Dec 23 2008
Unstructured Getaway at Rancho de Los Caballeros – What do you do when there isn’t a specialty weekend scheduled for your gal’s getaway? You make your own! Since my friend was interested in golf and I was interested in riding, structuring our very own weekend worked out just great. I rode, she golfed and we both enjoyed dining together and spending time at the spa. Hey, you could even do this mid-week!Here’s what we chose to do:
- Nature Hike - We looked through the activities offered at the ranch and decided to take a nature hike with Richard Frederickson the first day we were there. It was great getting out in the beautiful desert learning everything from how long it takes for a Saguaro cactus to grow arms to how to look for the paths created by kangaroo rats. But most of all we liked the feeling of relaxation that the quiet of the desert created as we began to unwind. (no extra charge)
- Golf - The second day she played “divot diva” and I was the “giddy-up gal.” My friend took a lesson with the golf pro. The morning of her lesson she was a bit apprehensive as she hadn’t been on the links in years. He put her right at ease and she came away with some useful tips to improve her game… tips she could even pass along to her husband.
- Riding - I went riding. A beautiful spotted horse was selected for me to ride. We had the options of a “walk, walk-trot, or walk-trot-canter,” ride. I was even offered the opportunity to participate in team penning (no thanks!). I opted for the “walk-trot” ride and ended up riding with a personable woman wrangler and another woman about my age. We climbed to the top of the mountain on our sure-footed horses and felt we could see forever. After sharing stories about how women had benefited emotionally as well as physically from a riding weekend at the ranch, we headed back down the rocky trail. It was a glorious day and I had joy in my heart as the desert wind blew through my hair.
- Spa Treatments - After the ride, I joined my friend down at the spa. I love the Rancho de los Caballeros spa. It’s small and homey. The building used to be a real ranch house. With a view of the desert and vulture peak, it’s and ideal place to unwind. I was offered a cup of tea before my facial. My friend was already having her massage when I arrived from my ride. With one look, the Spa Esthetician knew what I needed… a Desert Pearl facial to take care of some of the desert sun and wind damage to my face. More on the Spa at Rancho de los Caballeros.
- Jeep Tour - Our last day, we opted for a morning jeep ride out into a box canyon. We were met by Glenn, from BC Jeep Tours in Wickenburg who customized the trip for us right on the spot. My friend decided it was too cold for the trip and headed back to grab her walking shoes for a last tour of the ranch. I donned my wool hat, climbed into the jeep and spent the next several hours being regaled with stories, poems and country-style jokes while off-roading right up the Hassayampa River to the Box Canyon everyone had told me about.. On the way we stopped to take pictures and marvel at the scenery. I had a great time and learned so much about Wickenburg history and local lore.
Rancho de los Caballeros is listed as a Historic Hotel of America. You'll love the historic guest ranch furniture and decorative touches. But most of all we women value the warm feeling with are left with after experiencing a weekend as a guest member of the Sun C family.
As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary accomodations for the purpose of review. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our ethics policy.
