Royal Flush - Will & Kate at the Calgary Stampede

By Bennett Owen

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.

Five Rules of Summer Skiing – Greatest Slush on Earth

By Bennett Owen

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

Cowboys Get Their Due – From the Barons of Bull

By Bennett Owen

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…