Cowboy Jim‘s Stories Around the Campfire

Work and life on the ranch is not always as glamorous as you might think.  Yes, there are great moments of riding horses and things like that but there is also a lot of other hard, hard work.  But it's still a great way to grow up.

There are those who like backpacking solo but I have found it to be much more enjoyable when I have someone to share it with.  My wife, Ann, has been my backpacking partner many times and it has been one of the highlights of our married life.  Not every trip was easy but it was good.

Hidden gold stories always intrigue us.  We wonder, "Is is really there?"  "What would I do if I found it?"  People spend their whole lives looking for hidden and buried treasure and once in a while -- someone finds some of it.  I guess that's what keeps us looking. 

Most of like adventure but sometimes it takes us to crazy places in our cars and trucks.  We might follow a great "short cut" or treat our car like an off road vehicle even when it's not.  Those times of not thinking clearly lead to all sorts of adventures.  "Are you sure you want to go there in that?"

Camping in the rain, sleet and snow is always an adventure.  Sometimes it seems that I can never go on any kind of camping trip without it raining -- at least a little bit.  Sometimes it is a big gully washer.  Maybe they should hire me to go camping in west Teas so the drought will break.

Roundups, branding, moving cattle and riding horses are all part of the cowboy;s life.  It's hard work and still can be a lot of fun.  Very few things are a cool as being a cowboy.

Someone has said don't let college get in the way of your education.  Part of my learning included good friends and some great pranks.  Some done to me and others that I gleefully committed.  Hope you enjoy these stories of fun days and funny times.

We have all probably been turned around at one time or another.  When you're in the woods or camping getting lost or turned around can be pretty scary.  Sometimes it is exciting, many times you are just glad you found out where you are and got home safely.  It also leads to some rescues of others at times and that always feels good.

I lovve to fish.  I may not be the best fisherman in the world, but I do have a lot of fun and some great stories.  Maine has some great fishing and some funny moments.  Sorry about the fish, Buck....

It seems like that I spend a lot of time in the rain when I am camping or backpacking.  That;s not always the case but there are some pretty great adventures when I've been camping in the rain, the cold and the mud.