I’m no gunfighter, just a working cowboy but when the shot rang out it was through the fire and smoke of my forty-five that I saw his grin disappear. He fell to the earth with a surprised look on his face still clutching that bag of gold. A cheer went up from the wagon for evil had met its match. I quickly sent one of the youngsters to get the bag. He had to pry the bandit’s grimey fingers loose to retrieve the bag. The gold in hand he turned with a big smile to the applause of the wagon. Before he could move more than a step the bandit suddenly grabbed for the boy catching his shirt. Though I took no aim the pistol bucked in my hand once again. The bandit jerked suddenly then lurched forward and crumpled into the dust at the boy’s feet. The brave young man slowly moved from his stunned silence and brought the gold back to me. He scrambled back onto the wagon and was congratulated by all on his bravery and luck. When everyone was safely back in their seat I moved the wagon away from the crumpled body and smell of gun smoke. Back on our journey we once again wound through the trees up the side of the mountain. The serenity of the little pond along the road and the majesty of a great bald eagle soaring high overhead soon carried us from the intensity of the robbery into the peacefulness of nature’s bounty around us. As we approached a fence with high post on either side the chatter had started up again.

A wooden sign hung securely high above the road from the tall post and welcomed us into the safety of wagon camp. The wagon seemed to pick up a little speed as if knowing it was nearing its journeys end. Drifting lightly on the mountain breeze, we could smell the sausage n’eggs cooking. As we rounded the fishing pond and I knew Leroy would be flippin’ pancakes and stacking them high. Katie waved as we pulled up and welcomed us all to what I know is the best hay wagon breakfast in the west. No, this is not fiction nor a story out of 1886 it was just another day at Lake Tahoe. Well, maybe it is a part of history as the old west comes alive here on the Ponderosa Ranch, the Home of Bonanza.