Evening star., 1950-06-11

the youngsters never get bored in
the forests, that they acquire new
knowledge and skills without rea-
lizing they area learning.
Fine Dude Ranches.
Ranch and forest holidays go
hand in hand, for some of the
finest dude ranches in Montana,
Colorado, Wyoming and other
States are located in the heart
of the national forests. Many
more adjoin the forest areas and
feaure frequent rides. fishing ex-
cursions, chuckwagon dinners and
pack trips into the scenic forest
lands.
Streams, rivers and lakes in the
mountain forests are generously
restocked each year and care
fully protected from pollution so
they will never be "f1shed out" !"
If the more accessible waters are
crowded at any particular holiday
the ranch guides and sportsmen
simply move a little farther along.
There's always new territory to be
explored.
Many of the forests have "prim-
tive areas" which are the goal of
fishermen in summer and hunters
in autumn. These are genuine
wilderness regions. with no motor
roads or settlements, but they can
be enjoyed comfortably on guided
park trips. Guides from the dude
ranches or State-licensed guides
and outf1tters are available
throughout the Western States.
These experts handle the pack
horses, pitch tents, cook and
wrangle the dudes so skillfully
that even an inexperienced city
tenderfoot begins to feel like an
old hand in a day or two. No ex-
pensive equipment is required, as
ranches and outf1tters supply the
needed gear. Informal Western
clothes can be purchased at local
stores for as little as $40 an outfit.
$50-$90 a Week.
The shorter fishing excursions
and rides in the forest are part of
every ranch vacation, included in
the inclusive charge which varies
from $50 to 800 a week, depending
on the type of ranch. This covers
lodging, meals, saddle horse and
all ranch services except the
longer pack trips.
But you need not stay at a
ranch or hire a guide to enjoy
the national forests. Simple
housekeeping cabin groups, Sc
cluded but modern resorts, and
some luxurious hotels are found
in the forests or at their borders.
Most of the ranches and resorts
can be reached by train, bus or
plane; the more remote ones meet
guests by boat or car at the near
est terminal. .t
If you 60 in your own car, or
rent one at a city near a forest,
you'll find the rangers of the
United States Forest Service as
hospitable as any private tourist
operator. At ranger stations they
provide maps, information and
friendly advice. Their one stern
warning is to be careful with
matches and campflres, as dis
aStrous forest fires may be started
by a cigarette tipped from a car
window.
Forest roads are well-maintain-
ed, hard-surfaced or gravel, but
few of them are built to tempt
speed demons. Roads wind and
climb and descend and are inde-
scribably beautiful. Any careful
driver can follow them, but they
should be taken at an easy lope
if you want to appreciate the
scenery and stay all in one piece
Many Free Features.
You will find that i'm the forests
many Of the best things. in addi-
ton to scenery, are free. You can
pitch a tent or picnic at free
camp grounds where tables. fire.
places or stoves, drinking water
and sanitary facilities are main
tanned by the rangers. You can
drive, hike and ride the trails as
carefree as a mountain antelope
with no tolls or registration fees
to pay.
| And you'll see real antelope In
the forests of Wyoming and Colo.
RADIO or on the cool mountain
slopes of Prescott Forest in Ari-
zona. All the Western forests
are an immense natural zoo where
deer, elk. mountain sheep, wild
game and wild fowl of every va
riety can be found. You car
even see a great bison herd or
the National Bison Reserve, neal
the Mission Primitive Area OF
Montana.
There Is plenty Of human activ-
\ ity In the forests. too. Yet it IL