December 14, 2011

Howdy!

Travel and Vacations Longer hours at work, less time with the kids, and your summer tan now a distant memory can only mean one thing--winter is in full swing, and the need for a break to spend with family is greater than ever. Ladies and gentlemen, grab your bag and your boots because this week, The Western Vault and its members are taking a close look at worth-while travel and vacation ideas.

A Place in Big Sky Country The Bar W Guest Ranch in Whitefish Montana

(406) 863-9099

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The combination of the expansive Big Sky country backdrop, kindly locals, and nippy waters of Spencer Lake makes retreating to the Bar W Guest Ranch one of the best vacation spots in Montana. The cozy dude ranch spreads over thousands of acres of beautiful Montana countryside and is complete with a 6,200-square-foot lodge, cabin suites, indoor and outdoor horseback-riding arenas, stables, a barn, a play meadow, an entertainment area and a gazebo on the lake. When you're not fishing, hiking, horseback riding, swimming, mountain-biking, testing your archery skills, playing volleyball or shooting clay pigeons, you'll be relaxing to your heart's content. To hear what developer Dave Leishman, as well as many happy ranch-goers, have to say about the Bar W Guest Ranch, visit The Western Vault's blog, where you'll be kept up to date on all member happenin's.

Horse riding is offered year-round at this beautiful dude ranch, which can be found nestled between two pine-covered ridges in scenic Montana.

Relaxation, Recreation, and Real Estate Texas First Real Estate in New Ulm, Texas

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Welcome to Texas First Real Estate, where real estate means you find that perfect piece of property where you can retreat during the chilly months of the year-at least what few chilly days we get here in the South-and enjoy some relaxation and recreation. If you can't find a place to get away, invest in a place to get away. The agents at Texas First Real Estate empower their clients to find real estate that fits all their needs for the right price. Part of what makes Steve and his team so successful is their expertise in country living and pastoral homes, as well as their ability to communicate to buyers and sellers. To hear what the agents at Texas First Real Estate have to say about their commitment to their clients, as well as many rave reviews, visit The Western Vault's blog, where you'll be kept up to date on all member happenin's.

Top-left: Full of history, this 57.-2-acre property in Anderson County also as a beautiful home on it. Top-right: Alvin is home to this 16-acre ranch, with easy access to Houston. Bottom-left: Meadow Hill Farm has nearly 30 sprawling acres for you to enjoy from the gorgeous porch. Bottom-right: The home

on this pastoral property has five bedrooms and 3.5 baths.

Renovation and Repose Antiques on 8 in Houston, Texas

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Bear Paws Trading Post in Brookesmith, Texas

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Let's face it--you can't always drop everything to go on vacation. You can, however, turn your home into your own private paradise by adding to it some great Western pieces. A visit to Antiques on 8 and Bear Paws Trading Post will do the trick. Head to Antiques on 8 to purchase truly unique pieces to give your home an idyllic, rustic feel. You'll find everything from gorgeous grandfather clocks, to couches, to tables, to chandeliers. The store also offers incredible services for pieces you own that need some TLC: restoration, refinishing, repair, and reupholstering. Antiques on 8 offers these services and products because they are, first and foremost, antique enthusiasts.

Investing in an Antiques on 8 piano will bring beauty and music into your home for years to come.

On your trip to Bear Paws Trading Post, grab an authentic Zapotec Indian rug and some matching Southwestern throw pillows to give your living room some warmth, or restock your kitchen with Western plates, cups, and canisters. No matter what you get, you'll know it's good stuff because owner Caren Williams wouldn't have it any other way.

Bear Paws Trading Post has dinnersets that will help you to enjoy some good country cookin'.

Pack Your Bags and Boots Pinto Ranch in Houston, Texas; Dallas, Texas; and Las Vegas, Nevada

(800) 393-8001

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Nettles Country in Madisonville, Texas (800) 729-2234

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The vacation spot has been picked and travel reservations have been made--now to pack your bags! Pinto Ranch and Nettles Country have versatile, high-quality pieces of luggage that will have you traveling in style.

Pinto Ranch has a wide selection of travel bags, from carry-ons, to duffel bags, to field bags. Each of their pieces feature leather straps and are highly durable. The store's luggage section will allow you to find bags for every and any thing you need to take on your trip. If you're in the market for a stylish leather suitcase, look no further than Nettles Country. This store is renowned for its high-quality leather and western wear, but it also sells a beautiful piece of leather luggage. The leather suitcase comes in small and large sizes, and its complete with wheels for easy traveling.

Throw your boots in this Pinto Ranch bag, and then head 'em up and move 'em out.

Word 'Round the Hitchin' Post Hitch your horse for a quick minute and see what everyone's talkin' about this week.

"What's a must-have item at your store people need for their vacation?" "Made for a lifetime of vacations, Filson luggage is practically indestructible."

--The fine folks at Pinto Ranch, discussing the importance of sturdy travel bags and luggage "Straight from the wild West, a classy cowgirl rug is perfect for any room. [Also,] made [our] beautiful lamp comes with the best rawhide shade available."

--Your friends at Colorado Cowgirls, talking about items that will turn your home into a getaway "Be different and wear the best fashion felt hat on the market."

--The cowboys and cowgirls at Living Western, encouraging you to take along a great hat on your vacation

Cowboy Christmas at Enchanted Springs Ranch Where is it? Enchanted Springs Ranch 242 Highway 46 West Boerne, Texas When is it? Saturday, December 17 - Sunday, December 18 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. What's happenin'? Experience the Christmas season Old West style! Enjoy all the shows on site, like the Pistol Packin' Paula Show, Texas' Night Before Christmas, and a puppet show. Tractor rides through a wild animal park are also available, along with an educational children's playground, train rides, a rock climbing wall, and tons more. The event will be servin' up some cowboy stew and cornbread, too. General admission is $14 for adults, $12 for military and seniors, $7 for kiddos aged 3-12, and free for kiddos under under the age of 3. For more information, call (830) 249-8222, extension 202. Get more information about upcomin' events at The Western Vault's calendar.

Hats, Boots, and Bodysuits RCC Western Stores in Rapid City, South Dakota

(605) 342-5223

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RCC Western Stores has slashed prices on all the goods! The company's Ariat youth cowboy boots (pictured below) are perfect for boys or girls serious about about riding or living the cowboy life. RCC Western Stores has also cut prices on the Old West women's cowboy boots (the third good-lookin' boot from the left), Wrangler Girl's plaid bodysuit, and Rodeo King fur and felt cowboy hat. Don't forget to check out RCC Western Store's Christmas Gift Guide, which outlines all the perfect gifts for everyone from horse-lovers to camo-lovers, from gifts for coyboys to cowgirls, and everything in between.

RCC Western Stores has become one of America's foremost Western apparel and boot retailers.

Kicks for the Kiddos on Sale Boot Baby Ranch in Coleman, Texas

(325) 669-2292

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Western lifestyle isn't just for Mom and Dad--shoot no! The kids can get "duded up," too, and it's even easier to do so with Boot Baby Ranch's sale. The store's youth boots are made with high-quality leather, just like Mom and Dad's.

You will be sure to have fast feet in the arena or on the dance floor with these cute boots!

New Inventory Be sure to check out all members' new inventory. There are some great deals and products coming out now. Here's a preview of what you'll find (and what you're going to love).

Navajo Cuff by White Buffalo Southwest

Pine Burl Cap Vessel by Rendezvous West

Our Members

Aaron Sanchez Sculpture Andy & Aaron Sanchez

Antiques on 8 The Arrangement

Appaloosa Trading Company Bar W Guest Ranch

Barranada Shirt Company Bear Paws Trading Post

Boot Baby Ranch Carol K

Cattle Kate Chuck's Woodbarn Colorado Cowgirls

Courtney & Company Creative Branch

Cowboy Outfitters Craig Bergsgaard Studios

D&D Farm and Ranch Dave Alexander

Debi Lynn Designs Deitra Robertson Real Estate, Inc.

Desert Raven Art Desperado Couture

Diamond 57 Cowboy Boot Purses Diamond M Ranch Designs - Plum Sassy Cowgirls

Gulf Coast 4 Star Trailers H. Clay Dahlberg

The Hat Store Hones Design Studio Jack Terry Fine Art

James Ayers Studios

Jerry Baird's Gourmet Seasonings Jewelry by Day

La Coda Art La Mujer Studio

Leather Braiding by John Leddy's Ranch at Sundance

Libby Koch Living Western

Lone Star Outlaws M.L. Leddy's

Madole Spurs Neighcessories Nettles Country Out West Gifts Patricia Wolf Pinto Ranch

RCC Western Stores Red Star Riggings Rendezvous West

RND Rustics Silver Mountain Furniture Company

South Texas Saddlery South Texas Tack

Steve Devenyns Fine Art & Limited Edition Prints

Tejas Custom Boots Templeton Thompson

Texas Ridem Tres Rios Silver

The Western Diva

"Happy trails to you, until we meet again. Happy trails to you. Keep smilin' until then."

Emily Luza

Marketing Director (713) 661-6300

emily@thewesternvault.com

Jennifer Kimrey

Content Writer (713) 661-6300

Linda Galayda Advisory Board (713) 661-6300

linda@thewesternvault.com

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