ranch & reserve magazine vol 1 issue 7

Ranch&ReserveAUTHENTIC

MAGAZINE

RANCH FEATURE Glamping in Montana’s Big Sky Country

RESERVE 5 Reasons Rosé is the Perfect Summer Wine!

ART Rick Unger: A Painter of Western Life

LIFESTYLE The Redrum Motorcycle Club

TRAVEL Time for Celebration and Contemplation

Free Issue! Vol. 1 Issue No. 7

MUSIC 5th Annual Viva Big Bend Festival, West TX

Business &

Editorial

Editor-in-Chief, Spring Sault

Contributors: Ashlie Dove

Ranchseeker.com Marcy Stellfox

John Fifer Sheilan Dove

Tiffany Harelik

Ranch & Reserve Magazine 2476 Second Line

R.R. #6, Hagersville, ON N0A 1H0

Ph: (519) 754-7687 E: [email protected]

Submissions:

Editorial submissions should be sent to

[email protected]. R&R is not responsible for

unsolicited materials.

Advertising: Call 519-754-7687

Email [email protected]

Subscription Inquiries & Customer Service:

Ph: 519-754-7687 E: [email protected]

http://www.ranchreservemagazine.com

Photo Credits: Pixabay

CONTENTS

4 Welcome to the Ranch

5 Chronicle

7 Ranch Feature- Glamping in Montana’s Big Sky Country at the Bar W Guest Ranch

15 Travel- Time for Celebration and Contemplation

27 Art- Rick Unger: A Painter of Western Life

35 Lifestyle- Positive Road Models: The Redrum Motorcycle Club

45 Reserve Feature- 5 Reasons Rosé is the Perfect Summer Wine!

53 Music- The 5th Annual Viva Big Bend Festival

59 Food- Glen Moreland’s Plata Roast: An Excerpt from The Big Bend Cookbook

4

Publisher’s Note

Welcome to the RANCH By Spring J. Sault, Editor-in-Chief

Summer’s officially here, and the livin’ is…what you make it! For our 7th issue, we welcome the writing talents of Tiffany Harelik as our new ‘Food’ contributor. Her bio on her website (www.tiffanyharelik.com) states that she writes cookbooks, curates events & helps others do the same, but we feel there’s a whole lot more to this lady and we know that you’ll agree. We sure do love good food, and this spicy Texan has some great recipes, home-grown and ready to tempt your taste buds, and we welcome great things from her! The ranch feature for this month hails from ‘Big Sky Country’. Bar W Guest Ranch, in beautiful Montana, is the perfect place to get your “glamp” on…glamourous camping that is. They also have a great mix of contemporary accommodations, event space, and all of the great ranch trappings and trimmings that makes time go by way too fast on your ranch holiday. And speaking of holidays, North America will soon be celebrating 2 great ones – Canada Day on July 1st and Independence Day on July 4th in the US! Our ‘Travel’ contributor, John Fifer, has some great holiday yarns for just such occasions. We like a mixture of couth and class in our summer season as much as the next guy and this month is no exception as we hear from contributor Marcy Stellfox on western artist, Rick Unger. Her story is full of great detail on his life and career path, similar to the amount of time and effort he

puts into each of his exquisitely detailed works of art. If you weren’t an art enthusiast before, Rick’s work will have you thinking twice! Our ‘Reserve’ focus this month is all about making your pairing decisions easy. Whether it’s a barbecue, a family reunion, or even poker night, we have 5 good reasons a nice rosé wine won’t steer you wrong. Our ‘Lifestyle’ article is on a great group of guys you’ll come to appreciate. The Redrum Motorcycle Club is a philanthropic band of brothers riding the highways and bi-ways and raising some…money! (You thought I was going to say “hell” didn’t you?!) These guys support great causes and, as their motto goes, they spread positivity on 2 wheels! And finally, our ‘Music’ feature this month is a focus on the 5th annual Viva Big Bend Festival taking place in West Texas July 28-31. The have a great range of Texas talent, but don’t just take our word for it! Take a peek at their lineup online to find out more (their web address is in our story.)

There you have it folks! Welcome to the July issue of Ranch & Reserve Magazine!

5

CONTESTS

The first of 3 major contests kicked off for Ranch & Reserve in mid-June; the ‘Sign Up for the Faster Horses Hookup’ contest is running now through July 4th! Visit our webpage or our Facebook and Instagram accounts for more details.

NOTICES

June’s issue produced the addition of the ‘Road to the Rodeo’ Schedule and a focus on western lifestyle in general. We welcome reader feedback on all articles and schedules via email, or through our Facebook instant messenger.

WEBSITE

The Ranch & Reserve website underwent an overhaul this past month, bringing with it, a new crisp look to the main page, recent issues getting their own section, and current and future contests featured on ‘Home’ page tab. Visit www.ranchreservemagazine.com to read our latest news and recent articles.

Reader feedback is always welcomed. Connect with us via email at: [email protected] or follow us on one of our social media pages.

Click on any of the social media icons above to be taken to Ranch & Reserve’s respective sites!

OUR PUBLISHING SITE

R&R publishes on Issuu.com Download the Issuu app today, or access R&R on your desktop, laptop or tablet at: https://issuu.com/ranchreservemagazine

ADVERTISING

Our media kit for 2016 is available by request.

For all advertising sizes and formats as well as Mercantile & Real Estate ads, contact us via email at: [email protected] FOOD CONTRIBUTOR Tiffany Harelik, author and publisher, has joined Ranch & Reserve Magazine, for this and many more future issues to come. Tiffany hails from the great state of Texas and has written a number of cookbooks and helped countless others do the same.

Visit her website at tiffanyharelik.com to learn more about this wonderful author, food fan and road trip

enthusiast, and see just why her mix of comfort food and good cooking can make any dish taste delicious!

RANCH & RESERVE CHRONICLE

JULY, 2016 CULTURAL EVENTS

MERCANTILE ADVERTISEMENTS

Your complete business planning and

implementation experts! Call Us: (519) 673-3100

July 22-24, 2016

Grand River Champion of Champions Pow Wow

Chiefswood Tent & Trailer Park, Brant County Hwy. 54, Ohsweken, ON

Grand Entry Saturday 12 pm & 7 pm Sunday 12 pm Phone: (Six Nations Tourism) 1-866-393-3001 Email: [email protected] Website: www.grpowwow.ca

July 29-30, 2016

66th Annual Indian Hills Pow Wow

Indian Hills: 9300 N Sooner Rd, Oklahoma City, OK

Grand Entry Friday 8 pm Saturday 8 pm Sunday 8 pm Phone: (Tom Morgan) 405-826-8189 Email: [email protected]

GLAMPING

Big Sky

In Montana’s

Country

hen you think of dude ranch vacations, rustic log cabins usually come to mind. But at the Bar W Guest Ranch, located in beautiful Northwest Montana, a different kind of accommodation is on offer; Glamping… western-style! So what is “glamping” anyway? Quite simply, it is glamourous outdoor camping, which means enjoying all the comforts of home in a setting of understated elegance and stylish décor.

In addition to its comfortable lodge suites and an Amish-built cabin, the Bar W ranch boasts two luxurious tents furnished in a unique western style, set in a serene pasture, where string horses graze peacefully and wildflowers bloom. Each tent is equipped with a queen-size bed, large futon, a kitchenette, its own porch and a private bathroom just a step away. What better way to commune with nature than to observe visiting wildlife, while sitting on the porch late at night under a star-

Written By Sheilan Dove

lit western sky or admiring a magnificent sunrise or sunset. For would-be “glampers” these one-of-a-kind tents are available from May 1 thru October 31.

Nestled at the base of Spencer Mountain, flanked by two pine ridges, 3.5 miles from the “cool town” of Whitefish, the Bar W Guest Ranch was born of a dream by former skier, Dave Leishman, after he and young daughters, Meghan and Emily, made four annual trips to Montana eager to learn and ride horseback among the mountains. Captivated by the grandeur of the Big Sky country and encouraged by friend and now ranch partner Phil Dukes, Dave and wife Jan, along with his brother Greg, moved their family westward to create the Bar W ranch, and the dream became a reality.

Today, the Bar W is a year-round dude ranch with a 6,200 square foot lodge that houses cabin suites, an indoor and outdoor horse riding arena, play meadow, entertainment

RANCH

All Photo Credits: Bar W Ranch

10

area, stables, barn and BBQ gazebo on nearby Spencer Lake. The extensive horseback riding programs and indoor/outdoor equestrian activities remain Bar W’s main focus with access to 3,000 acres of spectacular scenery to explore by horseback, hikes and mountain bikes.

Add to that the many thousands of acres of Big Sky country in which guests can experience incredible trail rides encompassing mountainous terrain, barren foothills and open prairie flatlands that truly exemplify Montana’s western heritage, the Bar W offers once-in-a-lifetime riding adventures.

Back at the ranch, well-trained wranglers hold horsemanship clinics, teach barrel racing, pole bending and egg races at the two arenas. The more capable riders can also participate in roping, team penning and sorting cattle lessons, so as to thoroughly soak up firsthand the exciting life of a western ranch cowboy or cowgirl.

All Photo Credits: Bar W Ranch

12

Of course, no dude ranch vacation in modern times comes without a variety of outdoor activities to keep guests occupied when not in the saddle, and the Bar W Guest Ranch is no exception. Its many activities include mountain biking, hiking, pike fishing or swimming at Spencer Lake. Guests who prefer to sun themselves on a convenient and peaceful porch can watch all the workings and goings-on of a busy, guest-filled ranch or take a leisurely stroll around the property to work up an appetite for dinner. Other diversions at the Bar W might be a game of badminton, volleyball, pool or, with the help of ranch staff, trying your hand at archery or clay pigeon shooting.

The friendly folk of Bar W also provide lots of varied dining and entertainment options for their guests including weekly wagon rides out to Spencer Lake for a BBQ dinner at the gazebo, a cook-out dinner at Glacier

All Photo Credits: Danny Nestor

13

View Ridge (which is as breathtaking as it sounds), square dancing and hoe-downs plus the hearty and satisfying meals prepared daily by the talented cooks at Bar W for their appreciative and hungry guests. And always…fun and games and after-dinner mingling at the Play Meadow or Entertainment Area before it’s time to hit the hay!

And if all that isn’t enough, the nearby town of Whitefish has fine shopping, dining and theater should anyone wish to sample a more urban slice of Montana western country life.

Being a year-round ranch, Bar W offers many different sports and programs during the winter months, such as outdoor horseback riding along the snowy trails or improving riding skills in the indoor arena, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, skating and ice-fishing on the frozen Spencer Lake, and even sleigh rides ending with dinner under the gazebo by the lake. Avid skiers and snowboarders can also test their skills on the snowy slopes of the big Mountain Ski Resort just a mere 7 miles away from the ranch.

The Bar W welcomes weddings, conventions, special events and groups wishing to host their get-togethers in a comfortable, intimate setting. The Bar W lodge can easily cater to groups large and small, with a well-honed attention to detail. Who wouldn’t want to experience the ambience of a Big Sky Montana ranch when celebrating a special birthday, wedding or anniversary attended by family and friends?

The six lodge rooms are large and well-appointed and able to accommodate up to 26 guests. There is also a spacious cabin outside the lodge that can sleep up to 16, in two separate suites, on two levels. This would be an ideal arrangement for a family or group of friends.

The Bar W Guest Ranch is a family-run business with warm and hospitable hosts who wish to share their home, love of horse-riding and the Big Sky country to old timers and newcomers alike. From implementing new trends such as glamping to maintaining wagon rides and hoe-downs, the folks at Bar W ranch are always looking for ways to add to their guests’ enjoyment while remaining faithful to western dude ranch traditions.

14

So if camping hasn’t exactly been your thing in the past, head on down to Montana and the Bar W Guest Ranch to give glamping a try. You might find that it’s just the sort of dude ranch vacation that is exactly right for you!

Happy Trails!

Let RanchSeeker help you find your ideal guest ranch vacation. Visit www.ranchseeker.com for more details on this and other fine guest ranch establishments.

Photo Credit: Bar W Guest Ranch

16

Written by John Fifer

This month it might be time to pause and reflect: especially if you are a patriot. Not everybody is. But I do believe that a vast majority of the folks who might read this RV travel tractate in Ranch and Reserve probably consider themselves patriotic, at least to some degree. I consider myself a patriot. I proudly served and love my country. There are a couple of days in July when we patriots of Canada and the United States have an especial opportunity to express with vigor our dedication to flag and country. We celebrate with bands, parades, fireworks, family and friend reunions, picnics, BBQ’s and the like. Some stop and reflect on just how much we have to be thankful for: freedom! (Speaking of reunions, a Fifer family reunion is to take place the 24th of this month at the Brethren Church in Sangerville, Virginia. Any Fifers out there…the Editor let me plug this!) Canada celebrates Canada Day on July 1st. Many have the day off to pursue the above mentioned activities, or just lounge about. It is a national holiday very similar in celebration to the United States’ celebration of July 4th. Each holiday however came into existence in a different way, and each country’s citizens should be aware as to

TRAVEL

Time f0r Celebrati0n and C0ntemplati0n

17

the how’s and whys of their own. For you Americans who do not know about Canada Day, Wikipedia has a great description. And for you Canadian residents who may have forgotten why Americans celebrate July 4th, I sort of retreat from reminding you!

As a patriot I am a traditional flag waver and I appreciate the fact that my National Anthem is played at many events. My Canadian friends do likewise with their Anthem. As a traveler, I have had a few memorable experiences of July 4th I would like to share. Although not all are specifically linked to RV’ing, I would like to think of them as traveling experiences, locations to be visited, and events to be experienced, regardless of mode of travel. If you are an RV’er, you will no doubt relate anyway.

Chronologically speaking, the absolutely most cheerful 4th of July celebration we attended was at a motor speedway somewhere in the neighborhood of Ripley, West Virginia. We had joined my late in-laws on a camping trip to visit the famous Mountain State Art and Craft Fair. This is an amazing assemblage of West Virginia artisans and musicians who for three days every year exhibit their wares for the public’s enjoyment and purchase. In 2016 it will take place from Sept. 16-18. We had arrived in our untrustworthy mini bus and were towing that old fold out, physically set-up-the-tent-on-top-of-it, camper. The campground was nice --- but they had geese, if you know what I mean! Lots of geese! Watch your step there Floyd! Being automobile race fans, the evening of the 4th offered up to some of us an evening’s entertainment the local raceway. We had no idea! First, our ticket stubs, along with everybody else’s, were placed into a big bucket for the evening’s door prize drawings.

Apparently the good folks in charge didn’t stir the tickets --- at all! Our ticket was drawn pretty much first and we won some pizza. A couple of drawings later, a different one of my numbers was again called to pick up some tickets to an event at a nearby raceway which was too occur in a couple of weeks. Unfortunately, this was long before Power and Mega Ball drawings or I would have been off to the nearest mini-mart! How could I miss!? In fact, there may even have been a 3rd ticket of mine drawn! However, the real treat was still to come. The fireworks. Well, if it could go wrong, it did, with most of the “works” firing off horizontally, and the guy with the matches (maybe fire sticks!?) running away and ducking the projectiles from every one that went off! There was no wind, but apparently no one instructed this dedicated fellow that you had to secure these devices into the ground: or into something --- anything! BEFORE lighting! Mere words cannot describe the scene and this poor man as he scrambled away in the din and fireworks-lighted darkness following every lighting: literally ducking and dodging the flares! Everyone in the stands laughed until we cried, primarily because it just continued to occur, explosion after explosion! We finally regained our composure and enjoyed the racing. We had a great time, and I negotiated the sale of my ticket winnings to a local guy who could actually use them!

Speaking of racing, a belated-congratulations is certainly due to Canada’s James Hinchcliff for capturing the poll position at the 100th running of famed Indianapolis 500. “Hinch” survived a life-threatening practice crash in May, 2015, demonstrating the resilience and determination of his nation’s spirit. Congratulations James!

18

When I was w~o~r~k~i~n~g (gee I hate that word!!) I recall a unique opportunity I had of flying from the western US to the east coast on the evening and night of one July 4th. I had attended a conference for something or other, in some location I no longer recall. However, the flight timing was absolutely ideal Additionally, it was an absolutely clear and star-lit night. I was able to view fireworks displays in small towns and larger cities for

hundreds of miles along the flight path. It was amazing, stunning, and is something I will never forget. Yes, even from 35,000 feet they are circular! People across this great nation were celebrating our independence, or so I hoped. Had I been a few hundred miles north, I’m sure the same spectacle would have manifested in Canadian towns and cities as Canada Day was celebrated a few days earlier.

20

The next July 4th event was the result of my English buddy Nick asking of a group of friends sitting in the Bahamas a question. We were aboard somebody’s sailing vessel enjoying “sundowners” (RV’ers know what those are!) when he inquired if anybody would consider “crewing” aboard his sailing vessel with he and his much better half to Maine once we were all back in the States. Without hesitation or foreknowledge, my much better half and I simultaneously raised our hands. By the way, to “crew” means to be an active member aboard someone else’s vessel for a journey to somewhere: that somewhere in this case being Maine. Long and short, we departed our Chesapeake Bay slip on his boat on July 1st, Canada Day, for parts north. After several-days travel, a whale sighting, and a lecture or two from the Captain, we pulled into Block Island, Rhode Island on July 4th. Now you have to picture this very proud Englishman, situated in one of the 13 original colonies, on July 4th, preparing to join us in celebration! Well maybe not the celebration part! Among other festivities of the day, Block Island holds a parade, and at least for that particular fourth of July parade, little American flags were distributed to many parade watchers. The parade proceeded, we watched with excitement (hey, parades are fun!), and I encouraged my reticent, and might I say somewhat reserved but loveable friend, to enjoy himself. I believe by this time he would have preferred to have been aboard his beloved boat, or anywhere else for that matter, as opposed to being in the midst of an American celebration commemorating their independence from his homeland! As I enthusiastically waved my tiny flag, I realized my English buddy was not enjoying one as well. In a most selfless act, “ahem”, which may not have been the most prudent gesture I’ve ever attempted, I offered him mine. With a smile (ah, I think that is what it was!) he respectfully declined my generosity. His was not in a celebratory mood! But, I must say, I truly believe he had a bloody good time anyway, in spite of his friend’s miscalculation! Oh gee, I see another lecture coming!

In case you are wondering, we subsequently made our way to Cape Porpoise, Maine where over refreshments at a friend’s home we all shared a laugh --- of course at Nick’s expense!! That he had not thrown me overboard was celebration enough for me!

21

A few years subsequent, the wife and I had the pleasure and privilege to anchor in the Washington Channel, just off of the Potomac River, in Washington, DC. It is located about a ten-minute walk from the Washington Mall and from there, short walks to almost every site this amazing City has to offer. And most of it free: if ticket-timed at some locations! While there, what rolls around but another July 4th. Now, were I in Ottawa on July 1st the timing could not have been better! What possible location could be more preferable than to be in one’s own Nation’s capital on one of these special days? And does Washington ever throw a parade! So we went, making our way with thousands upon thousands of other folks, and were astonished that we were able to get a front row seat on the street-side curb, in front of the Treasury building. As we congratulated one another on our good fortune to have found two seats made just for us among the throngs of people already occupying the sidewalk, we settled in to enjoy the festivities. I guess it took us about 15 seconds to realize we were sitting astride one of those heavy metal grates for removing excess storm water. That would have been ok, and should have been an immediate clue, but it seems it had more do with the town sewer. Oh, the “fragrance”! What a conundrum! The only open seats within miles of the parade route versus - well you get the drift, so-to-speak! It’s tough for short people to see over several rows of tall people.

The parade was outstanding! Talk about Nationalism! And Patriotism! And flags a-wavin’ everywhere! Floats, bands, fire trucks, various ethnic groups represented and marching along, you name it! And everybody seemed happy. I guess there weren’t any politicians hanging about! It was a hoot and we recommend it to everybody: even, or should I say especially, my buddy Nick!

The parade ending, we made our way back to our channel-anchored boat for a quiet evening. If you have ever walked or dined alongside the Washington Channel --- it’s the one adjacent to the huge fish market, which smells a whole lot better than the location where we watched the parade, you may have surmised that it has its anchoring limitations. Beginning about 3 in the afternoon, boats began arriving, and anchoring. And more and more boats! Anchoring! Turns out this was the perfect spot for boaters to observe the Capitol’s fireworks show! By fireworks time, we could have almost walked ashore boat to boat! The fireworks were amazing, and again, everybody in the anchorage was in a party mood: happy, cheering, laughing, having a cool beverage, and just plain enjoying their patriotic selves. Well, at least they were enjoying the fireworks. And the liquid refreshment!

22

I would hope that on a future July the 1st, somewhere north of the border, while enjoying the company of folks who also know how to have fun, “eh”, Connie (my wife) and I can experience the patriotism and excitement of a Canada Day. And yes, I will even wave your flag if invited to do so! In the meantime, July 4th in my home town will enlist my patriotism and excite my heart for all it is worth! Gee, I wonder what Nick is doing that day?

Both, Canadians and Americans, men and women, have fought and died side by side to preserve our freedoms, independence, national identities, pride, and honor: heroes who are too often taken for granted or forgotten. On these very special days may we all pause to be

thankful to them and their families for their sacrifices, as well as our liberties. As is rightfully and respectfully stated: All gave some; some gave all. Make the opportunity to thank a service person.

Have fun folks and show the love for your country and fellow countrymen, and cross-border friends! And enjoy and be safe in your travels!

June 28 – July 4, 2016

World’s Oldest Rodeo/Prescott Frontier Days 848 Rodeo Drive, Prescott, AZ PRCA Sanctioned 129th annual event! Web: https://prescott.org/organizer/prescott-frontier-days/

June 30 – July 3, 2016

Makawao 4th of July Parade and Rodeo Oskie Rice Arena, Olinda Rd., Makawao, HI 61st Annual – 350 Competitors from Around the World! -Bull Riding -Team Roping -Calf Roping -Bronc Riding -Mugging -Barrel Racing -Breakaway Includes the Paniolo Parade!

Web: www.mauivalue.com

July 2 – 4, 2016

Mandan Rodeo Days Celebration Downtown Mandan and Dacotah Centennial Park City, ND PRCA Sanctioned -Street Dances -Art in the Park -Slack Competition -Parades -Rodeo Days -Trade Show Web: http://mandanrodeo.com/

July Rodeo Events June 30 – August 31, 2016

Cody Stampede Stampede Park, Cody, WY 97th Anniversary of the Nightly Performances! -Cody Nite Rodeo -Cody/Yellowstone XTreme Bulls -Cody Stampede Rodeo Web: http://www.codystampederodeo.com/

July Rodeo Events Cont’d. July 4, 2016

Parker Ranch 4th of July Horse Races & Rodeo 66-1304 Mamalahoa Hwy., Kamuela, HI Supporting Sponsor of the Hawai’I High School Rodeo Association & Paniolo Hall of Fame -Horse races -Double mugging -Po‘o Wai U Much more awaits you on the island of Waimea! Web: http://parkerranch.com/

July 8 – 17, 2016

Calgary Stampede 1410 Olympic Way SE, Calgary, AB Canada’s Largest Professional Rodeo -Nashville North -Amazing Performances -Rodeo Events -Stampede Showriders -Pancake Breakfast -Midway -Parade -Native American Village Web: http://www.calgarystampede.com/stampede

July 7 – 9, 2016

Wolf Point Wild Horse Stampede Wolf Point, MT PRCA Sanctioned Event -Daily Parade -Carnival -Wild Horse Race -Street Dances -Cowboy Church Web: www.wolfpointchamber.com

July 14 – 17, 2016

Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo Mitchell Rodeo Grounds, Horseman’s Sports Arena, 4013 North Main-North Hwy. 37, Mitchell, SD PRCA & WPRA Sanctioned Events -Barrel Racing -Team Roping -Mutton Bustin’ -4 Rodeo Performances -Slack Web: http://www.cornpalacestampede.com/index.php

July Rodeo Events Cont’d.

July 19 – 23, 2016

Snake River Stampede Ford Idaho Center, Nampa, ID 101st Annual! -Saddle Bronc Riding -Steer Wrestling -Bareback -Calf Roping -Team Roping -Tie-Down -Barrel Racing -Bull Riding Web: http://www.snakeriverstampede.com/

July 27 – 30, 2016

Cheyenne Frontier Days 4610 Carey Ave., Cheyenne, WY PRCA Sanctioned Event -Chuckwagon Cookoff -Parade -Carnival -Pancake Breakfast -Native American Village & Cultural Events Jake Owen Opening Concert! Web: http://www.cfdrodeo.com/

July 27 – 30, 2016

Nebraska’s Big Rodeo 46710 L St., Burwell, NE

PRCA Sanctioned -Classic Events -Special Events -Garfield County Fair Web: http://www.nebraskasbigrodeo.com/

July 29 – August 7, 2016

Dodge City Days Dodge City, KS 151st Annual! -Professional Barbecue Contest -Western Parade -Street Dances -Rodeo Events -Miss Rodeo Kansas Web: http://www.dodgecitydays.com/

WITH YOUR

ENTER TO

SUBSCRIPTION

ART

RickUnger:

The Artist

A Painter of Western

Life

29

Written By Marcy Stellfox Chances are that if someone had told a young Rick Unger that the native Pennsylvanian would one day live in Southwestern Colorado married to a lifelong Texas cowgirl, he might have laughed. And if someone had told him that the paintings he would go on to create would reflect the rough and tumble lifestyle of the cowboys and cowgirls that worked the wild West, his face might have shown surprise.

Yet, that’s exactly how Unger’s life has unfolded. His mother knew that her son had an uncanny talent for drawing and painting in lifelike detail even as a toddler. Unger himself began to believe in his talent when a painting of his was chosen to hang in the director’s office at the York Vocational School where he studied commercial art. Today it hangs in a museum in his hometown.

Art & Photo Credits: Rick Unger

31

Fast forward a few years, and Unger has married the cowgirl and settled in Texas. Unger knew the life of a full-time artist would not be easy. So he tried his hand at using his artistic talents in a business sense. During the late 1980s, airbrushing custom designs onto cars became a hot trend. Unger developed a car detailing business using tape he created to “paint” designs on cars. The process took a fraction of the time of regular detailing but still, Unger could barely handle the influx of business. His idea took off and he soon found himself traveling the country giving presentations and demonstrations on his technique. Some of his designs were packaged and sold at a major auto retailer. But Unger missed painting. Finally, he sold his detailing business, and soon after, he and his wife moved to Southwestern Colorado. After the move, he opened two small businesses there, but Unger yearned for his paintbrushes and canvas. Plunged into ranching when he married his wife Jody, Unger developed a deep admiration for the men and women who worked the horses, the cattle, and the land. He grew concerned that the lifestyle that was once the backbone of the American West had grown undervalued. He wanted to make sure the people and the traditions would not fade away. Finally, in 2003 he began to paint again. He knew he could probably make a splash in bigger markets if he painted a broad range of subjects. But the plight of the modern cowboy gnawed at him. He had grown inspired by the men, women, and their dedication to their craft. He drew inspiration from his wife and her love of horses. He wanted to do his part to create snapshots that captured moments of the cowboys and cowgirls daily lives and the passion that drove them to live it.

Unger makes his paintings come alive. His careful attention to detail, use of vivid color, and his uncanny accuracy propel the viewer inside his works. In 2003, he painted “Hay Baby.” This painting shows a little girl of three or four sitting atop a hay mound as a horse quietly munches next to her. Both of them are engaged in individual activities, yet they are wholly content in each other’s presence. The artist does not waste a single brushstroke in his work. Someone studying his art might feel as if they can see each one and each thought that went into it. Unger’s Norman Rockwell-like style may be best described as realism. In “Hay Baby” for instance, one can almost feel the warm skin of the baby’s legs, the breath from the horse’s nostrils, and the horse’s smooth chestnut cheek that begs for a stroke.

Unger makes his paintings

come alive. His careful

attention to detail, use of

vivid color, and his uncanny

accuracy propel the viewer

inside his works.

32

Unger says, “Realism may be the most difficult style to paint.” The level of detail and the need for precise accuracy make it time consuming and arduous. Another of Unger’s paintings entitled, “Snowed In,” comes from his Ranch Hand series. Again, the level of detail is hard to dismiss. From the portrait of the family that hangs in the background to the layers of color and the number of brushstrokes used to create the dog’s fur, Unger’s intense effort is evident in every part of the painting, not just when he’s working the main subjects. The steaming mug of coffee, the fire burning in the stove all makes it feel like it’s happening at this very moment. One could simply just

step into the room and become part of the painting. Like a fine wine, Unger never completes a work before its time. One of his paintings can take him 200 hours to paint. It’s not just a single layer of paint on canvas, but layers upon layers. In Unger’s Longhorn series, his realistic style loosens up a bit. Hints of Impressionism shine through especially in the backgrounds. Unger says painting the Longhorn series allowed him to express himself in more colorful ways than he was able to in his other paintings.

33

In the painting, “The Boss,” the swirling reds and oranges of the sky reflect the fiery heart and soul that burns in The Boss. No doubt is left as to this bull’s position in the herd. Unger says that if anything, the looser style of the backgrounds in this series, which contrasts with the detail of his subjects, brings the subjects out even more distinctly. Not only is Unger a painter, he’s been known to pen a song or two. Unger and cowboy poet, singer-songwriter Fred Hargrove worked on a side project that wove together both of their mediums to place the spotlight on today’s rancher and farmer. Hargrove’s shows coupled his meaningful songs with Unger’s paintings to bring together a multi-dimensional artistic experience. Hargrove’s album, “Watching Eagles Fly” features Unger’s artwork on the album cover. Unger also created a YouTube page that matches his works of art to Hargrove’s songs from the album for a thoughtful presentation. To sample the project, go to artistrickunger on YouTube. What’s next for Unger? He’s excited about a new series he’s started that focuses on the cowgirl. The first in the series called, “The Mud, The Blood, and the The Bud” tells the story of a cowgirl who has just finished a tough day on the job. She celebrates the day drawing to a close with her favorite partner and her favorite beer. The next painting Unger will start will depict the hardships and rewards of training a young horse. Based on his description of the photo, Unger will draw inspiration from the cowgirl, the horse, and their work in the round pen promising to portray another gorgeous glimpse into life on the ranch. Unger’s work has hung in the prestigious Manitou Gallery in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Two Old Crows Fine Art Gallery in Pagosa Springs, Colorado currently features his work, including the original painting,“The Boss.” Unger is also available for commission work. To inquire about commissions, message him on Facebook. For more information on the artist and to buy his paintings and prints go to ungerart.com or fineartamerica.com.

LIFESTYLE

Positive

ROAD MODELS

The Redrum Motorcycle Club Proves You Don’t Have to be a ‘Big Bad Wolf’ to Run With the Pack.

Photos Courtesy of Redrum Motorcycle Club

Written By Spring Sault

37

When I set out to write an article on the Redrum Motorcyle Club (formerly Redrum Crew), and many of my rider friends, I had the intention of making them sound every bit as cool as I see them – riding their bikes, sporting their leather, looking tough, helping their community, promoting family, donating to charity, …wait what?

You read that right. The Redrum Motorcyle Club (Redrum MC for short) is a Native American-based bike club which was formed in 2006 and is headquartered in Brooklyn, NY. Its focus is on “…brotherhood, biking, community, respect, responsibility, fundraising and supporting family…” but don’t take their website’s

word for it (you read that right as well – they have a website!)

Breaking the traditional vision of what a club such as this can sometimes represent, Redrum is proud to reflect that their charter is based on community, caring, and respect, as this band of brothers works to help those in need, while coming together in a fashion they love and aspire to – uncaged, untethered and unrestricted by society’s impressions.

Like a fine wine, this club gets better with age. They nurture their chapters, invite them to show support for Native

American causes but don’t limit them with respect to their cultural humanitarian endeavors. They mutually respect all motorcycle clubs and ask that much in return as representatives of First Nations people. And as an altruistic group that shows love and respect for others, they in turn recognize that their charter needs to identify membership that mirrors their goals. Subsequently, one need not be Native American themselves in order to subscribe to the club’s intent and direction or to become a member.

38

Although first and foremost, a motorcycle club is just that; a group of riders that share the common interest of all things motorcycle; the club identifies with helping those in need and uses their common interest as a vehicle (if you will) to promote that. Their chapters, which now number 31, (including one in Morocco, a

“prospective” in Texas, a future SoCal chapter, and interest from Japan) believe in non-territorial representation, promoting peace, personal strength, and positive behavior, which in turn provides younger generations with something to aspire to.

39

Not yet convinced that a motorcycle club can be synonymous with philanthropy? Visit their website to see the types of charitable activities this group promotes. The simple fact that their online presence hosts links for benevolent rides, fundraisers and peaceful meetups speaks volumes for their rider appeal – denoting intent as opposed to lip service. A quick scan of redrummc.com and a reader can fast get wrapped up in wanting to help, participate, and “belong”. And that’s what the club is really all about. Membership has grown steadily over the years, with networking

playing no small part in that effort – social networking that is…

Redrum MC shares its activities on its facebook.com/RedrumMotorcycleClub/ main page, where members and friends alike can post comments and pictures from upcoming and current events, as well as bolster each charter with continued positive group support. Their page is also listed as public, inviting all those that are interested to view and learn, share and support, effectively breaking down old stereotypes.

40

With a foundation of “positive and righteous behavior” which is an expectation of all club members, Redrum MC advocates strength on behalf of those that often don’t appear to have any left, or at the very least, face adversity that many of us can only begin to imagine. Their most recent effort is “RJ’s Ride”: a fundraising ride in West Nyack, NY for a 5-year-old boy diagnosed with neuroblastoma. The intent is for all proceeds from registration to food sales to the after-gathering to go towards RJ’s wide-spread medical treatments and care, and this is just one of the many events and philanthropic initiatives the club coordinates and endorses.

RJ’s Ride takes place Sat, June 25 in West Nyack, NY. For information or to register, please contact Mike (914-482-3829) or Nick (845-659-3717) or email [email protected]. Also visit: Facebook.com/RJsBattle

41

The group as a whole, by advertising to its various chapters, has fundraised for St. Jude’s Hospital, the Wounded Warrior Project, scholarships, individual health cases, and community wellness initiatives in general. Although there’s never a shortage of projects they can focus on, the club actively pursues patronage rides through outreach and effective representation in community settings. As an example, the Six Nations chapter (listed as ‘First Nations Canada, Six Nations Reserve’ on the website) has been visible in their community as well as the surrounding area at social functions, local pow-wows and annual events to promote membership through positive image and message. As a chapter, they also promote the North American-wide Redrum MC objectives and fundraisers to allow for a broader focus and support. And this, in turn, is what each chapter does as its piece of the puzzle. Modeled after the democratic foundation of the Iroquois Confederacy, originally consisting of 5 indigenous nations coming together to promote peace and unity, the group’s unofficial motto “…the strength of one arrow is limited but five could not be broken…” is thereby reiterated in their actions.

42

Recent events that the club as a whole has supported or been affiliated with include a ride-along for the Peace & Dignity Runners in east Tennessee, fundraising for the Six Nations Scholarship Fund, Treaty 20 chapter supporting A&W Bike Night for Multiple Sclerosis, and representation at the United Nations Forum on Indigenous People. They “spread positivity on two wheels” and it shows! With more than 3,000 biker and non-biker social media fans, not to mention the prospective chapters in all 4 directions throughout North America, and a following of friends and family in support of their projects, rides and future plans, Redrum MC stands not only for respect but also responsibility, and puts rubber to the road when it comes to taking action.

43

Their patch (the insignia that identifies membership) is formed in a circle, meant to represent the earth and all of its inhabitants, serving as a reminder to those that belong to it and see it, that what they do in their life returns to them. Filled with vivid imagery (entailing 3 skulls, a headdress of eagle feathers, black bandanas and an alignment of stars) it signifies brotherhood as a group, connection in spirit and thought to the Creator, a passion for morality, and a focus on generational and communal direction. The emblem truly is a work of art and I found it hard to do it proper justice in description through this article, so I invite you to read its full meaning and the symbolism of each component on the “About” section on their webpage.

44

So without any effort on my own part, through wordsmithing, brilliant alliteration, or the use of colorful verbiage, the Redrum Motorcycle Club comes out looking as bright and positive as it should, based on its own merits, (and cool as can be!) I don’t need to include how great it would be to become a member (if you own a bike and have a similar mindset, perhaps you’ll want to step up to the plate) or how helping the community is just one of the many great things that come from being a brother of the highway for these guys.

The founding and future members of the Redrum MC will continue to pay homage to their past, work to improve the present, and look to other prospects that will bring them together to share their love of the open road, mutual respect for community, family and friends, and passion for improving life, one bike ride at a time.

46

Written by Spring Sault

Summer is filled with all sorts of get-togethers that are invariably food-related (think barbecues, picnics and race night with friends.) Don’t worry or think you’ll get confused when it comes to what wine to pair with the diverse food selections that summer can bring. We’ve got you covered with the 5 reasons that just one wine – rosé – is the perfect summer wine solution!

RESERVE

In The P0ur H0use…

5 Reasons Rosé is the Perfect Summer Wine!

47

Reason No. 1

It makes a great gift for your host. Yes, it’s pink, and many serious connoisseurs will turn their nose up at the sight of it, but the good news is, we’re not serious connoisseurs, and neither are your friends (well maybe that one guy in the crowd is, but he can bring his own bottle!) But it’s summery, the sunset shines through it, beckoning you like it’s liquid gold, and it complements practically every type of summer food your hosts can sling at you! Ps. guys if you’re self-conscious about giving a “girly wine”, have your better have do the gifting and subsequently get the kudos.

Reason No. 2 No longer considered just a wine that the “easy girls” drink (sorry ladies, but it used to have that stigma,) rosés have come a long way baby! Gone are the days of the syrupy-sweet white zinfandel that left your head throbbing more than your heart. Making a big comeback, particularly in the northwest, where many winemakers from Oregon are making much drier versions, this supple pink beauty now comes with a dry finish that samplers appreciate and sophisticates savor.

Reason No. 3 No longer simply considered a rich man’s hobby, the appreciation and collection of wine is participated in by princes and paupers alike. A great rosé can cost between $25 and $45 (yes, you can find great wine for $25), but even a good rosé doesn’t have to break the bank.

48

Reason No. 4 Rosé is primarily made from several red grape varietals, such as Pinot Noir, Grenache and Sangiovese. As a drinker of wine, you may or may not know (fake it ‘til you make it) that Pinot Noir lends flavors of tobacco, dark cherry and spice, but try it in a rosé and you’ll find it can develop some very different and pleasing tastes. Try a few different producers and years to find your favorites, but typically a Pinot Noir in a rosé can now deliver citrus flavors like grapefruit, and sometimes very small hints of cherry. Similarly, the flavor profile changes dramatically for both the Sangiovese (a well-known Italian grape) and the Grenache (a Spanish grape) when they are made into a rosé – both bringing out strawberry and raspberry flavors. Again, do a tasting of varying years and varietals to find your winning rosé wine.

Reason No. 5 Rosé should be chilled and served as cold as possible. D’uh – it’s summer time! Cold wine? Yes please! 9 times out of 10 the food functions you’ll be visiting will be outdoors in the summer months. Therefore, the wine you bring chilled will more than likely warm up quite quickly. This isn’t a bad thing. Wine can be a fickle friend in that it tends to be tighter (yes that’s a reference for wine – look it up!) and less perfumed when it’s cold. But as the wine warms in your glass, it will open up and fully develop its aromas. Breathe it in. Best of all – enjoy!

July 8 – 10, 2016

Cavendish Beach Music Festival

Cavendish, Prince Edward Island

Featuring: Kenny Chesney, Blake Shelton and the Band Perry

It is THE largest multi-day outdoor festival in Atlantic Canada and promises great camping, top-notch country music, and excellent food. The Cavendish Beach Music Festival brings 70,000 fans to what was once a cow pasture but now serves as a grade-A country music festival site!

Website: http://cavendishbeachmusic.com/

July 14 – 17, 2016

Jamboree in the Hills

Morristown, Ohio

Featuring: Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley, Easton Corbin and The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

For more than 3 decades, JITH has been one of the top-billed country music festivals in the US. Visit their website to see more of the great artists that will be playing, and why you should attend Jamboree in the Hills!

Website: http://www.jamboreeinthehills.com/welcome

July Country Music Festivals July 7 – 9, 2016

Country Concert ‘16 Fort Loramie, Ohio Featuring: Eric Church, Dierks Bentley and Sam Hunt

Billed as the mid-west’s premier country music festival, this event has been going strong since 1981! It’s 3 days of camping and country music, and you can’t beat that! Website: http://countryconcert.com/

Ranch & Reserve Magazine

July 15 – 17, 2016

Faster Horses Festival Brooklyn, Michigan

Featuring: Alan Jackson, Joe Nichols and Travis Tritt

This 3-day camping and country music festival has been going strong now since 2013 and shows no signs of stopping now! Check out their website for more details on added superstar country music acts!

Website: http://fasterhorsesfestival.com/

July 21 – 23, 2016

Night in the Country Yerington, Nevada

Featuring: Josh Abbott Band, Kip Moore, Tyler Farr and Chase Rice

Many more great acts round out this lineup, making this 3-day country music and camping festival one of the must-sees on our list!

Website: http://www.nightinthecountry.org/

July 21 – 23, 2016

Country Jam USA Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Featuring: Jason Aldean & Florida Georgia Line (plus many more!)

Website: http://www.countryjamwi.com/

July 21 – 24, 2016

Country Thunder Wisconsin Twin Lakes, Wisconsin

Featuring: Jake Owen, Chris Young, Eric Church and Florida Georgia Line Each year, this festival lineup continues to draw in the crowds! Check out their website for camping and ticket information.

Website: http://www.wisconsin.countrythunder.com/

July Country Music Festivals Cont’d.

July Country Music Festivals Cont’d.

July 28 – 31, 2016

Sunfest Festival Laketown Ranch, Vancouver Island, British Columbia

Featuring: Carrie Underwood, Dierks Bentley and Dallas Smith

Visit their festival website for more information. Website: http://sunfestconcerts.com/

July 29 – 31, 2016

Oregon Jamboree Sweet Home, Oregon

Featuring: Carrie Underwood and Toby Keith

Website: http://oregonjamboree.com/

July 29 – 31, 2016

Watershed Music Festival George, Washington

Featuring: Keith Urban, Jason Aldean and Eric Church

The 2016 Watershed Music Festival is the first country festival to host back-to-back weekends. In under 5 yrs., the “party at the Gorge in George”, has become a must-see event!

Website: http://watershedfest.com/

RANCH & RESERVE MAGAZINE BRINGING YOU THE BEST IN

WESTERN AND NORTH AMERICAN NATIVE

CRAFTSMANSHIP, FOOD AND TRAVEL

GRAB YOUR FREE COPY TODAY!

Ranch & Reserve AUTHENTIC

MAGAZINE

Free to Read and Subscribe Online!

53

MUSIC Nothing says summer like a music festival in

Texas, and Viva Big Bend has all the ingredients for an arm-chair boot-stomper to want to pull out their t-shirt, shorts, and best

dance moves.

Previously Published for Texashillcountry.com

54

With a solid fan following and a boatload of core corporate sponsors, Viva Big Bend is gearing up its artists to help Texas music get celebrated right! Marathon, Fort Davis, Alpine and Marfa will come alive July 28 through 31 for this four-day festival unlike any other. The selection of acts for this 5th annual event includes none other than Los Lonely Boys, Little Joe y La Familia, Chubby Knuckle Choir, Dawn & Hawkes, Gary P Nunn and so much more! For a full list of the anticipated lineup, check out the festival website at vivabigbend.com.

Written by Spring Sault

55

Festival-goers can mitigate one of the downsides of a multi-day festival by jumping on one of the many scheduled shuttles for this event as opposed to driving, and the event website also lists several local accommodation options for the road-wary and weary. Besides music, fun, and venues in 4 different cities featuring Texas melodies, harmonies and composition in a unique way, the festival holds bragging rights on the weather at this time of year. With an average high in the upper 80’s throughout the day and average lows of lower 60’s overnight, it’s tough to find a more opportune time and locale for such an event. Clubs and restaurants in Marathon, Fort Davis, Alpine and Marfa welcome festival-goers with wonderful West Texas hospitality that has come to be synonymous with the festival, and greets return patrons yearly while beckoning new music-lovers to the sound that brings “Tex-appeal” to the mix.

But don’t wait too long to purchase tickets. A number of Viva Big Bend early-bird 4-day passes are available, but going fast! Check out the festival website for ticket prices at vivabigbend.com and visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/vivabigbend/ for updates on venues and artists.

Eat Your Way

from Alpine to

Valentine

WITH THE

BIG BEND

COOKBOOK

Written by Tiffany Harelik With recipes and

histories from

ranches and

restaurants!

With Code: 5OFFBIGBEND

Shop Now at

www.tiffanyharelik.com

58

Written By Spring Sault

In a press release from Webster Public Relations, Justin announced his new release, ‘Kinda Don’t Care’ coming out on August 12, with pre-orders for the standard and deluxe versions available July 15. Matching his no-nonsense attitude, Multi-platinum-selling Country star Justin Moore will release this fourth studio album on The Valory Music Co. label. The new project will produce

more of what his fans have come to love about the chart-topping singer/ songwriter…a slow Southern drawl and candid charm.

With respect to the upcoming release, Justin noted, "It's hard to believe that we just recorded our fourth album. The process has changed, drastically, since our first time in the studio so many years ago. This is the best piece of music we've delivered because it gets more fun each time. Naming the album Kinda Don’t Care is not meant to be nonchalant or careless. It's meant to be a challenge to folks to live life a little more freely and be true to themselves.”

As the follow-up to Moore’s back-to-back

Gold-Certified albums (Justin Moore, 2009, Outlaws Like Me, 2011, and Off The Beaten Path, 2013) his cleverly-penned new single, ‘You Look Like I Need A Drink’, is currently in the top 20 in country music radio, and still climbing. For a sneak peek at upcoming tracks, and a listen to older releases, visit justinmooremusic.com.

Happy listening!

COUNTRY MUSIC

Ranch & Reserve’s country music ‘Artist of the Month’ for July is Justin Moore. With such likeable recent country hits as ‘Point at You’, ‘Bait a Hook’ and ‘Like There’s No Tomorrow’, Justin continues to grow in the industry, sing for his fans, and produce the kind of music that keeps us

coming back for “Moore”…

Photo Credits: Valory Music Co.

59

Written By Tiffany Harelik Brewster County is the largest county in Texas and home to Big Bend National Park. Bordered to the west by Presidio County and to the northwest by Jeff Davis County, the tri-county region is known for its vast desert skies, beautiful mountain ranges and eclectic western lifestyles. The Chihuahan desert area is home to mule deer, elk, javalina, mountain lions and black bears. It offers hearty succulents in all shapes and sizes. Big Bend country has allured stargazers, bird watchers, archaeologists, hunters, hikers and naturalists for years. It is a land of endurance and one that also offers reprieve. Settlers of the Big Bend area are self-reliant, resilient and creative. This is reflected in the diverse art, music and cuisine of the area, which along with the starry nights and wide-open spaces attract tourists to the desolate region of far west Texas. Hundreds of miles separate neighbors and communities. The otherwise barren land of the Trans-Pecos region is peppered with several mountain ranges: the Dead Horse Mountains, the Glass Mountains, Elephant Mountain, Television Mountain and more. There are long stretches of road with no cellphone reception, so you’ll want to take extra care to watch out for animals, bikers and other cars. But as far as food is concerned, the area restaurants and ranchers offer a diverse table. Chuckwagon Cowboy Glenn Moreland shared his Plata Roast recipe with me below, and his interview for The Big Bend Cookbook follows.

FOOD

Glenn M0reland’s Plata R0ast:

AnExcerptfromTheBigBendCookbook

60

Plata Roast Courtesy of Glenn Moreland

“Plata is a little water stop on the Orient Express between Marfa and Presido. We used to ranch down there, and Plata was on the north end of the ranch. My brother-in-law calls this dish Plata Roast. To make it, use a 16-inch-deep Dutch oven.”—Glenn Moreland

3 onions, sliced 1 teaspoon cooking oil 7 pounds shoulder clod 4 or 5 roasted green chilies 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon lemon pepper 1 teaspoon pepper 2 teaspoons cumin 1 teaspoon garlic salt fresh garlic

Brown 4 or 5 onion slices in oil, then brown meat in this or use Kitchen Bouquet. Cut slits in the top of the roast and stuff with more onion slices and the green chilies. Season with spices and garlic. Cook with coals on the top and bottom for 1½ to 2 hours. Remove roast from the oven, cut into bite-size pieces and return to the oven to cook in juices until tender.

61

Glenn Moreland, Fort Davis Two or was it three black and white dogs greeted me as I pulled up to Glenn’s workshop on a sunny Tuesday afternoon in April. He had his irons hot and was working on bending a piece of metal. Stopping to shake my hand and welcome me, he paused on his work, and we made our way into his home to visit about his chuck wagon building and Dutch oven cooking and, generally speaking, how he preserves the American West through Texas Cowboy Outfitters. “For twenty-some-odd years, I’ve been going to the Cowboy Hall of Fame, which is at the National Cowboy Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City,” Glenn told me. “We go up there and cook for about six thousand people. There are ten wagons there at the children’s festival too. Mainly we cook beef stew, sourdough bread, peach cobbler and spotted pup [a recipe that uses rice with raisins, milk and eggs].” Glenn told me he learned how to cook through trial and error. “I started cooking and I’ve had a chuck wagon for forty years. I first built it to display artwork, and then they started having these chuck wagon cooking competitions in the late ’80s. Chipper Prude at Prude Ranch cooked, so we combined forces and started going to competitions. He sort of faded out of it, and I kept cooking. I went to the first chuck wagon race they had in ’73 or ’74; it was an RV show and chuck wagon show. The only one was Buster Welch’s, and there was

62

a driving competition. When they started the cooking competitions, we mainly cooked fried steak, camp potatoes and peach cobbler. They furnished the food, so you cooked what they had. We usually do a bread cobbler because it’s easy. Normally they furnish cutlets or steak to make the fried steak with, so you can chicken fry it or country fry it. “In Ruidoso, they will give a big clod and you can cut it up for steaks. I usually make a Plata Roast or green chile roast (see page 60). Plata is a little water stop on the Orient Express between Marfa and Presidio. We used to ranch down there. Plata was on the north end of the ranch, and my brother-in-law called this dish Plata Roast. It has roast meat cut in slices with onions and green chile, cooked in a Dutch oven for a couple hours.”

63

I asked Glenn to give us some pro tips for Dutch oven cooking. He said: “You have to have the oven seasoned first; nowadays they come seasoned. If you’re using wood, mesquite is the hottest followed by red oak or ash. Any hard wood can be used, but the softer woods like cedar or pine don’t work as good. Some people use briquettes, and it takes usually five or six briquettes. It’s a lot of trial and error experience under heat that will teach you how to cook with a Dutch oven.” Glenn was raised on the south side of Austin. “I didn’t know there was a mountain in West Texas until I married my wife,” he shared. “Her father came out in 1917 and ranched below Valentine at the Coal Mine Ranch. They were going to mine coal down there, and they built a bend in the railroad through a bunch of investors. They dug a tunnel through the mountain to get to the coal. They only got one load of coal out of there, and it went defunct during the Pancho Villa days. He had it up to the ’40s or ’50s. My wife Patty’s mother was raised in Marfa. Patty was raised in Pecos and then Alpine. I met her in college at Southwest Texas State University. “I worked as a cattle inspector in Fort Bend County near Houston,” Glenn continued. That is when he started collecting wagons. “Patty got a job teaching in El Paso, so I worked at a feed lot there for a year. Then we heard the drugstore was for sale here in Fort Davis, so we bought the drugstore and ran it for five years. Her mother had a ranch at Balmorhea, so I would work there one day and the drugstore one day—so I was an official drugstore cowboy. “I was collecting wagons when I was a cattle inspector. I’d see them laying around people’s barns. My grandfather gave me a wagon, but I couldn’t ever go get it. I was always interested in wagons, so I’d pick up the old ones and play with rebuilding them. The one I’ve got now, it’s the second bed and third chuck box I’ve put in it over the years. Twenty years ago, we started Texas Cowboy Outfitters, and I started doing it [making chuck wagons] for a living. A lot of the older guys have died off, but there’s always someone

64

comes along and starts doing it. There’s a big builder up in South Dakota with fifteen guys working for him, and they do the Amish wagon building.

“I’ve built for Tommy Lee Jones and cooked for him on roundups. I built one that went to Australia. There was one at the Gene Autry Steakhouse at the Angels stadium in Anaheim. I build them for people for competitions, authenticity, museums—the wagon at the Museum of the Big Bend is one I did. I did one for the Chisolm Trail Heritage Museum in Cuero. There’s one in Marshall, Texas, at the Harrison County Museum.”

Depending on what his clients want, Glenn can build a whole wagon or just half of a wagon. Some of his clients request the wagons be furnished with everything like coffee pots, bed rolls and Dutch ovens. “I just finished a half a stagecoach at the museum here in Fort Davis. They have a video screen in the window of the door, and they’ll tell you information,” Glenn shares.

“I was self-taught. If it looked right, it was. A friend gave me a book written by a guy in California that was typewritten on how to build a stagecoach. For wagons, I save the old original parts and make new parts. This one I’m building now will go to a ranch out here, and he doesn’t have to be authentic, so I can use a Phillips head screw, but if I’m building for originality, it’s all square nuts, rivets and authentic pieces—no drywall screws.”

I asked Glenn more about how the chuck wagon cooking competitions

worked. He said you are judged on the wagon authenticity, your dress (for the period) and the food (usually in four to five categories: meat, beans, bread, dessert and potatoes). “Depends on the competition whether they pay one place or three places on the food. If you’re cooking for forty to fifty people, they’ll let you use pan liners, but I don’t use it. I argue against it in a cooking competition. I think we should use the Dutch ovens straight. Starting in March, you can go to two or three a month around the country. In the heat of the summer, they slow down.”

Glenn is the director of the American Chuck Wagon Association. “We are discussing to have a national cook-off,” he says. “With the association, we give guidelines on how to judge. We have

65

clinics for judges so they know how to judge the wagons. Sometimes we offer clinics for judging the food. Competitions will often have a food editor from the newspaper be a judge. A lot of times, they don’t know how to judge camp cooking. It’s got to look neat and orderly on the plate. Most of them do blind judging now in Styrofoam containers. Whereas a lot of competitions do garnish, we don’t a lot of the times. “A wagon if you just went out and bought one would be $10,000 to $15,000, but then you have to have a trailer, a truck to pull it, then all your antique ovens and tin cans and stuff to make it authentic. You have to have the basic tools they had on the chuck wagon. Then gas to travel to the shows, plus you stay at a motel or whatever. Maybe first place in the food category is $200 to 300 and goes down from there. Overall, it might pay $750 to $1,500 plus your food categories. The most I’ve won at a show was $2,500, and that’s only

66

once or twice over the years. You’re lucky to win enough to pay your gas. People do it because they enjoy it, not for the money. “There are several hundred chuck wagon owners. We have chapters all over the U.S. Mainly Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico are the biggest concentration of chuck wagons. Over the years—like in Abilene I went up Saturday to visit—there wasn’t a wagon there I’d started with twenty years ago. Sarah Hatfield, she and her husband cooked years ago; she was there cooking with the cowboy church wagon. People get into it, find out it’s hard work and quit.

“The first thing you do when you set the chuck wagon up is make a pot of coffee. On the chuck wagon, you’ll need utensils to cook with: flour can, sugar can, lard cans, alarm clock, an axe by the woodpile, shovel to dig your fire pit, fire irons, meat cleaver, meat saw, other saws for cutting wood, any tools you use on the trail to repair your wagon, sledgehammer, bits, your cover over your wagon, water barrel. For authenticity, we use granite-wear bowls for mixing bowls.

“People are drawn to the nostalgia of it. I don’t know, they like the heritage of it, and their grandfathers worked as cowboys on ranches or they just want to be part of the West. I just enjoy working with wood and metal and building wagons.”

Glenn told me his favorite things to cook are peach cobbler, bread cobbler and any pastries. He said he likes to cook sourdough in the Dutch oven too. “I found out one thing about starters: I’ve got a kitchen in the shop that we keep stuff out there. Every couple days, I’ll pour part of it down the sink, feed it, put more water in it and continue the process. I finally clogged up the grease trap, so now I pour it in a coffee can in the yard somewhere. “You always hear that chuck wagon cooks are grumpy, but if you get up at 4:00 a.m. to cook in the wind and the cold, dirt and dust you just get grumpy. Then you get through with breakfast, clean up, start lunch, clean up, prep the next meal and start the next meal. You work 4:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. depending on when the crew comes in to eat.”

Toward the end of our visit, Glenn gave me his latest CD and left me with a story about long hours cooking from the chuck wagon: “I was cooking for Tommy Lee Jones and his crew. At lunch, he came in with a big bowl of calf fries and said, ‘The boys want these for lunch.’ I’d just got finished cooking everything, and he asked what I wanted him to do. I said he could throw ’em in the trash because I didn’t have time to mess with them. I guess they sat in the fridge. It was one of those bad days that I can look back and laugh on now.” For more recipes and stories from The Big Bend Cookbook, visit www.tiffanyharelik.com and follow Tiffany on twitter at @tiffanyharelik.

“Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow.”

‐ Helen Keller

Ranch & Reserve Magazine is a free subscription to our readers, supported by our advertisers.

Get your free subscription for a monthly dose of

R&R direct (available on all devices)

Click the link above, Subscribe at the Ranch & Reserve website:

http://www.ranchreservemagazine.com Or follow us on Issuu.com:

https://issuu.com/ranchreservemagazine

We’ve Got You Covered.

Advertise With Us [email protected] www.ranchreservemagazine.com

Ranch & Reserve Magazine

Photo Credit: Les Haines

ranch & reserve magazine vol 1 issue 7

Documents