Cowboys & Cowgirls

One day, last week, I was doing laundry, minding my own business, when a REAL cowgirl walked in.  :)  I knew with one look, that she was authentic.  She had beautiful ice-blue eyes, weathered, tan skin, and long braids, like you would picture on Pocahontas.  She was wearing a baseball cap, a long sleeved, button-down shirt, western jeans, belt and buckle.  Her boots were a worn, brown leather with worn-down spurs. :)
She might have been a little intimidating if it were not for her peaceful spirit and gentle smile.
We started talking, and sure enough, she was in Medora working a horse ranch for about a month, until she heads back to Minnesota.  She invited our kids to come out for some horse-back riding, too! 
The ranch is in the back, off a dirt road, inside of the Theodoore Roosevelt National Park, and the drive was just breath taking!  The roads winding up and down for miles and miles along the mountains seemed to never end!  We saw buffalo, elk, deer, and tons of prairie dogs.

When we arrived at the ranch, there was Cathy, the cowgirl, Jerry and Jimmy; the sweetest, most genuine cowboys anyone might ever meet!
They had the horses saddled, ready for a ride!  The kids were SOO excited!  Todd and I got to go on the trail too.  :)  We even crossed a creek!

We are definitely addicted now!  These horses were just precious.  They LOVED to be patted and rubbed and were SO patient with all the kids.  Hannah and Emily even got to ride all by themselves, trotting in a pen, and did very well. (Cathy was a wonderful teacher!)
Tanner also got his horse to a full gallop!  He loved it!

The kids are talking about saving their money to buy a horse or two!  Sounds wonderful to me!



After we ate some watermelon and had a great evening with our new friends, they warned us to be careful leaving the National Park as the sun was going down.  This is when the animals REALLY like to venture out......

So, we start off, and all seems fine, until Todd almost hit a buffalo that was standing ON THE PAVED ROAD!  HA!

Then, we saw this one trying to scratch his belly on a post!  He was only a few feet away! 

We were all staring in disbelief and excitement.  One minute, we were scared that it was going to turn and ram us off the cliff, and then the other minute, we were laughing in amazment!  It was cool!

Blessings,
Steph