"Welcome To The Flying L Guest Ranch"

Well, we had a nice Christmas here at the ranch, the weather turned cold a couple of days before and it made it feel like Christmas. This week there are a lot of folks here spending the week and ready to bring in the New Year.

Last night was a lot of fun, the weather was misty and cold so we met at the main house fire place. It was nice and warm and we all sang a lot of songs. Cowboy Jack came by and did a couple of his far fetched stories.

Gettin' ready for fireworks tomorrow night, lots of horseback riders, and the deer are everywhere. Hope to see you all soon.

Santa and Mrs. Claus stopped by. The kids were all ready to let him know what they wanted.

Did anyone ask for a horse?

"This Weeks Pictures"

Our friend, Bill Ferroli, was here last week and here are some pictures he took of deer, antelope, and a red hawk he saw outside the Goodnight House.

"Santa Is Coming"

It is really starting to feel a lot like Christmas here at the ranch. The deer and horses are running all over the place, the jack rabbits have their ears up high, and Santa is coming Christmas Eve. That's what he told me. It is a great time of the year and we have a lot to be thankful for. I will take the wagon out caroling Christmas Eve and I am looking forward to a bunch of riders. Tawni and Dennis will be horseback riding each morning. Janet will be cooking cookies and decorating them with the kids. Of course there will be some singin' around the campfire.

Hope to see you soon.

Buck

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. The weather was beautiful here and everyone said they had a awesome time. It is a great time of the year for wagon rides, horseback riding, deer watching, and just sittin' around the camp fire swapping old stories.

To all the reunions, we look forward to seeing you again next year. The families seem to get bigger and bigger each year. It is really a treat seeing everyone building new experiences.

We are now thinking about Christmas and I am seeing lots of lights going up on the roads around the ranch. Santa will be stopping by, and there will be fireworks New Years Eve.

See you soon.

"What's Up At The Ranch"

"Thanksgiving Week"

The week of Thanksgiving there will be a lot going on. I hope you can make it. You can enjoy horseback riding every morning, hikes in the afternoon, and evening entertainment.

Here is a list of the evening entertainment:

Wednesday, I will be singing around the campfire at 7:30.

Thursday, Joni will be doing line dancing at Ghost Town at 7:30.

Friday, World Champion Trick Roper Kevin Fitzpatrick will preform at 8:15.

Saturday, bring your camera and get your picture with the Long Horn Steer.

Of course there will be a campfire and smore's every night, and most likely some singin' too.

Want to go on a deer watchin' wagon ride? We'll do it.

It is really a pretty time here at the ranch. The leaves on the trees are changing and they tell me at Lost Maples State Park there are lots of colors. This tree is the one between the main house and the Lone Star Lagoon. On the drive to the ranch we can see lots of changing trees.

When was the last time you were on a wagon ride? We'll that's too long.

"Turkey Time"

We just finished up Holloween with a full moon and a spooky ride to Ghost Town. I don't think I have seen that many kids out trick- or- treating in a long time. The weather was the best we have seen and the campfire was hard to leave at night.

Now it is time to start looking for a turkey, so we'll crank up the tractor, find a turkey and get ready for the big day. Remember we do the cooking, all you have to do is show up, give us a call so we'll know how many turkeys we need to look for.

Please be sure to check out the older post.

"Deer Watchin'"

We always see a lot of deer here on the ranch. Many nights we will see a couple hundred.For a lot of the kids it is the first time to chase deer through the fields in the wagon. It is an experience they will never forget.

" It Was A Pretty Good Day"

"Comming Soon"

I just finished a story " Three Little Chickens". It will be a story that just has to be told around the camp fire. I will need three little actors to play the parts, no four.

Hope to see you soon.

"The Pumpkin Patch"

Remember, every weekend in October they have a Pumpkin Patch in Medina. Medina is about fifteen minutes from the ranch. You may want to come up for the weekend. The Lone Star Lagoon will be open until the end of October. For more info.http://www.lovecreekorchards.com/pumpkin-patch-photos.htm

Sometime late at night you might find a cowboy singin' around the fire.

"Hill Country State Natural Area"

What a great time to go horseback riding here in the Texas Hill Country. There is a two- hour ride that you can go on to the State Natural Area just west of the ranch. Lots of hills to climb, and beautiful country to see. The wranglers load the horses up in the trailer for the ride which will start at the Park where there are 5,500 acres to ride on. The Park was a ranch donated to the State where people would always be able to hike and ride. This is a great experience you will always remember.

Call the Ranch for more information @ 800-292-5134

Advanced notice required.

"Bandera Sawmill"

Some of the first jobs that were provided here in Bandera were from the sawmill. Large Cyprus trees that line the Medina River as it flows from north to south were cut down and used for roofing material in the San Antonio area. Floods come here periodically and one of those floods washed the mill away curtailing work for a time. As you drive north out of Bandera you can see the trees still thrive along the river making it a great place to drive and take a swim in the cool clear water. You can stop for apple pie alamode in Medina. The sawmill is gone but you can enjoy the ride.

Make shure you check out some of the older interesting post.

"Apache"

Long before the white man set foot on the Texas Hill Country the Apache Indians roamed the area. The river Medina that runs through what is now known as Bandera was a great place to live. There were lots of deer and rabbits. The water in the rivers are spring fed making a great place to keep clean, and in the hot summer the kids loved keeping cool in the clear water.

Next time we are sitting around the camp fire we'll have to tell some of their stories.

This is a picture of Chief Joseph Standing Bear, and he lives here in Bandera.

"Overnight Horseback Ride Big Success"

Last night was the first overnight ride here on the ranch in a while. The weather was great and everyone had a great time. Nothing like riding off in the sunset to an all night camp out. The campfire was blazing and the chuck wagon dinner was real tasty. Lots of stories around the campfire, stars in the sky, and an occasional deer passing by.

Tawni likes goin' out on these rides in the fall, it is a great time of the year.

Give her a call about the next ride. 1-800-292-5134

We have been seeing a few Grey Fox here on our night wagon rides.

"Buck's Band"

This summer I got a lot of help with the music. These guys know all the cowboy songs we sing here at the ranch. Boys, keep practicin', we'll put on another big show next time.
"Buck's Band The Next Generation "

"Pumpkin Patch"

Remember, every weekend in October they have a Pumpkin Patch in Medina. Medina is about fifteen minutes from the ranch. You may want to come up for the weekend. The Lone Star Lagoon will be open until the end of October. For more info.
http://www.lovecreekorchards.com/pumpkin-patch-photos.htm
Posted by Buck's Blog at 7:22 AM 1 comments

"Photos"

If you have any great pictures of your time at the ranch you can post them on http://www.flickr.com/. I am always looking for pictures of guests having a great time here. Just post them under Flying L Guest Ranch and I will be able to retrieve them. Thanks, Buck

"Big Oak Here On The Ranch"

Towards the back of the 700 acre Flying L Ranch in Bandera Texas stands a mighty Oak. Buck - the ranch's cowboy poet host - calls it The Tree of Life. At dusk, a large heard of deer, both domestic and imported, gather around it's base to feed.Audrey and I stood in the field and watched the sun set, the deer graze, and the stars twinkle to life in the inky sky.

Thank you, Jonas for the picture and story.

"Remembering"

This morning I was thinking of the major things in my life that have made a lasting memory or impact in my life. Things I never want to forget. Riding a horse for the first time, right here in Bandera when I was nine, saving a drowning horse at sixteen, becoming a Christian that same year, living through a typhoon on the way to Viet Nam, camping, singing around the campfire with my wife and kids, watching my granddaughter gather eggs from the chicken coop. I could go on and on but you know, I'll have to save the rest for around the campfire.

I hope some of your memories have been made right here at the ranch, your first horseback ride, first wagon ride chasing the deer, swimming with the kids, or singing around the fire. You know I sing that song," I Hope You Always Remember," well I hope you do, remember.

Jacob enjoyed his time around the campfire and decided to draw a picture of the experience.

Thanks, Jacob

School starts today ending a great summer here at the ranch. I hope everyone that came out had a great time in Bandera, and at The Flying L Guest Ranch. I will be doing updates on ranch activities as the fall arrives, for it will be a great time to visit the hill country.

Some of our guest are exhausted.

"Duke Davis And Buckshot"

The Duke Davis And Buckshot Band will be preforming Saturday, Labor day weekend. They were here last year and we had a great time. They will preform at eight, Saturday at the campfire.

Nine year old Connor went to blow a thistle he picked up, and before he did he made a wish. "I wish I was rich, and grown up."

"Bandera Young Guns Are Coming"

http://www.bccourier.com/Pages/story_Community.php?recordID=090820C1

"A Recent Guest Letter"

To all the staff at the Flying L.............I just felt we had to share our photos of pure joy & happiness--who knew this was in Bandera Tx? If my 5 year old daughter Dawn hadn't seen it on KENS 5 we would have missed out & persistant she was at getting us there & right before school. We had such a fantastic time we have already booked for Columbus Day weekend. I have lived in San Antonio since 1994 & thought I had seen it all, & my hubby was born & raised here so I don't know how we missed it, but we are so glad to have found you all! I am from a small town in IL called Byron which is a tad bit bigger but I felt right back at home there. Thanks for all your kindness & courtesy towards our family, it was heart felt unlike when we go to other Hill Country Resorts. I will be sending a 2nd email with more pictures to share...........you can bet I'll send all my friends "up your way". Thanks again!Warmly,Suzie, Pete, Manny & Dawn Martinez

"World Champion

http://www.bccourier.com/Archives/Community_detail.php?recordID=080918C44

Saturday night "World Champion," trick roper Kevin Fitzpatrick will be at the ranch at eight o'clock. Kevin is a class act you will not want to miss. You can click on the link above for more information

Saturday I will be doing a radio show that will air in Washington State. I will let everyone know more about it when I get the information.

"Cowboy Jack"

This Friday, nine year old story teller Jack Torpey will be stoppin' by to tell a couple of his wild tales. Hope to see you there.

"Pumpkin Patch"

Remember, every weekend in October they have a Pumpkin Patch in Medina. Medina is about fifteen minutes from the ranch. You may want to come up for the weekend. The Lone Star Lagoon will be open until the end of October. For more info.

http://www.lovecreekorchards.com/pumpkin-patch-photos.htm

"First Diner"

This is a picture of the first diner here on the ranch in it's hay day.

If you have any old pictures of the ranch, please let me know.

I would like to collect as much information on ranch history as I can.

"Jimmy's Cranberry Pico"

2 cups Craisins, Rehydrated and drained
1 Medium Yellow Onion, Chopped
4 Cloves Garlic, Minced
2 Jalepeno Peppers, Finely Chopped
1/2 Bunch Cilantro, Chopped
Juice of 6 Limes
Salt to Taste

Now you can have a little taste of the ranch at home.
Thanks Jimmy for letting the secret out.

I just returned from a history ride on the Flying L Wagon. One of the kids that had seen my picture on a CD in the store ask, "Mr. Buck were you lucky enough to get your face and body on a CD? " I guess I was!

It has been amazing how many of ya'll that tell me you have seen my blog. I wanted a way that I would keep everyone in touch with what is going on, and let you know about interesting things that have happened here at the ranch. To all of you that I have had a chance to meet and visit with it has been a great experience and I hope to see you all again soon. Stop by the blog whenever you get a chance.

" Cowboy Jack Torpey"

A couple weeks ago if you remember on an earlier blog I went to the cowboy hall of fame induction here in Bandera. While I was there singer and storyteller Cowboy Jack Torpey showed up to tell his version of Pecos Bill. I hadn't heard that story in a long time and was very impressed how Jack pulled it off. You see Jack is only nine years old and has developed a real love for storytellin'. We invited Jack to the ranch and last night, I sang a few songs then Jack took over. I don't think that will be the last time we see, "Cowboy Jack Torpey".

"Buck's Cowhands"

"My Favorite Pet"

Saturday night at 8:00 story teller Lee Haile will be here at the ranch. He will have you on the edge of your seat. Lee is always a favorite around the campfire. You will be surprised what his favorite pet was.

Come on out in September and October for a two night stay here at the ranch and stay a third night for free. You can call reservations, mention "Buck's Special" for details.

"Flying L Hangar"

The Flying L Hangar has seen many a day. Stars of the past have stopped by like John Wayne. On the wagon ride one night I was was told by a lady in her eighty's that she did a photo shoot with Gregory Peck in the late 40's at the hangar.

"Mexico" Part Two

Mexico laid his head on Joe Bob's shoulder. Sometimes I wonder if he could remember the day Joe Bob saved him out of that river.
The story is, Joe Bob was cowboyin' down on the Rio Grande. He looked over in the middle of the Rio from a long distance. It was early in the morning and you could see the water sparkle as the sun came up over the rise. Something jet black was standing on the far side of the river. They could hardly make out what it was. The closer they came they realized it was a horse stuck on the Mexico side of the river. Weak from being in the water so long, they didn't know if he would have enough energy to be pulled out. Joe Bob threw a rope around his neck and tried to pull him out, but it was too much for the horse. His head went under water and it looked like that was it. But the horse had heart and the cowboy didn't give up. Joe Bob jumped into the water, grabbed the horse's head, pulled it up out of the water and wouldn't let up. The other cowboys threw out their ropes and put them around the horse's neck. As they pulled he thrashed around and was finally pulled out of the water and mud. That's where his name came from, Mexico. No one ever claimed him. Mexico still follows Joe Bob everywhere he goes. It's like I said "He sits deep down in that saddle seat just like he's a part of that O'l horse".
Joe Bob and Mexico still work here at the Flying L Guest Ranch.

"Wagon Ride"

Last night was a full moon, so about 9:00, I gathered everyone to head out on a wagon ride. The air was fresh and it reminded me how much I love being out in the country. You can turn the lights off and the glow of the moon lights up the grass and trees. I like to leave the lights off until I see a herd of deer, then turn them on and watch the faces of the kids. You know the look I am talking about, big ol' eyes and a smiles as big as Texas. We must have seen a couple hundred head of those deer. Well, if you missed it, stop on by some night. We'll load up and head on out.

"Things To Know"

If you are a cowhand there are some things you might want to know.
Can you tell me what these three things about horses mean?
1.Green broke
2.Crow hoppin'
3.Brush poppin'

"Creekside"

Dinner tonight will be at Creek side, and is always a great time with some of the best BBQ you have ever eaten. The brisket, chicken, sausage, and boracho beans always get great reviews.
Kevin the world champion trick roper will be entertaining us.
Looks like a great night here at the ranch.

"Mexico"

I don't guess I have ever seen him without a pair of spurs, hat, and faded starched jeans. Never questioned whether he had any cowboy in him, that's just the way it is. It's been sixty years now since Joe Bob first sat a saddle seat, and about four in the morning he crawls out of the bunk, heads out to feed the forty five head of horses here at the ranch. Lookin' out across all those horses is one that stands out from all the rest, black as my twenty year old black felt hat, a horse he calls Mexico. When he saddles Mexico crawls up in the saddle it's like one of those old cowboy pictures where the cowboy sits deep down in the seat just like he is a part of that old horse. That's old Mexico and the story of how he found him is just what you would expect out of a far fetched cowboy story.
Since this is just a short blog I guess we'll have to finish this story another time.

"Longhorn Comming"

Tonight, Thursday at 8:00 the Longhorn is coming. Bring your camera and get your picture taken. We'll be hangin' around the campfire and eating a bunch of smores.

"Tuesday Roping Contest"

Every Tuesday we have a little roping contest here at the main house. Tonight there was some real competition and it looks like Omar and Kollin came out with top honors. I think Omar must have practiced for about four hours. Great job!
One of our guest, Jesse, got an e-mail and told us the space shuttle and station would be passing over at 9:15. So we loaded everyone on the wagon and got out in the pasture just in time to see it. It was something we had never seen before. What an experience.

"Ranch Rodeo"

Well, last weekend Tawni and Dennis competed in our local Ranch Rodeo and had a great time. At one point Tawni was pulled behind a horse by a rope, sitting on a shovel. She said it was fun but I don't know if she will do it again next year. Anything for the ranch right?
It has been a long time since we have had rain here, Dennis is teaching the fish how to breath air, and I have been singing that song, singing in the rain. The temperature has been high but in the waterpark they tell me it is just fine.

Jody Jenkins

Well last Friday we had our steak night here at the ranch and were excited when Jody Jenkins came by to play a few tunes for us. What a great talent. It just goes to show you, never know what might happen here at the ranch. You can check him out at http://www.jodyjenkins.com/.

"Trip Advisor"

If you would like to see what everyone is saying about the Flying L Guest Ranch or would like to let us know how we are doing you can go to www.tripadvisor.com and get the scoop.

A movie that will be premiering here in Bandera tonight.
I met one of the actors earlier here at the ranch and he was excited to be here.
You can find him at www.michaelthemajgregory.com
Still lots of summer left so come on out and take it easy awhile

"Return Of The Outlaws"

World Champion Trick Roper

Well I just got back from downtown Bandera Texas where Kevin Fitzpatrick was inducted into the Cowboy hall of fame here in Bandera. If you have ever seen him perform you will know why he is so highly respected. He truly deserves it. After seeing his show and hanging out here at the ranch 10 year old Alexander said this was the best time he had ever had in his life. That is what keeps us coming back.

Wayne congratulations on your first pair of boots and hat.

I will be singing around the campfire tonight and it looks like a great night for it, we will go for a tractor ride and probably see a couple hundred deer.

Something new here Nick is showing a movie every Wednesday night at 9:00 pm at the water park and it has been a real hit, you can watch the movie in the water.

I would like to stay in touch with all my friends so give me a shout.

Thanks,

Buck

Well hello,
I am just getting started with a new blog from the Flying L Guest Ranch.
I hope you will stop by every once in a while and see whats going on.
I hope to list things going on at the ranch and interesting things that have happened.
We have really been having a great time around the campfire at night, never get tired of
smores and just hangin' out tellin' stories.
If you haven't been to the ranch in a wile stop by and say hello.
Buck Shannon