Pat & Sharon O'Toole

Action at the Pioneer Bar
Elko, Nevada
photo by Sharon O'Toole

Pat, Dad and I are in the recovery mode from four days at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. Poetry and music are still ringing in my ears. In spite of the fact that it was cold and snowy in Elko, the weather was still balmy compared to home, so we considered ourselves snowbirds, relatively speaking.

The highlight of this year's Gathering, in my opinion at least, was the Wyoming Party. Each year, a different state hosts a party for its natives. For non-natives to get in, they must lie and know the name of one town in that state, which they can claim (photo ID not required).

We brought leg of lamb and cooked it in our award-winning style--boned, butterflied, marinated and grilled. It is award winning because it won first place several years running at our local Labor Day picnic. One year our lamb beat that cooked by my Mom and her equally experienced friends, Norma and Jean. Mom and I were close, but I don't think she ever quite forgave us. Thanks to the folks who brought their home grill for us to use.

Pat and Sharon at the grill
Elko

WFC's Darcy Minter sampling lamb
photo by Sharon O'Toole

Nevada poet Robin Boies sampling lamb
(she has a second home in Savery, Wyoming)
photo by Sharon O'Toole

In addition to great entertainment and great lamb, a wonderful part of the Gathering is seeing old friends, and of course, making new ones.

Tuda Crews and George
photo by Sharon O'Toole

George, Colorado poet Vess Quinlan and Pat
photo by Sharon O'Toole

Rick & Heather Knight and Gary Paul Nabhan
photo by Sharon O'Toole

Poet and yodeler Bridgid and her dad
photo by Sharon O'Toole

Ian Tyson and George
photo by Sharon O'Toole

George, Vess and Ramblin' Jack Elliot
photo by Sharon O'Toole

Pat, George and Paul Zarzyski
photo by Sharon O'Toole

Tuda Crews and Wyoming poet Georgie Sicking