Travel
ornin
ide
orses at an ue
erde an h
red and yellow paint the horizon. In
the distance, giant saguaro cactus
tan in a
ro
i
ntri
guarding gates. By the time we
return to the stables, the trail looms
pitch dark, but Uno knows the way.
Tanque Verde has made me live in the
moment and bestows a sense of
pride, and perhaps even a desire
to conquer this sport.
or
att n a tar a in
class with an astronomer. He has
a green laser that points out
constellations in the dark sky. He
lets me take a photo of the moon
with my smartphone through this
telescope. Pretty amazing, right?
Day Two of Riding
Generally a glutton for punishment,
I chose an hour walking trail ride
before our class lesson the next
morning. I enjoy the glorious view
all around, but work up a few more
saddle sores. Our group class is
scheduled for team penning, a cattle
he u
it for
rea fast
herding competition. Five young
cows enter the corral, and we work
in teams of four to round them up
and move them into pens at the
opposite end. Thankfully, other
riders in my foursome are more
ro i nt
t ho my o n
move those doggies into the pens for
ro n
an my t am i
ar
th
inn r i i yi yo i yay
After lunch, I need a break from
horsemanship, and take a water color
class, like camp arts and crafts time.
I could have listened to a naturalist
speak on venomous species and taken
a hi
t
i tho
Later, the group competes at a
margarita/salsa making contest.
We jointly create a fantastic spicy
salsa with an array of peppers and
pineapple, Our margarita includes
cucumber juice, fresh lime juice,
tequila and is rimmed with zesty
salt. We place second.
ff
a hay or an o t oor
chicken and ribs dinner in the
Cottonwood Grove. Here, couples
o y
to th r or i roa t
marshmallows while a western
singer serenades. After dinner, line
an in to oot ootin oo i
takes center stage. Wow, I’m
becoming a cowgirl and really
having fun. I sleep well.
Last Day
The sunrise breakfast trail ride
begins my third day of riding, and
the meal is perfect; cooked to order
eggs, blueberry pancakes and bacon.
We sit against the stunning
ta
o a aro ationa ar
The ride back to the stables will be
my last, and now I’m sad. I might not
have taken to the life of a cowboy
like a horse takes to oats, but I have
surprised myself. I can certainly
understand why 85% of Tanque
Verde’s participants become return
customers.
Guests come back because they feel
the warmth of genuine hospitality
and customized care. They value
a
mana
ro ram an
ro
iona taff Th y n Tan
Verde Ranch outstanding in every
way. I’d love to return for this out
of the ordinary experience that I’ll
talk about for years.
is losure: I was hosted by Tanque
Verde Ranch in order to write an
article for a meeting planners
magazine. The above story, written
for Luxe Beat, is my personal account
of the experience, which was
o iti in
ry ay ha a a t
any than to th n o
at
Tanque Verde Ranch.
29