beautiful in a pasture , but rather scary up close . Nonetheless , I ’ m always up for a new adventure , so even in my sixties , I chomped at th� �it �h�n off�r�� a �han��� |
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What exactly is a dude ranch ? I found the word “ dude ” goes back to the 1870 ’ s Yellowstone Park rangers who created the term to refer to visitors from the East . By the 1880s , it referred to anyone who was not a resident of the Rocky Mountains . By the 1920s , the ���nition �han��� to anyon� �ho hired a guide or paid money to stay on a ran�h� Thi� ���nition �ontin��� today ; any ranch that takes on paying customers for tourism or income is considered a dude ranch .
Tanque Verde Ranch , about 30 minutes from Tucson , Arizona airport , is the nation ’ s largest dude ranch , nestled among the Rincon Mountains , spanning 60,000 acres . Nearby recreational areas include th� �a��aro �ationa� �ar� an� th� Coronado National Forest . The resort provides airport shuttle service for all guests . Along the way , “ Cowboy Joe ,” the driver , wearing a cowboy hat , points out local attractions and
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��� �ssentials
explains that the protected species of saguaro cactus grow very slowly . “ They don ’ t get their arms until their 75th birthday ,” he said . A far cry from Florida palm trees , these huge cacti , along with other smaller ones , some mesquite and cottonwood trees , and desert broom are about all that manage to live in rocky �onoran ����rt�
Roughin ’ it ? Hardly . I determine my stay at this adult camp setting will be pretty plush . My room includes two queen sized beds , a round table for dining or working , two leather �hair� �a�in� a r�a� �oo����rnin�
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�r���a�� an� a �i�in� room an� �atio with plenty of lounging space ; perfect setup for a family , too . �o����r� Tan��� ��r�� off�r� no in�room t����i�ion�� ����t� ar� encouraged to talk to one another , play cards , attend an evening activity or sleep after a full day of activity . I totally agree with that philosophy , but for those who must , TV ’ s are found in the lounge and the bar .
��t�r a �atna� ���� �o�n �ro�� country ), I tour the property with a group I ’ ll join for the next few �ay�� �� �i��o��r �i�ty�nin� ����t suites scattered over the sprawling
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ranch . The daytime stable and pens seem endless , with over a hundred and eighty horses ready for riding . I visit the indoor and outdoor pool , ���ho�r hot t��� a �i�rary� �o�n�� and dining hall .
Never too early for a drink , the �o�ho��� �a�oon �ar�� to m� an� the house special , a prickly pear margarita , calls my name . Prickly pears are fruits from the spiny cactus that must be carefully picked with gloved hands . At Tanque Verde , th�y ������� an� ��t�r th� ��i��� then store it for later use . The rosy hued cocktail tastes somewhat
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