Sunday, September 14, 2008

Spaghetti Western

The sun dances high in the sky as it beats out its last rays of summer heat. Our car slowly ambles into the sleepy little western Canadian town of Keremeos. Little do we know that the emphasis is on “Western,” and one never knows what one will encounter when setting foot in a “Western.” We round the corner and smack dab in the middle of the sidewalk tied up to a tree I find this absolute beauty. I call her Winnetou.

I quickly glance around expecting to see the swinging doors of a saloon just a few steps away. Despite the odd dreamlike quality of the horse, the parked cars and grocery store down the street assure me that I am still in the twenty-first century. Being the first on the scene, I snap a few pics and make friends with Winnetou. Shortly thereafter a few others begin to gather obviously as taken by the situation as I am. Eventually a drunken cowboy comes stumbling onto the scene to collect his horse.

He poses for a few photos hamming up his instant celebrity status. The local sheriff arrives and assures us that riding a horse drunk is not a criminal offense. He tells us that the horse knows the way back home better than the cowboy and just to make sure that we know, that the cowboy is totally harmless, even drunk. Eventually the cowboy saddles up and rides off into the sunset as I play all possible soundtracks in my head.


23 comments:

M. Domínguez Senra said...

IT's said "don't drive drunk", not "don't ride drunk". Nice horse.

The Fool said...

The juxtaposition of what's painted on the window in the background of the first photo is terrific. Now I know how to avoid the troopers on Friday night. Gonna have to get a horse...

;)

Carla said...

Aaoiue, The horse was lovely and seemed quite docile. Exactly the kind one would want if they were inebriated.

Fool, Not sure what it would be like to ride a horse during a cold Alaskan winter, but I'm sure it's been done before. Undoubtedly what they used to do.

Ed & Jeanne said...

I was sort of hoping the horse would ditch him off in some remote location...that would teach him!

Anonymous said...

I'm probably your only reader old enough to remember Lee Marvin in the movie "Cat Ballou", but that's what this reminded me of. Classic.

RJ

Carla said...

VE, And perhaps he did...perhaps he did. That part of the story I don't know.

RJ, Thanks for stopping by. I'll have to check out that movie. The scene certainly was classic though in my estimation.

JBelle said...

The horse doesn't look like it moved at all!

Isle Dance said...

LOL! I just stumbled upon your blog. Great job!

Fuser said...

The man in the picture is my landlord, and now I know how he "drinks" my rents. The horse seems to be in a very good shape though, and I guess that along with horses, bicycles can be driven when drunk...except that they don't usually take you safely home...
Good night and good luck.

Fida said...

That's why I live in Canada. There are still Cowboys and Troopers you can reason with.
Cheers, Fida

Carla said...

JBelle, Very docile horse was she.

Ilse Dance, So glad you like it. Drop by anytime.

Carla said...

Fuser, Can bicycles be driven drunk? Of that I know no such things.

Fida, Canada is truly a wonderful place, and one where one can still be amazed and in awe. Thanks for stopping by.

jillie said...

That last picture is the best! It's a picture worth a 1000 words!

I remember Cat Ballou and loved Lee Marvin.

Envoy-ette said...

The last photo is priceless! What a healthy animal!

NYD said...

That is just too bizzare. I think I can manage a cow where I live, but a horse would be way too ostentacious.

Carla said...

Jillie, You can undoubtedly see that the cowboy was quite a character.

Envoy-ette, Are you talking about the horse or the cowboy?

Mone said...

How cool is that then? The trooper let that cowboy go on his way? Totally cool! Over here, if they catch you drunk on a bicycle, thats it, you are in a lot of trouble.

Annie Wicking said...

Wonderful pictures, Carla. I enjoyed reading your posting, you sum up the scene so well.

Best wishes,
Annie

Carla said...

Mone, That's tough. One has to get home somehow, and if someone is on a bike, at least he isn't driving.

Annie, Thanks, you are always so kind. Nice of you to drop in for a cup of tea.

Anonymous said...

I have been to Keremeos a number of times. A nice little town. Didn't see a drunk cowboy on a horse though; maybe next time;-).

Carla said...

Dawn, It was all timing. I've been through that sleepy little village numerous times and this was the first time I ever saw a horse tied up on main street.

Steffi said...

Great pics!I think that´s Canada too!

Anonymous said...

The horse's name is Luke.It really does know the way home (probably close to eight miles from downtown),and it get's him there all the time. Has for years!