1
Years ago, while at Wyoming's Red Desert, where even today wild horses roam, a 'skeleton of a saddle' was found.. The desert itself is barren, and nearly waterless. It covers a vast area in Southern Wyoming and into North-central Colorado. Bud has had it for decades. We moved it from Colorado, to our 1st retirement home in Tucson. Then, again, it came with us in the moving van to Texas. Now, over 10 years here in residence, it's been stored [hung] on the garage wall. During our time downsizing all the 'junk' out the area recently, Bud cleaned it up to move it inside our home where it was placed on our fireplace hearth.
It's a McClellan Saddle [circa 1874] - The McClellan saddle was a riding saddle designed by George B. McClellan, a career Army officer in the U.S. Army. The saddle was almost certainly a modification of the Spanish tree saddle in common use in Mexico during this period, and which had become common in some parts of the U. S. The McClellan saddle was adopted by the US War Department in 1859 and remained standard issue, in various models, for the remaining history of the horse cavalry. Think "Civil War" era. The McClellan saddle continues to be made in the US, and was used by endurance riders at one time. It is made for use as a pleasure saddle for those few who like it for that purpose, and as a saddle for historical reenactors. I found a photo of a refurbished 1874 McClellan HERE
Red Desert image courtesy of Google Search
- - -
2
My most recent book I'm reading is by a local artist [Corpus Christi], Charles Clark, a physician who turned author upon retirement. The book, the first of two in this genre, "Trails to Dos Encinos" is about a rancher and a young girl who washed ashore, barely alive, from a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico. Charro [the rancher] has a cattle ranch called Dos Encinos [a loose definition would be two live oaks...a tree that is prevalent in this area of South Texas]. It's a good story...a story of survival and love. Along the way, - - Mexican banditos, padres, church, religion and faith, devoted friendships, family. It's filled with a richness of when Texas was at its beginnings and a young girl from Germany [Sarah, the one who survived the storm] experiencing the ways of the old west and her quest to become American.- - -
3
Juvenile Yellow Crowned Night Heron and Loggerhead Shrike
Nutria's Orange Teeth and Brown Pelican [well fed?]
- - -
4
At one of the wildlife refuges on Mustang Island, there is a billboard near the boardwalk entrance. It's alligator territory. If you want, step up behind the board, and stick you head through its mouth. I'd be more than happy to oblige and get your photo!! Don't be afraid...this one won't harm you. Trust me!! No? Of course, what kind of hostess would I be if I didn't allow YOU to go FIRST!?!!....
- - -
5
