As the old saying goes, ‘one man’s trash is another bear’s pre-hibernation pig-out…’ I think that’s how the saying goes…

Credit: MoxNews.com

At any rate this pubescent black bear cashed in his meal ticket and took a ride in the back end of a garbage truck, gorging himself so blissfully that he didn’t realize he was being transported from the suburbs into downtown Vancouver, Canada…(the city with the coolest flag in the world)

The 18-month old ‘junk male’ refused to leave the refuse voluntarily so police brought out the tranquilizer pistol…

He was then transported back to the wild, where he’s probably still bragging to his buddies.

Slightly more intriguing is this photo from My-West man on the road RJ Burns…taken on his patio. Paws for thought, I’d say…

Credit: R.J. Burns

You may also want to browse through previous posts:

Cubs Vs. Cougars

There Otter be a Law

December 13^th is the ‘National Day of the Horse’ in the US.  Yes, we realize you weren’t aware of that fact. That’s why My-West is here!

Shepherd with his horse and dog on Gravelly Range, Madison County, Montana. Credit: Library of Congress

The congressional resolution reads in part:

“Whereas the horse is a living link to the history of the United States;

Whereas, without horses, the economy, history, and character of the United States would be profoundly different;”

Credit: Library of Congress

Don’t you just savor those rare occasions when our lawmakers actually get something right?

Credit: Library of Congress

Our Friends at Horsechannel.com have come up with an interesting list of contributions horses make to our way of life, including:

• There are 9.2 million horses in the United States.
• 4.6 million Americans are involved in the industry.
• 2 million people own horses.
• The horse industry has a direct economic effect of $39 billion annually.
• The industry directly provides 460,000 full-time jobs.

Not to mention that they essentially embody the Super Bowl:

Now that’s what I call ‘love triumphant.’

Obviously Zeus the watch-cat was Lion down on the job.  Caught napping, our fearless feline awakened to the pitter-patter of Puma paws on the back deck of this Boulder, Colorado home.  In a classic case of fight or flight, Zeus…did neither. Obviously, he couldn’t be bothered.

Credit: Galil Loveman and The Denverpost.com

It’s hard to tell who got the best of this stare-down but Zeus didn’t seem too perturbed.  

Credit: Galil Loveman and The Denverpost.com

Our young mountain lion soon tired of efforts to bond with his domesticated cousin. He wandered into the yard and appeared to be rather enamored with the statue of…what else…a mountain lion.

Credit: Galil Loveman and The Denverpost.com

Eventually, his mate joined him….a mini puma pride.

Credit: Galil Loveman and The Denverpost.com

Zeus bears a striking resemblance to our neighborhood wild cat, Apollo…and we DO live at the foot of Mount Olympus… .

Speaking of bears, compare that cat encounter with the Five Cubs in a Bear Tree… (Hum that to the tune of ’12 Days of Christmas.’) 

This family of rambunctious bruins scrambled up an Aspen tree near Whitefish, Montana. No one knows why…confusion…fear…we’re guessing it probably wasn’t the view… But they sure brought traffic to a halt on highway 93 as nearly 100 cars stopped to take a look.  

Authorities say it’s pretty uncommon for a black bear to have a litter of five baby bruins. They attribute it to the abundant food in the region over the past few years.  Kind of makes you wonder how many house pets have gone missing in that period, doesn’t it? 

Get the whole story here, courtesy the Daily Inter Lake:

Credit: dailyinterlake.com

And now it’s time for Cubs Vs. Cougars…let us know which you’d rather cuddle with and why!

Credit: dailyinterlake.com

No, this is NOT Paris, Texas, nor Paris, Idaho, nor Paris, South Dakota. This is the fashion capital of the world... Boulevard Saint-Germaine des Pres, to be exact.

Credit: Ralph Lauren Website

And these gorgeous steaks are affaire de la ville...yes, you can order french fries to go with them.

Credit: Ralph Lauren Website

Credit: Ralph Lauren Website

The restaurant is called Ralph's, on the ground floor of the Ralph Lauren Paris store and those carnivorous cuts of beef are flown in from his Double RL Ranch in Telluride, Colorado. Even the video introduction to the Saint-Germaine Store is gorgeous. Upstairs on the sixth floor, you'll find the Double RL & Co. Store.

Credit: Ralph Lauren Website

Lauren's western look took Paris by the horns and now Europe's second Double RL has opened in London. Only Lauren could come up with timeless clothing and accessories like this.

Credit: Ralph Lauren Website

Credit: Ralph Lauren Website

Credit: Ralph Lauren Website

Lauren inaugurated his Paris store last year, having personally overseen the renovation of a 17th century residence in one of the city's most exclusive neighborhoods. Aides say he wanted to evoke the glamour and artistic spirit of Paris, while adding an American touch.

Credit: Ralph Lauren Website

Vogue magazine enthused "RL managed to respect the architecture of the period magnificently."

Credit: Ralph Lauren Website

By the way, Paris, Texas is the second largest Paris in the world with 26,000 residents and a replica of the Eiffel Tower...it's the second version...the first was blown to bits by a tornado.

Credit: Ralph Lauren Website

Credit: nowness

Given his brand name, you might expect a parade of polo ponies, but Ralph Lauren has chosen a western wedding fiesta for the marriage of his son David and Lauren Bush…granddaughter of president number 41 and niece of President number 43.  ‘41’ won’t be attending because of the altitude…’43’ reportedly is.

Credit: Catsprn

The wedding is being held on Lauren’s 17-thousand acre Double RL ranch near Telluride. Security is tight but word has it a western saloon has been set up along with Tipis and cabins, not to mention mountain scenery right out of the John Wayne version of True Grit.  Country singer Michael Martin Murphey leads the entertainment line-up. 

Credit: businessinsider

Credit: businessinsider

Credit: businessinsider

The dress code is described as ‘black tie with a western twist…’ I guess if you’re going to tie the knot it may as well be a sturdy cowboy bowline. By the way, the bride says she’s eager to take on the name Lauren Bush-Lauren…”I’m sort of old-fashioned that way,” she swoons. Guests will also be invited to a Labor Day rodeo at nearby Ouray County Fairgrounds.  They’ll be sitting out on the grandstands…no air conditioned box seating at this event.

Credit: askandyaboutclothes

Ralph Lauren is one of the world’s richest men with an estimated fortune of $6-billion. But locals describe him simply as “the nice guy who owns the Double RL Ranch.”  He recently told Oprah Winfrey, “I’m not a cowboy and don’t pretend to be one, but I love the West.” Which makes him an honorary member of the My-West family.

Credit: blogspot

Credit: Yahoo.News

Virginia City, Montana sits on the remains of one the most lucrative gold rush sites of the pioneer west. The US Assay Office estimates that $90-million in gold was extracted from Alder Gulch between 1863 and 1889 – and given the price of the precious metal nowadays, that value soars to – count the zeros - $40,000,000,000.

Man with a rocker cradling for gold near Virginia City, Mont. Terr. By Jackson, 1871 Credit: Marion Doss

Now, the popular ghost town is celebrating a lucrative find of a much different kind… namely, a 100-year old fortune telling contraption that’s gathered dust in a back room of the "Gypsy Arcade" which has the nation's largest collection of woking music machines and arcade games from the early 20th century. 

Credit: Ernie Hathaway

The Gypsy Fortune Teller – drop a nickel in the slot and her eyes would flash, and her teeth chatter as a mysterious voice told you your fortune. Yikes! The 'eyes' have it!

The Montana Heritage Commission has found that the Gypsy is one of only two or three “verbal” fortune-tellers left in the world! And magician David Copperfield has gone a step further, saying he believes it’s the only one. He’s reportedly offered $2-million for the relic, hoping to make it the crown jewel in his collection of turn-of the century penny arcade games.

Credit: nicolekiss.blogspot

Now a bidding war has broken out and experts say the piece might ultimately fetch upwards of $10-million.  I wonder if one of the Gypsy’s fortunes went something like, “you will fall back-asswards into boo-koo dolores”? Now that’s a fortune worth telling about.

Read the Chicago Sun Times account here.

Virginia City, Montana, c. 1939.  Credit: Library of Congress

Virginia City, Montana, c. 1939.  Credit: Library of Congress

Credit: Baltimoresun

The US Postal Service is honoring legendary filmmaker John Ford with his own stamp.  It’s a ‘forever’ version, meaning it will be good for as long as there is a post office, which in this day and age is not a foregone conclusion. One thing is for certain, Ford has achieved immortality based on the scene portrayed on the stamp, the broad shoulders of John Wayne and Monument Valley, the scenery Ford claimed was the true star of his westerns. Here it is, one of the most famous opening scenes in cinematic history:

Yeah, pretty flashy opening, but give me Liberty Valance any day. Ford made 140 movies including an incredible 45 made during the silent era. He now joins a long list of western icons honored with postage stamps over the years. Here are our 10 favorites:

C.M. Russell  - Simply the greatest western painter of all time 

Credit: usstampgallery

Sitting Bull – The great Sioux warrior and holy man, forever linked with the Battle of Little Bighorn

Credit: bonanza.com

Montana Centennial Stamp – The Treasure State – Big Sky Country – CM Russell, take another bow

Credit: usstampgallery

Western Cattle in a Storm – Considered one of the most beautiful US postage stamps, released in 1898 with a one-dollar value! The image actually depicts a scene in Scotland!

Credit: dawandastatic

Bill Pickett – An extraordinary cowboy and creator of Bulldogging – Steer Wrestling. The image on the first stamp was actually his brother! Ooops! The original, incorrect stamp featuring Bill’s brother, Ben Pickett:

Bill Pickett Postage Stamp, c.1994. This is the revised stamp that replaced the initial recalled stamp on which Bill’s bother Ben was illustrated:

Credit: hmdb

Buffalo Bill Cody – No, not the football team! An adventurer and one of America’s first great showmen. The stamp was released in 1989 as part of the USPS Great Americans series.  

Credit: Media Bucket

Hank Williams  - The greatest country-western singer/songwriter of them all.

Credit: philosateleia

Sacagewea – She helped Lewis and Clark find the Pacific Ocean. I guess men were hesitant to ask directions back in those days too.

Credit: Photobucket

Pony Express – “Wanted – Young, skinny, wiry fellows. Not over 18. Orphans preferred” Wonder what the postage was for a New York – San Francisco letter back then?

Credit: exponentgroup

John Wayne – We can’t honor John Ford without John Wayne. Duke’s stamp was issued last year as part of the Legends of Hollywood series.

Credit: fanpop

Credit: Pacific Coast News

His Rocky Mountain High-ness, Britain's Prince William and his bride Princes Kate donned specially made rabbit fur cowboy hats for the grand parade at that 10-day cowboy cavalcade known as the Calgary Stampede. The royal couple capping off their nine-day newlywed tour of Canada.

They also took in some bull riding and ... Will with Chuck Wagon …

Credit: The Sun/AP

Credit: Jonathan Hayward/AP

And mutton busting... (the kids riding sheep)

"It's nice to be in jeans again," the Prince was overheard as saying.

Credit: Zimbio

"We should get you into a pair of these," his bride replied as she observed the cowboys in their chaps.

Credit: Zimbio

The UK Daily Mail has all the gorgeous pictures right here. William is first in line for the throne. But if they decide otherwise, Kate would sure make a fitting rodeo queen...

Credit: sanfrancisco.ibtimes

See the Daily Mail for more images.

And you wondered why they call it the “Bunny Hill?”

Credit: Summer Skiing at Snowbird on July 4, 2011 YouTube

Utah’s Snowbird resort has finally closed for the season after a red white and blue July 4^th celebration of skiing…with emphasis on the white, we might add.  Going into high summer season, there’s still plenty of it to go around….and enough fanatics to make a day of it.

Credit: Rick Egan: Salt Lake Tribune

Lot full? Check out the tram!

Credit: Utah Outside

It’s been a record season for Snowbird in terms of snowfall, with over 783 inches…that’s 65 feet, about as high as a six-story building. And the lifts have now been open for 201 days…one day longer than the previous record set in 2005.   The resort says the snow depth still measures 12 feet on the upper slopes. 

Credit: Summer Skiing at Snowbird on July 4, 2011 YouTube

And in their usual timely fashion, the My-West staff has prepared some summer skiing tips for those who just can’t get enough of the white stuff -

• Bring lots of sun block and eyewear – a lead suit will also do nicely

Credit: Fox News

• If you fall, be prepared for some serious road rash
• Stay on piste – melting snow often triggers serious rockslides
• Stuff a backpack and be prepared for all kinds of weather
• If you arrive after noon – bring water skis.

And a sixth, perhaps…go down on bended knee and humbly beseech the weather gods for more snow next season…

Credit: Summer Skiing at Snowbird on July 4, 2011 YouTube

Credit: Summer Skiing at Snowbird on July 4, 2011 YouTube

Bighorn County, Montana. Credit: Library of Congress

‘The Hill’ reports that the US Senate has recessed for the July 4th holiday after approving a bipartisan resolution to “recognize the contributions of cowboys and cowgirls to American life.” The measure designates July 23 as ‘National Day of the American Cowboy.’

“The Hill” notes that the move came amid bickering over stalled debt talks and wrangling over a resolution authorizing continued use of force in Libya.

Well, at least they got something right. Now if they’d just declare Rodeo the national sport…