Yee Haw
Weekends are a time to rest and recover from the week we just conquered and to prepare for the week that lies ahead. Everyone has a different definition of “rest” and our definition sometimes includes packing some snacks and hopping in the car for an adventure. Give us 24 hours of having nothing in our calendar and we’ll fill it right up!
This past November, Greg and I woke up on the Saturday morning of a long 3-day-weekend and asked each other “what do we have planned?” Surprising to both of us, the answer to that question was “nothing.” Now, don’t get me wrong, having three days at home to stay in PJs all day, snuggle on the couch for movie marathons, and eat pancakes for dinner sounds like a DREAM! But, with the winter months quickly approaching, we knew we would have plenty of time to stay inside. We wanted to get some fresh air and get out of the house. We quickly hopped on our phones and started searching for overnight adventures, when I stumbled upon Rocking Horse Ranch. I remember coming here for an 8th-grade all-girls field trip and hoped that my memories of BINGO and ceramics would be relieved 23 years later.
We booked a room with bunk beds {SCORE}, packed a bag, and drove the 2.5 hours to Highland, New York. We were greeted by a cowgirl before taking a quick pic by the seasonally decorated front entrance and making our way to the mess hall to grab lunch. Now, as quaintly themed as Rocking Horse Ranch Resort is, you won’t be finding a gourmet meal or Egyptian cotton sheets here. What you will find is comfort food (as much as you’re able to eat), an activity schedule (I LOVE a schedule), and lots of smiles on your kids’ faces! You know the movie “Dirty Dancing?” Kellerman’s Resort? Just add a cowboy hat and that’s the wholesome-kind-of feeling I got while visiting RHR.
Rocking Horse Ranch is open year-round, but we visited in November and were able to experience some of their winter weather activities. The majority of the activities are included in the price of the nightly rate (as is the food). Here are the highlights and tips from our 24-hour stay:
Horseback Riding
This is what we came for! Unfortunately, Mia was not old enough to participate, but Gavin was all about it! He went for his first trail ride on the back of Sheriff, a chestnut brown horse with the most perfectly placed white markings down his nose and back right ankle. An hour later, he was hooked! He begged us to sign him up for another session and so we headed down and did just that. I would suggest making the horseback riding reservation first and then planning the rest of your day around the time slot you were able to snag. They only allow a certain number of people on each ride and the prime times fill up fast.
Big Splash Indoor Waterpark
Ok, waterparks are not my thing and definitely not indoor ones…germ-a-phobe problems…but you can’t walk by a pool of excitement with two kids and tell them they’re forbidden to join the fun. This indoor waterpark was super clean and had plenty for both of the kids to enjoy. The winning attraction, though? The 250 foot long Gold Rush Flume! I think the kids went down that waterslide nearly a hundred times and came out with a bigger smile each round! I’d suggest packing a robe or cover-up for the kids to walk back to your hotel room in, as the indoor waterpark is heated to a cozy 85 degrees and it’s a bit of a temperature shock stepping out.
Mountain Tubing
There wasn’t any snow when we visited Rocking Horse Ranch, but there was mountain tubing! We all grabbed a tube, stepped onto the magic carpet (a conveyor belt), and headed to the top of the big hill…we even passed a few cows on the ascent. Gavin and Mia were begging to go first and, surprisingly, begging to go together. I don’t know if this qualifies as exemplary parenting, but we told them to hang on and sent them on their merry way down the slippery rubber mat to the bottom of the slope. They giggled the whole way, only stopping to let out a squeal as their tubes met a bump along the path. Greg and I were up next and, in all honesty, we giggled and squealed just as much as the kids did. At the bottom, there was a roaring fire pit for parents to warm up, wait for and watch their children as they, undoubtedly, will want to go up and down this hill all day!
There are so many other activities – paddle boats, rock wall, magic shows, ceramics, super bungee jumper, playgrounds, bonfires, horse-drawn carriage rides -- the list seems never ending! Just don’t forget to stop by the farrier to see him put horseshoes on the horses. It’s really an interesting process to see in person and the farrier talks to the viewers answering any questions they may have. If you hang around, you can grab one of the authentic horseshoes as a souvenir on the way out. Best part? They’re free!
Planning a visit? Check out all RHR has to offer on their website!
