Day Trips
By Gerald E. McLeod, Fri., May 23, 2003
"This place has some pretty remarkable characteristics," says Charlie Ogilvie, the owner and host of the 600-acre ranch. The retired radiologist is more than happy to lead guests on guided tours of the hiking trails meandering through the thick forest that covers most of the property.
Studying nature has been a lifelong hobby and interest of the 85-year-old Eagle Scout who used to run in marathons and triathlons and still stays in remarkable condition. "We have a lot of experts visit here," Ogilvie says. Botanists have found on the property three species of carnivorous plants and a wildflower never seen in Van Zandt County.
"One advantage of the ranch is the wetlands," Ogilvie says. Besides the lake, there are three ponds on the ranch. The Audubon Society conducted a census a few years back and found seven American alligators on the property. Native to this part of the state, the alligators don't pose a serious threat to guests who keep their distance. Swimming is discouraged. Ogilvie says the creatures are quite transitory, and the best place to see one is at Beaver Pond.
After moving to Dallas from Missouri in 1942, the Ogilvies knew they wanted to retire to East Texas. When Charlie and his wife Reva purchased the property in the 1960s, none of the land had been cleared. A bank owned the ranch and planned to turn it into a hunting lodge.
"I'm the kind of person who sees the potential in things," Ogilvie says. "Before I even toured the property, I knew this place really had potential."
The Ogilvies moved to East Texas in 1973 and raised registered Brangus cattle for about 10 years. A friend, who had just completed a guidebook on bed & breakfast accommodations, suggested renting out their guesthouse. Until illness forced her to turn over the business to son Brian, Reva provided breakfast that included her prize-winning fresh breads.
The Dogwood Cottage was the original guesthouse. "It's everybody's favorite," Ogilvie says. Built on a steep hill, it has two bedrooms, a small living room and kitchen, and a porch that overlooks the spring-fed lake.
The Lakota Lodge is the largest of the three cabins and is the closest to the playground and the paddleboat. The porch makes an ideal outdoor dining area and is often used by groups, Ogilvie says.
Outside the door of the Trailhead Cabin are two of the eight hiking trails. The newest of the cabins also comes with two bedrooms, kitchen, and boat dock. Although the cabins don't have telephones, they do have televisions, VCRs, and a copy of the video, "A Walk With Charlie."
Of the trails, the Beaver Pond Loop is Ogilvie's favorite. The winding footpath goes through an area filled with several different types of native ferns, some 6 feet tall.
Besides the activities at the ranch, Ogilvie says that this area of the county is great for bicyclists. "We have a number of well-maintained county roads that don't have a lot of traffic," he says.
In addition to the three cabins, the ranch has a campground in the woods with a large covered pavilion that is perfect for groups. The two screened shelters are on the lake, but the two bunk beds in each one are small. A third primitive campground is accessible only by a hike.
At Arc Ridge Guest Ranch just about everything is furnished except the food. The cabins are $95 on weekday nights and $90 on weekends with a two-night minimum, single or double occupancy with additional charges for extra persons. Each cabin sleeps at least six, and dogs are welcome for an extra charge in the Dogwood Cottage. For information, call the Bed & Breakfast Texas Style reservation service at 800/899-4538 or visit the ranch's Web site at www.arcridge.com.
624th in a series. Day Trips, Vol. 2, a book of Day Trips 101-200, is available for $8.95, plus $3.05 for shipping, handling, and tax. Mail to: Day Trips, PO Box 33284, South Austin, TX 78704.
