Recipe for An Enchanting Moonlight Wagon Ride

Start with a crisp autumn evening and an almost full moon at the Clover Cliff Ranch in beautiful
Chase County Kansas. Gather around a campfire to share appetizers, hot apple cider and hot
chocolate with other guests who are waiting to enjoy a spectacular Flint Hills sunset. Stand by
for the main event, hosted jointly by the Clover Cliff and Flying W Ranches, the Harshmans
and the Hoys.

On a recent weekend, about 40 guests needed no recipe to proceed from these basic ingredients.
Just before sunset they boarded two horse-drawn wagons for a ride out into the hills. Spencer
Harshman guided Rosie and Roxie, two black Percheron horses pulling the Clover Cliff wagon.
Josh Hoy masterfully drove the other wagon pulled by Hog and Boom, Flying W's Belgian team.
The sunset was indeed spectacular and everyone was wowed!

After sunset, the wagons returned guests to tables surrounding the campfire where they feasted
on old-fashioned thick, rich beef and barley stew served with homemade bread and apple butter
followed by apple crisp cheese cake. Jim Hoy entertained the group with some of the Flint Hills history
and cowboy legends that have made him famous in the Midwest and beyond. His guitar and rich voice
added a special touch to the evening. To quote Josie Hoy, Jim's 12-year-old granddaughter,
"Pa is talking to them and they're all content."

Then it was time to load up in the wagons once more for another ride into the hills to enjoy the light
of the nearly full moon. Even though there was absolutely no wind, guests were happy to cuddle
under blankets. Again, the view was spectacular. An unexpected attraction was a bird's-eye view
of more than 100 Chinese lanterns being released in the distance after a wedding ceremony at Camp Wood.

Guests lingered around the campfire late into the evening sharing stories, laughing and bonding with
newly made friends. Best fall evening ever!