You Can Lead A Horse to Water.....

On one of the most beautiful days at the Ranch we all headed out to the Lake. We rode to the top of a bluff so you could enjoy the full view of this man made lake. The view left us breathless. I'm not sure if it was the view, or the height that took my breath away.

From the top of the ridge we followed the trail that took us to the beach.

Boy did we have fun.

Liza actually took off her saddle, and rode bareback in the water. She is a great horseman. Everyone loved watching her race her horse up and down the beach.

Now I see Liza having all this fun, and figure "how many chances will you get to ride a horse bareback in Wyoming". So with the help of Liza I gave it a shot. Needless to say I will not be

not be joining the circus anytime soon, but I had a ball.

Round 'Em Up

What would a Dude Ranch be without a round up? Tuesday morning we all get up earlier than usual, so we can help the boys with a cattle round up. We're going to bring them in, because they have been sold off to a new ranch. 400 head, better wear my gloves for this. I really had a good time with this little adventure. We split up into 3 groups, one to the left, one on the right, and my group, straight up the middle. It's hard to imagine 400 head of cattle spread over 50 acres, but the area is fenced so they can only go so far. Now the fun begins, but there are a few rules, Don't get of f your horse to pet anything. Yes, the baby cows are cute, but stay in your saddle. Do not piss off the bulls, that is alot of weight with horns at the end.

You will all be happy to know that I followed all the rules, although there was this really cute little calf... and all the cattle were delivered without a hitch.

Rider Down

The first night at dinner I was seated across from a gentleman named Mike. He was not a rider in the van because he came out a day early. Come to find out he works at AACC, and lives in Severna Park. What are the chances? We talked about everything Maryland and said our good nights.

Monday morning we saddle up and take our rides into the ring, so the cowboys can measure our skills and make sure we have the right horse. Well, I am riding right behind Mike when all of the sudden his horse starts bucking. I don't mean just one kick with the back legs, his horse must have kicked six or seven times. If the 8 second clock was running he may have won a prize.

As it was, he fell on the horn of the saddle on the first buck, the second he was leaning sideways probably from the impact of the first landing. The third buck he was way over, but still holding on then finally fell or jumped right into the fence.

Being the ever vigilant blogger I got these 2 shot, but I felt a little paparazzish, so then I asked if I could help. He stayed down for about 60 seconds, got up, tried to walk it off, but was in obvious pain, so headed to the closest clinic 45 minutes away. Now Mike was an experienced rider, this was his 2nd trip to the Ranch. I'm beginning to second guess my one day a week, English riding lessons.

After going to the clinic, getting some "don't take while riding horses" pain pills, Mike decided to catch a flight home on Tuesday. I think his final diagnosis was fractured pelvis, bruised ribs and total disappointment.

After all the drama of the morning was over we went on a slow, cautious trail ride. The country is so expansive out west. Miles and miles of nothing but view. Now that is fine for a week, but when you want to run to the store for some little necessity, like Ben & Jerry, and have to drive 45 minutes one way, I just think that would get old after a while. You need to be a certain kind of person to enjoy that type of solitude.

Meet Your Pony

Monday morning we all got to meet our horses. The cowboys got up real early to bring them in from the west field. We were there just in time to see them running into the corral.

My horse was a chestnut mare named "Cricket", Liza got a spicy little number called"Tex-Mex". Cricket was not as sweet as I would have liked. Once I had her saddle on and was cinching the girth, she turned around and bite the bejezus out of my arm.
Luckily I had a long sleeve sweatshirt on, but I wore a bruise on the back of my forearm for the rest of the trip. So much for my forearm modeling career.

Western Digs

When we arrived at the "Box R", we were shown to our cabin. They were split into 2 cabins, Liza and I on one side, and Jamie, a 28 year old from San Francisco, who was spending a month traversing Wyoming. She had some great stories and stayed until Wednesday evening.



All the cabins were given cutesy little names, I guess to make up for the mouse traps scattered throughout. Ours was Bounding Buck, guess they knew we were coming.

Later the owner of the Ranch showed Liza and I around. Now, I try very hard not to judge people. You know how when you don't know someone, you aren't sure if they suffer from speech impediments, or muscle spasms. Well Irv was in his late 60's so then you don't know if age has something to do with his malfunctions, maybe thrown from one too many horses or took a hoof on the frontal lobe. Then you get closer and realize it's just good old Jack Daniels. Holy Moly. He wasn't suffering from Muscular Dystrophy, just blasted, not a good first impression.



By now it was 6:00 and dinner was right around the corner. The call came in the manner of 2 huge dinner bells rung so you could here them in Montana. Yes, I am wearing headphones.
They set us up mess hall style, 2 long tables, serve yourself buffet style, so much for my diet this week.

Welcome to Wyoming

First of all I would like to take the time to thank my sister Kris for the ride to the airport. I don't care who you are, 6:00am on you day off is no fun for anyone.

Once Liza and I arrive at the airport we smile pretty and flirt a little to get our over-weight bags on for no extra charge. I'd like to think I've still got it, but I am traveling with a 20 something

hottie. We're off....

.

After 20 chapters, 50 spider solitaire games, a 2 hour lay over in Denver, we land in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The sky is a breathtaking Carolina Blue, and the air is so clean you just want to

scoop it up, bottle it and bring it home (so those bottles you get as Christmas gifts aren't empty).

We meet up with others that are heading to the Ranch and load up for our 2 hour van ride. Now 2 hours in a van with 7 strangers gives you a pretty good feel of what the week is going to be like. 5 of the guests had been to the ranch before, so I'm thinking that is a pretty good referral if that many are returning. Many of them with "Box R" belt buckle, Liza and I try to hide our jealousy.

Teehee.

No Excuses

I have been to a Dude Ranch in Wyoming, an amazing week in Costa Rica and just got back from a weekend in State College for the wettest college football game I have ever attended, so grab a cool drink sit back and catch up with me.
I know I've been remiss in my updating. I think of Rachel and Sara with 2 little ones and really have no excuses.
It's tough to decide where to start, but the beginning is as good a place as any. Here we go.......