We’re glad you’re coming.
What to expect during your stay at Hawkeye
Spiritual Life
It is easy to pray at Hawkeye. We schedule time for morning prayer and an evening Rosary, and there are abundant opportunities for personal quiet time. A priest is a necessary part of your group, and as such, Hawkeye will feature daily Mass and opportunities for confession. Certain priests may also offer meditations and times for adoration. Check with your week’s anchor family about Mass on arrival and departure days, which is usually provided at the ranch for your convenience.
Main Pursuits
At Hawkeye, much time will be spent teaching horsemanship and riding on horseback (Western style). Other activities include hiking, fly fishing, archery, skeet shooting, gardening, yard games, pickleball, tubing in the river, and the simple solitude of the outdoors. We have a bonfire most nights and families can take an optional trip to the Cody Rodeo or Buffalo Bill Museum, both of which are about 50 minutes away. We ask members of each family to consider taking on small responsibilities that help in the upkeep of the ranch. Each day you may sign up for as many or as few ranch chores as you’d like.
What to Bring
Guests will benefit from comfortable clothing suitable for outdoor activities in Wyoming. The weather in Wyoming can get chilly in the morning and evening (45 degrees is not uncommon), so a jacket is suitable even in July. Afternoons are dry, and occasional flashes of rain are usually brief but heavy. Temperatures can climb into the upper 80s. Bring jeans, hats, slacks and shorts, long and short sleeved shirts (non-cotton is best), a bathing suit, tennis or hiking shoes, a rain jacket and your best cowboy outfit. The sun at 6,400’ is strong! Sun protection, sunglasses and hats are a must. Bug spray is helpful depending on the time of year. Dinner is informal, though during your stay we’ll provide at least one upscale evening of cocktails and a finer meal, where nicer attire is welcome.
Guests planning to ride horses (generally those age 8 and above) need to bring appropriate riding attire. Boots are a must, and cowboy boots (mid-calf) are best. They should have about an inch or more heel to keep your foot in the stirrup, smooth soles, and no laces. Many guests choose to wear western wear when riding for authenticity, but all guests should bring long pants for riding (jeans are best). If you wish to wear a riding helmet, please bring one.
One or two day packs per family is nice for carrying lunch and water on hikes. Please bring one water bottle per person with a name written on it. Please also bring toiletries for yourself and your family.
We provide highchairs and pack-n-plays. Should you need a baby monitor or anything similar, please pack it. We have basic first aid and medicine on-site. Laundry is available for guests after 4:30pm.
Safety
Hawkeye is home to many children during the summer. Please remember that unless they are in an organized activity with a staff member, they will need to be supervised by you! There is water on the property (a pond and a fast-moving river), and bears live in the woods just outside. Please stay safe!
Connectivity
The Hawkeye experience is intentionally unplugged. Lack of guest internet access is a feature, not a flaw. Our pristine wilderness location brings the potential for elevated experiences and conversations for guests who are fully present to each other. Deliberately omitting cellphone connectivity is a sure way to guarantee the preconditions of spiritual renewal. Only staff have access to the internet at Hawkeye, which they will occasionally access in private, when their jobs require it. On your behalf, they can check on flight status and help handle any unexpected urgent situations that might arise. If your family or work would like an emergency contact number, they can reach you at (307) 899-0992.
Meals
We provide three meals per day, twice daily coffee, and tea and snacks in our outdoor dining room. Common dietary restrictions can be accommodated if, before your arrival, you communicate them to your Anchor Family. If your children have any beloved snacks that they simply can’t do without, consider packing them. We are 50 minutes away from a supermarket!
Horseback Safety Information
There is no better way to experience Wyoming’s spectacular rugged landscape than from the back of a horse. In a short time, you will form a relationship with your horse, and you will quickly become friends with the Hawkeye wranglers, who are devoted to seeing each guest safely progress in horsemanship. Each guest will be assessed and determined fit for riding based on certain physical requirements, including height and weight. These rules and guidelines are written with your safety in mind.
For a positive horseback experience, there are several things to keep in mind. Riding is a sport, just like tennis or skiing. You are a participant, not a passenger, so when you ride, be riding all the time. Be aware of your horse and what you are doing. A horse has a mind; it will use it. Learn to guide your horse safely. A nice, pleasant walk is suitable for most of the rides from the Hawkeye Ranch. Please let your wrangler determine which trails and areas are appropriate for trotting and loping. Control is the key factor, not just "staying on”.
As an animal of flight, the horse is startled by sudden movements, loud noises, and unfamiliar objects. Don't throw or pass things (hats, cameras, etc.) to or from a horse. Please ask the wrangler to stop if you want to put on or remove a jacket or slicker; dismount for this process. If you would like to take pictures, ask the wrangler to stop.
Don't follow the horse ahead of you too closely. A horse finds tailgating about as annoying as you do and he may kick. A good following distance is at least a horse length. Don't pass your wrangler. He is up front to maintain control of the ride and to watch for things that might spook or be a hazard to you or your horse.
Don't let your horse eat or graze on the trail. Just one mouthful leads to many more.
Cowboy boots (slip-on, not lace-up) are required for horseback riding. They should have smooth soles and an inch or more heel. Tennis shoes and hiking boots are dangerous in a stirrup and do not have the correct type of sole or heel to be considered safe for riding in a western saddle.
Horseback riding is an inherently dangerous sport. Please research information regarding helmet use and equestrian safety. If you would like to wear a helmet, please bring one.
Please ask questions before leaving for a ride if you have any doubt about reining and controlling your horse. If you feel that you need extra riding instruction, wranglers will be happy to arrange additional lessons for you. We can assure you’ll grow in horsemanship by riding 4-5 days in the span of a week. We can also assure that you’ll experience some kind of saddle soreness. Wranglers can minimize discomfort in the saddle, but not eliminate it. Learning how to push through the inevitable aches and pains of riding is part of the Western experience. In reality, any feeling of discomfort will be dwarfed by the joy of being immersed in the stunning terrain of the Southfork Valley.
