Thanskgiving - Part I @ the Ranch

 

This Thanksgiving was a little different than previous years b/c of Covid. We decided to spend several days at a ranch in Wickenburg AZ - the girls had a blast learning to ride horses and going out on trail rides lead by wrangles.  Alex, Mardi Gras, Tuxedo, and Rivett our trusty steeds guided us through the desert with ease. The chow was good with three squares a day. A good change of pace and scenery for us while I got to live out my cowboy dreams for a few days.

 

Car ride silliness! 

 

 

We embraced our ranch experience boots, hats, and all!

 

 

 

 

The horses were driven to the Corral in the morning and out to pasture in the evening. We enjoyed watching the ~80 horses on the property run out and back each day.

 

 

At the corral there was always activity as the wranglers would saddle up the horses for morning and afternoon rides, feed, and water them. The girls enjoyed watching the horses and picking out their favorites and their personalities. 

We enjoyed several trail rides. A great way to breath in some fresh air and take in the scenery. Early on in our stay the girls did a 30 min. lesson to learn how to handle their horse and from there they were good to hit the trails. Wranglers would take small groups of 6 to 8 out on 1.5 to 2 hr trail rides.

 

After a long day on the trail we would enjoy a nice diner in our Sunday best.  Leisurely for sure.....on ranch time...they would take ~2hrs!

 

Saturday night they took us out a few miles into the desert for a cookout under the open desert skies for a BBQ. A couple old timey cowboy's entertained about 50 of us with cowboy and folk songs.

 

 

 

I escaped on Sunday afternoon sole and shot some clay targets.....hit 14 out of 25, so not too bad.

Tuesday afternoon we packed-up the car and drove down to Phoenix (stay tuned for part II).