We left Farmersville headed for Canyon Lakes; a state park outside of San Antonio, TX where we spent roughly a week. The highlight of San Antonio was not the Alamo or the Riverwalk, although both really were neat and great to see. Our highlight was a dude ranch we visited for the afternoon called Rancho Cortez. And while the activities we paid for were incredibly fun, the man who owned the ranch, Mr. Larry Cortez, made the day really special.

We spent the day riding horses, helping to take care of the horses, playing horseshoes, swimming, feeding the longhorn cattle, learning to lasso that cattle and riding in a side-by-side all over the hill country. Being a Tuesday and school still in session for most folk, we were the only visitors on the ranch that day. As a result, Mr. Cortez took a liking to us and personally escorted us all over his ranch. He was a bonified cowboy with cowboy boots, spurs and all, cigarettes, a cowboy hat and a salty personality. 😊 This man was 74 years old and still digging holes, fixing fences, personally feeding his cattle and doing the “yuck” of a farm. I don’t think “retired” is in his vocabulary.

He picked us up in his side-by-side, which was a 6-person ATV for those who don’t know the term side-by-side, which I did not prior to this adventure. He zipped us all over the hill country of Banderas, TX. While Beau and the kids were screaming with enjoyment at the speed in which we zipped over these hills. I was screaming in horror. No seatbelts. No helmets. No doors. You can imagine the thoughts going through my mind. But alas, we are still here.

The time before and after dinner was spent talking in his “office”. A picnic table under an oak with a fake Grammy trophy in the middle. Office talking required a light beer and some “no holds bar” discussion on whatever he deemed interesting.

If you’re ever in the area of Banderas, TX and want a great experience on a dude ranch, they offer day experiences, overnight lodging in cabins and land to park your camper on overnight. It includes meals and great conversation with an interesting man. 

More on San Antonio later...