OUTDOOR RANCH

When you are planning an exciting trip, your destination has to be right. Right for you and right for the activity you want to enjoy.

In these pages we plan to tell you a little about some the most appealing 'activity states' in North America.

Geography lessons at school may have demanded the recital of the names of five large lakes between the USA and Canada. Remember them? Yes, the names 'Superior', 'Huron', 'Michigan', 'Erie' and 'Ontario' should be imprinted on most of our brains. But did we ever take notice of where they are located in that great landmass, North America?

If we now list the surrounding states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and the Canadian Province of Ontario, maybe it becomes clearer.

We are offering travel experiences in this area west of New York State. With cities such as Chicago, Detroit, Cincinnati, Minneapolis and Toronto and sights such as Niagara Falls, you will not fail to find Outdoor Ranch's enjoying everything from houseboating to ice fishing somewhere amongst the hidden, and so far pretty secret depths, of the Great Lakes States!

The Rocky Mountain States also feature prominently with Outdoor Ranches' enjoying, among other things, whitewater rafting, snowmobiling and cattle drives.

ILLINOIS - Land of Lincoln

The southwest shores of Lake Michigan touch the state of Illinois east of Chicago. The name is from the Illiniwek ("superior men") Indian tribe who once inhabited the valley of the Illinois River. Just over 200 years ago the first known white men entered the land of the Illiniwek. Now it is a vast empire of cities, farms, mines and mills with 85% of the land still open and producing more than 40 different crops.

North to south stretches some 385 miles. There are rivers and lakes for excellent fishing, historic and archaeological sites, prairies and canyons and hundreds of festivals and events year round.

INDIANA - The Crossroads of America

Between Ohio and Illinois lies Indiana, one of the most typically American states of all.

In the wooded hill country north of the Ohio River are pioneer villages where time seems to have stood still and the northeast is a fisherman's playground with hundreds of secluded lakes. Central Indiana is one of the richest agricultural regions in the United States. Miles of sand dunes and beaches along Lake Michigan's south shore have created a summer playground. Summer activities also include hiking and horseback riding. In the winter enjoy skiing, ice skating and tobogganing.

ARIZONA - The Grand Canyon State

A land of variety, Arizona captures the spirit of the southwest.

From the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon in the north to the wild west city of Tucson and famous Tombstone in the south, Arizona is truly a magical place. The changing flora and fauna as you travel from one end of the state to the other is just part of that magic.

The Outdoor Ranch adventurer cannot fail to be captivated by the Grand Canyon. Hike to the bottom and spend a few days at the Havasupai Indian village thousand's of feet below; bathe in crystal waters and live like the Native American's.

On the way south, a traveller should stop in Phoenix, the State Capitol and a most vibrant city. Tts suburb, Scottsdale, is renowned for its 'country club' hotels and golf courses.

Finally Tucson, a relaxing city of old world hotels, outlying ranches, superb horseback riding and 'gateway to Mexico'.

WYOMING - The Cowboy State

Wyoming offers the Outdoor Ranch adventurer many opportunities within close proximity.

Yellowstone National Park, the nation's first national park, lies in the northwest corner of the state bordering Montana to the north and Idaho to the west. Its unique combination of geysers and other geothermal wonders, bear, moose, coyotes and other abundant wildlife and Rocky Mountain scenery make the hiking, biking and horseback riding trips a summer delight. In winter, snowmobile and snowcoaches are the only means of transportation. We have it on good authority that if you haven't snowmobiled, you haven't lived ....

South of the Park stands the majestic Grand Teton Mountain range and, beyond, the city of Jackson. Famous for its Jackson Hole skiing in winter, summer activities include hot air ballooning, white water rafting, canoeing and golf. Ranching is a way of life in this beautiful Rocky Mountain 'cowboy state' of high peaks, wide plains and rolling grassland. Here the Outdoor Ranch traveller can join the cowboys in rounding up the herds and driving them across the plains. Yes, you too can enjoy the freedom of this wide open land where a signpost is likely to say "Horizon - 200 miles".

SOUTH DAKOTA - Great Faces Great Places

Not only does South Dakota boast the world famous Mount Rushmore, with the faces of four US Presidents carved in one of the famous 'Black Hills of Dakota', but the state also has a new mountain carving emerging just a half hour drive away.

Crazy Horse was a great Native American warrior and the Crazy Horse Memorial to the Indian Nation is being carved in the round - it will be visible from all sides.

Mountain bike and hiking trails through the Black Hills will take Outdoor Ranch travellers to some of the most amazing scenery.

Just about 100 miles to the east is the Badlands National Park, a truly wondrous and amazing spectacle of weird rock formations, colours and fossilised creatures. Horseback pack trips into the Badlands will allow you to recreate the real cowboy life where a man's horse comes first before everything. Sleeping out under the stars, or in tents if you must, after an evening around the campfire and a good meal cooked out on the range, compares with nothing else on earth.

TEXAS - The Lone Star State

From the beaches and islands of the Gulf of Mexico to the vibrant cities of Houston and Dallas, Texas offers the Outdoor America enthusiast a host of opportunities.

Ranching, of course, and horseback riding on ranches or through national parks such as Big Bend National Park. Out there in the west of the state you can tour other attractions such as Davis Mountains and historic Fort Davis, Guadalupe and Carlsbad National Park. Take a raft trip through Santa Elena Canyon - a 21 mile scenic float trip.

Fish for seatrout and catfish in the Gulf of Mexico from Galveston down to the Mexican border. Eat freshly caught shellfish - shrimps, oysters and crabs - at waterside restaurants.