Relax! You're On an Arizona Dude Ranch

Relax! You're on an

Dude ranching had no conscious beginning but like Topsy it has grown to a full blown maturity that brings heart ease and renewed physical well being to hundreds of men and women who annually seek a respite from the busy life of the cities and the strain of intensive occupation.

Forty years ago, when distances in Arizona were measured by days and even weeks instead of hours and minutes, the arrival of a stranger with news of the outside world was a gala occasion. Western ranchers are no less happy today to welcome into their family circle the guests who would share their home and partake of their hospitality. The household may be simple or elaborate, but in each an equally warm smile, a hearty hand-clasp and a sincere welcome await the new-comer or returning friend.

The climate varies from the cactusclad desert of the Mexican border to the bald San Francisco of the Flagstaff section with their habitually worn toupees of snow. Dude ranching seasons, however, like migratory fowl, move north in summer and south in winter. A few places circle the calendar with open doors.

'Going Western' Real Delight

There is a guest ranch in Arizona for every day of the year. From 70 to 80 per cent of the possible annual sunshine is enjoyed in all sections of the state. There is little humidity; the heat does not enervate, and the dry cold is not penetrating. Warm days and brisk nights are typical of southern Arizona in winter and of the northern sections of the state during the late spring, summer and early fall.

Some of the ranches cover many thousands of acres and are going cattle outfits which take a limited number of guests, but in no way vary the regular business of caring for their livestock; others are gradually going into dude ranching as a part of their livelihood; while still others may include only a few acres of land and be devoted entirely to quartering and entertaining eastern visitors.

Some of the ranches offer the simplest accommodations while others provide rooms single or ensuite, with or without bath. A part of the ranches house all of their guests in one main building while others have sleeping quarters in cabins. Excellent cuisine is generally assured, with home produced vegetables, milk and meat.

Most of the rates are based on the American plan and range from $25 to $70 per week, and often there are reductions when two persons occupy the same double room, remain for a pro. tracted period, or plan their visit for the off-season. Rates may include the use of horses, horses and guides, and trans. portation to and from the station.

Information concerning the rates and accommodations at the ranches may be obtained from the chambers of commerce in their vicinities, directly from the ranches, or from the attractively illustrated booklets issued by the Southern Pacific and the A. T. and S. F. Railways.

At both ends of the peak period there is delightful weather and quiet days for the guests who prefer the inactivity of the off-season.

Life on a ranch may be packed with action, or quiet day-long siestas may be enjoyed in the company of one's own thoughts, a good book, or a few friends. Bridge may be played in the shade of a towering pine, in the cool recesses of a flagstone patio or before an open fire in a spacious living room, depending upon on the season and time of day. Riding is keenly relished by a majority of guests. Cow ponies, and in some cases thoroughbreds, suited in gentleness to the experience of the riders, are available. Cowboy guides gladly instruct guests to whom riding is a new experience. Pack trips, ranging in length from an overnight jaunt to a week or ten days into the back country, and feeds at chuck wagons during fall or spring round-ups are privileges usually reserved for those who ride.

Rodeos in which cowboys top a fourlegged thunderbolt, turn out a wild one or bulldog a salty oxen afford the most thrilling ranch entertainment. Guests sometimes participate as contestants. Barbecues often climax the day's sports.

Rodeos small and large are held in all parts of the state. Prescott stampedes into action in the first week of July with Frontier Days, the oldest known rodeo in the United States; Tucson celebrates La Fiesta de Los Vaqueros for three days of each year with Washington's birthday anniversary as one of the days. Fishing streams may be reached from a majority of ranches in the north central and eastern areas after a few minutes' walk or a few hours by motor. Seldom fished water may be reached by pack trip. A wily Native, a beautiful Rainbow or a pink-meated Eastern Brook will test the casting skill of the most cxperienced stream fisherman. Roosevelt,

Arizona Dude Ranch

a majority of ranches in the north central and eastern areas after a few minutes' walk or a few hours by motor. Seldom fished water may be reached by pack trip. A wily Native, a beautiful Rainbow or a pink-meated Eastern Brook will test the casting skill of the most cxperienced stream fisherman. Roosevelt, Mormon and Sullivan Lakes are among the larger bodies of water which are well stocked with perch, bass, catfish and lake trout. Sea bass, black sea bass and cabrillo are found in the Gulf of Southern California, which is only 235 miles from Tucson over a graded highway.

Hunting for big game, white wings,quail, ducks and doves may be enjoyed in legal season. Guides, horses, camp equipment, and sometimes dogs are provided by the ranches. Guests may participate in trap shooting and target praetice. There are several gun clubs in the state.

quail, ducks and doves may be enjoyed in legal season. Guides, horses, camp equipment, and sometimes dogs are provided by the ranches. Guests may participate in trap shooting and target praetice. There are several gun clubs in the state.

Tennis courts, a few practice holes of golf or a try at par on the courses of nearby towns offer entertainment for persons enjoying these sports. Swimming in specially built pools or in lakes or swimming holes in streams is offered by some ranches. A ringer or a leaner is the aim of many a horseshoe player.

Dancing at the ranch, at a neighboring hacienda or at an open air pavilion, which is the place for community gathering's, provides a form of evening entertainment. Moonlight picnics with the smell of crackling camp fires, broiling steaks, sagebrush or pine-the strumming of a guitar and the sound of cowboy voices swinging into "Strawberry Roan," "Rancho Grande" and other folk songs are experiences which become (Continued on Page 19)