Dude Ranch Vacations In Colorado
Grand County is Home to 6 Dude Ranches Like The Drowsy Water Ranch
Jun 14, 2009
The Drowsy Water Ranch is one of the oldest continuously operating dude ranches in the country, inviting city slickers and flatlanders to participate in this rugged, but laidback lifestyle since the 1920s. Since the1970s, the owners have been Ken and Randi Sue Fosha and their two sons, who have perfected the art of down-home fun for families, couples, singles and anyone else willing to join in.
Dude Ranch Horses
About 100 head of horses, primarily quarter horses and paints, make their home at the Drowsy Water. Beginning the first week of June, about 25 staffers join the Foshas to provide services for up to 50 guests who come from around the world. Ken and Randi Sue emphasize riding techniques rather than just allowing a guest unfamiliar with horses to jerk and pull on the bit. It’s a better quality experience for the rider and for the horse as well.
The wranglers, those staff members who work with the horses and lead the trail rides, are all college-educated, equine professionals. Each guest, or “dude” at the ranch, is assigned a horse at the beginning of the week and rides the same animal all week long. “Dude” is a term of respect for those experiencing a lifestyle they don’t live otherwise.
Children's Programs at The Drowsy Water
The Drowsy Water welcomes children of all ages, even infants, to the 650-acre ranch. The children’s program is unstructured, but comprehensive. Children five and under in the “buckaroos” program are led on smaller horses in a pen. Otherwise, staffers discreetly arrive at a parent’s side in the morning, engage the child in whatever type of activity the child is interested in, from throwing horseshoes, to learning square dance steps to a safe archery program.
For children six to 13 in the Range Riders program, rides are held twice a day. Kids are allowed to walk, lope and trot according to trail conditions and their comfort level on the horses. Parents may join in on those rides, but children may not join in on the adult ride, which offers the same opportunities, according to comfort level.
Family Vacations at a Dude Ranch
However, family rides are a part of the week. Dinner rides and early morning breakfast rides take guests to 8,700 feet for al fresco dining and a 360 degree view of snow-capped mountains and an occasional mule deer or elk. It’s breath-takingly cold and beautiful, but certainly worth the early morning start.
White water rafting, jeep rides, hiking, fly-fishing, and swimming are all a part of the week’s offerings. If the weather is not so favorable, ping-pong and billiards, a variety of boards games and a library filled with over-stuffed leather chairs and a roaring fire keep guests relaxed and entertained. Nine individual cabins snuggled beside the creek offer lodging for family or the Horse Thief Den Lodge provides the same accommodations for singles or others traveling alone.
The Dude Ranchers’ Association of America represents more than 100 properties in 13 western states and two Canadian provinces.
While in Colorado, another great family vacation is at Rocky Mountain National Park.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
