CL SPRING 2009
16
TRAVEL
SUMMER 2012
celebratedliving.com
ATHOME
ONTHE
RANGE
J
ust 30minutesoutsideof SanAntonio,
PICOSA RANCH
hasTexas cultureand
lorewrappedup inone luxurious 2,500-acreproperty. The formerhomestead
ofTexasgovernorJohnConnally, the resort’sMainHouse featuresmuseum-
qualityartifactsof presidential visitsand thedayofConnally’s tragicmotorcade
withPresident JohnF.KennedyonNovember 22, 1963. Saddleover to thenearby
SouthRangeLodge
andyou’veentered luxury-ranch territory,wheremealsare
served in the tin-roof barnandPolarisATVsawait guestswantingaguided tour to
view theexoticanimalson theproperty, includingzebras,waterbuck, andeland.
Under theknowledgeableguidance of Picosa’s staff, which includesGovernor
Connally’s grandsonBubbaAmmann (although the familypropertyhas since
been sold), you canpartake inanything fromhunting, fishing, and skeet shooting
tohorseback ridingand safari tours.
Afteradayof ranchingactivities, you’llwant
to revive in theLodge’spool andenjoy the
expansiveview; if thewide-openspacesdon’t
sayTexas, the longhorncattleon theotherside
of thebarbed-wire fencewill surely remindyou
thatyouare indeed in theLoneStarState.Head
inside thebarn to trychefDavidWallace’s
Texas-ranchcuisine, suchas locally raised
rib-eyesteakservedwith roastedvegetables—
quitepossibly from theon-sitegarden—and
potatoes layeredwithpoblanopeppersora
delectableexampleofwhypecanpieought tobe
called theofficial statedessertofTexas.The
kids, however,will have longsince left the
building to roastmarshmallowsover the fire
pitandgazeupat thestar-litTexassky.
When it’s time to retire, you’ll find rooms
thatare rustic-chic,with trophieson thewalls,
fineamenities throughout, andquitepossibly
themost comfortablebeds in theWest.
PicosaRanchopens itsgates forgroups—
perfect foranadventure-minded, extended-
familyvacation. From$7,500pernight for the
whole lodge,whichholdsup to18people.
picosaranchresort.com
— LORI STACY
RANCHRETREATS
FOURMOREPLACESTORIDE
ANDRELAX INSTYLE
TANQUE VERDE RANCH, ARIZONA
Saddleup and ride amid
theTucson area’s famed
saguaro cacti at this family-
friendlyworking ranch.
tanqueverderanch.com
C LAZYURANCH, COLORADO
Horseback riding, andeven
cattle roundups, areon the
itinerary at thisColorado
dude ranch just twohours out-
sideDenver. clazyu.com
THE RESORT AT PAWSUP, MONTANA
With spa treatments, gourmet
cuisine, and luxury tents, you
might forget you’re at awork-
ing cattle ranch. pawsup.com
SPOTTEDHORSE RANCH, WYOMING
A river runs through this
dude ranchoutside Jackson
Hole,meaningfly-fishing is
definitelyon the itinerary.
spottedhorseranch.com
To see a slideshowof these
four ranch retreats,
go to celebratedliving.com/
webexclusives.
From top: exoticanimals roaming theproperty;
Picosa’s barn; rustic-chicguest rooms; andchef David
Wallace servingdishes at the sunkenpoolsidecabana
