Saturday morning was sunny and the sky was the brightest of blues.
After spending the last two days on the ski slope
with the family and 11" of fresh light, crystal filled powder
a change of pace was in order.
B and the Princess stayed at home.
Work needed to be done at the shop.
Movies had to be watched.
Bonds must always be strengthened.
Today was their day together.
That left the Prince and I.
We headed out to our neighbouring town
98 miles away.
I promised adventures and cheese burgers.
Take a look at how we spent our Saturday...
We headed down the highway - the mountains are our destination. But not these mountains
The Prince was busy snapping pictures from his back seat as we drove. I have shown you this peak before. It always empresses, even at 65mph through a very dirty tinted window.
We made it to the hanging valley that is beautifully untouched
Every where you look you are surrounded by mountains, valley fields, and snow.
We arrived at our destination.
An annual event that brings out people and horses from communities all around.
Last year it was -20 degrees. Today it was a balmy 18 degrees.
Are you getting a sense of what is coming? Look at what is leaning against the fence.
(That is my teacher in the purple and green...hint hint)
Corral sections and skis.
Perfection, nearly.
Are you ready to see how they go together?
If you ever get the chance, you should try and take in some of this action.
It is fun, fast and very entertaining.
And, according to many
a great reason for drinking bud-light
at 10:30 in the morning.
You should here the sound of the horses hooves of the road, it is wonderful.
Yes sir-ree, it is just one of the roads in town shut down so gates and jumps can be placed on the 900 foot long course.
With a lead rope attached to the horn of a saddle, the cowboy encouraging his animal beneath him to gallop at full speed they are off and flying down the course.
This guy is sporting a grayish beard,
so it is not "just the young and stupid" as a fur clad, perfume laden, obviously from out of state lady,
stupidly said -
standing not far from me.
I wanted her to go back to her place wherever that was.
And take her friends with her.
She was very annoying.
Prince played on piled snow and frozen straw bales.
We both wished I had remembered his sunglasses.
Mo getting ready for the record run. She won last year and holds the fastest time record.
She is a rad woman.
I couldn't get enough of the cowboy/horse/skier mix.
Love it.
Fastening the helmet
Bringing in the speed factor
They are off...
LUNCH BREAKNearly all the folks went to one of the two places to get lunch. Those ladies ran for an hour straight. Burgers and beers were the popular choice. This made Prince very happy. One of his favorites is a cheese burger with tomatoes. That is what he ate, in about 37 seconds. He wanted to get back and watch more. I need a bit more time to chew and taste my burger. And drink my beer.
This is main street.
What? your streets have cars and not horses?
Oh, and they have stop lights?
Well, not here.
We have horses more than cars, and people crossing dictates if and when a car would need to stop. If you look hard above the woman on the right, on a pole we have a speaker that in the summer plays country music.
All the time.
That is one of my first memories of being in this place as young kid,
the country music over the speaker on main street.
And
the smell of the leather in the saddle shop.
I digress.
Back to this.
I love the rope flying around in this shot.
Go, Mo, go!
and this one too.
Prince ran and played in between races.
I wish this happened more than once a year.
But ranches need tending and cows are getting ready to birth their young.
Water is still freezing within hours of last chopping an access hole.
Feeding takes hours.
If new snow has fallen in great amounts or wind has blown the snow into substance greatly resembling concrete. Cattle trails need to be plowed to water and food sources.
Life in the country is demanding that way.
Little time for play. But when they do, they do it right.
Tonight after horses are curried, fed and watered, a community dance will be held. And the pot-luck, I can't forget the pot-luck.
Beef will be well represented.
As will potatoes, rolls, and ice-burg lettuce.
Deserts will be in sheet pans or jell-o molds.
Coffee will be thick and strong.
Real cream and real sugar will be offered.
Laughs and handshakes will be shared.
Good times.
Prince and I voted this cowboy 'Best Chaps'.
Sheep skin chaps that nearly matched his horse.
They weren't giving style points,
but I did. He won.
These are not your stall and pen horses.
No.No.No.
These are daily working ranch and farm horses.
They wanted to win, you could see it in their eyes
and hear it in the echo of their hooves.
Pure raw power and beauty.
Trucks, horses, campers, snow and wall-tents.
A perfect way to end our day.
We headed home.
Faces pink from hours of high elevation sun, minus sun block.
Smiles on our faces and conversation that freely flowed between mama and son.
We had one more quick stop.
One more brief adventure.
I wanted to see the place we retreat when summer heat lays itself on thick.
To the lake.
To appreciate the contrast of seasons.
To pee.
It was worth the detour. Beautiful.
Home and the other half of our family were waiting.
We headed towards them.
GraditudeX5
- One on one time with my children
- Adventures and showing and experiencing new things with the kids.
- Frozen lakes at days end. Summer memories of the lake
- A clean bathroom. For a young boy who is getting better at aiming or paying attention. I'm not sure which. I'll take either, preferably both.
- Lazy Sundays
