The Big Sunday: Part 2 - The Bridge Party

Before to our arrival in Denver, cousin-in-law Tom told us that his Aunt Judy was throwing a Bridge Party in honor of the Carter Cousins. My cousins enthusiastically looked on YouTube for info on 'how-to-play bridge'. One bought bridge scoring cards and other Bridge paraphernalia.

Me? I just laughed because I knew! HAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!

You see, here's the thing...

The cute little creek

Judy you see, has a cute little creek that runs through her ranch. There is an equally cute little wooden bridge that runs over the little river. And lastly, on said wooden bridge, parties are occasionally given, and they are all called... Bridge Parties! No playing cards necessary because when Aunt Judy throws a Bridge Party, she means a Party on her bridge! 


When my cousins and I arrived at Judy's Ranch for the bridge party, things were just getting set up. David and Tom hauled chairs, tables and stuff onto the bridge, and they brought some food for the feast too.

Judy added the finishing touches to jazz up the place for all of her guests.

Lighting the lanterns

Guests arrived and milled about. There were people to introduce ourselves to, and doggies to pet.

Then, Judy told us there was to be lassoing lessons! She proceeded to demo how to swing a lasso and throw it. She really is a genuine Cowgirl!

Judy, on the left, swinging a lasso

The Faux Cow

The kids were up first, swinging lassos and having a go at roping our patient, motionless Faux Cow.

The cute thing was that Judy set up the lasso lessons for the kids. Uh, yeah, I can see that. What Judy did not suspect however is her adult guests were just as excited for a roping lesson as the kiddos. So everyone got a shot at ropin'. Carol and Tom got their Yippy Ki-yays on!

The video at the end of this post is chock full of everyone having a shot at catching that wayward hay bale moo-cow. 

After the roping lessons it was time to put on the feed bags and enjoy the wonderful feast. Ummm...

When the chowing down was over, we actually lifted our heads and admired how the last sunlight of the day danced on the cliffs surrounding us. 

So purdy...

Then everyone relaxed, chatting and enjoying the twilight. I was checking the sky for bats. As the sun waned, it was time for the bridge lights were lit - thoroughly enchanting.

Carol showing off her back scratcher

I almost forgot. Judy gave us Carter girls gifts. At the end of the table below you can see Carol holding up a white crescent - it is a back scratcher, made from the rib of a range cow! There is a cute story on the rib, which was a whimsy of an idea that occured to Judy and some friends of hers. They sell the unique back scratchers as a fund raiser for the Routt County Cattle Women.

Soon it was really dark on the enchanted bridge.

My best shot of the moon, and a few planets... which? Um...

We did a little sky watching. This was a special night, not only for the Bridge Party, but up in the heavens, the planets were aligning. Using a iPhone star map app, we could clearly see what was overhead: Mars was red, Saturn, Uranus and Jupiter was the largest of all.  Only Venus was hiding from us below the horizon.

OK, you've been good so here below is a short video of the Bridge Party. It is fairly long for one of my videos, just over 9 minutes. But it shows the creek that has the pictographs above, some lively roping lessons, the dinner party was on. Listen at the end for Charlaine telling how she and the cousins prepared for the Bridge Party when all thought this gig involved playing cards.