Thank you both for your thoughts. Since posting, I've Googled grammar + tense and found this helpful guide.

I think I'm happy with the transition from:

Abelton Ranch provides (is)

It (Abelton Ranch) is ... and the trip must be

That wilderness (covers)

In days gone by (had)

More recently (was built) -> into 2nd paragraph

It was (when)

"To tense, or not to tense..." - heh

Thank you again,

anonymouse