Today I'm working on a plan to introduce a formal agritourism enterprise to the ranch operation.
I've been giving tours for years and even make a bit of money at it but it's a bit catch as catch can. You can't really give proper tours in less than 90 minutes and without some way of lining folks up and scheduling it's just not a viable enterprise. People seem to enjoy it though.
However, I was lining up some vacation lodging with these folks, and I got to thinking...
Why not offer lodging and tours as a destination?
If I could offer a comfortable, well-appointed home for lodging, with a personalized tour experience, that might just be the ticket. Particularly if the place is less than two miles from an interstate exit, located on scenic native prairie, and if the home is attractive, aesthetically pleasing, and a bit quirky.
Something like this.
Or this.
Without all the trees, of course. And with cattle.
I've got everything but the home and a system to put folks into it. The combination of a custom steel Quonset home and VRBO looks like it might work. So I'm busy crunching possibilities today.
If you look at some of the landscape photos I've included, you'll see two cabins on the property, my sister lives in one, the other we list on VRBO. If you'll contact Sarge, he'll give you my real email address and I'll send you the VRBO info. You can look at the site. That one rental has been very successful for us.
ReplyDelete'Tis done...
DeleteThanks Juvat, message en route.
DeleteSounds like a plan. If we get back to that part of the world, I'll make a reservation.
ReplyDeletePaul L. Quandt
I'd better get cracking then...
DeleteWhy you cagey old Viking you. Get folks to come visit, have 'em pay for the privilege, perhaps get them to do the odd chore or two. Ya know, so they get the whole experience.
ReplyDeleteI volunteer to come out there, feed the hounds and bitch about the weather. I just know I'd be good at it. Just don't make me string wire, I suck at that, trust me.
And of course, when all is said and done, we'll be wanting pictures. Perhaps a nice website which we can link to over at The Chant.
I would most happily make a place like the 40" on my permanent burrow, wouldn't you? I think Shaun would have no complaints from guests. I am not sure about swimming in the stock tanks. The guests don't know where the cows that have slobbered in it have been, and the cows don't know where the guests have been.
DeleteYes, my first thought was "poor cows!"
DeleteTook a while, but I'm starting to realize that humans might be useful for more than rape, pillage and burn. :)
DeleteDon't worry, everybody sucks at stringing wire. That's the beauty of it. I really should do a web site but that really gives me the shudders. Even more than video editing.
The cows don't seem to mind. I think we'll leave the stock tank swimming an optional, rather than mandatory, activity.
DeleteYou guests will soon learn about the importance of boots around cattle! I almost never go outside barefoot. The Burrow of my Badger Folks had carpenter bees in the lawn. Carpenter bees are very laid back, but they do resent being stepped on.
ReplyDeleteOne of my thoughts is to install a southerly lawn and wrap the other sides in a five-row shelterbelt. The lawn would be fine for bare foots, all else will require well-shod foots.
DeleteA old tractor or other piece of equipment for the customers to learn how to drive might be another thing.
ReplyDeleteAs long as their clutch(s) are easily replaceable :>)
A niece or nephew could be a tour guide, leaving you to answer the more detailed questions.
Those are good ideas. I've given a good deal of thought to activities and tractor driving might work. OTOH, I might have to train guests to guide nieces and nephews😉
ReplyDelete