Western Travel Magazine | News | Rodeos | History | Towns | Old West | New WestOld West New West Magazine – Your Travel & History Guide for Western Adventures. Enjoy Travel Tips, Discounts, Specials, Restaurant Reviews, National Park Information and Much More…http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/feed/atom.html2012-02-05T18:13:15ZJoomla! 1.5 - Open Source Content Management‘Roundup!,’ Latest Collection of Western Fiction, Nonfiction and Poetry from the Western Writers of America, Now Available2010-06-25T10:00:00Z2010-06-25T10:00:00Zhttp://www.oldwestnewwest.com/20100625407/people-lifestyle/writing-the-west/roundup-latest-collection-of-western-fiction-nonfiction-and-poetry-from-the-western-writers-of-america-now-available.htmlMike HarrisMikeharris@oldwestnewwest.com<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;"><em>Roundup!</em>, the latest collection of Western fiction and nonfiction short stories and poetry presented by the Western Writers of America and written by some of today's top Western writers, is now available in bookstores and online at Amazon.com.<br /><br /><em>Roundup!</em> (ISBN: 978-0-9785634-7-9) is published by La Frontera Publishing (</span><a href="http://www.lafronterapublishing.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">www.lafronterapublishing.com</span></a><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">) and distributed through the University of New Mexico Press (</span><a href="http://www.unmpress.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">www.unmpress.com</span></a><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">) . <br />
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<td><img class="caption" height="302" width="202" src="http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/images/stories/stories/roundupcover_ownw.jpg" alt="Roundup! cover" title="‘Roundup!’, the latest anthology of Western literature written by members of the Western Writers of America, is now available at bookstores" style="margin: 6px;" /></td>
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From Native Americans, famed frontiersmen, cowboys and outlaws, to contemporary tales of ranching, lost treasure, and urban challenges, the WWA presents the full range of the American West in this anthology. <br /><br />"These are not your granddad's Western stories, but rather a fresh and enlightening look at the West and its people-past, present and future," said Roundup! editor Paul Andrew Hutton.<br /><br />Hutton is the distinguished professor of American History at the University of New Mexico and also serves as the Executive Director of the Western Writers of America.<br /><br />Enjoy the works of WWA Wister-award-winning authors such as Elmer Kelton (in his final WWA publication), Robert M. Utley, Matthew Braun (over 40 million books in print), and Richard Wheeler. They join many WWA Spur-award-winning authors along with several fresh, young writers in this exciting anthology.<br /><br />The collection includes a bonus feature: A special Western novella-a rip-roarin' tale of the Old West written by television icon (he wrote and produced the John Wayne film Chisum) and WWA Wister Prize-winner for Lifetime Achievement, Andrew Fenady.<br /><br />"We are pleased and excited to bring this collection of Western writing to fans of this genre," said Mike Harris, publisher for La Frontera Publishing. "This is a true sampler of today's Western writing."<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;"><em>Roundup!</em>, the latest collection of Western fiction and nonfiction short stories and poetry presented by the Western Writers of America and written by some of today's top Western writers, is now available in bookstores and online at Amazon.com.<br /><br /><em>Roundup!</em> (ISBN: 978-0-9785634-7-9) is published by La Frontera Publishing (</span><a href="http://www.lafronterapublishing.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">www.lafronterapublishing.com</span></a><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">) and distributed through the University of New Mexico Press (</span><a href="http://www.unmpress.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">www.unmpress.com</span></a><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">) . <br />
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<td><img class="caption" height="302" width="202" src="http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/images/stories/stories/roundupcover_ownw.jpg" alt="Roundup! cover" title="‘Roundup!’, the latest anthology of Western literature written by members of the Western Writers of America, is now available at bookstores" style="margin: 6px;" /></td>
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From Native Americans, famed frontiersmen, cowboys and outlaws, to contemporary tales of ranching, lost treasure, and urban challenges, the WWA presents the full range of the American West in this anthology. <br /><br />"These are not your granddad's Western stories, but rather a fresh and enlightening look at the West and its people-past, present and future," said Roundup! editor Paul Andrew Hutton.<br /><br />Hutton is the distinguished professor of American History at the University of New Mexico and also serves as the Executive Director of the Western Writers of America.<br /><br />Enjoy the works of WWA Wister-award-winning authors such as Elmer Kelton (in his final WWA publication), Robert M. Utley, Matthew Braun (over 40 million books in print), and Richard Wheeler. They join many WWA Spur-award-winning authors along with several fresh, young writers in this exciting anthology.<br /><br />The collection includes a bonus feature: A special Western novella-a rip-roarin' tale of the Old West written by television icon (he wrote and produced the John Wayne film Chisum) and WWA Wister Prize-winner for Lifetime Achievement, Andrew Fenady.<br /><br />"We are pleased and excited to bring this collection of Western writing to fans of this genre," said Mike Harris, publisher for La Frontera Publishing. "This is a true sampler of today's Western writing."<br /><br /></span>Kenneth Freeman Paintings To Be Offered at Texas Art Sale2010-12-21T05:30:59Z2010-12-21T05:30:59Zhttp://www.oldwestnewwest.com/20101221464/people-lifestyle/western-art/kenneth-freeman-paintings-to-be-offered-at-texas-art-sale.htmlMike HarrisMikeharris@oldwestnewwest.com<p><span>For the first time in three years, original masterpieces from the private collection of the late Kenneth M. Freeman will be offered for sale Jan. 28/29, 2011 at the 7th Annual Western Artists of America Show and Sale at the Pearce Museum in Corsicana, Texas.</span></p>
<p><span>The masterpieces are from the private Legacy collection and represent some of Freeman's finest artwork. Freeman's work has toured the country in two traveling museum exhibitions plus additional selections in other museum shows. <br />
<img class="caption" src="http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/images/stories/stories/mamasnecklace.jpg" alt="mamasnecklace" title="Mama’s Necklace, oil on canvas, by Kenneth M. Freeman" style="margin: 10px 20px 10px 0px; float: left;" width="208" height="279" />"Ken painted each piece three times," said Bonnie Adams, the curator of The Kenneth M. Freeman Legacy. "First, Ken sketched on the canvas or board with pencil and then did a full value, burnt umber painting where he worked out all the values. When the burnt umber was dry, he laid down the color. This was the style of the old masters and members of the press dubbed Ken Freeman The Rembrandt of the Rodeo."</span></p>
<p>Freeman, known as the Rembrandt of the Rodeo, was the illustrator for Louis L'Amour and other authors. Works of Kenneth M. Freeman are in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Museum, Library of Congress, American Art Academy, and Booth Museum as well as distinguished private collections.</p>
<p>Prices for the most desirable works by contemporary artists are set to surge as much as 30 percent as collectors spend again, dealers and advisers predicted in a Bloomberg News 2010 survey.</p>
<p>The current economy has not dampened the enthusiasm as collectors bid nearly $9 million on classic and contemporary Western, wildlife, and sporting art at the 2010 Coeur d'Alene Art Auction in Reno, NV which set several world auction records.</p>
<p>The annual Quest for the West Art Show and Sale in August 2010 at the Eiteljorg Museum in Indianapolis generated more than $1 million in sales.</p>
<p>"Western Art continues to be a very popular investment," said Ed Holmes, president of Western Artists of America. "Many of our WAA artists have long resumes and price points that are attractive. Ken Freeman's art is highly collectible by museums and private collectors as are many of our other featured artists."</p>
<p>The WAA show and sale will have two days of events that includes a Friday, Jan. 28, lecture with master painter Jay Hester on oil painting and also a lecture with master sculptor Keith McMasters on bronze sculpture.</p>
<p>Friday night will be the art auction from 6 to 8 p.m.</p>
<p>On Saturday, Jan. 29, the WAA will offer an autograph party to meet the artists followed by an Artists' Quick Draw Competition where WAA artists mentor college art students with all proceeds going to the Pearce Museum. The WAA event wraps up on Saturday night with the gala Western Artists of America Awards Dinner hosted by Bob Boze Bell of True West Magazine.</p>
<p>"Ken's old masters' technique was very time consuming but the outcome is extraordinary. It is the only way to achieve the depth of colors and warm layers of content that will pass the test of time. This painting technique will last for hundreds of years," said Edward Holmes, president of Western Artists of America whose organization presented Freeman with a Lifetime Achievement Award, hereafter named the Freeman Lifetime Achievement Award.</p>
<p>If rugged western images are exciting, then this is just the spot on Jan. 28-29, 2011 in Corsicana, Texas (just south of Dallas/Fort Worth) at the Pearce Museum.</p>
<p>For more information, visit the WWA web site at <a href="http://www.westernartistsofamerica.com/">www.WesternArtistsOfAmerica.com</a> .</p><p><span>For the first time in three years, original masterpieces from the private collection of the late Kenneth M. Freeman will be offered for sale Jan. 28/29, 2011 at the 7th Annual Western Artists of America Show and Sale at the Pearce Museum in Corsicana, Texas.</span></p>
<p><span>The masterpieces are from the private Legacy collection and represent some of Freeman's finest artwork. Freeman's work has toured the country in two traveling museum exhibitions plus additional selections in other museum shows. <br />
<img class="caption" src="http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/images/stories/stories/mamasnecklace.jpg" alt="mamasnecklace" title="Mama’s Necklace, oil on canvas, by Kenneth M. Freeman" style="margin: 10px 20px 10px 0px; float: left;" width="208" height="279" />"Ken painted each piece three times," said Bonnie Adams, the curator of The Kenneth M. Freeman Legacy. "First, Ken sketched on the canvas or board with pencil and then did a full value, burnt umber painting where he worked out all the values. When the burnt umber was dry, he laid down the color. This was the style of the old masters and members of the press dubbed Ken Freeman The Rembrandt of the Rodeo."</span></p>
<p>Freeman, known as the Rembrandt of the Rodeo, was the illustrator for Louis L'Amour and other authors. Works of Kenneth M. Freeman are in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Museum, Library of Congress, American Art Academy, and Booth Museum as well as distinguished private collections.</p>
<p>Prices for the most desirable works by contemporary artists are set to surge as much as 30 percent as collectors spend again, dealers and advisers predicted in a Bloomberg News 2010 survey.</p>
<p>The current economy has not dampened the enthusiasm as collectors bid nearly $9 million on classic and contemporary Western, wildlife, and sporting art at the 2010 Coeur d'Alene Art Auction in Reno, NV which set several world auction records.</p>
<p>The annual Quest for the West Art Show and Sale in August 2010 at the Eiteljorg Museum in Indianapolis generated more than $1 million in sales.</p>
<p>"Western Art continues to be a very popular investment," said Ed Holmes, president of Western Artists of America. "Many of our WAA artists have long resumes and price points that are attractive. Ken Freeman's art is highly collectible by museums and private collectors as are many of our other featured artists."</p>
<p>The WAA show and sale will have two days of events that includes a Friday, Jan. 28, lecture with master painter Jay Hester on oil painting and also a lecture with master sculptor Keith McMasters on bronze sculpture.</p>
<p>Friday night will be the art auction from 6 to 8 p.m.</p>
<p>On Saturday, Jan. 29, the WAA will offer an autograph party to meet the artists followed by an Artists' Quick Draw Competition where WAA artists mentor college art students with all proceeds going to the Pearce Museum. The WAA event wraps up on Saturday night with the gala Western Artists of America Awards Dinner hosted by Bob Boze Bell of True West Magazine.</p>
<p>"Ken's old masters' technique was very time consuming but the outcome is extraordinary. It is the only way to achieve the depth of colors and warm layers of content that will pass the test of time. This painting technique will last for hundreds of years," said Edward Holmes, president of Western Artists of America whose organization presented Freeman with a Lifetime Achievement Award, hereafter named the Freeman Lifetime Achievement Award.</p>
<p>If rugged western images are exciting, then this is just the spot on Jan. 28-29, 2011 in Corsicana, Texas (just south of Dallas/Fort Worth) at the Pearce Museum.</p>
<p>For more information, visit the WWA web site at <a href="http://www.westernartistsofamerica.com/">www.WesternArtistsOfAmerica.com</a> .</p>Roundup! Book Signing a Good Excuse to See WWA Friends2011-01-03T01:11:36Z2011-01-03T01:11:36Zhttp://www.oldwestnewwest.com/20110103469/people-lifestyle/editor-s-blog/roundup-book-signing-a-good-excuse-to-see-wwa-friends.htmlMike HarrisMikeharris@oldwestnewwest.com<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">One of the great fans - and friends - of Western writing is Larry Siegel, community relations manager for Barnes & Noble's North Scottsdale, Ariz., store. Larry not only enjoys a good tale about the Old West, he's also a big supporter of Western authors, and in particular, the Western Writers of America (WWA).<br /><br />So when I got an email from Miles Swartout, one of the WWA's members telling me Larry and the WWA were setting up a December book signing for <em>Roundup!</em> - the Western Writers of America's latest Western anthology - well, I had to be there. <br />
<br /><img class="caption" height="302" width="282" src="http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/images/stories/stories/roundup_signingaz.jpg" alt="roundup_signingaz" title="Larry Siegel, left, community relations manager for Barnes & Noble’s North Scottsdale, Ariz., store, and Dr. Paul Hutton, right, editor of Roundup!, the Western Writers of America’s latest Western anthology, look on as Johnny Boggs, one of the book’s short-story authors, personalizes a copy. LFP photo" style="margin: 10px; float: right;" />You see, <em>Roundup!</em> is published by my company, La Frontera Publishing, and Miles, a close pal, is one of the authors featured in the anthology. It also was a good excuse for me to go visit one of my favorite cities in the West.<br /><br />Things came together pretty well, and on Dec. 11, the store played host to seven of <em>Roundup!'s</em> authors, including Johnny Boggs, Tom Carpenter, Paul Andrew Hutton (the anthology's editor), Cheewa James, Susan Cummins Miller, Miles Swarthout, and Robert Utley. Also on hand was Candy Moulton, editor for the WWA's member magazine, and an accomplished Western author.<br /><br />Each author also brought some of their own works for signing, and a couple of local Arizona authors also were invited to the signing. <br /><br />The afternoon went pretty well, and it was great to catch up with what each author was doing. <br /><br />From the beginning, <em>Roundup!</em> was an exciting project for me and my company. <br /><br /><a href="http://oldwestnewwest.blogspot.com/2011/01/roundup-book-signing-good-excuse-to-see.html ">Click here for more...<br /></a></span><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">One of the great fans - and friends - of Western writing is Larry Siegel, community relations manager for Barnes & Noble's North Scottsdale, Ariz., store. Larry not only enjoys a good tale about the Old West, he's also a big supporter of Western authors, and in particular, the Western Writers of America (WWA).<br /><br />So when I got an email from Miles Swartout, one of the WWA's members telling me Larry and the WWA were setting up a December book signing for <em>Roundup!</em> - the Western Writers of America's latest Western anthology - well, I had to be there. <br />
<br /><img class="caption" height="302" width="282" src="http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/images/stories/stories/roundup_signingaz.jpg" alt="roundup_signingaz" title="Larry Siegel, left, community relations manager for Barnes & Noble’s North Scottsdale, Ariz., store, and Dr. Paul Hutton, right, editor of Roundup!, the Western Writers of America’s latest Western anthology, look on as Johnny Boggs, one of the book’s short-story authors, personalizes a copy. LFP photo" style="margin: 10px; float: right;" />You see, <em>Roundup!</em> is published by my company, La Frontera Publishing, and Miles, a close pal, is one of the authors featured in the anthology. It also was a good excuse for me to go visit one of my favorite cities in the West.<br /><br />Things came together pretty well, and on Dec. 11, the store played host to seven of <em>Roundup!'s</em> authors, including Johnny Boggs, Tom Carpenter, Paul Andrew Hutton (the anthology's editor), Cheewa James, Susan Cummins Miller, Miles Swarthout, and Robert Utley. Also on hand was Candy Moulton, editor for the WWA's member magazine, and an accomplished Western author.<br /><br />Each author also brought some of their own works for signing, and a couple of local Arizona authors also were invited to the signing. <br /><br />The afternoon went pretty well, and it was great to catch up with what each author was doing. <br /><br />From the beginning, <em>Roundup!</em> was an exciting project for me and my company. <br /><br /><a href="http://oldwestnewwest.blogspot.com/2011/01/roundup-book-signing-good-excuse-to-see.html ">Click here for more...<br /></a></span>10 Surprising Things to Do at a Dude Ranch2011-04-03T23:07:18Z2011-04-03T23:07:18Zhttp://www.oldwestnewwest.com/20110403506/places-to-visit/dude-ranches/10-surprising-things-to-do-at-a-dude-ranch.htmlMike HarrisMikeharris@oldwestnewwest.com<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">There's good news for vacationers who would like a taste of the Western dude ranch experience, but have it blended with other vacation-type activities. <br /><br />"While dude ranches still provide that one-of-a-kind ‘cowboy-style' vacation you can't find anywhere else, many have also expanded their offerings to appeal to the diverse and discriminating tastes of today's traveler," says Colleen Hodson of the Dude Ranchers' Association, an organization that represents more than 100 dude ranches. <br />
<img class="caption" height="300" width="200" src="http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/images/stories/stories/tanqueverderidedra.jpg" alt="tanqueverderidedra" title="Horseback riding, such as these guests at Tanque Verde Ranch in Arizona are enjoying, isn’t the only thing to do at a dude ranch. Many offer a variety of activities." style="margin: 5px 0px 0px 6px; float: right;" /><br />Today's dude ranches cater to a diverse crowd, from families to couples and singles, with activities, attractions and services that offer enjoyment far beyond the trail.<br /><br />So if you're considering a dude ranch vacation and would like to spend time out of the saddle as well, consider these 10 surprising activities Hodson suggested that are available at many of today's dude ranches:<br /><br /><strong>Get a massage or spa treatment<br /></strong><br />Hotels and resorts around the world have hopped on the spa bandwagon, spending millions to build lavish facilities or offer massage, salon and spa services. Many dude ranches now offer comparable services, such as White Stallion Ranch in Tucson, Arizona, where guests can indulge in a massage.<br /><br /><strong>Water ski<br /></strong><br />Not all dude ranches are located in dessert terrain. Ones like Wilderness Trails, which is located on Vallecito Lake in Durango, Colorado, take full advantage of their waterfront setting. Guests can water ski, kneeboard or tube behind a tournament quality ski boat, or sail on a 24-foot Catalina sailboat.<br /><br /><strong>Take a yoga class<br /></strong><br />Many ranches that offer spa services also provide yoga classes and training. Before a long day in the saddle, guests can have a relaxing limbering-up session with certified trainers.<br /><br /><strong>Indulge in a wine tasting<br /></strong><br />Gourmet cuisine is gaining popularity at dude ranches, right alongside trail traditions such as franks ‘n' beans and strong coffee. Many ranches also offer wine tastings where guests can experience, savor and learn about different varietals.<br /><br /><strong>Get married<br /></strong><br />Picturesque settings, wide open spaces and top-notch amenities draw thousands of brides-to-be and their grooms to dude ranches each year. Some dude ranches even offer personal wedding planners to assist couples in planning every facet of their special day, a leading-edge service you would expect to find in the finest hotels or resorts. At Wilderness Trails, you can even rent the entire ranch for your event.<br /><br /><strong>Catch a movie<br /></strong><br />From 27-seat movie theaters to state-of-the art home theater equipment or simple, old-fashioned family-style viewing on a big-screen TV, dude ranches are equipped to show recently released films. <br /><br /><strong>Work on your tennis serve<br /></strong><br />Recognizing that your craving for sport might exceed chasing down an errant calf, some dude ranches like Paradise Ranch in Buffalo, Wyoming offer other sporting opportunities, such as lighted tennis courts.<br /><br /><strong>Surf the Internet<br /></strong><br />Demand for high-speed, wireless Internet access is high among both leisure and business travelers. Many dude ranches are in step with the times and offer guests free Internet access. Some may provide access only in guestrooms, while others feature access in some public areas as well.<br /><br /><strong>Perform in a talent show<br /></strong><br />Friendly competition can be found in many forms on dude ranches, from roping contests to talent shows. If lassoing a speeding calf isn't your forte, you can sing, tap or joke your way to local stardom in a talent show.<br /><br /><strong>Chase a chicken<br /></strong><br />Immortalized on the TV reality show "Girl Meets Cowboy," the chicken chase at Paradise Ranch pits man, woman or child against fowl. Several chickens are loosed in a pen and the human competitors must try to chase them down. No chickens are harmed in the competition and the activity is unusual fun for the other two-legged participants as well. To date, the score tally remains in favor of the chickens.<br /><br /><strong>About the DRA<br /></strong><br />The Dude Rancher's Association is the governing body of the West's dude ranch industry. Created in 1926, it provides an organized structure for members, in which they are able to exchange ideas and experiences in an effort to uphold the highest quality of services within the industry. <br /><br />The association promotes the Western ranch vacation, while continuing to build a strong working relationship with federal and state land agencies in order to preserve and protect parks, forests and wildlife.<br /><br />To learn more about a dude ranch vacation, visit </span><a href="http://www.duderanch.org/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">www.duderanch.org</span></a><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;"> .<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">There's good news for vacationers who would like a taste of the Western dude ranch experience, but have it blended with other vacation-type activities. <br /><br />"While dude ranches still provide that one-of-a-kind ‘cowboy-style' vacation you can't find anywhere else, many have also expanded their offerings to appeal to the diverse and discriminating tastes of today's traveler," says Colleen Hodson of the Dude Ranchers' Association, an organization that represents more than 100 dude ranches. <br />
<img class="caption" height="300" width="200" src="http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/images/stories/stories/tanqueverderidedra.jpg" alt="tanqueverderidedra" title="Horseback riding, such as these guests at Tanque Verde Ranch in Arizona are enjoying, isn’t the only thing to do at a dude ranch. Many offer a variety of activities." style="margin: 5px 0px 0px 6px; float: right;" /><br />Today's dude ranches cater to a diverse crowd, from families to couples and singles, with activities, attractions and services that offer enjoyment far beyond the trail.<br /><br />So if you're considering a dude ranch vacation and would like to spend time out of the saddle as well, consider these 10 surprising activities Hodson suggested that are available at many of today's dude ranches:<br /><br /><strong>Get a massage or spa treatment<br /></strong><br />Hotels and resorts around the world have hopped on the spa bandwagon, spending millions to build lavish facilities or offer massage, salon and spa services. Many dude ranches now offer comparable services, such as White Stallion Ranch in Tucson, Arizona, where guests can indulge in a massage.<br /><br /><strong>Water ski<br /></strong><br />Not all dude ranches are located in dessert terrain. Ones like Wilderness Trails, which is located on Vallecito Lake in Durango, Colorado, take full advantage of their waterfront setting. Guests can water ski, kneeboard or tube behind a tournament quality ski boat, or sail on a 24-foot Catalina sailboat.<br /><br /><strong>Take a yoga class<br /></strong><br />Many ranches that offer spa services also provide yoga classes and training. Before a long day in the saddle, guests can have a relaxing limbering-up session with certified trainers.<br /><br /><strong>Indulge in a wine tasting<br /></strong><br />Gourmet cuisine is gaining popularity at dude ranches, right alongside trail traditions such as franks ‘n' beans and strong coffee. Many ranches also offer wine tastings where guests can experience, savor and learn about different varietals.<br /><br /><strong>Get married<br /></strong><br />Picturesque settings, wide open spaces and top-notch amenities draw thousands of brides-to-be and their grooms to dude ranches each year. Some dude ranches even offer personal wedding planners to assist couples in planning every facet of their special day, a leading-edge service you would expect to find in the finest hotels or resorts. At Wilderness Trails, you can even rent the entire ranch for your event.<br /><br /><strong>Catch a movie<br /></strong><br />From 27-seat movie theaters to state-of-the art home theater equipment or simple, old-fashioned family-style viewing on a big-screen TV, dude ranches are equipped to show recently released films. <br /><br /><strong>Work on your tennis serve<br /></strong><br />Recognizing that your craving for sport might exceed chasing down an errant calf, some dude ranches like Paradise Ranch in Buffalo, Wyoming offer other sporting opportunities, such as lighted tennis courts.<br /><br /><strong>Surf the Internet<br /></strong><br />Demand for high-speed, wireless Internet access is high among both leisure and business travelers. Many dude ranches are in step with the times and offer guests free Internet access. Some may provide access only in guestrooms, while others feature access in some public areas as well.<br /><br /><strong>Perform in a talent show<br /></strong><br />Friendly competition can be found in many forms on dude ranches, from roping contests to talent shows. If lassoing a speeding calf isn't your forte, you can sing, tap or joke your way to local stardom in a talent show.<br /><br /><strong>Chase a chicken<br /></strong><br />Immortalized on the TV reality show "Girl Meets Cowboy," the chicken chase at Paradise Ranch pits man, woman or child against fowl. Several chickens are loosed in a pen and the human competitors must try to chase them down. No chickens are harmed in the competition and the activity is unusual fun for the other two-legged participants as well. To date, the score tally remains in favor of the chickens.<br /><br /><strong>About the DRA<br /></strong><br />The Dude Rancher's Association is the governing body of the West's dude ranch industry. Created in 1926, it provides an organized structure for members, in which they are able to exchange ideas and experiences in an effort to uphold the highest quality of services within the industry. <br /><br />The association promotes the Western ranch vacation, while continuing to build a strong working relationship with federal and state land agencies in order to preserve and protect parks, forests and wildlife.<br /><br />To learn more about a dude ranch vacation, visit </span><a href="http://www.duderanch.org/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">www.duderanch.org</span></a><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;"> .<br /><br /></span>Montana’s Ghost Towns Virginia City, Nevada City Bring Old West To Life2011-08-01T03:22:55Z2011-08-01T03:22:55Zhttp://www.oldwestnewwest.com/20110801541/places-to-visit/historic-towns/montanas-ghost-towns-virginia-city-nevada-city-bring-old-west-to-life.htmlMike HarrisMikeharris@oldwestnewwest.com<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Ever dream of being in an old Western, where you mosey into the saloon, holsters and chaps on, ready for the bartender to pour you a brew, and a table waiting for a round of fearless poker? <br /><br />Well, walking down the boardwalk in Montana's Virginia City you can easily imagine just that. A short drive from the west entrance of Yellowstone National Park and the fine fishing burg of Ennis, Mont., Virginia City and neighboring Nevada City are two old mining towns that are mostly in tack as they were in the 1800s when the Montana gold rush was in full swing.<br />
<br /><img class="caption" height="302" width="231" src="http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/images/stories/stories2/sexton_virgnev_cities_actors.jpg" alt="sexton_virgnev_cities_actors" title="Actors walk down the boardwalk in Virginia City, Montana. Donnie Sexton photo" style="margin: 7px 7px 0px 0px; float: left;" />Located in southwestern Montana's Gold West Country, where ghost towns of once thriving mining towns dot the mineral-rich hills and mountains, Virginia City and Nevada City are rare exceptions. They have both been meticulously restored, and over 100 historic buildings tell the story of how life once was in the Wild West of Montana. <br /><br />Although their population numbers have gone from over 10,000 in 1864 to around 130 today, in the summer months the towns come back to life with full force, and open doors welcome visitors back into the Old West. <br /><br />Children and adults alike love the living history museum in Nevada City, where actors play cards at the local saloon, make homemade bread, and make horseshoes with the local blacksmith. <br /><br />In Nevada City, hop on the historic steam engine for Virginia City, which links the two communities. A horse-drawn stage tour on the Virginia City Overland Stagecoach is a must do as well. The stage driver is equipped with stories of lore about the rough-and-tumble town's most notorious residents. <br /><br />The Virginia City Players bring the historic Opera House to life again as well, presenting a turn-of-the century melodrama followed by a knee-smacking vaudeville act. In the evening, adults can also head to the Gilbert Brewery for a taste of the Brewery Follies.an evening of hilarious cabaret entertainment housed in the oldest brewery in Montana. <br /><br />At the end of the night, rest your head at the Fairweather Inn, with authentic Victorian furnishings, and on your way out of town, don't forget to grab a piece of pie at the famed Star Bakery in Nevada City. <br /><br />Visit </span><a href="http://goldwest.visitmt.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">http://goldwest.visitmt.com</span></a><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;"> for more information on all Gold West Country's historic and natural wonders.<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Ever dream of being in an old Western, where you mosey into the saloon, holsters and chaps on, ready for the bartender to pour you a brew, and a table waiting for a round of fearless poker? <br /><br />Well, walking down the boardwalk in Montana's Virginia City you can easily imagine just that. A short drive from the west entrance of Yellowstone National Park and the fine fishing burg of Ennis, Mont., Virginia City and neighboring Nevada City are two old mining towns that are mostly in tack as they were in the 1800s when the Montana gold rush was in full swing.<br />
<br /><img class="caption" height="302" width="231" src="http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/images/stories/stories2/sexton_virgnev_cities_actors.jpg" alt="sexton_virgnev_cities_actors" title="Actors walk down the boardwalk in Virginia City, Montana. Donnie Sexton photo" style="margin: 7px 7px 0px 0px; float: left;" />Located in southwestern Montana's Gold West Country, where ghost towns of once thriving mining towns dot the mineral-rich hills and mountains, Virginia City and Nevada City are rare exceptions. They have both been meticulously restored, and over 100 historic buildings tell the story of how life once was in the Wild West of Montana. <br /><br />Although their population numbers have gone from over 10,000 in 1864 to around 130 today, in the summer months the towns come back to life with full force, and open doors welcome visitors back into the Old West. <br /><br />Children and adults alike love the living history museum in Nevada City, where actors play cards at the local saloon, make homemade bread, and make horseshoes with the local blacksmith. <br /><br />In Nevada City, hop on the historic steam engine for Virginia City, which links the two communities. A horse-drawn stage tour on the Virginia City Overland Stagecoach is a must do as well. The stage driver is equipped with stories of lore about the rough-and-tumble town's most notorious residents. <br /><br />The Virginia City Players bring the historic Opera House to life again as well, presenting a turn-of-the century melodrama followed by a knee-smacking vaudeville act. In the evening, adults can also head to the Gilbert Brewery for a taste of the Brewery Follies.an evening of hilarious cabaret entertainment housed in the oldest brewery in Montana. <br /><br />At the end of the night, rest your head at the Fairweather Inn, with authentic Victorian furnishings, and on your way out of town, don't forget to grab a piece of pie at the famed Star Bakery in Nevada City. <br /><br />Visit </span><a href="http://goldwest.visitmt.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">http://goldwest.visitmt.com</span></a><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;"> for more information on all Gold West Country's historic and natural wonders.<br /></span>Cycling in Montana’s Flathead Valley for Great Autumn Colors2011-09-24T20:51:02Z2011-09-24T20:51:02Zhttp://www.oldwestnewwest.com/20110924559/travel/adventure-seekers/cycling-in-montanas-flathead-valley-for-great-autumn-colors.htmlMike HarrisMikeharris@oldwestnewwest.com<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Cycling in Montana's Flathead Valley is stunning in the autumn months. Highways are wide open and, with the summer visitor rush over, largely unoccupied by vehicles. <br /><br />Autumn weekends spent in the Flathead Valley can be one of the most enjoyable times in Montana. The aspens and larch trees across the valley are bright with golden fall hues, and the temperatures are still warm during the sunlight hours and crisp during the evening. <br />
<br /><img class="caption" height="295" width="314" src="http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/images/stories/stories2/greatnorthern_trail_021.jpg" alt="greatnorthern_trail_021" title="A cyclist enjoys a ride along Kalispell’s Rails to Trails pathway that follows part of the old Great Northern Railway line. Chuck Haney photo" style="margin: 7px 0px 0px 7px; float: right;" />Several tours offer more intimate glimpses into the scenic vistas northwestern Montana has to offer, and centrally located Kalispell is the perfect place to refuel at the end of the day.<br /><br />Here's a quick look at some of the opportunities for great cycling.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;"><strong>Camas Road (Glacier National Park)<br /><br /></strong>Begin your journey in West Glacier and pedal northwest, beginning along the western flank of Lake MacDonald and past Fish Creek, through charred remnants of the 2004 wildfire and ending at the pristine waters of the North Fork of the Flathead River. <br /><br />From this point either pick up your car shuttle or turn tail and pedal back to West Glacier. Don't forget to stop for a huckleberry shake après-ride!<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;"><strong>Rails to Trails (Somers to Kila via Kalispell)<br /><br /></strong>Pick up your Rails to Trails map at the Kalispell Visitor Information Center at 15 Depot Park, Kalispell. Then hop on the trail in the village of Somers, on the northwest end of Flathead Lake. <br /><br />From Somers the trail follows the former path of the Great Northern Railway north to Kalispell and offers a gentle grade for cyclists of all abilities and ages - not to mention stunning views of the Flathead Valley and surrounding mountain ranges. <br /><br />The paved trail offers a very safe path around Kalispell's Bypass and then follows U.S. Hwy 2 west out of town. The second half of the trail winds along Ashley Creek and the Batavia Waterfowl Production Area, culminating the 15-mile journey in the small town of Kila. <br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;"><strong>Farm to Market Road (Kalispell to Whitefish)<br /><br /></strong>From downtown Kalispell, pedal northwest of town on Montana Hwy 424, also known as Farm to Market Road. This roadway takes you through the heart of the Flathead Valley's most beautiful</span><a name="_GoBack"></a><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;"> scenery.<br /><br />From sweeping views of the valley floor to unobstructed vistas of Whitefish Mountain Resort, you'll be inspired by Montana's wide-open spaces along this route, delving into the area's rich agricultural backbone.<br /><br />Back in Kalispell, stop in at Wheaton's, the cornerstone bike shop in downtown Kalispell since 1918. The shop's inventory of more than 400 bikes plus gear, skates and other hobby items, is impressive, and if your two-wheel vehicle is in need of repair or a tune-up, Wheaton's repair shop and full-time bike mechanic will fully revive it.<br /><br />After the touring, top off your day of adventure with a fine dining experience in historic downtown Kalispell. <br /><br />Capers Restaurant and Pizzeria offers brick-fired pizzas and Montana-esque cuisine, such as filet mignon from local ranchers. Rest your bones at familiar names, including Hilton, Hampton and Red Lion, or stay at a more unique property, such as the historic Kalispell Grand Hotel or Glacier Ridge Suites. <br /><br />Kalispell is in the heart of the magnificent Rocky Mountains, poised in the northwest corner of Montana and about an hour south of the Canadian border. <br /><br />As Montana's seventh largest city and the seat of Flathead County, it's a progressive, thriving community; according to the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce, it's the very essence of Big Sky Country - with the best backyard in the country.<br /><br />For more information on all the recreation, shopping, lodging and beauty Kalispell and the Flathead Valley has to offer, visit </span><a href="http://www.discoverkalispell.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">www.discoverkalispell.com</span></a><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">. <br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Cycling in Montana's Flathead Valley is stunning in the autumn months. Highways are wide open and, with the summer visitor rush over, largely unoccupied by vehicles. <br /><br />Autumn weekends spent in the Flathead Valley can be one of the most enjoyable times in Montana. The aspens and larch trees across the valley are bright with golden fall hues, and the temperatures are still warm during the sunlight hours and crisp during the evening. <br />
<br /><img class="caption" height="295" width="314" src="http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/images/stories/stories2/greatnorthern_trail_021.jpg" alt="greatnorthern_trail_021" title="A cyclist enjoys a ride along Kalispell’s Rails to Trails pathway that follows part of the old Great Northern Railway line. Chuck Haney photo" style="margin: 7px 0px 0px 7px; float: right;" />Several tours offer more intimate glimpses into the scenic vistas northwestern Montana has to offer, and centrally located Kalispell is the perfect place to refuel at the end of the day.<br /><br />Here's a quick look at some of the opportunities for great cycling.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;"><strong>Camas Road (Glacier National Park)<br /><br /></strong>Begin your journey in West Glacier and pedal northwest, beginning along the western flank of Lake MacDonald and past Fish Creek, through charred remnants of the 2004 wildfire and ending at the pristine waters of the North Fork of the Flathead River. <br /><br />From this point either pick up your car shuttle or turn tail and pedal back to West Glacier. Don't forget to stop for a huckleberry shake après-ride!<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;"><strong>Rails to Trails (Somers to Kila via Kalispell)<br /><br /></strong>Pick up your Rails to Trails map at the Kalispell Visitor Information Center at 15 Depot Park, Kalispell. Then hop on the trail in the village of Somers, on the northwest end of Flathead Lake. <br /><br />From Somers the trail follows the former path of the Great Northern Railway north to Kalispell and offers a gentle grade for cyclists of all abilities and ages - not to mention stunning views of the Flathead Valley and surrounding mountain ranges. <br /><br />The paved trail offers a very safe path around Kalispell's Bypass and then follows U.S. Hwy 2 west out of town. The second half of the trail winds along Ashley Creek and the Batavia Waterfowl Production Area, culminating the 15-mile journey in the small town of Kila. <br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;"><strong>Farm to Market Road (Kalispell to Whitefish)<br /><br /></strong>From downtown Kalispell, pedal northwest of town on Montana Hwy 424, also known as Farm to Market Road. This roadway takes you through the heart of the Flathead Valley's most beautiful</span><a name="_GoBack"></a><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;"> scenery.<br /><br />From sweeping views of the valley floor to unobstructed vistas of Whitefish Mountain Resort, you'll be inspired by Montana's wide-open spaces along this route, delving into the area's rich agricultural backbone.<br /><br />Back in Kalispell, stop in at Wheaton's, the cornerstone bike shop in downtown Kalispell since 1918. The shop's inventory of more than 400 bikes plus gear, skates and other hobby items, is impressive, and if your two-wheel vehicle is in need of repair or a tune-up, Wheaton's repair shop and full-time bike mechanic will fully revive it.<br /><br />After the touring, top off your day of adventure with a fine dining experience in historic downtown Kalispell. <br /><br />Capers Restaurant and Pizzeria offers brick-fired pizzas and Montana-esque cuisine, such as filet mignon from local ranchers. Rest your bones at familiar names, including Hilton, Hampton and Red Lion, or stay at a more unique property, such as the historic Kalispell Grand Hotel or Glacier Ridge Suites. <br /><br />Kalispell is in the heart of the magnificent Rocky Mountains, poised in the northwest corner of Montana and about an hour south of the Canadian border. <br /><br />As Montana's seventh largest city and the seat of Flathead County, it's a progressive, thriving community; according to the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce, it's the very essence of Big Sky Country - with the best backyard in the country.<br /><br />For more information on all the recreation, shopping, lodging and beauty Kalispell and the Flathead Valley has to offer, visit </span><a href="http://www.discoverkalispell.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">www.discoverkalispell.com</span></a><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">. <br /></span>Key Section Added to Santa Monica Mountains Backbone Trail2011-09-25T22:26:22Z2011-09-25T22:26:22Zhttp://www.oldwestnewwest.com/20110925560/travel/trails/key-section-added-to-santa-monica-mountains-backbone-trail.htmlMike HarrisMikeharris@oldwestnewwest.com<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">One of three critical remaining pieces of land necessary to complete the 65-mile Backbone Trail in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area has been acquired by the National Park Service.<br /><br />The five-acre property, acquired in September 2011, is along the Etz Meloy Motorway, and is close to a popular lookout that offers a 360-degree view of the ocean, mountains and inland valleys accessible from the Encinal Canyon Trailhead.<br />
<br /><img class="caption" height="271" width="302" src="http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/images/stories/stories2/backbonetrailacquisition.jpg" alt="backbonetrailacquisition" title="Shown here is the newest Backbone Trail section along the Etz Meloy Motorway, acquired recently by the National Park Service. NPS photo" style="margin: 7px 0px 0px 7px; float: right;" />"We are so close to completion," said Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Superintendent Woody Smeck. "Through the relentless efforts of the Los Angeles community and the tireless support of our elected officials, we have slowly but surely pieced together one of the most significant and treasured trails in Southern California."<br /><br />The Southern California trail stretches from Will Rogers State Historic Park in Los Angeles all the way to Point Mugu State Park in Ventura County.<br /><br />The creation of the Backbone Trail has been a 25-year endeavor, involving the tireless work of citizen trail building groups like the Sierra Club, Santa Monica Mountains Trails Council, elected officials, and the National Park Service, California State Parks, and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy.<br /><br />When completed, hikers will be able to walk the entire length without encountering private property gaps. Many sections of the trail are also open to mountain bikers and equestrians.<br /><br />Comprising more than 150,000 acres, five different area codes, and 26 different zip codes, including the famous 90210, the Santa Monica Mountains is close to a population of approximately 17 million persons.<br /><br />On Nov. 10, 1978, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area was authorized as the 295th unit of the National Park System as part of the National Parks and Recreation Act of 1978.<br /><br />For more information, visit the recreation area's Web site at </span><a href="http://www.nps.gov/samo/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">www.nps.gov/samo/</span></a><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;"> .<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">One of three critical remaining pieces of land necessary to complete the 65-mile Backbone Trail in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area has been acquired by the National Park Service.<br /><br />The five-acre property, acquired in September 2011, is along the Etz Meloy Motorway, and is close to a popular lookout that offers a 360-degree view of the ocean, mountains and inland valleys accessible from the Encinal Canyon Trailhead.<br />
<br /><img class="caption" height="271" width="302" src="http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/images/stories/stories2/backbonetrailacquisition.jpg" alt="backbonetrailacquisition" title="Shown here is the newest Backbone Trail section along the Etz Meloy Motorway, acquired recently by the National Park Service. NPS photo" style="margin: 7px 0px 0px 7px; float: right;" />"We are so close to completion," said Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Superintendent Woody Smeck. "Through the relentless efforts of the Los Angeles community and the tireless support of our elected officials, we have slowly but surely pieced together one of the most significant and treasured trails in Southern California."<br /><br />The Southern California trail stretches from Will Rogers State Historic Park in Los Angeles all the way to Point Mugu State Park in Ventura County.<br /><br />The creation of the Backbone Trail has been a 25-year endeavor, involving the tireless work of citizen trail building groups like the Sierra Club, Santa Monica Mountains Trails Council, elected officials, and the National Park Service, California State Parks, and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy.<br /><br />When completed, hikers will be able to walk the entire length without encountering private property gaps. Many sections of the trail are also open to mountain bikers and equestrians.<br /><br />Comprising more than 150,000 acres, five different area codes, and 26 different zip codes, including the famous 90210, the Santa Monica Mountains is close to a population of approximately 17 million persons.<br /><br />On Nov. 10, 1978, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area was authorized as the 295th unit of the National Park System as part of the National Parks and Recreation Act of 1978.<br /><br />For more information, visit the recreation area's Web site at </span><a href="http://www.nps.gov/samo/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">www.nps.gov/samo/</span></a><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;"> .<br /></span>Winnebago Unveils 2012 Winnebago Sightseer 30A2011-11-01T02:15:27Z2011-11-01T02:15:27Zhttp://www.oldwestnewwest.com/20111101572/camping-/-rv-s/rvs/winnebago-unveils-2012-winnebago-sightseer-30a.htmlMike HarrisMikeharris@oldwestnewwest.com<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">New for 2012, Winnebago Industries has unveiled its Sightseer 30A, a gas-powered Class A coach with plenty of space for long trips or snow bird wintering.<br /><br />"The 2012 Winnebago Sightseer 30A is simply an amazing floorplan," said Winnebago Industries' Vice President of Sales and Marketing Roger Martin. "Amazing in that you won't believe the amount of space and features found in it. The 30A certainly lives much larger than its 31-foot length - seeing is believing in this case."<br />
<br /><img class="caption" height="253" width="295" src="http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/images/stories/stories2/winnebagosightseer.jpg" alt="winnebagosightseer" title="New for 2012 from Winnebago is the Sightseer 30, with three floor plans to fit just about any adventuring dreams." style="margin: 7px 7px 0px 0px; float: left;" />The double slide Sightseer 30A features a new innovative, extendible sectional U-shaped dinette that takes seating from two to six in a matter of minutes. <br /><br />Add in an impressive 42-inch LCD TV that can slide-out for optimal viewing when the slideroom is not extended, Corian counter and backsplash, MCD roller shades, and a stylish new interior, and the Sightseer has all the style and function found in larger, more expensive coaches. <br /><br />Additional key features on the inside include swiveling Ultraleather cab seats, fully equipped in-line galley with two pantries, enclosed bathroom and a rear bedroom that offers a roomy wardrobe, chest of drawers and a walk around queen bed.<br /><br />"The Sightseer also offers fresh new exterior styling, with a new front end design that makes a great first impression," Martin continued. "This coach also offers side-hinged compartment doors, standard, electric patio awning, and most importantly, Winnebago Industries quality construction. This coach is well rounded, with impressive interior and exterior appointments." <br /><br />The Winnebago Sightseer features three other floorplans for 2012.<br /><br />The triple slide 33C that offers a large driver's side slide that expands the entire galley and dinette and an optional buffet-dining table module with a 42-inch LCD TV. <br /><br />The family favorite 35J that features bunk beds and sleeping space for up to seven. <br />The double slide 36V that includes Winnebago Industries' extendible sectional sofa and a mid-coach 42-inch TV.<br /><br />For more information on the 2012 Winnebago Sightseer, or to find a dealer, visit </span><a href="http://www.gowinnebago.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">www.gowinnebago.com</span></a><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">. <br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">New for 2012, Winnebago Industries has unveiled its Sightseer 30A, a gas-powered Class A coach with plenty of space for long trips or snow bird wintering.<br /><br />"The 2012 Winnebago Sightseer 30A is simply an amazing floorplan," said Winnebago Industries' Vice President of Sales and Marketing Roger Martin. "Amazing in that you won't believe the amount of space and features found in it. The 30A certainly lives much larger than its 31-foot length - seeing is believing in this case."<br />
<br /><img class="caption" height="253" width="295" src="http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/images/stories/stories2/winnebagosightseer.jpg" alt="winnebagosightseer" title="New for 2012 from Winnebago is the Sightseer 30, with three floor plans to fit just about any adventuring dreams." style="margin: 7px 7px 0px 0px; float: left;" />The double slide Sightseer 30A features a new innovative, extendible sectional U-shaped dinette that takes seating from two to six in a matter of minutes. <br /><br />Add in an impressive 42-inch LCD TV that can slide-out for optimal viewing when the slideroom is not extended, Corian counter and backsplash, MCD roller shades, and a stylish new interior, and the Sightseer has all the style and function found in larger, more expensive coaches. <br /><br />Additional key features on the inside include swiveling Ultraleather cab seats, fully equipped in-line galley with two pantries, enclosed bathroom and a rear bedroom that offers a roomy wardrobe, chest of drawers and a walk around queen bed.<br /><br />"The Sightseer also offers fresh new exterior styling, with a new front end design that makes a great first impression," Martin continued. "This coach also offers side-hinged compartment doors, standard, electric patio awning, and most importantly, Winnebago Industries quality construction. This coach is well rounded, with impressive interior and exterior appointments." <br /><br />The Winnebago Sightseer features three other floorplans for 2012.<br /><br />The triple slide 33C that offers a large driver's side slide that expands the entire galley and dinette and an optional buffet-dining table module with a 42-inch LCD TV. <br /><br />The family favorite 35J that features bunk beds and sleeping space for up to seven. <br />The double slide 36V that includes Winnebago Industries' extendible sectional sofa and a mid-coach 42-inch TV.<br /><br />For more information on the 2012 Winnebago Sightseer, or to find a dealer, visit </span><a href="http://www.gowinnebago.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">www.gowinnebago.com</span></a><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">. <br /></span>Grand Canyon Ranger Lisa Hendy Receives National Park Service’s Top Honor2011-11-05T22:31:52Z2011-11-05T22:31:52Zhttp://www.oldwestnewwest.com/20111105577/people-lifestyle/people-of-the-west/grand-canyon-ranger-lisa-hendy-receives-national-park-services-top-honor.htmlMike HarrisMikeharris@oldwestnewwest.com<p><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Lisa Hendy was driving through Wyoming in a blizzard when she received the news that she had just been awarded the National Park Service's (NPS) 2011 Harry Yount National Park Ranger Award for excellence, in effect dubbing her as the best ranger in the nation. <br /><br />"I had to pull over when my supervisor told me," she told <strong>OldWestNewWest.com Travel & History Magazine</strong>. "Afterwards, I drove for a while trying to absorb the news and realized I was 11 miles past my turn off. It was overwhelming."<br />
<br /><img class="caption" height="310" width="227" src="http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/images/stories/stories2/hendy_granaries.jpg" alt="hendy_granaries" title="Ranger Lisa Hendy pauses for a moment during a hike to enjoy the view from Grand Canyon’s Nankoweap granaries, built by ancestral puebloans. NPS photo" style="margin: 7px 0px 0px 7px; float: right;" />According to the award nomination submitted by Grand Canyon National Park's Chief Ranger Bill Wright, Supervisory Park Ranger Hendy has earned it. <br /><br />"Ranger Hendy is one of those rangers that can be sent to any call.... (She) is one of that rare breed...that simply excel at every aspect of rangering," he said.</span></p>
<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Hendy was born in Chattanooga, Tenn. and attended Auburn University. Over the years, she has worked in Yosemite, Rocky Mountain, Arches and Yellowstone National Parks. In 2004, she accepted a position as a law enforcement ranger in Grand Canyon National Park's Canyon District where she still works today.<br /><br />"I was initially a criminal justice major at Auburn University, and I came to the realization I didn't want to be stuck in a city or a car all the time," she told <strong>OldWestNewWest.com</strong>. "I had a good professor who suggested I look into the land management agencies. I got an internship in Yosemite (National Park), and when I got a look at what all the NPS offered for emergency services beyond just law enforcement I was sold."<br /><br />On any given day Hendy might be found rappelling over the edge to stabilize a patient, working with the park's Special Response Team to do a building sweep, responding with the structural fire engine to a burning RV, providing advanced life support care as a paramedic, being short-hauled into a victim on the river, or patrolling the backcountry - checking permits, stirring toilets, or assessing archeological sites.<br /><br /><img class="caption" height="360" width="288" src="http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/images/stories/stories2/hendy0093.jpg" alt="hendy0093" title="NPS Director Jonathan Jarvis presents the 2011 Harry Yount National Park Ranger Award for excellence to Lisa Hendy, Grand Canyon’s supervisory park ranger. NPS / Rick Lewis photo" style="margin: 7px 0px 0px 7px; float: right;" />At the awards ceremony held in Washington, D.C., Hendy explained in her acceptance speech that it took many rangers to help train and shape her to help others in a variety of ways.<br /><br />"I estimate that it has taken at least 50 rangers to build the ranger you have standing before you today," she said. "That means for every ranger like me, there are at least 50 of them out there." <br /><br />It was clear that Hendy felt honored and privileged to have worked with each and every one of them.<br /><br />The Yount Award is named after the nation's first park ranger (hired in Yellowstone National Park in 1880) and is the highest honor that can be bestowed on a park ranger today.<br /><br />According to NPS Director Jon Jarvis, "Each year, we ask those rangers who tackle the toughest assignments, protecting park resources and the nearly 300 million people who visit our national parks annually, to single out one among them that epitomizes the ranger ethic. We give that person the Harry Yount Award."<br /><br />Asked to share with our readers her favorite places in Grand Canyon, Hendy gracefully declined.<br /><br />"You don't really think I'd divulge that do you?" she said with a smile.<br /><br />However, she did have some advice for those who want to go exploring the Grand Canyon.<br /><br />"I think if folks want to see the best of Grand Canyon, they need to get some experience hiking here, and then branch out beyond the Corridor of the Bright Angel and the Kaibab," she said. "You cannot do that lightly - this place will eat you alive."<br /><br />She's worked in five National Parks in the backcountry for 18 years and no place has pushed her harder that the Grand Canyon. <br /><br />"But if you have some humility and you take the time to learn how to hike here, there are unimaginably beautiful places outside the beaten path," she added.<br /></span><p><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Lisa Hendy was driving through Wyoming in a blizzard when she received the news that she had just been awarded the National Park Service's (NPS) 2011 Harry Yount National Park Ranger Award for excellence, in effect dubbing her as the best ranger in the nation. <br /><br />"I had to pull over when my supervisor told me," she told <strong>OldWestNewWest.com Travel & History Magazine</strong>. "Afterwards, I drove for a while trying to absorb the news and realized I was 11 miles past my turn off. It was overwhelming."<br />
<br /><img class="caption" height="310" width="227" src="http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/images/stories/stories2/hendy_granaries.jpg" alt="hendy_granaries" title="Ranger Lisa Hendy pauses for a moment during a hike to enjoy the view from Grand Canyon’s Nankoweap granaries, built by ancestral puebloans. NPS photo" style="margin: 7px 0px 0px 7px; float: right;" />According to the award nomination submitted by Grand Canyon National Park's Chief Ranger Bill Wright, Supervisory Park Ranger Hendy has earned it. <br /><br />"Ranger Hendy is one of those rangers that can be sent to any call.... (She) is one of that rare breed...that simply excel at every aspect of rangering," he said.</span></p>
<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Hendy was born in Chattanooga, Tenn. and attended Auburn University. Over the years, she has worked in Yosemite, Rocky Mountain, Arches and Yellowstone National Parks. In 2004, she accepted a position as a law enforcement ranger in Grand Canyon National Park's Canyon District where she still works today.<br /><br />"I was initially a criminal justice major at Auburn University, and I came to the realization I didn't want to be stuck in a city or a car all the time," she told <strong>OldWestNewWest.com</strong>. "I had a good professor who suggested I look into the land management agencies. I got an internship in Yosemite (National Park), and when I got a look at what all the NPS offered for emergency services beyond just law enforcement I was sold."<br /><br />On any given day Hendy might be found rappelling over the edge to stabilize a patient, working with the park's Special Response Team to do a building sweep, responding with the structural fire engine to a burning RV, providing advanced life support care as a paramedic, being short-hauled into a victim on the river, or patrolling the backcountry - checking permits, stirring toilets, or assessing archeological sites.<br /><br /><img class="caption" height="360" width="288" src="http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/images/stories/stories2/hendy0093.jpg" alt="hendy0093" title="NPS Director Jonathan Jarvis presents the 2011 Harry Yount National Park Ranger Award for excellence to Lisa Hendy, Grand Canyon’s supervisory park ranger. NPS / Rick Lewis photo" style="margin: 7px 0px 0px 7px; float: right;" />At the awards ceremony held in Washington, D.C., Hendy explained in her acceptance speech that it took many rangers to help train and shape her to help others in a variety of ways.<br /><br />"I estimate that it has taken at least 50 rangers to build the ranger you have standing before you today," she said. "That means for every ranger like me, there are at least 50 of them out there." <br /><br />It was clear that Hendy felt honored and privileged to have worked with each and every one of them.<br /><br />The Yount Award is named after the nation's first park ranger (hired in Yellowstone National Park in 1880) and is the highest honor that can be bestowed on a park ranger today.<br /><br />According to NPS Director Jon Jarvis, "Each year, we ask those rangers who tackle the toughest assignments, protecting park resources and the nearly 300 million people who visit our national parks annually, to single out one among them that epitomizes the ranger ethic. We give that person the Harry Yount Award."<br /><br />Asked to share with our readers her favorite places in Grand Canyon, Hendy gracefully declined.<br /><br />"You don't really think I'd divulge that do you?" she said with a smile.<br /><br />However, she did have some advice for those who want to go exploring the Grand Canyon.<br /><br />"I think if folks want to see the best of Grand Canyon, they need to get some experience hiking here, and then branch out beyond the Corridor of the Bright Angel and the Kaibab," she said. "You cannot do that lightly - this place will eat you alive."<br /><br />She's worked in five National Parks in the backcountry for 18 years and no place has pushed her harder that the Grand Canyon. <br /><br />"But if you have some humility and you take the time to learn how to hike here, there are unimaginably beautiful places outside the beaten path," she added.<br /></span>Annie Oakley Collection at Buffalo Bill Historical Center grows2011-11-05T22:39:24Z2011-11-05T22:39:24Zhttp://www.oldwestnewwest.com/20111105578/places-to-visit/museums/annie-oakley-collection-at-buffalo-bill-historical-center-grows.htmlMike HarrisMikeharris@oldwestnewwest.com<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">The Buffalo Bill Historical Center (BBHC) in Cody, Wyo., now has one of the largest collections of Annie Oakley memorabilia in existence, thanks to a bequest from the family of the late Hollywood actor/producer, William E. "Bill" Self.<br /><br />Self's daughter, Barbara Self Malone, on behalf of herself and her brother, Edwin B. Self, has presented a large collection of their father's Annie Oakley memorabilita to the BBHC. Over the years, the elder Self had given much of his Annie Oakley collection to the Center, adding to its extensive Buffalo Bill and western history holdings.<br />
<br /><img class="caption" height="302" width="205" src="http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/images/stories/stories2/annieoakley.jpg" alt="annieoakley" title="J. Woods photo of Annie Oakley, 1888. Buffalo Bill Historical Center, Cody, Wyoming, U.S.A. Mary Jester Allen Collection. P.69.1590" style="margin: 7px 7px 0px 0px; float: left;" />Included in the bequest and previous gifts were clothing, letters, gear, firearms, photographs, and other memorabilia.<br /><br />"We couldn't be more pleased about this acquisition," BBHC Executive Director and CEO Bruce Eldredge said. "With it, we add significantly to our Annie Oakley collection, much of it due to the generosity of Bill Self and his family. These latest treasures are truly extraordinary."<br /><br />Part of the bequest was a ca.1892 William Cashmore rifle produced by Charles Lancaster & Company. <br /><br />Malone and her husband, George, formally presented the English-made double rifle - thought to be the first customized to Oakley's measurements with a silver AO on the stock - to U.S. Senator (ret.) Alan K. Simpson, chairman emeritus of the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, at a Sept. 23, 2011 luncheon ceremony in Cody. <br /><br />"Dad always loved heroes," Malone said. "Even as a teenager, he was fascinated by Annie Oakley. She took risks; she excelled; and she had a strong connection to the American West. With his collection, he felt connected to Annie Oakley; and with his early experiences in that Buffalo Bill Museum, he never hesitated in his desire that the collection should one day go to the Buffalo Bill Historical Center."<br /><br />Bill Self (1921 - 2010) appeared in more than 30 films between 1945 and 1952, including "Red River" directed by Howard Hawks. He went on to produce such feature films as "The Shootist" starring John Wayne and the television series "The Twilight Zone." <br /><br />He later recollected that when, at the age of 15, he saw actress Barbara Stanwyck as Annie Oakley in 1935 at the Keith Theatre in Dayton, Ohio, he became an Oakley enthusiast. <br /><br />Annie Oakley's brother, who lived nearby, had loaned some of his Oakley memorabilia for display in the theatre lobby. The 1935 film and the memorabilia fired Self's imagination, and his fascination with Oakley and William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody took root. <br /><br /><img class="caption" height="280" width="345" src="http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/images/stories/stories2/oakley_firearmpresent_sml.jpg" alt="oakley_firearmpresent_sml" title="The children of Bill Self present Annie Oakley’s rifle to the Buffalo Bill Historical Center. Pictured (L – R) George Malone, Western History Curator Dr. John Rumm, Barbara Self Malone, Executive Director Bruce Eldredge, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Alan K. Simpson." style="margin: 7px 0px 0px 7px; float: right;" />As the story goes, Bill Self had embraced Annie Oakley's work so much, that after that first movie, he contacted Oakley's brother, and the two became friends. Then, at age 17, he started writing an Oakley biography and persuaded his family to travel to Cody, Wyoming, so that he could study the Oakley scrapbooks in what was then the Buffalo Bill Museum. <br /><br />He even went so far as to coax the museum's founder and curator, Mary Jester Allen (Buffalo Bill's niece), to name him Assistant Historian-complete with letterhead stationery and business cards! The book he started was never published, but Self's love for Annie Oakley, Buffalo Bill, and the West led to service on the Board of Trustees of the Buffalo Bill Historical Center from 1984 until his death in 2010.<br /><br />Simpson said, "Bill Self's love for Annie Oakley, Buffalo Bill, and the West led to his lifelong friendship and service to the Buffalo Bill Historical Center. We are so deeply appreciative to his family for this amazing and generous bequest. Oakley was a path-breaking performer and woman athlete who was a role model for girls around the world. This exquisite rifle that she used in Wimbledon and Wild West Show arenas around the world brings that history to life."<br /><br />According to historian and former Buffalo Bill Curator at the Historical Center Paul Fees, "This epic rifle makes Buffalo Bill's Annie Oakley firearms collection the best and most representative in the world."<br /><br />In 2012, the Buffalo Bill Historical Center will open a dramatic reinstallation and renovation of its Buffalo Bill Museum focused on the life of W.F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody from his days as a scout, to impresario of the Wild West, to his later years as an entrepreneur/statesman for western economic development. <br /><br />The new museum in Cody, part of the Buffalo Bill Historical Center's collections of western art, Plains Indian artifacts, natural history and firearms, will display selected Oakley artifacts and memorabilia from the collection.<br /><br />Read more about the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, Annie Oakley, and the Buffalo Bill Museum reinstallation at </span><a href="http://www.bbhc.org/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">www.bbhc.org</span></a><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">.<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">The Buffalo Bill Historical Center (BBHC) in Cody, Wyo., now has one of the largest collections of Annie Oakley memorabilia in existence, thanks to a bequest from the family of the late Hollywood actor/producer, William E. "Bill" Self.<br /><br />Self's daughter, Barbara Self Malone, on behalf of herself and her brother, Edwin B. Self, has presented a large collection of their father's Annie Oakley memorabilita to the BBHC. Over the years, the elder Self had given much of his Annie Oakley collection to the Center, adding to its extensive Buffalo Bill and western history holdings.<br />
<br /><img class="caption" height="302" width="205" src="http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/images/stories/stories2/annieoakley.jpg" alt="annieoakley" title="J. Woods photo of Annie Oakley, 1888. Buffalo Bill Historical Center, Cody, Wyoming, U.S.A. Mary Jester Allen Collection. P.69.1590" style="margin: 7px 7px 0px 0px; float: left;" />Included in the bequest and previous gifts were clothing, letters, gear, firearms, photographs, and other memorabilia.<br /><br />"We couldn't be more pleased about this acquisition," BBHC Executive Director and CEO Bruce Eldredge said. "With it, we add significantly to our Annie Oakley collection, much of it due to the generosity of Bill Self and his family. These latest treasures are truly extraordinary."<br /><br />Part of the bequest was a ca.1892 William Cashmore rifle produced by Charles Lancaster & Company. <br /><br />Malone and her husband, George, formally presented the English-made double rifle - thought to be the first customized to Oakley's measurements with a silver AO on the stock - to U.S. Senator (ret.) Alan K. Simpson, chairman emeritus of the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, at a Sept. 23, 2011 luncheon ceremony in Cody. <br /><br />"Dad always loved heroes," Malone said. "Even as a teenager, he was fascinated by Annie Oakley. She took risks; she excelled; and she had a strong connection to the American West. With his collection, he felt connected to Annie Oakley; and with his early experiences in that Buffalo Bill Museum, he never hesitated in his desire that the collection should one day go to the Buffalo Bill Historical Center."<br /><br />Bill Self (1921 - 2010) appeared in more than 30 films between 1945 and 1952, including "Red River" directed by Howard Hawks. He went on to produce such feature films as "The Shootist" starring John Wayne and the television series "The Twilight Zone." <br /><br />He later recollected that when, at the age of 15, he saw actress Barbara Stanwyck as Annie Oakley in 1935 at the Keith Theatre in Dayton, Ohio, he became an Oakley enthusiast. <br /><br />Annie Oakley's brother, who lived nearby, had loaned some of his Oakley memorabilia for display in the theatre lobby. The 1935 film and the memorabilia fired Self's imagination, and his fascination with Oakley and William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody took root. <br /><br /><img class="caption" height="280" width="345" src="http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/images/stories/stories2/oakley_firearmpresent_sml.jpg" alt="oakley_firearmpresent_sml" title="The children of Bill Self present Annie Oakley’s rifle to the Buffalo Bill Historical Center. Pictured (L – R) George Malone, Western History Curator Dr. John Rumm, Barbara Self Malone, Executive Director Bruce Eldredge, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Alan K. Simpson." style="margin: 7px 0px 0px 7px; float: right;" />As the story goes, Bill Self had embraced Annie Oakley's work so much, that after that first movie, he contacted Oakley's brother, and the two became friends. Then, at age 17, he started writing an Oakley biography and persuaded his family to travel to Cody, Wyoming, so that he could study the Oakley scrapbooks in what was then the Buffalo Bill Museum. <br /><br />He even went so far as to coax the museum's founder and curator, Mary Jester Allen (Buffalo Bill's niece), to name him Assistant Historian-complete with letterhead stationery and business cards! The book he started was never published, but Self's love for Annie Oakley, Buffalo Bill, and the West led to service on the Board of Trustees of the Buffalo Bill Historical Center from 1984 until his death in 2010.<br /><br />Simpson said, "Bill Self's love for Annie Oakley, Buffalo Bill, and the West led to his lifelong friendship and service to the Buffalo Bill Historical Center. We are so deeply appreciative to his family for this amazing and generous bequest. Oakley was a path-breaking performer and woman athlete who was a role model for girls around the world. This exquisite rifle that she used in Wimbledon and Wild West Show arenas around the world brings that history to life."<br /><br />According to historian and former Buffalo Bill Curator at the Historical Center Paul Fees, "This epic rifle makes Buffalo Bill's Annie Oakley firearms collection the best and most representative in the world."<br /><br />In 2012, the Buffalo Bill Historical Center will open a dramatic reinstallation and renovation of its Buffalo Bill Museum focused on the life of W.F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody from his days as a scout, to impresario of the Wild West, to his later years as an entrepreneur/statesman for western economic development. <br /><br />The new museum in Cody, part of the Buffalo Bill Historical Center's collections of western art, Plains Indian artifacts, natural history and firearms, will display selected Oakley artifacts and memorabilia from the collection.<br /><br />Read more about the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, Annie Oakley, and the Buffalo Bill Museum reinstallation at </span><a href="http://www.bbhc.org/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">www.bbhc.org</span></a><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">.<br /></span>