The Big Three
We totally enjoyed our Triangle C visit! This ranch has the big three - great people, fantastic scenery, and superb, well-cared for horses. Not to mention the mouth-watering meals!
The Garnicks have a treasure in the form of a woman named Sallie. Sallie is the Kitchen Queen, and with good reason. After eating one of her incredible dinners, followed by her no-flour chocolate dessert, we felt like we were getting pretty darn close to heaven!
During our stay, we went on a number of rides, but some were especially memorable. The first ride that comes to mind was the river "no-tail-in-your nose" ride!
It was a hot, dusty day but we didn't have a hot, dusty ride. Scott, our wrangler, led us cross-country, uphill, downhill, and in and out of deep pools on the Wind River. This was the first time Scout and Buddy went swimming. It was a "kick in the pants and water in the boots" experience! An awesome way to spend a hot summer afternoon.
Another favorite was the breakfast ride. The meandering ride to breakfast was picturesque, with crisp morning air and a mama moose munching greenery by a silent pond.
The breakfast turned out to be more than bacon, biscuits, and eggs. As we rode into the breakfast area, we could smell the tantalizing aromas of bacon frying and cowboy coffee perking away on a large, portable cook stove. We were greeted with friendly smiles from wranglers who were flipping, stirring, and serving.
An unexpected joy, however, was the melodious voice of Ray Callaway, a renowned cowboy balladeer. Callaway looked as though he'd just ridden out of a Louis L'Amour novel.
Wearing a colorful neck scarf and vest, and cradling his guitar, Callaway is a throwback to the Old West. Not a country-western singer, he's a crooner of old-time cowboy songs. These generally consist of songs about ornery cows, beloved horses, cantankerous horses, lost loves, and lost lives. Not necessarily in that order.
After breakfast, we were treated to Triangle C's own reality entertainment. Two wranglers, one female and one male, jump in the freezing creek!
All guests were invited to jump in. One 10-year-old boy took the bait. Afterward, the bold swimmers were so covered in goose-bumps, they looked like walking orange peels.
The Sunset Ride, generally held on Friday night, is romantic and laid-back. As nature settles down for the night, riders head for the hills, where they're greeted by a vibrant red sky embracing the huddled mountains.
Riders are welcomed by mouth-watering whiffs of grilled steaks, cowboy music, and the flickering warmth of a campfire. Add new friends, old friends, and loved ones, and it's another Friday night at the Triangle C.
Buddy Entertains
During our final night at Triangle C, Kent showed Cameron and guests a slide show of our Bob Marshall pack trip. From a veteran packer's standpoint, Cameron was interested in the streamlined efficiency we'd developed due to having one pack horse. Amazed guests tend to ask, "Don't you get lost?" The answer to that question is "only temporarily."
The next morning, before leaving, Buddy wanted to entertain the guests. He smiled and waved a flag to demonstrate his patriotism. He counted out answers to addition and subtraction problems. Aside from eating, math is his favorite subject!
Buddy nodded his head to answer yes to questions, sidepassed for mounting, and took a bow. To emphasize his good work ethic, he showed folks how he gets a newspaper out of the mailbox and fetches objects that Kent throws away.
However, Buddy's most important "work," is when Kent is on his back. Buddy will use his teeth to pick up dropped items, such as hats, gloves, and camera cases. Then, by cranking his neck around, he returns them to Kent.
It's a mutual friendship. Kent takes good care of Buddy; Buddy tries to return the favor and help out whenever he can.
End of the Trail
While at the Triangle C Ranch in late July, Cameron regaled us with stories about the reality show Girl Meets Cowboy; some of which was filmed on location at his ranch; it was scheduled to be aired on WE (Women's Entertainment) TV in early fall of 2007.
The premise: Three city girls are taken out of their urban environment and placed on a ranch with a single, good-looking wrangler. The gals then compete in ranch games to score "points" with the wrangler.
In the fall, we found the show and started watching it. When the episode filmed at Triangle C came on, we enjoyed seeing the big porch swing on the veranda, the Tie Hack Bar, and Scott the wrangler.
Our mouths hung open with disbelief when at the end of the show there was a dedication to the "late Cameron Garnick." It didn't seem possible.
The February/March '08 issue of American Cowboy magazine had a poignant, beautifully written story of Cameron's last day on earth. He had packed into a wilderness hunting camp and was on foot, scouting for game with a friend. Suddenly, he collapsed and died from a massive heart attack. He was only 53.
Today, Cameron's wife and children are running the ranch, and running it well. Cameron's spirit and legacy are in good hands.
