An old storyteller who goes by the name of Larry Jeff McMurtry passed away this spring. He could spin a yarn. One of his tales won some kind of fancy book prize. A lot of folks read it, so I thought I’d give it a go.

It ain’t about no dove, but it could be about being lonesome. It’s called Lonesome Dove, which as I have already aforementioned is not a reference to an avian creature but an actual town near the Rio Grande. The year was 1870.

The yarn ain’t actually about Lonesome Dove, the town, neither. It’s a story about a grand adventure. One where a couple of old Texas Rangers (and I’m not talking about ball players) get the notion to drive 3,000 head of cattle all the way north across the Yellowstone River.

Now that’s a trail report! And it ain’t a short one, neither. It’s nearly full to bursting with pages, and they all got writing on ‘em – no pictures. There’s some fancy words too. Words like “axiomatic”. It’s pronounced “AXE-EE-OH-MAT-TICK”. Hell – I had to look that one up! What’s a word like axe-ee-oh-mat-tick doin’ in a book about horses?

These were simpler times. Time on the trail was time spent in the saddle, with nothin’ more than the clothes on your back and a good bed roll. Nothin’ fancy. 

During my time spent between the pages of this trail report, I have come to favor the fine members of the Hat Creek Cattle Company and Livery Emporium. Especially Gus.

I’ve taken to wearing my pa’s old felt hat and addressing my fine wife as “Miss Karen”.

The only thing that outshines these brave cowboys is the women they try to tame. 

Life is short. You’re lucky you’ll find a good woman to spend it with. Or a good friend. A good horse will do. Or even a good dog. 

My only complaint about this trail report was that it didn’t feature no dogs. 

(Originally published on June 19, 2021)