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Making Friendships at Pine Ridge Dude Ranch

By Abby Girl- January 14, 2020

“When there’s an epidemic of loneliness in the tri-state area, the Pine Ridge Dude Ranch might just contribute to its cure.”
Quote by: Zee’s Mom

We are more connected than ever; just look at our use of social media websites and our preoccupation with reading about other people’s lives through platforms like online blogs. Yet many of us struggle with feeling lonely, and the average person has only a few close friends. In our everyday lives, we may be surrounded by other people, but we may be busy and rushed. Inwardly, we may have difficulty relaxing and getting to truly know those around us. If only there was a place that allowed us to relax enough to reach out to other people – through shared activities – and hopefully form friendships! For those naysayers who believe that such a place doesn’t exist, we have news for you!

Let us introduce you to the Pine Ridge Dude Ranch. It’s an all-inclusive resort in the Catskills. Through taking care of some of the nitty-gritty of life like providing all-inclusive meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), the Pine Ridge Dude Ranch strives to help make life feel a little less busy. Its many, shared group activities can bring both family and strangers together. A case in point, the Pine Ridge Dude Ranch provided the perfect environment for our daughters to meet, the grownups to get to know each other, and all of us to become good friends.

The Backstory- It All Started with the Goats and the Petting Zoo

There’s a joke about how it’s hard to carry on a conversation with goats because they’re always “butting in”. Yet, all joking aside, six months ago, our families met at the ranch’s petting zoo. While the goats didn’t prove to be great conversationalists, our two young daughters certainly found something about which to talk. It was an instant connection. Hand in hand, they left the petting zoo and started doing everything together during that trip. When the vacation was over, it was hard to separate them. We promised the girls that they would see each other again in six months. We all signed up for the Home-school Weekend at Pine Ridge Dude Ranch!

making friendships — Princesses of the Goats

In the meantime, the girls became pen pals as they live two hours apart. Abby sent handwritten notes and special cards for the holidays. Her friend then surprised Abby on her birthday by coming up for pizza and a visit to a goat barn. The connection they formed at the ranch was still strong. In fact, they were the only two that followed the princess-themed goat party right down to their outfits!

Six Months Later – Back at Pine Ridge Dude Ranch

The big weekend came at Pine Ridge Dude Ranch. Zee and her family arrived Saturday afternoon. It was no longer Adventures of Abby Girl. It truly became adventures of Abby and Zee.

At dinner, our families condensed to one table and the best part was that we found out that the grown-ups had things in common too. We quickly became great friends over a wonderful home-style buffet meal.

After dinner, the girls went and changed into their matching llama pajamas that Zee’s mom brought up for the girls. We went to the bonfire and had a great time chasing the llamas and making s’ mores.

That night there was a hilarious comedian juggler who was very entertaining. That was followed by a dance party and more chasing of the llamas to get them into bed. However, with so much to do at the ranch, the girls had other late-night plans. Abby got a non-alcoholic Shirley Temple from the Silver Dollar Saloon, and Zee had to have cotton candy ice cream from the Chuck Wagon. Shortly after, Abby decided she needed chocolate ice cream. There the girls sat, enjoyed loads of sugar right before bedtime, and made wonderful memories. (Don’t ask about the subsequent quest to find new stain remover techniques!)

The Next Morning …

We joined our new friends for breakfast. Then we changed for horseback riding. We were early so the girls spent time exploring the goat and chicken pen. They loved finding real eggs in one of the petting zoo’s shelters. Abby wanted to catch a chicken. However, she was unsuccessful. They spent time chatting with each other and the goats.

At the coral, when it was their time to ride ponies, Abby made sure Zee’s helmet was on correctly. They constantly looked out for each other and each other’s needs. It was adorable to watch. They rode ponies. Abby, usually a Junior Wrangler, took a break so that she could ride at the same time as her friend and be able to spend as much time as possible that day with her.

After their ride, they went and completed the coloring competition and roamed the ranch. There wasn’t much down-time as then they were off to paint pinecones. The glitter was the highlight of the activity.

Lunch came next and the food was delicious as usual. It gave everyone nice full bellies so adventures could continue. That afternoon, they jumped on the bounce pillow and played on the playground. Then they went on a tractor ride, explored the ranch a little more, and shared some final giggles before the goodbyes.

We are now planning monthly get-togethers for our families at various locations. It all started with Pine Ridge Dude. It’s such a wonderful place to connect and make life long memories and friendships. We encourage everyone to go see for themselves and perhaps make new friends too.

A co-post by Abby’s Mom and new awesome friend- Zee’s Mom-Eva

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We have another blog over at hvparent.com/adventures-of-abby-girl. It’s mainly all things local to the Hudson Valley region. Thanks for stopping by!

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Go Visit: Family Friendly New York

Abby Girl at Pine Ridge Dude Ranch

By Abby Girl- February 18, 2019

Pine Ridge Dude Ranch. Many may have read our blog posts over at our other site, https://hvparent.com/adventures-of-abby-girl about visiting Pine Ridge Dude Ranch last month during a snowstorm where my husband couldn’t go because he had to stay home and plow … Luckily, we got an opportunity to return this weekend and got to bring dad along too. We even had the same room which are the Dakota rooms. a set of bunkbeds and two beds. Abby girl got brave and slept solo on the bottom bunk until about 4am. Then she joined us. They are newly renovated too. You can learn more about room options for any family size on their website.

dad and daughter at Pine Ridge Dude Ranch — Looking lovingly at daddy’s goofy face

I felt inspired to blog again because we got to experience even more this time around and it was different with the whole family there. Well, besides the family dog, Noodles. I thought I could dress her up as my really ugly child and put her in a stroller. However, I figured it was best to leave her with the sitter.

Noodles wearing her wig that she wore as the star of Happy Dog the Film

So let me start by writing that it was great to return a month later because when you visit somewhere new for the first time, sometimes the first time is like “oh wow, this was great. I can’t wait to return and bring everyone including my crazy Aunty Mertle.” Then you go back and it’s like a balloon being popped or the second experience at a new all you can eat buffet where upon the second return, all you get is plate boogers and rubbery chicken. Not the case here.

The Staff

Again, amazing. So many guests go through there in any given month and the fact that everyone remembered us, is really special. Not only did they remember us, they once again, were accommodating and extremely friendly. I also like to randomly talk to people which is really outside my comfort zone as in gives me itchy spots trying to talk to people. Everyone seemed really happy and if they had a need, it was met immediately. I even spoke to a few that were originals, like myself, to Pine Grove Dude and now repeatedly coming to Pine Ridge Dude Ranch. Some, again like me, with their own family. One lady and her family already visited 3 times just this winter! That speaks volumes.

The activities-

Last time we were at Pine Ridge Dude Ranch, we missed some very fun activities thanks to mother nature and a big layer of snow ice. This time around, we took a tractor ride the first day. So warm outside and the sun shining. We got to go all the way around the lake and Abby girl saw several deer. Some were bedded down and staring at us through the trees. It’s a nice length ride too.

deer — “Sometimes I feel like, Somebodies watching me …”

Then my highlight, the goats. We were in the pen with the goats. Brian aka the dad, waited outside, he raised goats as a child and opted to hold my gear instead and watch us have fun. I seriously could hangout with goats all day.

Goats at Pine Ridge Dude Ranch — Goats, Goats, Goats.

Brian and I got to leave Abby in daycare and again, she had a great time and made a craft while we went for a trail ride. Walk only again because the terrain is still not safe for anything else. We didn’t ride together. However, that is fine by me. They asked if I wanted to be near him and I made the decision to stay put and just enjoy the scenery. I see him all the time.

adventurous — I’m going to do it. Better catch me.”

Abby went on a couple Pony Rides too and if it is up to her, she would have rode the pony all day long. She even wore her jeans and boots for the occasion. I guess, mom, will be looking into Western Riding Lessons in the near future. Suggestions welcomed. Couldn’t she pick a safer option like chess or Parcheesi? I guess not since this is the child that launches herself into the air and smashes into the floor and then yells “I’m alright mommy!” all the time.

Abby got to go swimming again with her dad this time. I couldn’t swim, I just dyed my hair reddish brown. Brian told Abby the chlorine might make mommies hair pink. No, most likely the bottled hair dye would turn orange and I would look like Bozo the clown. Hey, perhaps then I can get a job as an entertainer at the ranch. I digress and also really dislike clowns.

The Usual

We did many other things we did last time too such as the arcade and the saloon. Even the two older children aka mom and dad enjoyed the arcade.

At the Saloon, Abby is now nicknamed tiny dancer. Before anyone gets in an uproar, children can stop in saloon but cannot belly up to the bar. She likes Shirley Temples. They make her feel like a big girl and she enjoys dancing to the Jukebox. We accidentally played the same Journey song twice. My bad. Brian even took her back to the room and let me have some alone time with other adults. I didn’t have to use words like potty for a whole hour or tell the person next me good job and slap a sticker on them or tell them to use their words.

This is awkward mom face because you forgot what to do with yourself without your child there and you aren’t drinking a juice box ….

The Food-

Again the food was tasty. I didn’t eat the main dinner because yes, I was at a Dude Ranch and I don’t eat smoked or BBQ or spicy food. I had fried chicken for lunch on way up to ranch and so no chicken finger children’s meal. There was plenty of filling options at the salad bar and chef made me a roast beef sandwich the size of my head. But, Brian gave the ribs thumbs up. I do wish they would have had some naked grilled chicken available with no sauce on it and mentioned the raisins in the carrot cake.

However, the cake was delicious, I just ate around the raisins. Breakfast buffet had many options and me and Abby girl loaded up on bacon. We are a bacon family. Lunch was sandwich station, soup, nuggets, chips, cookies, salad bar. No, I didn’t get another roast beef sandwich, if that is what you are wondering.

food at Pine Ridge Dude Ranch — Some had to stick their head in picture …

So once again, we cannot wait for warmer weather to return for another weekend at Pine Ridge Dude Ranch. I think Abby Girl already has her bag and “yeehaw” clothes ready to go. We highly recommend Pine Ridge Dude Ranch for a down home, all inclusive Dude Ranch Resort in the heart of the Catskills . If you would like to learn more or book a reservation now, go to their website–

-I was in no way influenced about what to write in this blog. Thank you for reading and a special thank you to everyone at Pine Ridge Dude Ranch that made this trip possible. Below are some more highlights and pictures of the ranch.

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