Last Day at Elk Mountain Ranch

Saturday morning at the Ranch was beautiful. The weather was just perfect. It had been a bit slightly overcast and there had been some talk about rain, but it held off. We did get to wear our rain slickers for one ride. Which I thought was fun. I never have ridden in the rain before. I have always been too afraid to get my saddle wet. I know, I am a dork. The last "Cowboy Conference" for our week. While the Wranglers were deciding which groups they were going to be taking out the rest of us sat up in the bleachers waiting. Then Martine came walking up. She just cracks me up. She came waltzing in the arena with the funniest outfit. Tom and the Wranglers were cracking up. We were all cracking up. You see the Wranglers are very "Cowboy" like and for Martine to waltz in there with her "Outfit" on was funny. Tom said, "I hope you brought some pants!" She did, but it was a good joke. Me and Mr. Cowboy admiring the view. Our trail group. We had some really good times. Oh the stories, the jokes, and the fun we had. Oh, and you see that? See Billy? I swear that is all he ever thought about. And you know he wasn't starving. He was HUGE!! And trust me, I didn't let him eat, he was just a sneaky little bugger. We made it back to the Ranch for a little Rest and Relaxation, then some lunch. Mr. Cowboy and I walked around a little while before we had to go to lunch. I took some random pictures and just enjoyed the little walk. We made a small loop around the top of a hill and back down to the lodge and waited for our picnic lunch to start. Caleb was helping set up Lunch. It was fun to just sit back and relax. I think Caleb has a dream job. I really wish I would have thought about being a Guest Ranch Wrangler while I was on summer vacation from school. It would have been so much fun. Mr. Cowboy and I sat back and watched some of the Wranglers rope. Poor Sarah was just walking by and Jason started to chase her. I think he might have missed!! Sage got a good throw in, and then Mark, my favorite Englishman, had a go. He actually picked up on it pretty quickly. Just don't look at his form, he was roping with a little kiddie rope that was way too short. And this is what Mr. Cowboy looks like when he isn't stressed out from work. Can anyone else see why that black cowboy hat might have had me hooked? Sigh........... Lunch was ready! We were having BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches, fruit, and pasta salad. It was so good. After lunch we had one last afternoon ride. We had the choice to stay and watch the kids' rodeo or go for a ride. I opted for the ride being that I get to watch kid rodeos every other weekend. Two of the Wranglers dress up as rodeo Clowns and have a really fun time with the kids. I think everyone in this picture looks really thrilled. Even the horse looks unimpressed with my picture taking. We got back from our afternoon trail ride with plenty of time to get ready for the candle lite dinner. That is my really cheesy grin. That is what happens when Mr. Cowboy gets a hold of my camera. Each night a few of the Wranglers get a night off. The week we were at Elk Mountain Ranch was the same time the "Big Daddy of all Rodeo" was going on. The Cheyenne Frontier Days. So, the Wranglers and staff would take their night and day off to go up to the rodeo. Mr. Cowboy had a good time all week asking about how some of his old riding buddies were doing. Sage and Jason were headed up to Cheyenne for a good time. It sure sounded like a lot of fun!! Mr. Cowboy and I took the time to visit with Tom and Sue for a little bit and then we went and got ready for dinner. After dinner we all got a group shot. We really had a great week. The Wranglers and Staff were awesome and I couldn't have asked for a better vacation. Tom and Sue have a beautiful family and a wonderful Ranch and I am so thankful to them for sharing it with everyone. I think their two kids are really lucky to have been able to grow up at the Ranch. They spend their summers at the Ranch and the Winters down in town. And "town" really isn't all that big. Some day I will have a summer mountain cabin. It will happen. Theses were all the kids that were there that week, plus Tyler and Hunter. It was a bit rainy Saturday night and it was raining on Sunday when we left.