Telegrams from the Trail - Cattle Drive - Tuesday, June 14, 2011 

Sender: Dead-Eye Kate          Date: Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Life on the trail is tough.  We have to eat things like pulled pork sandwiches for lunch, and for dinners, prime rib, turkey, salmon and salads with blueberries, feta cheese, hazelnuts, homemade cobblers and ice cream.  Lots of wind, some light rain Sunday night.  Mountain dew this morning, tent stuff wet.  Long day on the trail today and “Lucky” was very cooperative.  I could use a bucket of ice to soak my hooves tonight!  Beautiful day today.  Getting hot.  Longest ride tomorrow and we get to ride drag.

Sender: Sena Schmidt               Date: Tuesday, June 14, 2011
The cowboys live!!!  And we are proof of it.

Sender: Star Chenoweth             Date: Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Day 3- the Zebra Dun was unstoppable today- we single handedly stopped a stampede (2 steers) and then started our own several other times!!  I think I will be sore tomorrow!  Great flowers today- great food.  Longest day tomorrow- pray for my sore butt!!!   

Sender: Janet Rappaport                    Date: Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Day 3-  Looking forward to dunking my head in the horse trough after we reach camp tonight.  Yup, already dusty and hot and we are just starting the day… Thinking about yesterday when Danny (my nephew) did a nosedive into the trough, boots and all.  Well, at least he looked cool!  Challenges with horses had our team spread out all over today but it is a great group.  Go Silver Bullets!!!

Sender: Papa and Lala (Randy & Terry)       Date: Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Howdy Noah and Josiah- How are my little buckaroos?  The drive had a long day yesterday and an even longer one today, about 18 miles.  Tonight we’ll be at our last camp.  There was a beautiful sunset last night and sunrise this morning.  Uncle J caught a leopard lizard last night and scared some of the girls.  We look forward to seeing you tomorrow!  Love, Papa and Lala      

Sender: Jeanne                Date: Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Today 15 miles of dirt, desert and darn hot weather.  Cattle moved pretty good with a few mishaps- B. wire and all.  Great day- can’t wait till tomorrow.  Jeff is doing great- a real cowboy.  Morgan (my horse) and I are now on the same page… Long talk… 

Sender: Brandon C.               Date: Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Well today we drove the cows 12 miles to our third camp site.  My team and I started out at flank which is in front of drag, or the people who get the cows moving.  After lunch we moved up to the middle and continued to herd the cows.  Tonight we picked two new trail bosses.  Overall it was a good day.

Sender:  Dan “Rowdy” Bardon            Date: Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Our crew “The Pilgrims” rode swing and wing today.  We held them up and moved them over without a fault.  The herd is a group without a leader.  We became their leader and their guide through the desert.  We took them home to water and feed.

Sender: Dianne                   Date: Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Riding drag today was awesome- Riders of the Purple Sage ruled!  Leon and I are “one with the herd”.  Scenery was spectacular, especially the sight of this cow camp at the end of a long day!

Sender: Elizabeth Armstrong                   Date: Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Uh, yeah.  The fact that I have been presented with a piece of paper and a pen has automatically given me writer’s block.  I could tell you about my horse named “Jet”, who should really be dubbed “Senor Tortuga”.  I could tell you about the sunburn making it difficult to move my left hand.  But in the end, the fact that I have been spending the days traveling an epic and dramatic landscape, herding cattle as part of the Reno Rodeo is more than I could ever ask for.

Sender: Sarsaparilla Kid                         Date: Tuesday, June 14, 2011
3rd Day.  Beautiful riding today.  Green mountains, green valleys punctuated with wildflowers.  Great riding today.  We had a cooperative herd of cattle today!  We traveled about 14 miles today.  Having a great time.

Sender:  Leah                           Date: Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Purp Purp Purp… Who is that?  The purple team running drag.  Hep hep- move cattle move.  Stay on their butt, keep ‘em moving.—No squirts!  Yeh Purple team- move on up to left flank—stay on their side.  Who knew it was so hard!!

Sender: Sean Smith                    Date: Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Day 2- First off Men Wielding Fire is feeding us like kings.  Great ride today, twice as much Nevada as yesterday!!  This is a total dream vacation.  Hot, dusty- although Nevada Blue was in front all day, tomorrow back to the right swing (middle) and right flank.  Thursday morning drag—that’s the gas pedal before we hit town back of the group pushing.  Into town we will be left flank- I’ll explain at home—most fun I’ve ever had!!

Sender: Cowgirl Barbara Nill                    Date: Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Fell asleep to the songs of the coyote last night.  Beautiful wild flowers everywhere.  Rode left wing and then swing today.  It just don’t get any better than this.  And we ride drag tomorrow.

Sender: Rachel Schuber                          Date: Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Dirty, dusty, bruised, blistered… Love it!!!  The views are beautiful, my mustang “Magnum” is awesome, my team is a blast, life is good!  Yeehaw!  LOL.  My camp buddy Chris picks the best spots for our tents, oh and the adventure on the ridge and the next ridge and the next ridge was fun!  Who needs flashlights when you have a full moon!

Sender: Hipp                       Date: Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Hey guys, longest day today.  Very dirty, not too sore, learned a lot, had a great time.  Food fantastic!  P.S. Brent, Great wife CV (Guess who).

Sender:  “Warren Earp”                Date: Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Yee Ha!  Day 3!  Great time!  6hr 13min to go 12.9 miles @2.9 mph.  Much dust.  Very warm.  My horse is a champ and taught me more new stuff.  And I never fell off!  We are at N 39.50 W 119.42 for the night.  We ride drag tomorrow.  Alaska and Nevada are running neck and neck.     

Sender: Janet McCormack               Date: Monday, June 13, 2011
Day 2 on the trail- Life is good!  Beautiful weather and scenery.  Love my horse (Ronnie) he’s a fine young stud.  Miss you all.  Love ya!  See you next Sunday!

Sender: The Shaolin Kid           Date: Monday, June 13, 2011
To the City of Norfolk I.T. E-Access Bureau: I highly recommend this experience for our next team building exercise!

Sender: Fishing Cowgirl, Barbara Nill             Date: Monday, June 13, 2011
Blue sky for miles and wildflowers galore on day 2.  We had a few breakouts in the morning but handled the cattle well in the afternoon.  The wind blew like crazy last night- thank God for tent stakes!  Having a GREAT time.

Sender: Christine Hipp                      Date: Monday, June 13, 2011
Hey guys, 1st day working with cows, did great, learned a lot, tired, dirty but not too painful.  Having a great time.

Sender: Sean Smith        Date: Monday, June 13, 2011
Up hills, down hills, what a ride!!  Day 1, J.J. (the horse) gave me his all and beautiful horse and I had a terrific day.  Everything I imagined.  Nevada Blue team rocks.  Long day tomorrow & Wed.  Can’t wait for more.

Sender: Tracee Eaton            Date: Monday, June 13, 2011
Hello all- we are having a great time, fun cattle drive… we are staying warm at night, wind comes up and blows hard, but it is so beautiful here. See you soon, Tracee 

Sender: Dan Bybee           Date: Monday, June 13, 2011
Donna Kay,Shake out ride on Sunday afternoon; two rattlesnakes and a coyote family within half a mile of camp.  We drove the steers 8 miles today.  We rode drag and flank.  No mishaps.  Great team, lots of fun and great food!  Miss you.

Sender:  Maggie Evans                   Date: Monday, June 13, 2011
Melinda is herding the Purple group- all ladies and Julian is the only guy, she’s great!!  Loads of learning on how to be a “real” cowboy and work a herd.  Compliments to the group from the “black ties” on bringing the herd down the cliffs.

Sender:  Janet Rappaport                     Date: Monday, June 13, 2011
Day two- Kind of chaotic on the trail today with cattle all over except where we wanted them to be!  But countryside was beautiful and my horse was good so what more can one ask for… a gourmet dinner and Terri’s dutch oven delicacies! Yum!

Sender: Dianne               Date: Monday, June 13, 2011
Beautiful scenery, Reno still officially has not had “Spring”—we’re waiting… Still!  Morning of Day 2- Cows-1 Cowboys/Cowgirls-0.  Afternoon of Day 1- Cows-0 Cowboys/Cowgirls- 1.  It’s a tied game boys & girls.

Sender:  Amanda Rappaport              Date: Monday, June 13, 2011
Hola mi hermana reaily- Yo te amo! Yo monte un caballo hoy.  Hay es un pollo y el era murio de un caballo.  Es muy bonita en el medio de “nowherer”.  A “cow” I e gustan corriendo y corriendo.  Nosotros “threw” Damay en a trough de agua.
P.S. Hola Ervin Compleanos Feliz temprano!

Sender: Dawn Vance                Date: Monday, June 13, 2011
All of the tents were wind tested last night-- we survived.  This morning begun with threatening clouds and a “revised weather forecast”—every horse became the proud owner of a bright yellow rain slicker.  That preventative step produced a lovely mostly sunny day.  We herded cows today!! By lunch time it was Cows-1 Cowboys/Cowgirls-0.  We improved greatly in the afternoon- it was fun!!

Sender: Anonymous                 Date: Monday, June 13, 2011
Dawn broke with the voices of our loved ones calling—the cattle!  Hot coffee and a breakfast buffet to beat all buffets!  We left on time and yes the cattle won round one—Great times!!

Sender: Pam Walsh                      Date: Monday, June 13, 2011
Hi Sheila,Wonderful, wonderful day driving 300 head of cattle about 10 miles, not your thing but definitely an experience.  Uphill and down most of the time, tomorrow is flat.  See you Thursday (or better yet, you will see us).

Sender: Michelle Nichols             Date: Monday, June 13, 2011
At the start of the cattle drive I had a moment of terror every 30 seconds, then soon it was only every minute, later it was only every 5 minutes and by the end of the first hour I was just a regular cattle-drive-woman.  I had to keep pinching myself that it was real, not a movie.  Beautiful scenery and great fun all day.

Sender: Dean “Rowdy” Bardon          Date: Monday, June 13, 2011
I see by your outfit that you are a cowboy.  You see by my outfit that I’m a cowboy too.  We see by our outfits that we are both cowboys.  If you get an outfit you can be a cowboy too.  So Cowboy Up and I’ll see you on the trail.

Sender: Marc “Mad Dog” Harris           Date: Monday, June 13, 2011
Hey- we had a really funny day!  Right out of the gate the cows went berserk and ran all over the desert like, well, wild animals!  Everyone stayed in formation like they were spectators at a rodeo, which I guess they were.

Sender: Jeff C.           Date: Monday, June 13, 2011
Good day riding, been told we were great riders doing a good job in the drag, hah!  Don’t think they know it’s my first time.  Loving every moment, having an amazing adventure out here!

Sender: Jeanne                 Date: Monday, June 13, 2011
Great riding today- only two break outs.  I ate 10 pounds of dirt- but had a great time.  I’m sure everyone will be a little bit better tomorrow.  Great skies and great people.

Sender: Dead-Eye Kate         Date: Monday, June 13, 2011
Hey y’all.  The herd was let out of the gate this morning and the city slickers were in charge.  Off went the herd and left us in the dust!  We finally got in control.  My horse “Lucky” was not cooperative today and took advantage of his new rider.  He would rather eat sage than herd cattle.  By afternoon he protested and did not want to go down the steep hills.  Back at camp I told him “Good job anyway”.  He stepped on my toe! Ouch.  Back to my ice bag.

Sender: Purrlock Holmes, AKA Scott Thompson                Date: Monday, June 13, 2011
Flank and wing, swing and drag are points of the cow herd compass.  Sun and clouds, wind and dust, complimented the parasol of Nevada blue sky this day.  Push the herd, pinch them in, open up swing, back off drag, close up that hole, and make a hole, all terms of the day.  Steep grades, muddy creeks, purple lupins and yellow mule ears, rocks and sage, rattle snakes and lizards, cotton tails and jackrabbits all heard our progress.  Silent, distant mountains, snowy and green grinned at our awkward procession.  So far so good!  Day two.

Sender: Papa & Lala Bell (Randy & Terry)            Date: Monday, June 13, 2011
Hello to our buckaroo Noah!  We’re having a great time and meeting lots of wonderful people from all over, even Australia (where Jim Craig comes from).  Kody & Mojo are behaving and had to get used to lots of new horses.  There are snakes around so people are watching out for them.  Everyone likes the dutch oven cooking.  We saw some wild horses with babies.  We love you lots & lots.

Sender: Bill Campbell            Date: Monday, June 13, 2011
Hello Linda, kids & Owen,The weather here is beautiful, wild flowers are out and the entire group is outstanding.  We have two on our team from Australia and they are great to ride with.  My horse’s name is Coors, how ironic?  I miss you all and love you very much!  See you on Thursday.  Love, Bill

Sender: Denise Drazy-Shedd         Date: Monday, June 13, 2011
After Tonto and I straightened out our understanding about whether he should snack at every sagebrush, we worked together well.  In fact, we stayed together real well considering the rocks, brush steep down hills and other diversions such as jackrabbits and wild-eyed steers.  Looking forward to visiting my cowboy bedroll soon.

Sender: Sarsaparilla Kid                    Date: Monday, June 13, 2011
Day 2.  Another exciting day.  We drove the cattle up and down hills, mountains and cliffs.  We saw a rattlesnake traveling fast in the opposite direction.  The mountains were beautiful and green.  Lots of grasses and wild flowers.  Weather has been great for the cattle drive- not too hot, not too cold.  Cold showers to finish the dusty trail.

Sender: “Warren Earp”                  Date: Monday, June 13, 2011
Yee Ha!  Day 2.  We rode all day: 8.12 miles, 6:53 hours, at 2.1 mph to reach N 39° 54’, W 119° 54’ by +/-1700.  Wind never stops.  Saw +/- 3 dozen rabbits, 3 snakes, way too much high desert, lottsa strange flowers and shrubs—best time and most fun to date.  Great horse!  Gotta do this again!

Sender:  Star Chenoweth             Date: Monday, June 13, 2011
Day 2- I was given a Zebra Dun a great horse who loves to mix it up!  Great food- ate so much my team has to roll me to my bedroll!  Having a great time.  Missing my family- Love you guys!!!

Sender: Kim & Robyn        Date: Monday, June 13, 2011
G’day, or should we say Howdy,Day 1, Kimmie (Jillaroo)- great day riding on the wing of the herd (mob).  Eating dust.  Robyn- riding on the wagon, so relaxing behind Tom & Jerry, had to have arvo nap.  Great food, better drinks and fantastic company.  Can’t wait for tomorrow.  Cheers K&R (Aussies)

Sender:  Danny          Date: Monday, June 13, 2011
Hey Mom and Dad,Day two and I am still alive!  Barely!  Ha, horse riding is pretty intense and my horse is very sassy but we get along.  I fed it a lot of watermelon which helped.  Tell Tommy I say hi and I can’t wait to see y’all soon!

Sender: Rick Rappaport          Date: Monday, June 13, 2011
Dear Kailey, Well Danny ended up taking a swim in the horse trough today—I think the wind pushed him in.  BTY my horse’s name is chief and he is the best.  Prime rib for dinner tonight- oh so good!

Sender: Mark Nielsen               Date: Monday, June 13, 2011
Hi from the trail to Lauren and Jack,Today was the second day- but the first that we got to move the cattle.  We were on left and right wing moving and directing the cattle.  Sometimes a few cattle would escape from the herd and needed to be rounded up and pushed back into the herd.  Great fun.  Love you, miss you, Dad

Sender: David Semas  Date: Monday, June 13, 2011
Howdy!  Hi Honey:  All is well out on the trail.  Jordan is having a great time and looks like he landed a great horse.  Starting out today with a beautiful mornin’!  See ya on Thursday. Love, David

Sender:  Dead-Eye Kate     Date: Sunday, June 12, 2011
Sunday: Another fun start on day one.  Weather is perfect, sunny & warm.  Wind came up late afternoon- had to re-stake the tents.  My horse this year is “Lucky”.  Perhaps I should ride him to nearest casino!-Dead-Eye Kate

Sender: Denise Drazy-Shedd     Date: Sunday, June 12, 2011
Well I’ve met Calamity Mae, Deadeye Kate, Rowdy & Sugarfoot, among others.  If I don’t stop eating Tonto won’t be able to carry me up the hills.  The Chuck Wagon crew is fantastic.  Clear skies, a growing moon and a cool breeze make the bedroll sound mighty inviting.

Sender:  Purr  Lock Holmes (aka Scott Thompson)      Date: Sunday, June 12, 2011
Green cowpie steppers down wind; dry cowpie chuckers up wind; flat place for tent; sage for picket Fences; no ants, no snakes; perfect place for my tent. Warm sun, good horse, quiet ride, no saddle sores developing.  Roped every steer I saw-Not- but did catch my own hat.  Short horns, long horns, no horns but best catch was the bale of hay.  Overall, yup, a great day.

Sender: Fishing Cowgirl Barbara Nill                Date: Sunday, June 12, 2011
What a fun day.  We were kidnapped by banditos and saved by the Yankee General Miles.  After celebrating we arrived in camp.  I am riding a great horse with the messiest mane, named Butch.  Weather is beautiful wish you were here.

Sender: The Sarsaparilla Kid                 Date: Sunday, June 12, 2011
1st Day. Exciting times.  JD Cahill chased “Bad Man Jose” and finally shot him and hung him.  Wyatt Earp, Turkey Creek Johnson and Doc Holiday went to Doyle to help JD catch the outlaws.  There was a big gunfight at the OK Corral in Doyle and no more bad guys.  Very green country, lots of grasses and wildlife.

Sender: Dawn Vance      Date: Sunday, June 12, 2011
The adventure begins-We have survived a hold-up, a lizard-alien, an old fashioned gunfight, and being the guinea-pig team at the Cowboy Olympics!  Horses have been matched to riders and we all stayed on for our “Check Ride”- Having a great time.

Sender: Rick Rappaport      Date: Sunday, June 12, 2011
Hello Kailey, I met my horse today and his name is Chief- he is great.  Kind of cold and windy but tomorrow should be warm.  We meet the cows tomorrow, Ride-em-Cowboy!!!

Sender:  Pam Walsh     Date: Sunday, June 12, 2011
Hi Sheila, 30 minute ride on “Norm”.  Pulled pork BBQ chicken lunch, salmon (yum) lamb (yum) dinner.  Sweet- hope you see this.  P.S.  Please call Reg for him to call Robin with web link!

Sender: Mallory P.                     Date: Sunday, June 12, 2011
One of the best experiences yet in my life. :) Everyone is so nice and welcoming.  No matter who you are or what you do, you should definitely try the Reno Rodeo Cattle Drive!!  Happy Birthday Jeff!

Sender: Jeff C.         Date: Sunday, June 12, 2011
First day out has been great, and having an excellent Birthday as well!

Sender:  Mark Nielsen     Date: Sunday, June 12, 2011
Jack & Lauren, Dad’s having a great time on the Cattle Drive.  We won the “Cowboy Olympics” by running blindfolded, saddling up a drum, throwing cow pies into a bucket, branding a log, nailing a horsehoe and milking a bottle.  Lots of fun, miss you. Love, Dad

Sender: Jeann              Date: Sunday, June 12, 2011
Great 1st day- lots of wildflowers- Great weather- can’t wait till Monday.  Happy Birthday Frank! 

Sender: Julian Schmidt      Date: Sunday, June 12, 2011
So far, the west is still wild!  Cattle, horses, rattlesnakes, sagebrush, booze and the best entertainment (gun fights) and food imaginable!

Sender: Sena Schmidt & Her Dad        Date: Sunday, June 12, 2011
To my friends and family: This is unlike anything I have ever experienced.  To my girls:  we are so coming back next year!  This strips the city from you , and really makes you appreciate what the pioneers did to get us where we are today.  Yeehaw!  I love the Wild West!  (I’m also a bit drunk from the great bar.)

Sender:  Amanda Rappaport                  Date: Sunday, June 12, 2011
Hello everyone, First time on the cattle drive and has so far surpassed my expectations.  My team, Silver Bullets, won the Cowboy Olympics!  The beauty is breathtaking and I can’t wait for tomorrow.

Sender: Danny Byrd        Date: Sunday, June 12, 2011
Hey Mom and Dad, I am alive!  So far the trail has been exciting and the food is conveniently delicious.  I can’t wait to start moving tomorrow!  Will keep you guys posted as to how it goes!   -Danny

Sender: Christine Hipp             Date: Sunday, June 12, 2011
Having a great time, had Cowboy Olympics and did a short trail ride.  Food also good.

Sender: Tracee                 Date: Sunday, June 12, 2011
Hello all in Plymouth- we were third in Cowboy Olympics, having lots of fun… But tell Doo Daw to get out of my bed.  Tracee

Sender:  “Warren Earp”        Date: Sunday, June 12, 2011
Yee Ha!  Day one.  My horse didn’t throw me (likes me?), the weather is great, the food is awesome and tomorrow we go to work herding fairly dangerous critters with horns.  Lovin’ it.

Sender:  Star Chenoweth       Date: Sunday, June 12, 2011
Great day- we won the Cowboy Olympics- we were robbed and had a great Shake Down Ride.   A great start.  Thinking of you all.  Love you Robin, Amanda & Trever, wish you were here!!

Sender: Dianne         Date: Sunday, June 12, 2011
This adventure is best done with friends & family.  Deets, Whiskey, Radar & Lion are trusty steeds who’ve kept us out of trouble so far- the Cowboy Olympics were hysterical- yet again.

Sender: Maggie Evans                   Date: Sunday, June 12, 2011
Wayne & Ben- The trail is awesome- food, new friends and a horse named Whiskey.  We will become BFF before this is done.  Windy with blue sky.  Ready for campfire.  The Adventure begins!  Yahoo!!

Sender: Leah                Date: Sunday, June 12, 2011
Green fields of sage.  Coyotes running away.  Tent city among the stars.  Horses and cows and cowboys and music- wonderful adventure beginning- Yipee Kiyeah!

Sender: Janet Rappaport               Date: Sunday, June 12, 2011
Day One- beautiful weather, wildflowers and a great team called the Silver Bullets led by Wrangler Regina.  We won 1st place in the Cowboy Olympics so what can be a better start than that.  Great to be back among my friends at the Reno Rodeo Cattle Drive.  Special treat- my parents visited camp today.