Cattle Drive

Picture by Calvin Smith



We are well into our 3rd day of the Cattle Drive of the Century.  After getting a late start on Wednesday, things seemed to come to order.  Three "dudes" fell off their horses but after being checked and released by our on-site paramedic they were allowed to continue the ride.  The day was overcast and cool which was perfect for the drive.  Many of our riders didn't think about sun screen, so they looked a little red.  I personally rode out on the City Slickers bus so I got out there after everyone had reached the campsite.  The chuck wagon guy moved about a mile down from the campsite so we started with him and got a delicious brisket dinner with cobbler and ice cream for dessert.  We then hopped back on the bus and rode back to the campsite.  There were three campfires with three different performers.  Michael Martin Murphey was at one, a really fun quartet (2 women singing and on guitars, one man singing, and one man on harmonica) at another, and another guitar player at the last.  There was also a couple of men on guitar and banjo who took turns with the others.  The night was perfect.  A little cool, but not cold and moisture in the air, but no rain. We all had a good time.

Day 2 was filled with rain.  It rained almost all day.  From what I hear, the rain was not a problem.  They had one cow attempt to escape (or I think try to take an alternate route), but they got it back in line.  Apparently there were two stampedes.  I don't know the details of that one but everything turned out okay.  Again, I took the City Slickers bus out at night.  We were given a country fried steak dinner which I thought was even better than the brisket.  It was so good!  Dessert was again cobbler and ice cream but I will never complain about that.  Besides I had apple the first night and peach last night.  This time there was some music during dinner but the majority of it started after dinner where all the musicians took turns playing for the audience.  They all did a great job.  The amazing part was that, like I said, it rained pretty much all day.  It rained while we were going out there on the bus, but when we got there and dinner started, the rain stopped.  It remained cool (or cold to others), but not wet.  It wasn't really all that muddy either which was a blessing!  Once we got back onto the bus it started to rain again.  I couldn't believe that.

So, we have one more day/night of the cattle drive.  Tonight they camp about 8 miles from Carlsbad.  They will enter the Sheriff's Posse Arena about 11am or 12pm tomorrow.  Carlsbad has an End of the Trail party kind of planned with games and vendors at the Arena.  The cattle will also be auctioned off.  If you haven't been able to make the drive itself, don't miss the End of the Trail especially since it's FREE!!!  You can check out the Museum facebook page for a few pictures from the drive.

Happy Birthday, New Mexico!