Earlier it was 'strong women of the sciences, this time it's 'strong women in the outdoors' (almost, see the final entry) ;-)

A warning here, before I say more about Last of the Saddle Tramps: a 7,000 Mile Equestrian Odyssey Through the USA, by Mesannie Wilkins ... it was a one day read, so make sure you can clear your calender if necessary! It's 1954. The author is 63, single, and destitute. Her mother always wanted to go to California so Mesannie decides she'll follow that dream and go herself. On horseback. She'll start in Maine to head west, but makes a few detours (one to deliver a letter to the governor of Idaho) so it takes a while! The author has a nice style, one that kept me reading her book all day long. :-)

A few years earlier (1949), in Canada, and at a younger age, Barbara Kingscote decides to ride across the country. The 'reason' is to deliver a horse to someone in British Columbia, but in reality, the author is a bit of a wanderer. ;-) Ride the Rising Wind: One Woman's Journey Across Canada tells of her adventures.

While I was not surprised by just how many women worked the rodeo circuit in the early 1900's, I was surprised by how surprised others were, including those who also worked this circuit, too. I mean, really? These were hard working, frontier women who could ride, shoot, build fences, chop fire wood, and so on. Why shouldn't/wouldn't they participate? This was a way to earn some good money. One woman stood out from the others and you will learn all about her life in The Lady Rode Bucking Horses: the Story of Fannie Sperry Steele, Woman of the West, by Dee Marvine.

This brought back a fond memory (and a side trail from the 'women' theme) ... a book titled Midnight, Champion Bucking Horse, written and illustrated by Sam Savitt. I remember a line from the poem at the end ... about a 'bucking hoss' and 'never a rider he couldn't toss' .... something like that!

Reading Hermit With Dog