Dude or Guest?

August 11th, 2011
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So just what is the difference between a guest ranch and a dude ranch? The New York Times Travel site sheds a little light on the question.


“A century ago, it was common courtesy in the West for ranches to feed and lodge travelers who stopped by on their treks across the great empty spaces. Gradually it became acceptable to accept a few dollars from guests, and by the 1920s, a ranch visit was a full-fledged vacation.


“When you make your ranch reservations, it’s wise to know the difference between a ‘dude ranch’ and a ‘guest ranch.’ A dude ranch typically requires a 1-week minimum stay, and they give you the entire package: riding, fishing, trips to the rodeo, and family-style meals. Dude ranchers look down their noses at “guest” ranches, which will take guests staying just 1 night and charge extra for activities such as riding.

 

“The dude ranch is the fabled Western experience come to life: daily rides by horseback, cowboy coffee beneath an expansive blue sky, campfire sing-alongs, and homemade food served in rustic lodges. Accommodations are usually in a comfortable cabin or lodge. You need not have any riding experience before your visit; ranch hands are trained to assist even the greenest of greenhorns.”

 

At the T Cross Ranch, we definitely offer the entire dude ranch package: all-skill-level riding, premier fly fishing, Friday night Dubois rodeo, square dancing at the Rustic Pine Lodge, and delicious homestyle ranch meals–to name a few.

Join the ride at the T Cross Dude Ranch by visiting our website to book your next stay.


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The T Cross Roundup

May 12th, 2011

Hello friends! The snow is melting, grass is growing, and school kids are counting down the days until summer vacation. This can only mean one thing: it is time to dust off your cowboy boots and head out to the T Cross! We are excited to begin welcoming guests June 19.

Our cabins are filling quickly, so if you haven’t scheduled your next T Cross adventure, give us a call and reserve your little piece of frontier today.

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Dude Ranches: Make Your Upcoming Reunion Unforgettable

March 24th, 2011
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Dude ranches offer a unique and fun-filled vacation. Most guests who enjoy the wild outdoor get-away are families and couples. However, The Reunion Planner, a website dedicated to helping organizations plan successful reunions, has named Dude Ranches as the Location of the Month.

Read why The Reunion Planner loves food, fun, and function: the three favorite reunion-must haves. (Photos added from T Cross Photo Gallery.)

“Hey Dude!

“Dudes don’t just belong at the beach anymore, how about having your next reunion at a Dude Ranch! If you are unfamiliar with a dude ranch, it is a holiday resort with a western atmosphere and offers activities centered on wilderness with modern amenities. Whether you are 8 or 80 Dude Ranches provide something for everyone.

“Adhering to our three favorite reunion-must haves: food, fun and function, Dude Ranches excel in these areas plus they’ll also bring entertaining ingenuity to the typical hotel/restaurant luncheon or dinner event.

Food
“Centered on re-creating a Western experience you can expect top-notch barbeque as well as a blend of savory cuisine. On a dude ranch the meals are all-inclusive, so you never need to worry about cooking or finding a restaurant.

Fun
“Between horseback riding, fishing, hiking, bar-be-queuing, nature walks, game rooms, swimming, fishing, and rafting (depending on your location) there is never a dull moment on a dude ranch. Set in nature and surrounded by a fun western atmosphere your loved ones will be inspired to put down their Blackberrys, unplug their computers and gear up for an old fashion ho-down. There are plenty of activities that the family can participate in together such as cookouts, line dancing, hay rides and volleyball. Or you can find organized age-related games like golf and cards to keep the adults happy while the kids can take part in arts and crafts or just enjoy the wide open spaces for running and playing tag.

Function
“Dude Ranches can usually hold between 20-60 people. They are generally centered around a main lodge where eating and communal gathering take place. Another option for your family group functions; spend time outdoors appreciating the countryside. Adults will welcome the comfortable lodges and the home-cooked food as well as many outdoor activities offered at dude ranches. Dude Ranches are located throughout the United States; however they are more popular in the west because of their cowboy history.”

The T Cross Ranch invites you to find your frontier amidst the pines, cabins, and wildlife that will make this vacation location a must-have for you organization or family. Contact us today to book your week at the T Cross.

 

 

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Dude Ranch Cooking: A T Cross Dining Experience

September 30th, 2010
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Meals at the T Cross are an art and a science. The warm, comforting smell of coffee reaches your senses when you enter the Lodge dining room first thing in the morning. Order a hot made-to-order breakfast as the sun rises over the Absaroka Mountains in the east.

Lunch is served buffet-style and is truly a sight to see. You will never go hungry; and your taste buds will never tire of our ranch-style homecooking.

An elegant dinner is preceded by hors d’ oeuvres and our T Cross happy hour in the lower Lodge. The dinner bell invites you upstairs to enjoy our three-course formal dinner.

Truly, we take food very seriously at the T Cross. However, it is the personality behind each meal that makes it unforgettable. That is why we employ only the most experienced and versatile chefs available.

Click here to watch an interview with the dynamic Dylan Woodbery, our talented 2010 T Cross cook. Learn why Dylan believes the midday meal is the most important, why he loves getting to know the T Cross guests, and what Dylan learned from the quiet lifestyle of the ranch.

The video is a result of the Firstlight photography group’s visit to the T Cross Ranch.

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People are talking about the T Cross Ranch

February 17th, 2010

Read some comments from past guests found at www.tripadvisor.com.

“We were fortunate enough to book a few days at the T Cross ranch on the suggestion of a good friend. The ranch is located in Dubois (dew-boys) Wyoming about 2-3 hours out of Jackson Hole.

The cabins are incredibly clean, but rustic. You have a wood stove or fireplace which heats it up quickly and the beds are very clean and comfortable. When I say clean, I mean immaculate. The staff was attentive and friendly and we did two trail rides a day.The horses were well cared for and well behaved.

We have done dude ranches in the past and enjoy the smaller ranches where you can have a closer relationship with the staff and feel as though you are visiting friends, not staying in a hotel. My 11-year-old son cannot wait to go back. They took a real interest in him and in teaching him to ride and were appreciative when we tried to help out.

This is an ideal place for riders, for families and for people who want quiet! No blackberry reception, no cell phones. The people in town could not have been friendlier as well.”

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“My family (2 daughters ages 9 and 13) spent a week at this ranch. We’ve never stayed at a dude ranch, so we didn’t know what to expect, especially being from the East Coast. The drive to get to the ranch was about 15 miles over dirt roads – if you come here, I would highly suggest renting an SUV as some of the roads are almost impassable in a car. Whatever you do, do not try driving on those roads with a sports car!

They provide twice daily horseback riding and the kids loved it. I fished throughout the week on the river, which the ranch stocks with brown and rainbow trout.

The meals are great and the chef will make every effort to satisfy the guests. I’m one of the very few vegetarians the ranch has, but he always gave me options.

The pace of life is different than what I’m used to, but this place forced me to relax, which was nice,

The owner of the ranch, Gretchen, always ate with the guests and was always around.

On Tuesdays, the town has square dancing and on Friday, there is a Rodeo – both were fun to do.”

If you have traveled to the T Cross and want to share your experience, simply comment on this post below. Thank you!

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