Simple Pleasures: Ridin' Hy Ranch--Where Memories Are Made
By Karen Rubin
I can see how children's memories are formed here, at the Ridin' Hy Ranch, tucked three miles down a small dirt road beside a river, just minutes from Lake George, N.Y. and yet, a world away. They are the treasured, fuzzy warm kind of memories that draw families back year after year and generation after generation, so their own children may have them, too.
There is such a comfortable feeling permeating this dude ranch-a place which makes possible novel experiences shared together in an easy, relaxed atmosphere. I am quite sure, for example, our nine-year old will never forget how he went from his first trail ride ever to a gallop on his very next ride. I know I certainly never will forget it.
We were immediately impressed with the lovely setting of Ridin' Hy, on Sherman Lake, on 800-acres in the Adirondack wilderness. It is compact and self-contained-so you feel comfortable giving kids free reign of the place-yet not at all cramped or crowded. The massive evergreens ring the ranch on three sides, with the lovely lake providing tranquil views.
Ridin' Hy dates from 1940-which is not to say it is old-fashioned, but that it is timeless. The most high-tech thing around are the video games-but mostly, there is the thigh slappin', foot stompin' kind of fun that comes from riding horses, pedaling pedalboats, playing ping pong and tennis, shooting hoops, pool, bows and arrows. In the evening, there is bingo, musical chairs (for the kids), Country & Western music by the "Hand Picked Band" and C&W dancing by people who really know what they are doing.
Ridin' Hy sits on what had come to be known as the "Dude Ranch Trail"-there were as many as 30 such places in the hey day of dude-ranching in the Adirondacks to cater to urban cowfolk (there never was an actual cattle tradition here; these were all for the benefit of tourists)-not surprisingly coinciding with the Roy Rogers craze. From the peak, in the 1950s and 1960s, the numbers have dwindled to just about a handful, such as 1000 Acres Ranch and Golf Club in Stony Creek, and the Roaring Brook Ranch & Tennis Resort in Warrensburg. Ridin Hy' has kept the focus on the horseback riding, while offering many other activities to enjoy.
Indeed, Ridin' Hy offers an absolutely outstanding riding program, particularly for families with young children just starting out. Here, youngsters from the age of six can go on the trail ride (most places have a minimum age of eight), and the beginner trail is lovely-through the woods that wind around the mountain, with lots of turning so you feel you are really controlling the horse.
The ranch is distinctive in that it offers free lessons, which helps youngsters and oldsters alike get comfortable trotting so they can tackle the intermediate or "youth-fast" ride. Parents can feel confident that if the cowboy says the child is ready for the faster ride, the child is indeed ready. That's how our nine-year old went from a walk to a gallop in such short order.
The cowboys, some of whom come from as far as Montana and Florida (where there is a true cattle-ranching tradition), really look over their charges-they know the horses very well, and do a great job in sizing up riders and matching them up with the horses (I have never seen 40 horses stand around so calmly, waiting their turn for a rider). The wranglers have a pleasant, easy-going and accommodating manner and are extremely supportive, conscientious and making sure riders are capable of doing what they boast, are properly saddled up and the horses are cinched up.
Ridin' Hy has as many as 45-70 horses available at any one time, and offers each riding guest at least two rides a day-morning and afternoon-so there was no hassle at all in getting in enough riding or a first or second choice of times (we have not been so lucky at other dude ranches). Those who want to ride more can wait standby if there is a spare horse. The rides are offered in hour-long segments, though the actual riding time is about 40-45 minutes. Helmets are available and are required for children 12 and under. (Free pony rides are available for younger children.)
The trails are lovely-the beginner ride is particularly wonderful, on a beautiful narrow trail up the mountainside through the woods (lots of steering practice); the intermediate and fast rides go through the woods, then onto a lovely dirt road beside a rushing stream with a waterfall. We noticed that on the fast-youth rides, they only gallop where the trail rises up.
Susan Beadnell, whose father, Ed Carstens, a New Yorker, started the ranch in 1940 and who has been running it with her husband, Andy Beadnell, since 1970, is absolutely wonderful in organizing everybody. You sign up the evening before for the morning ride, as early as 8:30 a.m.; and around lunch-time for the afternoon. She does her ever best to accommodate each guest's requests.
Carstens purchased a children's camp and converted it to a dude ranch, mainly to cater to single women (he hired only men as waiters and cowboys in order to have enough on hand for the women to dance with; Carstens, himself, met and married one of his guests). In those days, there were few families at the ranch; today, families are its mainstay. Indeed, Ridin' Hy is particularly ideal venue for multi-generational gatherings and family reunions.
Often when you have to keep a schedule (when to ride, when to eat), your stay can be hectic. But here, it is quite relaxing, mellow. Everything is so easy to reach, it is easy to get to the scheduled activities.
Equipment is provided for tennis (rackets, balls) on two courts; archery (the kids adore that); basketball hoop; ping pong; an arcade room with pool table, a large indoor lap pool and hot tub. There is also softball, shuffleboard, horseshoes and volleyball. In winter, Ridin' Hy offers its own ski hill with beginner and low-intermediate trails, accessed by t-bar lift, and its own snowmaking, plus horse-drawn sleigh rides and horseback riding. In summer, there is waterskiing (free lessons) on the lake. A rodeo is presented weekly beginning around Mother's Day; there's even a guest rodeo during the summer.
The lovely sand beach and the large lake are a marvelous compliment to the traditional "dude ranch" resort. A waterfront manager helps people get in and out of pedalboats and looks out for everyone. During the day, there are pontoon rides; in summer, there are speed-boat rides as well as waterskiing. A rowboat is available (there is great fishing; even though the lake is not stocked, it has yielded up a 40-inch pike as well as sizeable bass).
There are also special activities scheduled, like a hike to a castle, pontoon rides and horse-drawn wagon rides. While there is no supervised children's activity program, babysitters can be arranged.
The hub of the dude ranch is the log-cabin style lodge which houses the dining room, with big picture windows overlooking the lake, a bar, a dance hall, games room and recreation center. There is also a large, nicely maintained indoor pool.
The new "chalet"-style cabins are lovely-with high ceilings, ceiling fans, separate rooms for parents and children and a connecting bathroom; the three-unit chalets are particularly well suited for family groups. There are also accommodations in more modest cabins, a motel-style unit, and at the lodge, itself, all with private bathrooms. In classic dude-ranch tradition, there are no TVs or telephones in the room (there is a TV in the bar).
There are lots of sitting areas in the lodge and around the waterfront where there are two gazebos, perfect for families to come together, or for kids to sit and play a board game while parents dance to the Country & Western band. There is a help-yourself stack of decks of cards and a slew of board games to borrow.
The all-inclusive format of the dude ranches is particularly ideal for families: three full meals are served daily in a large dining room-usually with three entrees to choose from. The waiters are happy to bring extra helpings. The Saturday night buffet, with carved turkey and roast beef, was superb. The food is for the most part country-style cooking--soups, sandwiches, burgers; fried seafood; baked Virginia ham.
Another nicety contributing to the coziness of the place is that there is always hot chocolate and coffee, even cake, available all day long-just help yourself.
Lake George Area Attractions
Located just about 20 minutes from Lake George, the entire area offers wonderful attractions-yet few guests venture off the property.
Nonetheless, try to visit Great Escape, the biggest theme park in New York State with excellent shows and rides; Ft. William Henry, which in summer, has historically-costumed soldiers to tell the story of the French & Indian War; and Ft. Ticonderoga (an hour's drive away), another historical attraction, which offers Halloween parties in the fort on the last two weekends of October. There is also golf nearby (six miles from Sagamore's championship, Donald Ross course; 10 miles from Cronin's 18-hole and Green Mansions' 9-hole). There is also an excellent professional rodeo at the Painted Pony.
There is also excellent river rafting, kayaking and tubing on the Sacandaga (best for families), Moose River, Black River and Hudson River, through a dozen different companies, including Hudson River Rafting Company (518-251-3215, 800-888-RAFT). For more information about whitewater rafting and area attractions, contact the Warren County Tourism Dept, 518-761-6366, 800-365-1050, ext. 5100.
Ridin' Hy is open year-round, except for the month between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and early April.
Ridin' Hy is located 220 miles from New York, three miles off Exit 24 of the Northway. Contact Ridin' Hy, Sherman Lake, Warrensburg, NY 12885, 518-494-2742.
Wild West Ranch & Western Town
For those who are not necessarily staying at the dude ranch, Ridin' Hy also offers Wild West Ranch & Western Town, "an 1800s ranch experience" attraction in Lake George (Rte. 9, one mile south of the village, next to Magic Forest). Admission is free admission and there is a pay-as-you-go policy for horseback rides ($15/hour, children 6 and up); mule rides, ($30/hr, children from 12 and up); and pony rides ($4).
The most adventuresome ride is up French Mountain on western mules to a scenic Lake George-Saratoga Overlook (you can get a history lesson on the French & Indian War); reservations suggested, 518-668-2121. Babysitting is available at the "Old Jailhouse."
There is also a "4-B Ranch & Wild West Show & Rodeo"-which claims to be the "only" remaining Wild West Show in North America, playing July 4-August 30. This Wild West Show was originally founded in 1912 and is in its third generation. It offers audience participation, comedy, family entertainment, trick and fancy ropers, cowboy whip handlers and knife throwers, "Foxfire," the trained movie horse, trick riding and rodeo events ($5/adult, $3/child under 12).
There is also a Frontier Playground with free hay maze; gold mine adventure ($3 per child, adults can follow along for free); the "Dalton Gang"-baby ranch animals which children can feed at the petting corral.
You can also take a horsedrawn wagon trail ride with narrated western stories ($3/pp; children 3 and under free). You can also take a free stagecoach ride; stroll down Main Street and visit "old West" shops, the Wildhorse Saloon & Eatery. (Open year-round; for showtimes, reservations call 518-668-2121.)
