I’m sure there is a lot of research out there that supports the importance of traditions, especially within families. It helps form identity, strengthens families, teaches values, connects generations, and on and on. I love traditions because they are usually fun and help create lasting memories.
Desert Scene
While the kids were quite young we decided to ‘borrow’ a tradition from another friend. Their family tradition was to take each child on a trip anywhere in the US at the age of 12 with just one of the parents (mom=daughters, dad=sons). We have altered that a bit due to our circumstances, but we chose 13 years old as it is the beginning of being a teenager and they usually still want to spend time with us. Each of the kids get to pick anywhere in the world they would like to visit (within reason) and they get a one-on-one trip with Mom and Dad together.
Hannah
Emma chose Israel (after Egypt was too volatile to visit) and Caleb chose Greece. So we were a little surprised when Hannah decided she really wanted to go back to the states; she thought a ‘dude ranch’ would be fun. Chris started his thorough research and found an amazing ranch in Arizona, where it would be warm in February, and we set off with our girl for a fun-filled week full of horses . . and sun!
White Stallion Ranch Entrance
The View
Bunk House
Our Room
At the beginning of each week, the ranch puts out the schedule for the entire week so you can plan what you’d like to do each day. Then at dinner each evening, Russ, the owner, would visit with each person to find out what their plans were the next morning. Should they saddle your horse first thing, were you doing a hike, etc.?
Patio Dinner Scene
At check-in we had to tell the ranch what level we were for our riding experience. As none of us have ridden for awhile, we put ‘beginner’ and were matched with a horse for the week that we could handle. We were very keen to start riding right away, so we did a “slow” trail ride the first morning.
Chris’s horse was named Laredo, . . .
. . Hannah had Knox, . . .
. . and I had Dusty.
That first trail ride really helped us get a feel for our horse and their temperament. Right away I could tell my horse was a ‘follower’ not a ‘leader.’ But, he was also very content to follow at a distance. No matter where or how hard I dug my heels into Dusty’s side, he was determined to march to his own beat. I finally gave in and settled to bring up the rear on all trail rides.
Bringing up the Rear
View from the Ride
After your first “slow ride,” you are then allowed to test to see if you are ready for a “fast ride.” Hannah was a little bit nervous about this, so she took a group lesson to increase her confidence on Knox.
Heading out for Group Lesson
Putting Knox through the Paces
Happy & More Confident
Hannah came back feeling much more confident and even passed the “fast” ride test with Chris and me. Yes, I was able to get Dusty up to speed for a short time! However, that test made us all keenly aware of how little control we have when the horse starts to lope. So, we continued to practice our skills on different “slow rides,” just to ease our own fears . . . and for me to figure out how to get Dusty to respond to the crop and my other directions.
Crop at the Ready
After we all had at least one lesson under our belt, we were able to vary our rides a bit more . . . with a half-day ride, a fast mountain ride, or even more slow rides. It was nice to have the option!
Still Bringing up the Rear
Mountain Ride
Many Varieties of Cacti
Because the wranglers were great teachers, teaching us how to sit in the saddle properly and giving us helpful hints along the way, we rarely had any saddle-soreness. But, even if you love horses, there is a point where you just need to hike out in the beautiful desert on your own power.
Beauty of the Desert
Chris and I took two guided hikes, while Hannah only joined us on our first one to Mesa Vista. Our guide, Shawn, is also a geologist so we got a lot of lessons on tetonic plate movements and the formation of the mountain peaks.
Mesa Vista
Geology Instruction
Chris – the “Saguaro Hugger”
The second hike Chris and I took was to Panther Peak, the hardest climb of those the ranch offers.
View of Panther Peak from Ground-level
On the Way Up
A lot of times there wasn’t even a clear-cut trail; we were scrambling over rocks and picking our way through.
Ranch View from Part Way Up Panther Peak
Still Headed Upward
At the Top!
Definitely an amazing hike – with only a small amount of spills and falls!
View of the Ranch from Panther Peak
There were a few days that meals and rides co-existed. A couple times a week you could ride out to the centre of the ranch and have an outdoor breakfast of pancakes, hash browns, eggs, and sausage.
And it was all amazingly delicious!
Breakfast Fixin’s
Trying to Eat Breakfast in the Warmth of the Sun
Then once a week there is a hayride out to the same picnic ground on the ranch for a lunch of hot dogs and hamburgers.
Hannah Waiting to Load Up
Horses Being Hitched to the Wagon
Wagons Ho!
Instead of trying to eat in any sunny patch we could find, as we did in the cool breakfast air, lunch time sent us in search of shade from the noonday sun.
Eating Lunch in the Shade
Panther Peak from Picnic Tables
Cow on Wagon Trail
The biggest weekly event the ranch puts on has to be the rodeo.
Headed to Arena
Spectators Bleachers
During the opening ceremony, it was a little emotional hearing Lee Greenwood sing “God Bless the USA” as the American flag came out.
As the American flag was paraded around the arena, flags from other nations of guests were also brought out on horseback. There were three groups of us from the UK (all from London – weird!) and one family from Sweden.
British Flag
After the opening ceremony, Steven (the owner’s son), talked us through each event of the rodeo as they happened in the arena. He taught us the background behind, the rules, and how to win each event. He even went as far as to share accidents that can happen – many ways to lose fingers!
Steven
There were no winners or losers of the events, but it was more of an education for us so if we went to see a large rodeo, we would understand what was going on.
Barrel Racing Sign
Each of these events are ones they teach at the ranch to guests who’d like to try. Needless to say, we were comfortable with our level of trail rides. Maybe next time we can move up to barrel racing or cattle roping.
Cattle Roping Sign
Team Roping
Even with so many organized activities, the ranch truly was a resort. There were sport courts, a swimming pool, gym, game room, movie theatre, masseuse, rock climbing, and on and on.
As much fun as it is to be one-on-one with your parents, Hannah found she needed time on her own a number of times. She’d go for walks or shoot hoops. When you are #3 of 4 siblings, you aren’t used to so much mom/dad time and I’m sure it was a little overwhelming sometimes.
Shooting Hoops
But we definitely had a wonderful time bonding with our sensitive, caring, sporty, and quiet girl.
There probably was no better place for Hannah to pick as we got to explore a new area of the states and fall in love with the Arizona desert . . . especially it’s majestic sunsets!
There may indeed be a day that we come back and do this week with the whole family – definitely a memorable time!
“Go with God”
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