GRAND Magazine - March/April 2018 - 8

GRAND Travel
Since 1924, when the
ranch opened the property
has changed hands several
times, most recently in 2016.
The new owners, along with
an historic preservation
organization, are working to
restore the dude ranch to its
former glory.
Since it is a dude ranch,
of course, we had to ride
horses, or at least animals
close to horses! We saddled
up; I mounted my mule and
followed our guide, Lynee,
on a sandy trail.
Our destination was the
controversial U.S.-Mexico
border wall that was constructed under the Bush
administration. For about 10
minutes, we rode on a path
that ran parallel to the tubular wall. While the ride only
traversed a tiny portion of
the wall, we were told that
the barrier ended just a bit up the nearby hill. A couple of U.S.
Border Patrol trucks passed while our group was taking pictures. While this border location may concern some, I felt safe.
A bit later, we stopped for two additional photo opportunities - one was at the ranch's cemetery and the other was at a
high point where we had a panoramic view of the ranch buildings below.
As we headed back to the stable, the sun was sinking toward
the horizon and rays of sunshine cast a golden glow over a
nearby mountain range. While I was mildly aware of rhythmic
hoof beats and an occasional bird chirping, my head pivoted
8 GRAND

MARCH APRIL 2018

Artwork, antiques, and historic photographs
brought to life a bygone era. Amazingly, this
ranch has the oldest continually used building
in Arizona, a former 1700s mission outpost
built by Jesuit priests, currently called the "cantina" and used for social gatherings.
On the next day, we enjoyed a two-hour
horseback ride, a motorized fat tire bicycle
adventure, and an ATV ride into the mountains.
At first, I was a bit reluctant to try a motorized
bicycle but by the end of the ride, I was sold. I
didn't have to be the caboose because I could
simply push a button to go faster. It was great
fun to pass my husband while pedaling uphill.
The ATV ride was thrilling as we zig-zagged up
the mountainous countryside. We stopped to
view some ruins. However, I received conflicting
information about their history and relevancy.
Everyone walked away with a souvenir from the
desert- head to toe dust.

Read full article here
back and forth so that I could capture a mental image of this
serene desert landscape. No wonder so many famous people
chose to stay here decades ago.
At the ringing of the dinner bell, the guests filtered into
the hacienda. This time, the wooden table was dressed with a
white tablecloth and red napkins. The young chef confirmed
dietary restrictions and allergies. Like a large extended family,
we shared in one couple's 30th anniversary celebration. Most
were still seated at the table when the kitchen staff was ready
to leave for the evening. Instead of being fixated on electronic
devices, the group of former strangers enjoyed talking.
Later, I explored some of the other rooms of the hacienda.

Sandy Bornstein's visit
to Rancho de la Osa was
sponsored by Visit Tucson.
Traveling grandmom, Sandy
Bornstein, is a freelance travel
& lifestyle writer, content
coordinator & content writer
for Golden Living. She is the
award-winning author of May
This Be the Best Year of Your
Life. Learn more about her
here.

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GRAND Magazine - March/April 2018

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of GRAND Magazine - March/April 2018