{"id":9690,"date":"2020-01-09T18:10:35","date_gmt":"2020-01-09T18:10:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/?p=9690"},"modified":"2020-02-25T15:44:11","modified_gmt":"2020-02-25T15:44:11","slug":"experience-the-spirit-of-the-west","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/winter-2020\/experience-the-spirit-of-the-west\/","title":{"rendered":"Experience the Spirit of the West"},"content":{"rendered":"
Dude Ranch vacations were a featured destination at the 2020 New York Times<\/a>\u00a0<\/em>Travel Show. A vacation stay for two was given away in a random drawing. Not a winner? Read on and make your plans to a Dude Ranch<\/a>!<\/h5>\n

I<\/span>f you have yearned for the wide-open spaces, have pictured yourself galloping (well, maybe trotting or walking) your trusty steed across fields or high atop a mountain ridge, then you are totally ready for a dude ranch experience.<\/p>\n

For many, this is a bucket-list vacation. Others make it to a dude ranch on a regular basis because they know this is one of the few vacations where you can really unwind, be close to nature and enjoy the company of family and friends in a stress-free environment.<\/p>\n

With so many options, where do you begin to research your dream vacation?<\/p>\n

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Riding through Rainbow Trout river Photo: Dude Ranchers\u2019 Association<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

The Go-To Source for A Ranch Stay: The Dude Ranchers\u2019 Association<\/h3>\n

You might start with The Dude Ranchers\u2019 Association,<\/a> the governing body of the West\u2019s dude ranch industry that began in 1926. Here\u2019s how they describe the experience:<\/p>\n

\u201cDude ranching is much more than guest rooms and horses. It is a sharing of the spirit of the West and the beauty of the wilderness. On a ranch, you\u2019ll experience a world that is dictated by the seasons and cycles of life. It is a simple way of life that demands honesty, integrity, hard work and a strong spirit. Your appreciation of nature, family and friends will be renewed.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll find that good riding, good food and good friends will leave you peaceful and content. You\u2019ll discover the luxuries of silence, the wind on your face and the stars shining brightly. More than just a day full of activities, the essence of a ranch vacation nourishes your heart and soul.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is unlike any vacation you have ever taken \u2013 one that you will return to time and again. It\u2018s horses, hats, hospitality, heritage, honesty and heart.\u201d<\/p>\n

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All in a days ride at Elkhorn Ranch. Photo: Elkhorn Ranch<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

Disconnect to Reconnect at Elkhorn Ranch, Arizona<\/h3>\n

Elkhorn Ranch<\/a> is a winter dude ranch located in the Sonoran Desert just 50 miles southwest of Tucson. The guest season begins in mid-November and runs through April. Although families visit during the holidays and school vacations, much of the season attracts adults.<\/p>\n

Most guests stay for one week from Sunday to Sunday, and many of them take advantage of discounted rates for two- to three-week stays or more. All-inclusive rates are equally friendly to families, couples, and solo travelers because there is no single supplement and there are healthy discounts for children age 18 and younger.<\/p>\n

For almost three-quarters of a century, the Miller family has provided traditional western hospitality and exceptional horseback riding, the latter of which is at the center of guests\u2019 experience.<\/p>\n

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Elkhorn Ranch for all ages. Photo: Courtesy of Elkhorn Ranch, Nancy Taylor<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

Riding for All Ages<\/h3>\n

Over 100 head-of-ranch-raised and -trained horses and individually tailored small rides cater to beginner and experienced riders. Riders adventure into the scenic wilderness of the Baboquivari Mountains and past majestic saguaro cacti to explore the Sonoran Desert where they may enjoy exhilarating, loping rides.<\/p>\n

Kids must be at least six years old to ride. Elkhorn specializes in keeping adults in the saddle well into their 80s and even 90s.<\/p>\n

The ranch headquarters is located at 3,700-foot elevation and rides climb to above 7,000 feet where riders take in views of the undeveloped ranching country of the Altar Valley.<\/p>\n

Hiking, Swimming, and More<\/h3>\n

Guided hikes are a popular addition to the Elkhorn program for those who would rather explore on their own two feet. A heated swimming pool, tennis court, horseshoes, shuffleboard, ping-pong, puzzles and games, and a tremendous library provide for entertainment around the ranch buildings. Birdfeeders and waters at each cabin attract diverse birds and other desert critters.<\/p>\n

The Miller family\u2019s favorite attraction is the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum [desertmuseum.org] where you can learn about the unique and diverse wildlife and plant life of the Sonoran Desert region.<\/p>\n

A Dude Ranch Tradition Destination<\/h3>\n

As a member of the National Dude Ranchers\u2019 Association<\/a> and the Arizona Dude Ranchers\u2019 Association<\/a>, the ranch provides hospitality steeped in the dude ranch tradition of families who take in friends.<\/p>\n

When guests arrive on Sunday, they begin building camaraderie right away at the Sunday meet and greet and roast beef barbeque. Half-day rides are offered almost every day except Sunday, and all-day rides with a sandwich or a hot lunch cooked on the trail are an option on Wednesday and Friday.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s no riding Thursday afternoon, providing time for hiking, birding, swimming, or a visit to nearby attractions. If you leave the ranch, be sure to make it back in time for the Thursday night margarita party and mesquite-fired steaks.<\/p>\n

The Saturday desert picnic wraps up the week where everyone meets for lunch cooked over a campfire out on the desert.<\/p>\n

Much of the Elkhorn Ranch camaraderie evolves in the Long House where guests gather for meals three times each day. Friendly, open seating invites conversation, and people often linger in the dining room to visit. Deciding what to have for breakfast is the most challenging decision of the day. Luckily, everyone has a week or more to try everything.<\/p>\n

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Chuck wagon spread Elkhorn Ranch. Photo: Elkhorn Ranch<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

Ranch Grub Not To Be Missed<\/h3>\n

Meals are well-balanced, nutritiously prepared, and the variety appeals to most appetites. The kitchen accommodates dietary preferences and needs with advance notice. The staff loves to provide celebration cakes for special occasions.<\/p>\n

A picnic lunch cooked over an open fire on the desert is a weekly treat as well as a couple of all-day rides with sack lunches or camp cooking. The ranch does not have a bar, but guests are welcome to bring alcohol or purchase beer or wine from the ranch\u2019s main office.<\/p>\n

Where To Hang Your Hat<\/h3>\n

Couples, families, and solo travelers feel equally at home in Elkhorn\u2019s 20 unique cabins. The ranch accommodates around 32 adults at any one time and can expand to the high 30s when families with children are present.<\/p>\n

Each cabin has a private bathroom, electric heat, and good reading lights, along with outside furniture and bird feeders. The cabins, dining room, and corral are within a less than five-minute walk of each other, yet there is a feeling of privacy and seclusion. The ranch crew provides daily housekeeping and a nightly turn-down service. They are happy to meet any special requests with advance notice.<\/p>\n

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Riding for all levels at Elkhorn Ranch. Photo: Elkhorn Ranch<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

Dude Ranch Experience at Elkhorn for Every Age<\/h3>\n

If you are looking for a vacation destination that caters to solo travelers, couples, families, and multigenerational family reunions, Elkhorn Ranch in Arizona should be at the top of your list.<\/p>\n

The ranch has been owned and operated by the Miller family since 1945. The first generation, Ernest and Grace Miller, were also instrumental in the creation and curation of the Dude Ranchers\u2019 Association that Elkhorn Ranch has been a part of since the ranch began. The Millers got started in dude ranching at the Elkhorn Ranch in the Gallatin Canyon of Montana [elkhornranchmt.com], which remains a top choice for a summer dude ranch adventure.<\/p>\n

Whether you\u2019re a solo traveler or looking for a bucket list destination for your family, Elkhorn Ranch in sunny Arizona provides a memorable outdoor adventure vacation. You\u2019ll likely join the ranks of the many visitors who return year after year. You\u2019ll be inspired by fellow adventurers who stay on the trails, horseback riding and walking well into their senior years.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Bucket list vacation at Elkhorn Ranch, Arizona<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":9692,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[119,120],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9690","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-winter-2020","category-winter-2020-features"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9690","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9690"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9690\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9700,"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9690\/revisions\/9700"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9692"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9690"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9690"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9690"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}