Arriving at our accommodation late in the afternoon, the Orville Chandler ranch was a very welcome sight. Situated on the foothills of the mountain range behind, the resident cattle were unperturbed by our arrival and noisy exclamations about our home for the next five days. The house sprawled over two levels with a wrap around deck that afforded great views of our adjacent babbling brook and the cattle grazing in pastures above. After settling in we enjoyed wine and nibbles outside, contemplating life as the sun set.
The next couple of days were hectic – hairdressing appointments for trial hairdos, catching up with Samand Bonnie, meeting our new in-laws and Johnny's family at Good Bear Ranch that Sam had rented, were priorities.
The fourth of July dawned as hot as the days before – 32c + – and proved to be a day packed with action that started with Rosey and Zoe proudly representing us in the Haines 5km Fun Run at 0800. (We were out of bed to welcome them home if not see them off!)
After a quick shower and refreshments (for them) we headed off to Haines for the much anticipated 4th of July Parade that precedes the Rodeo on later that afternoon.
This was America at its most American with patriotism aplenty and a definite cowboy theme emerging with the Rodeo 'queens and princesses' on beautifully turned out western mounts.
We were pleasantly entertained along with hundreds of locals – the kids collecting 'candy' tossed out along the way and then revelling in the cooling jets from the fire trucks that completed the parade.
It was then time to sample the traditional breakfast bloody Mary's in one of the bars (ouch!) and then on to the definitely more palatable local pies – the purchase price of the pie donated to local charities – before heading down to claim our spot at the Haines Stampede.
I can't say I've ever attended a rodeo in Australia but this was instantly recognisable as the real deal! Cowboys and cowgirls abounded and we were entertained by bucking broncos, calf roping, cowhide races and kids riding sheep under a blazing sun. I didn't really have any strong views on rodeos prior to this but didn't see any signs of mistreatment in what is obviously a very longstanding tradition in this part of the world. Every horse that we saw was in great condition and the ridden horses were beautifully turned out as were their riders.
There was time for a quick trip home to shower off the dust before Russell and I hosted the “rehearsal dinner” that evening – traditionally time for the wedding families to meet and greet and especially relevant in our case, the first opportunity for us to really sit down and have a chat Bonnie's family as well as Johnny's mum and step dad. It was held at the Haines Steakhouse in the trophy room, witnessed by elk, deer, cougar and bears 🙂
Successful as it was (despite the lack of champagne, they had only one bottle in the house) proceedings wound up fairly early as tomorrow was the big day and we all wanted our beauty sleep!
Next, Bonnie and Sam get hitched!
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