The Wrangler Store

Above, The Wrangler store in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As I mentioned previously, whenever I am in Cheyenne, Wyoming, I make it a point to stop at The Wrangler store.

The Wrangler occupies a building that was built in 1892. One notable former occupant at the location was the Normandie Hotel. 

Above, The Wrangler has plenty of boots to choose from. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

During a 1977 trip home from Shelton, Nebraska with my parents, we stopped in The Wrangler store. I got my first pair of boots there. I still may have them somewhere in the garage. I remember the store's interior was rustic in appearance. I don't remember how my parents happened to know about The Wrangler. 

According to Wikimedia Commons: 

Not that you'd want to, but it would be hard to miss The Wrangler in downtown Cheyenne. The three story red-painted brick building dominates a corner of Capitol Avenue by the train tracks. Home to some sort of retail outlet since its erection in 1892, the main building was joined with an adjacent former hotel sometime in the 1960s. Together the two buildings give you about 13,000 square feet of ranchwear and Western clothing, hats, boots and accessories to choose from or just marvel at.

Above, The Wrangler's famous hat room. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

During my recent trip to Wyoming, a stop was made at The Wrangler store. I got myself a new belt and a lady friend a necklace. The sales clerk told me that the store was bought by Boot Barn fifteen years ago. They have modernized the interior of the store and it looked nothing like I remembered in 1977. As I have an account with Boot Barn, I was able to use my charge card. 

They still have a huge selection of cowboy boots and hats along with western clothing items for men and women. 

For more information, go here. 

The Wrangler and Home Again

Home again!

It was a long two-day drive, but I made it home last night. While leaving Albuquerque, we were caught in a big thunderstorm with accompanying downpours. It rained off and on most of the way back.

One of the things I wanted to do on the trip was to stop at The Wrangler store in Cheyenne, Wyoming. In 1977, I got my first pair of boots there. Whenever I am in Cheyenne, I make it a point to stop there.

I got myself a belt and a necklace for a lady friend. At the checkout counter, I was told that Boot Barn bought Wrangler 15 years ago, so I was able to use my Boot Barn charge card. 

Below are photos of The Wrangler:

Tasks and Shopping

Above, I wondered what this display at Cabela's was supposed to be depicting. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today, I was in Abuquerque to visit the dentist and get a haircut.

In-between, I stopped at Cabela's to see what ammunition they had available. Unlike last week, they had none in the calibers I use. So I left empty-handed.

Above, I moved a little bit and found it depicted fleeing deer from a cougar. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I did pick up a new jacket at Boot Barn. My everyday jacket is fraying and I needed a new one. I can still use the old one while doing yard work or tinkering in the garage.

Then, I stopped at Target to get some cat food.

Above, Bento Sushi Japanese Restaurant. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After that, I tried out new (to me) sushi restaurant. It is Bento Sushi Japanese Restaurant. I ordered tuna and yellowtail cut rolls. Not bad!

Above, today's lunch. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Once I was done with lunch, I headed off on the road. Mission accomplished!

Tonight, I am going to watch another Ma and Pa Kettle movie.

Horse Gentling At Wyoming's Diamond Cross Ranch

Above, a view of Jackson Hole from the Jackson Hole Tram. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Ever since I can remember, I've always liked horses to a certain extent.

But it wasn't until I moved into "horse country" in New Mexico did I develop a deeper appreciation for them. The annual rodeo season will have me in the grandstands enjoying the shows.

I received an email from Boot Barn this morning and while it advertises their goods (western and work wear), it featured a story of a horse rescue in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

The ad has a link to Boot Barn's blog and I went there to check it out.

According to the blog:

Diamond Cross Ranch is a historical working ranch in Jackson Hole owned by the Golliher family, Horse Trainer Grant Golliher and Third Generation Rancher Jane Golliher. Jane’s grandparents were among the earliest settlers and homesteaders in Jackson Hole in 1912. As a family, they grew up caring for the land.

Over time, many ranching families departed the valley as property prices escalated and gave way to development. However, the family’s pioneering spirit and dedication to their Western heritage led them to conserve the open space as one of the few remaining historic family-owned ranches in Teton County.

In a day’s work, horse gentling—referred to as natural horsemanship—is among the many tasks that take place on their ranch.  

We teamed up with Diamond Cross Ranch to rescue and gentle horse Jazzy from a kill pen. Grant has made it his life mission to rescue and gentle horses for the better good of others and it is an honor to watch his process with Jazzy.

They found Jazzy at a kill pen the day before she was scheduled to get on the truck to the slaughterhouse. So they had to make a decision quick. Grant has since been working with Jazzy to gentle her. 

To read the full story, which includes many photographs and some videos of Jazzy, go here. 

Denny's New Look

Above, the view looking towards the entrances and the Flying J beyond. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After a week of being closed for remodeling, Denny's down at the Flyng J reopened today.

It looks nice, albeit a bit dark as the ceiling tiles were painted a chocolate color. I found the display of state license plates to be interesting.

Bo and I were first to arrive and we ordered some breakfast. The remaining four arrived ten minutes later and the manager told them that a pipe broke and they had no water, so they couldn't take any more orders. One of them eventually was able to get some pancakes.

Above, from the wall in the background, we know where we are. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Denny's has a history of pipe breaks. It doesn't seem to affect the Flying J. They must be on a separate water system.

Above, the map marking that "you are here" in Jamestown. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After Denny's I headed into Gallup to pick up a few things. Stops included the Tee Pee Smoke Shop (to pick up a purchase item that was accidentally left a few days ago) and Boot Barn.

I learned something new today. Jamestown used to be known as Ciniza.

*****
UPDATE:

I went back Denny's for dinner this evening (the pipe was fixed) and took this photo:

Cowboys In Compton, California?

Sometimes, you learn something new everyday and from unlikely sources.

Today was one of those times. I received a mailer (a 31-page holiday catalog of men's wear from Boot Barn) with photos of people in western situations wearing Boot Barn's western apparel. While perusing it, I came across something that caught my attention.

The above scan of page 18 of the catalog shows a cowboy on a horse, only he's in Compton, California.

According to the page, he's a member of "The Compton Cowboys".

Here's what the page says (in case the print isn't readable):

The Compton Cowboys created a community that embraces the western lifestyle n the unexpected town of Compton, in South Los Angeles. In an area populated with gang violence, this community of friends is on a mission to combat negative stereotypes and offer you an alternative neighborhood space to escape gangs and associated violence. Their tools to accomplish this are their horses and a passion to create a safer space for the next generation.

This is the first I've heard of The Compton Cowboys.

The New York Times wrote:

The Compton Cowboys, composed of 10 friends who have known one another since childhood, but officially came together as a group in 2017, are on a mission to combat negative stereotypes about African-Americans and the city of Compton through horseback riding.

It is nice to read about something positive!

To read more, go here.