For the first 5 nights of my stay, I was at the Tanque Verde Ranch. This is a nice property on the east side of Tucson, abutting the Saguaro National Park. I had a standard room, which is adequate for 1 to 2 people. It had a nice Southwestern decor and patio chairs out front. The bathroom seemed a little outdated, but it was fine. During my stay, I was actually the only one in my building unit, as the other bathrooms in that building were being redone and mine was slated for the same after I left.

This ranch offers a wide range of activities, including hiking, mountain biking, nature walks, art classes, and, of course, horseback riding. Rides go out three times per day, and you can choose between walking or lope rides. To participate in the lope rides, you must first pass the ranch lope test, for which there are classes available if you don't have much riding experience.

The food was excellent. Lunches are served buffet style in the dining room. There are several hot entrees and side dishes available, as well as a large salad bar and breads, cheese, etc. The best part was the huge pastry table offered each day at lunch with about 20 to 30 items. Dinners are waiter service and offer about 4 to 5 entrees. Several times a week, dinners are served as a cookout in the Cottonwood Grove. Breakfasts are a buffet, or you may order off a menu. For all meals, you may request a table for just your party or you may choose to join others at one of the group tables.

The desert setting is lovely, with lots of varieties of cacti. While there I saw a road runner, cottontail rabbits, and many quails. I didn't see any rattlesnakes during my stay, but the people staying in the next building had one on their porch, which was promptly removed by ranch staff.