Oh sweet Dude Ranch!
My Sister went to the dude ranch this last weekend for their "singles weekend". I was really happy for her. She would get to see the horses, the mountains, the wranglers.
I called her today to see how it went. I wanted to hear about the horses, the trails, the saloon. Did she do karioke? Did she meet anyone fun? Well, she got thrown from her horse, thankfully in the ring so the landing was not on a stump or boulder or creek bed.... phew! She said her feelings were a lot more hurt than her body, but she cried and got lots of hugs. She cried because she bit her tongue when she hit the ground.... hit the ground in that unpleasant head and shoulder crunch way. But she got back on and had a good ride after that. That can really suck, those of you who have ridden in life. Give thanks to soft ground and hard heads.
Vanessa took with her up there some pictures we took while there this summer. She told me the wranglers that were still on the ranch for the down season. Our favs were there. She shared with them the pictures, and they remembered us and missed us and loved the pics, saying they wished we had sent them along. That felt really good to hear. Makes me realize I ought to send them some of the pics.
I asked Big Boy if he would like to write a note to the Dude Ranch. He said yes. When I asked what he would like to write, he said, "That I'm sorry I will never get to go there again."
I recounted this to my mom on the phone tonight, and she said "WHAT!?!?!?" See, we hope to go back, but it is a bit of an investment and can't happen unless some other ducks fall into a row around here. I let Big Boy know the Dude Ranch is a summer thing, and not to worry, we'd get back there when we can.
It is so nice to have that special place in our minds to go to! Not so clean, not so five star, but full of heart and hospitality. Dusty dirty, hooking worms to fish, hunting bullfrogs and wasting away the days hanging with our family. It's no wonder Big Boy misses it so much. I miss it too.