Want to Locate Horseback Riding Vacations?
July 1st, 2008 by admin
Not long ago I needed some last minute vacation ideas, so I went online searching for an unique all inclusive family vacation. I came across a very interesting website for CLEAR CREEK DUDE RANCH which offers vacation packages for horseback riding and much more in a beautiful Blue Ridge Mountain getaway.
horseback riding
It had been 30 years since I had been on horseback, and my wife and 2 children had never ridden before. However, we decided to try something new, and rather than go to the beach like usual, we headed for the Great Smokey Mountains in North Carolina to see if we could rustle up some horses.
We took off at dawn and got there just before lunch time. The drive through the mountains was breathtaking, and the view from the front porch of the main lodge at Clear Creek Guest Ranch was equally impressive. We were escorted to our cozy and comfortable cabin, and we had just enough time to unpack our gear before heading back up to the main lodge to eat.
great smoky mountains
The food was mouth watering and plentiful. It was served family style in big bowls on a ‘Lazy Susan’ in the middle of our big round table. Soon after lunch, with the help of one of the many friendly ‘wranglers’ at the Dude Ranch, we picked out our horses and went for a 90 minute ride through some of the most pristine and scenic trails the Appalachian Mountains have to offer.
Later that afternoon we took a dip in the pool, and then we treated ourselves to a relaxing massage in the heated jacuzzi. It was most refreshing, and the views from the pool and jacuzzi were equally magnificent.
Sitting in the big comfy chair near the fire in the Main Lodge later that evening with an aperitif in one hand and a good book in the other was the perfect ending to a perfect day.
summer vacations
During our stay we rode our horses on many of the other trails at the ranch, fished for trout, mined for gems, played golf, pool, ping pong, video games, occasionally helped some of the other guests with their jigsaw puzzles, visited local craft shops, and took part in a rodeo!!!
It was awesome, and we didn’t want to leave the beautiful and friendly confines of the Clear Creek Dude Ranch, but we took solace in the fact that we will most definitely pass this way again.