Last November we had the opportunity to come to Rancho la Puerta as guests of our friend Susana. For those of you who aren’t familiar with it, Rancho la Puerta is one of the top fitness spas in the world. “The Ranch” – that’s what people call it who work here - is an amazing place with thousands of acres for mountain hikes, a huge organic garden where most of the food is served, and dozens and dozens of classes each day in everything from circuit training to jewelry making. John likes to call it “camp for grown ups.”
Normally when you come here, you stay in a stunning little casita nestled into the chaparral-covered hills. Of course, you pay between 2,400 and 4,000 dollars per week for this privilege.
When you’re the guest of a staff member, you stay in decidedly less glamorous surroundings.
In fact, they’re reroofing our building which the staff pejoratively call “motel row.” But hey, it’s free, and other than our accommodations, John and I are pretty much like any other guests.
There’s a little bridge which crosses a small arroyo which separates the staff area from the rest of the ranch.
The Ranch is beautifully landscaped in flowers and bushes well-adapted to the hot dry climate. Unlike much of Palm Springs or Phoenix, where the imported landscape clashes with the natural desert surroundings, there is a real harmony here at the ranch between the the two environments.
Even the parts of the landscape which are irrigated and watered with recycled gray water.
It’s not always easy to find your way around the Ranch. There are signs everywhere to try to help you. But don’t bother asking the cats for directions.
One of a dozen or so pools forms the center of the Ranch. If you can find this pool, you can usually find wherever it is you want to go.
The one place everybody locates first thing is the dining hall.
There’s also lots of art and fountains everywhere. Some of them invite a certain amount of participation apparently.
So this is our “summer camp” for the next week.
