirts and long sleeve shirts
Softened jeans for riding (up to 3 pairs)
Shorts and bathing suits
Riding boots
Hiking boots, sneakers
Socks  (at least 3 pairs)
Fleece pullovers or sweaters
Tevas/water shoes/old shoes that can get wet
Sunglasses and a hat
Sunscreen and bug spray
Gloves for riding (for morning rides)
Backpack or fanny pack

THE DETAILS
Going to the mountains: The weather can change quickly: temperature can range from the 80’s during the day to the 40’s at night. Bring a light jacket, sweater or sweatshirt to wear in the evenings and for layering; occasional passing showers means you’ll want a waterproof jacket with a hood. To the desert: Protect yourself (and the kids) from over-exposure to the sun, so you don’t “lose” a day to sunburn. Cover that tank top with a light, long-sleeved shirt; wear long, lightweight pants for riding, shorts for hanging out, and carry a sweater for the evening. Oh, and for any climate: a hat with a ‘stampede string’ that knots at the neck, so you won’t lose it on a ride.

Boots: You must have riding boots for horseback riding. It just isn’t safe to ride in sneakers or hiking boots—your foot could slip through the stirrup or get stuck in it. But if you don’t have any, don’t feel that you must buy new ones; some ranches have spare pairs of kids and adults’ boots for you to borrow while at the ranch—be sure to ask ahead.

Riding helmets: most ranches recommend wearing a helmet while riding, especially for kids. If you own a riding helmet fitted for you, you bring it, but most ranches have a supply of helmets available for your use.

Toiletries: Yep, you’re gonna need bug spray, sunblock, toothpaste, etc. Some ranches have little ranch stores with some of those items, but don’t rely on it unless you ask.

Extra activities: for hiking, use a pullover made of synthetic, wicking material (in the mountains, the weather can change quickly and the synthetic fabrics like fleece, and Coolmax will keep you warm and dry better than cotton). For fishing, ask what the ranch loans out; often waders, boots, rods and reels are all there for you.

Nice extras: slippers–it’s kind of nice to have some slippers when you’re cruising around the cabins.

Laundry: Ask about laundry services; some have self-serve facilities, others do it for you (yea!) with a 24-hour turnaround.

Final thoughts:
Pre-trip, wash the jeans with fabric softener so the kids (and you) can avoid saddle sores from the rubbing of a thick, stiff jeans seam. Most ranches have washing machine/dryers available but if you don’t want to spend vacation time doing laundry, bring extra jeans, socks and tee-shirts for all. Bring that great book you’ve been wanting to catch up on because you’ll actually have the time to read while the kids are having fun.

Bring some Advil/ ibuprofen because ‘some guys aren’t able resist trying out everything there is to do and, being a guy, he won’t hold back and will be super sore!’ says Stephanie of Vista Verde.

Our thanks to Stephanie at Colorado’s Vista Verde Ranch, who sent us some great ideas for this list. And she offers one other suggestion: “With airline travel what it is these days, you could well arrive at the ranch before your luggage.  While it invariably arrives within 24 hours, you could nevertheless have an uncomfortable first day.  Accordingly, we suggest you pack some overnight items or a change of apparel in a carry-on.” Good idea, Steph!

Editor’s note: This is part one of a two-park series, since packing for children/toddlers takes a whole different list. Stay tuned for: Packing with kids in mind.

Family time.

It sounds so simple to find, yet it can be more elusive than you think—even on some vacations. Well, quality time with the kids is all about balance. You want to be together—except when you want alone time, adult time, or just-kids time. It’s hard to find a vacation that makes all of that possible, until you think about a dude ranch.

How do you make sure you choose a ranch that will foster family time? Pick a ranch that caters to families with kids, and with select “youth activity leaders” designed to guide children into fun activities; then, you don’t even have to think twice about what the kids are up to all day. Or you can be with ‘em every minute: it’s up to you how you schedule things.

Either way, the end result is a happy child, relaxed parents, and good times spent together.

But first, take time to research your ranch destination. Not all ranches focus on families and children. Research, read, and talk to the ranch owners or past guests. At Colorado’s  Lost Valley Ranch, owner Bob Foster says, “The number one thing we spend time on is finding young “supes” or supervisors who really enjoy being around kids and teens.” He adds, “Trying to find young people as supervisors who have a passion—that’s the key.”

Foster, with years in the business, has learned that kids don’t want to be pushed into ‘programs’, they want freedom. “But we guide them into fun things to do,” Foster notes. “It takes more time and staff to do it that way, but returning guests come back to Lost Valley Ranch because of our kids and teen programs.”

At California’s Rankin Ranch, the counselors prepare activities daily, ranging from riding and nature walks, to treasure hunts, talent shows, and toy boat building   to learning about the area’s Piute Indians (and making Indian crafts). In any spare time, most kids enjoy feeding the calves and chickens skittering about on Sarah’s Farm area.

Don’t forget to think outside the box—or even outside the West. At New York’s Rocking Horse Dude Ranch Resort, there’s an outstanding children’s program and day camp (optional babysitting nursery available), plus a giant Fort Wilderness playground and pony rides.

So look for a ranch where they hand pick all their potential staffers, as Foster does, and then ask detailed questions about the kids’ programs. And don’t forget to ask your own children what they want in a ranch vacation. Oh, and, it’s okay to tell the kids what you’re looking for out of this vacation. After all, it’s okay for “the ‘rents” to have fun, too.

Seeing your children react to a new setting—with animals, in the outdoors— is bound to bring out a whole different side to them. And letting them see you —relaxed, happy, away from daily routines, and not in ‘parent mode” for a change—can only help your relationship.

Sitting next to your kids by a campfire at night singing songs, riding with them on the trail, or just gathering over chow at the end of a happy day; now that’s quality family time.

Editor’s note: This is Part 2 of a 5-part series running on consecutive Mondays: Americans need a dude ranch vacation NOW!

With vacation dollars tight this year, it’s more important than ever to choose the right vacation style for you and your family. For some, the choice can come down to a sort of ‘cruising versus dude ranching’ faceoff. Each is a fun way to vacation (and frankly, we love cruising). So how do you decide on the best choice for you this year?

How green: for some folks, a green or eco-friendly choice is important. When it comes to the energy-use of a mega-sized cruise ship as opposed to even one of the larger dude ranch resorts, it’s no comparison. Horse power (and the natural, earth-friendly practices that are a time-honored way of life at so many ranches) will always trump the energy use of a giant floating hotel.

Family friendly fun: both cruise ship and dude ranch offer plenty. And if Broadway-style shows and dazzling nightlife are your thing, then maybe a cruise is your best bet. But if you’re looking for family togetherness, and a getaway that, frankly, excludes the more adult side of some cruise ships (especially those with casino gambling and grownups-only entertainment), then maybe the ranch is the place for you.

Shopping: if this is your main goal, choose a cruise ship. Big ships have lots of shopping right onboard in their own malls; and on shore, they’ll steer you to their favored shops. You just don’t find shops at a dude ranch (but hey, isn’t that what you’re trying to get away from?)

Crowds and costs: of course, the mega-ships are built for crowds (that’s how they can bring down their ticket prices). But beware; once in port, those crowds can hold you up when you’re trying to get off the ship. At a dude ranch, finding peace and quiet and your own patch of sky are part of the package. And those low cruise ticket prices? Often, it means you pay extra for everything from soft drinks to on-board fun and shore excursions. At a dude ranch, all-inclusive really means just that. You won’t have to reach into your wallet ten times a day–it’s all covered.

So, if you want to know exactly what your vacation will cost, choose a dude ranch. And all those other things that are included at the ranch? Getting away from crowds and shopping malls, finding peace and quiet and real family time: priceless.

Stephanie at The Home Ranch, just outside of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, just emailed me that they’re extending their 2009 winter season. Guests can now book their trip through April 8, taking advantage of the abundant snow and many fun winter activities The Home Ranch offers.

Winter guests enjoy everything from cross country and downhill skiing to snowshoeing (pictured), tubing, horseback riding and sleigh rides, and fly fishing and kids’ games.

The Home Ranch also boasts some of the best food and wine around, with gourmet meals prepared by Chef Clyde Nelson. Accommodations include six rooms in the main lodge and eight private cabins ranging from one to three bedrooms; each of the cabins has its own hot tub on the porch. All activities and meals are included in the cost of the stay, and kids stay free at the Home Ranch.

“We’ve had such a great winter, and we’re excited to be able to share that with more people this year,” says Selina Heintz, Front Desk Manager of the Home Ranch. “Staying open later just makes sense when the conditions will still be great for all the winter fun at the ranch.”

For more Colorado winter fun, check out Vista Verde Ranch; choose from a wide menu of many winter activities- backcountry skiing, cross country skiing,  horseback riding, sleigh ride, sledding, snowshoeing, and more.

And don’t miss the C Lazy U Ranch; new this year: a groomed tubing hill!  Enjoy snowmobile-drawn tubing where you ride behind a snowmobile on an inflatable tube (daily for children and adults). Or take a shuttle up to the top of the C Lazy U driveway and sled all the way down the C Lazy U Luge to the ranch.  Organized sledding begins daily from 3:00-4:00 (conditions permitting).  It’s a fun-filled, snowy adventure!

Learning to ride a horse can be a transformative event for a both kids and adults. When you’re finally astride, comfortable in the saddle and at one with your horse, your confidence soars. But it is smart to remember that horseback riding is a real sport with a real animal, and when your instructor/wrangler speaks, its important to listen up. Before you climb onto Old Paint, or before you even arrive at the ranch, you can prepare yourself or the kids by brushing up on some riding dos and don’ts.

We love any place that understands and celebrates the real stories and real people of ranching and farming. Which is why we’re giving a nod to the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Museum. Tucked into a barnlike structure and 47 acres in the small town of Las Cruces, the museum aims to tell the 3,000-year history of farming and ranching in the state of New Mexico.

But what you’ll learn here goes beyond the tales from New Mexico farms to the stories and lessons learned by farmers and ranchers everywhere. And much of it is told in an interactive way. You can watch a cow being milked, wander past corrals filled with livestock, stroll several gardens or watch any of a number of demonstrations. For some visitors—especially children—it’s the first time they have any concept of the kind of work done by those who toil with crops or livestock. For others, it’s a walk down memory lane to farming practices of days gone by. If you’re near Las Cruces, it’s worth a detour.

And do you have a favorite museum that spotlights the world of ranching, horses, or cowboys? If so, drop us a note (click on the envelope, at left) or post a comment.

One question every kid will ask his parents about the ranch they choose to visit is: “Will there be any kids my age there?” At Lost Valley Ranch, just southwest of Denver, owner Bob Foster hears that question a lot. His answer?

Last week’s post (Tips for Moms: Selecting a ranch for kids) just touched on a subject blog readers always want to know more about: how to find the perfect ranch suited to your children and the family’s needs. 

Figuring out which ranch is best for your kids is a concern for both parents, but Moms are often the ones who end up doing the necessary detective work. One tip: start your selection process on the Internet (on sites that narrow the search, like Ranchweb), then work the phones. When you’ve selected your top choice ranches, ask each for a list of past guests that wouldn’t mind a call from you (that is, guests who came with kids).