Get Back to the Land and Become a Cowboy

By Linda Martin
Published on May 1, 1978
article image
LINDA MARTIN

“A lot of city children dream about becoming cowboys and cowgirls when they grow up,” say Ron and Linda Martin (both formerly of Los Angeles), “and we used to dream those same dreams too. The only difference between us and most of the rest of those urban youngsters, in fact, is that we made our dreams come true!” 

Have you ever wanted to gallop across the range with the reins of a horse in one hand and a twirling lariat in the other? Better yet, have you secretly daydreamed of getting paid for “rounding up the dogies,” “riding fence,” and doing other such chores out in the wide open spaces?

Well, if you have, then you’re probably right about where our family was just a few short years ago. My husband Ron and I were both born, raised, and educated in Los Angeles, but neither one of us wanted to live in that or any other city.

Instead, we dreamed of buying a small country ranch somewhere, going into the cattle business full time, and bringing up our own family far away from urban crime, pollution, and noise.

And so, just as many other “back-to-the-landers” have done in recent years, we put some money down on a small working ranch. And we then tried to run the place while one or both of us commuted to city jobs to earn enough to keep up the payments on the ranch. The idea didn’t work out very well for us for at least three reasons:

Comments (0) Join others in the discussion!
    Online Store Logo
    Need Help? Call 1-800-234-3368