Wedding Journal Online

"Wild West Romance"

Colorado encompasses most of the Southern Rocky Mountains with the rugged peaks dominating the western half of the state.

Nicknamed the “Centennial State’ because it was admitted to the United States Declaration of Independence, Colorado is a great place to experience America’s ‘wild west’.
Working cattle ranches and guest ranches are found both in the eastern Great Plains and in the Rocky Mountain high country. This is still the land of cowboys and Indians. Old ‘west’ gold and silver mining
settlements survive in the mountains alongside many abandoned ghost towns.

With four distinct seasons, 300 days of annual sunshine, the highest-altitude State in America offers an unbelievable selection of wildlife and natural wonders as well as a rich cultural heritage found in frontier forts, narrow-gauge
railways, mining museums, dinosaur fossils, the art of the native American Indians and ancient cliff dwellings. A 10-hour journey from Ireland is all that separates newlyweds from guaranteed sunshine and a taste of life in the Colorado outback. 

GETTING THERE 

From June to September you can fly via Newark from Belfast International with Continental Airlines for approx £775pp return and from Dublin via another point - this will vary Wild West depending on the day of travel, but will normally be somewhere such as Philadelphia or Atlanta, flying with US airways for approx £660. Then during the winter months prices are a little cheaper flying from Belfast for approx £665
and from Dublin for approx £480. For further information on flights contact Chaka Travel on t: 028 9023 2112 or visit w: www.chakatravel.com.

DECIDING ON A RANCH

Colorado offers everything from working cattle farms to the most luxurious resorts: 

Working Ranch 

Working ranches usually offer more rustic accommodation and less organised activities. As the name implies, they are real functioning ranches that are in the business of raising cattle or horses. They usually offer accommodation for a limited number of guests. Daily activities include a lot of riding and sightseeing, but also offer the opportunity to see real cowboys at work and a chance to assist with the day-to-day running of the ranch. 

Resort Ranch 

Resort ranches specialise in offering entertaining vacations for tourists. They can be very comfortable with luxurious rooms and numerous activities designed to suit all ages and interests. Daily activities usually include riding lessons, trail rides, picnics, sightseeing trips and rodeos, or roping and riding demonstrations. They often provide nightly entertainment or dancing.
 

WHO TO BOOK WITH

Colorado has a wide range of ranches, but you are best to book through The Dude Ranchers Association www.duderanch.org, which has over 100 ranches for you to choose from. Membership in the Association is not automatic and Dude Ranches applying for membership go through a rigorous two-year inspection and approval process, so that when you stay at a Dude Ranch you can be sure of a quality holiday. When you book your vacation at a member
ranch, you can be assured of genuine, western hospitality combined with the lodging industry’s latest standards. 

WHERE TO STAY

SMITH FORK RANCH

This 300-acre luxury guest ranch is located in the spectacular Gunnison National Forest surrounded by the awesome peaks of the West Elk Range and Wilderness, tucked into the Smith Fork Valley - a tributary of the Great Gunnison River - the most sought after fly fishing waters in the state of Colorado. This location is truly one of a kind and will keep an adventurous couple very busy. The ranch has several fully restored and refurbished western-style cabins which have been lovingly decorated with custom furnishings and antiques, paying attention to detail and the needs of the discerning traveller. Regarding horse riding, Smith Fork has 45 fantastic horses, including four amazing draught horses with their own wagon, ponies, and even mules for mountain top picnics. Autumn is the best time to visit as the foliage is fantastic, the riding is ideal, and fishing the rivers does not get any better. And after a day of activity, you can return to a couple’s massage in the custom creek-side, tented outpost and have a glass of wine or two from the extensive private cellar on the Pavilion overlooking the glorious surrounding mountains. Smith Fork Ranch is located conveniently within two hours of three major area airports that all have regular flights from Denver - Salt Lake City, Phoenix, and Houston. If you prefer to drive, Denver is a beautiful five-hour drive away. The ranch offers pick-up and drop-off services for their guests at Montrose and Grand Junction airports. Rental car services are available. Pricing: Rates are all-inclusive and a sevennight package from Sunday to Sunday between June 6 – August 29, in the Spruce Cabin (two person occupancy) costs $6,800 per week or stay in the guest lodge rooms for $6,300 per week. For further information visit: www.smithforkranch.com or email: info@smithforkranch.com. WJ

September 2010