Puzzle Rides Blog

Scottsdale was not built as a resort. It started as a farm town on the edge of the Salt River Valley. In the late 1880s, Army chaplain Winfield Scott and his wife Helen settled here. By 1894 the townsite had a name — first Orangedale, then...

This is the season. Halloween first. Then the lights. October is when Puzzle Rides stops feeling like “something we should do someday” and starts disappearing off the calendar. Ghost Riders fills first. In Prescott, the Live Game of Clue is right...

The Brand Must Be Registered in the Ledger Last week we said a cattle brand only works if it lives in two places: on the animal and in the book. The iron marks the hide. The register proves who owns the mark. Separate those, and you no longer have...

A Brand is More Than a Decoration A brand is not a decoration. It is a sentence written on hide: this animal belongs here. The tool is simple. An iron is heated and pressed into the hide so the mark will last. In the American West that mark was...

The Puzzle Shop Next Door, Fall Dates That Sell Out Heading north for a cooler Labor Day weekend? While the Valley is still hanging on to summer heat, Prescott usually delivers that first real hint of fall — more shade on Courthouse Plaza, more...

Sometimes puzzles hold secrets of their own. Anyone who has dumped a thousand pieces onto a table knows the feeling. At first it looks like chaos. Then, slowly, a picture starts to form. The same thing happens in life… and on a Puzzle Ride. Clues...

"I appreciate the forethought of making sure tourism is done well...Prescott is still everybody's hometown." Puzzle Rides is proud to share that owner and founder Katie Dufort has been appointed to the City of Prescott’s Tourism Advisory Committee...

Experience Genuine Cowboy Culture in the Cool Mountains If you love the spirit of the American West, heartfelt storytelling, western music and authentic cowboy culture, mark your calendar for August 6–8 — that’s when the Arizona Cowboy Poets...

The Perfect Summer Mystery ExperienceWhen the summer heat in Scottsdale makes outdoor adventures feel a little less appealing, we have the perfect indoor solution that still delivers plenty of excitement and laughter. We’re excited to introduce our...

Ten years ago, Katie Dufort was called to Federal Jury Duty in Scottsdale. She was picked up for dinner on a golf cart that night — and that simple ride planted the first seed. By July 2016, Katie had purchased her first golf cart. Ride Prescott...

This Independence Day weekend, as America marks 250 years of freedom, there’s no better place to celebrate than Prescott, Arizona — the heart of the Old West and home of the World’s Oldest Rodeo. Prescott’s legendary Frontier Days celebration...

Rodeo Week in Prescott is an unforgettable experience — the pageantry, the energy, the skill of the athletes, and the deep Western heritage that makes it the World’s Oldest Rodeo. Whether you’re cheering from the stands or strolling the historic...

If you’re in Scottsdale right now and dreaming of cooler temperatures and real Western fun, tomorrow is your sign. Rodeo Week officially begins in Prescott — home of the World’s Oldest Rodeo. Did you know? Prescott is the true birthplace of...

This Saturday, June 27, we recognize Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises Day — a day to celebrate the small businesses that have always been the backbone of the American economy. As we prepare to celebrate America’s 250th birthday in 2026, it’s...

It’s that time of year again — when Scottsdale turns into a blazing furnace and even the thought of being outdoors feels overwhelming. If you’re looking for a refreshing getaway without traveling halfway across the state, Prescott is the perfect...

Memorial Day is a time to remember and honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. In Prescott, this spirit of remembrance is especially strong. The historic Courthouse Plaza features beautiful statues and public...

Here’s something surprising: after decades of research, scientists have never observed a chimpanzee spontaneously ask a single question. They can answer questions. They can request food or point to objects. But they don’t ask “Why?” “What if?” or...

This Mother’s Day, skip the guesswork. You’ve probably heard it before: “I don’t want anything.” “Just surprise me.” Or the quiet hope that everyone will somehow know what she wants without her having to spell it out. In her Substack article “What...

Some of the most meaningful moments in life happen when you least expect them — especially when you’re out creating shared experiences with someone special. A Love Story That Started on a Puzzle Ride In February 2021, a couple went on their very...

This Mother’s Day, skip the flowers that wilt in a week. Instead, give Mom something she’ll truly treasure — memories that last a lifetime. At Puzzle Rides, we believe the best gifts aren’t things you hold in your hands. They’re the moments you...