Heading Home

Saturday Evening - we're in North Platte, Nebraska. After a unbelievable thunderstorm last night (lots of sound effects!); we rousted Kilian out of bed - listened to a lot of grumbling & exclamations of "where are the people we're supposed to be saying goodbye to?" - we were the 1st to the breakfast table.

Eventually, family and friends did stumble their way into the dining room, Philip went over to get the Bad News & settle up, then we said our goodbyes and headed home.

This was a wonderful trip - it more than fulfilled the dreams we hoped for - the family together; lots of laughter, talking and so many memories to hold onto. And of course we were pleased our friends could meet Philip's daughters and Laura's family. There were so many compliments on how nice the grandson's were - how polite they were to the people around them.

Thinking of Mike & Matt; I have to remind myself of a particularly funny moment. We were at a cocktail party at MC & Stebs. I was standing talking to Laura, Kim and some others - out of the corner of my eye - I see Mrs. G's golf cart arrive at the party & hanging off the back are Matt & Mike! Mrs. G can be utterly charming, funny and incredibly caustic. Grandma Becky made a B-line to the cart only to be met by Mrs. G saying "I believe I gave your Grandsons a ride on my cart. They are such sweet boys!"

I enjoyed watching Kilian continue to bond with Philip - they are now in the other room of our motel suite laughing about some ridiculous TV show. They're constantly trading quips - Kilian seems to have a similar humor to Ben and Jacob so Philip's in high cotton. Naturally, most of it sails over my head.

Poor old Kilian, he made some crack yesterday (thinking he was funny) - pointing out a social omission - I failed to respond to someones wave to me - by the time I got done with him; he was desperately wishing he'd kept his mouth shut. I have considerable ammunition regarding Kilian's social skills - I don't buy his "I'm antisocial; I just like to listen." My grandmother used to say to me “Becky, if you cannot behave well and do good things for the unselfish reason of making others’ lives easier, then behave well and do good things for the selfish reason that you then be well thought of and your own life will be easier.” - it took me a while to realize that when Grandmother taught me thus, she was making sure that there would never be any choice but to behave well. Kilian was practically a social butterfly by the end of the evening.

Well time for bed. Tomorrow we head into Kansas & to home by Monday.

Last Day

Friday - Using the Internet became so very tedious; I just made notes to Word and then pasted them to the blog after leaving the ranch & reaching a high speed Internet connection.

Wonderful last day - We rode Rosebud this morning; the kids got to do lots of trotting and galloping and Kim, Laura and I could enjoy the ride. I think it was one of the 1st rides Laura thoroughly enjoyed and I wish it had been the 1st ride she took instead of the last one. Still, nobody is a better sport than Laura & she got to see some beautiful country. Later, at the evening barbecue she met a woman who recalled how nerve-wracking her 1st time riding a horse was - but now 3 years later; she's having a wonderful time, despite falling off her horse this very day.

After the evening meal; we headed to the rodeo ground - for a kid's rodeo. It was great fun watching the boys ride; however Matt's ride was cut short as lightening starting popping all around us. You never saw such a fast evacuation!! Instead we had an impromptu party at our cabin - with Chief Dynamite, Kilian, creating a toasty fire - we popped popcorn and visited. Nice way to end the week.

Trip Over the Top

Thursday - Kilian went to Ginger Meadow today - it's a 2 hr ride up the mountain, beneath the pines, horses and riders are tired by the time they reach the top - but are rewarded by a magnificent view of the high, snow-covered mountain peaks; an hour's rest at the top and then a rough 2 hr ride down the mountain through a fairly narrow canyon. I thought Kilian would enjoy the scenery but I was relieved when he said "it almost ruins all the other trails for me, it's so beautiful." My thoughts exactly. While at the top he learned to fly fish - mostly snagging trees.

Michael and Matt are beside themselves that they are now able to gallop. Matt's gaining more and more control over his horse; he can turn him without assistance. Still hard to kick Moccasin into a trot; much less a gallop but with Dad's help; he gets his horse going.

Dean and Philip went skeet shooting - Dean agrees with Kilian - Philip's good with a gun. Using a 12 gauge; he only missed a couple of the clays.

The week is passing quickly - I'm storing up all the memories; seeing Laura and Kim going on walks; watching them meeting other dudes and exchanging stories. I kidded Kim that most of her friends must be in shock 1) she's spending a week at a Wyoming Ranch 2) she rides a horse every day; sometimes twice. She's a good photographer & I'm looking forward to seeing some of her pictures.

50th Anniversary

Tuesday Evening – our good friends the Chandors celebrate 50 years together. Steb II & Charlotte hosted a ranch cocktail hour in their honor. As usual, invitations were distributed at breakfast – cute picture of MC & Steb on their wedding day … however, much to Charlotte’s dismay (she prepared the announcement) there was no mention of the Chandors name or who was hosting the party. Nothing escapes the wits at our table – we were all running around ‘fessing up to be the mystery couple.

The evening was lovely. Everyone but Philip, MC, Steb & I went riding on a glorious evening. The 4 of us waited at the corral telling stories and watching an amazing sunset; turning the clouds over Little Mesa a glorious pink.

Earlier in the week; there was a hot domino game at our house. My partner, 16 yr old Brooke Chandor and I took a beating at the hands of Kilian and Pam (Brooke’s mother). The following morning Brooke announced to me “you and me we’re here ‘til we win!” Turned out Philip didn’t have to reserve extra nights – Brooke & I took the 1st game and lost the 2nd by a point. We might have won but it was close to 11:30 and I was staring at the dominos through the slits of my eyes.

Just Another Day in Paradise

It’s midweek and the days are starting to pass in a blur of sameness – breakfast, riding, lunch, hiking, wading in the creek, supper, riding, reading books, playing games; then we get up and start all over again. So relaxing. I particularly like the part where other people prepare the meals, set up the tables, clear the dishes make the beds, turn on the bed pads, saddle the horses and so on and so forth.

I took a break from all this luxury and went to Buffalo. There are only a couple of small shops still open; obviously the recession is hitting Buffalo hard.

The kids and Dean are glued to the saddles and are showing lots of confidence. Mike’s learning to lope - little harder for Matt as his legs just aren’t quite strong enough to kick the horse. Trotting, with encouragement from Dean is about as fast as old Moccasin is going to go. Nevertheless he safely carries Matt up the mountains & back.

A Little Hail in Paradise

Yes, even in Paradise - a little rain will fall; only this rain took the form of hail, about the size of large pea. Hard to believe we had a hot sunny ride earlier in the morning and by afternoon; enough hail & rain to cancel the Kid's picnic and close all but 2 trails. Laura and I were doing laundry & just barely made it into the house before the onslaught. Mike & Matt didn’t seem at all perturbed – just another show at the ranch for them. Philip, Dean, Kim & Kilian were in the car, returning from Buffalo. They’d just returned so they parked under a tree waited it out. Some of our friends weren’t so lucky – they got caught outside either fishing or hiking. One of the boys, referring to the hail, said “it hurt!” An hour later there were sunny skies again.

The morning ride was to Saw Mill for everyone but Kilian. He went with a group to Castle Rocks. I was assigned a new horse – Wrinkle (nicknamed Botox by Philip) – not happy with Wrinkle so I hope to have a new horse this morning. The Saw Mill ride was spectacular and we were led by Isaac.

Isaac is worth a paragraph. This young man is 17, from Silverton, Co. He has in-depth knowledge of the immediate world around him – the principal compound of each of the 5 soils on the ranch; how aspen grow (there is usually only 1 aspen per grove); he quotes Langston Hughes & knows all kinds of cowboy poetry, being able to quote poems many pages long. I wanted to adopt him and take him home with me.

Laura, MC and I felt like the ranch dopes as Isaac tried to get us to remember Anything we might have learned in science – What is the principal compound of black soil – water? Salt? All wrong! Our guesses got wilder & wilder. All known life is made up of it…Carbon.

Our table, which is already packed and raucous, has two new members – Erin & Kim Hamilton from Steamboat Springs, Co. Erin’s the son of Ed & Terry Hamilton. We had a party for everyone – sort of a 18th anniversary for Charlotte & Michael; 50th for MC & Steb & a goodbye to the Hamilton’s who will be leaving as will Charlotte, Michael & family.

1st Ride

Kim on Rock, Laura on Onion, Becky on Iowa (no corn jokes please!), Mike on Nick, Dean on Little Owl, Matt on Moccasin, & Kilian on Chief.

We rode with a wranger along the Olive trail - spotting antelope, deer & cattle. It was a beautiful sunny day; not too hot but still a welcome relief to enter the aspen woodlands. As we rode up one of the mesas; we could see for miles & miles across the plains.

For a 1st ride for most of our group - it was pretty impressive; they rode like they were born to the saddle. Kilian was greatly relieved not to be riding a horse where his feet touched the ground. Everyone who watched him bound on his horse as graceful as a gazelle commented "this kid's going to be able to ride!"

Much to my great relief - riding a horse was a little like sitting in a rocking chair - certainly more comfortable than sitting in a chair. I even managed to trot a few times.

Philip can't ride. This afternoon, he and Kilian went skeet shooting - they just returned home. Both were successful - Philip hit 50% of the clay pigeons & almost 100% of the clay rabbits and Kilian hit almost 100% of the clay pigeon & most of the clay rabbits. Both look tired & hot. But they are excitedly recounting shot by shot...fascinating, Not!

I'm not riding this evening - not going to push my luck; will settle for morning rides. But the rest of the gang is anxious to go again. Kilian's going to ride with the Chandor's, as he can easily keep up the pace. The rest will take a wrangler to help them get a little more experience - I think by tomorrow evening; they'll be riding without needing a wrangler.

That's all for now.

We Arrive!!!

I'm sitting here on the porch of our cabin, Meadowlark. The sun is up; the chill is out of the air and the horses are arriving at the coral.

The 1st day couldn't be more perfect. The boys are duded up; Philip's daughters & son-in-law are here - this is the day he's dreamed of for a long time.

As we arrived both Philip and I are looking around, trying to identify familiar landmarks & wondering what changes we'll notice.

The first Dudes I see are Our China Wall Gang - Lil & Butch (aka MC & Steb Chandor). The familiar comfort of the HFBar slips over us; laughter, talking, the beauty of the place.

Laura, Dean & the boys are in Big Bark - a lovely cabin nestled next to the creek and with a view to the mountains - we're at the other end of the ranch in Meadowlark - one of my favorites.

At lunch we run into more of the extended Chandor family (whom we met at the ranch in 1985) - Charlotte, Paulette & Michael. Afterwards, Dean, Laura, Kilian, Matt & Mike go for a hike & then hit the swimming pool.

By evening, all the Chandor have arrived and we're caught up introducing our families, trading jokes & stories and meeting new people. The end of day, we return to the cabin & Kilian has a wonderful cozy fire going. Yes...a perfect 1st day.

Cowboys

Laura, Dean, Mike & Matt arrived via United & Great Lakes Airlines (to Sheridan, WY - go figure) on time, slight turbulance...but all in one piece.

9:00AM Grandpa and boys (with Mom & Dad) are waiting at the door of Dan's - the order of the day were boots & hats - I never saw either of the boys without one or the other for the rest of the day.

Birthday Boy

Today is Matt's 7th birthday. He's Rockin' & Rollin'!!!

Sheridan At Last

After a night of listening to Harley noises - of the 400,000 gathering for the week; pretty sure we saw or heard 100,000 of them! We took our time saying good bye to the Black Hills; but eventually they were only seen in the rear view mirror as we continued our journey west.

The scenery underwent a dramatic change - no corn, thank goodness (I'm still pondering & am concerned about the amount of oxygen being released with the tilling of all that corn ground). We left the Ponderosa Pines in the mountains of the Black Hills and entered the sage covered mesas of the west.

The weather continues to be unusually cool and we ran into rain around Buffalo. The hills are green - almost unheard of for late July. It was wonderful to view familiar vistas and remember favorite places. It will be such fun to show these to the boys.

Laura & family arrived this afternoon - we have 2 excited boys also very, very tired - having traveled from Boston early this morning. Mom and Dad currently have them in the pool; trying to wear down some of that energy. Tomorrow we're off to buy boots & hats before heading to the ranch for lunch.

Kim arrives tomorrow afternoon - the boys are looking forward to a week long slumber party with Auntie Kim.

Our motel for the night is decidedly funky - Laura and Dean & the boys are in the "upgraded" section...they have a chair Philip, Kilian and I are in the room reserved for Norman Bates' mother.

Day in the Black Hills

Wonderful day - perfect weather; about 72-enough that I grabbed a jacket. Rapid City is a contrast to the beautiful hills - full of advertisements and Old McDonald Farms, Reptile Wonders, etc... I just try to keep my eyes shut until we head into the beautiful hills.

We started at the Crazy Horse Monument - 10 years since Philip and I last visited. We were astounded at the progress. The monument is still supported only by donations and visitors fees - no government funds accepted. Of the 2,500 buffalo in the park; we only saw about 100 but they were close to the road and we had a good view. Not so thrilled about the burros - they stood in the road and wouldn't move.

Final stop of the afternoon was at Mt. Rushmore.

Tomorrow we head onto Sheridan, Wy

Popcorn Fields

Kilian came up with a great idea for our return home - as we pass the corn fields; we'll torch them and create Popcorn Fields.

Lot'sa corn between Kentucky and Wyoming

Miles & miles of corn and I think it multiplies by the hour. I don't remember all this corn - surely we're not using all of it for syrup or gas. Really, it's kind of scary - 1,000 miles of corn.

After 2 days of driving - we're in Rapid City, South Dakota...just outside the Black Hills. We'll be here until Friday morning, when we head to Sheridan to meet Laura & Kim and family.