Thanks to everyone for voting and commenting about the options for vacations thatJohn and I were considering this year. After careful consideration and appreciation for the overwhelming vote for the cruise to Greece….. here’s what we are going to do.
Yes gang, it will be a “Brokeback Vacation to the Rocky Mountains” … the number two voted response in the poll (with a modification).

On July 6 we are leaving Charlotte to fly to Calgary, Alberta Canada for the annual rodeo festival known as “The Calgary Stampede.” Then on Sunday July 9, we are driving four hours through the Canadian Rockies to an awesome sounding dude ranch for the next seven days. I would tell you the name of the dude ranch, but I fear some weirdo would track us down. So I’m afraid that I’ll have to plug the ranch after we get home along with photos.
We have wanted to experience both a dude ranch vacation and the Calgary Stampede for a number of years, so we just decided to combine it into one trip this year.
And why not Greece? Well, primarily because John’s job involves national security matters that would necessitate a lot of paperwork being filed with his company in order to travel out of the USA. And we costed out the Greece trip and felt as though it is something we will keep at the top of our list, but allow some time to save up for that one. But thanks for the comments and the vote!
So NDT was right…. dude ranch, DUDE RANCH… it is.
-Bruce (GayPatriot)
Now I admit to not being an actual American, but I do live in Idaho and the last time I checked Canada was outside the USA.
Heh heh. Good point. I believe Canada is exempted from the strict rules of travel for John. I should have mentioned that. 🙂
(dusts lapel modestly)
I’d be a bit more smug, but we’re already at Level Orange for today.
Congrats, though I was hoping you’d pick the Alleghenies …
Have a great time; you’ve earned it! Ranch it up cowboy.
Totally off topic but I just had to raise this topic:
“Black Americans are becoming entrepreneurs at a rapidly increasing rate and Pittsburgh is following the trend, a new report issued by the Census Bureau suggests.”
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06108/682889-28.stm
The Democrats must be sweating bullets.
When did you guys become such hicks?
Have a great time in Canada fellas. Seriously.
Enjoy yourselves! Sorry you’re not going to Greece, but hey, I can totally understand your choice.
We want to see lots of pics of the unnamed dude ranch when you get back!
Regards,
Peter H.
Ride’em cowboy. The Calgary Stampede is fun, and sometimes the week before or after they have the Gay rodeo in Calgary as-well.
So are you guys going to get married while you’re there? As for going to a dude ranch, I’m sure it will be an “experience.” Also, be forewarned that you’re going to a country where Dubya is not especially idolized. Yes, I know it’s “conservative” Alberta but it’s all relative: a typical Canadian Conservative is the rough equivalent of what you would consider a “moderate” Democrat in this country. Anyway, have fun in Canuckistan!
Good choice. I’ve escaped from the Texas heat to the Rockies that straddle the Alberta/B.C. border every August for the last 5 years or so. A couple of suggestions for your week. Paddle at Moraine(?) Lake. Just a couple of miles from the famous Lake Louise but much, much, much better. Take the white water raft trip on the Kicking Horse River. If you don’t have a full day for it, do the lower section. See Takakkaw Falls. Over 900 feet high and you can almost climb UNDER them. Finally, Lake Ohara is ranked as one of the top 10 hiking spots on the planet. All of these attractions are in Yoho National Park and less than 3 hours drive from Calgary.
If you wanted rodeo action, you should have gone to the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo and/or looked up the TGRA.
But that’s just me.
Be sure to bring back lots of pics and tell us all aboot it, eh?
I’m sorry guys, but I just can’t get the image of Ira & Barry Shalowitz (the ice cream moguls in City Slickers) out of my head when I think of Bruce & his partner on a “dude” ranch (which is funny enough all by itself).
Have a wonderful time, but beware of Curly! LOL
Eric in Hollywood
thinking that if God had wanted him to ride a horse, He would have given him a fatter ass…