Double Circle Ranch prides itself in offering custom ranch vacations for small groups. We cater to our guests’ interests and skill level. This is an account of one of our recent guest’s visit. Karl Lentini from Los Angeles came to the Double Circle for a cattle herding vacation. He spent a week riding and herding Texas Longhorns. He chose this ranch because he didn’t want to go to a regular dude ranch with lots of people and nice wine lists with dinner. He wanted an authentic Western Experience on an historic Arizona ranch.
Karl sent us the daily notes he wrote about his ranch vacation. Below is the entry for his first day at the Double Circle.
My Time at Double Circle Ranch
by Karl Lentini
Karl Lentini Writes About His Cattle Herding Vacation Experience
After returning home from Double Circle I found myself spending a lot of time organizing my ranch photos, talking about my experiences to anyone who would listen, and keeping in touch with folks at the ranch. I guess that says it all. I wanted to ride horses and herd cattle, and that’s exactly what I did at Double Circle. I had ridden Western only a couple of times, and recently had seven English lessons. If you’re looking for an authentic cowboy experience, or just need to get out in nature, then take a look at this ranch.
Here are my notes from my time there:
Day 1: Sunday Sept. 5 2010
As I drove up the 191, a twisty, two lane highway with no barrier or shoulder, I noticed what I thought were bushes at the side of the road. Looking closer, I realized the “bushes” were really the tops of trees. I didn’t want to find out where the bottoms of the trees were… You really do have to drive attentively on 191 as one miscalculation would send you off the side of a mountain. I wouldn’t drive it at night, so give yourself plenty of daytime to get to where you’re going.
I turned left on Upper Eagle Creek Road, which I discover is a dirt road. I turned left at the appropriate driveway and went down an even dirtier road. I got to a dried up creek and wondered if my rented Camry would make it over the concrete blocks… I figured someone could haul my vehicle if it got stuck. Luckily the car made it through and I parked in front of a house next to a sedan.
I wondered if I was in the right place as I saw no horses or people. A small black dog sat in the yard guarding the walkway to the front door. I cautiously approached the walkway. The dog started to growl and I started going back to the car. I got to the ranch just before my planned arrival time of 1 p.m. so I figured someone would greet me at any moment. A couple of minutes later a young lady identifying herself as Crystal came out of the house. She welcomed me to the ranch and kindly offered me water. Soon after, I met Wilma, Doug, Mike the cowboy, and Forrest. Haven’t seen any cattle yet.
Rode Odie today, a gelding. Very good horse. Very comfortable on the rocks going up and down inclines. Rode to the Double Circle pasture with old wooden structures, pens, and a water tank. Lots of history here — even graves of people who died here years ago. If I could ever build a house on this ranch it would be right here. There’s something very comforting about this area — a cabin on a hill surrounded by flat fields, woods, and mountains in the distance.
Saw an entrance way with a cattle guard to the San Carlos Apache Reservation. I’ve been reading about Apaches and would like to visit the reservation some day.
After the ride I went back to my tent and found a hummingbird buzzing inside! Tried to shoo it out of the tent but it kept smacking into the wall. I went to dinner and told them of my dilemma. Someone said good thing it wasn’t a skunk… When I came back to the tent after dinner the hummingbird was sitting quietly on the wall of the tent. I figured if it were dead it would be lying on the floor. So I gathered up a shirt, stood on a wooden box, and grabbed the hummingbird with my shirt. It either didn’t see me coming or was too tired to care. It chirped as I held it, not too tight of course. Briefly thought of photographing it, but figured it was night and the flash would burn its eyes out. Took it outside the tent and let it fly away. Not ten minutes later I saw another hummingbird, maybe the same one, buzzing outside the tent — was there a nest on the tent somewhere?
Got some sniffly allergic reaction, to what I don’t know. I’ve never been allergic to animals. Will take a Benadryl every night to clear me out and help me sleep.
Wished I could bring friends out here with me. Maybe next time. Coordinating schedules isn’t easy.
Leave a Reply