Ever thought of a really "different" vacation? Want to learn more about a "dude" or guest ranch vacation? You're invited to follow along on our Internet Vacation Travelogue and learn about the fun we had on our 1998 vacation at Waunita Hot Springs Ranch in Colorado.

We also visited this dude ranch in June 1996 and had a great time! See that report at this web site location. We had so much fun, relaxation, great outdoor activities and great food, we decided to make a return visit. On this visit, we took along our 7-year old daughter and another couple, Charles and Peggy Miller, from Columbia, South Carolina. If you want a GREAT outdoors vacation, YOU should consider Waunita Hot Springs Ranch in the beautiful Colorado Rockies.

Thanks for visiting our Travelogue and we hope you enjoy it.

June 20, 1998 - Day 1 - Getting There / Arrival in Colorado

We decided to fly to Colorado Springs (with a stop in Dallas-Fort Worth) and rent a car there for the drive to Gunnison, Colorado. We had arranged for shuttle service from the Gunnison airport to the ranch on Sunday afternoon. From Columbia, South Carolina, to fly almost anywhere requires a flight through Atanta. So, our trip actually began the day before with our drive from Columbia to Atlanta and an overnight stay. On the shuttle bus at 6:15 a.m., we met three very nice airline stewardesses during our trip from our Atlanta hotel to Hartsfield International Airport. Coincidentally, we found that they were on our scheduled flight to Dallas-Fort Worth.

Our daughter did not make the trip with us to Waunita Hot Springs Ranch in 1996 -- so, this was going to be her first time at a dude ranch AND her first flight. She was excited about the prospect of having her own horse for a week and all of the farm animals we had told her about at the ranch, but, she certainly had some apprehension about "flying." Once on the jet, it was not long before the stewardesses stopped by to say hello to Kelly. They knew this was her first flight and presented her with a "first flight" certificate and her American Airlines wings. Close to the end of the flight, I got some pictures of her with these very nice employees of American Airlines -- Darcy, Janice and Karen.

After a brief layover in Dallas-Fort Worth, we continued on to Colorado Springs, Colorado. At the end of this flight, we had a chance to meet Captain Jim Kennedy. He found that this was Kelly's first day flying and was nice enough to invite her into the cockpit. He went through a brief discussion of some cockpit controls and answered Kelly's questions.

Capt. Kennedy and Kelly

One of the first sights in Colorado Springs at the airport was the view of Pike's Peak. After meeting up with the Miller's and getting our rental car, we were off to the Flying W Ranch. We had dinner reservations there, but arrived early to see it all. The Flying W Ranch has specialized in western food and entertainment since 1953. We had time to tour the western town with its museum buildings and gift shops. After the delicious chuckwagon supper of barbeque beef and chicken, baked potatoes, Flying W beans, applesauce and biscuits, we enjoyed the Flying W Wranglers singing songs of the Old West.

We left the Flying W ranch around 10:00 p.m. and drove on to Canon City (about 1 hour southwest of Colorado Springs) to spend the night. We arrived at our hotel around 11:30 p.m.

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