Introduction
What began as a random Instagram ad turned into an unforgettable adventure for Brooklyn and me. Our trip to Silver Spur Ranch, known for its fast-paced, week-long horse drives, was calling despite one little catch—it’s recommended for advanced riders, which I definitely am not.
My previous horse-riding experiences were limited to a casual trail ride in Colorado and another brief ride in Iceland (those Icelandic horses are closer to the ground, which is comforting for a beginner!).
Preparing for the Ride
But I wasn’t deterred. This was the perfect way to spend quality time with my 17-year-old before she headed off to college. We booked the trip nine months in advance, giving me plenty of time to learn how to ride.
My first lesson was three months before our departure. At Brooklyn’s barn, the Bee Cave Riding Center, I began learning the basics: how to groom a horse, tack it up, and prepare for the ride. What seemed straightforward from the sidelines quickly proved to be a complex skill.
Starting from the mounting blocks, Bella, my training horse, patiently tolerated my awkward attempts to settle into the saddle on day one. As I squirmed to get the stirrups set, the instructions came fast and furious: heels down, shorten the reins, hands up, shoulders back, engage the core, and move with the horse—a complicated dance I was excited to learn.
Imagine trying to master a pogo stick but being entirely out of sync with every bounce. That was me. By the end of the lesson, I got more coordinated, but it left me sore for days. Learning to ride was an adventure in itself, but after three months, I felt ready for the challenge ahead.
Journey to the Ranch
With our preparations complete, we flew into Salt Lake City and began our journey to Idaho. The drive was about five hours, but we broke it into two legs. We explored Idaho Falls the following day, enjoying the scenic River Walk and a tasty lunch. By dinner, we were on our way to Silver Spur Ranch, ready to meet our fellow riders and start our week in the mountains.
As we drove down the two-lane road leading to the ranch, the mountains that had been distant silhouettes grew closer with every mile. We passed fields dotted with cows and their newborn calves. About ten miles from the ranch, our cell service faded, signaling the start of our off-the-grid adventure. Soon, we arrived at Silver Spur Ranch.
Day 1: Arrival and First Impressions
We were warmly welcomed by the ranch owners, cowboys, and cowgirls. The ranch was rustic but well-equipped, offering conveniences like lights and power outlets in the cabins, a central hot shower, and a campfire for evening gatherings. However, modern comforts stopped at the outhouse!
As we met the other guests, we quickly bonded over our shared excitement and anticipation. The dinner bell rang, and we gathered for our first meal together, sharing stories and expectations for the week ahead. After dinner, we ventured out to explore the property. We tried our hand at roping calf dummies—a skill that’s fun to learn but definitely not LinkedIn profile-worthy just yet!
Day 2: The Warm Up Ride
The following day was crisp and cool. After a hearty breakfast of eggs, pancakes, and bacon hash, we met our horses. I was paired with Lincoln, a reliable yet ornery horse aptly nicknamed “Stinking Lincoln.” Brooklyn was paired with Jasper, a beautiful bay-colored horse who looked ready to run.
Today, we would take a 15-mile trail ride through mountainous terrain to get everyone comfortable. The views were breathtaking as we navigated hillsides, rocky paths, snow patches, and streams. Once on level ground, we let the horses trot and lope, a thrilling experience that had everyone grinning from ear to ear.
We stopped for lunch in a shaded clearing, where Brooklyn played fetch with Maverick and Slim, two of our canine companions. After our break, we continued our ride, passing historical sites like an old Indian teepee area and a cliff used for buffalo hunting. The day ended with a bit of excitement when Lincoln got his gear caught on a watering pipe. Disaster was averted but not without excitement for our group’s most inexperienced rider!
Returning to the ranch around 4 p.m., we relaxed, enjoyed snacks, and recounted the day’s adventures over another delicious dinner. As the temperature dropped, we gathered around the campfire, sharing stories and warming up before bed.
Day 3: The Adventure Begins
Today was the start of the horse drive. After another delicious breakfast, we packed our bags, loaded the saddle horses, and headed to a lower pasture to gather about 50 horses for the drive. The group split into two: half led the herd, and the other half pushed from the rear.
The day began warm and sunny, but the weather soon turned. With rain jackets on, we navigated through cold, steady rain that luckily passed as quick as it began. As the sun broke through, we found a perfect spot for lunch, trying to dry out and warm up.
The afternoon brought more challenges and beautiful scenery. We spotted a mother moose with her newborn calf and navigated down steep hills to our campsite. Sensing the end of the day’s drive, the horses galloped down the hill, bringing us to our camp.
Around 6, the dinner bell rang, and we enjoyed some fantastic chicken fajitas. Our horses ate well, too. They grazed on all the grass right by our tents. It was an early night after dinner. The only problem was that it was going to be cold! We did our best to layer up to stay warm in the sleeping bags, but cold is cold, and there wasn’t much relief in sight.
Day 4: Thawing Out
After a night of on-and-off sleep, we bundled up and made our way back to the campfire. The warmth of the coffee and hot chocolate and the heat from the old wood-fired stove in the large tent helped us shake off the morning chill. The crew was busy preparing another hearty breakfast to fuel us for the day ahead. Once we ate, we packed our bags and tents so the team could move everything to the next site.
We tacked up the horses and set out for another day of driving, covering about 17 miles. The morning took us through open plains with stunning views of the mountains in the distance. We could see the Grand Tetons and other ranges, even catching glimpses of Montana and Wyoming simultaneously.
Although it was chilly, the sun was shining and did its job of warming us up. With plenty of open space, we had ample opportunities to trot and lope. After a few hours, we found a ravine that made an ideal spot for lunch.
Once rested, we geared up for the afternoon’s ride. The terrain was more wooded, making it a bit trickier to navigate. Watching out for branches was crucial, and I managed fine until Lincoln decided to steer me right into one. I didn’t see it until it was too late, but luckily, I stayed on, though it was more excitement than I needed.
After another two to three hours of riding, we arrived at our second campsite. It was just as unique as the first, with a rolling creek that split the tents and chuck wagon area. We enjoyed a warm shower, took a quick nap, and then gathered by the fire for dinner.
We had enormous burgers and broccoli salad that night, leaving everyone stuffed. Afterward, Bodie entertained us with some guitar playing and singing. We also played a few campfire games to pass the time.
The group started to thin out as the evening wore on, but Brooklyn wasn’t ready to leave the campfire. Her persistence paid off when she managed to snag a second sleeping bag, which would be a lifesaver for the cold night ahead.
Day 5: The Final Drive
The final day of our adventure dawned early with another cold morning. After a campfire-cooked breakfast of pancakes and eggs, we packed up and met our horses for the final drive.
The day was filled with diverse terrain, from open fields, perfect for running, to steep hills and wooded areas. The thrill of loping across an open field with the herd was unmatched. The dogs, Jack, Slim, and Maverick, worked tirelessly to keep the herd moving in the right direction.
We came to some marshland and a creek, which added a bit of excitement to our final push. Even old Lincoln managed the jump across the water with ease. As we neared the end of our journey, it was bittersweet. We arrived back at Silver Spur Ranch in the afternoon, bidding farewell to Lincoln and Jasper, and got ready for our final dinner.
The Perfect Ending
After one last shower at camp, we gathered for a massive steak dinner. The steaks were so enormous they practically fell off our plates. The long dinner table was filled with stories and laughter as we tried our best to finish the massive meal.
Just when we thought the evening couldn’t get any better, the ranch crew surprised us with a special treat. They wrote a song dedicated to our group, capturing of our week-long adventure. As they performed, the lyrics stirred a mix of emotions—tears, laughter, and a profound sense of gratitude.
Following the performance, Bodie showed a compilation video of our week. It beautifully captured our journey—from the thrilling gallops to the campfire shenanigans. As the video ended, it was time for the inevitable goodbyes. We exchanged hugs and contact details, promising to keep in touch and maybe even reunite for another adventure.
Brooklyn and I reminisced about the week as we headed back toward Salt Lake City, patiently waiting for a cell signal so we could call home. The adventure at Silver Spur Ranch was more than just a vacation. It gave me a chance to better understand Brooklyn’s love of horses and filled us with memories we will cherish forever.
Thank you, Silver Spur Ranch, for the adventure of a lifetime! We will be forever grateful and hope to see you again soon.
