A ranch vacation means shedding your cares — and your “g”s — as country hospitality and wide-open spaces often stir up a hankerin’ for fishin’, shootin’, ridin’ and ropin’.

A newfound dialect and kindled love for outdoor adventure aren’t the only discoveries one can gain by thinking outside the box, or more to the point, outside the hotel or ship. There’s also the opportunity to make deeply textured memories woven from moments of connection, exploration and authenticity.

While luxury cruises and horseless resorts promise comfort and convenience, guest ranches — often casually dubbed “dude ranches” — invite active engagement with the land, making them among the most enriching outdoor escapes available.

Of course, personal fulfillment is a subjective measure, no matter how expansive a ranch’s immersive, nature-based offerings may be. To wit, those who’ve maxed out their REI Co-op Mastercard might not be shouting “yippie-ki-yay” quite as freely as someone who puts the giddy in giddy-up by being less seasoned in alfresco adventures. And, whoa, Nellie — if there’s any place to connect with one’s inner cowboy or cowgirl, it’s a guest ranch or, for a gutsier subset, a dude ranch.

Before we mosey to three of these saddle-up sanctuaries across the West, here’s a fine time to clarify an inklin’ that might be stirrin’ in the old thinkin’ corral. Guest ranches and dude ranches might seem synonymous to some, but they’re cut from different denim. A dude ranch leans into the rugged, communal spirit of the Old West, offering immersive horseback adventures, cowboy camaraderie and cattle drives. Think “City Slickers,” the 1991 dogie-punching comedy starring Billy Crystal. A guest ranch, while still Western at heart, often blends those traditions with refined luxury. Think upscale accommodations, spa treatments, gourmet dining and tailored experiences in a more intimate setting.

Concentrating on comfort and cocktails over chores and chaps, out West are three guest ranches that serve up soft beds, hearty meals and adventures backdropped by breathtaking beauty. Each one of these rustic retreats fosters frontier living without roughing it — though your boots may still warrant a critter check before you hit the trail.

The Ranch at Rock Creek

When asked precisely where Scarlett Johansson’s outdoor wedding took place on the 6,600-acre Ranch at Rock Creek some 11 years ago, staff at the enviable Montana resort offered only a polite nod toward a nondisclosure agreement — one that kept the location as hushed as the ceremony itself.

If only the marriage had lasted as long as the NDA.

The country-kissed vows Johansson exchanged with her second husband unraveled in under 2 1/2 years. But while the “Avengers” star may have a spotty record with spouses — she’s on No. 3 at press time — her taste in wedding venues is impeccable.

Glamping is living the high life in high country at The Ranch at Rock Creek. (Photo by David Dickstein)

The Ranch at Rock Creek (theranchatrockcreek.com), Forbes Travel Guide’s first five-star ranch, is well deserving of its stellar rating and reputation for providing plush pastures to the rich and famous along with splurging everyday folks. A working ranch since the 1800s and a luxury guest retreat since 2007, the spot for Rock Creek chic is a gem even without the active sapphire mining that’s glittered upstream for over 130 years.

As one would suspect of an all-inclusive, elite destination that offers more than 40 well-run adventures year-round, a vacation on the ranch just outside Philipsburg doesn’t come cheap. Grab the reins and grit your teeth because we’re going to talk numbers. A two-bed glamping cabin can cost upwards of $55,000 double occupancy (fees and taxes included) over five summer nights. That’s a bargain compared to a couple staying in the four-bedroom Sara Jane’s Cottage costing roughly $100K for a handful of days. A tad more approachable is a five-night stay in a “Classic Lodge Room,” the lower end of the ranch’s 31 distinct and lavish units, that starts at $14,145 for a couple visiting in the off-season (Jan. 3-April 13 and Nov. 1-Dec. 20).

At least you get what you pay for in this pinch-me place. Besides lux lodging on or near the banks of crystal-clear Rock Creek, there’s tasty vittles and bevvies to wash them down with, hootenannies that include a rousing ranch rodeo, and super-convenient airport shuttle service courtesy of a ranch hand. Despite being a 90-minute drive away, Missoula International Airport is the most convenient as it offers better flight availability than closer Bert Mooney Airport in Butte.

But of course, the heart of any guest ranch vacation is adventure — and here, guests can enjoy two tailored experiences each day. Premium-grade gear and guides come standard with every outing, from horseback riding, fly fishing, rifle shooting, wildlife viewing, archery and other classic pursuits, to the more offbeat, such as frontier survival skills, pistol shooting, disc golf and paintball.

Golf, float trips, ice fishing and other off-ranch activities are available in season for an additional fee, making them reasonable exceptions to the resort’s “all-inclusive” approach.

Speaking of extras, one of the ranch’s standout spa treatments is a creekside massage inside a covered wagon — modeled after those that once rumbled along the Montana Trail in the mid-1800s. With deep pockets comes deep tissue, as an hour of pioneer-style pampering is priced at $425 plus tip.

From rub to grub, food is another epic adventure at The Ranch at Rock Creek, be it cooked on a wood-fire grill or elevated to gourmet levels using local grass-fed beef, fish sourced from the namesake creek and foraged ingredients. Everything coming out of the ranch’s kitchens was a winner during a recent stay, but top honors went to the Montana beef Wellington as perfectly paired with a hard huckleberry lemonade that was frontier finesse in a glass — bold, balance and just unruly enough.

Tanque Verde Ranch

Nothing says “Arizona guest ranch” quite like sipping a prickly pear margarita on the back porch of a Western saloon while a roadrunner scuttles across the dust toward a cactus-studded horizon bathed in sunset gold.

That dreamlike, desert-set scenario can become a daily ritual when staying at Tucson’s treasured Tanque Verde Ranch, which has welcomed guests from around the world for over 150 years.

Tanque Verde Ranch offers guided rides with a backdrop of towering saguaros and desert sky. (Photo by David Dickstein)

Blessed with the most majestic of neighbors — the Catalina Mountains to the north, Saguaro National Park to the south, the Rincon Mountains to the east and Tucson proper to the west — the ranch is a satisfying blend of rugged desert beauty, Old West authenticity, refined Southwestern charm and modern luxury. It also sports some of the finest horses and wranglers this side of the Pecos.

Many of the property’s 69 well-maintained rooms, suites and haciendas feature fireplaces, patios and million-dollar views year-round. Even better, the units don’t come close to costing that much. In the blazing Tucson summer, a five-night, all-inclusive stay for two well-sunscreened adults goes for as low as $3,267 (including fees and taxes).

Twenty-five room categories, two distinct seasons (peak being October through April), multiple meal packages and a catalog’s worth of à la carte activities create a dizzying number of ways to spend more or save more. Let’s not beat around the tumbleweed — chasing a calf through cactus brush is easier than booking through the ranch’s current website (tanqueverderanch.com). Unless you’re going all-inclusive, skip the hassle and call them at 800-234-3833.

Making the most of your stay by going full-board covers three sumptuous meals a day, horseback riding and a wide range of other activities — from mountain biking, hiking and fishing to tennis, swimming and pickleball. Most experiences lean toward the great outdoors, of course, though there’s no shortage of indoor fun. Kids on the all-inclusive plan have their own lineup of supervised adventures, including trail rides, arts and crafts, and close-up encounters with slithering and crawling desert critters at the nature center.

Also on-site — but not part of the all-inclusive package, just like airport transfers — are La Sonoran Spa and the Dog House Saloon. Few things beat a full-body massage or the ranch’s signature prickly pear margarita after a long day spent riding, hiking and biking in the Arizona sun.

Greenhorn Ranch

Tucked into the pine-covered folds of the northern Sierra Nevada, Greenhorn Ranch sits just outside Quincy, a California mountain town 90 minutes from Reno and lovingly sandwiched between the Tahoe and Plumas national forests.

Established in 1962 and deliberately maintaining a more rustic than refined atmosphere, Greenhorn Ranch (greenhornranch.com) has strong appeal for families, the more multigenerational the better with the variety of bond-making activities. Even couples hankering for thrills without the frills — and a few bucks left in their saddlebags—might tip their Stetsons to Greenhorn Ranch over fancier digs like Alisal Ranch in Solvang (alisalranch.com).

Greenhorn Ranch guests test their archery skills. (Photo by David Dickstein)

Greenhorn Ranch trades spas and sitters for simple comforts and spirited activities fit for all ages, though the saloon’s hooch is best left to grown-ups. Beyond such classic ranch offerings as trail rides and fishing — with lessons available if needed — guests can kayak, skeet shoot, ride electric mountain bikes and practice archery at elevations above 4,500 feet.

Open from May through October, Greenhorn Ranch offers three packages, starting with a bed and breakfast tier of around $370 nightly for one to two guests. The “Grand Adventure” package includes lodging, two guided activities per day and, when the weather’s right, a mouth-watering feast of baby back ribs, grilled chicken and ranch-style sides best enjoyed on a picnic bench beside a peaceful pond under the Sierra sky.

’Pardners — when the campfire’s cracklin’, the barbecue’s smokin’ and music’s drifting over the fishin’ hole, eatin’ inside is like watchin’ the sunset through a screen door.

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By GARY GERARD HAMILTON, Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — A Biblical series reaching No. 1 on a major streaming service may seem as unlikely as a shepherd boy killing a 9-foot giant with a single stone from his slingshot. But Michael Iskander demonstrates that believing in something can turn the seemingly impossible into reality.

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“The story of David is pretty wild, and I think there’s a reason why it’s resonated for so many years,” said the former Broadway actor, who, in his first major TV role, plays the “House of David” titular character. “People have come up to me from all walks of life — not just Christians — and they talk about how much they love it.”

“House of David,” which loosely follows the life of the shepherd boy and the well-known events familiar to religious believers, like his fight with a lion, killing Goliath and ascending to become king of Israel, sling-shot its way to the top of Prime Video after debuting in February without much social media fanfare or extensive press. The streaming service says more than 44 million viewers worldwide have watched the series based on the heroic character recognized in the Christian, Jewish and Islamic faiths.

The series is part of a growing number of Hollywood faith-based projects reaching beyond religious audiences thanks to stunning cinematography, high-impact action sequences and suspenseful plots. A lane for “House of David” was created thanks to the major success of “The Chosen,” a series based on the life of Jesus Christ, and more are coming: “Joseph of Egypt,” based on the popular story of the boy who was sold into slavery by jealous brothers before rising to ruler or Egypt, is in the works.

“We see these Biblical figures and we think they’re so much larger than life,” said the 23-year-old Egyptian-born actor, who recently converted to Catholicism from Coptic Orthodoxy. “My personal goal was to bridge that gap and to show people … they make mistakes just like us.”

While “House of David” originally premiered on Prime Video, season two will debut Oct. 5 exclusively on the new Wonder Project subscription service that costs an additional $8.99. The season will eventually arrive on the main platform at a later date.

Iskander spoke to The Associated Press about his upcoming album, the debate about roles devout religious actors should take, and cantankerous sheep. This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.

AP: What drew you to the role of David?

ISKANDER: David is known for being the Psalm writer, and the poet. But he was also a warrior. He became a king. And so, this man has so many aspects to his life.

Famously Bathsheba: cheating on his eight wives with the wife of one of his soldiers, and then covering that up by killing that soldier. And yet, that guy is known as the man after God’s own heart. How does David get that title? You discover that the whole point of the story of David is about the heart, how a heart after God can lead you to defeating giants.

AP: How did you train to become a shepherd for this role?

ISKANDER: The sheep hated me, like, they wanted nothing to do with me. They saw me from like a mile away and they started running. And the shepherd would have to kind of calm them down. And eventually, they weren’t too scared.

Him giving me advice on how to take care of sheep, it informed me about the types of things that David would do. And so, even that, I started to understand David more.

AP: There’s always the discussion about the content of roles that devout followers should take, whether they involve sex scenes or gratuitous violence. Have you thought about future projects?

ISKANDER: My faith always comes first. That’s No. 1. And so, I guess I look at everything through that lens. I don’t see why there should be a separation between art and faith. I’m very lucky with David. I get to worship when I go to work — that’s a blessing. I hope more people are inspired by faith in their art.

I think humans are very complex beings and we can’t tell our story without telling some of our downfalls. I have a line that I don’t cross, but I don’t think we should be afraid to dive into the complete nature of humanity.

AP: Can you tell me about your upcoming album based on music from the show?

ISKANDER: It’s been one of my dreams for the longest time to bring the Psalms to life and to put them to the original language.

I sent a little sample to the to the producers of the show and I was like, ‘Hey, can we do the show and the music of the show in Hebrew?’ And they loved it. Out of it arose these Psalms in Hebrew that were kind of sprinkled throughout the show, and they started to really resonate with people. And they were like, we want an album.

AP: Are you prepared to be known as David for the rest of your life?

ISKANDER: I don’t mind at all. If I’m known as David, then that would be a blessing.

Follow Associated Press entertainment journalist Gary Gerard Hamilton at @GaryGHamilton on all his social media platforms.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Toyota is recalling nearly 400,000 vehicles because the rearview camera may not display when backing up, increasing the risk of a crash, federal traffic safety regulators said.

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Included in the recall are 2022-2025 Toyota Tundras and Tundra hybrids and 2023-2025 Sequoia hybrids. The number of automobiles in the recall total 393,838, with the non-hybrid Tundra making up more than half of them.

The camera display malfunction is caused by a software problem, which will be fixed with an update by dealerships free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 16. Owners can contact Toyota’s customer service at 1-800-331-4331. The numbers for the recall are 25TB10 and 25TA10.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration vehicle safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-888-275-9171), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

By ADITHI RAMAKRISHNAN and SHELBY LUM

WAPPINGERS FALLS, N.Y. (AP) — The pumpkin in Tony Scott’s backyard weighs almost as much as a small car.

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He’s been tending to it for months, feeding it fertilizer and covering it with a blanket at night to keep it at a stable temperature. A roll of measuring tape wrapped around the pumpkin gives him a rough estimate of its size.

“I’ve never seen anything grow this fast,” said Scott, a semiconductor engineer from upstate New York.

Every year, growers like Scott push their pumpkins to the limit. They compete in annual weigh-offs with colossal fruits that are well over 2,000 pounds. Scott’s pumpkin took third place this year, coming in at 1,931 pounds.

Pumpkins aren’t the only crops that can get giant. Other members of the gourd family like squashes, cucumbers and watermelons are capable of a similar feat. But the orange behemoths are especially massive and have earned a place of honor at fall festivals and Halloween fairs.

How to grow a giant pumpkin

A giant pumpkin starts off as the perfect seed. Growers choose seeds that have yielded large pumpkins in the past or test new ones. Scott and many other growers rely on the tried-and-true Atlantic Giant pumpkin seeds.

After that, it comes down to the right combination of water, nutrients and care.

Giant pumpkins can guzzle hundreds of gallons of water in a day and make their own food from sunlight just like regular-sized plants do. Their internal plumbing system is more robust, allowing them to drink up sugary water and nutrients faster.

A measuring tape encircles Tony Scott’s pumpkin he grew in his Wappingers Falls, N.Y., backyard on Sept. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Shelby Lum)

As the leafy patch begins to expand, growers remove smaller pumpkins so all the water and nutrients funnel into a single fruit.

“That helps make it extra big in a way that you might not see in the wild,” said Aleca Borsuk, a plant scientist at the New York Botanical Garden.

Because of gravity, giant pumpkins grow wide but not tall. They often resemble lopsided, lumpy pancakes. Scott’s pumpkin is also lighter in color because he covers it with a tarp during the day, protecting it from sunlight which can ripen and harden the skin. He waters it using an overhead sprinkler system.

Can giant pumpkins grow forever?

“The answer is no,” Borsuk said. No matter how big a pumpkin gets, it’ll eventually mature and its natural aging cycle will kick in.

Tony Scott’s pumpkin sits in his Wappingers Falls, N.Y., backyard on Sept. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Shelby Lum)

Scott has nurtured giant pumpkins for eight years. It still blows his mind watching them inflate, putting on around 40 pounds to 50 pounds a day. He sets up reflective panels and even a fake wolf cutout to ward off hungry deer and other intruders looking for an orange-colored snack. Woodchucks have nibbled on the pumpkin’s vines in previous years.

After the all-important weighing competition, Scott shows off the giant pumpkin at various themed events and drives it around on a trailer. Eventually, he donates it to be displayed or carved.

On the way to events, he often gets stopped by people who ask what he’s got in the back.

Tony Scott stands with the pumpkin he grew in his Wappingers Falls, N.Y., backyard on Sept. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Shelby Lum)

“The first question they ask is, ‘Is it real?’” Scott said. “Where would you buy a fake pumpkin this big?”

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.