I had the opportunity to spend a few days as a guest at 7D Ranch just outside of Cody, Wyoming. A true “dude ranch” running continuously for over 50 years and managed by the 3rd generation of the Dominick family. Hanging out with experienced wranglers like Jeff and top game trackers like Meade made me truly appreciate the ranch life which very much still exists in the United States.

We did two all-day rides through the surrounding mountains and passes, covering some rugged terrain – seeing some breathtaking views of untouched land with the help of their experienced trailblazers. While my photos may not give you a sense of it, this wasn’t your typical “trail ride”. These guys were carrying saws and ropes for cutting and moving trees as we made our way up steep mountains.

One of the things that surprised me about the very experienced staff at 7D Ranch was their willingness to educate and work with me in a way that was never condescending or cocky, although they certainly had the right to be. A top notch operation at 7D Ranch – I highly recommend them for anyone considering a vacation outside of the norm.

On a side note; all of the photos during my weekend at 7D Ranch were taken with a manual compact fixed lens digital camera.