Good
Old Country Fun in the Texas Sun
Guest
ranches have become a growing destination for vacationers
looking to get away from the hustle of the city and experience
the slow paced lifestyle of the country. Where else can families
explore miles of hidden nature trails on horseback or traverse
the waters of fish stocked secluded lakes. The Double S Ranch
in Scroggins, Texas, a cutting horse ranch, provides families
the opportunity to do both in a setting where it is near impossible
not to relax.
The ranch
boasts two fish stocked, spring fed lakes, Deer Lake and Dream
Lake, that offer visitors hours of entertainment, peace and
relaxation. The ranch makes available a wide assortment of
water toys for the guests' enjoyment. For those who want to
experience the serenity of the peaceful waters, 2-man pontoon
boats and kayaks are available. Both are excellent for quietly
patrolling the lakes and sneaking up on the wildlife that
inhabit the shores and surrounding woods.
The boat
seats 2 people and is powered by a 15 hp Mercury outboard.
Of course, what good are stocked fishing lakes if you cant
fish them. For this reason, there are several fishing boats
that vary in size, all equipped with trolling motors, enabling
fishermen to cover water quickly and quietly. Although both
lakes are catch and release, guests staying at the ranch are
welcome to keep fish from the lakes for their dinner fare.
The lakes
are not the only source of fun and adventure on the Double
S Ranch. There are also over 12 miles of nature trails that
meander all over the property, which provide an excellent
window into the lore of East Texas.
The ranch
offers several ways of exploring the trails. By far, the most
exciting and rustic is via horseback. Guests are given careful
instructions and then lead out onto the trails by an experienced
member of the ranch. Traveling the trails on horseback offers
the best opportunity to get up close and personal with all
of the wildlife that inhabit the property like deer, armadillos,
foxes and even the occasional bald eagle. For visitors who
are looking for something motorized to get around in, a Kawasaki
Mule is in order. This 4-wheel drive utility vehicle effortlessly
navigates the trails around the ranch. It offers the best
opportunity for guests to see as much of the ranch as possible,
while offering a safe and stable ride. Regular golf carts
are also available for a slower, less intense mode of transportation.
Last, but not least, mountain bikes round out the arsenal
of ranch transportation, making sure that guests have the
utmost of available opportunities to enjoy their stay.
The fact
that the Double S Ranch is real working ranch also attracts
a lot of attention from visitors. The ranch specializes in
the breeding and training of cutting horses, both Paint and
Quarter breeds, and is home to several APHA champion stallions
like Double S Dually, sired by Dual Pep, and Sting-n-Starlight,
sired by Grays Starlight.
In addition
to the playgrounds, children particularly enjoy visiting the
horses and cows to watch the babies, which can normally be
seen galloping alongside their mothers. Guests staying at
the ranch are welcome to visit the many barns and witness
all of the day-to-day activities that are involved in keeping
and maintaining a ranch such as feeding the animals, training
the horses, cutting and bailing hay, mending fences and all
sorts of other chores. The ranch also has several authentic,
old-time, wooden wheel wagons that are on display as you enter
the property and throughout the rest of the grounds. The wagons
are popular areas for family photos and add a rustic, western
feel to the ranch.
All activities
and accommodations on the Double S Ranch are handled through
Deer Lake Cabins, located on the property. Deer Lake Cabins
offers 8 cabins/lake houses available for rent that can sleep
from 2 to 8 people. Most of the cabins are located on the
banks of Deer Lake and have decks that provide the perfect
place to sit and relax and watch the sun set. All cabins are
beautifully furnished and include full kitchens, televisions,
VCRs, central heat and air, fresh linens and most have washers
and dryers. Cabins are also furnished with grills for the
benefit of the guests.
The Double
S Ranch is located in Scroggins, TX, which as about 100 miles
east of Dallas on just of Interstate 30, adjacent to Lake
Cypress Springs. For more information on the Double S Ranch
and Deer Lake Cabins, visit www.deerlakecabins.com,
www.doublessranch.com
or call 903-860-3898
