Rancho Cortez is a 125-acre working ranch that can host about 100
cowboy wanna-be's each night in their quaint guest rooms. The man
at the helm is Larry Cortez.
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"We like to think that what we do well is entertaining families,
entertaining kids and making sure that they stay busy from 7:30
in the morning to 8:30 in the evening," said Cortez.
The main attraction is all the trail rides through the beautiful
Texas Hill Country.
"We were here about 30 minutes and they threw us on a horse, then
threw us in a truck and went and watched some barrel racing and
we're having a blast," said one guest.
Most guests come for about fours days. After being at the ranch
for four hours, 190 North's Doug Banks learned the ropes. He and
Larry got down to business -- some really dirty business. They cleaned
the horse poop.
After lassoing a couple of fake steers, it was finally time to
go toe to toe with the real deal -- Texas longhorns. Staring down
a half-ton steer isn't exactly for the faint of heart.
Before they rustled up a little grub, what would any day's end
be without the classic cowboy sing-along around the campfire?
"Getting to be a 'cowboy' for a day gives you a taste of the Wild
West but our next stop is a spot that really makes you feel like
you've been transported to Deadwood or Dodge City. In fact, this
has even been the backdrop for Westerns!" said Cortez.
Visitors come because Grant Jacobs and his family have recreated
an old western town straight out of the 1800's. At Enchanted Springs
Ranch, you'll see the old farm supply store and the saloon, even
costumed characters to help bring the Old West to life.
"Grant people come to San Antonio to see the Old West and there's
not much left to see. So, when people come out here, they see the
towns, the sets, the old West atmosphere and people really love
it," said Cortez.
Conventioneers, school groups and families make the 25 minute
trip from San Antonio to see the movie set that sprang up in the
Texas hill country two years ago.
Rancho Cortez
872 Hay Hollar Road
Bandera, TX 78003
(866) 797-9399
www.ranchocortez.com
