It's the Cowboy Way LbNA #52278 (ARCHIVED)

Rodeo occupies a unique position in modern sports, having developed from an American culture that is rapidly changing. Rodeo is a window into the past while at the same time offers a unique and fully modern sport with an exciting and interesting atmosphere. The beginnings of rodeo can be traced back to the ranches of the early 1700’s, when the Spanish ruled the West. The Spanish cattlemen, known as vaqueros, would influence the American cowboy with their clothing, language, traditions and equipment which would in turn influence the modern sport of rodeo. The hard work and lonely life of the cowboy had a lot to do with the type of man they usually became. Men of few words, but plenty of action when called for. Men who were more likely to ride off into the sunset than settle down with a girl. Not because they didn’t like girls, but just because it was the cowboy way. Duties on the early ranches included roping, horse breaking, riding, herding, branding, and much more. These activities remain the same today on modern ranches all-be-it with modern methods and equipment. These ranch chores would evolve directly into the rodeo events of tie-down roping, team roping, and bronc riding with the other events expanding on the ideas of these early events. While driving through Bandera, Texas, the “Cowboy Capitol of the World” a while back, I noticed, attached to each street light along the main street, a little piece of art which celebrated the cowboy life. They were the same silhouette cut-outs that you see on many ranch gates in Texas. I wanted to stop and take one home with me, but I couldn’t do that, because that wouldn’t have been the cowboy way. I did see one, however, that caught my fancy, so I took a photo and turned it into the stamp for this letterbox. It shows why cowboys have such an humble approach to life. Please replace the box as you found it and be sure it’s covered good so that it don’t get found accidentally……’cause it’s the cowboy way.

Directions:
This letterbox is located at Palmetto State Park in Ottine, Texas. To reach the park, travel 10 miles northwest of Gonzales on US 183 to FM 1586, then west on FM 1586 for two miles to Ottine, then south on Park Road 11; or go six miles southeast of Luling on US 183, then southwest on Park Road 11 for two miles. Stop at the park headquarters to pay your entry fee. Continue straight ahead over the lake, over the river, then look for Park Road 11 on the left that goes into the trailer parking area. You’ll see the Palmetto Trail on the right and the tall pump building. Park at the pavilion and walk back up to the restrooms at the entrance to the trailer area.

To the box:
Find the trailhead for the River Trail. Walk to the “Watch for Snakes” sign. From there, walk about 300-310 steps and look for a twisted 4-trunked tree two steps off the trail on the right. Be careful and watch for snakes because that’s the Cowboy Way.