Drew and I, on the invitation of one of our "Hawkeye transplant to Colorado" friends, spent this past weekend in Saratoga, Wyoming. We, along with a handful of friends (four new - which is fun!), rolled slowly into town on Friday night through a blizzard to set up camp. Okay, not camp - there were hotel rooms. ;) Our intention was to attend the annual Chariot Race held outside of town - which we did - and partake in some cowboy fun. In truth I really had no idea what I was getting myself in to.
In a nutshell, this is how you do Saratoga, Wyoming (with a little help from our resident expert, Jon Nelson):
1. Accept invitation to join for a weekend of fun in small town America - ponder exactly what goes on in small town America.
2. Leave town in 55 degree weather. Watch temperature slowly drop as you head north along the Rockies. Insert falling snow, blowing snow, piling snow, and more snow - and 2 wheel drive (that's right!). We made it, obviously - no need to worry!
3. Arrive at the Mangy Moose local bar to meet up with friends for a caravan the last few miles to Saratoga. Have a conversation with a local who brings his dog in to the bar and watch as the dog proceeds to lick the floor and snuffle into corners. He says it keeps the food cost down...
4. Caravan and make our way to Saratoga - just in time to head out the local joint for a drink or two along with cowboy two-steps and country music as a "herd" of stuffed game watch from the walls (jackalope and two full mountain lions engaged in battle included!). Get some tips for betting on tomorrows races - but can we trust it!?
5. Sleep in, then grab breakfast with the gang and try to fit in - probably not successfully (as everyone inevitably overheard us talking about "trying" which in turn, well... Oh, you know what I mean!)
6. Grab some spirits to add to the much discussed hot chocolate sold by Boy Scouts at the races, and make our way four miles outside town to the track. Enjoy spirits (and hot chocolate), find a spot, and people watch with fascination until the races start.
7. Race after race we watch beautiful horses and fascinating people go crazy and pour their guts out in the hopes that their team wins. In the end it's all smiles as the town itself celebrates yet another year "at the races".
8. Continue the celebration back in town with a trip to the hot springs, drinks, conversation and an oversize chessboard (got my first real win) in the parlor of the Saratoga Inn.
9. Enjoy dinner and a show - which in this case was a real bar brawl that rolled out the saloon doors (yes, really) and into the street. Gallon hats and fist flying! Thankfully we were in the dining parlor and away from the action (but boys being boys - they had to go check it out).
10. Hit the hay (ha!) in order to wake up at 4:30am and get back on the road towards Denver. And (as if the snow had just kept on and there was no need to plow) it was 35mph the whole way back... Made it just in time to pick up Loui from the kennel and enjoy a catch up day before the work week!
A great weekend, and all thanks to our organizer, Jon. We'll see you all again next year!
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