02SEP07 - Kittitas, WA (boot scooting)

This morning was a brunch of rocky mountain oysters and bloody marys at the local Moose Lodge as promised. The oysters were deep fried so that the taste was not significantly different than any other number of meats that are deep fried. Although we have to note that Corrie didn’t finish all hers and palmed them off on Dan. Then we returned to the RV to await the evening’s social activity.

While at the Kiesel’s we got an introduction and explanation on one of their son’s (Kenneth, who lives on the property) dogs. Seems Ken has imported one of only 18 male Czech Wolfdogs in North America. Apparently the old commie regime crossbred German Shepherds with Carpathian Wolfs in 1955. It was only after the fall of the iron curtain that the rest of the world learned of this new breed of dogs. Although definitely having wolf features, Brix is very friendly dog and very afraid of Gumbo! For further info go to:

http://www.wolfdog.org/

That evening it was off to the party barn at Springwood Ranch in Thorp, WA. Turns out that Springwood was originally owned by the late Stuart Anderson founder of the Black Angus Restaurant chain in the western USA. The new owners of the ranch have converted it to a conference center and event center. So the Ellensburg Rodeo rents the party barn for one night to reward those that make big donations to the rodeo and the volunteers who donate their time. Basically we are talking a small party for 1200 of your closest friends. We enjoyed a meal of prime rib and chicken BBQ’d over open fires, corn on the cob boiled in huge cast iron kettles, and all the fixings. Did we mention the open bar set up in a chuck wagon (not sure they had those on the cattle drives)? Entertainment was provided by a band from Seattle called Free Rain (get it?), who played excellent straight ahead rock and roll from the 60s. Dan finds it funny that the younger generation who supposedly hates their parent’s music, are the first on the dance floor for Louie/Louie or Shout? A great time was had by all.

http://www.stuartanderson.com/

http://springwoodranch.com/

http://www.freerainrocks.com/