Charros del Sanctuario

Today we had quite an adventure. Eric had a contact from a previous visit to San Miguel (where we have been the last week) and was able to find a real Mexican ranch we could go visit. We had some less than stellar directions and we procured a taxi truck (yes, that says truck). We squeezed nine people into a the taxi and set out. To make a long story short we didn't know where we were going, we got lost, tried to make phone calls and could find no one with a phone to lend us. We ended up nearly 30 KM away near a town called Delores Hidalgo. We finally by luck or chance found the correct turn on our way back to San Miguel. Beto, a very friendly good-natured taxi driver allowed us to uncramp ourselves (we were sitting on top of one another for over and hour) and ride on the back of the truck on the gravel road. It was well worth the journey as we were greeted by Mexican and American transplant Charros (rodeo cowboys) ranging in age from about 14 to 50-ish. The ranch was owned by a Charro named Pancho whose American wife runs a Louisiana Cajun restaurant on the same property. We were able to enjoy some very tasty gumbo, fried chicken and Coke while watching the Charros practice. Cedar was in heaven. Jenni got to ride one of the older horses and Cedar got on with her. He loved it and had to be convinced to finally get off. Eric and Dave and Chris got some fantastic pictures of the Charros and a little 7-year-old Mexican cowboy that I would love to have taken home. So cute. Beto was kind of enough to agree to pick us up about 2 1/2 hours later which was really fortunate as I have no idea how we would have gotten back otherwise. Cedar spent dinner running around the table riding a pretend horse. He said it was his favorite experience in Mexico. I guess that makes up for missing the Pro-Rodeo in Montana this summer!