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.