Charity Begins in the Saddle

Photo courtesy of Chanda Snook

By Helen Coronato

The Accidental Cowgirl

The 5th Annual Ride a Horse Feed a Cowboy event is slated for August 26–28 in Hulett. This local nonprofit group is dedicated to easing the financial burdens of community members who suffer from debilitating injury, illness or expensive medical treatments.  During the weekend event goers will enjoy the a community barbecue; “Bulls & Broncs Wear Pink Rodeo;” Art, Craft and Collectible Auction; the Old West Cowboy & Indian Collectible Trade Show; and the Calcutta Poker Tournament, along with live music provided by country favorite Paul Bogart.

Having attended the event for the past two years, I was excited to speak with founder and event coordinator Chanda Snook about the 2011 benefit. She says “I am proud that this fund raiser has quadrupled in attendance since our inaugural year, making it possible for us to plan even more family-friendly activities and authentic Western events for our 2011 weekend and increase our publicity and advertising campaigns.” Last year, Chanda presented a check for $8,000 to a local family in need. Considering the population of Hulett, Wyoming (the event’s stomping grounds) taps out at 400 residents, that is really quite an accomplishment!

Behind the Scenes at the CFD Rodeo

By Helen Coronato
The Accidental Cowgirl

From July 22–31st, Cheyenne Wyoming was transformed from a contemporary town of 60,000 residents to the world famous Daddy of ‘Em All Cheyenne Frontier Days. Always held the last full week of July, Frontier Days is hosted almost entirely by local residents who help facilitate nine days of rodeos sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), professional entertainment, parades, art shows, concerts, shopping and food.

With so much to see and do, the event can seem overwhelming. But when you have a chance to interview a key player, the chance to go behind the velvet rope (or in this case, the iron chute) makes the experience that much more exhilarating. Kirsten Vold, Cheyenne Fronteir’s Days stock contractor, was kind enough to take time from her jammed-packed schedule and answer a few questions about this 115-year-old rodeo.

Taking it easy on the Snake River

By Dina Mishev

Several times during my long-ago-ended kayaking career, I paddled the Snake River in Grand Teton National Park. There isn’t a lick of whitewater to be found on most of it, but it always made me more nervous than paddling the big whitewater in the Snake River Canyon south of Jackson.

What it lacks in whitewater, it makes up for with obstacles like downed trees and sandbars.

I don’t ever recall seeing a sign in the canyon like there is at the ramp at Dornan’s: “The Snake River is dangerous and demanding. Only a highly skilled person familiar with this river should pilot a vessel.”

Paddling the Snake in the park myself, I was not only nervous, but also so focused on upcoming obstacles that I never got to properly enjoy the scenery. And I knew it would be beautiful if I ever relaxed enough to look up.

So it wasn’t just because I sold my kayak and all accompanying accoutrements that I signed on for a trip with Barker-Ewing Scenic Floats. I didn’t just want to go down the river, but enjoy it. And with a guide taking care of all the details — boat, shuttle, route-finding, avoiding snags — I figured I could.

Fly Fishing: The Dawn Patrol

By Jeff McDonald

My cell phone alarm beeps at 4:30am. I disarm it quickly and clumsily so as to not wake up my wife. Creeping through the house as quietly as I can, I kick on the coffee maker and slip on my waders.

It is still dark outside as I point my Subaru south out of Laramie on Highway 287 toward the Colorado border. My destination is Leazenby Lake, a few miles out of town. This is a small lake developed as a sanctuary for migrating birds, and it has been stocked with rainbow trout.

I pull in to the public parking area as the first hint of sunrise begins to peek over the Laramie Range to the east, giving me just enough light to notice a few mayflies fluttering about. I pull my already-assembled fly rod out of the car and walk through the gate to the water.

As I step into the water, I am greeted by the familiar sound of rising rainbow trout taking insects off the surface. Within 30 minutes from waking up in Laramie, I am standing knee-deep in the water casting my dry fly to rising trout, and the sun is just beginning to come up.

Welcome to Wyoming!

By Helen Coronato

The Accidental Cowgirl

Drivers headed westbound on I-90 are greeted by the Forever West billboard announcing the unofficial line in the sand between the Midwest and the West. This staple photo-op recently upped the ante on Western hospitality with the addition of the “Welcome Center” sign alerting travelers to the recently opened Northeast Information Center at exit 199. Curious to see what newcomers (like myself) would experience as a first impression, I pulled in.

The Hills Are Alive With the Sound of Music

Photo by W. Garth Dowling

By Dina Mishev

Four nights ago, it was Berloiz, Gershwin, Mozart and Bernstein I heard performed at Walk Festival Hall in Teton Village, 12 miles from downtown Jackson. Tonight it was the Beatles: “A Hard Day’s Night,” “Love Me Do,” “Twist and Shout,” “And I Love Her,” “Can’t Buy Me Love,” “Help” and two dozen others.

The Grand Teton Music Festival has come a long way in its 50 years.

The Festival was founded in 1962 as the Jackson Hole Fine Arts Festival. Performances were held in the old Jackson Hole High School gymnasium, at Jackson Lake Lodge and on the lawn of St. John’s Church.