Every summer, we take a week to go away with my parents and a week to go away with my extended in-law family.
The weeks with my parents are just the six of us and my parents.
The weeks with my in-laws are a bit more chaotic, with 20+ of us descending on the beach each day.
This year, half of my in-laws decided that they were going to take a two week road trip together, out west, and so another full week off for them wasn’t a possibility.
Instead, it was decided that we would be visiting a dude ranch for three days and two nights.
What?
A dude ranch?
My initial reaction was less than thrilled, as I wasn’t exactly sure what on Earth I was going to be able to do with a 4 year old to keep him entertained on a dude ranch, but I wanted to be with the family and I knew the kids wanted to be with their cousins, so we were in.
Turns out…it was great.
We went to the Pinegrove Ranch in Kerhonkson, NY.
Think Kellerman’s, from “Dirty Dancing.”
Just, less clean and less 1950’s.
It was a blast.
The big kids were pretty much on their own for the entire time, with plenty to do to keep them busy.
Tiny and I went to the pool, to the petting zoo, to the bounce pillow, to the snack bar, to the playground, and round and round we went.
For the adults and big kids there was a pool, archery, horseback riding, tennis, shuffleboard, family dodge ball, bocce, horseshoes, etc.
I have always wanted to try archery.
It’s one of those things that I’ve always imagined I would be really, really good at, even though I’ve never done it.
You know those fantasies.
Turns out, although my visions of greatness at some things are not accurate, I’m a pretty darn good archer.
I think I totally could have taken Katniss in the Hunger Games.
The horseback riding was an extra fee, but well worth the money.
They have a beginners route and an intermediate route.
We chose the beginners route.
I’ve been riding before, and have loved it, but it was many, many years ago, so I will admit to being a little bit nervous.
Once we got started, however, it all came back to me, and there were points on the trail through the woods, when I would see an open field through the trees and imagine just giving the horse a little nudge, pulling those reins to the side, and taking off into the wildnerness, as fast as my horse could go.
Then I remembered that I had the old horse who actually slipped and fell on his butt in the mud, twice, while I was on his back.
So, I didn’t leave the trail.
But, man, was that some amazing scenery.
And the kids loved it.
My horse and I rode behind two of my nieces and their horses and listening to their chatter, I am assured that it was an unforgettable experience for all of us.
For the whole family, on one night, there was a magician comic and the next night we saw the juggling comic.
One of my sisters-in-law was called up on stage while the juggler juggled a machete over her body, while she lay on the floor.
Of course, afterwards, she admitted that she wasn’t as scared of the machete flying over her face, but the filthy blanket that he had her lay on might give her a few nightmares.
The jokes were corny, both nights, but you kinda didn’t mind.
We were busy every second and had a great time.
Sometimes, the unexpected is pretty darn good.
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