Page 9 - August 2019 Alamitos Heights

family getaways TRAVEL

by Lynn O’Rourke Hayes 4. RANCH GETAWAYS
Horse lovers can follow their
s there an animal lover in your FAMILY TRAVEL FIVE: passion by choosing a ranch
family? If so, find out how horses vacation. With an authentic and
Ican be a part of your holiday. HORSING AROUND scenic setting as backdrop, you and
Here are five ideas to consider. your family can learn horsemanship
from experienced hands who will
1. WIND RIVER HORSE tailor the instruction to your skill
SANCTUARY, LANDER, WYO. and interest level. Opt to ride in
Located on the Oldham family’s open meadows, on mountain trails
900-acre Double D Ranch, the or in the desert Southwest. Will
sanctuary is one of three BLM eco- your family members choose to
sanctuaries open for public tours participate in a real cattle drive? Are
(children under 12 are free) and you up for a horsepack trip into the
the only one on a Native American backcountry? Will your youngsters
reservation. The family cares for be eager to learn the skills required
approximately 130 wild horses or for team penning and other arena
mustangs in Wind River country games? Or will you be happy to
east of Yellowstone National Park. relax during daily trail rides. The
Stop in to the free Visitor Center options are yours at working dude
for an interpretative display on the ranches and guest ranches across the
importance of the horse in the culture country.
and traditions of Native Americans, CONTACT:
as well as the history of wild horses www.DudeRanches.com
in North America. Ask about the
mustang adoption program. 5. ASSATEAGUE ISLAND
CONTACT: NATIONAL SEASHORE,
www.WindriverWildHorses.com BERLIN, MD.
www.TravelWyoming.com This magnificent stretch of beach
is perhaps most well-known for
2. THE VIRGINIA RANGE, the wild Chincoteague ponies that
NEVADA make their annual swim across the
The Virginia Range, an area of Assateague Channel. Locals often
about 30 square miles, in Northern suppose the horses are survivors of
Nevada had a major moment in a shipwreck off the Virginia coast,
the sun when it served as home though it’s not been confirmed. The
to television’s Cartwright family seashore, a part of the Chincoteague
for the 1960s Western series National Wildlife Refuge, is also
“Bonanza.” Today it is home to a home to more than 300 species of
free-roaming herd, among the first birds as well as miles of trails for
to be protected through legislation biking and hiking. Make time for
pushed through by animal activist beachcombing, kayaking, swimming
“Wild Horse Annie.” Consider and keeping eyes out for eagles
taking a hike into the area, and 3. PRYOR MOUNTAIN landscape that is their home. Many other wildlife sightings as you traverse overhead and dolphins in the water.
be on the lookout for mustangs WILD MUSTANG CENTER, believe the magnificent creatures are land that straddles the Montana and CONTACT:
gathered around watering holes. WYOMING & MONTANA descendants of Spanish horses brought Wyoming border. www.nps.gov/asis/index.htm n
You might also catch a glimpse of Learn about the evolution, habitat, to the area by Native American tribes, CONTACT:
the herd from Route 341. social interaction and historical including the Crow. The daylong www.PryorMustangs.org/Tours.shtml; ©2019 Lynn O’Rourke Hayes
CONTACT: significance of this mustang herd tour, available May through October, www.VisitMT.com Distributed by Tribune Content
www.TravelNevada.com during a tour of the extraordinary might include bear, bighorn sheep and www.TravelWyoming.com Agency, LLC.

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