This is an incredible tale of the natural talent and fearless mind-set of the Walter family. An adventure of a lifetime unfolds for a lively house full of eleven children growing up in Saskatchewan, Canada. Their father lures them to upstate New York and begins the new concept of Dude Ranching. Horseback riding and rodeo competition became their new way of life shared with countless "City Slickers". Some Dude Ranch guests returned year after year. Some never left and became part of the extended family. The Walter family entertained famous and not so famous guests with the same warm hospitality, celebrating life with each one. Don’t miss this amazing journey with the Walter family making Dude Ranch history.
Irene Walter Knapp and Doreen Walter Sloan are the only surviving members of the amazing Walter family, who were pioneers in the Eastern Dude Ranch business. Their vivid memories paint a remarkable portrait of the dude ranch lifestyle they experienced growing up. With Irene, given the job of guest reservations and registration at the age of 18 along with costume design for the rodeos on the side and Doreen taking on jobs such as stock tending at age 12 and later entertaining at rodeos as a Trick Rider, they are considered quite knowledgeable about the family business. Together, they have cataloged an enormous library of vintage photos depicting the life of a Dude Ranch guest and the family behind the hospitality.
My first memory of Cimerron takes me back to when I was nine years old. We
were living in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. I would sit on my bed with a
pamphlet of the Cimerron Guest Ranch. It was full of detailed sketches of
the ranch, depicting the four seasons. It was like a dream world to this
little girl. I could imagine myself skiing down the hill by the barn. I also
wondered how many horses that barn could hold? I had no idea of what a rodeo
field was for, and for that matter, tennis courts. Pictures of a beautiful
Western Town and a lake down the slope from the main house just took my
breath away.
The next year we took off for this new life by Greyhound bus; Mom, Dad,