Alisal Lake Returns to Its Full Glory This Winter the Rains Came and the the Options Are As Wide Open As the a Comfy Adirondack Chair for Some Target Shooting
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PUBLISHED WHENEVER A LITTLE CORRAL DUST NEEDS KICKIN’ AROUND Of The Riders AlisalSUMMER 2017 , MOVE , EM OUT, HEAD EM UP The Story Behind Our Working Cattle Ranch Since 1843 the songs and sounds Today along with the refined pleasures a large cutting horse operation. Then program he’s calling the “Round Up of cowboys have echoed across the that guests come for, the property still in 2004 the lure of the Alisal had him Experience”. Working with a small 10,500 acres of wide open space continues to be a paradise for the returning home. For the last 13 years group of guests, a team of wranglers that has been the Alisal Ranch. lucky 1400 to 1500 cattle that roam he and his team of part-time wranglers will demonstrate how to move cattle Originally a Spanish land grant, herds the property. Back in the early days the have been herding and doctoring the and bring them into the corral. We of cattle were roaming the hillsides herd included bulls and calves, but cattle and trying to keep them out of provide the horse sense and you and valleys when the Jackson family today it is a non-breeding herd made trouble. At his side is his trusty herding bring the Yeehaw – it’s going be a took over the property in 1943. As a up of mostly Angus steers and heifers. dog, Willy, and if you see Art astride good time. long time ranching family, they knew All the cattle are raised natural, grass his horse Ricky Bobby, give him a big right away that the Alisal would be a fed with no hormones. They arrive in howdy. great place to winter the cattle they the spring weighing in at about 500 had at their YP and Riddle Ranches in lbs and leave tipping the scales at According to Art, the future of cattle at Nevada. For years, every fall they drove about 800 lbs. the Alisal is looking bright, with a bit their cattle from Nevada, to the mild bigger herd in the next couple years weather and plentiful grazing of their Heading the Alisal cattle operation and maybe even including some little corner of the Santa Ynez Valley. In since 2005 is native Santa Ynez Valley small calves. 1946 the Jacksons also realized that resident Art Green. Art has been a cattle alone shouldn’t be the only ones cowboy since he was just a boy. He ROUNDUP EXPERIENCE enjoying this true slice of Americana started in 4-H and Future Farmers of For those who want to taste the thrill so they opened the Alisal Guest America, helped run his family’s small and challenge of being a cowboy, Ranch & Resort. herd for a number of years, then this year our head wrangler Tony moved to Tennessee for a spell to run Thompson is offering up a new Check out the redesigned 2017 Summer Activities Guide View Now View All Lake Activities Alisal Lake Returns to its Full Glory This winter the rains came and the The options are as wide open as the a comfy Adirondack chair for some target shooting. 100-acre Alisal Lake soaked up every glorious mountain views. Fish from serious R&R. drop. Today the lake is completely the dock, rent a boat and explore on If horses and boats are not your thing full. That means docks have returned your own, or bring along one of our and you would rather explore the lake to their usual position, the fishing is experienced guides and set off for a The bass boats are ready by foot, then sign up for a nature hike better than ever and the activities secluded fishing hole full of great fish to take you fishing with one of our naturalists who will be around the lake are in full swing. stories. You may see our nesting bald happy to point out the unique plants eagles soaring above, or one of our and animals that make the lake such On the water the bass boats are ready deer families drinking from the lakes For youngins the lake has extra a special place. to take you out fishing for Big Mouth cool waters. appeal, as it’s the site of our shooting Bass and Blue Gill, kayaks are at the and archery ranges. With our sharp Getting in on all the lake has to ready for you to explore the shoreline The lake is also a gathering place for shootin’ pellet guns, compound offer can be arranged with our guest and shallows, and our guides are great meals. You can participate in bows and expert instructors standing services team. This summer with the just itchin’ to help you learn the the popular Monday Night Barbecue, by, kids eight and over, will love an lake in its full glory, you won’t want to secrets to fly fishing and casting. or pack a picnic lunch and settle in afternoon of good ole fashioned miss out. SUMMER 2017 Visit the BARN View Horseback Riding Details FOR BISCUITS, A NEW FLAPJACK AND MORE... Whether you’re a serious rider, or For the teens, this summer we have just like to horse around, there is a special new program called Saddle plenty of new excitement in the Alisal to Paddle. The adventure starts with a barn. Feel like jaw-boning with our 45-minute ride from the barn to the head wrangler Tony about all things lake, followed by an hour of paddle horses, then swing by any Monday, boarding in our lake, then a leisurely Wednesday or Friday morning from ride back. 7am to about 8:30. Tony invites you to pull up a chair, enjoy a hot cup of Joe, a freshly made Dutch oven The trails are in biscuit and some down-home cowboy conversation. great shape and ready to be explored. As usual our string of about 100 horses is waiting to be matched up with riders of all skill levels. This Of course for the little buckaroos year that string includes a few new there’s always fun waiting in the faces. Flapjack (a name selected by barnyard area where they can meet over 200 people on Facebook) is a some adorable critters, help gather lovable Palamino, Merrill is a sturdy eggs and even enjoy a lead-around retired roping horse that’s friendly pony ride. and comfortable with any rider, and Ace a big strong horse that is ideal We offer riding lessons and for advanced riders. This year the horsemanship instruction that will trails are in great shape and ready to make even a novice more comfortable be explored. Book a private ride or in the saddle and allow experienced join one of the regularly scheduled riders to pick up a few helpful tips breakfast, afternoon or evening rides. from the pros. Let the Good Times Roll With A Cycling Adventure The rolling hills and spectacular levels of the riders. If a leisurely cruise CYCLE & MASSAGE PACKAGE Perhaps the best part of cycling at the natural beauty of the Santa Ynez Valley is your style, then a ride through the For those who like to play hard and Alisal is how easy it is. We provide makes this area a favorite of among vineyards with a stop at a winery relax easy, a guest favorite is our the bikes, the helmets, water bottles both casual cyclists and elite racers. If makes for the perfect afternoon. If you Cycle and Massage Package. All and the friendly guides ready to help you’ve got a hankerin’ for a bit of two- want to take the family off-roading, the goodies are wrapped up in this you kick up your heels and ride like wheel fun, then we have everything our mountain bike ride to the lake one, including breakfast, lunch and the wind. you need for a great mountain bike complete with a BBQ, is a fun and dinner daily, a guided cycling tour or road bike experience. Our lead wildlife-filled adventure you’ll be of the Santa Ynez Valley, followed guide, Doug Browand, is returning for talking about for years. If working up by a rejuvenating Swedish massage his second season at the Ranch and a good sweat is your idea of a great in the Spa. Plus, when you are not he and his team love showing off the time, we offer advanced riders unique riding and relaxing, it also includes area’s scenic highlights on group or guided rides on routes that are sure to horseback riding, golf, tennis, and solo excursions. Most rides are three challenge and thrill you. fishing at Alisal Lake. hours long and are tailored to the skill View Cycling Packages SUMMER 2017 Everything You Need to Add Giddy-Up to Your Getaway The long lazy days of late summer With all there is to do at the Alisal, Olivos and Santa Ynez. Add to that and early fall are perfect times to fit there is as much to see and do just several world-class craft breweries in a lifetime of memories into every outside our gates. For wine lovers, and a number of interesting historic Alisal stay. For those of you whose there are over 120 wineries serving sites and you have more than enough idea of relaxation is doing it all, then up world-class Pinots, Syrahs, activities to fill even the longest day. the ever-popular Round Up Vacation Chardonnays and more, in the laid With the Alisal as your home base, is worth checking out.