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