THE BEST IN CASUAL DINING Shelly Marshall pauses on her trusted horse, Sadie. She never tires of the valley’s panoramic vistas.
retreat team members sits down with each participant to study a litany of safety rules before anyone touches a firearm. Not only is safety more paramount here than on any other range we have experienced, but the instruction on how to accurately aim and hit a target was, well, spot on! All three shooters were hitting the bull’s-eyes, punctuated with laughter and “wahoos!” Colby advanced us to a Smith & Wesson 500, a hefty .50-caliber handgun. Scary and intimidating, it sounded like a portable cannon. Shooting can be a bonding experience with bragging rights, just like golf. And Colby might send you away with your holey paper target scrawled with a nickname like “Dead Eye” or “Annie Oakley.”
Horseback is a verb Do not expect single-file trail rides. Steer your own steed on the open prairie with Colby’s wife, Shelly, the stable’s ring leader. Safety again was ensured by a test of skills in the arena before heading out on the range. The only sign of life was a small herd of cattle huddled under trees by the pond, a red tail hawk circling overhead and a small striped snake slithering across the stream. There is no greater feeling of solitude than out on the range, riding with Shelly. Meanwhile, back at the corral, Colby was hanging on a rail monitoring the herding of 100 cattle as the brand
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inspector checked them off before loading for market. It is indeed a working ranch where creativity and fun are always worked in. Under consideration is a machinery experience in the sandpit. Picture big boys with their John Deere Tonka toys. And almost completed is the spa and fitness center with a climbing wall, full-size pool and Jacuzzis.
Getting there Fly into Boise and drive three hours west, or fly into Bend/Redmond and drive three hours east, or personally wing it to the private airstrip on the Ranch. Lodge rooms and luxury cabins are all artistically decorated with western motif. Cabins have two master bedrooms and full kitchens. Amenities include plaid wool robes and a private Jacuzzi on the deck overlooking Otter Lake. Binoculars are on hand for spotting fauna and fowl. Before you go, check out the comprehensive website for pricing and packages. It tells the whole ranch and goat stories with a humorous style giving a true flavor of Silvies Valley Ranch and Retreat. Live chat is available to customize your vacation or conference. Give it a go at
www.silvies.us. n
Danny and Alice Scott are America’s Golfing Couple. They live in Gilbert and travel the world in search of great golf retreats.
MESA, AZ
CHANDLER, AZ SCOTTSDALE, AZ
C H A R LES T O N S . C O M ANNUAL 2018 | AZ GOLF Insider | 43 Charlstons AZ-Golf
2.75x10.5.indd 1 7/31/18 10:27 AM
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