Along Alberta's Cowboy Trail, where native fescue prairie rises quickly into the foothills of the Rockies, spring flowers signal a special opportunity for folks who love nature, mountains and the open prairie. Dames on the Range host a series of getaways with gumption!

A partnership of guest ranches, B&Bs, naturalists and local businesses offers outdoor adventure packages that include comfortable cowgirl/cowboy accommodations, wildflower hikes, wetland exploration, horseback riding and, of course, delicious country meals. Choose a single-day outing or a weekend package.

Dames on the Range offer several programs combining activities provided by a number of local businesses, all managed by women and each offering to guide visitors through the rural culture in southwest Alberta dedicated to the stewardship of self and the landscape.

Leave the city behind and experience accommodation at one of four different working cattle ranches. Find yourself in some of the oldest cattle country in Alberta, traditionally renowned for its hospitality, climate and scenery.

Take a horseback or wagon ride or go on interpretive hikes that show you how to identify flowers and plants that are both edible and medicinal. Ranch tours introduce the rangeland and wetland (riparian) landscapes and the livestock and wildlife that enjoy these areas.

There will be time to take pictures, watch birds and our local wildlife and see starry night skies without light pollution.  Join us to become familiar with the health benefits of our native plants and what's edible too. We will learn about native prairie landscaping while surrounded by these natural plant settings.  Or relish in the chance to finally take a nap or  finish that book.  Visit the historic towns of Nanton or Longview to meet more Dames’ businesses. Meals, included in the packages, feature many locally grown products.

“We are more than ordinary women doing ordinary things because we do it in extra-ordinary ways!” says “Ma” Dame, Debbie Webster."The Dames bring the best of what they do to each package so our visitors get a memorable get-away!"

“While the term 'Dame' is one of respect and was used as a title to describe a woman awarded any of various orders of chivalry or merit by a sovereign or government" Dame Debbie continues, "we may have taken liberties here, but we hope to proclaim these awards to all deserving women that visit us, growing through life’s journey’s and venturing beyond their self-limiting boundaries!”

Dames on the Range welcome their city-sisters to share in a rare opportunity to test new skills with other novices and discover brave, new strengths in an authentic cowgirl culture. We will be offering some "Women's-only Weekends" in 2012 which promises to be both challenging and rewarding. One-day packages are available ~ or make a weekend of it and plan to stay on one of the ranches. Reservations will be accepted soon as space is limited.

Or bring your family and friends to the other packages offered through the group - learning vacations, opportunities to relax and 'de-stress' or get busy hiking, riding or sharing in some ranching activities. Lots of chances to meet others out in the country!

For more information, visit us at www.damesontherange.ca

Visit the Dames on the Range on Facebook  www.facebook.com/Dames.on.the.Range

Some of the events planned for 2012: Combination hike and wagonride onto the Whaleback Ridge, North America's most diverse eco-system to explore many of the native plants and flowers that reside here, learn about the various animals that migrate through and see the geologic formations that helped form this ridge. How about lunch in the world's most beautiful dining room - with vistas to the rockies and into the valleys below? Then a 200 km diet dinner served ranch-style around the fire where you can compare your stories and pictures? Date(s) to be announced. Rangeride - bring your own horses to discover the trails of our pioneers as they explored this country in search of their new homestead. This offers another perspective of the grasslands, water and terrain that would have been important in their decision to settle. Date to be announced. Workshops - gardening with native plants (learning to work with plants and flowers that were natural residents of this climate) or herbal tea/healing salve to make your own personal blend of tea or what the medicinal benefits are of our native herbs. Usually preceded by a morning hike to get a preview of our native flowers and their natural environment with a picnic lunch followed by an afternoon workshop session. To be announced. Or create your own activities for the day - hike, ride or just relax. Picnic lunches or evening campfire dinners - make your choice and we'll help make some memories!

June 9, 2012 Centre Peak High Country Adventures - Cattle Drive (weather permitting) $430/person + gst (www.centrepeakhighcountryadventures.com/cattle-drives.html)  Moving heifers from the main DU Ranch winter pasture to the DU North Ranch summer pasture.

July 14 and 15, 2012 Sierra West Cabins and Ranch Vacations - Frontier Cattle Drive  "The Best Little Cattle Drive in the West" Cost - $350.00+GST/person (your horse) or $530.00+GST/person (our horse & tack) Saddle up and ride with the Sierra West gang on our 2012 Cattle Drive. This year our trip will take you through some of the most scenic mountain countryside nestled close to the base of the majestic Livingstone Mountain range in southwestern Alberta. Step back into the pages of time and experience a taste of the "Old West" as we ride the open ranges, drive cattle, indulge in down home country cooking and tell yarns & sing songs around the campfire. You will marvel at the breath-taking scenery, serenity of nature and the comradeship of fellow horsemen. We'll create an adventure you'll remember forever - Reserve Your Saddle Today!

August 11 and 12, 2012 Sierra West Cabins and Ranch Vacations "The Best Little Cattle Drive in the West" Cost - $350.00+GST/person (your horse) or $530.00+GST/person (our horse & tack) Saddle up and ride with the Sierra West gang on our 2012 Cattle Drive. This year our trip will take you through some of the most scenic mountain countryside nestled close to the base of the majestic Livingstone Mountain range in southwestern Alberta. Step back into the pages of time and experience a taste of the "Old West" as we ride the open ranges, drive cattle, indulge in down home country cooking and tell yarns & sing songs around the campfire. You will marvel at the breath-taking scenery, serenity of nature and the comradeship of fellow horsemen. We'll create an adventure you'll remember forever - Reserve Your Saddle Today!

September 15, 2012 Centre Peak High Country Adventures - Cattle Drive (weather permitting) $430/person + gst  (www.centrepeakhighcountryadventures.com/cattle-drives.html)  Mooo-ving these same heifers from the DU North Ranch summer pasture back to the main DU Ranch winter pasture.

Stay in touch with our Dames' businesses to see what else is brewing!

Our vision for Dames on the Range is to create a unified and sustainable rural district, supportive of each others' ventures to enhance their agricultural income through diversification that will complement the agricultural community and actively involve our guests with educational opportunities creating a better understanding and appreciation of the issues concerning the production of food supplies and management of this environment.

Meet the Dames on the Range:

Dame Shawna Bird, Nanton - Cowboy Country Western Store (403-646-3133 or www.cowboystuf.com ) • Western wear, tack and furnishings

Dame Elizabeth Dixon, Nanton – Herbal Healing Inc (403-646-2930 or info@herbalhealinginc.com or www.herbalhealinginc.com ) • Certified organic herbal tea blends and a line of all natural body care products • Facilitator for herbal tea or soap workshops

Dame Ginny Donahue, near Oldman River - Sierra West Cabins and Ranch Vacations (403-628-2431 or info@sierrawestcabins.com or www.sierrawestcabins.com ) • Self-catered log cabins with all amenities • Arena for riding plus trail riding, cattle work and other cowboy events • Explore SW Alberta and Canadian Rockies from this location

Dame Heidi Eijgel, near Crowsnest – Alberta Parks (403-627-1152 or Heidi.Eijgel@gov.ab.ca or www.albertaparks.ca ) • Outdoor Education, Heritage Appreciation Specialist • ½ and full day Interpretive Tours (hiking or riding) along the Eastern Slopes of the Rockies

Dame Shaunere Lane, in Porcupine Hills – Brown Creek Ranch Vacations (403-625-4032 or shaunere@telus.net or www.browncreekranch.com) • Accommodation in cabin or B&B • Location for hiking, touring and other activities • Provincially and Nationally recognized for ranch stewardship efforts

Dame Judy Lucas, in Porcupine Hills – Lucasia Ranch Vacations (403-625-2295 or 1-877-477-2624 or www.lucasiaranch.com ) • Accommodation in self-contained cabin • Horseback riding through the Porcupine Hills including some cattle work • Ranch stewardship tour “Sharing our Western Heritage”

Dame Pam Mikolayenko, Longview - Wow and Then (403-558-0029 or 403-922-6888 or info@wowandthen.ca or check out the blog at www.wowandthen.blogspot.com) - An eclectic country shop! Browse our collection of vintage treasures, artisan works, home decor and nostalgic gifts. Open weekends.

Dame Arden Nering, Turner Valley - Wild About Flowers (403-933-3903 or www.wildaboutflowers.com ) • Authentic native Alberta wildflowers and grasses, available as plants or seed

Grande Dame Joyce Pallister-Bronsch, High River - “Laugh Lines” (403-652-5643 or hankjoy@telusplanet.net) • Cowboy Poetry and Christian Comedian - "Minnie Pearl" Impersonator for entertainment at family and community events. • Book Author/Editor of "Smoke from the Branding Fire/ Hank Pallister's Tales" - early ranch history of the region’s ranches and people.

Dame Deb Pigeon, Longview - Bar U Ranch National Historic Site (403-395-3044 or http://www.pc.gc.ca/baru) • History Comes Alive at the Bar U… Walk or ride a horse drawn wagon down to the ranch headquarters and tour our historic buildings while learning about the role the Bar U played in shaping the Canadian west.

Dame Kate McKim-Keil, Burmis - Centre Peak High Country Adventures (403.628.2178 or 403.627.7654 or email CPHCA@hotmail.ca)* Trail Rides from May to October * Riding Lessons from October to May * Richard and Kate are 3rd generation ranchers on the DU Ranch and look forward to sharing their experiences along the Livingstone Range.

Dame Janet Sippola, Western Artist - west of  Nanton (403-646-2151 or www.janetsippola.com) * Offers original western art for sale - oil on canvas, greeting cards, cowboy poetry, limited edition prints. Janet's style shows through her experiences on the range . . . real ranch life, born and raised, and eager to showcase these scenes through her artwork.

"Ma" Dame Debbie Webster, S of Chain Lakes – Chimney Rock Bed and Breakfast (403-646-0151 or websterranch@xplornet.ca) • B&B Accommodation, tepee on working cattle ranch • Location for hiking, range/riparian workshops or simple relaxation.

Dame Jennifer White, Stavely area – Oxley Ranche Tours (403-549-2457 or jenwhi@telus.net) • Wagon rides and horseback rides with environmental focus, location for horse clinics.

Dame Jo-Anne Wilson, Nanton - Herbal Healing Inc (403-646-2930 or herbalhealing@shaw.ca or www.herbalhealinginc.com) • Certified organic herbal tea blends and a line of all natural body care products • Facilitator for herbal tea or soap workshops.

Our mission is to invite you to join us in the country: immerse you in the culture of this special place; promote the preservation of our values; honour our heritage and share our unique perspective of these features:

Landscape Awareness: Ranch stewardship; regional eco-systems; effects of riparian and watershed environmental impacts. “Sustainable range provides nutritious forage for livestock and wildlife, has aesthetically pleasing scenery and is environmentally sound; all healthy by-products of responsible stewardship.”  Western Lifestyle: Identify plants, flowers, birds and wildlife; enhance your horsemanship skills; learn from the local ranch-hands about “chores” and the significance of their seasonal routines; how traditional cattle outfits are updating their operations by merging science with practical methods. Rural Appreciation: Learn what makes country-living unique; about the challenges and issues of a modern cowboy. Become acquainted with the time-honoured foundations and origins of a small community. Experience how we work and play, how to relax and what we do for stress relief . . . country-style!

“Not your Momma’s Social Club” is an opportunity to belong to a group with similar interests and receive exclusive notifications of the Dames’ programs and packages offered. Members will get advance invitations to the unique activities offered by the Dames on the Range. Register at jointheclub@damesontherange.ca or contact any of the Dames.

Dames on the Range was established to cross-promote and support our economic community through: Tourism-Accommodations, Activities; Agriculture-Range/Riparian Assessments, Livestock and Wildlife; Environment-Watersheds/Headwaters, Range/Riparian Impacts; Health-Relaxation, Personal Development, Meditation, Exercise; Academia-Education, Awareness of the issues affecting our livelihood and lifestyle.

Dames on the Range

Moderate

Adults and families prepared to explore the western lifestyle - age restrictions for horseback riding

No special skills are necessary. Test new strengths and share new experiences with other novices.

Please note: the walking is fairly easy, with some off trail sections, and a steep stretch that will be taken slowly with stops to enjoy the view. Folks should wear good hiking boots (ankle support), wool socks, non cotton clothing (cotton soaks up the rain, other materials dry quickly), a good rain coat and extra sweater, wool hat and a sun hat - depending on the weather! Bring binoculars, camera, notepad and pen, sunscreen, drinking water and a snack in a small backpack. Submitted by Dame Heidi Eijgel, Alberta Parks.

June 09, 2012

July 14, 2012 - July 15, 2012

August 11, 2012 - August 12, 2012

September 15, 2012

Other Lodging

Costs for each program are identified with each description. Single day get-away packages, to weekend experiences or longer.