As Wetschler puts it “There are more experts on spas, cruises, and ski resorts than stars in the heavens, but when it comes to dude ranches, Gene Kilgore is the expert, a star in his own right. Kilgore dropped out of medical school to write his first guide to ranch vacations in 1980, and since then he has witnessed – and reported to the world – profound changes in how dude ranches entertain their guests. Ranches have updated their programs so much, in fact, that you might even wonder if the term “dude ranch” still applies. So we decided to corral this cowboy and get the lowdown.”

What follows is a neat update on the dude ranching, Gene’s lengthy history of involvement in this unique industry, and some flat-out gorgeous photos. Check out the whole story by clicking here.

It’s easy to  get away for a last-minute vacation at a warm, sunny Arizona dude ranch resort vacation. Can’t you just picture yourself saddled up at your guest ranch resort and riding through a spectacular show of blooms–or just hanging out by the pool and working some color back into your skin?

When to go?  Timing the wildflower season in the Southern Arizona and Tucson dude ranch region is tricky–those darn flowers are as unpredictable as the rainfall. Anytime from February through May, is peak season for everything from purple swaths of sand verbena to red, yellow, and white cactus flowers. And when you do get a great wildflower display in the desert, it can be awe-inspiring.

But which ranch to choose? Arizona ranches have much to offer. One shining jewel is Rancho de los Caballeros, noted for its Old West lodge, and championship golf in Wickenburg (79 elegant casitas).  Don Weintraub of Rancho de los Caballeros adds: “We are proud that our property is a unique combination of traditional resort and western ranch, with horseback, award-winning golf, trap & skeet shooting, tennis, full-serice spa, and gourmet cuisine.”

The resort was recently chosen as one of Arizona’s best by Golf Weekly. Weintraub notes, “If a golf escape is what you’re looking for, our ‘Golf Getaway’ has everything you need. Play the award-winning Los Caballeros Golf Club and stay at The Ranch for a visit full of long drives, low scores, and resort-scale amenities.” Call 800/684-5030 or e-mail reservations@sunc.com for more info or to make reservations.

And Elkhorn Ranch is loaded with family-friendly fun, wide-open spaces, and bountiful meals served family style. At an altitude of 3,700 feet, the ranch is surrounded by the high peaks of the picturesque Baboquivari Mountains and the open desert of the Altar Valley.Elkhorn provides plenty of country for relaxed walks or vigorous hikes and other activities for those who choose not to ride. The tennis court and fifty foot heated pool supply fun and relaxation for kids of all ages, along with shuffleboard, ping pong and horseshoes. Bring your camera and binoculars – the wintering birds of Southern Arizona are numerous and colorful, views are magnificent and spring flowers can be glorious. And Family-friendly Bar 10 Ranch is near the Grand Canyon, with hearty ranch meals and genuine western hospitality (and high altitude, so summer is high season here).  Their Three-Day Outdoor Odyssey showcases the grandeur and history of the Grand Canyon and Arizona Strip. “Descend back in time as you traverse the heart of the Grand Canyon, learning the colorful history of Indians, ranchers, homesteaders, and outlaws who inhabited and hid out in this primitive land.” This package is all-inclusive including meals, lodging, and cowboy guided activities such as ATV tours, extended horseback rides, hiking, ranch demonstrations, living history, and free time activities. Add an additional day and night to your odyssey and book our four-day outdoor odyssey. Three-Day Outdoor Odyssey from $567.00/person

If you’re seeking a luxe hideaway, Hidden Meadow Ranch near Greer boasts an elegant log main house and 12 luxury log cabins. Their Valentine’s Day package is a pip, with a 2-night stay in a 900-square-foot private, luxuriously furnished log cabin. “Our getaway includes all your gourmet meals in front of a crackling fire in our beautiful Ranch House plus, on one night, a champagne toast before dinner followed by our “Two Hearts Eat as One” special dessert selections, a complimentary rose petal and chocolate heart truffle turndown, and a CD of romantic music to play and keep. You can also decorate a handmade Valentine’s sugar cookie for your sweet sugar!” Sweet. Book soon; since Valentine’s Day is on Tuesday, February 14th, this package is available from Friday, February 10th, through Tuesday, February 14th.

Both White Stallion Ranch and Tanque Verde Ranch outside Tucson have stellar reputations as resorts with lots of variety in family friendly amusements: nature walks, swimming, gourmet cuisine, along with the kind of classic southwestern design and décor that many clients come for.

At White Stallion Ranch, act fast and you can join the Dawson Bridge Vacation (February 6 thru February 10, 2012) and brush up on your card-playing skills (cost: $1,050 per person double occupancy, $1,321 single; includes tax and service charge; Does Not include riding). Call 888-977-2624.

And at Tanque Verde, you can swing a racket or swing into the luxe little spa. Check out Tanque Verde’s ‘Last Minute Vacancies’ for special rates for accommodations that are ready and waiting. Or try the ‘Back in the Saddle’ package (available| January 10 – February 29); Book 3 nights, get the 4th night free (Valid for stays taking place through March 4, 2012 ); 25% savings with rates starting at $225 per person/night. You get deluxe lodging, 3 daily meals, daily activities. Ahhh! Take me away.

Details: Need more help with your selection? Don’t forget how easy it is to simply turn to Ranchweb for help. To begin, click on Selecting A Ranch and you’ll see groupings of ranches by lists of all the options that various ranches have to offer, from riding, fishing, and cattle drives to spas and luxury options. If you’re looking for deals, click on Travel Bargains on the Ranchweb.com home page. It’s another handy sorting tool.  For a wildflower update, go to
www.desertusa.com/wildflo/wildupdates.html

At the recent Dude Ranchers’ Association Annual Convention in Cody, Wyoming, one of the keynote speakers was Nancy Schretter (at left), Managing Editor of The Family Travel Network. That’s the award-winning family travel site featured on the The Today Show, CNN, America Online, Parents Magazine and in USA Today.

Ranchweb’s own Gene Kilgore attended the conference and was impressed with Schretter’s talk. “It was upbeat and positive,” says Kilgore, “ explaining how much guest ranches have to offer to families and how guest ranch owners can position a ranch vacation as a multisport family travel outlet.” So we set out to learn more about Schretter and her online Family Travel Network (FTN).

Launched in 1995, FTN serves readers as an’ unbiased source of family travel advice, reviews, bargains, and articles by travel industry experts’. According to the website, FTN is the nation’s ‘oldest and most comprehensive free online site devoted exclusively to family travel and planning great vacations with kids’. Based in McLean, VA, FTN is produced by Beacon Interactive, a division of The Beacon Group, Inc.

FTN’s Managing Editor, Nancy Schretter,  is an award-winning travel journalist and editor, mom, and a busy gal. But in between deadlines, we pinned Schretter down for a brief chat with her to talk about how she got into the world of family travel,  how dude ranches can work best in a families’ vacation plans, and how ranchers can work smarter to appeal to families.
Here is Ranchweb’s  Q&A session with Schretter:
Ranchweb: How did you get started with FTN?

Schretter: The Beacon Group (parent company of the Family Travel Network) was publishing  newsletters in 1995 and we saw the need for more information on family and multi-generational travel. America Online (AOL) came to us to talk about partnering to take some of our other newsletters online. I told AOL about the family travel newsletter and they suggested that we do it online with them. It turned out to be a winning combination—we launched and grew with AOL, reaching hundreds of thousands of families. Eventually, we moved out onto the Internet where our content can be seen by everyone.

Ranchweb: How is FTN’s coverage different from other travel sites?

Schretter: The Family Travel Network is an independent, award-winning online travel magazine providing unbiased coverage of family travel destinations and lodging options. The site provides extensive firsthand destination information and city guides; detailed reviews of resorts, cruises and lodging options; lots of family trip planning advice; a wide variety of vacation ideas; “been there-done that” family travel tips; money-saving hot deals; and more. We do not sell travel of any kind, so we can cover whatever we think is best with no hidden agendas. Our articles are written by seasoned family travel journalists and travel industry experts who are also moms and dads who travel extensively with their own families. Our coverage is widespread, so we have information on great family places that are around the corner or across the globe.

Ranchweb: We heard you’ve taken a ranch vacation in New York. What did you love most about your dude ranch trip?

Schretter: Our family loved the horses, the outdoors, and all of the cool things there were to do. My kids and I were very into horses and animals, so that was a huge attraction. There were lots of activities that we could do as a family, which made for great memories and bonding experiences. In addition to all of the horseback and pony rides, there were sports activities, water fun, kids programs and lots of evening activities, too. The kids liked the sing-alongs. We packed a ton of fun into our short time there. The fact that it was all-inclusive was also a big plus.
Ranchweb: How can the dude ranching industry (and ranches specifically) work harder to get its message out to the world of family travel – especially to moms?

Schretter: Picking the right ranch can be a confusing process, and Moms are always stressed for time when searching for the perfect family vacation. That’s why I love Ranchweb. It’s a great informational resource for families. Ranchweb cuts through all the Internet clutter and helps parents find the perfect match between their family’s need and interests and what individual ranches offer. That’s a real time saver!

When I started looking into ranches, I was blown away by the number and types of ranch experiences that are available for families. There are so many different options, and there’s definitely a ranch to suit almost every type of family. There’s no one “set” ranch experience, so it’s important to get rid of any preconceived notions. Parents need to understand that there are also so many different things that families can do on a ranch. It’s more like a multi-sport vacation: you can do horseback riding, hiking, fly fishing, rafting, swimming, mountain biking, and so much more. It’s impossible to get bored!

Moms need to hear how well a ranch vacation works for all ages – from younger children, ‘tweens and teens all the way up to grandparents. Ranches need to get their message out to everywhere moms are: online, via social media, print, and broadcast. It’s also important to hear the message from moms who have taken ranch vacations so they can get firsthand information and an accurate feel for all the activities and what makes ranches so great for families. I also think that people need to understand how great the owners and staff are. That’s definitely a big part of the ranch vacation appeal. It’s families catering to families, and that makes it very special.

Ranchweb: Thanks, Nancy! We hope moms who follow the Family Travel Network will try Ranchweb to help them in their search for the perfect ranch vacation. And we’ll make sure to ask our readers to take a gander at The Family Travel Network.

You want to be a wrangler, cook up stacks of hotcakes or gourmet meals, or take guests out on fly fishing expeditions? Then maybe you want a job at a guest ranch. But how to find it? Duderanchjobs.com, of course!

You could think of it as a dating site where job seekers and prospective employers meet. The goal: the perfect marriage between ranch job holder and dude ranch owners. That’s the idea behind duderanchjobs.com, Gene Kilgore’s newest website, and it couldn’t be more timely.

The site is attractive and very user friendly (if we do say so ourselves). It lists each ranch, next to a  photograph and box listing the contact person and email address that job seekers should reach out to. Then, there’s a brief desecription of the ranch and below that, a list of each job and the dates when the worker is needed.  Put your cursor over the job listed and you get a pull-down menu with a whole lot more information about each job. And if you’re a ranch owner looking for staffing help, the site delivers candidates right to you.

Easy, right? Yep. The guy who created Ranchweb.com and the author of the best selling Gene Kilgore’s Ranch Vacations guide has done it again.

If you’re looking for workers to staff your dude & guest ranch resort, check out our site. And if you’ve ever had a hankering for a fulfilling, interesting job in one of the most beautiful spots on Earth, then look at the listings on duderanchjobs.com. It could be a match made in Heaven.

The DRA Convention showcases numerous speakers and seminars related to the various aspects of the industry, hospitality, marketing, etc.  In addition, there will be fun events, entertainment and the annual Dude Ranchers’ Educational Trust Dinner and Auction.

The agenda includes seminars on Adventure Travel Media;  PR 101 + What is the Media Looking For;  Epic Processing:  The Best Solution for all Payment Solutions; Amanda Esch, Davis & Cannon, LLP:  The Best Defense is a Good Offense; Peter Askew of DudeRanch.com on  Google Analytics 101.

Guest speakers include Nancy Schretter, Managing Editor, Family Travel Network; Dr. Sorensen-Equine Learning Center of America. There’ll be a DRA Hall of Fame Presentation, a Horse Safety Program Report, time to meet vendors, and the big President’s Banquet at the famed Buffalo Bill Historical Center.

The Convention is the largest attended DRA Event of the Year. For more information, contact the DRA office at info@duderanch.org or 866-399-2339.

We know you anglers out there–even in the dead of winter, you’re thinking about the next time you’ll be out on the water with a rod in your hand.

Maybe you got some cool new hand-tied flies for Christmas, or other gear that you’re eager to test (see our story on the 10 Best gifts for Fly Fishermen).

The Fly Fishing Ranches and Lodges.com site is made for you avid anglers. Part of the Gene Kilgore RanchWeb.com network, the site is devoted to creating the finest network of fly fishing ranches and lodges. As we continue to build our dedicated fly fishing community, we hope you will share with us: suggestions, new properties you recommend, and gear tips. And finally, we hope you will help us spread the word by telling your friends and colleagues. Tell us your fishing tales—and we’ll tell you a few of ours.

The newest member of the Ranchweb family is Deep Canyon Outfitters of Central Oregon, a Deschutes River vacation ranch. Here’s how they introduce themselves: ” For the past 15 years we have been offering guided fly fishing trips on a wide variety of fisheries, from small spring creeks, vast reservoirs, and large tailwater rivers. Each location offers a unique angling experience and allows us to cater each outing to the specific needs and wants of our guests. With over 15 fisheries within an hours drive of the lodge, it is easy to create a memorable fly fishing adventure.”

Sounds pretty inviting. So whether your goal is wading on the world famous Deschutes River in search of rainbow trout or summer steelhead, casting streamers for trophy rainbows in one of the area lakes, or presenting dry flies to tremendous spring fed trout, it’s all in their back yard.

That kind of burning desire is exactly why we started Luxuryranchrealestate.com, which we just re-launched in a cool new format. It’s now easier to use, to search through, and decidedly easier to look at. Experienced staffers at United Country Real Estate have said, “We use various means of advertising our listings and Luxury Ranch Real Estate is one of the best sites we use. It is very easy to navigate and upload listings. The staff is very helpfuland easy to communicate with. Top Site!”

Even if you’re not in the market for a ranch right now, Luxuryranchrealestate.com makes a great dream book. Take the example now on our front page: Ranch on the Roaring Fork, in Aspen, Colorado. “In the most prestigious resort valley in the scenic Rocky Mountains, the 282-acre Historic Snowmass Canyon Ranch spans the second largest privately held river frontage on the Gold Medal designated Roaring Fork River. Current owners have protected the ranch with a conservation easement but have retained the right to build on two additional homesites and have secured generous entitlements with a rare 20-year timeframe from Pitkin County. In addition to the trophy rainbow and brown trout, owners will share this land with elk, deer, waterfowl, grouse, fox, and both Bald and Golden eagles.
With one full mile of river running through the ranch lined with a mature cottonwood forest, spring creek, three spring fed trout ponds and a mile of shared boundary with forested Federal lands, this Aspen Valley property represents a rare ownership opportunity for the serious outdoor enthusiast. Located just 12 miles north of the world-class resort in downtown Aspen, 10 miles from the Aspen commercial airport, and 12 miles from Snowmass Village, resort amenities are quite convenient.”

Wow–I’m ready to buy. Okay, maybe not now, but it’s sure fun dreaming.

The 38-year old single mother died at the site; after the tragedy, the list of her life’s goals was discovered in her pocket. The list included dreams we can all understand: to find a great job, buy a house by the age of 45, to marry, and to watch her 8-year-old son graduate from college someday. And why was she going to work on Christmas day? “She was all about making her dreams come true,” a friend said later.

Most of us have thought about dreams and goals we’d like to attain, but never do anything to make them happen. As we start the year 2012, maybe you should be talking about things like your ‘bucket list’. What’s on it? Visit the Grand Canyon? Hike the Appalachian Trail? Or maybe to ride into the Wild West at a dude ranch and bond with your kids?

The point is, this gal made a list and was working on getting it done–and you can, too. Sure, some goals (like a big vacation), are easier to attain than longer range goals (like buying a house). But near-term goals like vacations can be vital. Vacations pull a family together, relieve stress, maybe even give a new perspective on life.  To pull off a dream vacation you’ll need some time and a plan. You’ll have to do some research, stroll around the Internet, and talk to friends. Hey, it’s all do-able. Just don’t wait.

The loss of that single mom is tragic. And I hope the friends and family who loved her will pick up her list and finish the last item on it–sending her son to college. But she left us all with an important lesson: Write your dreams. Then work on making them into reality.

Other ranch-oriented websites may come and go, but Ranchweb is backed by Gene Kilgore’s 30 years’ worth of real-world dude ranch industry experience and face-to-face relationships with ranchers and visits to ranches. We’re not sitting at some cubicle imagining what a dude ranch vacation is like–we’ve been there and done that. And we keep doing all we can technologically to spread the word about the wonderful vacation opportunities in the world of dude and guest ranch resorts–Facebook, Twitter, and more help us connect to you and help you connect to other fans.

We’re here to celebrate not just the business of guest ranch resorts, but the genuine traditions and healthy lifestyles and great personalities of ranch country.
This year, we produced an eighth edition of the most widely respected guide to the guest ranch resort industry, Gene Kilgore’s Ranch Vacations. The book, too, is revamped–lighter, easier to handle and take along, and more user-friendly.

We’re getting the word out on the news and new things happening in ranch country: great deals, the new activities from spa treatments to wine seminars to zip lining.

And we’re telling the story of the lasting traditions and amazing family bonding that has always been part of the guest ranch vacation. Honestly, that’s the part we love the most.

Here’s to a bigger, better year across the industry for 2012.