Once upon a time...well okay.....a few weeks ago......
It is a gorgeous Saturday morning. It is early enough both in the season and in the morning, that it's not yet blazing hot. I'm going for a horseback ride on South Mountain at the Ponderosa Stables Like many of you, when I think of horseback riding... I think of wide open desert spaces, or beautiful wooded trails far away from the city, with streams of cool water bubbling effortlessly over river rocks....not here.
The drive to the Ponderosa Stables is through so much city and concrete you wonder how there could possibly be any kind of wildlife (other than the kind you don't want to run into on a Friday night..lol).
I find my destination at the absolute end of Central Avenue. If the road didn't curve I would have driven straight into South Mountain. This stable has been hosting trail rides on South Mountain for about 40 years.
I arrive about 30 minutes prior to my scheduled ride and watch as riders and trail guides are coming in from their early morning rides.
Most of them are obviously tourists; I can tell because they are wearing shorts and running shoes (and their cameras give them away); improper attire for a horseback ride, let alone one through desert vegetation where there are venomous critters.
The Cowboy that runs Ponderosa is a Massachusetts Cowboy? I know, right? That's exactly what I thought. But let's be honest, as we learned from the Marlboro Man; a Cowboy is such because of his heart, not his state of residence.
It's a great ride for the scenery and South Mountain is a site you absolutely have to see while in Phoenix.
The Ponderosa does offer more rides that include a breakfast ride and a steak dinner ride. It's a great way to get out and see some of the natural desert areas of Phoenix. The prices are reasonable, and the company is good. The trail cowboys and cowgirls work for tips, so please be generous.
Bring some sort of hat , bring water, and wear cowboy boots if you have them. Remember: we are a guest in nature's domain, please use manners. Sun poisoning is not fun :( and I can't imagine rattlesnake bites are either.
Cheers, until the next adventure!!!
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