What a find! Historic cabins on an art ranch - so different from the usual sterile hotel environment, but with artistic and modern comfort! It's a unique way to fill your soul with the beauty of the high desert and uplifting art. It combines stand-alone cabins from another era with an adjacent outdoor sculpture park and art gallery - one of a kind accommodations with a one of a kind experience.
We stayed in the bunkhouse and the cabin on our recent girls' trip. You might wonder if you made the right choice when you turn onto the dirt road to the ranch, but this is the true old west without paved roads. Funny how much your heart responds to leaving asphalt behind!
I stayed in the original ranch bunkhouse built of adobe mud in the 1880's, restored now with modern comforts. The Old West vibe is still there but so is air conditioning, a comfy king-sized bed, small kitchen, and, of course, plumbing. Also present is the all-important WIFI. The bedside lamps even have USB ports to charge your phones while you sleep. It hits just the right balance of old, quaint, artistic and unobtrusively modern. There's a small couch, rocking chair, and large screened-in porch and more. I don't know how the original occupants kept it, but it was immaculate (this aspect earned high marks by us all).
We were busy on this trip supporting our runner in an ultramarathon up nearby Mount Lemmon so we didn't get to enjoy all the many special touches as much as we wanted to such as the many outdoor cozy seating spots under trees. We also wish we'd had time to get to know my neighbors behind the bunkhouse - a couple of quiet but curious goats. Throughout our stay, we didn't hear them nor anyone else staying there. It was like having our own little getaway in the high desert.
The Triangle L is also an Art Ranch. The Sculpture Park alone is not to be missed! It would be worth the trip in itself and made a big impression on us even though we did not have time to explore it all. Some sculptures even have special night lighting. You could spend hours here appreciating it as you walk along its path, which lends its own sculptures of uniquely-shaped, high desert cacti. If interested , we recommend checking out the web site for a preview and look for the many special events. They just opened up a "Metal" exhibit in the old adobe barn converted into an Art Gallery and Gift Shop.
The Triangle L is located in Oracle - a small town that we found to be full of traditional small town friendliness from its unique restaurants to its shops selling their own art and jewelry pieces. We learned why the new looking Nonna Maria's has been in business for 25+ years - their marinara and pizza are outstanding. I had a great turkey and avocado croissant sandwich at the Patio Cafe and their adjacent Market sells all kinds of baked goods, including more types of pies than I've ever seen before. We enjoyed breakfast at Casa Rivera's but we ran out of time before we got to try the Riot Grill, which we'd also heard good things about. Most restaurants here are owner-operated so be sure to check their hours before going.
Oracle is about 2 hours from Phoenix and only 1 hour from Tucson. It sits in the high desert so offers somewhat cooler weather than both of them. There are many nearby trails for hiking besides those our runner was doing in the Desert Peak Ultramarathon event, including those in Oracle State Park. There is also access to the Arizona National Scenic Trail (AZT). We met lots of cyclists as well.
In between supporting our runner at the aid stations, I also made a trip to the nearby Biosphere 2. It is also worth a trip. It was created as a completely sealed off ecological system to test out what would be needed to build independent self-contained stations capable of life for future space colonization. In the 90's, 8 scientists were sealed in it along with various plants and animals for 2 years. Now, it functions as an ecological research station. The scope is amazing. For instance, I walked through its rainforest, complete with waterfall and tall tree canopy and even saw its small ocean. So much technology is needed to support it - we have much to learn before space life is possible. The tour is self-guided by well-done videos through an app but there are three additional guided tours. Note: there are some parts that can only be accessed by stairs.
OK, I got a little carried away with this review of the Triangle L Ranch. The Triangle L Ranch and Art Ranch seems to be a well-kept secret that I just didn't want people to miss. It and the surrounding area really struck a chord with us. Also, our hostess (and resident artist) went above and beyond for us, accommodating our changing reservations and our late arrival with an inventive sign to help point us to our cabins. We certainly hope we get to meet her sometime as we definitely hope to come back - if it isn't booked for years in advance once the word gets out. read more