"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.