This big ol’ crazy world gets feeling pretty small and beautiful sometimes. 

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I LOVE my job and am so grateful for the opportunities that come from and through it. Fortunately, some of this work time recently was spent in the tiny town of Parkfield, CA fueled by the V6 Ranch and the Varian family.

A springtime weekend full of blue skies, good horses, great food, and new friends with the familiarity of old ones is good for the soul in any capacity; but having the privilege of documenting it? Even more fulfilling.

To meet so many V6 regulars on my time at the March ‘Dude Ranch Weekend‘ attests to their values the minute a conversation begins. The majority of the weekend’s guests had made many a trip to the ranch, and sung praises of the entire experience, fondly recounting stories and memories. The attention to detail and design is a family effort. Not a corner of any room on Parkfield’s map is carelessly constructed or lacking detail and charm. The care for the preservation and charisma, for igniting a genuine California Cowboy experience, is incredibly executed.

The riding and LAND is a whole other thing of beauty. Their string of horses is rounded up for the riders, and each horse carefully matched to meet the riders abilities. We had folks of all ages (including kiddos) on our crew, and each horse was fit to handle its mount.

Riding through their ranchland, it’s an overwhelming array of hillsides, terrain from lush oak trails to riverbed washes, lakes, wildflowers, cattle roaming, and various buildings & landmarks that hold history and significance to the Varian family.

Being in the position I’m in, and being a horse owner and lifelong equestrian, I have been blessed to ride in many states, terrains, and with many different humans and horses. I am thankful to have added the V6 Ranch to that list, I could have stayed and ridden forever.

I am beyond thankful for the Varian family & their hospitality, for the charm of Parkfield, for the preservation of California family ranching, and for this ever growing “small” community I hold so dear to my heart.

Their calendar is extensive and offers a wide range of experiences, but I cannot recommend a dinner at the Parkfield Cafe or a ride on the V6 ranch strongly enough. Hope to be back in those magnificent hills and cozy cafe room soon.