I know I haven’t been communicating much since the world has been on “pause,” as I call it. The main reason, is we all have had enough to be concerned with, with the COVID-19 pandemic going on. I pray you are safe and healthy.
Fortunately while traveling about from Nevada, holidays with family in California, trade shows in Arizona, through New Mexico and now Texas…I was at my cousins house visiting when this all first started. My cousin, Rhonda, has a bit of land around her home, in Central Texas, and has graciously allowed me to plug in our RV to stay here during these strange times. She has been a great host, and we have had fun reminiscing of our youth through photos and my research of our family on Ancestors.
All of the Texas State Parks closed when I was about to leave here and start moving toward Canton, Texas. (I had my eye on a couple of beautiful places to camp!) I have been planning on visiting Canton to check out “First Monday’s” a very large market place that has about 100,000 attendees every month for four days. (For the first time in 170 years of being open EVERY month, it closed due to the pandemic.) My thoughts are that if it is a good fit I will put up a shop and see how it goes with my Western Artwork, Books and Southwestern products. Also, I have another cousin near there, Tammy, who has offered to let me plug in at her house as well…but before I left to go there, the State shut everything down. I have had to stay put.
As I have been sitting here, I have been working on the books a bit, my family’s genealogy, and learning new skills on how to work with water color pencils and more. My latest is this rendition of Rider.
Rider PortraitSteps to complete Rider's Portrait; Photo, sketch, water color pencils, water added, and prisma color pencils for details.
We haven’t been advertising our recently published book of “Rider on the Pony Express Trail, Volume 2” as we have wanted to be safe as possible, and not add any chances of spread to you and your family through a printed book. BUT, as of last week, the Ebook is now available on Kindle! You can now order it, download it, and not be concerned with the spread of any illnesses. Though, hopefully soon, we won’t need to concern ourselves with that, with summer coming on and the virus be gone!
Today, you can order Rider on the Pony Express, Volume 1 (if you haven’t read it yet) at a new DISCOUNTED PRICE of $5.99 on Kindle! (5 Star reviews). Click the photo below to order your copy now!
Rider on the Pony Express Trail; Volume 1Click on photo to order now!
Thank you!
The adventure continues with our latest volume in the series, Volume 2! It is now at a great price as well of only, $9.99! Click the photo below to order now! Thank you!
Rider on the Pony Express Trail; Volume 2Click photo to order now!
Since we have all been sheltered-in-place for so many weeks, we hope that you will enjoy getting to travel with us on our journey’s in these two full color photo journal books!!
Stay safe and be well my friends!
May God bless and protect you and yours.
Love, Carla and Rider (woof!)
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It has been way too long since I have last written. For that I apologize. It has been an interesting year for Rider and I. We have done some photo shoots, and a few shows…and even published another book! Yes, “Rider on the Pony Express Trail, Volume 2” is complete!! You can order it and/or any of our books by clicking the link at the bottom of this letter. We had to get quiet, off social media for a bit, to put our nose to the grind stone and get ‘er done! Our pony express trail journey from Sacramento, California to Salt Lake City, Utah is now finished…wow, what an adventure we have had! We sincerely hope you will hop in the truck with us once more to see the sites we hadn’t been to in Volume 1, or thought no longer existed. This book has over 300 full color pages, packed full of photos to entertain and share with you more about this famous American trail. We believe you will enjoy the ride!
We did quite a bit this year, yet, I still feel as if we didn’t do much. Maybe because I didn’t shoot near as much as I have in the past few years while working on the pony express trail. But, we did purchase a new camera and long lens this year! Which, we bought to assist us on our journey with the Spike 150 Wagon Train. (I wore two cameras, one with telephoto lens, and one with wide angle.) That 5 day event in May was just one of the many historical events scheduled this year to celebrate the 150 Anniversary of the Golden Spike. The golden spike was the last spike driven into the ground, where east met west, when the United States transcontinental railroad was completed in May of 1869.
It was such a blessing to have been chosen as the official photographer for the event. (Thank you Brian and Teri Arnold!) We met so many wonderful people on that wagon train! I spent weeks editing photos for the folks who were on the train, and for artwork to sell at shows and online on our website.
Spike 150 Wagon Train Group PhotoSpike 150 Wagon Train Group Photo!
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Today, as we close out the last of this decade, we are sitting in the Arizona desert awaiting another show in mid January in Quartzite. The rest and relaxation between our last show, that was in Las Vegas, has been a welcoming break. I am so grateful to all of you who came to visit and shop while we were there! But I must admit, I am not much for the big cities, and Las Vegas was a bit much for me. Though Rider sure seemed to love it! He thought all the folks on the elevators and in the casino were happy to see him, which they were, and that all wanted to pet him, which they did! Haha! But for me, I so love my quiet time with God under the open sky, surrounded by His beautiful creations. This is a great place to spend time to reflect and give gratitude.
Rider near Quartzsite Arizona
Praise ya’ Lord for blessing us, all of our family and friends this past year and into the New Year! In Jesus name, Amen.
What are we planning for 2020?
Well, Rider and I are going to be slowly working our way to Texas starting in February. If you know of anything special we could stop and shoot along the way, please let us know and we may consider it. At this time I only have a few places on our tentative time schedule:
One; Tombstone, Arizona. No explanation needed. ;-)
Two; Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico. When I was young, my family drove between Texas and California every year. One of the stops I remember was Carlsbad Cavern. I wonder if it will appear the same to me as I remember?!
Three; Big Bend National Park, Texas. I have never been, and can’t wait to see the cliffs by the river in person!
We will be traveling the I-10 stretch as to avoid bad weather since we are traveling late winter, early spring, so please keep that in mind when sharing locations of interest.
Texas, here we come! Looking for blue bonnets and longhorns…and distant relatives. Yep, we have been studying our genealogy and have a few distant cousins to meet. For those who might not know, I am a native Texan and have lots of relatives all about the great state. We are looking forward to a no schedule trip to enjoy being wherever we are.
Rider and I are grateful for you following along with us and we look forward to sharing more of our trips and adventures with you in the future.
God Bless you and yours!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Love,
Carla and Rider (woof!)
To purchase any of our books, Click this link now! https://www.amazon.com/author/carlaephotography
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! Please, leave a REVIEW! :-)
For anyone wishing to purchase a personalized copy of our book, please email; [email protected] and put in subject line: “Personalized Book” These special orders will be a little more $, as they will be printed with your name (or any name you request) along with a personalized note, on the first page of the book!
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I interviewed Bill on September 11, 2018 at the Reno Snaffle Bit Futurity.
bill black-0096Bill Black Custom Braiding. Horse Hair and Rawhide. Plush, Oregon
Bill had been steadily working on his hackamores the last two days, and it drew me in. I wanted to learn more about the man and his craft.
bill black-0097
We started the interview with me asking Bill how he got started with braiding. He responded, “Well the town gear on them stick horses I was riding weren’t strong enough! My brother, Tim and I got started in 1965, when we were in 2nd or 3rd grade.” (Today, his brother lives in Colorado and teaches 4H kids.)
Bill said, “My dad [Jeff] along with Tom Hughes, were braiders. My dad taught me how to do a 4 string braid, which is round. My dad and Tom would braid one 60 foot reata, then cut it in half so that each would have 30 feet, which was long for Colorado cowboys.”
Later it was Howard Munsell who taught Bill how to braid 7 (flat) and 8 (square) strings. Bill says that he and his brother would take leather scraps given to them from Munsell and combine them with Cottonwood leaves to create their own tiny hackamores for their small toy horses. Munsell furthered their knowledge by teaching them how to sew and make cowboy knots.
bill black-0101Bill Black hand braiding while in his booth at the Reno Snaffle Bit Futurity.
Today, Bills calling card are his Hackamores. He is a true craftsman and doesn’t take any shortcuts. He starts with skinning and processing the hides himself. His ranching friends call him when they have a cow or calf go down to come and get the hide. To keep them calling he expressed that he will go out in 30 degree below weather, or a hot day in summer to retrieve them.
Dean Tobias of Idaho taught Bill how to work rawhide. Bill shared, “While we were on a trip down in Arizona, I bought my first two hides, two fat greasy ones for $5 a piece. Dean told me that it would take me 10 hides to learn. I am still learning, so I guess I haven’t gotten to that 10th hide yet.”
Bill started with making rawhide reins, and today is very well known for his hackamores. He said he had to learn what a good feel was for them and started off with more of a soft hackamore. He learned that that was not what is best for a soft horse. He states the softer the hackamore, the heavier the hand. Also, he learned to shorten them up, as if they are too long he expressed, “…they will take the hide off the horses nose just following the cow boss back to camp.” I asked what does he call his style today and he replied, “an Authority Hackamore.” As that is the term his cowboy friend, Bobby Ingersolm, would use when Bill would ask him how his hackamores felt, each time he would come to visit…Ingersolm would reply, “needs more authority, Bill.” Meaning they were still too soft.
Bill considers himself a brush cowboy, being that he has ridden mostly in Northern Nevada, along with time in Eastern Oregon and some time in Idaho. He stated, “They typically like the hackamore on the softer side. But those who ride in the arena, reining and cow horse, like them harder. Bill said he is trying to educate the brush cowboys on the benefit of his ‘authority hackamore.’ He believes it to make the riders hands softer for a softer horse.
Though Bill's prime work is custom hackamores, he also makes Kangaroo (romel) reins.
I asked, “How long does it typically take you to make one hackamore?”
He replied, “about 15 hours.” Then he added, “I have made around 3,000 hackamores over the last 40 years.”
In his booth is a gorgeous headstall and reins. When I asked about them, he said it took approximately 1500 hours for him to build the set. They are very intricate and beautifully detailed.
bill black-0108Bill Black custom head stall and reins. Very intricate work! Gorgeous cowboy (art) gear.
Bill’s wife Teresa is often with Bill at these events, but not this go, as she stayed home with their daughter. I asked about her talents and he said that she knows how to braid a hackamore and hitch horse hair. (I look forward to meeting her someday as well.)
If you would like to know more about Bill and/or order one of his beautiful handmade authority hackamores, you can visit his
Facebook Page; Bill Black Custom Braiding,
or Email; [email protected]
or Call 541-947-5595
Next: Photos from our adventures with the Spike 150 Wagon Train!
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Lorri and I met during the 2018 Reno Snaffle Bit Futurity. We shared a booth, as you might have read in a previous blog post, with Jeff Myers of Quiet Woman Cattle Company.
Lorri’s creativity shines through her talent of making beautiful, unique, western baskets out of used lariats. She has taken them to a new level with her creative skills. As we were looking at her plaques made from leather pieces she shared, “I use all recycled materials for my leather and rope artwork.”
2018_gypsy cowgirl art-0237Lorri Myler of Gypsy Cowgirl Art - NV with one of her beautiful custom rope/leather baskets.
She continued by saying she has always loved art. While in high school she enjoyed woodworking, pottery and her home eq classes. Lorri loves all things that pertain to the western lifestyle…makes since, as she is a homegrown cowgirl of Elko, Nevada.
When asked how she got started with the lariat rope baskets, she replied, “My friend Jeff Myers introduced me to the art. He showed me a few ways that he himself made them. On one of the baskets he had added tooled leather to the bottom, this is where the influence for him to grow his leather artwork started. He soon learned he would like to work more on the leather part and asked if I would like to learn how to make the baskets.”
2018_gypsy cowgirl art-0259
Lorri soon branched out on her own and her ideas of how to make the lariat baskets unique to her style took off. Today she adds leather tooled feathers, jewels, buckskin and fringe. Her piece pictured here is approximately three foot tall!
2018_gypsy cowgirl art-0010
In 2016 Lorri, and her friend, Jeff, combined their artwork to attend Cowboy Christmas during the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. She expressed that her new found art was well received with the Western world.
Some of her more infamous clientele are Lacy J. Dalton, Trinity Seely and the State Legislature has purchased a piece for their gift shop.
After this show, Lorri is looking forward to traveling, working on her art and searching for shows in the south for warmer climate.
To learn more about Lorri follow her on Facebook at Gypsy Cowgirl Art-NV
Update: Recently I watched a YouTube video of Lorri being interviewed in Arizona. She is living her dream of travels and working on her beautiful artwork. Congratulations Lorri!
Next week: Bill Black Custom Braiding
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He had a very large booth full of all kinds of handmade cowboy equipment. I was amazed at the variety of skills this man has and the large inventory of items!
2018_vaquero brand-0205Vaquero Brand Booth at the 2018 Reno Snaffle Bit Futurity.
I watched him work while we talked, he was tying a knot for a key fob. He showed me how he started at each end, and created the X’s to start, then continued to fill it in. In this photo he is tying a “tire knot.”
2018_vaquero brand-0178Jose Ortez showing me how he ties a "tire knot."
Ortez has been widowed for many years and raised his daughter by himself since she was 11 years old. His home is a few miles out of San Diego, California where he has lived for 65 years.
I asked how long he has been working his trade, he replied, “For 38 years now.”
Then I followed up with asking, “Who taught you how to create all of this?!” He said, “My grandfather, Isdoro Ortez, taught me. He first taught me how to tie knots, then how to create the Mecate. And eventually rawhide and braiding rawhide Bosels and reins.”
2018_vaquero brand-0190
He added, “It takes me about 3 years to truly learn how to tie a new knot.”
With all the inventory I was curious and asked, “Where do you get the hides to make all of this gear?” He replied, “Local butchers.”
His Mecates come in any size his customer requests. They are made from horse hair (mane, tail), Angora and Mohair.
The Bosels are varied in choice sizes; 1/4”, 3/8”, 1/2”, 5/8”, and 3/4”.
In addition to them he makes the necessities to go with them; hangers and bridles to put them on.
Jose had a variety of leather and braided products from bridles to spur straps to rawhide rowel reins and even hand tied cinches.
2018_vaquero brand-0183
If you would like to order your custom gear, Jose is old school, you will have to give him a phone call: 619-972-2312. Or, you can visit with him like I have at one of his booths at varied events. Look for his Vaquero Brand sign, better yet, just look for the booth with thousands of pieces of cowboy (art) equipment!
Added: I also saw Mr. Ortez at the Red Bluff Bull & Gelding Sale in California. If you ever make it to either of these events, you should look him up!
Next Week: Lorri Myler with Gypsy Cowgirl Art - NV
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2018_quiet woman cattle companyJeff Myers of Quiet Woman Cattle Company
Jeff and I met through a mutual show that was cancelled. Due to the surprise we chatted about it on Facebook. Soon we were talking about the next available show in Reno. He said he was invited to the Reno Snaffle Bit Futurity and wasn’t sure if he was going to attend. After a couple of days passed, he contacted me and asked if I would like to share the large 12’ x 20’ booth, as he didn’t have much inventory due to all his sales at the Reno Rodeo recently. I said, “Yes, that sounds like a good show and I have never been a Vendor there.”
After scheduling with the Vendor contact, Jeff and I soon met at the show. He and another gal, Lorri Myler of Cowgirl Gypsy Art (Blog post about her coming soon!) shared their half of the booth. It was a nice mix of Western home decor. We all spent the next week getting to know each other.
2018_quiet woman cattle company-0012Carla E Photography, Gypsy Cowgirl Art-NV and Quiet Woman Cattle Company at the 2018 Snaffle Bit Futurity.
Jeff is from Reno, Nevada. He shared that he cowboy’d most of his life. Many of those years were in Montana. His back and body took a beating over those years, and due to necessity of a new career, he has chosen to follow his passion of working with leather full time. He shared with me that he is self taught and enjoys sharing his talent by teaching others the trade as well.
Jeff does a variety of works with leather, including his specialty of hand tooling artwork that he then frames. One large piece is of the Nevada State Seal! He also uses hide and tooled leather to restore and or, beautify furniture. Recently he had a very large order for hundreds of belts for a mining company at an event in Lake Tahoe.
2018_quiet woman cattle company-0255Samples of Jeff Myers work. Tooled bar stools, hide covered antique chair.
For special orders or to meet Jeff Myers, contact him by email at [email protected] or call 775-203-0447.
Next Week: Jose Ortiz with Vaquero Brand
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Sale Ends Friday Night at 11:59 p.m. Standard Pacific Time!!
For a short time, you can purchase any of these 6 packages listed below IN OUR ONLINE STORE ONLY. This is a special event and the link to this store will no longer be available after Black Friday at midnight.
Click on any Package Photo below to head on over to the online store.
2 - Cowboy Coloring Books
$18.00 with FREE* Shipping & Handling
10 - Cowboy Coloring Books
$79.00 with FREE* Shipping & Handling
2 - 2019 Cowboy West Calendars
$30.00 with FREE* Shipping & Handling
10 - 2019 Cowboy West Calendars
$120.00 with FREE* Shipping & Handling
Family & Friends Package A
1 - 8”x10” Signed Artist Proof of “The Search”
2 - 2019 Cowboy West Calendars
4 - Cowboy Coloring Books
$77.00 with FREE* Shipping & Handling
Family & Friends Package B
2 - 8”x10” Signed Artist Proofs: “The Search” and “A Perfect Cowboy Day”
4 - 2019 Cowboy West Calendars
6 - Cowboy Coloring Books
$127.00 with FREE* Shipping & Handling
We have designed the Family Packages for your shopping convenience. One stop shopping for a distant relative or friend and their entire family! If you would like us to mail any of these packages directly to a Family or Friend, we would be HAPPY to! In order for us to do this though, we need you to PLEASE PAY for each ORDER, ONE-AT-A-TIME so you can list their address for shipping. Otherwise your complete order will be mailed to the shipping address you provide at check out. Thank you!
Shop NOW as it all ends soon and will no longer be available this year!
*United States shipping ONLY for these prices.
We are very thankful to YOU!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!
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Howdy and good morning! How are you?
I wanted to ask, “Have you been enjoying our book, “Rider on the Pony Express Trail, Volume One?”
Please let us know. Even better, leave a review on Amazon and Good Reads!
The photo we are sharing today was taken in 2016 while on the Pony trail in California. It was a beautiful day in October. We were in search of the Pony Express stations that research showed us had been used for the first few weeks of their operation. This is Luther Pass, they would have taken this path on their way to Hope Valley/Sorensons Station. In the year 1860, it was covered deep in snow. The first rider through here met with quite a challenge coming over these high Sierras! But as you can see here, in the Fall, it is quite beautiful.
I mention in our book how I spotted folks getting their horses ready for a ride near here. The weather was clear, crisp and cool…just right for a day ride in the mountains!
While working on our edits of “Rider on the Pony Express, Volume 2,” we have also been attending a few events where we could offer Volume 1 for sale, along with our Western Artwork. We were at the Reno, Nevada Rodeo (10 day show) and then the Reno Snaffle Bit Futurity (7 day show). While at the last event, I took advantage of being with such talented folks, that I interviewed a couple of them on their works; A Leather artist, Bosal Maker, Lariat Basket maker and a man who makes all things related to working our horses! Stay tuned for those in upcoming Blog Posts!
Stay tuned for the Release of "Rider on the Pony Express Trail, Volume 2!"
Thank you so much for following along with Rider and I…We appreciate you very much!
God Bless, and Happy FALL!
Love, Carla and Rider (woof!)
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We wanted to let you know what we have been working on this summer. We have researched and studied how to create a coloring book with our Western Lifestyle Photography! Today we are releasing our “Cowboy Coloring Book: Central Montana Ranches” and so excited to share it with you!
AND, we hope that you will share your artwork with us by tagging #cw_cowboycoloringbook !! We can't wait to see your artistic artwork made from pages in this book.
This isn’t your typical cartoon type coloring book…no, these are designed for you to create your own western lifestyle artwork.
The photos in this book were captured by Carla E Photography while she visited two ranch brandings in Central Montana; the Delaney Ranch and the Hanging T Ranch. She has chosen a small select group from those ranch photos for this book and turned them into grey scale coloring artwork. The grey scale keeps the textures and shadows that will add depth to your coloring. She has also artistically added some hand drawn line work to assist in defining the subjects where needed.
We hope that you enjoy hours of relaxation while you create your own western masterpieces! The framed artwork is just under 8”x 10” in size. This size was chosen so that you can cut them out and frame them, if you so desire!
Whether you are a youngster, or just young at heart, we hope that you will enjoy awakening your artistic talents to this new way of coloring.
Here is our book reveal video!
After opening our Proof it is now live and available for purchase. Only $10.00!
Order here! Purchase NOW
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FreeEbook_LaunchDate-Join the AdventureFree Kindle eBook! 2 Days Only!
RELEASE DATE: MAY 28, 2018
Title: Rider on the Pony Express Trail: Volume 1
Author: Carla E Photography
FREE !!
We are temporarily giving away our full color Kindle eBook, for FREE!
“TWO DAYS ONLY”
May 28 & May 29
FREE Download
Why?
1st) We want to offer all of our faithful followers a chance to enjoy our book for free to say THANK YOU!
2nd) We would like it if you would take a few seconds to share a kind review of our book on its Amazon page.
Our paperback edition will also be available on Amazon, and your favorite book store!
Promotion starts Memorial Day, Monday at 12:01 a.m. Click here to visit my Author page and order.
We hope that you will be inspired and enjoy our book!
Thank you, Love,
Carla and Rider (woof!)
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We are so excited to share with you the unveiling of our book!
Rider on the Pony Express Trail, Volume 1, 2015-2016. Sacramento, California to Salt Lake City, Utah
It has taken us over three years to get to this point. Rider, my Australian Cattle Dog, has been with me the whole journey! You will find in the book he was pretty young when we started out. He has grown in to a fine travel buddy.
The release date for our book is May 28, 2018! This date has been chosen as it is also Memorial Day. Some of you may already know this, but for those who may not…let me share why we picked this honorable day. It was first known as Decoration Day, due to the women placing flowers on the graves of both Union and Confederate soldier’s graves after the Civil War. Soon after, the day became as we know it today, Memorial Day. Many of our Pony Express employees served in that war…for that we believe it is a good day to also remember them, along with all the fallen from the many wars since.
At this time, we are accepting preorders for Autographed copies. USA residents only. Sorry about that to all my friends around the world. Good news though, you all will be able to order a copy online from your favorite book store. I will share more information on that soon.
- Autographed Copy of Rider on the Pony Express Trail, Volume 1: $29.99
- Shipping and Handling: $13.65 (Up to two books per box.)
Please email me if you would like to order any personalized autographed copies by clicking here.
For those of you who will be attending the Reno Rodeo in June 2018, we will be there with books as well!
Here is our Book Reveal! Thanks for watching. J
Love, Carla and Rider (woof!)
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Happy Easter from Carla E Photography!
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
"…Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”" John 7:37-38
Be Blessed my friends, you are loved by the almighty God.
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We were in the heart of the Utah desert. We had just left the Faust XP Station and was in search of East Rush Valley…
“Next Stop: East Rush Valley XP Station
Well, the pavement sure didn’t last long. After a short drive on the road heading to Faust, we were back on yet another gravel highway.
As we were searching for our next station, the clouds were coming to life with color. The sun was starting to set behind us, and the glorious twilight hour was beginning to glow over the valley. There were brilliant shades of orange and deep purple…We pulled over a few times so I could capture the cloudy sky with the mountains as their canvas.
Upon reaching the next CCC monument, off to our left, we found this location was apparently too remote to keep the varmint thieves away. It had been damaged and the description plaque stolen. Only the top round plaque remained.*
The sun was still illuminating the rain clouds with exquisite colors…it was stunning. Though there were no remnants or ruins left at this site, I captured the sky with the monument in the foreground. I sure hope one of my shots will share with ya’ll what we witnessed!
2016_ut_east rush-0416-2mbEast Rush Valley Utah Pony Express Station site
*(Later found on the Utah BLM website there was a photo—submitted by the public, I am guessing—with the plaque intact; it was a Centennial plaque, though, and not a CCC. The plaque is hard to read, as some jerks had shot it up, but it showed the name as “Rush Valley” and stated that it was also an Overland Stage stop until 1869.)”
We hope you enjoyed this little snippet from our book; "Rider on the Pony Express Trail"
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While visiting in Montana, and on my way to Washington State, I scanned my maps looking for places of interest along the way. I was looking for historic locations when spotted this little dot called “Garnet Ghost Town” just a bit north off the highway. Oh how exciting to visit a real ghost town in the beautiful Montana mountains!
Garnet Ghost Town HomesThree homes on the hillside in the historic town of Garnet, Montana
I took the shortest distance on the map. This road soon turned in to a slightly muddy road. I was pulling my 5th wheel at the time. When we come upon another car coming down the road, I waved them down to ask if I could get the trailer up the mountain. They recommended a meadow area where there was parking for me to drop the trailer. Boy, was I lucky to have met them! The road was very windy and only one lane for a major part of the climb.
Back road to Garnet Ghost Town
The funniest thing was, once we got to the top, there were school buses. Large school buses. Haha, if I had known the area better, I could have taken the paved roads right to this historic little town. Oh well, our way was much more like finding an old town left to the wilderness and hidden away, as it must have been in it’s day! :-)
Bureau of Land Management’s description:
“In 1898, Garnet was a booming gold camp with nearly 1,000 residents. The town included four stores, four hotels, three livery stables, two barber shops, a union hall, a school, a butcher shop, a candy shop, a doctor’s office, an assay office, and thirteen saloons.
The surrounding mountains were rich in gold-bearing quartz so Garnet grew rapidly until about 1905 when many of the mines were abandoned. The 1910 census found only 150 residents. In 1912, fire destroyed many of the commercial buildings and by the 1920’s Garnet was a ghost town.
Garnet is one of Montana’s most intact ghost towns. It symbolizes an important era in Montana’s hard rock mining history. Substantial effort has gone into stabilizing and protecting the remaining historic structures.
Garnet is managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the garnet Preservation Association, a nonprofit organization. This cooperative effort is preserving the town for the enjoyment of the public.”
Click HERE to see a few more of the photos captured.
Thank YOU for stopping by! We hope you enjoyed this side trip.
Carla
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Severe Brothers Saddlery, Since 1955Front view of the Severe Saddlery building.
A bit of History from the Severe Brothers Saddlery Website:
“Severe Brothers Saddlery from Pendleton Oregon, is known internationally for producing the finest in custom handmade western saddles, bronc saddles and roping saddles. Saddles covered with the best grade leathers using the time-tested older methods, such as all leather ground seats, make them good for a lifetime of pleasure as well as durability.
Severe Brothers Saddlery was founded in 1955 by Bill and Duff Severe after apprenticing at Hamleys & Co. several years under master saddlers. Duff Severe in leatherwork, and Bill Severe in saddle trees. Together, this unique combination helped them produce a saddle with total quality control.”
After a nice weekend of showing and selling my Western Photography Artwork at the Pendleton Cattle Baron, I was scheduled for a visit with Randy Severe, of Severe Brothers Saddlery.
My dear friend, Brian Arnold, knew I was going to be in the area, and recommended that the Severe Brothers Saddlery would be a great place for me to go visit and photograph. He mentioned that he likes my photography and thought I could capture the essence of, the history, that has taken place there over the last 60+ years. He knows Randy well, as Randy’s daughter, Jodi, played music with Brian’s band in the past. He called to set up a meeting for me to meet Randy for a visit and tour! Brian also expressed, “After seeing the great saddle shop, you have to have Randy take you upstairs to show you where all the cowboys have stayed over the years, while they were in town to ride in the Pendleton RoundUp!”
I pulled up at the large two-story building. A small A Frame building was out front with a Skull on its peak. On the main building there were wagon wheels on the deck upstairs, and a modest wooden sign that reads; “Severe Brothers Saddlery, Since 1955”.
I took a few pictures outside, then entered the side door. While shooting a few pictures and viewing the posters in the short hallway entrance…I heard the door open and turned around to meet Randy Severe. He invited me in. I introduced myself and gave him my card. He was very gracious and is an all-around nice man.
After a bit of chatting and looking around at all the saddles and tools and displays, without taking pictures…I like to take the time to get to know people first…I mentioned, “Our friend Brian also mentioned that I just HAD to go upstairs. Would that be, OK?” He said, “Sure!”
As we were climbing the stairs I noticed a bear hide hangin’ on the wall. The stairs were strong but creaked as you walked up them…I wondered and tried to imagine all those who had taken these same stairs over the years.
As we came to the platform of the top step, Randy said, “Please excuse whatever mess you might see as we haven’t been up here in a while.” I laughed and said, “I understand.”
Randy explained that this building was built for World War II Barracks, and that his Dad and Uncle, the original Severe Brothers, were the first owners after the Army left them.
At the top of the stairs, straight ahead, there was a door going into a very large room, on the left was the kitchen with what looked to be a sitting room on the end of it. On the right-hand side was the bathroom and another room. We went straight ahead and into the door that led to the large open room.
Wow!! There were hundreds of photos on the walls of Cowboys competing in different rodeo events. Randy said that in order to have their picture on the wall’s here, they must have also stayed here.
In one corner there were a few signed Cowboy hats tacked to the walls…Along with a lot of posters from various businesses, and rodeos over a few decades. The room had lots of bunk beds, some made of Steel, some of wood. There was even a roping dummy in the center of the room, as well as a make shift saddle bronc with a saddle on it. On the round table there was a pair of cowboy boots with spurs on them. Along one wall, and around a bed, where these Red diamond-tucked velvet/leather fancy panels and bench. I asked, “Where did these all come from?” Randy replied, “Those came from a restaurant that was at the Pendleton Airport. When it closed we brought them here.”
Inside the HOTEL de'COWPUNCHHOTEL de'COWPUNCH has options to practice your Rodeo event right here!
At the end of this large room there was another door, I could see that it was locked. I asked what was behind it. (I had to know!) Randy opened it up for me and explained this was where the “Music and Dancing” happened! There were a few chairs lined up in a few rows, an old Piano in the corner and a stack of saddles under a window. He said this room was only open during the Pendleton RoundUp. He then said, “Make yourself at home. I will leave you so that you can photograph. Please lock this room back up when you are finished.”
I thanked him and expressed that I would be downstairs to shoot it, in a little while.
I photographed most everything. I like to, for documentation reasons, as it helps me remember all that I saw, and of course to share it with all with you! They may not be art, or something you would like to hang on your wall, but at least you can see what I was blessed to see!
One of the photos is of the newspaper clippings about Duff Severe, one of the original brothers. Sadly, the clippings were of his obituary. What a full life he lived and what a legacy he built!
For about forty minutes or so, I finished photographing the “HOTEL de’COWPUNCH” as they rightfully named the upstairs area. It was reported to be, “A home away from home for thousands of Cowboys!” What a blessing to visit and photograph such a historic place.
When I got back downstairs, the first room you enter is full of used saddles. On the opposite side was the business office. Further in, you get to where the magic happens. There were two work stations, one on the left, and one on the right. The one on the right is where Randy works. I have never seen so many leather tools!
Randy was working on a saddle when I came in. He was cutting and trimming a piece of padding for the seat. He shared with me that he was taught by his uncle, Duff Severe, to do leather work. I asked if he makes saddles then sells them, or are they all custom orders? He replied, “They are all custom orders, except, for the ones we make for the Pendleton RoundUp. As we make their trophy saddles every year.”
He then showed me on the wall the pictures of some of the original trophy saddles made for the RoundUp over the early years. He explained they only did ONE Championship saddle for the Rodeo in the beginning, starting in 1968, so they were VERY intricate in detail. (I got one photo to share with ya’ll that shows 3 original photos of these saddles).
Three Severe Custom Saddles Custom Saddles
Hanging up high was a saddle that Randy said was his personal saddle. He said he rides it when working at the RoundUp. (In November of 2008 Randy was elected President of the Pendleton RoundUp!) Just below Randy’s saddle there was a miniature saddle proudly displayed on a stand, it was made by Duff Severe.
Randy walked me around the first room pointing and sharing the history of how the Severe Brothers Saddlery came to be. Duff Severe did the leather work, his brother Bill built the trees for the saddles. On the wall next to the photos of Bill and Duff was a large hanging display case. While I was photographing it, Randy explained that Duff and Bill started out as rawhide braiders, a trade they learned from their father who was a sheepherder in Idaho. This case was called an “Order Board.” It shows the different sizes, braids, designs, so that one could custom order whatever it was they wanted built and done exactly how they wanted it to look and fit.
Bill and Duff Severe and Rawhide Order BoardRawhide Order Board.
In another lighted free-standing display case were small replica saddle trees. This was to show the customer the difference between the trees for the different types of saddles; Pro-Roper, Association, Form-Fitter, Wade.
After being there a while another gentleman came in to the shop. His name was John Trumbo. I soon found out that he was the retired Umatilla County Sheriff. We were introduced, and he then went to work at the other station across from Randy’s. I asked him about what it was he did here at Severe’s… He jokingly replied, “Well, I always said whenever I retired, I should go help out Randy, as it looks easy!” We laughed. He then expressed that he helps out with doing saddle repairs and the like and that he really does enjoy it. You could easily see that these two were very good friends, I am sure they have a fine time working together.
I turned the camera to capture these two icons hard at work. Then I suddenly remembered my friend Brian Arnold had mentioned something about the Severe’s using “Ivory” to work on their saddles…I asked Randy about it. He showed me a long Walrus tusk tool, then showed me how they used it. He explained that you must be careful working with leather, as it can mark easily, especially when wet. They use the ivory, because it is so smooth, to assist in shaping the leather. (I got a picture of him simulating as he explained, and another of the tool laying on the work bench.)
Near the working area there was a structural post that had some shaped leather pieces hanging on it. I could tell they were worn out Pommel covers, but didn’t know why they were hanging there. Randy seen me looking at them, so he explained. “These pommels are from the Cowboys that turn in their worn-out ones, as I built them their new ones.” One of them had a note in it from Heath DeMoss, Professional Saddle Bronc Rider, expressing his gratitude for the one he had made him, and how he had won a lot of money at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo that year while riding it! How cool is that?!
There were great treasures everywhere I looked! I sure enjoyed my visit and tour with Randy Severe. I am so grateful for him taking time out of his work to share the history and the work they continue today.
Thank you, Randy!
To see more of my photos taken during this visit, Click here.
To learn more about the Severe’s; Duff, Bill, and his sons, Randy and Robin, please click here.
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2016_or_hat rock-0482Cow calling for her calf, in front of a power plant.
I would like for you to imagine just for a moment, “What will ranching look like in the year 2118?”
Think about how far we have come from 100 years ago!
A time of concern a century ago was due to barbed wire fencing, and no more open ranges. That was just the beginning of change for ranching in this Country. Due to the population, ranching has had to adapt.
This photo tells a much bigger story, than just a cow bellowing for her calf. I believe it shows how much the cattle industry has changed over the years. It speaks volumes, to me, at least.
So often cattle are grazed on leased land that shares other leases, such as this one. I am not sure what this plant was, but I think it was a power plant. The photo was shot along the Columbia River in Oregon.
Today, the main reason I love Ranch life photography, is to preserve how it is done now. Who knows where it will be, or how it will be done 100 years from now.
If you would like for me to preserve your ranch's story for your future generations, Contact me!
Go to; CarlaEPhotography.com Contact Page
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Pony Express Founders Centennial PlaqueRussel, Majors and Waddell are the three founders of the Pony Express.
The three partners who founded the American Pony Express were; William H. Russell, William B. Waddell and Alexander Majors.
William H. Russell made a promise to California Senator Gwin that he and his partners would form a horse and rider relay to connect the distant states. Russel then had to convince his reluctant partners to agree in forming the Pony Express venture. The name of the new company was the “Central Overland California & Pikes Peak Express Company.” Better known in history as the famous “Pony Express.”
We hope that you enjoyed this brief interesting fact about some of our American History!
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2016_mt_jd_2-0306Joe Delaney-Grass Range, MT
There is something so special about witnessing a Rancher, caring for his stock in such a loving way. Meet Joe Delaney of Grass Range, Montana. Joe is a man who cares very much about his cattle and also the future of the next generations to come. At the Delaney branding we waited until the afternoon to brand... wanna know why?
Sure ya' do! ;-)
He and his wife LeeAnn, had called the school kids to come out to help, and we waited until they could all be there. Branding started around 4:30 p.m.
This my friends is community! Local ranchers and their families giving to their community, with the hopes of keeping the next generation loving it too. Knowing that with hard work and caring for the livestock and the land, comes also great rewards.
American grown beef, American made photography.
(C) CarlaEPhotography.com
]]>We are so excited to share with you the cover of our NEW book;
“Rider on the Pony Express Trail ~ Volume 1 ~ 2015-2016”
Cover-Rider on the Pony Express Trail-Vol 1The cover for our NEW book! Rider on the Pony Express Trail ~ Volume 1 ~ 2015-2016
We are so glad to have so many of you travel with us, by riding shotgun in spirit!
The release date will be in a few weeks! Stay tuned by following our Blog on www.CarlaEPhotography.com
Rider (a handsome Australian Cattle Dog) and I have covered a LOT of miles, going to and fro in California, Nevada and Utah, over the past few years. Our journals are the recordings of our behind the scenes look of our day to day activities while capturing photos for a Pony Express coffee table book.
The journals will also have photos of places we visited while on the trail, that are not always related to the Pony Express.
If you are new to our journey, WELCOME!
If you have been following along since the beginning, THANK YOU!
My writing style is as if I am talking to you. Letting you know how I felt, while experiencing where we were at. We met lots of wonderful people, and are so very thankful for each one.
Stay tuned…Volume 1 is coming soon!
Love, Carla and Rider (woof!)
]]>Hey Friends!
I am feeling in a festive spirit as Christmas is Coming! In order to celebrate,
and say THANK YOU for following our adventures,
we are giving away a FREE* Wallpaper download for your phone!
Choose any photo below for your FREE DOWNLOAD!
Select by simply clicking on photo, Hit the buy button, choose Download, and Wala!
Free Custom Western Wallpaper (Personal license permissions, Only)
BEFORE Checking Out, please make sure you have selected
the best photo SIZE to fit YOUR phone.
All 3 (three) of these photos are from our Pony Express adventures!
"Egan's Canyon/Fort Pearce Cemetery"
"Fort Churchill Historic State Park"
"Cold Springs Pony Express Station"
We hope you enjoy our FREE gift to you!
May the Lord Bless you and keep you,
May His face shine upon you,
Now and Always!
Merry Christmas!!
Love,
Carla (& Rider say's WOOF!!!)
*Free Download comes with permission to use for personal use ONLY, one time download. Please do not share/print/sell any of these Free downloads.
Please DO share the Blog Post with anyone you believe would love to have their own! Thank you, and enjoy!
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Canyon Station Tin CansDo you like Sardines? Remnants found at Round Fort, located in Utah, between Ibapah and Callao.
2016_ut_round station_xp-0700
Do you like Sardines???
The above photo is a close up of one of the remnants found at "Round Fort/Canyon Station".
This site is located in Utah, between Ibapah and Callao. It was built after the Pony Express had ended, but was used as an Overland Stage station until 1869.
Carla and Rider at Canyon Overland Stage stationCanyon Station or better known from its shape, Round Fort.
Rider and I, sitting in front of the Round Fort. You can see in the background where the gun ports were!
The first and original Canyon Station, west a couple of miles from here, was used as the Pony Express relay station, but it was burned down. It was renamed "Burnt Station".
I imagine that Sardines were a good source of protein for the station keepers and the hostlers who lived at these sites in the 1860s. Personally, I like tuna from a can, but do not like Sardines. :-)
(C) CarlaEPhotography.com
2016_ut_round station_xp-0700
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In 2015, the plan was to visit Pony Express Stations along Highway 50 in the State of Nevada... We have since added California and Utah! I hope you enjoy reading this tid bit of part of our day two years ago.
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~ October 16, 2015 ~
... It was overcast and 60*, quiet and calm with just a breeze blowing through the Cottonwood trees… it had been a great visit at the Fort Churchill campgrounds. I enjoyed my coffee, fed Rider and started getting things situated in the trailer to hit the road. I took a look at my maps to plan my day while eating my banana and a few Vanilla Wafers for breakfast. After finishing the cleanup of our camp site and hooking up the trailer, (in one shot I may add!) we were off to Buckland’s Station.
[Historical Note: Samuel Buckland signed a contract with the California Central Overland Pikes Peak Express (Known as the Pony Express) to be a relay Station for it’s operations. A short few months later the Pyramid/Paiute War began and the Army built Fort Churchill near by. It was needed in order to protect the XP Riders and the California Emigrant Trail. The Pony Station was moved to the Fort’s Headquarters building.]
At this historical site today, stands a two Story House that was once used for the Stage Coach stop, a Hotel and a Trading post. Across the Street are a few buildings, barns and some corrals, all located behind a large parking area near the road. Which facilities were used for the Pony, I am not sure, if any. Some research states none of them. Regardless, I captured lots of photos of the old buildings and barns! Also, for you tractor buffs out there, there were many in the pasture next to the barn closest to the highway. The sign said that the locals put them there on loan for the site to display many of the different types of farm tools used over the last 150 years.
Horse DrawnHorse Drawn implement at Buckland's Station.
There is a nice park next to the parking lot with large trees, barbeques, a few tables and more farm art. The trees were already showing their Fall spirit by beaming with beautiful colors of yellow and orange… in the midst there were a few old fence posts and a hay rake under one of them. I managed to capture a photo and one of them had Rider under it… well, more like he “photo bombed” my shot! Funny boy! I then decided to turn my camera on him… on purpose… I captured him with a stick in his mouth while laying in the beautiful fall leaves and looking at me. It was a puppy cuteness overload photo!
2015 Bucklands - RiderRider poses with a stick in his mouth while lying in beautiful fall leaves. We were visiting the Buckland's Station Park.
We walked back to the parking lot and I picked Rider up for us to take a selfie with my phone to share later on social media. We were in front of one of the leaning buildings by the gate. I have to admit, it was difficult to stop taking photos here, as I have a strong love for old barns and the like!
While opening the door to my truck to load Rider…I heard one of the strangest things… it sounded like there were horses running and one whinnying… I looked from toward the area I heard it, but there were no horses, anywhere I could see…It gave me chills… my mind immediately thought of a Pony Express Rider running in for his next mount! It was truly strange, and regardless of what it was, it was a blessing for me to have that feeling even if it was for only a few moments… to have the feeling as if I was back in time and seeing it… feeling it… live! I thanked God for the experience and got into my truck and we headed out...
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...Stay tuned for the Ebook! Thank you for "Riding Shot Gun in Spirit" my friends!
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Jed and CarlaJed and I visiting. He shared about his life as a Cowboy, Riding for the Pony Express Re-Ride, and Pony Express History around Ibapah, Utah.
Jed and I met in Ibapah, Utah
Below is information that has been extracted from my FIRST DRAFT of my Pony Express Adventure Journal 2016.
I am so excited to share Jed with you, I just couldn’t wait any longer!
Please forgive me of any errors that there may be in spelling or grammar… Thank you!
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April 3, 2016
Jed, a 97 year old gentleman and local historian, pulled up in his grey sedan. Though he had a walker, he asked for no help, and got out to stand up to speak with us. After niceties, he began to share his knowledge and memories of his youth. Jed shared that he has cowboy’d all over the west, from Nevada to Montana. He expressed how he has broken many a bone, from horse wrecks, including his hip, where he had a horse roll over on him. He has survived all his siblings, and told us he never smoked a day in his life. Him and Bruce exchanged about places they had cowboy’d the same. Also, Jed included to tell us that just 3 years ago he rode in the XP’s annual re-ride; Eureka, NV to Deep Creek, UT! At age 94!?!
Jed’s family roots are from Scotland. They traveled out with Brigham Young to the Salt Lake City area in Utah. His Grandmother Elizabeth walked alongside Jed’s Great Grandmother who was also pregnant at the time… all the way from St. Louis, she had said that it was better to walk than ride the oxen pulled wagon, as it was too bumpy a ride. Once she arrived in Salt Lake City, she delivered twins! Jed stated, they were also some how related to the famous Marshal, and once body guard of Brigham Young, Porter Rockwell.
Jim Weaver, Jed’s Grandfather homesteaded in Utah.
Jed (Gerald) Cook, born on September 16, 1918 in Lehi, Utah. I laugh as I type this, but hey, it is what HE said, so I am sharing it… He said, “After my first bowel movement they moved to where the Parker Ranch is now.” (That is where we went back to purchase fuel from, since there is no longer any gas stations in Ibapah.)
Jed was married for 44 years to his wife Joyce. They had 2 girls and 2 boys
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Update; Jed called me a few months back to see how the book was coming… I was sure hoping to give him a copy… but the time it is taking for research and finding sites, it is still in the preliminary phase, and sadly he has passed away recently. His daughter Marilyn Linares, has written a wonderful book from his life’s stories titled; “Jed”, available on Amazon.
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