Austin360 blogs > Out & About > Archives > 2008 > July > 28
Monday, July 28, 2008
Mountain West No. 7: Horseback Socializing
Socializing on a horse trail through the Rocky Mountain woodlands assumes a linear form. The lead wrangler riding point or drag calls out advice, using an individual horse’s name, which then is transmitted to the equine companions by way of the rider’s tack and softer verbal cues. The junior wrangler, if there is one, tends to watch for potential problems, such as that inexperienced rider whose saddle is slipping precariously along the Lake McDonald Trail in Glacier National Park.
Early on our ride, lead wrangler, Della, from Lubbock, Tex., boomed out explanations of the geology, botany and zoology of the highlands above the lake. My mount, Comanche, a tall pinto, had earned a reputation for stubbornness and balking, but responded alertly to physical and verbal cues within a few minutes. Other horses were not so companionable, testing their riders as they wandered off for bark rubs or lowered their heads of quick snacks.
For much of the ride, Keenan rode drag behind me. Recently of Portland, Ore., twentysomething Keenan (pictured) had engaged as a first-year wrangler for a summer job and a break from welding. He operates by the philosophy: “Let riders talk about what they want to talk about.” Naturally, being a reporter, that meant I discovered more about him and the social world of the trail ride than he did about newspapering.
Keenan, who hopes to land a work visa as welder in Australia soon, recalled in a calm, reedy voice the girl from Kentucky who warbled during the entire ride and tried to whisk him back home, a trophy cowboy. Then there were the fancy folks who tried to bribe him with dinner or extra tips if he would lead them on private, less restrained rides along the trails. (Nothing doing on these steep trails through heavy woods.) A couple from Beverly Hills complained the entire time about the odor (who doesn’t like the smell of horses?), the discomfort and possible hygiene infractions
Keenan had learned a lot more about human nature than he realized during this summer job, which kept him out of doors, exactly where he wanted to be. And he worked Glacier before the namesake ice rivers melted (predicted for 2020). He reminded me of Newt from “Lonesome Dove,” still a tender sprout in his own mind, but already wiser than many of his Portland mates who chose college first over a life of unpredictable adventures.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment Categories: Travel
2008 Fortunate 500: Food
FOOD
Top Pick Sharon Watkins: The twinkle-eyed owner of Chez Zee has been bringing people together over food for quite a while now. Among the beneficiaries of her social largesse are the University of Texas Performing Arts Center, Austin Public Library Foundation, KLRU, Leadership Austin, Women Vote Friendship Lunch and Zach Theatre. We chatted with her at so many parties over the years it’s like we’re family.
Alma Alcocer-Thomas. Jeffrey’s
Susan and Ed Auler. Fall Creek Vineyards
Eddie Bernal. 34th Street Cafe, Santa Rita Cantina, Blue Star Cafeteria
Paula Biehler. Biehler & Associates, Texas Hill Country Wine & Food Festival
Jeff Blank. Hudson’s on the Bend
Kevin Blessing. Central Market, Texas Hill Country Wine & Food Festival
Tyson Cole. ‘Iron Chef America,’ Uchi
Lisa and Emmett Fox. Asti, Fino
Chuck Huffaker. Grape Vine Market
David Jabour. Twin Liquors
Howard Kells. Doña Emilia’s South American Bar & Grill, One Management Inc.
Jane King. Central Market
Liz Lambert. Hotel San Jose, Jo’s Hot Coffee, El Cosmico, Bunkhouse
Lou Lambert. Lamberts Downtown Barbecue, Jo’s
Trina and Damian Mandola. Mandola’s Italian Market, Mandola’s Estate Winery, Austin Children’s Shelter, Marywood Foundation, St. Stephen’s Episcopal School
Charles Mayes. Cafe Josie
Aimee Olson. Texas Culinary Academy, Les Dames D’Escoffier
Mark Paul. Wink, Zoot
Elmar Prambs. Trio, Caritas
Robert Rhoades. Hudson’s on the Bend
Rebecca Robinson. Wine & Food Foundation of Texas
John Roenigk. Austin Wine Merchant
Bud Royer. Royer’s Round Top Cafe, Meals on Wheels, American Youthworks
Suzanne Santos. Austin Farmers’ Market
Carol Ann Sayle and Larry Butler. Boggy Creek Farms, Green Corn Project
Amy Simmons. Amy’s Ice Cream, Phil’s Ice House
Scott Simons. Whole Foods
Chuck SmithMoonshine
Karen Odom Spezia and Roy Spezia. Tribeza, Clark, Thomas, Winters
Lisa and Mark Spedale. Primizie
Foo Swasdee. Satay, Texas Asian Chamber of Commerce
Michael Terrazas. Starlite, the Woodland
Michael Vilim. Mirabelle, Wine & Food Foundation of Texas
Peggy and Ron Weiss. Shoreline Grill, Jeffrey’s
Kevin Williamson. Ranch 616
While I’m hiking in Montana, we’ll reveal a different Fortunate 500 list each day at noon. For a complete updated list, follow the brightly colored Fortunate 500 link below this post.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: Food, Fortunate 500
