Ranch Guide

Everything you need to know for a safe, fun, and unforgettable stay. Whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned outdoorsperson.

🔥 Build a Campfire 🎣 Fish 🩹 First Aid at the Ranch 🦌 Texas Wildlife Guide ⭐ Stargazing in Texas

🔥

How to Build a Campfire

Choose Your Spot

Use the fire pit at your cabin. Clear any debris within 3 feet. Never build a fire on grass, near trees, or in windy conditions.

Gather Your Materials

You need three types: tinder (dry leaves, paper, dryer lint), kindling (small twigs, thin sticks), and fuel (larger logs). We provide firewood at each cabin.

Build a Teepee

Place a loose ball of tinder in the center. Lean kindling sticks against each other around it in a teepee shape. Leave gaps for air flow — fire needs oxygen.

Light the Tinder

Use a match or lighter at the base of the tinder. Blow gently to feed the flame. As the kindling catches, add slightly larger pieces.

Add Fuel Logs

Once kindling is fully burning, add 1-2 fuel logs. Don't smother it — lay logs with space between them. A "log cabin" stack works well.

Maintain & Extinguish

Add logs as needed. To put out: let it burn down, spread the coals, pour water, stir, pour again. It should be cool to the touch before you walk away.

Safety Note

Never leave a fire unattended. Keep water or a shovel nearby. No accelerants (gasoline, lighter fluid). Keep children 3+ feet away.

🎣

How to Fish (Beginner's Guide)

Get Your Gear

We provide basic rods and tackle at the ranch. You'll need a rod, reel, line, hooks, bobber (float), sinkers (weights), and bait. Worms work great in our ponds.

Rig Your Line

Thread the line through the rod guides. Tie a hook to the end (use a clinch knot — wrap the line 5 times around itself, thread through the loop, pull tight). Add a bobber 2-3 feet above the hook and a small sinker between them.

Bait Your Hook

Thread a worm onto the hook so it covers the point but still wiggles. For artificial bait, push the hook through so it sits naturally. The fish should see the bait, not the metal.

Cast Your Line

Hold the rod at 10 o'clock, press the reel button with your thumb, swing forward smoothly, and release the button at 2 o'clock. Aim for spots near structure — logs, rocks, lily pads.

Watch & Wait

Keep your eye on the bobber. When it dips or moves sideways, a fish is biting. Wait for a solid pull — don't jerk too early. Then set the hook with a firm upward tug.

Reel In & Release

Keep the rod tip up and reel steadily. Let the fish tire itself out. Once landed, wet your hands before handling (dry hands damage their protective slime). Gently remove the hook and release back into the pond.

Safety Note

Watch for hooks when casting. Keep hooks covered when not in use. Wear shoes near the water. Supervise children at all times near ponds.

🩹

Basic First Aid at the Ranch

Cuts & Scrapes

Wash with clean water. Apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth if bleeding. Once clean, apply antibiotic ointment and cover with a bandage. Change daily.

Bug Bites & Stings

Remove stinger by scraping (don't squeeze). Wash the area. Apply ice for 10 minutes to reduce swelling. Hydrocortisone cream helps with itching. If allergic reaction occurs (throat swelling, difficulty breathing), call 911 immediately.

Burns (Minor)

Run cool (not ice cold) water over the burn for 10-15 minutes. Don't apply butter or toothpaste — that's a myth. Cover with a loose, sterile bandage. For burns larger than your palm, seek medical attention.

Heat Exhaustion

Texas sun is no joke. Signs: heavy sweating, weakness, nausea, dizziness. Move to shade, loosen clothing, apply cool wet cloths, sip water slowly. If symptoms worsen or person stops sweating, call 911 — that's heat stroke.

Sprains & Strains

Remember RICE: Rest, Ice (20 min on, 20 min off), Compression (wrap with bandage), Elevation (raise above heart). If you can't bear weight on it, see a doctor.

Snake Awareness

Texas has venomous snakes. Stay on paths, watch where you step, don't reach into areas you can't see. If bitten: stay calm, don't suck the venom (myth), keep the bite below heart level, get to an ER immediately. Take a photo of the snake if safe to do so.

Safety Note

Each cabin has a basic first aid kit. The nearest hospital is 20 minutes away. Save this address in your phone before heading out to explore. Call 911 for any emergency.

🦌

Texas Wildlife Guide

White-Tailed Deer

You'll likely see them at dawn and dusk. They're beautiful but skittish — keep your distance and they'll reward you with a show. Never feed wild deer.

Texas Longhorns (Ours)

Our ranch longhorns are gentle and used to people. Approach slowly, speak softly, and let them come to you. Don't approach from behind — always let them see you coming.

Armadillos

Nocturnal and mostly harmless. You might see them waddling around at dusk. They have poor eyesight, so you can watch them up close. Don't handle them.

Birds

Over 50 species visit the ranch including cardinals, blue jays, hawks, and great blue herons at the ponds. Bring binoculars! Early morning is the best time for birding.

Turtles & Frogs

Our ponds are full of painted turtles and several frog species. At night, the frog chorus is incredible. Kids love spotting them along the pond edges.

Snakes (Respect, Don't Fear)

Most snakes at the ranch are non-venomous and eat rodents — they're helpful! Coral snakes and copperheads exist in Texas but are rare here. Rule of thumb: don't touch any snake. Admire from a distance.

Safety Note

Never approach or feed wildlife. Store food in sealed containers. If you encounter a wild animal acting aggressively, back away slowly and alert ranch staff.

⭐

Stargazing in Texas

Let Your Eyes Adjust

Step away from cabin lights and give your eyes 15-20 minutes to adapt to the dark. Avoid looking at your phone — the blue light resets your night vision.

Find the North Star

Locate the Big Dipper (looks like a pot with a handle). The two stars at the front of the "pot" point to Polaris, the North Star. It's always due north.

Spot the Milky Way

On clear, moonless nights, you can see the Milky Way as a cloudy band across the sky. Best viewing: late spring through early fall, after midnight when it's highest.

Planet Spotting

Planets don't twinkle like stars — they shine with a steady light. Venus is the brightest "star" near the horizon at dawn or dusk. Jupiter is the next brightest. Mars has a reddish tint.

Satellite Watching

Those slow-moving "stars" crossing the sky are satellites. The International Space Station is the brightest — it takes about 4 minutes to cross the sky and looks like a very bright, steady star moving in a straight line.

Best Viewing Tips

Bring a blanket to lie on. A red-light flashlight preserves night vision. Free apps like SkyView or Star Walk can help you identify what you're seeing. The ranch's low light pollution makes this a prime viewing location.

Safety Note

Watch your footing in the dark. Bring a flashlight for walking paths. Bug spray is your friend on warm nights.

💡 Tip: Save this page to your phone before heading out. Or ask at check-in for a printed copy.