Patrice Engle Spyrka

Tales of a Young Rider Patrice Engle Spyrka

Tales of a Young Rider is a book based on the adventures of a young girl, Leah, who grew up at the YMCA of the Rockies, Snow Mountain Ranch. Leah kept her horses with Rudy and Clara Belle Just, who were original Colorado Homesteaders.



Sitting by the wood-burning stove in their log cabin ranch house, Rudy and Clara Belle taught Leah what it was like to be homesteaders; the values of life, caring for ranch animals, managing the land, cooking ranch food, and so many other aspects of pioneer living.



In the stories that Leah tells, many of life's lessons come alive from the back of a horse. Chickens, rabbits, goats, and sheep become her friends while bears, lighting, outlaws, and mountain lions add adventure to the mix. Life was much more than just a simple trail ride in the Rocky Mountains.



Here is a book that can be enjoyed by children, their parents and grandparents, much in the way Leah learned by listening to the stories from Rudy and Clara Belle. Included are the recipes of pioneers and activities to make the book an adventure for everyone.