Historic Hat Creek Ranch — Attraction in Area I (Blue Sky Country)

We stopped here on our way home from a 6 day road trip through BC and some of Alberta yesterday. It was hot 40 degrees but the site is incredible. It's clean. The blacksmith was wonderful--explaining what he was working on and explaining the process. The restaurant was amazing which was an air conditioned space with a spacious patio overlooking the property. The waiter who served us was polite and attentive. I wish i had gotten his name, but i think he was fairly new--but just had a great vibe. The girl who sold us our tickets, was super polite and explained the map and where to go and what to see. The restaurant is open 7-7 and you don't need to buy tickets to the site to stop and eat. I want to highlight something i thought was important--their animals are well taken care of and their well being is put beyond all else. Normally this place offers carriage rides, and i thought i had arrived early enough i might be able to get one, but as we approached the stage coach office, the handler apologized and explained there would be no more today--it was too hot for the horses. I wasn't even disappointed but happy to see their wellbeing is put ahead of making a buck. All animals had ample water and shaded areas--just not roasting in field in the 40+ degree heat. Well done Hat Creek Ranch we will definitely stop for some eats next time we are...

Unpleasant Experience and Overcharging I visited this establishment to enjoy some ice cream but, unfortunately, I was met with misunderstanding and overcharging at the checkout. I ordered two single scoops and one double scoop. The seller said she "put a little more ice cream in than usual" and, because of this, wanted to charge me for four single scoops instead of my ordered two single scoops and one double scoop. If the seller truly made a mistake and gave me more than I asked for, she should have politely asked if I was willing to accept the larger portion and pay the extra cost. If I had refused, she should have remade my order. Instead, I was presented with a fait accompli and forced to pay for something I didn't order. When I asked her to charge me for my actual order, she ended up charging me for three single scoops and one double scoop. This was absolutely not what I ordered. As a result, I was overcharged by $3.50 for an extra scoop, since one portion was counted incorrectly. Instead of paying for two single and one double scoop, I paid for three single and one double. I believe it's unacceptable when a customer is pressured into paying for something they didn't order. I hope the management will take note of this situation and take steps to train their staff. This kind of behavior really spoils the impression...

The ranch itself is very well maintained and preserved. The buildings, especially the roadhouse, are full of authentic details and information. It's easy and pleasant to stroll around the ranch to take a look at everything. We had booked a two-night stay in one of the family cabins, and were aware that the restaurant closes at 5. We made sure we arrived by 4 on Sunday so we could order our supper. However, upon arrival, we were told the restaurant was closing early (4:00) and that we couldn't get any food there. This meant travelling back to Cache Creek to find supper, about a half hour round trip. We also found out the restaurant is currently closed on Mondays, meaning our next day's meals had to be taken in town as well. I sent the management an email to let them know they should update their website, but I see they still haven't done it, so anybody arriving Monday for the evening would have been disappointed and inconvenienced. It also seems the ranch is short-staffed as there were no stagecoach rides available and some of the buildings (i.e. the blacksmith's shop) had no interpreters present. The family cabin was clean and adequate, but guests should know there is no wifi at the cabins and no blow dryer in the room. Wifi only seems to be available at the...