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SOLERA DIAMOND VALLEY | DECEMBER 2021 15 By Steve Day, Resident COVID restrictions had Sandra and I wanting to get away and do something different, not too far from home. Sandra is a big horse lover and owned horses before we were married. She needed a "horsey" fix." My experience was on a mechanical horse for 25 cents at the supermarket about a hundred years ago. So, we decided on a horse vacation. We found a great 3,500 acre "dude" ranch outside of Tucson, Arizona called the White Stallion Ranch which has 140 horses. We arrived just in time for Sunday lunch. On Sundays the horses have a day off, so we went E-Bike riding and shot 22 caliber rifles and pistols. On Monday we were paired with a horse that fit our physical and experience levels. We rode the same horse for the week we were there. They had several varying rides during the day, from slow trails to fast loping rides to herding cows into a pen. We averaged about three rides on different trails every day, each lasting about 1 1/2 hours each. It was required that we sign up for each ride the night prior so that when we arrived at the corral, our "horse valet" called our name and brought the horse to a mounting block to mount. Talk about service. The breakfast rides were especially neat as we rode out to a large area with a BBQ, tables and a roof over our heads. Although there was also an eight-hour ride, with lunch, we chose to stay closer to home. The ranch is located adjacent to the Saguaro National Forest. The desert there is quite different and beautiful. These Saguaro cacti rise to well over 30 feet with arms extending from the trunk, then making a turn toward the sky. An amazing sight to see as there are hundreds of them spread all over the desert. The ranch boundaries touch the base of nearby rocky, craggy mountains. We were able to slow walk our horses up to the crest, affording us a wonderful view, seeing where parts of the ranch touch and blend in with home developments. Every evening there was some form of entertainment, such as cowboy singers, lariat tricks and a guide telling us about the edible plants of the desert. It was OK if you had never ridden a horse; just a passion to experience how the "west was won." There were kids under 10 years of age riding these trails. Lessons were available for the timid. The wranglers made sure that everyone qualified for the ride that they wanted to take. Sandra and I took advantage of the available massage services. OK, our bodies did need a little tender loving care. There was so much to do during the day that we didn't get a chance to take advantage of the pool and spa, but, perhaps next time. A Unique Vacation Experience