| Are you ready for a Cowboy's vacation? Why | | | | in the city. |
| not take a cowboy vacation on one of the many | | | | |
| Texas dude ranches. Just think riding a | | | | My wild snorting beast is down at the stream |
| horse western saddle over the plains, across | | | | drinking water with the other horse. After |
| the streams and over the mountains. If fresh | | | | the horses have a rest it's time to get back |
| air and wide open spaces is what you are | | | | on the trail. Mounting my horse was as pain |
| hankering for a dude ranch may be just for | | | | full as the dismount was and I cringe as I |
| you! Are you ready for the perfect | | | | struggle into place. |
| experience? Let me tell you a tale…. | | | | |
| | | | My gray mare refreshed from her break was |
| Jumping into my western wear pulling on my | | | | ready to go. But with each step we took on |
| cowboy boots and putting on my hat, causes my | | | | the slow ride back I was reminded of the |
| blood to stir. Today is my first time in a | | | | tremendous beating my back side was taking. |
| bunk house but I'm not alone. There are | | | | The chaffing of the in side of the legs were |
| fifteen other greenhorns or tender foots with | | | | almost as bad. I was certain I was going to |
| me. Most of my comrades are city folk. Sure | | | | be a raw piece of meat by the time we |
| we've all seen a horse but it was on TV or at | | | | returned. Looking back at the old cowboy who |
| the parade. Today we get to experience the | | | | was our guide I saw a relaxed toughen real |
| real thing. The question that flashes | | | | cowboy. I wondered how it took him to |
| through my mind is whether I am ready to | | | | toughen up. |
| learn to saddle that wild snorting beast. | | | | |
| | | | Back at camp after a slow dismount and some |
| The door opens and in steps the lead hand. | | | | slow stretches it was time to find some grub. |
| He says "the first order of business today is | | | | Funny by the time we sat down to a heaty |
| to head of to the corral for a lesson on | | | | meal the soreness had began to pass and each |
| saddling our horses." So off we go. I look | | | | of us was looking forward to the next days |
| for the smallest beast I can find who's over | | | | adventure. Perhaps it didn't take that long |
| in the far side of the corral. Yup that one's | | | | to toughen us city folks up afterall. |
| for me. As I tip my hat and approach the | | | | |
| small gray mare grazing at the feed trough | | | | Conversation was hearty and load at the table |
| I'm a little surprised. | | | | as we busily exchanged ideas about our first |
| | | | day as a cowboy on the trails. There was |
| Well actually it's more like I'm shocked. | | | | excitement, pride, and an over all feeling of |
| That small gray mare stands over a foot | | | | accomplishment. So this is how the real |
| taller than me. Wow! now what to do. After | | | | cowboy's felt after a day on the range. |
| all who am I kidding, I'm no cowboy. But | | | | Perhaps there really was something missing in |
| with some help I managed to saddle the | | | | city life. |
| monster. Swinging up into the saddle my mind | | | | |
| drifts to a western movie with me as the | | | | By the end of my vacation the gray wild |
| trail boss setting off on a cattle drive. | | | | snorting horse turned out to be my greatest |
| | | | companion on all our daily rides. The name |
| Suddenly with the movement of my steed I | | | | of the gray is Calaway. If you ever get the |
| instantly come back to my senses to realize | | | | chance to ride this horse you will be pleased |
| this beautiful beast is walking out of the | | | | with her steady but gentle manor. Even my |
| corral and I'm about to experience my first | | | | red western wear shirt, tan boots and my |
| adventure. After many miles of riding along | | | | large white hat never spooked her. After all |
| a cool grassy plain our group of tender foots | | | | she is used to carrying and caring for plenty |
| comes upon a small steam. Perfect, it's time | | | | of want to be cowboys and cowgirls giving |
| for a rest. | | | | each a story and adventure all of their own. |
| | | | |
| I swing out of my saddle. My legs and rear | | | | If you ever get a chance to take a cowboy |
| end feel like they've had had the flesh | | | | vacation on a Texas Dude Ranch you should. I |
| peeled right off of them. The excruciating | | | | guarantee you will not be disappointed! It |
| pain leaves me moving pretty slow. It seems | | | | will be one of the best experiences you'll |
| to take an eternity to be able to sit down on | | | | ever have, leaving you with the memory of |
| the cool grass. Wow I must be a wuss I | | | | light blowing summer breezes, soft scented |
| think. Even with my aching body I feel an | | | | wild flowers, deep blue crystal clear water, |
| exhilaration like I've not ever felt before. | | | | and gently sloping mountain trails. |
| | | | |
| Looking at the other riders it appeared that | | | | The life of a cowboy may be filled with hard |
| they too had suffered this same fate. Yet | | | | work but it's a lifestyle that no other can |
| even with this new found pain there is a | | | | compete with. There are few cowboys that |
| smile of contentment on all the tender foots | | | | would be willing to give it up. For just a |
| faces. As we stretch out and relax we | | | | couple of weeks you too can enjoy the life of |
| realize the power of nature that is forgotten | | | | a cowboy. |