Riding the River Read Online Free

rafting or go to a
spa?”
    “No…”
    “Best steak place, beach, ski resort or bike
trail?”
    “…Uh-uh…”
    “Disneyland, Lake Tahoe or Hollywood?”
    “Nope…”
    “Grand Canyon or Yosemite?”
    “…Getting warmer…”
    Abby plucked more lemon chicken and chewed
thoughtfully. “Let’s concentrate on Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada,
Arizona or New Mexico. Those are really Old West states and perhaps
that’s where your thinking is headed.”
    Sarah nodded. “Yes, I think you’re right.”
Then she sat up straight and brightened. Abby could almost see the
cartoon of a light bulb go on above her head.
    “What?”
    “…Where was ‘ Big Country’ filmed?”
    “… You’re asking me ?” Abby
laughed.
    “No, I’m just talking out loud. It was filmed
in various locations in California and Arizona… No, it’s the idea
of the location…”
    “What about it?”
    “It’s remote. Accessibility is possible, but
you have to work for it.”
    “So…” Abby rolled that idea around. “You want
to find a remote place where something only the Old West can
supply. How about fishing?”
    “That could be part of it…”
    “Think cowboy stuff – roping, horseback
riding…”
    Sarah laughed. “Now we’re getting
someplace…”
    Abby picked up a glossy brochure and her eyes
lit up. “Listen, Sarah…” She started reading, “‘ Walker Guest
Ranch is a working horse and cattle ranch located in the remote
northeastern corner of Nevada. The ranch offers a variety of
activities for guests, family and friends. It is a surprisingly
comfortable sanctuary in the midst of a vast landscape by the
Humboldt and Ruby Mountain Ranges, hills and meadows.’”
    “Let me see that…” Sarah took the brochure
from Abby and continued to read the inside and outside flap. “This
looks terrific…”
    “Yeah, you’d be riding, roping and sleeping
out under the stars. All those things you’ve wanted to do. Maybe
you’ll meet a cute cowboy…”
    Sarah swatted her with the brochure. “That’s
the last thing I want to do, Abby. Once I get past Ben, I’ve had it
with guys for a while – I’m certainly not looking to get into
another relationship anytime soon.”
    Abby just raised one eyebrow and smirked.
“Maybe Gregory Peck lives there…”
    Ignoring her, Sarah smiled. “And it’s in
Nevada. You remember my mother was born in Reno, but lived most of
her life in Lovelock, not far away.”
    “Nevada… Sounds good. Very Old West… How
about the horse or cattle drives? Sound good?”
    “I think I’d love to go on a horse drive,
whatever that is…” She started yawning and put down her
chopsticks.
    “…That’s my cue. Time for me to go home… Four
hours searching for the most incredible vacation has worn us both
out.”
    “Yes, I need to get some sleep. Dad and
Grandfather have asked me to help in the gubernatorial campaign
coming up.”
    “Sounds like lots of envelope stuffing…”
    “And phone calls, and fundraising… long
nights… crummy food…”
    Abby laughed. “You have to deal with it.
Gotta go… See you soon, Sarah.”
    After Abby had gone, Sarah took another look
at the Nevada guest ranch brochure. It looked good to her on so
many levels. One of its biggest attractions was that it offered a
simpler life for a while – And that was worth its weight in gold. A
simpler life… What is really possible? She supposed people found
it, but nobody she knew. Baltimore was bustling all the time… She
wanted to slow down, think and smell a few flowers – sage,
maybe…
    Sarah took the brochure into her bedroom and
laid it on her nightstand. After changing into pajamas and brushing
her teeth, Sarah crawled into bed and felt like the day had been
one hundred years long. She dreamily thought about following a herd
of horses galloping out in a big country… Landscape painted green
and yellow and brown with God’s paintbrush. Jagged mountains
reaching up to touch massive clouds sitting in a pale