Boldly Go Solo

Jackrabbits. Roadrunners. IBM executives who dropped out of the rat race to be trail guides. I found them all at horse ranches in Arizona. My first one was at Circle Z Ranch in Patagonia near the Mexican border. After reading about it in the New York Times travel section, I was sold. I booked a flight and rented a car.

At Circle Z, I had a cottage for myself with two beds, wicker chairs and a desk, and Western magazines for my reading pleasure. Not to mention a welcoming fruit plate. I found friendly people to talk with at meals, where there was no such thing as a table for one. And mingled with them and others while saddling up and hitting the trails.

A British couple I got to know over the week taught this city girl how to shoot pistols. They lined up some bottles on a fence and I managed to break a few. All in all, I would say a ranch is a pretty comfortable place to be for someone vacationing solo.

One morning before breakfast at Circle Z, I took a walk along a dry river bed on ranch property. At some point I sensed movement in the woods. Then two horses emerged and starting walking toward me. I was frightened at first, what with no fences between us. I had remind myself that these were horses, not lions or tigers. But why were they coming at me so steadily?

Continued…

Where should I go? What should I do? I waited. The mare and her little one came right up to me. I started stroking the mare’s nose. Then I moved away because I wanted to take a photo of the two of them. But she stepped forward as I stepped back, her foal sticking close to her side. Then she nuzzled her cheek against mine. It was quiet out there in the post-dawn light. Inside, I was screaming, "Someone, come here. Look at this. Take a photo." 

 But it was just me and the Chestnut Family. If I’d had someone with me, I might have had a photo. But I don’t think it would have been the same peaceful, once-in-a-lifetime moment. Go to a ranch and find your own moments.

To find Arizona ranches that suit your style, check out the Arizona Dude Ranchers Association. For ranches all over North America, visit the Dude Ranchers’ Association.
     Photo: Ellen Perlman. A trail ride in Chile, taken from the back of a horse…