Like other guest ranches, Stagecoach Trails is quiet and remote--no strip malls or subdivisions for miles. You may hear horse whinnies, coyote howls, or cowboy singers, but your sleep won't be disturbed by ringing phones or blaring televisions in guest rooms.

Located in northwestern Arizona midway between Kingman and Lake Havasu City off Interstate 40, the ranch is a family operation that can accommodate 40 guests. Surrounded by three mountain ranges and 300,000 acres of federal land, the ranch offers trail tides for all levels of riders through rolling hills, canyons, and sandy washes.

Owners Carrie and Dan Rynders say theirs is the nation's only guest ranch designed from the ground up to be fully accessible for disabled guests and their families. Carrie's dream of creating a ranch environment for daughter Amy, 28, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, became a reality when Stagecoach Trails opened its doors in December 2000.

After finding suitable land, their loan fell through and the general contractor doubled his bid. Eventually, prayer, hard work, and perseverance transformed the family's dream into reality.

Drawing from their travels with Amy, the couple made the ranch's accessibility subtle. There are no curbs to block wheelchairs or scooters on the 240-acre property. The 10 buildings have no stairs. Guest rooms are spacious; bathrooms have higher toilets, grab bars, and an ADA-compliant tub or roll-in shower.

Riding horses may seem like an impossible dream for disabled folks, many seniors, and younger children. The Rynders make it happen with a unique wooden mounting/dismounting ramp for guests of all ages who want to ride but cannot hoist a leg up over the horse's back. "Horses are very therapeutic for disabled persons," Dan Rynders said as a beaming lad took the reins.

Depending on their ability, special needs guests can ride in the desert or the arena. Those who want a gentle, slower paced experience are guided by a ranch sidewalker who ensures a safe ride. An outdoor swimming pool and hot tub help guests cool off and ease saddle soreness. A hoist chair lifts those with mobility challenges into the pool and hot tub.

Though built to be completely accessible, the ranch is not just for disabled guests. The Rynders welcome able-bodied folks, too.

You can kick back and mingle with guests from around the globe in the Frontier Lodge with its stone fireplace and comfy couches. Leisure options include hanging out in the saloon (juice and soda served, bring your own spirits), or playing billiards, volleyball, basketball, table games, table tennis, or pitching horseshoes. Those who want an alternate way to explore the desert can rent ATVs and two-sealer go-karts.

A favorite activity is watching Arizona's paisley sunsets. At night, hundreds of stars illuminate the desert sky. Depending on the number of guests, evening entertainment may include campfires, line dancing, story telling, Western movies, or cowboy singers.

Carrie is very proud of her family for making her dream a reality. The ranch's layout and buildings were designed by her brother, Randy Smith. Carrie and Dan Rynders share operations management duties. Daughters Vicki and Amy, along with son Jeremy and daughter-in-law Jody, handle maintenance, finances, and housekeeping. Randy Smith stayed on as ranch cook. Amy and three friendly dogs welcome guests. Hired wranglers coordinate trail rides and care for the horses.

"Seeing the happy smiles of our guests makes the years of planning and hard work worthwhile," said a beaming Carrie. Tears well in her eyes when she reads the entry in a guest book written by a woman who brought her granddaughter to the ranch soon after it opened.

It reads, "After the glittery lights of Las Vegas, we thought the ranch might be a let-down, but we found the true stars here at the ranch."

Contact: Stagecoach Trails Guest Ranch, (866) 444-4471; http://www.stgr.com.

COPYRIGHT 2004 World Publishing, Co. (Illinois)
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group