Duh, it`s a dude

June 1 2005 Duh it's just a dude. I had to chuckle when I read a an article in the LA Times titled " Fertile Fields for Tourism& how many farmers across the state are grafting entertainment to agriculture, luring city slickers is a matter of survival." DUH, as if this is something novel! Since the turn of the century when Buffalo Bill Cody put together his Wild West show savvy marketers have capitalized on the taking rural life to dudes! Way back in the 30's and 40's our family ran dude ranches in Arizona attracting east-coasters, now this heritage has come full circle with my son, wrangling for the Triangle C Ranch outside of Jackson Hole this summer. Tommy has signed on with an outfit that prides itself on giving guests a taste of rodeo, while other ranchers creatively capitalize on their unique niche ; singles riding clinics, fly fishing , hunting , cattle drives, even spas. The Dude that wrote the Times piece should be enlightened to the fact that ranchers herein the West, have successfully marketed their lifestyle for generations, and will the mystic of the West just keeps getting more bankable. I'm Susan Allen and this is Food Forethought. Source; May 12 2005, Fertile Fields for Tourism Fred Alvarex