DUDE RANCH VACATION TRAVELOGUE
August 2000
Waunita Hot Springs Ranch
Gunnison, Colorado

Breakfast ride A Vacation Travelogue
from Mel Coker

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Ever thought of a really "different" vacation? Want to learn more about a "dude" or guest ranch vacation? You're invited to follow along on our Internet Vacation Travelogue and learn about the fun we had on our August 2000 vacation at Waunita Hot Springs Ranch in Colorado.

Mel, Barbara & Kelly Coker

August 9, 2000 - Day 4 at Waunita
"Long" Ride, Eric "haying", Hayride

After another great Waunita breakfast, we saddle up at the stables for our "special" ride. A new feature at Waunita is a "returning guests" ride. It's a 6 hour ride to Mingo Gulch. We're told it offers several great opportunities for "loping" and this time we can do the loping without going through instruction again. Loping is the Western term for galloping. First time guests have loping instructions while we hit the trail. Our nine-year old daughter, Kelly, stayed behind for her loping lesson and ride. Ryan Pringle led this trip for us.

While we're on the 6-hour ride, others stay behind for loping lessons in the morning and a 3-hour ride to Bear Valley in the afternoon. Also offered in the afternoon is the van ride to the Alpine Tunnel. This is a great trip that my wife and I did on our previous two trips. See my 1996 Waunita Travelogue for a description of the Alpine Tunnel trip

On our Mingo Gulch ride, we stopped several times going up to rest human bones and horses. Everyone enjoyed the numerous times we had opportunities for loping. The Waunita horses really move out! We stopped for lunch at a meadow that offered a sweeping view of the San Juan Mountain range. Lunch was a choice of sandwiches, PRINGLES chips and even a candy bar.

Click for another Waunita picture
Lunch on the trail
Mingo Gulch ride		 Click for another Waunita picture
Results of lunch
Weary riders rest

We arrived back at the ranch around 3:30 p.m. We take a short break to the dining room for drink and a snack (snacks are available all day and night). We had heard that Eric was down at the Pringles other property haying. We drove down there for some photo opportunities of Eric at work. We also found Scott and Barney working with the haying operation. Soon Ryan also showed up to work in the fields.

Click for Scott with Barbara
Stacking Hay
Head Wrangeler Scott		 Click for another Waunita picture
Baling Hay
Mountain Man Eric

After returning from the hay fields, we moved on to the Waunita pool and whirlpool. Both are really relaxing after the long, sometimes dusty, rides. For supper, another delicious meal, chicken, rice, corn on the cob, mixed vegetables, salad and coconut cake.

After dinner, the main activity was the hayride. My wife and daughter went on this while I stayed behind to work on this travelogue on my laptop. The hayride is always an enjoyable trip for children and adults alike. A new twist this time around... As the campfire was dying down the "new" Waunita Ranch firetruck arrived to douse the fire.

Click for another Waunita picture
Waunita Hayride 		Click for another Waunita picture
Waunita Firetruck

Ryan Pringle and children
Ryan Pringle
with Randi, Dani, Kolby

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More Waunita Hot Springs Information
The Official Waunita Hot Springs Ranch Website
Mel Coker's Vacation Travelogue (1996)

BOOK YOUR WAUNITA HOT SPRINGS RANCH VACATION...

Call (970) 641-1266
email Waunita Hot Springs Ranch

Travelogue by Mel Coker