Route 66 in the News
Ranch Offers a Taste of the Wild West
2005-04-07 16:34:02
Music, gunfights and horse-drawn cart rides were all part of an old-fashioned celebration Saturday.
For the grand opening of his newly created Tumbleweed Ranch, local resident Dusty "The Cowboy" O'Brien hosted a Wild West extravaganza.
The ranch, located off Old Route 66 just west of Lexco Road on the property of Matson Hardwoods and Lumber, is O'Brien's vision for giving back to the kids.
"There's not a whole lot for kids to do out here— I wanted to build something that would give them a taste of what the Old West was like," said O'Brien.
Members of the Single Action Shooting Society, which plans a major Wild West event at its Founders Ranch off N.M. 217 at the end of April, added to the atmosphere of Saturday's event by dressing up in Old West attire to re-enact gunfights and parade around on horseback.
Large speakers played Old West tunes such as "Rawhide" outside Keith and Kerry Matson's Cowboys and Angels gift shop. Aleta Niggeler, a member of The High Desert Trail Riders, gave free rides around the premises in her horse-drawn cart.
Tumbleweed Ranch offers a variety of activities. For $3, O'Brien offers an unconventional pony ride. Ponies move of their own free will within a circle staked out by smooth wire and wooden posts.
"The kids like this setup because they get to feel like they are riding the horses all by themselves," said O'Brien excitedly.
Another area has a small practice firing range complete with a BB-gun, target and balloons. The guns, however, don't fire actual BBs.
"I didn't want any of the kids to get hurt," explained O'Brien.
Pygmy goats drew attention from people of all ages. The goats, Billy and Bob, serve as both entertainers and a petting zoo. Billy and Bob have been trained to walk an obstacle course and receive abundant attention and treats from onlookers after the show.
But the goats aren't the only ones that do tricks. O'Brien performs lasso tricks around himself and volunteer spectators. Over the years, he has been available as party entertainment and has incorporated his talents into Tumbleweed Ranch.
O'Brien plans to put up picnic tables to accommodate parties or even just a field trip lunch.
It is obvious from O'Brien's enthusiasm that he enjoys offering kids a taste of the West. Even though turnout for the event wasn't quite what O'Brien had hoped, he is optimistic that once the word is out, interest will pick up.
"I'm going to be open every day during the summer— I hope to get summer camps, day care centers and pre-schools to bring the kids over for some Western fun," O'Brien said.
Tumbleweed Ranch is open every weekend from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. until school is out. During the summer, the ranch will be open seven days a week during the same hours.
~Stacey Boyne, Mountain View Telegraph
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