I'm back on the saddle for my third and final take on Tucson. By Wednesday, weather was near glorious. While Clay was off on a serious loping ride, Lucy was getting a lesson in the Buckaroo club, and Jack was "taking a break", my Maggie and I went on a trail ride.
Really no way better to start the day then on horseback in the beautiful Arizona desert. And this was after another delish breakfast at the Ranch Dining Room.
One of the wranglers had mentioned that there are around 30 trails and I believe it. With all the riding we did, I was never on the same one more than once. This specific trail with Maggie happened to be one of my favorite. Isn't it just to die for?
I immediately scooped Jack up from his "break" after our trail ride and gathered Lucy from the club. We roamed around the ranch waiting for Daddy's return from his western adventure.
It was so fun to just be together...without any messes to clean up, homework to do, or places to be. Ahhh...that's what vacation is all about, isn't it.
While we roamed, Jack managed to get a lasso lesson from a real live cowboy. He was digging the tips and was roping a bull by the horns in no time. I can't imagine attempting this while on horseback.
After our per usual Ranch Room lunch, the girls headed back to the club for riding lessons and tennis. I took this opportunity to plead with Jack to take one last trail ride with only me.
He sweetly obliged. However, I had no idea that my horse for this all anticipated ride with Jack would be a total jerk.
Jack, thankfully, got a sweetie named Domino. I got Tulsa. And let me just tell you, Tulsa was a pain in the you know what. I'm pretty sure he didn't like people, horses, trails, Arizona, or anything for that matter. He was as stubborn as a mule.
He kicked the horse behind him, stopped for no reason, bit Jack's horse in the behind, and kept turning around and giving me the evil eye. There was nothing sweet about Tulsa. The only good part of that pairing was that Jack was super entertained.
I did my best not to let Tulsa destroy my time with Jack and take away from the incredible Arizona scenery. But, when he up and turned around mid-trail to head back to the barn, I had just about had it with his shenanigans. I swear, I did everything I was taught up until that point and he was not about to budge.
A poor wrangler had to come rescue me. Usually that's all it takes. But, Tulsa was not giving up...the dear wrangler had to get off her horse and lead me and T back to the group.
I was never so ready to un-saddle {is that a word?}
Some down time was desperately needed. The Desert Watercolor class was calling our names. All three kiddos were super excited to join and it was a nice break from horse back.
We all met up in the Mexican Room to receive instruction from the kindest artist. He has been involved in various art forms for his lifetime and was even a commercial artist back in his day. Now he teaches class twice a week at the ranch.
Each of the littles chose two prints and were instructed on blending and color choices. Their work turned out so amazing that I have every intention of framing them and adding them to our kid's art collection in the playroom.
Wednesday came to a tiring close after the Cowboy Cookout at Cottonwood Grove. Picture the wild west back in the day, with ranchers grilling over the fire, a guitar playing cowboy, and a game of horseshoes. It was as authentic as a resort cook out can get. I was loving it.
We ended our evening with our nightly walk back to our hacienda. Even at this point in the vacation, the stars still amazed me. I was so spent after my ride on Tulsa, that I was more than ready to turn in.
Good night desert....and you jerk of a horse.
Thursday was our last day on the ranch. I really was not ready to leave. If I could have just bottled up the fresh air and sunshine it might have made the departure a bit easier.
We had chosen a late afternoon flight back which lended itself to another morning of riding and one last lunch on the ranch.
Thursday's breakfast was a Trail Ride Pancake soiree up on the mountain top. A very adventurous way to end our vacation if I do say so.
We all gobbled down a piece of fruit before heading out, knowing breakfast was an entire trail ride away. Daddy, Maggie, and I opted to go horseback. I happily had a well behaved horse named A1, Maggie got her favorite, Kermit. And just wait for it.....Daddy got Tulsa.
Just when I thought I had seen the last of that guy. But better Clay than me. It turned out Tulsa was just as big of a pain for the newly expert rider of the family. So much so, that Tulsa put my ride to shame by raring up on his hind legs and nearly throwing Clay off. Apparently Tulsa was having a disagreement with a fellow horse.
Clay handled it beautifully and all was okay. All I can say is, if that had been me, I'm pretty sure I would have been eating desert sand.
Lucy was too little to make the trail ride up so Jack offered to stay behind with her. The Buckaroos traveled to the breakfast via golf cart. I imagine that was very appealing to the non-horse back loving brother.
When our horses finally made it to the top, I could smell the pancakes. I found Jack and Lucy already devouring their breakfast just as happy as could be.
I wasted no time getting in line for Cowboy Bob's Famous Fixins'. These pancakes were amazingly delicious. My mouth is actually watering just writing about them.
Again, I found myself in complete awe of my surroundings. Nothing says Arizona like this picture. {Too bad this was the only day I opted out of fixing my hair and putting on makeup....but, I still had my boots on!}
We all had a lovely last morning up on the mountain. The girls had made so many friends during our stay that it was a little bittersweet saying goodbye.
However, there was one highlight. I'm sure my kiddos were more than happy to know this was the last picture I would be taking of them just because "it's so beautiful out here".
The kids played around on the ranch while I packed up our belongings. I had to stuff a lot of Arizona dirt covered boots into suitcases. We enjoyed our last Ranch Dining Room lunch and then made one final stop at the gift shop.
The long day turned even longer with a shuttle ride to the Tucson airport and a lengthy flight home. We all dozed off here and there dreaming about starry skies and horseback. We arrived home just in time for a freezing cold ice storm...I found that to be just about as welcoming as Tulsa's ride was.
So, I imagine it's pretty clear, that I adored this vacation. There are certainly things that did not go perfect, but all in all, we had an incredible time. An experience of a lifetime.
Would I do it again? You bet your BOOTS I would!
