Our Trip to the

H-Bar-D

Dude Ranch

        19 Girls and 16 mothers went along on this trip. 

It was paid for almost entirely by our cookie sale!!  Upon arriving (about 7pm), we unpacked and settled into the bunk house.  (Brown building in photo below).  We were surprised to see the inside lined with Bunk beds!!  We were also happy to see we had modern conveniences such as indoor toilets.  Almost all of the girls took the top, after all this was a first for most of the girls, and the top must be the best!!

Below is a view of the ranch, stable and duck pond as you approach.

After we got settled in, Lynn talked to us about the rules of the ranch.  Then we had some free time.  Some of the girls played volleyball while others went roller-skating.  The girls also walked down to the fields to see the horses and then went to the duck pond.  Next we had a bonfire with smores and snacks.  Then it was time to go to the mess hall.  There we watched a video about safety.  After the video it was off to the bunkhouse.  We played a little more and got ready for bed.  Lights out........ see you in the morning!!

Sunday morning about 6:00am the girls started to wake.  They cleaned up, got dressed and headed over to the mess hall.  Some of the girls ate doughnuts, apples, bananas, and grapes while waiting for the others. Once everyone was up we had an all you can eat pancake breakfast.  

Now that our we had a big breakfast it was time to start our badge work.  The girls received a short riding lesson (group one pictured below) and then went on an half hour trail ride.  

Other classes covered; preparing the feed, barn maintanence, brushing and grooming, saddling and unsaddling, bridles and care, tack room, common diseases, types of horses, foot care, and horsemanship rules.  

Then it was time for lunch.  

The girls had all you could eat hot dogs, chips and salad.  After lunch they all went on a hayride.  Following the hayride we cleaned up, had some free time, took pictures and visited the gift shop.  

Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, and I was proud of all of them!!   

  Directions from Syracuse: Follow Rt#92 to 20E in Cazenovia to Rt #46 to 12B in Hamilton to 12S in Sherburne.  From Sherburne traffic light, go 3.3 miles to Bryant Rd. which is on your left.  (Should you go to NY pkg area, you've gone to far).  Follow Bryant Rd approx. 3 1/2 miles to stop sign, go ahead to yield sign and turn left.  Go approx. 150 ft and turn right.  Go 1 mile and take first left in the ranch.