High Plains Drifters

Date: Thursday, July 14, 2005. PM. MDT. Ucross Ranch, Clearmont, WY.

We departed Cody and continued our trek to Clearmont, WY, where an afternoon horseback riding awaited us at the Ucross Dude Ranch.

Traveling above 8,000 ft we cross the high plains and through the majestic Bighorn Mountains. We stopped at Shell Falls and hobnobbed with the rangers. Then we were off to Burgess Junction and lunched at the rustic Bear Lodge. Along the way, I took some pictures of some beautiful wildflowers and that of a lone moose.

When the group arrived at the Ucross,at 1530 hours, the temperture was 94°F/34°C. We split into two parties and saddled up for a horseback ride about the ranch and the surrounding area.

Later that evening, before and after a sumptuous London Broil dinner, we sang with Lonesome George, our resident guitar player and sonfest leader. For the only solo of the evening, I sang an old WWI ballad, "Lili Marlene."