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Saddle
Up the Horses
Farewell
to Fellow Friend and Cowboy
Mike Richardson
Mike Richardson
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Butterfly Hollow Farm ____ The Path Leading Us Here ____ How The Farm Got Its Name ____ Restoring the Old Farmhouse ____ Where The Beefalo Roam ____ Saddle Up The Horses ____ Saving Wilderness and Farm Land ____ Farm Journals ____ Sharing The Farm ____ Guest Book ____ Site Map ____ |
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When
I walked down to the barn anticipating the cattledrive and the new
as well as familiar faces that would be helping us out, I knew that
I would see one cowboy that always loved to be a part in these drives...my
friend Mike. It wasn't long until he showed up pulling his trailer
with his new horse Mac. Dakotas Mac was one of the offspring from
the farm and I was happy as well as somewhat sad the day Mike bought
him and brought him to his Painted Farms. We both brought cameras
for today's adventure and it wasn't long before we were saddled up
and had the crew of 12 or so wranglers mounted and headed out across
the hillside pasture. 
I had no idea or faint inclination that the pictures I was taking of Mike would be his last. It was two days later that Mike was driving home from work and died in an automobile accident. He left behind so many things he cherished....a loving wife, two beautiful little girls, proud parents and not to mention his horses. We were so honored that his wife Tammy wanted Sharon and I to have his horse Mac. He's back on the farm now where he was raised and Mike comes back to life every time I slide into the saddle. I still hear the echo of his last words to me when I'm riding some of the trails we took together. We had all the cattle rounded up and everyone was taking off saddles, walking bow legged and slow and I turned to Mike and jokingly asked "do ya wanna take another ride up around the ridgetop to the lowgap." He smiled big and didn't hesitate one second to say..."ride..did you say ride? You never have to ask this ol' cowboy twice to take a horse ride." And away we went.... one last time.
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info@butterflyhollow.com
Butterfly
Hollow
Gordonsville,
TN 38563