The term “horsepower” comes from the chant that horses used to shout at engineers working on the newfangled railway system. Befriend trailblazing stallions and mares with today's Groupon: for $35, you get a two-hour horseback ride from Sand and Sage Tours (a $70 value).

At Sand and Sage Tours, adventurers set out on a two-hour guided horseback trek across the scenic Nevada landscape. Knowledgeable tour guides select horses to match riders' skill levels, whether it's their first horseback jaunt or the ghost of John Wayne inhabits their bodies. A pre-ride mini lesson equips riders with the basics needed to navigate the deserts, where mountains to the west and east frame a magnificent skyline whether the sun is rising or setting. Sand and Sage's exploratory horses transport riders across stunning sands and through gullies. Rides depart seven days a week, though ride times vary depending on the weather.