Grapevine Guest Diary
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Diary from Patricia, Karin and Lydia, not in perfect english but sent with kisses and hugs
Dear friends on the other continent!
Right now I am sitting here in cold, wet and grey Germany recalling our stay on the ranch, feeling that a part of me is still there. I stored wonderful impressions and feelings in my heart and if I close my eyes I am back on Grapevine Canyon Ranch.
First Memory - The ranch, the ranch-family, Eve the perfect hostess, the well-trained and lucky horses, the wonderful scenery and our Sierra Bonita casita. We feel in good hands and at home ! What a wonderful place, and Karin, Lydia and me are here!!! We are perfectly happy.
Second memory - "Let´s go over to the barn and watch the other guests mounting their horses and after they left we will look around a bit more...Listen a wrangler is calling: Karin, another Karin?, no it´s you!" After a few minutes we are sitting on our horses - yeah, we feel the happiness of the world right now! First trail with Annie, but I can´t get rid of the feeling, that we forgot something, something quite essential....We feel embarrassed but Annie calls one of the other wranglers and he brings water for "the funny german girls" to the first gate. Don´t worry be happy! After a trail through a wonderful landscape we arrive at Eve´s private house for the lope check. (I rode english for nearly 15 years, stopped riding for 8 years, had two lessons in western riding before we came here)- Sorry Hank, I know you didn´t really understand what my legs tried to tell you, but you shouldn´t have told all your horse friends in the evening about me and my legs and.....
Third memory - It is our second day and we decide to have a lesson with Adam: Adam the american english speaking (in most women´s eyes: good-looking) teacher - Karin, the tough german, not english speaking woman - Lydia, Karin`s younger sister, nice and cute but not english speaking - Patricia (that´s me) the one trying to forget the english riding and the badly paid translator - But Adam proves to be a good teacher, I try to do a good translation job and we pass and are allowed to go on an advanced ride with Punk right away. Boots, my horse (Hank got pissed on with me and gave in his notice - they said) teaches me a few remaining western details, which Adam couldn`t and we have a wonderful day. Punk loves to lope, we love to lope and that´s why we love to lope together! But today is the day when John Wayne is reborn: I can`t remember how to walk at least somehow feminine. Punk suggests that we should enjoy the hot tub - yeah, why didn´t we do that right away??´
Fourth memory - We are on our way from the Sierra Bonita to breakfast, Mack (Annies dog) is waiting for us and tells us that Annie is on a pack trip and left him here. Before we will have our individuell (everyone can choose what he would like and it is made fresh) breakfast we are going to say good morning to Butch, the german cowboy (his great - great- great- grandparents came over from Germany and who knows perhaps my neighbour whose name is Ludwig Beck is a cousin of him? Somehow in some ways the world is small....). The horses are saddled and we stay together for a chat - yesterday we had a private lesson in roping with Butch. Karin turned out to be a natural talent....she even caught Al ! Today we "check the cattle" with Punk. We walk and lope through the valley and come home to the ranch completely satisfied and relaxed.
Fifth memory - Wild Horse Canyon- what a name and what a history! Al and Mouse (the smallest horse on the Ranch) take us there. We hike over three hills and climb up 1.600 m by horse. These horses are extraordinary (nobody here in Germany believes us) - you just have to give your life in their hooves. They are so well trained and hike very concentrated - I have Buba, he is only 5 years old but very reliable. Some parts are very steep and Lydia is kind of afraid because she knows: All we go up we have to go down again. We have to stop for a drink (water) after each downhill hike - I think it is because we forget to close our mouths. In the evening we sit in the comfortable living room, drink whiskey cola and listen to Danny playing the guitar. Oh, what a wonderful world! (I hope the CD I bought doesn´t break because I already played it a dozen times).
Hey, what are you dreaming about? Did you fall in love or what? We have to finish our expert´s report today! (I do have some more memories but hat is my colleague´s voice and she is right - I better work hard and earn my money for my next holiday on Grapevine Canyon Ranch!)
Kisses and big hugs from Patricia, Karin, Lydia to the ranch-family!
Grapevine Diary
Bill and Diane Mossbarger
Tucson, Arizona
Our experience with Grapevine Canyon Ranch started with me racking my brain trying to come up with a long weekend trip with the kids, Lindsey and Tyler. We didn’t have much of an opportunity to get away as a family during the summer mainly because the “so-called” kids are in high school and their priorities have changed much since they were younger. They would rather chew their arms off than spend a week with parents in Disneyland or some boring resort location away from their friends and summer social activities.
What to do?? Something that everyone could enjoy; (that’s gonna be tough) away from cell phones, televisions and computers. (please mom, don’t make me go) Those innovations that keep us away from conversation, board games, star gazing and the good old outdoors. Even a poorly played game of ping pong.
Well, I came up with the bright idea of going to a guest ranch where we could all spend some quality time together without a lot of distractions. Someplace reasonably close to home where we could ride horses, hang out and just be together. A long weekend trip instead of a whole week and I probably won’t encounter much opposition. I eventually got the thumbs up from everyone but now I had to figure out where this trip was going to take place.
Choosing Grapevine Canyon Ranch was a “no-brainer” once I began looking on-line. I researched every guest ranch from all four corners of the State of Arizona and Grapevine was the clear choice. The web site is very informative, well put together and pretty much says it all. Everything is just as described and better!!!
Lindsey, Tyler and I arrived Friday and were very pleasantly greeted by Jenny. (Bill got stuck in Tucson due to a crisis at his business but he joined us later that evening) Jenny gave us a brief orientation and then Roy showed us around and to our casita. We didn’t have an opportunity to see any other rooms, but our casita, Natchez, was awesome. It was like having a cabin in the middle of the woods. With one queen size bed, a loft and bunk beds it was a very comfortable fit for us and spotlessly cleaned each day when we returned from riding.
We began our trail rides on Saturday morning. We are all novice riders except for Bill, who wrangled in the mountains of New Mexico many years ago, but we chose the all-day trail ride. Hooked up with our horses, Chuy, Jose, Rusty and Flash, our wranglers, Annie and Dan, and off we went. A beautiful overcast day with perfect temperatures. Then, the monsoon rain. It came down hard and fast. We found a spot in the cottonwoods and mesquites, tied off the horses and ate our sandwiches in the rain. Bill and I loved every minute of it. We were a little cold but didn’t care. It doesn’t rain much in Arizona and it is pretty much always a pleasant site. Besides, in the old west they had to endure hardship on the trail so it made the ride seem all that more authentic.
Sundays ride was under beautiful clear skies. Bill rode a different horse this day, Sabino, who he just loved. I switched with Lindsey and rode Rusty giving her Jose. Jose is the most mellow horse I have ever been around and just what Lindsey wanted. Rusty was a challenge for her the day before. Tyler and Flash remained trail buddies the entire weekend. I don’t know much about horses but I can say the horses at Grapevine are incredibly well trained and cared for. Dan and Annie were great to be out with and very knowledgeable about the area.
At Tyler’s request, we all did the Lope test Sunday afternoon after our morning ride and passed. This was necessary to go out on the cowboy ride the next day which was the main ride on Tyler’s mind since the moment we arrived. Riding cowboy style on the open range.
Another great day!!! Thanks to Danny, the resident cowboy, who took us out Monday morning to roam the range, see the cows and calves and we got to go fast. Loping was a blast and we can’t wait to get out and do it again.
Thanks to everyone at Grapevine for making our short trip such a great experience. I didn’t even mention how great the food was. Homemade meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Don’t miss steak night or skip on desert.
Three days was not nearly enough time for us but it is so nice to know that we have this practically in our back yard. Imagine all the locals who miss stuff like this. If you were in Paris would you skip the Eiffel tower? The topper, Lindsey and Tyler couldn’t stop thanking us from bringing them to the ranch. We hope to be back very soon.
The Mossbargers
Diane, Bill, Lindsey and Tyler (“the family of four” as Annie affectionately called us)
Grapevine Diary
Dawn and Rick Getzandanner
Frederick, Maryland
Upon arrival at Tucson we picked up our rental- as Bonnie commented -the ugliest little car she had ever seen- and made our way to the Ranch. As we drove we were enthralled by the mountains and rock formations- they just don't make those in Maryland.
Bonnie greeted us ever so warmly at the front office and showed us to our room. That night we signed up for our rides and met some new friends- Kirby and Cindy from Wisconsin, Tash from England, Don and Cathy from Ohio- just to name a few.
The next morning I woke up early excited for my first day's ride. After a great made to order breakfast and last minute bathroom stop, I was finally mounted on my horse- Clovis. My husband had a horse with a real Western Name- Sundance who came complete with spurs. After a few minutes in the ring, I was enjoying Clovis who although had a name that made me think of the Devil (cloven hooves). He was very responsive and neck reined well. That day we were off to ride to Sorren Windmill- a full day in the saddle. My perfect idea of sightseeing. Annie was along with us and shared her wrangler expertise.
Now Clovis and I had some different opinions about what a trail ride should be. I wanted a pokey guy that just wanted to hang back- not concerned about keeping up with his friends. He wanted to become best buddies with Sundance. As this went on, he kept irritating Sundance. After all what self-respecting gelding really wanted another gelding sniffing at his (well you get the picture). During Lunchtime my husband decided to bond with his horse and I think Sundance got more lunch than Rick did. Clovis and I had some schooling to do so I worked on him a while with half halts and checks. By the end of the day we had agreed that three feet of distance was acceptable by both of us. The ride was fabulous and lucky me was used to at least 8 hours in the saddle- so I wasn't feeling any soreness. I did feel a little sorry for some of the other guests- they were looking a mite peaked.
Back at the ranch we unsaddled our mounts and headed off for hot showers and dinner.
Dinner was a great gathering of the friends we had made and the food was excellent. But, after a long day we all hit the hay early.
Tuesday morning came in a little cool and cloudy- so I was glad I had packed my duster. We were set to go to the Chiricahua Mountains. I had requested a different horse and was given the privilege of riding Rio. Now this was a horse- no offense Clovis!!! Rio and I spent the rest of the week together and made Annie proud with our rollbacks. The Mountains were unbelievable and the trail was fabulous. To me, riding in rugged terrain well is much more satisfying than speed- so this trek was just the ticket. We loaded up the horses and headed back for the ranch.
Wednesday was another day we had opted for the All Day Ride- can you tell yet that I just wanted to stay glued to my horse?? This day took us into the stronghold with Smokey. The day was clear and warming up so I was glad I had put on sunscreen. Smokey shared with us some history of the area as we traveled the trail and the views were incredible. This ride is one I need to take again!!!
That night we had a rare treat. Cindy had convinced Rusty to sing for us. He started with my new favorite song "Cowboy Up". It has surpassed my last favorite song "Devil Went Down to Georgia" by a landslide. I can play "Cowboy Up" 14 times between work and home- Rusty might have to send me a new CD if I wear this one out.
Thursday we were off to Fort Bowie. I made sure to take along money for the gift shop. Once we were saddled up, we headed out towards the fort. Annie provided narration and the history lesson. Seeing Apache Wells was a highlight of this day since so many western novels refer to it- and now I've been there! Once at the fort we ate our lunch- Sundance ate my husband's lunch and I did some shopping. We headed back down the trail and loaded up the horses. A few miles into the trip we thought Annie in the truck in front had blown a hose. A huge spray of something began hitting our car just like a hose had gone. Well once we inhaled deeply- we knew it wasn't fluid from the truck. One of the horses couldn't hold it in any longer- and well our car got peed on. This as you can well imagine brought about a chuckle from the wranglers later.
Thursday night the band came in to play and tell some rather humorous jokes. Bonnie actually got my husband up to dance. This was a small miracle- trust me- he doesn't dance. After some music it was time for our last night at the ranch.
Friday morning came too soon. After our last ride, we sadly checked out. With our baggies of cookies we bid a fond farewell to Grapevine.
We have talked about visiting other ranches, but I think we have found the one for us. I'm already thinking of dates for the future-
Maybe you'll see us in October!!!
Rick and Dawn Getzandanner
Grapevine Groupies Forever
A diary by guests Kathy and Ed Urbanski and Peg Heller
Hi Everyone,
Well, it started two years ago. That is when the Grapevine Canyon Ranch web site caught my eye. I had been searching for a guest ranch for a long time and no matter how many web sites I looked at, I kept coming back to Grapevine's.
Finally, I convinced my husband, Ed, and my Mom, Peg, that we will never have enough time and we should just do it, now. So we booked a week at Grapevine in January and we just got back.
We were going to arrive a little late so I called the ranch from my cell phone and John answered. He said "We're waiting on you, so we'll see you soon," in a friendly and welcoming voice. When we arrived, Bonnie showed us to the Cook Shack where we ate a delicious meal, met some very happy guests and staff and were escorted to our beautiful casita. We had flown in from upstate NY, and we slept very well.
The next morning we were pleasantly surprised by the beautiful scenery. We could see the horses and two "pet" cows happily eating breakfast with the sun coming up in the background behind the majestic mountains.
For breakfast, there was a special option of biscuits and gravy, which I highly recommend! After some introductions and great conversation, we headed out to the barn for our first ride.
Annie set us up with a few great horses and after some instructions, we followed her on the ride to "the Gap." Our breath was taken away by the pastel colors in the sand and mountains. Our horses easily walked around the cactus plants and walked very confidently up and down the "washes." Annie, thank you for the great conversation and wonderful rides.
After a wonderful lunch, we went out for our "loping test." We all passed and proudly wore our badges of honor. Thank you, Smokey, for putting my Mom at ease. She is 62 years old and was very nervous about riding in front of anyone but my husband and I. Smokey joked with her saying if she was having trouble now, what was she going to do when she was 70? She felt better after that.
The next day we went for another morning ride and got to try an "Advanced" ride in the afternoon. I was the only one on the ride since my Mom needed a break and Ed went out to try to hunt Coyote. The funny thing is, I saw a coyote twice on our ride (I think he was a bit curious about where we were going) but Ed didn't see any (not that I rubbed that in or anything ha ha)! Smokey took me on a very relaxing ride by the "Brangus" (part Brama, part Angus cattle) and having White Faced Herefords ourselves, I felt right at home riding among them. He showed me the water "tanks" that we would call ponds at home, and the molasses tank. We walked, trotted and loped around the valley and I had a great time listening to his stories. Especially the one about the straw house, but I won't ruin the ending, I'll let Smokey tell you about that.
We didn't want to go to Arizona without seeing Tombstone, so the next day, Judy (a wonderful guest from PA), Ed, Mom and I walked the same streets as Wyatt Erp. We stopped in to see the "Bird Cage," the "Courthouse" and had some lunch in town. The courthouse had "Gallows" which reminded me of how different justice is handled today. Before leaving, we stopped at Boot Hill to see the grave sites of those who died in the late 1800s.
The next night we were entertained by the Grapevine Canyon Band and they were wonderful! Danny, Danielle and Dave sang country songs and Dave interjected with some corny jokes. He even let me interrupt with some of my corny jokes and the best part is they even laughed at them! I felt like I have known them all of my life and I know if I learn an instrument, they might invite me to join them one day. Too bad I'm a better joke teller than singer -- ask my husband, I could clear a room -- ha ha!
After a few more wonderful rides, it was time for our very last ride of the trip on Friday afternoon. Rusty took us out on the range riding "Chance." I think that name was picked because there is no chance anyone will catch him! Not that we didn't try! I rode "Gaucho" and Ed rode "Flint" and we had a blast!!! Thank you Rusty, you are a Cowboy through and through!
Though the week, we were lucky enough to get to know everyone very well. We heard wonderful stories and although Eve has the best stories to tell, we found her to be a very good listener. My husband is a horseshoer and loves nothing better than to talk about it with other equine experts -- the Grapevine family fit the bill.
We truly feel like part of the Grapevine Canyon Ranch family now and the only bad part of our trip was leaving. We miss everyone already and hope to see them again soon.
