Taking a Ranch Break: Vacation Ideas for Ranchers
Run the ranch like a business is a phrase thrown around frequently and for good reason. Most often, it is referencing knowing your numbers and maintaining a profit focus as opposed to only being a lifestyle or hobby. But what about the other aspects of running a business, like taking a vacation and coming back with a clear mind?
Cheyenne Schriefer knows exactly how challenging it can be for ranchers to sneak away on a vacation but doesn’t let that stop her family from making memories across the country and world. She also helps others do the same with her travel agency – All Travel Matters.
“It’s easy to not do it because it costs money and might be hard to find someone to feed cows while you are away, but you just need to make a point to do it,” says Schriefer.
Leaving for a few days might require asking others for help whether that is another generation on the ranch, a neighbor or a friend. If you worry about being a burden, ask yourself if you’d do the same for them? Additionally, programs such as McKnight’s Ranch Academy can be great training resources to answer employee questions while you are away from the operation.
Travel preferences vary greatly between individuals and families and there are easy vacation options to ease into traveling. “I find that ranchers don’t travel much and it can overwhelm them, so starting out with trips that might take a day or two drive is a good place to start,” says Cheyenne. For individuals who prefer nature and being outside, National Parks and road trips are two enjoyable and flexible options.
Cheyenne says, “It doesn’t have to be something big. People hear the word vacation and assume it has to involve a plane ride. It can just be a quick trip.”
However, for people who don’t mind air travel, don’t underestimate the opportunities of taking a quick flight to Nashville or Napa Valley depending on how far you want to get from home.
Longer trips take a little more planning and might require more travel depending on your preferred destination, especially if you live in rural areas of the Midwest. She says, “Mexico, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic are the main Caribbean beach destinations you can get to easily.” Cheyenne and her family go to Mexico frequently and she recommends it as a simple vacation to plan from a travel standpoint. “If you have a little sliver of time in June to get away, River Cruising is another great option,” says Schriefer. River Cruises or even other group tours can reduce the overwhelm of traveling abroad.
If you are interested in traveling abroad, give yourself a few months to obtain a passport and know where you are traveling. Cheyenne says, “Each destination has its own warnings per say. We try to educate our clients about culture, tipping expectations and language barriers.” If you aren’t familiar with traveling abroad, working with an agent can ensure you have transportation from the airport to your hotel that speaks English at a minimum.
The biggest things to remember when planning a vacation as a ranch family are to be flexible and consider travel insurance for those unexpected hiccups. Getting away from the ranch may seem stressful at first but it gives you the opportunity to come back with a clear mind and make memories with your family.
