Day 5 - Bringing in the Herd
ThursdayThe Reno Rodeo Cattle Drive culminated Thursday afternoon when the group of apprentice cowboys and professional buckaroos hit the streets of Reno bringing the herd of 300 roping steers into the city.
"This has been one of the best experiences that I have had in the last 30 years," said "guest cowboy" Alex Evans of Verdi, Nevada.
Coming into town after a long week of learning the ropes of being a cowboy, the group of guests were greeted by thousands of cheering spectators who lined the streets. Local motorcycle police escorted the group down the streets of Reno to the Livestock Events Center where the cowboys were reunited with their families and friends. It was time to say goodbye to the horses and the many new friends they had come to know very well over the last week. For some the Cattle Drive was almost a religious experience, for others another adventure to notch on their belt.
"This is one of the best groups that we've ever had," said Marie Gaspari-Crawford, the Cattle Drive’s head vaquero. "Everyday they brought the cattle into camp an hour earlier then scheduled." The seven teams worked well together and enjoyed each others company.
"This was just amazing," said Mark Bedor, a freelance magazine writer from Pasadena, Calif. "It was such a rush to come down the streets and see everyone."
It is no doubt that the group was excited to return to civilization and leave behind sleeping on the ground, no showers and the raging Nevada sun, but something is to be said for the experience of being away from it all. The group spent the week without television, cell phones and the hassles of everyday life.
The guest cowboys, who traveled from as far as Florida to ride the Cattle Drive, went home with a better understanding of Western life. They have gained an appreciation for the life of a rancher and the hard work that cowboys perform every day. Many will be back next year to once again ride the Great Basin. It is sure that they will not soon forget the experience they have had over the last week.