August 2024 - Note from the Saddle Bench

Photo Courtesy of Mattie Sargent

Hi folks,

Hope you are having a great summer!

We are still plenty dry here in Far West Texas. The last 2/3 of July have been bone dry. We've got a couple of months for it to rain and make a grass crop but I think everyone would just as soon it not wait that long. 

There are lots of good folks from around the country over at the Bloys Camp Meeting now. Maybe they will get the thunderclouds stirred up. We are all for science, but in this part of the world, everyone still relies on the bent knee technique.

We really had a great turnout for the chuckwagon breakfast during Viva Big Bend. We fed somewhere around 250 people. Lonnie and Paula Rodriguez really have a nice chuckwagon and Lonnie is a really good cook. I would like to thank them and all the volunteers and crew at Big Bend Saddlery that helped with the breakfast.  Lonnie's tacos were really good but for the party crowd, the Baileys Irish coffee cream seem to be the biggest hit. Lots of folks listened to some good Texas music at the multiple venues around the Big Bend area last weekend. I think a good time was had by all.

The next big event for Alpine will be the Big Bend Ranch Rodeo this coming weekend Friday, and Saturday nights. It is sanctioned by the Working Ranch Cowboys Association.  12 teams from all over Texas, New Mexico and Arizona are entered this year. There will be food trucks, a small tradeshow, and cold beer available on the rodeo grounds along with snow cones and coffee.  In addition to the big guys, there will be a Youth Ranch Rodeo on Saturday morning if you wanna watch some really handy young ranch kids show their stuff. Come on out it's always good watching!

It's less than a month till dove season. Right after that will follow the other hunting seasons. We are making up light leather gun slips to slide your favorite shotgun, lever action or scoped rifle into. The light leather keeps all the dust and weather off of it whether you're in the back of a pick up going down the dirt road or in the rain. They are really good to keep your guns in till you're ready to use them the next time. Let us know if we can help with anything!

Adios for now,

Gary Dunshee