Steve Shaw, Tour Operator
By: Steve Shaw 05/01/2009
I reluctantly acquiesced to my wife Marcie’s idea that we take a steamboat cruise on the Mississippi River in 1998; I assumed it would be boring. We chose to dress in period-appropriate clothing—as a riverboat gambler and his lady. We had a ball! We enlightened our like-minded friends; then we thought, let’s organize trips so more people can enjoy this!
Our trips are different from most because I cram them with the history of the area. Civil War battlefields, antebellum homes, knowledgeable guides—I throw it all in. Plus, and this isn’t mandatory, the group dresses in period-correct clothing, which really separates us from the crowd.
We get silly with red long-john pajama parties. For the most part, attire on these trips includes hoop skirts and bustled gowns for the women; military uniforms, knee high boots, frock coats and vests or buckskins for the guys.
The best thing anyone said to me after a trip was that he gained confidence riding with me. This Cowboy Mounted Shooter, who rode with me on “Custer’s Ride to Glory,” said the trip proved he could spend six hours in the saddle every day, jump creeks, swim on horseback across a swift, swollen Little Bighorn River and learn cavalry maneuvers. He had ridden more, seen more and learned more than he ever had previously.
Our 7th Cavalry troops become well-trained cavalrymen. We ride in columns, with Custer and his scouts in the lead. When a command, such as “Left into Line,” is given, each cavalryman must be able to perform the maneuver without hesitation. For those of us interested in history, the cavalry training part of the tour lends itself well to our knowledge base.
My horses are supplied by Kevin McNiven, who owns a remuda of horses he hires out to the movies and has served as wrangler to stars such as Tom Cruise, Mel Gibson and Kevin Costner. Safety is my paramount concern, and these horses are the best trained for the experiences I offer.
Each individual is given a horse based on their experience level. I usually opt for “Cupcake.”
"Wyatt Earp's Vendetta Ride" promises to be a hoot! I’m very excited to have True West Executive Editor Bob Boze Bell along as our historian. Imagine walking the streets of Tombstone with Bob and having him at Johnny Ringo’s gravesite and at the exact spots Wyatt’s posse killed Florentino Cruz and Curly Bill [he’ll share the controversy behind Curly Bill’s death site]. Riders will be a part of Wyatt Earp’s posse or the Cowboy faction.
Comments (1)
General Steve Shaw is not only an excellent scribe, but a man born in another century-what a guy! Hook up for one of his tours and you'll never forget it!!...Of course, his wife Marcie cleans up mighty good-what a sweetheart!
Sincerely,
Jack Knazan
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