BY CINDI R. MACIOLEK

Sure, you’ve sailed the Greek Isles, safaried in Africa, trekked the Great Wall of China, and dove in the Great Barrier Reef. Yawn.

When it comes to relaxation and adventure, just how much do you know about what’s in your own back yard?

Visitors far and wide are fascinated by the history, the lore, the romance of America’s Wild West, but how are we to truly experience it? ‘I’ve stayed on a dude ranch,’ you might say, or ‘I participated in a cattle drive.’ Or, for those shorter vacations, ‘I chowed down at a chuck wagon dinner.’ Whatever your relationship with our revered west, I guarantee you’ve not experienced anything near what Mustang Monument (www.mustangmonument.com) delivers.

MONUMENTAL LUXURY

Where The Wild Things RoamAt Mustang Monument

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when you happen to be visiting. However, for those who are lucky enough to feel the vibrations of those thunderous hooves, it’s an experience without compare.

“You never know what you’re going to come across as you travel the ranch,” said Nannini. “We had a visitor I drove out to Latham Spring. We just sat there and saw three groups of horses come from di!erent directions, all looking for a drink. It was beautiful to see how they each took turns, respectful of the other groups who were also thirsty. I’ve never experienced that before in my life.

“Everything is out here – horses, wild elk and the old California trail that runs through the ranch. There are a number of abandoned structures to explore, if that’s what people are into. This place is the Wild West at its best – sometimes jaw dropping moments, other times more calm. The land itself is very impressive. Even if you don’t see what I saw, you won’t be disappointed.”

KUSI San Diego news anchor Sandra Maas spent a weekend at the ranch last fall. “It was really like going back to the Wild West. You’re out in the middle of nowhere when all of a sudden you see the landscape peppered with these colorful tepees. Cowboy Clay drove us up the mountain to take in the beautiful scenery. The mustangs in the distance are breathtaking.

“Madeleine is an incredible visionary and her dream of saving the mustangs is admirable,” continued Maas. “To create this eco-resort to educate people about the plight of these horses and o!er a luxury vacation is a new and pretty amazing idea. It’s such a treat to get up close to pet and feed the mustangs. Some of the trained horses are even taken out to parades and football games. It’s de"nitely worthwhile to travel to Mustang Monument. I think Madeleine’s onto something big.”

Twenty horses have gone through the Mustang Makeover, a training program to tame the wild beast. “They’re part of the ranch,” said Nannini. “Visitors can see how they’ve gone from never being ridden to being led. They can also pet and feed them.”

Andrea Naversen, editor-at-large for Ranch & Coast magazine, enjoyed her visit as well. “I was absolutely fascinated. It’s an incredible sight to see the tepees dotting the range. While we were there, we explored an abandoned mining town. Then on the way back, we ran into two small herds of wild

horses. It was a real thrill and the essence of the experience.

“To build a luxury eco-sanctuary is audacious but Madeleine really has something going there because people in other countries are fascinated by our old west. This experience introduces them to Indian lore and the history of the west in general.

“I don’t know how many people know, but Madeleine is the daughter of a British Army o#cer and a Lebanese mom. Her parents

met in Egypt. Madeleine grew up overseas where she watched John Wayne movies and was captivated by stories of the old west. She was disappointed when she arrived here and realized Americans don’t treasure our old west so she wants to do something about it. This is a chance for everyone to learn about a history that is uniquely ours. It’s also a great educational opportunity for kids.”

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Just a six-hour drive northeast of Las Vegas, or a short three-hour commute from Salt Lake City, lies a nearly 900-square-mile sanctuary in Wells, Nevada where you can get up close and personal with the real deal. Spruce Mountain and its fairly mountainous neighbors serve as the backdrop, reaching heights of nearly 11,000 feet, with three valleys crossing through the ranch. It’s the Wild West at its best.

Founded by passionate wild mustang advocate, Madeleine Pickens, Mustang Monument is a luxury eco-sanctuary determined to tell the story of western American heritage, from the animals to the cowboys and Indians.

“I "rst bought the land to house the wild horses I rescued, but I thought, rather than have this all to myself, let’s create a sustainable ranch where others can experience something truly unique,” said

Pickens. “You sleep in the mountains but stay in the lap of luxury. Visitors can go out and have a good time during the day while still enjoying the creature comforts including food, wine, massage and butler service.”

Guests stay in luxury tepees, which include adjoining smaller tepees with bathroom facilities. This allows Mustang Monument the opportunity to provide di!erent and unique experiences with each visit as the tepees are portable. They can be placed in the $ats or the mountains, grouped or alone, catering to the desires of each visitor.

“It’s a nice place for families, but also very romantic for couples,” said Pickens. “And, we’ve had a lot of interest in teambuilding exercises for companies.”

“Cowboy” Clay Nannini, ranch manager and horse trainer, grew up in Wells but attended UNLV on a rodeo scholarship, staying with the Michael Gaughan family on

their ranch during his studies. He has been planning unique visits for guests this summer at Mustang Monument.

“My goal is to take requests and make them a reality for each visitor. One couple wants to travel the ranch by horseback, staying in a di!erent camp each night. A Chinese business group has requested a scavenger hunt as part of a teambuilding event. Others are interested simply in going out for a few hours during the day and returning to base camp each night.”

Naturally, one of the main draws of Mustang Monument is the opportunity to see herds of wild mustangs racing through the valley. But, much like whale watching, you can’t always guarantee they’ll be running past

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Guests stay in luxury tepees that come with the creature comforts of food, wine, massage and butler service.

Mustang Monument founder Madeleine Pickens

The portable teepees can be placed in the !ats or the mountains.

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(Continued from page 51)

Another key aspect of a visit is to learn more about American Indian culture, a program headed by Native American, Travis Jackson, Jr., of Maskogee, Seminole and Cherokee Quchan descent.

“There was actually a tribe, the White Knives, that lived where the ranch is,” said Jackson, “but they’ve been extinct for at least 200-300 years. My goal is not to focus on any particular Indian nation but to share the commonalities of the tribes prior to their assimilation into Christianity, such as the focus on the four directions of spirit, earth, water and air. We’re all stewards of the land and that’s why we’re out here trying to help protect the horses, the land and all of God’s creatures.

“I want the experience to be educational but fun. Western tribes use the drum – not !re – as a centerpiece of ceremony, and we’ll be performing some Native American powwow dances. We’ll also o"er storytelling inside the tepees.”

In addition to o"ering a unique experience for visitors, Pickens is supportive of our nation’s veterans as well.

“We look forward to o"ering returning vets a chance to work with our ranch from May through September. They are highly trained people, used to working in the mountainous terrain of Afghanistan. This is something fun and great where they can put their skills to work in a very positive environment.

“We’re trying to be all encompassing, to be educational, to be green and natural, but we’re doing things in stages,” continued Pickens. “Disneyland wasn’t built in one day. Our dream and vision and tenacity will pull it o". We’ll be one of the biggest tourist attractions in America.”

“Madeleine is the visionary and we’re the ones making it happen,” said Nannini. “She’s such a driven and determined person, it will be great to see it come to fruition.”

“Everyone needs to come for a visit,” said Jackson. “You’ve never seen the sky so bright out there at the ranch. When the lights go out, it’s nothing but stars. I’d forgotten how beautiful the sky is. It makes you a healthier person to let go of the present day and go back in time. You feel young again. What drives me to be here is how well it makes me feel.” q

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