© 1999-2005 - Lakeview Plantation / Cedar Knoll - All rights reserved
875 Cedar Knoll Road - Fairfax, SC 29827 Phone: (803) 584-0689
Why should you pay for our assistance?
One of our "Lakeview Plantation Escapees" stated that some of her friends appear to "THINK they can do all this own their own for 2/3 the price," which I of course responded is not true. In fact, if they are capable and have the necessary contacts, they can probably do a similar trip driving to the same states and the same forests for 1/3 the price (to cover camping and stalls), but is it advisable for them to do so? Driving 5,000 miles and checking into layovers on the road or campgrounds near trailheads is fairly simple and straight forward, but identifying layovers and camping areas is only a very small part of the service we provide to our "Escapees."
Will those who do a trip on their own have the benefit of support personnel to assist in the event they need expeditious road side assistance with a flat tire, bad wheel bearing, broken fan belt or leaky radiator hose? US Rider performs a great service, but it may take 3-4 hours for them get to you in many remote areas and if you are off the highway will they be able to assist at all?
Will those who do a trip on their own have support personnel available to provide driving assistance in the event they become ill or need help navigating though a difficult area or backing into a tight, but more desirable parking place? Will they have support personnel to help with other trailer issues…lights, brakes, water heaters, air conditioners, water pumps, broken water lines, broken electric jacks, etc.?
Will they have support personnel available to assist with a horse that is about to colic, needs a shoe, is reluctant to get on a trailer or cross a bold stream, etc.? Will they have support personnel available each day (at the primary riding locations) to lead them safely and directly to the most desirable settings and prepare three outstanding meals per day while providing a real learning experience? Will the guide/cook they hire (if they hire one at an expense $200-300 per day each) be a local native who grew up ranching, training horses, making saddles, and sharing the beauty of his/her "home" with those willing to search them out? We believe that associating with the "real westerners" described above add authentic atmosphere and tremendous quality to our trips, as well as the benefits derived from his/her familiarity with the area in question and the service they provide.
Will those who do a trip on their own invest 200-300 hundred hours of their time to do the needed research to lay out each trip? Do they have the necessary contacts to accomplish our goal of safely seeing the very best scenery in each venue? Will they do enough homework, make enough phone calls, talk to enough people, and hire the right local guides/cooks in order to have a safe, pleasurable experience?
Will the trip they design take best advantage of the considerable time and expense invested and afford them the opportunity to enjoy the very best each area has to offer? Will they "pre-drive" the trip without horses and trailer in order to avoid making a wrong turn with trailer and horses in tow, plus allow them to determine the preferred routes and thus avoid roads that are too steep, too narrow, too rough, or too wet to negotiate? Will they take into account weather patterns, hunting seasons, and other user group patterns in order to avoid untenable or undesirable situations? Will they be faced with "surprises?" "You bet!" Will they make the best use of their time and expense? Probably not. Will they be pleased with those who accompany them and enjoy each and every ride? Probably not. Will a group of friends who begin a trip still be best friends when they return home? Often times not!
In fact, most I have talked to who attempted to do big trips on their own were not totally pleased with the outcome. They did not have the benefit of a guide or a cook. As a result, they did not know where to ride when they arrived at their destinations, got lost or wandered around aimlessly and had to cook for themselves. They therefore were not in a position to best advantage of the time and expense invested, which is precisely why we set out to provide this service. In fact, I would certainly not attempt one of these trips on my own without the safety net afforded by a very capable staff. Further, it would be irresponsible of me not to advise that no one should attempt to make a trip like we provide on their own without a similar support system.
It is gratifying to note that almost all of those who went with us in 2008 to New Mexico, Arizona, and Colorado have traveled on their own extensively and at the same time have expressed an interest in going with us on another trip. One retired senior "professional horse" person has even taken a job at Dollar General in order to earn the money to make another trip, and a retired "horse professional" couple who travel full time with their horses and living quarters trailer are similarly planning on doing another trip with us in 2010. I can only assume that they are doing so because of the security we provide and the quality of the riding experience they were afforded when traveling with us.
The following quote offered by another very experienced "professional" horse person who has traveled extensively upon returning from our trip in June, 2008 probably sums up the general feelings of those who accompanied us best…
"I am still pinning away for the great out west, especially the Gila Wilderness and Chama River Valley. I can't begin to express how wonderful the memories are and how much they have completed my life. I still want to be there, experiencing the views, animals and friendship. What an experience! …… One thing about a trail experience such as the one we went on, it sure spoils everything else. I haven't been able to make myself ride since we got home. It is too hot and no challenge. You are going to have to invent some challenges at Lakeview. Bears, wolves, cliffs, snow, rivers-any of these will do nicely.
Take Care and Thank You Again for Such a "Wonderful Experience."
I guess this validates our claim that, "From trip planning, to roadside assistance, reservations and guides, we are available to assist equestrian adventurers on the trip of a lifetime," which is very rewarding, considering this was written by an educator with an abundance of equine experience.
"If you have dreamed of taking an equestrian adventure and have a trip in mind, let us know and we will do our best to help your dream come true."
Hayward