From vast silence to saddle rides, Arizona delivered a classic American adventure with big skies and bigger contrasts.
🏞 The Grand Canyon – A Natural Wonder That Stops You Still
No photo prepares you for the moment you step up to the rim of the Grand Canyon. The scale is staggering—layered red rock dropping into eternity, shifting with the light. We explored the South Rim, walked along the trails and watched the canyon glow pink and gold at sunset. It was less about ‘doing’ and more about standing still, in awe.
🐎 The Drive to Tucson – Desert Roads & Open Skies
From the canyon’s edge, we took the long drive south in the all American ‘truck’—through cactus-studded landscapes and dusty towns—towards Tucson. The road trip itself was an experience, full of Americana and endless horizons.
🤠 White Stallion Ranch – Saddle Up & Switch Off
Just outside Tucson, White Stallion Ranch felt like stepping onto a movie set—only real. Many famous cowboy movie shot at this ranch – it was a working dude ranch and offered a full cowboy immersion: wide-open desert trails, slow sunsets and a deep sense of unplugging from modern life. Obviously there was an early visit to Boot Barn to ensure we looked the part!
I was paired with Rustler, a special bay horse with more trail miles behind him than I’ll ever ride. He had a talent barrel running and boy did we have fun together! We rode through dry washes and across rocky ridges, with the warm air scented by mesquite. All you could imagine was a Red Indian looking down from the ridges. Afternoons meant cattle penning, lasso lessons, cheese Cheetos and lazy hours by the pool. Evenings brought stargazing, storytelling, steak and a pace that felt beautifully out of time.
