A room or bunk and horses to ride. Stay on a beautiful ranch. Walk, horseback ride, hike and explore. Rent horses and go with our cowboy to explore the ranch on horseback. No ranch work, just riding until you get tired or go broke.
Where the oaks of Central Texas meet the Mesquite of South Texas meet, the 2,500 acre (1,000 hectare) Lazy F Ranch is one of the most beautiful and historic "smaller" working cattle ranches in Texas. Located in scenic Gonzales County where first shot of the Texas Revolution was fired in the battle over the famous "Come and Take It" cannon, the ranch has been in Lieutenant Colonel Clay Allen's family for six generations since 1854. One hundred and forty-four years of continuous ownership by the same family makes it one of the oldest ranches in this part of Texas. The original log cabin and log barn, built around 1873, can be seen less than one mile from the main guest house.
The infamous Texas outlaw of the late 1800's, John Wesley Hardin, had a home on this ranch. The foundation blocks can still be seen across the creek on one of the horse trails. Also near the ranch, another of the more practical, or you might say 'inventive,' killers in Texas, Lonnie Burnett, lived in an underground home. He loved to have company and hung a sign that said, "Welcome Stranger" on the door to invite guests. The 10 gauge shotgun tied to the door was to insure a long stay.
The wagon tracks of the legendary Camino Real (Kings Highway), between San Antonio de Bexar and Galveston, can still be seen running through this ranch. Supposedly, Generalissimo Santa Anna's wagon train, loaded with gold to pay his troops, was buried on this ranch when the Mexican Paymaster learned of the General's defeat at San Jacinto.
The ranch is featured in the Southwestern Gem Hunters Guide, as it has an ancient rock fault running through the Southern part, which is rich in petrified wood and palm tree, agate, jasper, quartz, and other minerals ideal for jewelry or collecting. Two creeks run through the ranch, lined with oaks, elm, and pecans, begging for exploration by foot or horse. They are full of large catfish, waiting to be caught. Wild hogs, whitetail deer, and wild turkey gather at our feeding station less than 100 meters from the main guest house. Other wildlife, such as armadillos, squirrels, and even a grey fox roam the ranch, or rather, the yard of the guest house.
Almost every night, a large pack of coyotes, roaming the surrounding woods, serenade the guests. One of the oldest live oak trees in this part of Texas, the Indian's Salt Flat Truce Tree, is located on the ranch. Over 600 years old, this tree was better than 143 years old when Coronado explored parts of Texas for the fabled 7 cities of gold. On a quiet day, you can almost hear the stories it could tell rustling in the leaves.
Your Itinerary
Every Day:
Horseback Riding or explore the ranch on foot or by your own vehicle. Plan trips to interesting local historical sites or go to San Antonio, Austin, or Corpus Christi (the beach) for the day. Meals purchased in town.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
One person or two, $85/night/room. Horses are $25/hour with a 2 hour minimum. All taxes included... what you see is what you pay.
Also see tour packages in:
USA
Texas
Farm Stay & Ranching
Horse Riding
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