Giddy Up Cowboy
About an hour west of the hustle and bustle of the District, sitting at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains is the Marriott Ranch. There, you can experience a 1½-hour trail ride through the foothills on a working cattle ranch.
Besides being a 4,200 acre cattle ranch, Marriott offers a quaint bed and breakfast, along with other types of rides and activities. You can take an overnight ride - just bring your sleeping bag, or perhaps enjoy an evening dinner ride complete with a cowboy steak dinner, roasted marshmallows and songs sung around the campfire just like in the old cowboy movies. You can even partake in a full-day cattle drive or City Slicker day-in-the life of a cowboy experience. The drives are only offered a few times a year so check their schedule if interested.
No previous riding experience is required for the basic trail ride as you saunter along with no or little trotting or galloping. Children must be at least ten years old. All riding uses a Western saddle.
You should plan on dressing comfortably in jeans and boots.
Guided Trail Rides
Marriott Ranch
5305 Marriott Lane
Hume, Virginia 22639
About 50 miles west on I-66, then another 14 miles.
Dates and Times – Tuesdays through Sundays at 10:00 a.m., noon, and 2:00 p.m. For reservations call 1-877-278-4574 or e-mail at [email protected]
Cost – Basic guided trail ride - $36.00 weekends, $32.00 weekdays, and includes horse, saddle, guide and great views.
Photo credits: Flickr
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