Paul Willard Richard

Growing Up Wild: a Mountain Ranch Childhood Paul Willard Richard

The author tells of his growing up in the spectacular mountains of Colorado on the Two-Bar Ranch. Life there provides the backdrop for the funny, wild, and sometimes heart wrenching events he and his brothers come upon. They encounter right and wrong, life and death on the ranch.

Many people wish they could have lived an exciting childhood with great parents, a wonderful dog, many siblings, and vast freedom in beautiful high mountains. This adventurous boy has all of these and much more.

Doing the fun and ornery, his home ranch was the site of stopping the local train, raiding trespassing fishermen, catching skunks by the tails, teaching magpies to talk, and fishing for wily trout in unusual ways.

This 1950s story is also about wild pets, hand fishing, livestock defending, weird hired hands, and feuding with a stubborn neighbor. Having lived wild, free, and independent, this kid eventually has to deal with the dreaded sale of his home ranch. Can he let go or save the ranch he truly loves?

Funny, insightful, and poignant, this story captures a marvelous growing up. Based on the author's own life, this memoir provides insights about living an authentic and exciting ranch life.