By Debi Lander
mail@floridanewsline.com
While spring break brings thousands of visitors to Florida beaches each year, thousands of Floridians pack up and travel west. They often leave the state to go skiing or explore the desert surroundings.
I recently flew to Tucson, Arizona, where I met my son, his wife, and their four children. We were all headed to the White Stallion Dude Ranch, a three-generation family-owned and operated guest ranch. The facility follows a legacy of the founders: to preserve the Western way of life and provide guests with an authentic Western experience. I can tell you they succeed.
Less than an hour after we arrived, all seven of us were in the saddles and taking a trail ride across the prickly pear and giant saguaro cactus landscape. The view became a pinch-me moment. I was riding horses with my family in Arizona! The Sonoran Desert and Rincon Mountains ahead of us made an extraordinary backdrop, so much so that the location has appeared in many Hollywood movies.
While at White Stallion, we did much more than ride horses; we shot arrows at targets on the archery range and went rock climbing. The two older girls rode E-bikes (electric) while others hit the heated pool. I shot a 22-caliber rifle and pistol (at targets) for the first time. And one morning, I rode up and down Suicide Pass as my horse carefully placed his hooves on the rocky terrain. It was a bit scary but rewarding, too.
We were busy and having fun from sunup to sun down, and the kids never missed television (they are not in the guest rooms). Instead, they met others and played chess, air hockey, and basketball; we sat around a campfire, listened to a country western singer, and tried line dancing another night.
The strange thing was while we were active, we were relaxed. No need to cook or clean up, no need to carry a wallet, adults can help themselves to cocktails at the honor system bar, and everyone lays back and basks in the starry night sky. I now understand how a family dude ranch vacation may be one of the best getaways ever. It certainly ranks high in my memories (and I have experienced many exotic trips).
What made our days notable were the welcoming and helpful staff at the White Stallion. The wranglers know how to pick an appropriate horse for every rider. They match your weight and equestrian experience (or lack thereof) with the correct steed. I rode Custer, a Norwegian Fjord horse that was slow but steady. My granddaughter Kate qualified for and took her horse, Comanche, on a fast trail ride.
The grounds are immaculate since gardeners tend to the plants every morning. The dining room features indoor and outdoor tables, buffet meals, or custom orders for breakfast. Steaks were pre-ordered at lunch and grilled rare, medium, or well done at dinner. The cooks made and presented my son with a surprise birthday cake.
On our last morning, we took a breakfast trail ride, dismounting our horses at a picturesque area with red and white plaid tablecloths draped over picnic tables. The staff, including the ranch owners, cooked blueberry pancakes, eggs, bacon, and sausage on the outdoor grills and served coffee in blue tin cups. I didn’t become a cowboy in such a short time, but I sure felt the allure of the Western ways.
For more information: White Stallion Dude Ranch: whitestallion.com.
Visit www.bylandersea.com to read more of local travel writer Debi Lander’s stories and travel tips.
Photo courtesy Debi Lander
Trail ride.
