Jan. ’21 Trip to Tucson Arizona
Back in the saddle again … at Tanque Verde Ranch
Tucson has a special place in our memories. Gary and his siblings enjoyed dude ranching there in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s, children learning to ride in the foothills of the San Catalina Mountains. His father and stepmother moved to Tucson in 1966, and it became his home base during his late prep and early college years. (Note: there is a separate post with photos and memories from these earlier days in Tucson.)
Later, when Gary’s dad had a cattle ranch there, Gary and Jani were privileged to be able to ride along during roundup, locating and moving cattle out of arroyos and down from steep mountainsides. When they had children, they returned numerous times with their sons, Austin and Wyatt, and together explored the many attractions of this Sonoran Desert town and the surrounding areas. (Note: Gary’s father and stepmother are buried in Tucson.)
After a hiatus of many years, Gary and Jani returned to Tucson in 2020, spending the better part of a week at the Tanque Verde Ranch, reliving some of the memories that made Tucson an important chapter of their lives. (Last year’s post.)
A return trip, this year, was put in doubt by the COVID-19 Pandemic, but the draw of those Tucson memories was such that they risked it, spending 6 days there, re-acquainting themselves with the magic of the desert.
THE RANCH
Tanque Verde Ranch is located on the eastern outskirts of Tucson, cradled between the Rincon Mountains to the east and the San Catalina Mountains to the north. The ranch was initially a cattle ranch, which later developed into a guest ranch on 640 acres. TVR leases 60,000 acres from the U.S. Forest Service for its present day cattle operation, which gives it immense access for riding activities as well. It also borders Saguaro National Park East, with its 66,947 acres, available for riding and hiking.
TANQUE VERDE RANCH: PHOTO GALLERY
AN ABUNDANCE OF ACTIVITIES
Upon arrival at the ranch, guests are given a 4-page schedule of available activities for the current week. Chief among them is horseback riding. TVR offers walking rides (for the beginner riders), loping rides (for riders who have passed a horsemanship test), a ride to breakfast, a ride to lunch, sunset rides and a 4-hour Mountain Adventure Ride. They also offer beginner, intermediate and advanced riding classes for those who want to improve their riding skills. The ranch keeps a herd of approximately 150 horses.
Below are video samples of a lope ride and the Mountain Adventure Ride:
A LOPING RIDE
4-HOUR “MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE RIDE”
A MULTITUDE OF ACTIVITIES
In addition, there are mountain biking trails (with a guide) through the desert for all levels of cyclist, archery, fishing, nature hikes, photography hikes, bird-watching hikes, Jeep tours and many nature presentations, including a terrific one about rattlesnakes.
MOUNTAIN BIKING IN THE DESERT
This was an exceptionally dry year for Southern Arizona: they did not have their usual monsoon season. As a result, we saw less desert wildlife than we have in the past. Notably missing were the usual lizards and roadrunners. We did happen upon a couple of healthy Great Horned Owls, some large jackrabbits and a family of deer, while riding or hiking. Many cacti were shedding more than usual, which may be obvious in some of the photos.
TVR ACTIVITIES: PHOTO GALLERY
The last day of the trip was shortened due to a midday flight departure time. There was just enough time, after breakfast, to pack and take a short (1 hour) hike in the desert; a last attempt to record and remember what the desert smelled, felt and looked like until next time.
LAST DAY HIKE: PHOTO GALLERY
POSTSCRIPT: FLYING HOME
The last photo from this trip was taken from the plane as it circled to land in Chicago. It was a lovely evening to be reminded of an earlier wonderful trip we took to the windy city:
