Vacationers riding with a purpose at Lazy F Ranch
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To learn more about the Lazy F Ranch go to www.victoriaadvocate.com and click on the link.
<<< link for our web site.
www.lazyfranch.com >>>
SMILEY - Simon Rake admits that castrating cattle as one of his vacation activities is "a bit strange."
But for Rake, who hails from 30 miles south of London, the hours logged in the pasture or in the pens at the Lazy F Ranch are time well spent.
"A chance to do a cattle drive is great fun. It's riding with a purpose," said the 32-year-old insurance salesman. "I can't do a sit-by-the-pool holiday."
This working ranch and guest ranch is a different experience, says owner Clay Allen, 65.
"This is not for everybody. This is not a dude ranch for little kids and families," said Allen, whose family began raising cattle on the land in 1853.
One person it is for is Sarah Allnut, a native of England who lives in Munich, Germany, who works in the pharmacy department of the European patent office. She has been to Lazy F 10 times during the past five years.
"I enjoy the whole experience," she said. "The weather is warmer, the people are friendly."
But it's working with the cattle that Allnut, 32, savors most.
"We bring them back to the pens because we have to sort them. Then we have to vaccinate them, brand them, castrate them," she said. "The beauty of this place here is that you can have a go at everything. You can do as little or as much as you want. I've done it all."
Kevin Doyle, 52 of Cardiff, South Wales, agreed, saying he has been to the ranch eight or nine times to "play a bit of cowboy."
"There's always something to do, and you get cow work. Otherwise, you are just trail riding," said the 52-year-old who works in manufacturing steel buildings. "They let you do whatever you are comfortable and safe doing. That's why I like it here."
Most of the visitors to the 2,500-acre Lazy F Ranch are from the United Kingdom and other European countries, but Allen has also entertained visitors from Egypt and Japan.
The cost is about $200 per night with meals. Most stays run about 10 days, Allen said.
Allen said the economy has hurt the business.
"The vacation dollar is the last dollar spent," he said.
He hopes completion of a 40-mile riding trail will help boost use of the ranch. The ranch is also available for camping and hosts hog, deer, turkey and dove hunts.
"This is the last of the ranch," Allen said, noting that his great-grandfather Algernon Sidney Billings died in 1927 leaving 80,000 acres to 35 heirs.
Allen started the working ranch and guest ranch business in 1998 after the death of his mother.
Michael Large, who also lives near London, was making his first trip to the ranch.
"They are actually brilliant horses, when they are trained proper," said the 51-year-old small-business owner. "The one I got on, Martha, you could die on her back and she'd bring you home. She's brilliant."
Large said a return trip to South Texas would be on a future travel agenda.
"I'll certainly be coming back next year and bringing my son," Large said. "It's been the experience of a lifetime."
Comments
Nine horses, 5 cowdogs -- looks like each cow has her own personal assistant.
October 27, 2009 at 12:29 p.m.Anyone know the difference between "just a yankee" and a "d* yankee?"
One visits, the other stays!!!
Thankyaverymush, i'll be here all week.
Try the veal, and don't forget to tip your waitress!
October 27, 2009 at 8:10 a.m.I think it's great that a working ranch can get people from other parts of the world to come to Texas and experience a little bit of what ranch life is really like.
Kudos Mr. Allen.
October 27, 2009 at 7:40 a.m.