On a magical night in December 2008, I watched Tom Chambers demonstrate some amazing control over a horse, and he never came within fifteen feet of the horse. The horse was in a small corral and he stood in the center. By just a nod of his head or a change in the way he looked at the horse, the animal would speed up or slow down, or even turn around and go the other way.

Chambers has worked with horses for over forty years and currently operates the Harmony with Horses program at the Tanque Verde Ranch in Tucson. While he is not comfortable with being called a “Horse Whisperer”, it is a moniker often used for his innate ability to work with horses.

As a boy, he was uncomfortable with the harsh ways of horse-breaking methods, and set out to find a softer approach. He found that often people didn’t have “horse problems” but that horses had “people problems.” By working together in a partnership, people and horses could thrive in their relationship.

Chambers is also a western singer/songwriter and often sings in the evenings at the Ranch.

http://www.horseyodeler.com/

http://www.tanqueverderanch.com/

The Santa Catalina Mountains provide a dramatic backdrop for the El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort in Tucson, Arizona. With 45 holes of championship golf on three courses, 31 lighted tennis courts, five exceptional restaurants, a water park, and the Elements Spa, finding a reason to leave is challenging. However, nearby destinations include the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area, Old Tucson Studios, Kartchner Caverns, and the Pima Air & Space Museum. Did I mention the saguaros? Not one, but two Saguaro National Parks showcase the incredible long-armed cactus associated with the Southwest. Go – stay – and enjoy the beauty of the desert.

http://www.hiltonelconquistador.com/

http://www.sabinocanyon.com/

http://www.oldtucson.com/

http://www.pr.state.az.us/Parks/parkhtml/kartchner.html

http://www.pimaair.org/

At FireSky Resort and Spa in Scottsdale they love pets so much that they actually have one on staff. Bosco, a black cocker spaniel, is Director of Pet Services. When I first arrived I noticed a bowl of dog biscuits on the check-in counter. A bowl of water on the floor was tucked into the corner. The staff at this very trendy luxury hotel strives to provide a strong sense of home, from comfortable gathering areas throughout the resort to encouraging guests to bring their pets. Pets are not only welcome, they are celebrated. Bosco attends company meetings and events around the property. Kids love him and grownups usually give him a pat when he walks by. Bosco even has his own brew, called Bowser Beer, a non-alcoholic, no hops, low-calorie beverage made with malt and beef broth. Humans don’t like it much, but dogs love it. Pet owners are expected to be responsible for their pets, and there are one or two places at the resort where pets can not roam. Pets are not allowed to be disruptive to other guests, and all rooms are steam-cleaned after a pet stay. But overall, the pets can feel just as at home as the owners. Those traveling with pets can check in to patio accomodations and be presented with a leash, a doggie bed, and a chew toy. In addition, pet owners can choose a DVD movie to watch with their pet, including Lady and the Tramp, Babe, and Dr. Doolittle. If guests arrive without a pet, the staff at FireSky will make certain they feel included by providing them with a pet goldfish in their room.

http://www.fireskyresort.com/

The Grand Canyon draws me back year after year. With each visit I feel as though I see it in a whole new way. I also enjoy many favorite haunts that feel as familiar as an old pair of slippers. The Kolb Brothers Studio is one of these places. In 1903, ten years before the Grand Canyon was named as a National Park, Ellsworth and Emery Kolb founded a photographic studio at the Bright Angel Trailhead. They would take pictures of people heading down the trail on mules and have them developed by the time the people returned. This was no small feat considering they needed to make a nine-mile round-trip to get water each time on covering 3,360 vertical feet. Their studio still clings to the edge of the canyon today and has a shop upstairs and a studio down below. The park rangers occasionally give presentations on the studio and take visitors into the living quarters.

http://www.grandcanyon.org/kolb/

http://www.nps.gov

http://www.grandcanyon.org