As you drive through the mountain-filled country of Creed, you will spot the dirt-road entrance to 4UR Ranch, marked with a painted sign and separated from all civilization.  Drive down the long, winding dirt path and you will soon enter the ranch, completely isolated in rolling fields of tall country grass. You will see wooden lodges as well as a massive field with dozens of colorful horses grazing.  Behind the field lie the towering Colorado Rockies.

Upon entering the ranch, you will notice the smiling faces greeting your arrival.  The amiable attitudes perhaps come from it being completely family-owned and -operated.  When you settle in, you will receive the key to your own log cabin.  If you are lucky, your cabin will have a beautiful view of the horses scattered beneath the mountains.  Want to get to know the ranch on your first day?  Grab one of their bikes to ride around the trails, or take a hike.  The trails lead up to the tops of plateaus, with incredible views of the mountain range.

The largest factor in this ranch’s greatness is its horsemanship program. You will be assigned your own horse based on your skill level, and you will ride this horse for the entire week. There are various rides offered each day of the week, and you have control about your own participation. If you have a younger sibling (under 12), the Junior Wrangler program will teach him or her new skills in the arena and even allow the little wrangler to participate in a showcase.

Older family members should be sure to check the schedule for the many trail rides.  You will have the opportunity to ride a new trail each day, some leading to incredible plateaus of wildflowers, some winding up the rocky sides of tall mountains, and even some through forests of tall aspen trees. The rides range from half an hour long to three or more hours long.  It all depends on what you can do, but I cannot emphasize enough how incredible the time you spend on your horse will be. My horse, Thunder, and I had formed a strong bond by the end of the week, as many others did with their own horses.

Be sure to participate in the special rides if you do anything at the 4UR Ranch. On the Tuesday of the week you are there, you will notice a “breakfast ride” on the schedule.  This ride starts bright and early in the morning, just as the sun is coming up.  You will take a ride through the forest all the way to the top of a hill, where picnic tables and a huge, warm breakfast will await you.  You will feast on eggs, potatoes, cinnamon apples, biscuits, muffins, fruit, and hot cocoa, while your horses graze, tied to trees.

Another special ride to keep your eye on is the Steak Ride, this one on the Thursday evening of your week. You must have a wild spirit of adventure to take this option. After you have taken your horse to some open fields, the entire ride from there will consist of cantering and even working your way to a gallop through seemingly endless fields.  The speeds you will reach will flood you with exhilaration.  Around dusk, you will reach some tents, tables, and a campfire.  Here, you will eat a dinner of burgers, corn, potatoes, fruit, salad, and bread as cowboy songs are sung around the glowing flames.

Your day does not need to consist entirely of riding, as there are so many other opportunities. On the 6 miles of the Tailwater River belonging to the ranch, guides can take you down to the river to fly-fish and fit you for pants and boots. Guests are able to reserve a half-mile portion of the river to use all for themselves. You will wade waist-deep into the rushing water to catch some rainbow trout. The competent guides will ensure that you catch fish, some of which might reach 20 inches in length. (In our case, my mom and I outshone my brother and dad by catching the most, and biggest, trout!)

Want to cool off from a long horseback ride or a sweaty hike?  Check out the outdoor pool!  You could also have the chance to relax and unwind in the sauna.  Or, if you would like to try something different: soak in the famous hot spring spa.  This water is naturally steaming and warm – its only source is the earth.

With all of this activity taken into consideration, you will surely get hungry.  Check out the country-style breakfasts, lunches, and dinners in the dining hall.  You will have variety with a Mexican poolside lunch one day, as well as a fish-fry lunch another.

If you are looking to escape city life and head out to the country for a week, 4UR Ranch is the perfect destination.  Amidst the pure beauty of the Rockies, you will ride, fly-fish, skeet shoot, bike, hike, swim, and become an honest cowboy… well, just for a week.  But that week is enough to make memories to last a lifetime.