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Travel Logs July 2015

America's Cowboy Culture Is Alive and Well

By Janice Doyle

Oklahoma City is home to the Western Cowboy Museum, which covers every aspect of cowboy life and Western heritage. John Wayne features big here in painting and sculpture. There's the TV show "Gunsmoke" display, and in the lobby is "The End of the Trail" sculpture.

Those of us of a certain age grew up with cowboys in our living rooms via the TV. John Wayne was part of our common cultural literacy. Our country's history was peppered with stories of cowboys, ranchers and Western settlers.

Every major city out West now hosts a huge annual rodeo event, but here are some ways to enjoy cowboy culture. Add them to your bucket list, follow their social media and pull on some jeans and boots for a fun time.

 

July 15 - 26

Frontier Days in Cheyenne, Wyoming, has been named one of America's top 10 summer events to attend. It's the Daddy of 'em all (since 1897) and now lasts 10 days. It's the world's largest outdoor rodeo and Western celebration. Historic re-enactments, Old Frontier Village, living history areas, pony races, cowboy culture, rodeos, roasted buffalo meals, races, up-to-date demonstrations and horses – lots of horses.

 

August 13 - 16

"Keepin' It Cowboy" is the theme for the annual Cowboy Poetry Gathering and Western Music Rendezvous in Lewiston, Montana. It's a good reason to head to Big Sky Country.

 

September 25 - 26

Keep it Cowboy at the Florida Ranch Rodeo State Finals and Heritage Festival at the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee.

 

October

Oklahoma City is home to the Western Cowboy Museum, which covers every aspect of cowboy life and Western heritage. John Wayne features big here in painting and sculpture. There's the TV show "Gunsmoke" display, and in the lobby is "The End of the Trail" sculpture. Much more: Remington bronzes, a Western town, display of blue coat army items, Western movie galleries and the large rodeo displays. Worth the trip!

 

November 12 - 14

The Southeastern Circuit Finals Rodeo is in Davie, Florida. This sanctioned rodeo event also features Western entertainment and top cowboy and cowgirl competition.

 

December 3 - 12

Cowboy Christmas Shopping Event at the Las Vegas Convention Center. First things first, you have to look like a cowboy by getting some authentic gear – oh, and hang out with cowboys in the dance halls, dude ranches and rodeos in Vegas. This sale features 400+ vendors selling boots to bedroom furniture and everything cowboy in between. (Free admission.)

 

January 25- 30

National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada, celebrates ranching and rural West. Thousands come to share the lifestyle as well as the poetry, music and stories of the cowboy and Western lifestyle. Learn traditional skills, dance the two-step, enjoy the Western Folklife Center.

 

January 24-30

The Great Florida Cattle Drive – 500 head of cattle. 50 miles, lots of wagons. Eat your meals from the chuck wagon as you help deliver the herd home to the Silver Spurs Arena and Rodeo Grounds in Kenansville. Be a part or be an observer along the way.

 

Any time

Go west to Los Angeles and see the Gene Autry Museum near Griffith Park. Large and fun to visit. Gun collection, saddles to clothing displays, paintings, sculptures, Western/native artifacts. Great photo ops to make you look like you're in the cowboy movies! Big permanent exhibit dedicated to the Westerns in music, TV and film. (Seniors under $10 admission.)

Take a dude ranch vacation in the Hill Country of Bandera County, Texas, the self-proclaimed Cowboy Capital of the World. Horseback riding, trail rides, chuck wagon meals and honky tonk music. Pick from many lodging options to suit your cowboy needs.

Traveling in the Midwest? Visit John Wayne's birthplace in Winterset, Iowa. An impressive collection of memorabilia from his movies that over a million people have visited.

Cowboy Church – Find a cowboy church while you're traveling. Several groups provide websites – AFCC, for example (American Fellowship of Cowboy Churches). Put on your jeans and boots and head on in for worship. 

 

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