Get Back to Nature at Ranch, Farm or Lodge Bed and Breakfast

By: Jane Leisteiner

Ah, the rustic romance of a wide-open ranch or remote lodge! What could be finer in the fall, when summer's fire is cooling to become winter's chill than to enjoy the unique pleasures of a ranch or lodge bed and breakfast, the kind of pleasures you just can't find at a cloned hotel chain. We have rounded up some of the finest ranch/lodge country inns you can shake a stick at.

Enjoy Big Sky Country at this Montana Bed and Breakfast

Enjoy frontier living at the River Rock Lodge in Big Sky, Montana. The inviting interior boasts the namesake river rock and rustic wood you would expect in wilderness lodge. Mountain vistas and stunning fall foliage will captivate you. Montana architect Jerry Locati designed the beautiful lodge, and his architecture was influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright. The comfortable rooms are a perfect place to relax after a day filled with fly-fishing, trout fishing, river rafting, skiing or touring Yellowstone National Park, which is just 40 miles away.

History Abounds at 300-Year-Old Arizona Hacienda

Experience a true dude ranch experience at Rancho De La Osa, a 300-year-old ranch located 65 miles outside of Tucson in the high Sonoran Desert. Rates include three meals each day and all the scheduled activities for the day. These might include horseback riding, nature walks, bird watching and guided hikes. There are several themed weekends throughout the year, such as the Cowgirl Camp, an adventure for the ladies that includes rustling cattle and barrel racing. Cowboy cookouts and western dance events are some of the other themes. The guest rooms are furnished with Mexican antiques, many include a wood-burning fireplace, and all have a porch boasting mountain views. Afternoon refreshments are served in the "Old Adobe" Cantina, which is thought to be the oldest building in Arizona.

440 Idaho Acres with Miniature Horses

Surrounded by 440 acres of working farmland, The Cedar Mountain Farm B&B in Athol, Idaho, is a serene and peaceful getaway anytime of the year. There are plenty of hiking and cross-country ski trails, and bird watching opportunities abound. Deer and elk sightings are common, and you might even glimpse a moose. Sage Creek runs along a mountain on the vast property and guests can try and catch some trout. The night sky is filled with stars, and each morning brings with it a farm-fresh breakfast. Guests can help out with farm chores or gardening, which is especially fun for younger guests. Help gather eggs or pet a miniature horse. The farm is located in between Coeur d'Alene and Sandpoint; the Silverwood Theme Park is just three miles away, as well.

Enjoy an Orchard Bed and Breakfast

Country comforts and the peace of 22 acres surround you at Okaw Valley Orchard Inn in Sullivan, Illinois. The working orchard includes three guest rooms in the barn-style bed and breakfast home, each decorated in a pleasing country style. The Loft includes a deck, woodstove and bathroom with a clawfoot tub. There is an enclosed back porch, where guests can enjoy breakfast or relax in the afternoon and watch as hummingbirds scamper from tree to tree. From July to November, the orchard is in full swing and guests can visit the country store and bakery. The innkeepers even host an apple festival each year in early October. In the evenings, enjoy a soak in the hot tub and enjoy the starry country skies.

Relax Your Spirit at This Northern California Retreat

A private riverfront beach, swimming pond and acres of rolling hills covered with trees are what await you at the secluded Shambhala Ranch Retreat Center just outside of Ukiah in Northern California. Guests can enjoy a relaxing massage or a soak in the outdoor hot tub. The innkeepers cater to small groups, and it is a perfect spot for friends or co-workers to gather and commune with nature. The ranch is eco-friendly using solar power and other renewable energy sources. The seaside town of Mendocino is nearby.

Longhorn Cattle Ranch

Enjoy the best of Texas Hill Country with a stay at Canyon Lake Ranch, a relaxing bed and breakfast on 64 secluded, peaceful acres. Located just minutes from water sports and fishing at Canyon Lake and the Guadalupe River, this Hill Country bed and breakfast offers two private cottages with plenty of amenities. The Longhorn Lodge has a private hot tub, fenced yard and a wide front porch where you can just sit and relax. The Starview Lodge also has a hot tub, as well as a private swimming pool and fireplace. Guests at both cottages receive a complementary bottle of wine, a fruit basket and homemade cookies. Guests also can go for a hike, bird watch or feed the Longhorn cattle that live on the ranch.

Article Source: http://www.retirementlivingarticledirectory.com

Jane Leisteiner has traveled to many B&B inns and written extensively on the topic. For more details on Arizona bed and breakfast inns or Illinois bed and breakfasts, check out the American Historic Inns website.

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