Spur Cross Stables Blog

Ride to the Petroglyphs

admin — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 21:05:19 +0000

We recently received a glowing testimonial from an out-of-town visitor who went on our ride to the Hohokam Petroglyphs. This trail takes riders through the beautiful, rustic Tonto National Forest to the mysterious drawings and carvings left behind centuries ago by the Hohokam Indians. Pam from Middleton, Wisconsin, writes:

Jeff, Pam's guide, standing in front of one of the petroglyphs.

“Riding horses is what I love to do, and there’s no place in Arizona I’d rather ride than Spur Cross Stables. Owner Lee Anderson is one of the finest horsemen I’ve ever met and has some of the nicest horses and guides available for public rides. Located at the entrance to Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area and Tonto National Forest, the stable can take you to some of the most beautiful places on earth. I’ve taken many rides with Spur Cross Stables over the years, from one-hour rides with out-of-town friends to an all-day ride to Seven Springs high in the Tonto Forest hills.

Most recently, a friend and I took a four-hour ride to see the Petroglyphs made by Native Americans at their summer home a thousand years ago (an experience you can’t have just anywhere)! The destination is an amazing sight to see and offers mysterious insights into the lives of these ancient people. The journey to and from the Petroglyphs is as enjoyable as the destination itself, taking you through several water crossings and some of the most beautiful Sonoran Desert country accessible to humans. Our guide, Jeff, was experienced, knowledgeable and entertaining – telling some tall cowboy tales that made it challenging to distinguish fact from fiction and kept us smiling the whole way! The horses, Lady Bug (a mule actually), Echo and Sagebrush, were perfect mounts for the trip. All the horses are well cared for and well trained, making for a safe and enjoyable ride every time.

There’s something for everyone at Spur Cross Stables and I highly recommend them for your next horseback riding adventure in Cave Creek. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed and will take home some special memories to last a lifetime. When you go, be sure to allow extra time to visit with the stable residents, including donkeys Roscoe and Jake, and Gilbert the famous pot-bellied pig!”

Thanks for the lovely words, Pam, and we hope you come back to Arizona for another unforgettable ride soon!

To find out more about our Petroglyphs trail, or any of our other guided or private horseback rides, please contact us today.

Cave Creek – My own “Green Grass”

admin — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 22:12:08 +0000

Uncle Carl came from Denmark in the late 1800’s with my great grandparents and settled in Eastern Montana in time to experience a winter to write home about. Finally the winter melded into Spring that first year and “green grass” began to poke itself out of what was left of the snow banks. A lasting impression “green grass” and over the years it was a daily ritual to go visit Uncle Carl in the Spring, after a cup of his cowboy coffee he would eventually look up, smile and proudly let me know he had made it again to “green grass”. As time goes by in Arizona it is obvious “green grass” won’t work so this cowboy has found a replacement.

Cave Creek is a beautiful little stream, spring fed that goes into hibernation in the summer and hot fall, and meanders peacefully from above 7 Springs, winds around Skull Mesa and takes its last breath across from our ranch. The Arizona desert does not allow a lot of water but it does flow, goes into the ground and suddenly surfaces, quenching the thirst of the trees, shrubs and the many birds and animals. As the weather cools, and the thirsty ground soaks the life giving water, I take great pleasure in watching the progress of the creek in bringing back life, I think of Uncle Carl and his “green grass” and now have my own “green grass”. Thank you Uncle Carl.

On our nice rides of 2, 3, 4, 5 hours and even to 7 Springs, you can now get a chance to see my “green grass”. Might even get a chuckle out of Katlin our reservation girl just ask for the “green grass” ride and tell her how long.

Till next time ‘Man who talks to much’.

The 4th Annual Arizona Cabin Fever Trail Ride

admin — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 20:55:27 +0000

THE 4TH ANNUAL ARIZONA CABIN FEVER TRAIL RIDE

Starring
MICHAEL MARTIN MURPHEY

Featuring some of the best cooks and trail horses in the South West Desert Region.

March 17^th ‐ 20th, 2010

When the snow piles up till you think it will never melt and all your neighbors bring in their Brass Monkeys and the walls of your cabin start closing in, THAT’S CABIN FEVER. Then is the time to join us for the ride of your life in the Arizona Sonora Desert. Four days of riding good, safe trail horses, great food, camping in cowboy range tents and listening to America’s Premier Gold Record Balladeer ‐ MICHAEL MARTIN MURPHEY. Michael will be riding with us and performing the haunting melodies of the Old West around the campfire each night with guest entertainers helping out.

The area we will be riding in is about 15 miles from Carefree, Arizona. It is called Seven Springs. Great country to ride and camp. Lots of historical sites in the area and awesome trails. This fantastic Backcountry Adventure will start in the time of year when the desert starts to come alive. One day it is just shades of brown and the next morning is just beautiful with flowers of every color of the rainbow. This is a beautiful desert area and we’ll be there at the time when the desert is usually in bloom.

Friday we will load the horses and trailer over to the Wingate Pass Trail and ride into West World and the Festival of the West. Lots of activity there with vendors and reenactors, poets and cowboy singers. Also Craig Cameron will be hosting the Extreme Cowboy Race. Afterwards we will load up and return to camp for dinner and more Cowboy songs, poems and stories around the campfire with Michael Marin Murphey.

Saturday we will take a short ride and return you to your motel. But we’re not done yet. Saturday night, we’ll turn Michael loose to sing the songs he has made famous over the years in a special Concert at Bretts Barn in West World. Naturally, you will have front row seats as part of the Arizona Cabin Fever Trail Ride.

Bring your sleeping bag, personal gear, even your motor home if you prefer and plan on four days of the best riding in the world. The food will be the best of Rangeland cooking out under Arizona skies. The nightly entertainment with Michael Martin Murphey will be as Cowboy as you can get, with songs, poems, legends and lore of the West. Our horses are the best in the Southwest or bring your own (no stallions allowed).

The opportunity to see a wide variety of Wild Life and Spectacular Scenery is an every day occurrence.

Tickets for other than ride participants for the Michael Martin Murphey Classic Cowboy Concert , March 20^th, can be purchased at Bretts Barn.

For ride reservations call 605-343-7608 – cell 605-390-2176 or lantisgunsel@aol.com

The price for this Awesome Adventure including front row concert tickets is $1,800.00. To reserve your spot for the ride and concert send 50% of the total due to Bob Lantis Box 1575 Rapid City, South Dakota 57709.

Master Charge, Visa and Personal Checks are accepted.

Don’t Miss This Spectacular, Awesome Ride and Classic Cowboy Concert

NOTE: BOOK THIS AWESOME ADVENTURE AS A CHRISTMAS GIFT BEFORE DECEMBER 25^TH AND YOU CAN DEDUCT $50.00 FROM THE TOTAL DUE PER PERSON. GIFT CERTIFICATES ARE AVAILABLE.

SEE YOU ON THE TRAIL IN ARIZONA !