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A Hill Country Destination Resort Working Ranch With Lots of Water
| Sleeps | 14 |
| Bedrooms | 2 |
| Bathrooms | 2 |
| Space | 1,200 sq. ft. |
| Property type | lodge |
| Minimum Stay | 3 nights |
Overview
A comfortable bunkhouse great for families and friends who appreciate nature.
Check out the Riachuelo Ranch Web Link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiJGE3-UyOY and our web site <www,riachueloranch.com>
Also note that we have another vrbo listing (our Creek House) Property #562812.
The Lodge at Riachuelo Ranch is ideal for groups who would like a working ranch outdoor experience with lots of room to spread out and enjoy nature at its finest.
And, we also have the Creek House ( property # 562812) which allows us to accommodate even larger groups.
The Lodge itself is for gathering, eating and sleeping. Then there is a wonderful deck abobe a flagstoned patio by a rushing spring and wading pond..
For most of those that stay with us, this is home base for endless activity. The big attraction here is an outdoor, ranch experience. You will be able to relax, read, swim, hike, fish, shoot, explore, or visit with nature. That is what keeps them coming back.
This is not just a five star place to stay, we offer more that just clean sheets, soap and towels. Out on the patio is a fire ring with plenty of fire wood and a BBQ pit surrounded by plenty of seating. Just above the patio is an ample deck with a gas grill, tables and more comfortable seating. Relax and read from our ample library or chat with the others you have gathered around you.
The house is just yards from several small spring fed lakes that teem with worm eating perch, bottom living catfish and lots of large mouth bass many of which have been caught a number of times no doubt, due to our catch and release policy which allows you to keep only those that are less than 15' long. Eat all the perch and catfish that you are skilled enough to catch.
The house itself has two bedrooms, two baths, the kitchen and a laundry with a washer and dryer. The master bedroom has a queen size bed and a set of bunk beds. The bunk room has two sets of bunk beds. Each bedroom has a small closet. In the living area there are two bunk beds and two couches that fold out into queen sized beds.
The kitchen is well stocked and equipped to handle the crowd. There is a barbecue pit on the tree shaded patio for outdoor open pit and grill cooking and on the deck is a gas grill if that is your preference. You have two patio tables with chairs and a seat height stone wall to accommodate the crowd and on the patio there is a masonry fire ring where our guests often gather around at night with their feet to the fire, roast hot-dogs or marshmallows or listen to tall tales. There are stacks of cut firewood all over the ranch and you are free to gather as much as you want to burn and we burn a lot.
A rock lined wading pond adjacent to the flagstone patio which has been watered by a rocked in spring that it is said was once just off the back porch of the original homesteaders house but has now slowed to a trickle in the drought. Pray for rain.
The park-like setting is next to several spring fed lakes surrounded by trees with overlooking cliffs in the background. There are 1,200+ acres over which you are free to walk or ride for miles through meadows and woods.
If you have horses, we have a riding ring and a corral as well as a fine tack room. Your animals and all of your tack will be safe when they are not in use. Or maybe you have ATVs. You will not run out of interesting trails to explore in any case.
The spring-fed lakes give birth to over half a mile of rock-strewn tree-lined stream ripe for wading and exploring. Fishing anyone? Bring your rods and try your skill. Large mouth black bass over 11 inches and under 15 inches are OK to bring back to be eaten, but all over 15 inches are 'catch and release' only and many well over 20' have been landed and live to be caught another day.
We have a first class shooting range well away from the housing and situated in a tight valley and is backed by a steep bluff. The shooting stands are tree shaded and under roof with gun stands and two concrete topped rest tables with adjustable height benches with a stand up table built in between them. If you need to sight in your guns there are sand bags, padded block rests rests as well as a commercial adjustable two point rest if you want to get it dead on. Bring your your own targets and remember to pick them up when you are finished for the day. We like to have the whole ranch clean. Down range there are celotex target boards at 27' for pistols as well as 25, 50, 100 and 200 meters, so enjoy, but remember that safety is our first concern so follow a strict set of safety rules. If your preference is shotguns, there are a couple of flingers for clay pigeons. Again, pick up after yourself.
We do not allow 'plinking' around the property.
When you are here you can enjoy a freedom to roam that you seldom experience or even dream about if you live in a city or even where you can see another person, house, or building.
Your hosts house is on a high bluff overlooking the lakes and the Lodge in the valley far below. We are up in years but young in spirit and are eager to share our wealth of freedom and nature with any who respect the land and would like to drink from our cup.
About Bernard Syfan
Bernard's family came to the Hill Country for vacations and weekends since his parents came here on their honeymoon in 1915 via train and buggy. He likes to say that he has been coming to the hills since before he was born and has spent the best part of his life here.
When he got out of business in California and came home from sailing for five years of sailing from Seattle to Turkey and back to the US it was to 'the hills' where his heart had always resided.
All of his family was here and his roving the world was put aside. He decided to settle down and ranch.
Bernard's grandfather established the first vacation subdivision in Kerr County on the Guadalupe river and his parents had their honeymoon there in 1915 after a three day train and buggy ride to 'the hills' as we always called it.
Bernard likes to say that he has been coming to the hills since before he was born which was in 1926. After a stint in the navy he graduated from Texas A&M with a BS in Civil Engineering, He worked as an engineer, builder and developer until 1983 when he went sailing on his five year Odyssey. When he came 'home' it was to 'the hills' where his heart had always resided.
Rosalie grew up in California & Oregon. In Beaverton, OR she took classes in appreciation of literature, worked as a hairdresser & taught dancing. She lived in the Los Angeles area for 42 yrs. Rosalie was president of the Hidden Hills Community Theater for four years and was instrumental in starting their children's theater program. She is a past president of the Valley Chapter of Jonsson Cancer Center Foundation, which raises seed money for cancer research at UCLA. She took classes at a local college & made the Deans list for three years. She also had a jewelry business for 20 yrs. In 2005 she moved to Kerrville, Texas where she met & married Bernard 2013. Her most recent accomplishment was publishing her book 'Destruction of Innocence', a memoir by Rosalie Hollingsworth is a must read.
Bernard Syfan purchased this lodge in 1976
Why Bernard Syfan chose Texas
Bernard liked this particular property because of its character, uniqueness and potential for conversion from a brush and cactus tangled old ranch into a self supporting, productive and park-like place of serene beauty.
The naturally stocked lakes and ponds yield up plenty of fish. Black bass are put back if they are under 11' or over 15'. We are sure that many of the over 20' bass have been caught a number of times. Eat all of the mid-sized bass, catfish and bluegills you are skilled enough to catch.
What makes this lodge unique
If you stay with us Lodge, you will you will be in an atmosphere of quit serenity surrounded by nature where you can pick up a book or stroll along the creek or hike over miles of ranch roads and trails. There are lots of books on the shelf. Just pick one up and read. You can sit on the shaded deck and enjoy listening to the out of doors.
The Lodge its self is an ideal place for a gathering of families or groups that want to just get away and be with each other, away from civilization and the hustle and bustle of city life. It is not fancy. If that is what you want, then check out our Creek House on VRBO listing number 562812.
Amenities
Mountain Home Lodge Accommodation and Amenities
- lodge
- Guests provide their own meals
- 1200 sq. ft.
- Max. occupancy: 14
- Minimum Age Limit for Renters ...
- pets considered
- Events Allowed
- children welcome
- non smoking only
- Beachfront ...
- Lake View ...
- Lakefront ...
- Mountain View ...
- Resort ...
- Rural ...
- Village ...
- Water View ...
- Waterfront ...
- Air Conditioning
- Clothes Dryer
- Hair Dryer
- Heating
- Internet
- Iron & Board
- Linens Provided
- Living Room ...
- Parking
- Telephone ...
- Towels Provided
- Washing Machine
- Coffee Maker
- Dishes & Utensils
- Dishwasher
- Kitchen ...
- Microwave
- Oven
- Refrigerator
- Stove
- Toaster
- Dining Area
- seating for 8 people
- 2 Bathrooms
-
Bathroom 1 -
toilet
,
combination tub/shower
,
shower
Bathroom 2 - toilet , shower
- 2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 14
-
Bedroom 2 -
4 bunk bed
Bedroom 1 - 1 queen , 2 bunk bed
Living area - 2 queen , 2 bunk bed , Living room has two couches that make into queen beds.
- Living room has two sofa beds and one set of bunk beds.
- Books
- DVD Player
- Satellite / Cable
- Television
- Deck / Patio
- Outdoor Grill
- Communal Pool ...
- churches
- cinemas
- health/beauty spa
- library
- live theater
- playground
- restaurants
- water parks
- winery tours
- antiquing
- bird watching
- boating
- eco tourism
- horseback riding
- paddle boating
- scenic drives
- shopping
- sight seeing
- walking
- wildlife viewing
- ATM/bank
- Babysitter
- fitness center
- groceries
- hospital
- laundromat
- massage therapist
- medical services
- basketball court
- cycling
- equestrian events
- fishing
- fly fishing
- freshwater fishing
- golf privileges optional
- hiking
- hunting
- jet skiing
- kayaking
- mountain biking
- rafting
- rock climbing
- spelunking
- swimming
- tennis
- water tubing
Reviews
Wonderful!
4.9/5 -
(13 traveler reviews)
What a wonder vacation
What can I say but absolutely lovely; the Syfan's and their property. My son in law lives in the city and does not get to shoot his guns very often so he spent two days with his wife and son on the shooting range happy as a lark. I saw most of the birds that I was told about plus hummingbirds on the beautiful bell flowers. My nephew and his wife brought their telescope. We went up the hill and OH MY... what a site. You don't see stars in the city like that ever. His brother and girlfriend enjoyed the paddle boat and the infinity pool was wonderful. My husband enjoyed his usual sit on the porch and relax along with much needed rest and sleep and I slept like a baby in your very nice and clean ranch house. There were 10 of us and we had plenty of room. The kitchen is so functional you never had too many hands in the way so we all pitched in and cooked or helped and ate like kings. My husband who is an air conditioning/refrigerator man told me to tell you that if/when we visit again he would be more than happy to move the air conditioning unit away from the house for cheap. It would really enhance the ambiance of the porch and deck. And by the way, yeah!!! for the rain that came just before we arrived. I loved your place and will pass the word.
Pure Heaven!
We booked the ranch to celebrate my 40th birthday with a group of adults. To say we had a wonderful time is an understatement. I could write pages and pages on the magic of the property. It is obvious that the owners cherish their land and take care of everything on it with great pride. When we arrived we were greeted by Bernard and Rosalie (and their 2 adorable dogs) and were taken to see the cabin. Rosalie showed us around the house while Bernard told us about the property. The cabin was fully stocked with everything you could possibly need! The swimming hole is the most amazing piece of heaven. Crystal clear and just beautiful! The next day Bernard took a few of us out to see the goats and more of the ranch, what an adventure! A ride on his TREX is an experience not to be missed. I will cherish the memories we made that weekend, long evening chats on the porch under the stars, cooking great meals in the huge kitchen and spending all day relaxing in the pool. Bernard and Rosalie are the sweetest hosts and go out of their way to make sure your stay is perfect. (Rosalie even left us a nice gift basket with wine and cheese and other goodies!). The cabin is rustic but you honestly have everything you need and if you need anything else Bernard and Rosalie are just a phone call away. That said, if you are craving privacy and quiet, there is plenty! The hosts make it clear that they are there if you need them but won't bother you if you prefer to go it alone. Their home is on the property but not close to the cabin. I am just completely in love with this ranch and the wonderful people who own it. I hope to someday bring my kids as the ranch is the perfect place for children to romp and play and explore outside. No matter the occasion, I guarantee if you book this stay, you will not regret it! Thank you for the memories Bernard and Rosalie.
Great for families!
We had a fantastic time at the Riachuelo Ranch. Kids (and adults) enjoying fishing, swimming in the natural spring pool, playing volleyball and other sports. It was hot in August as expected, but the pool cooled us off. Wonderful trails for hiking as well. Rosalie and Bernard were very hospitable. Jeff, the ranch manager, went above and beyond to show the kids a few good Texas traditions. Good time had by all!
Relaxing time for the adults, adventure time for the kids
My wife and I enjoyed our stay of four days and nights. Everything was just the right pace, the cabin was nice enough but the outdoors stole the show, the spring, the swimming hole, the stars at night, and the 1200 acres to wander. Very nice!
Beautiful, peaceful property with lots of adventures to be had!
Our family of 5 spent 5 days at the ranch in July. Our kids are 10,9 and 6. Upon our arrival Bernard and Rosalie welcomed us into their home to complete check in. To our surprise they loaded our 3 kids in their "Polaris" and headed to the lodge. My husband and I enjoyed a nice peaceful ride following behind them! The Lodge was very nice and clean.Rosalie had prepared a welcome basket of wine, cheese, fruit and snacks! It's feels bigger than it looks in pictures. The leather sofas are clean and comfortable with plenty of room to spread out. The kitchen is totally stocked with lots of counter top space. The bedroom linens are good quality and the beds are comfortable. You will find ample closet space and drawers to unpack in. The bathrooms are clean with good water pressure. The house it very well taken of. No dust on the baseboards or window seals. (I'm usually cleaning when we check into VRBO's.) The view from the deck is amazing you can hear the waterfall rushing and it lends to kid play! Our kids caught crawfish, raced tin foil boats and floated the shallow natural pool! Bernard gave us a tour of the ranch and called the goats so we could feed them! We drove over to feed them everyday, my kids loved it! The lodge is walking distance from the beautiful swimming hole-which we spent a lot of time at. The swimming hole has a nice wood deck with two rubber tubes for floating and nice lounge chairs. There is also a crystal clear creek for catching tadpoles and exploring.
Our family also enjoyed hiking, climbing the rock cliff and fishing. My husband and the kids used the shooting range daily. It's also nicely done with targets set at a variety of ranges. I enjoyed running and the change in elevations. The volleyball court is shaded, they even provide a ball. Take your camera there are many family photo ops! The ranch is a gem. They have taken great measures to preserve the integrity of the natural surroundings and create a space that's explorable and beautiful. Every stone is perfectly placed, every detail tended to! I highly recommend staying at this 5 star ranch. Before our trip was over we were already planning our next visit! Prior to arriving we had plans to travel into Hunt to explore, but we found no need to leave the ranch! Our only outing was to Criders rodeo and dance which is about 30 minutes away but well worth the experience! Thank you both for creating and sharing this beautiful place!
Full of life!
This is a great place for families! Lots of frogs, black squirrels, turkeys, fish and fun adventures!
Map
We think that once you see this park-like 1200 acre Ranch with its canyons, lakes and streams and the Western opulence of natural beauty, you will want to stay right here and enjoy a quite relaxing visit with nature and plenty of things to experience within walking distance.
We offer a big sky view of the stars as you roam the ranch in the evening or just relax and enjoy the beauty at hand.
If you have horses, bring them along and ride the endless trails on the ranch through canyons and among the oak trees or across the expanse of grassy meadow lands. We have a good coral and ring to hold your mounts when they are not under saddle and a fine tack room to keep your tack out of the weather.
Don't forget just old fashioned walking. Take to the many ranch roads or stroll up the tree-lined creek looking for minnows, frogs or fossils that are evidence that the limestone formations that you walk on were once an ocean bed eons ago.
Many of our inquirers have asked if we have a comfortable place to go swimming. Now we have a 40' x 50' x 5' deep Swimming Hole. It is nestled against a concrete dam/retaining wall and against a steep limestone bluff. The pool is enclosed by a wall with 40 feet of infinity edge, a small sand beach next to the bluff on one end and an 9' x 25' willow tree shaded deck at poolside against the existing dam.
The water that tops the infinity edge is gathered and directed to the downstream corner of the pool where it trickles down steep boulder waterfall features.
This is new and ready for the summer fun. We are sure that anyone that strolls up the creek will be enticed to just sit a while at poolside and enjoy the quiet flow of natural spring water as it makes its way on down the creek.
If you chose to wonder the area there are many interesting places to go and things to do. The giant Cyprus trees that line the Guadalupe River make the river one of the Hill Country's crowning glories, 20 minutes drive along the river to Hunt there is a restaurant called Elaine's Table, a good place to dine as you view the flowing river and dam. As you approach the city of Hunt you can chose either of the two fork of the Guadalupe river for a scenic drive. Either forks is defiantly a photo opportunity drive. The Guadalupe River originates in this area with the man.
But most of our guests stay right here on the ranch. There is privacy, solitude and plenty to experience close at hand.
Photos
Rates & Availability
- Available
- Unavailable
Additional information about rental rates
| Cleaning Fee | $200 |
| Pet Fee | $200 |
| Damage Deposit | $1,000 |
The Standard Rate covers ten (10) guests. Additional guests over ten will be charged $50 per person, up to four, for the stay, not per night.
The Pet Fee covers two (2) dogs maximum.
Check in time is 4:00 pm, check out time is 10:00:am. We can be flexible on this if there are no reservations on the days before and after your stay.
Owner's Cancellation Policy
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