Evening star., 1938-06-19
Ranch Life
Is Sport for.
Real People
Two Big Areas in
West Famed as
Dude Country.

N uDE ranchine is as American
as popcorn and peanuts. It
Is to this country what ski
- ing and the Alps Is to Switzer-
land, and sun, air and sea to the
Riviera. In spite Of its name it is no
place for q dude" It takes good
health, sense of humor and capacity
for lot Of fun and excitement as well
as the ability to get back to funda-
mentals. In other words, It Is sport for
real people.
These ranch houses have been in ex-
istence since the days when huge herds
Of cattle went to; the valleys in the
'eouth in the winter and u the .hikh
mountain valleys ID the summer for
grass. Now that the cattle business Is
not as profitable as it. used to be many
ranches are going into the recreation
business, and the old timers who know
the real thing give it to you now with
comfort, rest and beauty thrown in for
good measure. Though 1t is a typical
American idea of fun its charm is well
known the world over.
There are two large areas that offer
this type Of sport, the only difference
being in the type of country one pre-
fers. The ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, Mon
tana and over into Canada-offers high
mountains, wonderful forests, rushing
streams and deep lakes. The South
west-New Mexico, Arizona and South
western Colorado-offers all kinds OF
country, desert, canyon, mesa and tall
timber, all within days trip. The
Northwest is strenuous; the Southwest
may be lazy.
NORTHWEST headquarters are at
Cody, Wyo.; Bozeman, Mont, and
Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta, Can
ada. Bugs, gnats and mosquitoes are
at their worst In June. July and August
are dry, with only occasional afternoon
storms that are welcome. In addition
to ranch life there are pack trips to
high ridges which come to rest by q
stream or blue lake where you may fish
to your hearts content. Experienced
packers run these jaunts. They know
how to make you comfortable and your
air mattress will seem like Morpheus
own downy couch when you turn in at
night, and the Waldorf will never
please you like your own trout served
up on green leaves, hot and brown
when you answer the call, Come and
get It,"
Headquarters for the Southwest Is
Santa Fe, N. Mex, the best taking.
of point for Northern mountains OF
Southern desert. This old city is on
q mesa at an elevation of 1000 feet,
50 that 1t is never uncomfortably hot,
and adobe ranchhouses are always
cool. You will siesta rs the natives
do from IL to and the rest Of the
day is delightful. -
WHEN you get OF the train you
will be met by the car from the
ranch with . gracious hospitable per.
son to say, "Howdy."' He won't ask
you who your grandfather was or
what your job is. He wants you to
forget it. He'll point out the mountain
peaks and the various points Of in
terest as you travel anywhere from
20 to 80 miles to the ranchhouse. Here
you will be welcomed like q long lost
cousin to great, low, rambling house
that is wonderfully comfortable, but
not elegant. -.
You will meet every one from the
owner to the cook, feel slightly en-
bassassed by your town clothes and
complexion. and eager to be rid Of
both. They will take you out to your
own little house which will probably
J., log cabin, maybe with one room
and the river for your morning dip;
or, possibly, three rooms and delight
full bath, depending on the facilities Of
the ranch selected and your own
pocketbook.
Rates at most ranches include your
horse and saddle. Your town riding
kit and saddle will not be useful out
there. One Of the boys viii delicate.
ly ind out how much riding you have
done, II any, and break you In &C.
cordinkly. Don't think for ! minute
they will take you on . 30-mile trip
the frst day and expect you to be. .
good sport about it. Even II you
ride in town every day and are Ia
good trim you will still need to ct
used to long stirrups and "sittine''
your saddle. They may change your
horse several times before they flrad
one whose gait and temperament suits
(See RANCH, Page o-3.) !.