D Date was double the fun – Dairy Farm and Dude Ranch!

Both very country and something we’ve been wanting to do for a while. It started in Lincoln at a local family-run dairy farm called Long Dream Farm. On the weekends they lead small groups to tour the area and they also run an AirBnb where you can stay for an extended time in case you wanted to fulfill your dream of living on a farm.

The tour was led by the family’s 12-year old daughter, who was quite the expert on the animals. They started with having us watch the cows get milked by machines and allowed us to help milk them ourselves to learn how it was done in the ol’ fashioned days. Our tour guide also introduced us to their 100 chickens and roosters, horses, lamas, and ostriches. They shared how the farm makes their own milk and cheese and they actually sold everything at the end too!

The Dude Ranch experience was a week later at Bar SZ Dude Ranch out by Pinnacles National Park which is a running ranch that also hosts weddings and large events. Know anyone looking for their next wedding venue or family reunion venue?!

What a cool experience to escape to the country! It’s like you’ve been transported to an old western town and enjoy the simple pleasures in life like s’mores around a campfire. No cell service. No computers.

We enjoyed waking up early to help the ranch hands feed the animals and brush the horses before they went out, while learning about what it takes to run a ranch. They even had two week-old baby goats that we were able to cuddle with.  The owners were the friendliest and really let you feel involved and welcomed there.

In the afternoon we went for a stroll via horseback riding through the ranch with a small group of friends. There was also archery, pool, darts, tractor rides, and range shooting going on at the ranch all day long too. Never a dull moment!  We also learned anyone can camp there if the cabins are rented out, so we’re planning on going back and exploring the national park next time we visit.

Here’s some other D Date ideas to get you inspired…

Dave n’ Busters, Dueling Pianos, Dancing Lessons or Dancing Night Out, Drive-In Movie, Double Date, Dominos, Donating, DIY, Distillery, Driving Range, Dapper/Dressing Up, Darts, Debut, Deck, Decorate, Dodgeball, Downtown, Dog Park, Diving (sky or sea), Donuts, Dude Ranch, Dapper, Dog, Disneyland, Disc Golf, Dog-Sledding, Dining, Danger, Drinks, Dining Car, Dine Downtown Sacramento, Delivery, Delta, Depart, Disco, Discover, Dirt Bike, Descend, Dessert, Desert, Destination, Detour, Dune Buggy, Drone Flying, Driving Range, Draw, Drama, Drag Show, and Double-Decker…