Hit the Road

Story by Debbie Olsen
Photography by Roth and Ramberg

Load up the car and hit the road to find a little bit of paradise – right here in Alberta.

For many, a dream vacation involves a tropical palm-fringed beach in some exotic locale that provides a peaceful place to relax and get away from the hectic pace of urban living. Whether it’s time, financial restraints or an unstable political climate, taking that dream vacation is becoming more of a challenge for many Albertans. The good news? You don’t have to book an expensive flight to some exotic destination to get away from it all. A country vacation is a world apart from the frantic pace of the city. So load up the car and hit the road to find a little bit of paradise – right here in Alberta.

LAZY M RANCH – HORSE LOVER’S PARADISE

“In pursuit of a childhood dream, I was searching for wide open spaces, big smiles, endless skies and pure happiness on horseback. I found Lazy M.”

– Lena Weber (Wuppertal, Germany)

Located on a bluff overlooking the North Raven River, eighty-km west of Red Deer, Lazy M Ranch is a horse-lover’s idea of heaven.With more than fifty horses, the ranch has a horse suitable for every rider’s skill level. Lane Moore, a horse whisperer and trainer, helps even the most timid rider enjoy their riding experience, and an indoor arena ensures that riders can train even in poor weather conditions.

Owned and operated by Margie and Lane Moore, the guest ranch offers a beautiful rustic lodge capable of accommodating as many as 14 overnight guests comfortably.Delicious home-cooked meals served at a large wooden table in the lodge round out a busy day of riding. “The best experiences we’ve had operating the guest ranch have come around the dinner table,” says Lane. “It’s a chance for us to relax and enjoy good food and conversation at the end of a day.”

The main lodge glows golden in the evening sun, and soothing sore muscles in the outdoor hot tub, snuggling in with a book in the cozy sunroom or fly fishing for trout in the springfed river are popular pastimes at the ranch.

As you glance down at the winding river below the lodge and the green pastures and trees of the ranch’s more than 600 acres, it is easy to see that Margie and Lane have found a bit of paradise. Sharing that paradise keeps life busy for the Moores, and they plan to become even busier when they expand the operation to a year-round country vacation experience in the near future.

In addition to 50 head of horses, the Lazy M has 60 head of cattle, two bulls, three dogs and several cats, as well as a large hay crop operation. With the help of two wranglers and a part-time cook,Margie and Lane have been able to handle the responsibilities of guestranch ownership and share their love of horses with their guests. For guests, Lazy M offers a unique vacation experience not soon to be forgotten.More than half of the guests who experience a stay at the ranch or a Rocky Mountain trail-riding and camping adventure hosted by the Lazy M return.“This place has a way of teaching you a lot about yourself and that is very special. This was our best holiday ever,” said Sam Hillman of Somerset, England.

IF YOU GO

• PREVIOUS RIDING EXPERIENCE IS NOT NECESSARY TO ENJOY A RIDING VACATION AT LAZY M, BUT PARTICIPANTS MUST BE AT LEAST 12 YEARS OF AGE.
• A ONE-DAY COUNTRY STAY INCLUDING ONE-NIGHT ACCOMMODATION AND THREE MEALS WILL COST $95 PER PERSON.
• RANCH VACATIONS INCLUDING ACCOMMODATIONS, MEALS, INTRODUCTORY RIDING AND HORSE HANDLING LESSONS RANGE IN PRICE FROM $375 PER PERSON FOR TWO DAYS TO $2,300 FOR TWO WEEKS.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO MAKE A RESERVATION AT LAZY M RANCH, VISIT: www.lazymcanada.com
TEL: 1-403-722-3053

BLOOMIN’ INN GUEST RANCH – WHERE PRAIRIES MEET MOUNTAINS

Located in the shadows of the majestic Rocky Mountains near Pincher Creek, Bloomin’ Inn Guest Ranch offers television as an on-site amenity, but in eight years, nobody has ever bothered to plug in the set. “People come here to get away from phones, televisions and technology,” says Colleen Cyr, co-owner and manager. “That’s part of the appeal of the Inn. We provide an opportunity to experience the simple pleasures of farm life. In order to maintain our three-star rating as a Canada Select Resort, we need to have a television, but no one said we had to plug it in.”

Situated on a 640-acre homestead that has been in the Cyr family for more than a century, Bloomin’ Inn derives its name from a 7.5 acre flower and vegetable garden that surrounds the premises.Home to 60 head of cattle, 60 sheep, 11 pigs, chickens, turkeys, geese, cats, dogs and the Cyr family, the Inn is an ideal place for families, couples or groups to reconnect with the farm. Colleen, husband Francis, son Joseph and daughter Jenni enjoy sharing the farm with their guests.

What started out as a bed and breakfast eight years ago has quickly blossomed into a larger facility that is suitable for corporate retreats, crafting workshops, family reunions and other large functions and can sleep as many as 33 comfortably.Home-cooked meals are a big part of the experience of staying at Bloomin’ Inn. “People want to know where their food is coming from and what is going into it.We prepare homecooked meals from fresh, all-natural farm ingredients and guests just love the menus,” says Cyr.

In addition to guest rooms and a retreat facility, the ranch also has a country store on site. Items for sale include hand-woven willow baskets; log furnishings, pottery, dolls, antiques and dried flowers. Each year in August, an antique fair is held at the ranch. “It’s difficult for a small farming operation to keep going as a viable business, so we diversified our business and it’s been wonderful,” explains Cyr. Having the guest ranch has been an adventure for the entire family and has allowed them to meet fascinating people from around the world. Last year, Adrienne Clarkson, Canada’s Governor General, stayed at Bloomin’ Inn during a visit to the province. “We had the opportunity to enjoy a lovely turkey dinner with the Governor General and her husband,” says Cyr. “And they got the chance to see what farm life is really like.We meet so many wonderful people in this business. It’s been great to share a bit of our home and lifestyle with our guests.”

IF YOU GO

• A BED AND BREAKFAST FOR TWO AT BLOOMIN’ INN WILL COST $90 PER NIGHT.
• A WEEKEND RETREAT FOR UP TO 33 PEOPLE WILL COST $149 PER PERSON FOR 2 NIGHTS’ ACCOMMODATION, FIVE MEALS, AND SNACKS.
• PACKAGES COMBINING CANOEING, KAYAKING, HORSEBACK RIDING, WHITE WATER RAFTING, OR
• LOCAL FARM TOURS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE.

FOR RESERVATIONS OR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE BLOOMIN’ INN GUEST RANCH, VISIT: www.bloomin-inn.com
TEL: 1-403-627-5829

OHLERS’ ACRES – A HUNDRED ACRE WOOD

With more than 100 acres of woodland on the property and no hunters allowed, the forest surrounding Ohler’s Guest Ranch is teeming with wildlife. It’s common to observe deer, elk, and even moose from the comfort of the farmhouse deck year round. “I’m a lot like Winnie the Pooh,” jokes Dan Ohler, owner/operator. “I like to say I have a hundred acre wood.”

The tranquil setting of the guest ranch is the main attraction of this farm vacation. Situated on 160 acres of land near Sangudo, Alberta, about one hour northwest of Edmonton, recreational activities include hiking through the woods, canoeing on nearby Lake Lessard, fishing, campfires, bird-watching and playing on the farm. The farm has a small herd of cattle, chickens, six barn cats and a four-year-old border collie named Tip.

The guest ranch particularly caters to families. Together with their two teenage boys, Carol and Dan Ohler introduce urban families to farm life. “We specialize in family vacations,” says Dan Ohler.“Most of the activities we do involve the whole family.” The modest ranch house has two guest rooms, one suitable for couples or singles, and one large family bedroom. Guests have access to a private bathroom and a cozy living area, as well as the 160 acre farm. Two tepees located on-site offer a unique camping experience for more adventurous guests.

Last summer, Gayle Simonson and her daughter Patricia, both of Edmonton, enjoyed a two-night stay at the guest ranch. “It’s such a homey atmosphere,” said Gayle. “It was a good chance for the two of us to go away together and, even though it was a short stay, we felt so refreshed afterwards.”

Simonson also pointed out that food is a big part of the experience of staying at the guest ranch. “Carol and Dan use all-natural ingredients to make wholesome, delicious meals,” said Gayle. “We picked fresh raspberries and Saskatoon berries during our stay and brought some home with us.We ended up e-mailing recipes back and forth long after our stay.”

Deciding to open the guest ranch was a big decision for the Ohlers. It’s part of what Dan calls “thinking outside the barn.”When the doctor advised him to get out of farming because of a back injury, Dan tried working an office job. After more than three years, the family realised that they missed life on the farm. Owning the guest ranch has been a much-needed reprieve from the physical demands of more traditional farming and has brought them back to the lifestyle they enjoy. “It’s given me a chance to know my wife and kids,” says Dan. “And we love sharing our farm life with other families.”• For many, a dream vacation involves a tropical palm-fringed beach in some exotic locale that provides a peaceful place to relax and get away from the hectic pace of urban living. Whether it’s time, financial restraints or an unstable political climate, taking that dream vacation is becoming more of a challenge for many Albertans. The good news? You don’t have to book an expensive flight to some exotic destination to get away from it all. A country vacation is a world apart from the frantic pace of the city. So load up the car and hit the road to find a little bit of paradise – right here in Alberta.

IF YOU GO

• A COUNTRY VACATION AT OHLERS’ ACRES INCLUDING ONE-NIGHT’S ACCOMMODATIONS, THREE MEALS, SNACKS, AND ACTIVITIES WILL COST $150 FOR ADULTS, $250 PER COUPLE, OR $350 FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR.
• A ONE-NIGHT BED AND BREAKFAST STAY AT THE FARM WILL COST $55 PER ADULT OR $75 PER COUPLE. SPECIAL FAMILY RATES FOR TWO ADULTS AND TWO CHILDREN START AT $120.
• RETREATS, SEMINAR AND GROUP RATE QUOTES ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.

FOR RESERVATIONS OR MORE INFORMATION ON OHLERS’ ACRES GUEST RANCH, VISIT: WEBSITE: www.ohlersacres.com
TEL: 1-780-785-3700