Western Folklife Center's National Cowboy Poetry Gathering Ultimate Western Experiences Auction

Gail Steiger, Chairman of the Board of the Western Folklife Center, and his wife Amy Hale Auker, noted western author and poet, will be your hosts on the extraordinary 50,000 acre Spider Ranch (featured in the documentary film Ranch Album), where they cowboy every day. Friday night you will visit the Prescott, Arizona home of Gail's grandfather, Gail I. Gardner, author of several beloved classic cowboy songs and poems, to view the George Phippen painting inspired by his song "Tyin' Knots in the Devil's Tail." Next, you will dine in the restaurant now housed in the store built by Gail's great grandfather J. I. Gardner. Afterwards, you will stroll down "Whiskey Row,” prominently featured in the lyrics to “Tyin’ Knots.” You will spend the night in the bunkhouse at Spider Ranch. Next morning, Amy will cook breakfast at headquarters before you ride to a cow camp on Smith Mesa. You will have the option of making a circle to gather cattle with Gail or hiking with Amy to view nearby petroglyphs. That night, after dinner cooked over a campfire, Gail and Amy will entertain you with songs and poetry that convey a sense of how fortunate they feel to be able to live and work in such incredible country. You'll sleep in teepees and then ride (or hike) back to headquarters after a chuck wagon breakfast on Sunday morning. Max four people. Best time to schedule: late fall, winter.