If you are a Phoenician ready to throw your phone across the room, this staycation is for you. Actually, you’re more than welcome to bring it along, but I bet you a “Breakfast Ride” that once you set foot on Tanque Verde Ranch, the only thing you’ll do with your phone is use it to take pictures.
Tucked ever-so-serenely against the Tucson mountainside, conveniently nestled next to the Saguaro National Park, Tanque Verde Ranch combines the rustic charm of the old frontier with modern amenities and activities such as a spa, mountain biking, fishing, guided hikes, yoga, arts and crafts and … horses. Oh, the horses!
While all the previously mentioned aspects of Tanque Verde Ranch are supremely entertaining, I’ll bet you a “Sunset Ride” that you, much like me and many others I witnessed during my visit, will be drawn the most to the magical equine creatures in residence. These horses are well taken care of, adored by their handlers, and beloved by guests. Other patrons I encountered during my visit from Anchorage, Canada, Phoenix, the Pacific Northwest and East Coast were all in agreement that there was a perfect horse to pair for each man, woman, and child of every skill level. I became particularly fond of “Tigger,” while “Nacho” proved to be a kid’s favorite.
Please, please, please, if you do nothing else during your visit to Tanque Verde, take advantage of the Sunset Ride and Breakfast Ride. Both wind through the gorgeous, rolling hills of the Saguaro-dense landscape, and even if you’re with an entire group of horseback riders, you’ll forget they’re there. These horseback riding adventures are exceedingly serene. And, if you go on the Breakfast Ride you’ll thank me after indulging a blueberry pancake the size of your face.
As for the rest of the food – take advantage of the onsite lunch buffet and don’t miss out on a signature adult or child prickly pear beverage (I was skeptical, but yum!). If you happen to arrive when a “Cowboy Cookout” is taking place, do make sure to go. It’s like being in a scene from Hope Floats, with live music and some of the best ribs, cornbread, and cobbler you’ve ever had. You may even spy a few roaming javelinas (don’t worry, they remain at a safe distance).
Remember, you’ll always have your phone, but a respite from it somewhere like Tanque Verde Ranch may not have you as attached. In fact, if you’re anything like me, you’ll have a hard time saying goodbye to TVR … and Tigger.
