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Discover California's Wine Country and its
dramatic scenery while enjoying private tours and tasting of award
winning wines. Ride the rare gaited Rocky Mountain Horse through
vineyards and ancient redwood groves. Glide horseback through the ocean
mist along the rugged Mendocino Coast beaches to return to the comfort,
warmth and luxury of the exclusive 5,000 ft log lodge. Savor
exceptional regional cuisine and enjoy a glass of wine or a massage
overlooking spectacular views of Clear Lake. Our guests have the
exclusive privilege to tour and ride at Ridgewood Ranch home of Seabiscuit's miraculous recovery.
Corkscrews and Horseshoes
- need we say more?
 IRCA06
Rates
include six nights lodge accommodation, all
meals except 2 lunches, winery tours, 5 days guided
trail riding
7 days/ 6 nights $
2,495
Single (if requested): + $ 535
Master Suite upgrade: $250 pp
(double)
Non rider:
-
$500 (share)
.. shorter trips:
4 days/ 3 nights $1,295 - 2 riding days
2008 Dates:
08/31-09/06
09/07-09/13
09/21-09/27 09/28-10/04
10/19-10/25 10/26-11/01
2009 Dates:
03/21-03/27
03/28-04/03 04/04-04/10
04/11-04/17 04/25-05/01
05/02-05/08
05/16-05/22 05/23-05/29
06/06-06/12
06/13-06/19 06/27-07/03
07/04-07/10
07/18-07/24 07/25-07/31
08/08-08/14
08/15-08/21 08/29-09/04
09/05-09/11
09/19-09/25 09/26-10/02
10/10-10/16
10/17-10/23 10/31-11/06
11/07-11/13
HT SPECIAL Offer
30% OFF for Sept 21-27 '08 ride
Meeting:
Upper
Lake
Airport: San Francisco
Transfer:
included from San Francisco at 12
noon (for 6 night package only)
Horses: Gaited
registered
Rocky Mountain Horses
Tack: Western
Pace: Moderate
with many opportunities to gait, some steep trails and nice gallop
opportunities on the beach - 3 top 5 hours in the saddle per riding day
Level: Novice
to strong intermediate
Age: Min age is 21
Note:
The two lunches not included are the lunch on
Thursday in Mendocino and the lunch on Friday at the
Blue Wing Saloon. Wine and other alcoholic beverages
are not included. Buy your wines for the
evenings at the wineries we visit - we even give you
the upcoming dinner menu in case you would like to
match wines to your meals.
Other activities:
Clear Lake, California's largest natural freshwater lake, is a
favorite for fishing (it's a tournament-class lake), boating, sailing,
skiing, boarding and other water sports. The area's many other lakes and
nearby public lands are also popular spots for outdoor recreation.
You will find beautiful rural scenery, friendly communities,
attractions, recreation and cultural activities offer year round
complemented by clean air and a pleasant climate. Several golf courses
are nearby.
Accommodations:
Arriving on the ranch one winds almost two miles up hill to the lodge
through oaks and madrones. Entering the house the first glimpse out of
the windows reveals the breathtaking panoramic views of Clear Lake and
the valley floor. The ever changing sky from sunrise to sunset entices
guests to one of the outdoor decks. Hot days are followed by cool
evenings that welcome the warmth of the outdoor fireplace on the main
deck.
The main living space is dominated by the three story log staircase that
is open from the loft above and the great room below on one side and the
towering fireplace on the other. Cozy sitting areas and the warmth of
the fire make this an easy choice for conversation or curling up with a
good book. Bedrooms have private baths, except the two loft bedrooms
(typically used for single rooms) share one bath
together.
The enormous fully equipped gourmet kitchen has ample space to prepare a
sumptuous family meal with a host of people cooking or provide
commercial grade appliances and accouterments to make the professional
chef feel right at home.
The dining area has seating for twelve for either family style dining or
a conference.
The master suite with private deck has an ample bath with Jacuzzi tub.
Large ceiling fans send a welcome breeze and spectacular views of the
lake are enjoyed with the morning sunshine. Wonderful comforting beds
with superb linens make sleep a wonderful repast.
Master Bedroom
– king size bed with large en suite bath, Jacuzzi
tub, private deck.
Guest Room –
king size bed, adjacent bath (not totally private)
private deck.
Loft Bedrooms
- these 2 bedrooms with queen sized beds and a
private loft area,
share a jack and jill bath.
Downstairs bedrooms
have private baths, French doors to the outside,
twin beds.
Sample
Itinerary
You will be staying at the same wonderful lodge
for the whole duration, but we will transport you
and the horses on 3 different days to various
locations - giving you a great taste of the
diversity of Northern California..
Day 1
Collection from the meeting place in San Francisco. Head
north across the Golden Gate Bridge past the Marin Headlands, stopping
for a tour at Benziger Family Winery in the quaint village of Glen Ellen
in the Sonoma Valley. Continue up though the rolling hills past the
Russian River and Alexander Valley appellations. The next stop will be
Francis Ford Coppola presents Rosso & Bianco. The route then takes you
east, winding past the Blue Lakes to Cowboy Hideaway, your home for the
week. The beautiful, newly built log home has very comfortable rooms,
large inviting sitting areas with enormous fireplaces and stunning views
of Clear Lake (one of the west's finest bass fishing lakes), woods and
vineyards, and beautiful sunsets from the outdoors decks. A discussion
of the week's activities over a local wine is followed by an exquisite
dinner of local fresh ingredients.
Day 2 Begins with your introduction to your gaited
Rocky Mountain Horse from Mountain Magic Ranch in Montana. This rare
breed of horse with its characteristically smooth gait will be your
companion for the week. Known for its natural four-beat gait it provides
a very smooth ride. These horses are known for their sharp minds
embracing a challenge with an impressive stamina yet a gentle
disposition. The conformation and color of the Rocky Mountain Horse is
striking turning many an artist's head in appreciation.
A prolog to the many sights of the area from your guide will begin your
ride. Your first ride will be on the mountain equestrian trails around
Highland Springs reservoir. Broad trails allow the guests to visit and
to learn first hand more about the many agricultural and natural wonders
of the surrounding country side and to learn more about the viticulture
of the grape growing region. A picnic lunch will be enjoyed underneath
the spreading oak trees. A stop at a local winery is always a welcome
respite after a day of riding. Returning to the Ranch guests will enjoy
appetizers and beautiful views of the lake and the sunset before a
wonderful dinner prepared by the ranch staff.
Day 3 Your day begins with an incredible tour of Charles
Howard's Ridgewood Ranch, final resting place of Seabiscuit, who lifted
the citizens of our country out of the despair of the Great Depression.
He became the greatest icon of his time embodying the American sprit and
winning the Santa Anita Handicap $100,000. You'll see the place where
Red Pollard, Seabiscuit's "never say die" jockey, worked hard to bring
them both back to shape so they could win at Santa Anita. After your
tour and the viewing of a special movie, we will have lunch at Ridgewood
Ranch. Then a very special ride has been arranged through your guides
and the Foundation that is bringing this wonderful property back to its
prime. Our guests are being given the rare opportunity to ride the same
trails on Ridgewood Ranch through the redwood groves as Seabiscuit did.
Day 4 Guests will take a morning ride exploring the miles
of trails and hills on the 750 acre ranch, past native chaparral, gnarly
California oaks covered in Spanish moss, the abundant wildlife and
beauty of Lake County. Unobstructed vistas of the lake and mountains and
the acres of pear and walnut groves are enjoyed through the crisp clean
air. The ranch is home to a huge variety of songbirds, black tail deer,
quail and majestic American bald eagles. Mid-day will include lunch at
the ranch or a barbeque. Completing the afternoon ride, guests will
enjoy a cooking class or wine tasting.
Experiencing world-class wines and strolling through lavender gardens to
the dock and a view of the lake and Mt. Knochti, the tour will explain
the mission of Ceago; to craft small lots of wine from estate grown
organic and biodynamic grapes using the best of old and new world
winemaking techniques. Return to the lodge for a relaxing evening with
dinner prepared from all the ingredients that California cuisine has to
offer.
Day 5 Arising early we enjoy a
beautiful drive to the coast through some amazing
Redwood forests. We will ride for miles on the below
the magnificent bluffs of Pacific Coast dotted with
ocean wildlife. Riding along the ocean surf is truly
a joy (here we use Quarter horses for today). Lunch
will be in the picturesque town of Mendocino, also
known as "Cabot Cove" of "Murder She Wrote" fame
with the opportunity to explore the numerous
galleries and shops. Before returning to the warmth
and comfort of the lodge for dinner guests will have
the opportunity to sample Mendocino County wines
or a brewery tour in the Anderson Valley.
Day 6 After breakfast your day begins with a vineyard ride
into the quaint town of Upper Lake with charming antique stores and
lunch at the classic Blue Wing Saloon. The Blue Wing was re-established
in the tradition of the original saloon which first opened in the 1800's
and remained a popular watering hole until the onset of prohibition in
1920. Returning to the ranch for a western barbeque, you will have the
opportunity to curl up with a glass of wine and a good book or have a
competitive game of horse shoes.
Day 7 Guests depart the ranch south past Clear Lake winding
their way through the mountains. This circle will complete the sampling
of wines in the Northern California wine regions before our guests
return to San Francisco. |
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