TestimonialsHi Dana, Alice, Trent, and Taylor, Chelsea and I are back in the swing of things. I took 280 pictures, everyone is amazed at the country and all that we did! Branding ME !!! Who woulda thought!? Anyway, I really don't have the words to tell you all what a wonderful time we had. It was a trip that can compare to no other. My Mom had passed away after a very long battle with Dementia on July 26th. Needless to say I may have skipped it, if not for Chelsea also going. I just felt guilty about going away just after she died, it was hard because my Dad had passed away a few months before very suddenly. Luckily my entire family said it would be good for me. I went away and planned on thinking of nothing except the place and people I was vacationing with. It worked!! I took in every moment, and thought of nothing else. Watching Chelsea enjoy herself so much was a Moms dream, she's a natural on a horse! Me on the other hand, I think held my own, would have liked a portapotty attached to the saddle, and a cup of coffee delivered to my TP though! You couldn't have asked for a nicer group of people, and that food was fantastic. If not for Trent, we may have froze in our tents, tell him thanks again. Taylor was just a joy to ride with, I know you are very proud of your boys, they are wonderful young men. Alice, after seeing the woods, (sorry, timbers as you cowboys call them) there is no way my yoga paints would have held up. Wearing the same paints and not taking a shower for so long is something I never thought I could do, but as long as we all did - what the heck. Some friends back her in NJ still think I'm nuts and couldn't imagine such a trip, but they don't know what they are missing. Thank you so very much! Hanable Keyasko, July 2011 Hi Dana & Alice We would just like to thank you for the most wonderful trip ever on the Sept 11 cattle drive. The whole operation was outstanding, the organising & logistics for you, your family and the team to carry out was phenomenal. The food was unbelievable what those camp ovens turn out is exceptional. We could not have asked for a better group of people to spend our vacation with, we had so much fun. Your horses are amazing and a credit to you and your team. Please feel free to use us as a reference for any Australians interested in your cattle drives Lorraine & Kim Rabbitts, September 2011 Dear Dana, Alice and all the wonderfull people we met in Wyoming. First off all thank you for the most wonderfull week in the mountains. It really was the trip of a lifetime. I will never forget the great nature and all the times we just said: "Wow" because there was a new fantastic view around the next corner: mountaintops- trees- water- animals or simply the very, very, blue sky. And the speciel feeling in the early morning standing around the fire with the hot coffe, watching the sunrise, with the horses grasing around the tents,---I will never forget that. I hope you got all the cattle back home before the snow came in---also the "very few" we missed on the way up. I am sure that after 3-4 years in Wyoming , we will be a little smarter, but not nearly as smart as the cattle, they knew how to make fun of us. Thank You for the DVD it was great to se it all again, and dream back to the great nature and the great people. If You meet "Jackson" out in the mountains, then thank him for having been such a great compagnen and been so patient with me, when I tried to make him take one way down the clif, and he knew, that the other way was much better---and he off course was the smartest; he really was a good friend, and I hope, that he and the other horses enjoy their freedom in the mountains until next season. All the best wishes for a merry x-mas and a happy new year to all -with 2 or 4 legs-, that we met in Bighorn Mountains. Hope to se you again some day. Ann Dupont Denmark July 2010 I have had the good fortune of riding horses along the shores of many foreign lands, riding camels in the blowing sands of the Sahara Dessert in search of an elusive oasis, and riding atop elephants in the steamy jungles of Nepal for an encounter with White Rhinos. However, these unique adventures do not compare to the Double Rafter Cattle Drive (DRCD). Although Wyoming is not an exotic foreign destination, the DRCD has been my most exciting, challenging, 'foreign', and worthwhile life changing experience. Friends ask why would you pay someone for the opportunity to work FOR them? The answers are simple ... the DRCD gives you a glimpse into the history of our country, an understanding of the rancher's life, and an incomparable connection with cattle, horses, and the environment. The rider's classroom is on horseback, surrounded in a sea of cattle, in the midst of spectacular wilderness, with a new adventure awaiting you at every moment. Each day, each hour, is different from the previous one. The unexpected becomes the expected. You have a job to do. You try to do the best that you can, regardless of your riding experience or ability. Why would you want to ride/work for 8 plus hours per day in steep terrain, thick woods, and through rushing streams? Because of the beauty, excitement, and opportunity to prove only to yourself that you can. The talented wranglers assist you when needed, but do not coddle you. You are on the cattle drive to work. The other guests share their excitement along the trail, and at night around the camp fire. The cook staff provide the best cuisine imaginable after a long day in the saddle. With flames blazing in the crisp clean night air, stories are shared, and tales are exaggerated. How fortunate are we all for having had such a most excellent memorable day? Without reservation, the Double Rafter Cattle Drive will change your life, and your perspective on life. Doing and seeing is believing. Challenge and treat yourself to the best that life has to offer ... on the Double Rafter Cattle Drive. A. Erbes, July, 2010 Just wanted to drop a quick line from me and all the film crew to thank you for an amazing adventure. I have filmed all over the world and done a lot of great adventures, but have never experienced any thing like this, I had a chance to glance into history and see what the American spirit truly is. I truly believe that if more American's had a chance to take this trip and witness what hard work friendship and family tradition can do for your soul, we would not be in the situation we are in as a country now. I know we can be a bit of a load but I want to thank all of from the bottom of my heart for accepting us and making us feel so welcome and inviting us to share if only for moment what an amazing life you live and the value of friendship and family. I will always hold this trip close to my heart. Cody D. Skinner, July 2010 Thank you for providing one of the most memorable experiences of my life. I am amazed at the number of lives your family touches through these trips. it is unfortunate that you can't see the ripples that you have made in the water! Your cattle drives are so much more than moving cattle from one place to another-they move people from one place to another. In a weeks time people are moved to places of appreciation and inspiration, places of understanding and reflection and of empathy and connection. We all left with a great respect for the lives that you lead, the lands you protect and the way of life you have preserved for all of us! Heidi Toews, June 2010 Top Ten Reasons Why Camping with Double Rafter is Better than Staying in a Hotel. by H.J. Siegel, July 2010
"Matt Riker, here. One half of the Riker's, from this past clean up ride. I can't tell you how the drive affected my life, for the positive. I have to thank you and Trent, as well as the rest of the Kerns Family for showing us a hospitable and familial time out there in the wild country. My Father and I had never experienced a quest like that before. I was very proud of my Dad, for being a novice and at 67 yrs old, being the oldest, getting through that trip, relatively unscathed! I never stop looking at our pictures, and won't ever forget our time with you." Matt Riker, October 2009 "I have been to many horsemanship clinics and Chris Ellsworth is as good as any of them and better than most of them"! John Barnett, July 2004 Be prepared to have the best week of your life! Jan Henry,Sept 2003 The entire trip is a high. I could write a book about it. Cindy Burke,June 2002 Be prepared to have a lot of fun and the time of your life. Joe Garone,Sept 2003 I was very impressed with how well organized the trip was and accommodating the crew was. I look on this as one of the best things I have ever done. Pat Smith,Sept 2003 Your crew was great, they all had the right can do positive attitude even whilst they are working and we were resting. David McDonald,June 2003 I had a great time on this trip, it was money well spent. The food was superb!!! Patrick Brownell,July 2003 The horses were better than our own-They were wonderful-ours would have freaked out. The trip was perfect for our honeymoon! Kari Points,July 2003 The trip as a whole was very well organized and professionally run. I felt like the trip was a bargain for what I got out of it. Ben Salter,July 2004 The horsemanship clinic was excellent. First cattle drive I went on in Montana they gave you your horse, yelled at you for an hour and off they went. David Schwartz,July 2004 The whole trip exceeded my expectations. Wayne Grove,July 2004 Be prepared to get up early, bring your appetite. It's a real experience-not like you see on TV. Unknown Never has an experience so profoundly affected me. I know I left part of me behind, somewhere between the chill of the rushing river or the warmth of a campfire story. The reward of every challenge was so gratifying. Andrea West,July 2005 The high point was the setting, the highly skilled staff, and the ability to make a mistake and improve with help. It is incredible what you provide for the cost. Bill Klenke,June 2006 The statements on your website are absolutely true and I will be recommending this trip to everyone I know! Rex Rountree---June 2006 At the horsemanship clinic I learned I was doing a lot of things wrong at home. It is more than you can imagine it to be! Debbie Remington,June 2006 If you ever want an experience of a lifetime, a Doubrafter CAttle Drive is a must. Rocky Forsman As my family often says, "We ride for the brand and we love the chance to Mother Up," that's cowboy talk....just go on the trip and you will learn all about it. Joshua Cohen Your website is really good, but no comparison to the real thing. Chet Wyatt It is truly a vacation of a lifetime, just as promised. Monica Powell Another amazing trip. Wild weather - great people - and the best crew ever. Barbwire Just read the Sept 2002 trip report. It was great to re-live the best "vacation" I ever took. Mary Keating, Sept 2002
Doublerafter Cattle Drives
© Copyright 2012 Dana Kerns , All rights reserved. Doublerafter Cattle Drives © Copyright 2012 Dana Kerns , All rights reserved.
|
