The Wild Side of Vegas

Bright lights, noisy slot machines and extravagant hotels are iconic of Las Vegas, Nevada. Visitors are drawn onto the strip by the glitz and glamour of the infamous Sin City. There are tons of Las Vegas Vacation Packages that promise the excitement of the night life, however, I prefer my vacations to be an escape from it all. The perfect getaway effortlessly combines action, thrill, tranquility and total relaxation. At the same time, I don’t like to sip an umbrella-topped drink by a pool all day long. While I do thoroughly enjoy being pampered, I would rather be out roaming about, letting nature be my guide. Fortunately, my adventure-loving husband planned the ultimate celebration for my birthday: a Horseback Tour Package of Red Rock Canyon in Las Vegas!

We booked the hotel and adventure package through Red Rock Resort, which is located off the Strip, far from the chaos and sleepless action. Artfully situated in a desert paradise adjacent to Red Rock Canyon, it offers stunning accommodations and amenities. The “Tour the Canyon by Horseback” package included a two-night stay at the Resort, a horseback tour of Red Rock Canyon for two, and two 50-minute massages on top of all of that! Needless to say, we scored an incredible value, and while our experience at the hotel was magnificent, the horseback ride stole the show.

Red Rock Canyon takes your breath away. I was unaware that the desert displayed such beauty. The adventure was complemented by our guide who was incredibly informative, extremely friendly and eager to answer all of our questions. The horses we rode were well-maintained and well-behaved, which made the ride completely enjoyable. We had a blast being out in nature and enjoying the peace and calm of the desert canyon. As a novice photographer, I was thrilled to take a ton of pictures as we soaked in the scenery.

I have had the pleasure to have been horseback riding in almost every setting except a desert canyon, and it was possibly my new favorite backdrop! Our horses were named “Silverado” and “Sterling”, and were especially easy to ride, never making us feel uneasy. Thankfully, the horses were remarkably obedient, and anyone who has experienced riding a stubborn horse understands the importance of a cooperative, trained animal! It was simply wonderful to be able to unwind, enjoy the ride and focus on the beauty surrounding us.

I have always had an affinity for the natural world, and was eagerly anticipating the wildlife we would encounter. I think my horse sense my excitement as I nearly ditched the saddle when my eyes took hold of the multitude of plants native to the desert. My favorites were the Apache Plume, Desert Willow and Screw Bean Mesquite. I was amazed at the number of plants native to region! I even got to see a Desert Tortoise, which was completely unexpected and a real treat. I scared my husband when I shrieked in what he thought was horror, but was actually pure delight, because I spotted the most beautiful Anna’s Hummingbird flittering about!

The magnificent sunset was a perfect ending to our ride as we headed back to get ready for our luxurious spa treatments. We both enjoyed a spectacular 50-minute massage that came with our package, and it felt amazing to unwind after a fun-filled day. With our stresses melted away and growling stomachs, we made our way to dinner. We dined at the hotel’s amazing restaurant T-Bones Chophouse and Lounge. We filled our bellies to the brim with their award-winning steak, colossal baked potatoes and salad. The scrumptious food was complemented by their thoughtful staff that was attentive and helped us make the perfect wine selection. I haven’t been able to stop talking about the entire deal. Everything was perfect, and the great deal we got on the package sealed the deal that we will definitely be coming back!

For more information about the Resort, visit: http://www.redrocklasvegas.com