Things were getting kind of sparse around the coffee shop a few weeks ago. So many of the regulars had gone to Arizona to thaw out and rope we couldn’t form a quorum and solve any local problems.

I checked the forecast and saw that our early January and February spring was about to end. Hearing glowing reports of Arizona and feeling low on vitamin D, I negotiated a release from my wife and made plans to adios for southern sun.

The Naughty Cowgirl needed a horse delivered to Cave Creek and since that was where I was headed, I picked the extra horse up and headed out. Roads were good and I made it to Twin Falls the first day where I overnighted with Brady Black, one of my Ranch Rodeo Pards.

That night Twin Falls had freezing rain followed by four inches of snow. Needing to leave early, I was loaded and on the road at five a.m. The worst roads I have ever driven on.

It took four hours to get to Wells. Nev., normally a short two hours. I began to unpucker half way to Ely when the roads improved. After 15 hours of driving, I arrived at Mel Coleman’s, my other Ranch Rodeo Pards place, in Cave Creek.

The next day I headed for Wickenburg, the team roping capital of the universe where the cowboy is king. Mel was entered in a roping with Charlie Johnson, and they picked up $2,100. Encouraged by their good fortune, I made plans to rope the next day.

In Wickenburg you can enter a minimum of two ropings every day as long as your money holds out. These are not small and would be considered marathons in the Northwest. All the venues are top-notch, well-run and pay out a lot of money if you can tangle up three or four steers in a row.

I arrived at one of the arenas the next morning and entered up. Got parked and was in need of a bathroom. I spotted an arena employee, and in my very best Spanish, asked him where the mens room was. He replied, “I don’t habla that lingo, I am a Navajo.”

“Close enough,” I responded. “Where is it?”

He pointed the direction and away I went. On my way back I saw him laughing at me with another Navajo, and I walked over and asked if he might not just be a social climbing Mexican. He got a kick out of that.

Managed to catch two by two feet and legged one for my partner. Good for sixth place and $190. We had managed to beat 138 of the 144 teams entered. Had I two-footed all three, I could have won some real money. I was quite encouraged and continued to enter other ropings. Unfortunately I had to fall back on skill. Alas, Dame Fortune deserted me.

I met an Indian with long braids that was at several of the ropings and could rope good. He looked familiar and after visiting with him, I found out he was in a couple of movies, “The Revanent” and “Hostiles.” In “Hostiles.” he was the Commanche that was strangled by Wes Studi, one of the stars. His name is Lucas Hogue, and he is a Navajo from New Mexico.

Currently he is based in Paris –– the one in France –– and in the summer works for Buffalo Bill Wild West Show. I thought that quit years ago, but they tour all over Europe.

In case Charlie Johnson or Dave Yost owe any of you money, now would be a good time to collect.

Charlie had won enough to buy a new pickup, and in a two-week period won $20,000. When word got out about Charlie, four guys I talked to wanted to borrow money from him and five wanted to take roping lessons.

Dave has been winning regularly, and last week won $10,000 in two days. He followed that with $2,700 two days later. Megan Yost Cobb has been getting her share also.

I might mention that Jerry Cobb won more than $90,000 at one roping last year in Las Vegas and Brady Black won more than $100,000 this year. These are cowboys that enter the CJD Ranch Rodeo June 30 and get beat by local cowboys sometimes, so if you want to witness some real talent, it only costs $5 a ticket.

After two weeks of all the roping I could stand, I thanked my hosts, Mel and Mary, for their wonderful hospitality and packed up and headed home. Even though everything was still white and cold here, there is no better place I can think of. Now for 90 days of March.

Barrie Qualle is an all-around working ranch hand, author and ranch rodeo enthusiast. He lives in Wallowa County.