_ BG GETAWAYS: BIG BAR RANC: ipoe ranch rip a natura! Chris hMcBeath Contributing Writer MY husband, Don, sat tentatively astride the _bay mare, the saddle __ creaking as he settled his posture. He was missing - the security of mother earth. “So,” he asked, . nodding towards the horse’s faid back ears, : ‘what's her name?” _ ~,-Slim, the barn boss, didn’t miss a beat. “Earthquake,” he © quipped, stealing a large wink : in my direction. 2: “Immediately, I could See my: husband's. aspirations “to “cowboy” dissolves he gripped eer ed himself” le even a further, * could" protest; we | were off ©. » towards the open range.”: This ‘was. the first time. he had ‘ever been on a horse. — her’ real name was “Lazy Gal”. and “even though took me cajoling to get him into. the’ idea, our stay at Big Bar Ranch’ turned ‘out to ‘be ‘an unforgettable experience... Like many. of: the: farm-~ lands, homesteads -and cattle "ranches in’ the,- Cariboo, . Big * Bar-is set. well ‘away from the highivay so that getting there half. the’ fun vinding through ‘the’ mountains -on “groomed, | toads where ‘cattle, Big’Horn Sheep: and “the “odd” coyote have - right of, way.: “Located “near. Big Bar Lake “amidst the » farmlands of. OK: Ranch, ryolden ba ging up thé. r : thei heads from acknowledge. your arrival. and “Il probably see a couple: of. ittering, between hooves,’ testing. their wora of lives'to the niax. As” one of: the: few Bust “that is: open . year . ter they offer ice ‘skating, sleigh ndes, sledding, snow- mobiling and skiing. And year round, there is riding on gen- de horses that come as minia- tures (reserved for petting) te ~ much larger appaloosas, chest- nuts and greys. OF course, for die-hard wannabe Cowboys, Big - Bar will overnight field trips and even a little cartle carousing — the “real” McCoy — that'll have you covered in caked-on dust from the brim of your Stetson to tip of your spurs." ~ : We opted fora two-hour ride into the hiils that were splashed with brilliant. shades of yellow, orange, crimson, gold and brown. A fall breeze quivered through the lakeside and, as the sun cut - swathes of "shadow: into. the . used to one’s buttocks josiling- against leather.alongside . the -. faint satisfaction that 1; at least, “was using muscles I had acti" “tenderfoot husband ‘was saun- ~~ mountains, we watched catie being coaxed from their- high summer. pastures in prepara- tion for their drive down to inter fields nearer the Fraser River. Je was a perfect intro- ‘duction for neophyte lickers. — ‘just. enough | time to get ally. thought were cellulite. And when we returned to the’ corral, {noticed that even my tering towards our room with dirt-track*": ig Bar Ranch serves re ‘ me, COME I AS regular gostina Professional Casa Marina All i leelasive, Standard | roam 3 Nights "AONOLULU Ait Only p vonon299 » Alr Only per person - Depart Jan 15, 22, 29 Return lan 22,20, Feb 5°. > MAUL Air Only per person Depart Jan 12, 19. 26 ©: : organize “you feel Sa vextended family. °° *Jan5- 1189 ° Jan 1: “4 Week 189 358. . ‘Air Only per person the: confidence of a John Wayne swagger. We stayed in the lodge but Big Bar accominodations ‘also .. include self-contained ‘cabins and a campgeound. -. Most. include delicious meals which’ “Cookie” creates for appetites that just don’t know how to-. quit. Ail are served family style with guests and ranch hands: eating together in a light-filled dining room that fills with geod-natured. banter «that’s normally reserved for families. But that’s how Big Bar makes a member of their There’s also a hor tub to ease sore muscles as well at “The Fireside Lodge where we shor some pool before setding down to watch a video while downstairs, in the kids recre- ation .“atea,| a ‘couple | of teenagers were eneged in a vicious game of table hockey. As the sky darkened, the "wranglers sparked up a fire and - before long, we were toasting marshmallows -in the « flames and pointing with ‘confused .. authority at the Big Dipper, ~ the Lire Dipper, the Big Bear and starlit formations. - As first time dudes, it had been a romantic adventure but . now, as experienced ‘city ‘slick- ers, We were already making plans to return, Winter never : looked so 0 inviting. “Dee 29" 2 Weeks 378 194g Jan 6 ‘ ~. 1 Week 499 1208 Det 22 = $ Week 529 1619 “an | 2 Weeks 479 . 1789 2 Weeks - 479 1519 1 Week /_ 2 Weeks 473 519 ' Jani. 1 Week 379 Jan 12; 1 Week . 379 1128. Ges 29 2 Weeks ‘379 1 ees Dec 25° 1 Week 379 © 1429 Feb 1 Week 789 1319 ~ $an 18 1 Week “> : © 759 1299 -Dee2t. Bec2e 3 Nights _ 178: , Dec 17 ie 4 Nights. - 189. Dec 14 169. Te Depart and Fetumn Jan 10- Feb 8 + Depart and Return Jan 15 + Feb§ 1129 ‘3 Feb 8 1 Week 3 Nights - 369 THE Big Sunday, December 10. 2000 - Morth Shore News-39 . - “ photo submitied - Bar Ranch iets thelr horses 1 run ‘wile in the evening. Theoretically fhey wander back in the morning for foed but sometimes they have todo roundup, © How to Get 0 Big Bar Ranch: By: car: Travel north on Highway «1 for “about: five - hours’ (approximately 450 . km) to Cache Creek and con- tinue north on Highway 97. ‘Turn west oato Big Bar Road, -: about 16. km north of Clinton, and follow the signs. Rig Bar Ranch is’ a 30-49 minute drive once you leave the highway. By air:.Charter fighss. are! available from Vancouver. via North Van. Air, to Kamloops : ‘by scheduled - carriers, Air Canada or Canadian Airlines. : Arrangements ‘can "be “made : for transportation to Big Bar. “By? rail; BC’ Rail to Kelly. : Lake where again, - arrang Jan 6 1799 - 1319 : Z Vancouver departures. ‘New bookings only. Package prices are per person, double ~ 989 occupancy unless stated! otherwise and ate subject to change without notice, Air only . prices are per person. Not included: departure taxes, transportation fees, supplements and insurances. Space is availabie at time of our advertising deadline. Other conditions may apply. BC HEGE 2454-4 Retum dan 20, 27, Feb 3° ments for pick up’ can be : made. Jesmond; Clinton, : 2400: Email: Big Bar Ranch, PO Box 27, : Canada, VOK 1K6, Tel: (250): “ . 459-2333,. Fax: (250) 459 ©, «www.bigbarranch.com>'* ;. .Web For more great getaways” check out: . Non Viticomer to pick up PREE dckes for Suc concert by sigersongwrer Suzie Ungerleide Tickets Sites’)