Chain O Lakes Texas

Family travel five: Families unplug on ranch vacations

Ranch getaways provide families the chance to blend rustic pleasures, outdoor pursuits and unplugged relaxation. Round up your clan and consider these five places.</p><p> 1. Ranch at Rock Creek, Philipsburg, Mont. Spend the night in a Trapper Tent, a half-cabin, half-luxury canvas tent, nestled within 6,000 acres of rugged Montana wilderness. If you prefer four solid walls, choose the Granite Lodge or log homes on the property. Families may opt for fly-fishing on private trout ponds and Rock Creek, horseback riding, clay shooting, paintball, hiking and mountain biking. Later, sit a spell in the ranch's Silver Dollar Saloon where karaoke, billiards, big-screen movies and bowling will entertain your crowd. Plumb tuckered out? Choose a riverside or mountain getaway spot where you'll find a hammock, blankets, pillows, snacks and a little peace and quiet. Enjoy your nap, cowboy style.</p><p> Contact: 406-859-6027; www.theranchatrockcreek.com; www.frontierstravel.com.</p><p> 2. Hacienda Santa Ines, Cartago, Costa Rica. Children can feed the lambs and piglets before a family breakfast of fresh farm eggs and other delights plucked from the organic garden and greenhouse. Here, in the Tres Rios Mountains, your family will enjoy farm life amid flower-laden lawns, lagoons and stables. Ride Friesian horses, swim in the pool and ride ATVs throughout the 300-acre working ranch and farm. Play paintball, help milk the cows or enjoy the spa. With only 11 guest rooms, you'll enjoy a peaceful holiday or perhaps a family reunion.</p><p> Contact: www.haciendasantaines.com.</p><p> 3. Hideaway Ranch and Retreat, Bluff Dale, Texas. Kids can help crack the case of the Buffalo Gulch Bank Robbery by finding clue boxes around the 155-acre ranch. The reigning supersleuth will earn an honorary sheriff's badge. More fun can be had in this Erath County location by swimming in the big stock tank, fishing, enjoying family picnics and wagon pulls, horseback riding and learning archery. Choose from rustic or more modern cabins in the woods throughout the ranch.</p><p> Contact: 1-866-609-4433; www.thehideawayranch.com.</p><p> 4. Creek Ranch, Lake Hatchineha, Fla. This family-owned ranch is one of the few of its size that remain in the bustling state of Florida. Just an hour from Orlando yet a world away, you'll find wetlands-style bird-watching and the chance to ride horses across the ranchland as well as an airboat across Lake Hatchineha. Families ride bikes, hop aboard jeep tours, play boccie ball, learn skeet shooting or to explore the chain of lakes that begins just beyond your cabin door.</p><p> Contact: 863-307-9627; creekranch.net.</p><p> 5. C Lazy U Ranch, Granby, Colo. After the ropin' and ridin', join two Grammy-winning singer-songwriters for a live performance and the opportunity to discover how you might pen or perform an award-winning tune. Pros Monty Powell and Anna Wilson will be on hand for this one-time event July 24-31. That week and throughout the season, families relish time spent horseback riding in stunning Colorado country, gourmet dining, fly-fishing on private water, trap shooting, archery, plus yoga and spa activities. The ranch is well known for its kids' adventure program.</p><p> Contact: 970-887-3344; www.clazyu.com.</p><p> Resource: "Gene Kilgore's Ranch Vacations" (eighth edition, Ranchweb.com, $22.95), a comprehensive guide to dude, guest, resort and working cattle ranches worldwide.</p><p> Lynn O'Rourke Hayes is editor of FamilyTravel.com: lohayes@FamilyTravel.

Does anyone know of a nice retreat center near Houston? | Houston ...

I teach 8th grade girls in Sunday School and need to plan a retreat for the class. Does anyone know of a nice place within about one & half hours drive of East Houston? I thought of the Victorian Condos in Galveston but they are too pricy. We have a budget but it is limited. A place were we can do our own cooking would be nice but we can make arrangments.

Any help in this line would be great.

Thanks

How about asking around your church? Someone might have a lake house or beach house that they would allow you to use. Or you can rent a beach house in Galveston, or a condo on Lake Conroe. You just have to search.

You might consider a Residence Inn by Marriott. You can get a 2 bedroom with 2 baths, plus a small kitchen and decent living room for a decent price. I’d let the girls raise some money for this and they will apprecaite it more.

I’ve been to two retreats at a place called Chain O Lakes… On for girl scouts when I was little and one when I was in high school! It has become one of my favorite places! It is SO much fun and I always wish I had the money to go back! There are rooms you can rent for bible studies, cabins you can rent to stay in, they make all the food!!!

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