Horse drawn Package
Long years ago, the pioneers would travel several miles to have the simple opportunity of socializing. After spending many lonely months working at making a life on the harsh abandoned landscape known as the prairie, the time spent at localized school building was much anticipated. For months at a time they wouldn’t see another person. The men might run across a trapper or trader. The men would be the ones to go after supplies. The women and children had only their family for companionship. They spent long hours at building a home from plowed sod. In this same soil they would cultivate it into fields with a single horse or oxen drawn plow. Then they would spend their last dollar on seeds and hope and pray for rain so they would have enough from their crop to ensure enough food supply for their family through the next year. Water had to be hauled indoors to do daily chores. If they weren’t so lucky to homestead near a creek or spring, they would have to hand dig a well up to one hundred fifty feet. Many days were spent enduring extreme weather conditions. It wasn’t uncommon to have several blizzards in a year. The temperatures would dip to -65 F up to 110 F for weeks at time. Damaging winds that not only could knock you off your feet would tear your buildings and crops apart. After experiencing such struggles the events at the schools such as the card playing for men or for the women sharing their crocheting and quilting, were much earned pleasures. The children would enjoy the company of one another playing games such as tag and hide and seek. Dancing would prove to be a very joyous interaction after such hard labor throughout the season. The two to three day travels to get there, would be of no consequence, because the anticipation of such upcoming events would flood their minds and weary bodies.
On this trip you will be reenacting these family journeys to their social events. The first night will be spent in one of our guest homes. The next day will be spent learning natural horsemanship and safety tips for our time travel across the countryside. Again you will spend the night in a home with the modern day luxuries such as running water and beds. Leaving these luxuries behind, the following morning after eating a breakfast we pack the horse drawn wagon for our journey. Some of you will be taking turns riding horse back. After traveling 7 miles we will break for lunch and give the horses a rest. The lunch will be a picnic basket packed with foods that the pioneers would have taken along with them. Another 8 miles to go and we will be camping. We will set up camp and have a barbecue for supper. Afterwards you will be entertained by stories about the pioneers or cowboy poetry or a musician exposing their musical talent from the past. The next morning we, arise, have breakfast, pull up camp and start our day. We will break for lunch then finish that day’s 15 mile trek by arriving a the State Line Casino. This will be a modern day example of the old destination. We will set up camp. There we will have some facilities to freshen up. That night will be spent at a dance. You will be able to gamble if you desire. Card games, slot machines and bingo are available to you. You will have a choice of prime rib, fish or a vegetarian meal. Alcohol will also be available to you at the Casino. You will retire to your tents for a night’s rest before starting our 30 miles home. The next 2 days will be a repeat of our first on the road. The entertainment and conversations will be filled with memorable times. The fifth night will be spent in a tent and you will arrive at our ranch on the sixth day. You will freshen up and have a wonderful supper to greet you. This night you once again you will meet the modern world, sleep in beds, and have running water for your use.
It is our mission that you take home with you fond memories of this rugged experience. You will be able to look back on this trip with an appreciation of the pioneers and life as it was on the prairie. By the time we finish we hope that you have enjoyed a portion of the pioneers way of life, and the culture surrounding that period.
A modified version of this tour could have the destination of the old hotel in Harrison NE the County seat of Sioux County. It would provide lodging and entertainment such as live music and excellent cuisine, We would travel through the scenic Pine covered hills by horse drawn wagon and visit about the days gone by. Discussing homesteading, country schools and life on the farm.
We will set a tour so it coincides with the Fair so our clients may go to the parade, the fair and the evening rodeo.
Lakota Package
Join us on a six-day journey that will take you back in time when the Lakota lived freely on the western prairies. Learn about their history, culture and spiritual beliefs. Experience in small portions the traditional uses of the native plants and animals as foods and medicines.
The first day will be spent preparing for your journey on the prairie. During the first day, which will be an informational fun filled day, we will spend much of our time learning natural horsemanship techniques and rules of safety for our horseback excursion. You will receive a booklet identifying the plants and animals we may encounter in the next few days. That night you will be staying in one of our guesthouses. This will be the last you see of mattresses, bathtubs and toilets for 4 days. Our time camping will be as authentic as we are able to make it.
On the second morning after breakfast we will pack the tipis on our horses and start on our trail to find a place to set up camp. You will learn what factors the Lakota looked for when setting up their camps and the reasons why.
We will remain in this location for the next two nights. You will learn of the plant and animal life in this area. You will be taught about certain spiritual beliefs and traditional Lakota values such as honesty, generosity, wisdom, respect, and courage. Traditional foods will be served for our meals. On the third night, you may choose to partake in a sweat lodge experience then return for a deep rest in our tipis. History of these people will be shared with you. For example, the French gave 7 bands of native people the name “Sioux” (meaning snake) which is used more often instead of using their own name, Oglala Lakota (the people) Oyate (meaning family).
Since the Lakota lived a nomadic life, the following morning we will pull up camp and travel to a new location approximately ten miles away, where there will be different plant and animal life. There we will stay for two more nights. On clear evenings we will be able to see our vast skies illuminated by the many stars or bright moon light. We will be looking into the Lakota Stellar Theory for they had different names for the constellations. They believed there was a vivid relationship and a mirroring of what happened above also happened below. You will be told traditional Lakota stories at night and spend each day living as they did on the range.
On the sixth day we will pull up camp and journey back to life on our modern ranch. You will sleep in our lodging facilities complete with running water and beds.
Upon your departure it is our hope that you will take with you a wonderful memory of your experiences with us. We desire you return home with personal insights and with new knowledge about the plants and animals living here. Through the natural horsemanship experiences you’ll have with us, you will leave with a new perspective on relationships and communication. Horses are wonderful teachers of psychology and social skills. We will be relaying this information to you through out your time with us. Most of all, we hope you will take with you a new admiration and respect for the Lakota people and their old way of life. This now perished life style is lost to our modern culture. It is our desire to share with you important values that were once known by living as they did so long ago.
Our Heritage Guest Ranch
1041 Toadstool Road (residence)-106 Linn Street (mailing address)
Crawford, Nebraska 69337
308-665-2810 (home in the evenings) 309-430-1239 (cell phone)
Please leave a message and we will return your call as soon as we get it.