One of the outcomes of the Covid pandemic has been the explosion of “binge watching” streaming television series. The format of most of these shows evolved from day time “soap operas” combined with the structure of more recently conceived “reality shows” all rolled into themes running from the drug peddling sub-culture of “Breaking Bad” and “El Chapo” to the cringe worthy disfunction of the family in “Ozark” and whacky weirdness of “Tiger King.” For me, one of the most intriguing of these shows has been “Yellowstone.” It takes me back to when I was really young and wanted in the worst way to be a cowboy with my own ranch. Cowboys were my heroes. Guys like Wyatt Earp, The Rifleman (Chuck Connors), Matt Dillon in Gunsmoke (James Arness) , Ben Cartwright (Lorne Green in Bonanza), Dan Blocker with his “10 gallon cowboy hat” (aka Hoss), Gene Autry (known as Hollywoods singing cowboy) and of course the iconic Roy Rodgers. You have probably noticed a pattern here – they are all “TV” cowboys, not the real thing. I had no idea the work, dedication and sacrifice it takes to be a real cowboy or a real rancher. One of the best places to see real cowboys is at the state fair, rodeo or stock show and every time I went it increased that inner desire.
Growing up in Albuquerque, New Mexico was what most would call a “mixed bag” of experiences. I can remember people asking my Dad if he ever considered moving back to the United States. They honestly didn’t know that New Mexico was a state! It became a state on January 6, 1912 but somehow people had missed that. New Mexico had a lot of pluses including being a cultural melting pot. There was a strong Native American influence along with an equally important Hispanic element. Then there was everyone else, all the “immigrants” to New Mexico. The state nickname is “Land of Enchantment” and it is a perfect description for a state that is rich in cultural history and diversity along with an ever-changing landscape as one travels across it from north to south and east to west.
Part of that cultural history revolved around the annual New Mexico State Fair which was held in Albuquerque every September. I loved the fair and anticipating opening day was not unlike the days leading up to Christmas or a birthday. The fair was held on dedicated grounds on the east side of the city. I knew the start of the fair was close when I could see the midway rides going up on the south side of the grounds and the banners started flying on top of the walls surrounding the grounds. It was a large property and included a thoroughbred horse racing track, an enclosed rodeo arena, the livestock pens and streets lined with buildings where competitions of all sorts were displayed. Those competitions included baked goods, intricate bead and needle work, leather work and a wide assortment of arts and crafts. They represented the pastimes and passions of people who lived on ranches and farms throughout the state. The winning entries were adorned with red, white or blue ribbons (I always wondered how a guy could be so lucky as to be a judge of the cookie, cake and pie competitions.) Main Street which ran north to south was lined with small permanent structures that during fair time served as kiosks for vendors of homemade food treats that represented the various cultures that make up New Mexico. You could walk along the four or five blocks and enjoy local treats like Indian fry bread, Frito pie, red or green chile, ice cream made from whole milk straight from a farm, roasted corn on the cob, it went on and on. Chile Ristras (strings and wreaths made from dried chile pods) hung everywhere, emitting their incredible aroma. The fair had a taste, it had a smell and it had a sound that were all distinct and all said it was “fair time.”
The fair was considered so important that schools actually had “fair days” when they would bus classes to the fairgrounds to spend an entire day there. Somehow, I would always figure out a way to get to the fair two or three times during its run. I would go once with my school, try to talk my grandparents into taking me once and then at least one time with my parents. A really good “fair year” included tickets to a rodeo performance at Tingley Colosseum. I could not get enough of the rodeo. From the opening national anthem, usually sung by “The Sons of the Pioneers,” to the final bull ride, I would be on the edge of my seat cheering on the bucking horse and bull riders, ropers, barrel racers, and the brave and funny rodeo clowns who were responsible for facing down the Brahma Bulls after they had thrown their rider. The best year ever was the year the Grand Marshall of the rodeo was Roy Rodgers accompanied by his wife, Dale Evans. He was there with his palomino horse Trigger and his trusty side kick Gabby Hayes who brought his famous jeep, Nellybelle. I will never forget standing on the rail above the arena floor with hundreds of other kids, and shaking Roy Rodgers and Dale Evans hands as they circled the arena on their horses to the sound of the Sons of the Pioneers singing “Ghost Riders in the Sky” and “Tumbling Tumbleweeds.” Roy was decked out in all his western finery including his intricately tooled leather chaps, spurs, yoked shirt, silver belly hat and holstered six shooters on each side. He sat atop Trigger in a beautifully crafted saddle, lined with silver, matching the bridle framing the horses head. Could there be anything more American? A state fair, rodeo and Roy Rodgers! Sadly today, if you named your horse “Trigger” you would be labeled a gangster and ostracized by society. Trust me, Roy Rodgers was as far from being a gangster as Mother Theresa. Roy Rodgers was wholesome, as American as apple pie and best of all, he was a cowboy!
Fast forward a few decades and I am now a retired guy living in the Denver, Colorado area. I have never come close to realizing my dream of being a cowboy and owning a ranch but deep down it is still there. Every January the National Western Stock Show takes place in Denver. It is a huge, two-week event that attracts people from all over the world. It is not a state fair, the Colorado state fair takes place every August in Pueblo, Colorado, but it has the feel of a fair. As the name implies it is all about the live stock, cattle, horses, sheep, hogs and cowboys, lots of cowboys and cowgirls. Knowing my rekindled (by Yellowstone) love of ranching and the idea of being a cowboy, Terrie for my Christmas present bought tickets to the National Western and to the rodeo that is such a big part of it. So on Saturday morning, dressed up in my best western shirt and favorite black Cayman boots off we went for a day at the stock show. When you arrive at the stock show grounds your are immediately impressed by the size of the facility, centered by the old Denver Colosseum. The parking lots are a sea of pickups and the air is filled with the distinct smell of cattle and horses. Cowboy hats of every description sit atop the heads of a majority of the people walking around the property and cowboy boots made of everything from snake skin to plain cowhide are on most of the feet. Horse trailers of various magnitude and opulence are lined up in neat rows. There are displays of new tractors, ranch and farm implements, western themed clothing and if you don’t have boots or a hat you can buy them from dozens of different vendors. We arrived early so we would have time to walk through the various live-stock displays, watching while kids of all ages and adults groomed their animals for competition to see who had the top steer, lamb, horse or hog. There are cattle of virtually every breed including Angus, French Charolais, Brahman, Hereford and the iconic Texas Longhorn. It was amazing to watch the amount of care and detail going into grooming the animals so when their time came they would look perfect for the judges. The competitors included small family operations and large, professional ranch operations. Competitions are ongoing throughout the day so no matter where you are, children and adults are escorting their animals to and from their pens. It is constant motion, constant sound and constant “ranch aroma.”
The rodeo was an afternoon, matinee performance. The activities began with a very respectful, very traditional performance of The Star Spangled Banner. There was no variation of the original tune or grandstanding by the performer – things we have come to expect at the start of major sporting events. Men removed their hats, almost everyone had their hand over their heart, cell phones were put away and conversations were paused during the singing and out of respect for the horse mounted color guard. Then, as should always be the case, a prayer was offered, asking for God’s protection over the athletes and thanksgiving for the great country we live in. The prayer was concluded in the name of Jesus Christ – not something you hear much in today’s world. Then the announcer began talking about the importance of faith and loyalty to country that goes along with the lifestyle displayed at the National Western. He talked about the simplicity of the western way of life, the role of family, the traditions and the multi-generational history of most of the rodeo participants. The crowd listened respectfully – there were no catcalls, whistling or shout outs and the poignant address by the rodeo announcer was followed by sincere applause. Then it was game on as the first event, the bare back bucking horse competition exploded from the stalls at one end of the arena. Throughout the competitions the announcer continued to weave in stories about the families, and the multiple generations of participants in the rodeo events.
My conclusion from all this? First, deep down, I still want to be a cowboy. More importantly the experience of going to the National Western Stock Show helped me realize that the entire world hasn’t gone off its’ axis. There are still people out there who although they have chosen a difficult, challenging way of life, aren’t looking for handouts or someone to blame when things get tough. These are people who have integrity, who know what hard work is, and who love the Lord. They wear dusty Wrangler jeans, w toe boots, pearl snap shirts and Stetsons.
On the “Success the Cowboy Way” website they describe it this way, “The Cowboy Way” has stood the test of time. It’s about being honest, hardworking, dependable, energetic, loving, kind, disciplined, appreciative, durable, exacting, thorough, proud without being arrogant, and committed to doing what works for yourself and others. It is about planning, consistency, being conscious, responsible, and worthy. It’s about being a Promise Keeper. The Cowboy Way asks that the folks working for the brand take pride in earning their paycheck every day and not bad-mouthing the outfit.
Cowboys are respectful of others. They work the land and the livestock as if they own them—accountability. A cowboy goes the extra mile for his pards or for the brand when needed without blame or copping an attitude.”
Wow, this entry has me a little fired up. I’m going to put on my boots, one of my yoked western shirts, and re-watch a few episodes of Yellowstone.
Doug's Journey 