7 a.m. Texas time, 29 degrees..which will turn into 69 by afternoon.
Shades of tan with scraggly mesquite trees.
In the NW, mesquite is a word reserved for summer barbeque…here in Snyder it means beautiful backgrounds and added drama to style portraits.
Land of big sky, irrigation circles and cowboy poets…
Flouncy skirts, hat tipping gentlemen, killer boots…dust storms and orange sunsets…
…”Hey”, “Ya’ll”, “Buh-bye”, and “Bless her heart”…good heavens…
It’s
ALL
good.
The Rodeo Queens put together an incredible line-up of sweet surprises.
Cat and Cecilia,
…dear lovey hearts that I adore put together gift baskets and uber-treats…so special.
Shauna (forgive my misspelling..set me straight, if you can), the Wonder Cowgirl, hosted the best durn Western themed soiree’ you ever did see at the Snyder Country Club.
Sweet serenades form a local DJ/guitarist (even got to sing a duet with him!)
Horse Girls, Horse Girls, Horse Girls!
Da’Lainey, all the way from Austin~
Stoni, beautiful petite cowgirl, Tegan (the mini version), Nicole (dark beauty) all from Snyder~
Superfly Ropin’ Rodeo Divas (my name for them, not theirs) from the local college (funny enough, three of them were from other states–like Idaho!)
Seriously…pinch me….way more to come on all of the cowgirls all by themselves. So many wonderful images for the Horse Girl Project!
Zane and Kathy, “Keepers of the Ranch”~
Marianne’s ranch (you wouldn’t believe her age if I told you..apparently there is a law against looking your age in these parts)~
The resident furry friends Jock, Sister-Girl and Lola…all made us feel incredibly at home.
The Windmill Preserve Ranch is a magical place that inspired me to no end…morning impromptu photo walk-abouts at sunrise and again when that awesome ball in the sky (miss you, btw) is going down.
If I could have stuffed the 30 ft. windmill in my already packed suitcase, I would have.
A highlight that wrapped the whole trip up with a bow came in the form of a internationally known syndicated column and radio personality named Tumbleweed Smith.
He’s a legend in these parts and I was honored to be interviewed by him. It will be out in March and I’ll let you know where you can stream it. Give his interviews a listen—he’s done 11,000 of them! Incredible.
Speaking of tumbleweeds…I was really bent on taking one home (having really never seen one before) and had big plans for it to adorn my kitchen table…that was, of course, before I tried to pick it up (tumbleweed novice that I am) and got a million sticker things in my fingers! I’m still picking ‘em out!
This was me before the incident…little did I know.
Funny thing…I didn’t even mind the spotty internet/phone reception on the ranch as it allowed me to fully immerse myself in the task at hand..completely focused on the sweethearts in the class each day.
Next post...the amazing epiphanies and creative awakenings that happened with these wonderful retreat goers–special stuff to share.
OX.
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yee-ha! great shots..great belt buckles, lovely ladies, great dogs and sweet little lades….looks like a blast!
What a great tribute to West Texas, Lara! There’s a lot to be said for wide open spaces, lots of sky and constellations that fill the night sky. You made it more beautiful than it already is.
What a wonderful post and amazing pics as always!! We can’t thank you enough for all you have done for us!!
Lara, this was exactly how I grew up in Central Oregon…….tumbleweeds and all. So when you need a little Texas but don’t have the time, head over to Central Oregon. We even have rodeo stars too.
I am glad you had such a special trip, Lara! Love the bright skirt you are wearing, did your mom make it?
This is my favorite post EVER! Mainly because I was there to enjoy every moment of the event. Thank you and the Petticoats on the Prarie again and again for making it possible. I’m both excited and nervous about sharing my pie in the sky with ya’ll, but I also feel some accountability toward achieving micro movements toward my dream, especially now that we have a Mastermind group. Thank you for awakening the possibilities within.
Some amazing photographs! So glad you had such a wonderful time! I really love the little gals and the irrigation circles are so neat! Amazing how something natural can look so graphic design.I have an appointment to get my passport on Friday! I wonder how they’ll receive a cowgirl in Italy?! Thanks for sharing!
Beautiful photos! Looks like it was a wonderful time.
Awesome Lara! I miss Texas…. Also watch out for rattlesnakes, wild hogs and guys named Bubba.
Nice shots……. It’s an awesome post. I was not familiar it before I stumble here. Texas is always popular for their beauty and activities. Now I can understand the fact that why is this attraction of tourism. Really, it has superb views and echo friendly environment.