Saddle up, join the cattle drive
Who knows what he was thinking.
A couple of years ago, my husband – lured, I suppose, by the romance of the Old West – headed out into the backcountry for more than a week with a horse be barely knew. And no one else.
This seemed like folly to me. So I exercised my wifely prerogative and strongly advocated the rental of a satellite phone. You know, just in case.
In all humility, I will now point out how right I was.
As I’ve told you before, I’ve been horse crazy my entire life and I’ve learned a few things along the way. That knowledge happened to come in handy while I fielded a number of calls for tech support from the wilds of Idaho. Turned out, Charlie (the horse) and Tom (the husband) were having some difficulty achieving a meeting of the minds.
Regrettably, I won’t be available to provide this same service to you should you choose to sign on for Sun Peaks Resort’s annual Cattle Drive, June 29 to July 1. You’ll have to rely on your own wits and the no doubt expert guidance of the Sun Peaks wranglers.
You don’t have to know all that much ahead of time, either. They’ll get you thoroughly checked out on the basics – saddling, riding and horse care – before you venture forth into British Columbia’s Thompson Okanagan.
You’ll spend Day One making your way around the back of Mount Tod to McGillivary Lake, where you’ll camp for the night. You’ll meet up with your cattle on Day Two, and start the drive by 6 a.m. on Day Three, delivering the herd to their summer grazing grounds.
The trip winds up back at the barn for a steak dinner. (You take the cattle to eat. Then you eat the cattle’s relations. Is that what they call the circle of life?)
I’ll warn you, playing cowboy doesn’t come cheap. The package costs $1,000 Canadian per person, and that includes your four-legged transportation, tack and meals.
According to Hubert Puetz, who owns Sun Peaks Trail Rides, you’re responsible for a few things yourself.
“Guests have to supply their own tents and the clothes on their backs,” he says.
If you don’t have camping gear, you can rent it on the spot.
For a more economical option, the resort’s summer ride schedule offers a two-hour Village Loop, a half-day private outing, an overnight trail ride and others, starting at $79.
You’ll find details at www.sunpeaksresort.com. Or call (800) 807-3257.
Go fly one
With all the deeply important work the world needs from its nonprofit organizations – feeding our hungry, defending our prisoners of conscience, housing our vulnerable neighbors – it is gratifying to know that the cause of kites will not get lost in the shuffle.
Yes, the Drachen Foundation remains on the case, devoting itself to the “increase and diffusion of knowledge about kites worldwide.”
In support of that mission, they’ve joined with Artist Trust and Mighty Tieton – a venture working to build a community of successful artisan businesses – to launch “Tieton: Art Takes Flight” in the town 15 miles outside of Yakima.
The June 16 event features a silent auction of 60 kites created by Washington artists such as Spokane’s Ron Tan and Harold Balazs, and Seattle’s Julie Speidel, Fay Jones and Jim Woodring. The auction takes place at a “festive” dinner with hosted beverages. Drink up; tickets cost $75 per person.
Trimpin, a “sound sculptor” and composer who seems to have just one name, will be on hand to perform. (I’ve never heard of him, but he won a MacArthur Fellowship in 1997, so he probably doesn’t care.)
If you like kites but you don’t see yourself throwing down $75, this collection of free events might appeal to you: a sneak preview of the Mighty Tieton community, kite-flying demonstrations, the Artist Trust “Artists’ Survival Skills” workshop, a visit to a local folk art collection, book art demonstrations, a letterpress exhibition and more.
Get the entire lowdown at www.artisttrust.org or (866) 218-7878.
Regional events
“Breakout Bluegrass Campout, June 22-24, Garrison, Mont. Organizers welcome “pickers and lovers of bluegrass music” to this family event where you’ll jam in heated wall tents “until the early morning hours.” (www.visitmt.com/ 406-846-1843)
“Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts, June 22-24, Lake Oswego, Ore. You’ll find 120 juried booths of what they call “fine arts crafts,” plenty of food, a wine and beer garden, and musical entertainment. (www.travelportland.com/ 503-636-1060)
“Alaska Scottish Highland Games, June 30, Anchorage. Expect all the usual Scottish shenanigans: athletic displays, music, dance, crafts and historical exhibits. (www.anchorage.net/ 907-770-4967)