Wonderland in Winter

The winter season has just begun in Yellowstone National Park and I’d like to reintroduce you to the park’s splendor in December.

Imagine if you will a winter wonderland in its purest form. The ground covered with snow just as pure as the moment it fell from the sky above. Not even a footprint has left its mark. The trees are covered with snow standing strong as they reach for the stars. There are no neon signs or busy crowds. It’s just you in the middle of serenity, breathing the fresh mountain air while the creatures of earth move about free and undisturbed. This scene will forever be etched in my memory.

Yellowstone National Park is the Crown Jewel of all parks. In the summer guests are afforded the opportunity to see what I consider the most beautiful place in the world. Clear blue skies abound. The sun, in all of its majesty, exposes sights that are often indescribable. There’s Old Faithful, Upper Falls, Majestic Pool, Mammoth Hot Springs and so many natural wonders of the world at your fingertips.

In winter all of that changes or at least is perceived to have changed. While the attractions are still in the same locations, their appearances sustain an Extreme Makeover - Mother Nature Edition!

Snow now covers every inch of the 2,219,783 acres. Travel is accomplished by foot, snowcoach and snowmobile. It is still possible to explore a large majority of the park and experience its main attractions with relative ease thanks to Xanterra Parks & Resorts – the concessionaire in Yellowstone. Their snowcoach tours are a truly unique experience. Guided by two skis in the front and held steady by tracks on each side you can reach speeds of 45mph - safely. And I should mention they also have good heaters.

Snowmobiles also make for great transportation. Guided snowmobile tours are available inside the park. This is perhaps my favorite mode of winter travel in Yellowstone. It’s fun and offers flexibility when wildlife watching.

And of course there’s old reliable Moe and Joe. Xanterra offers creative ways to utilize your feet as well. There are skiing and snowshoeing opportunities that provide access to more remote backcountry type of exploring.

Whatever your mode of transportation the scenes will be embedded in your mind, heart, and soul. Perhaps you will see a red fox hunting, a pack of wolves roaming, or a herd of buffalo sharing the trail with you. It may be the serenity that speaks volumes to your soul or breathing in pure mountain air that refreshes your purpose of life. No matter what your favorite part of Yellowstone in winter, your life will be forever changed.

In the hustle and bustle of today’s society a winter experience in Yellowstone is a welcome change of pace. I can assure you first-class accommodations, fabulous dining, and pure relaxation. Leave your laptop, mp3 player and other gadgets behind and enjoy a winter wonderland known simply as Yellowstone National Park.

Forever West,

Jeremy

Hunt Wyoming

It has been such a busy summer with rodeos and military duties that it was nice to have a free weekend to head north and hunt Wyoming.

Each year I get to take a hunting trip and I thought 2008 would be my year to harvest a Black Bear and Elk. This turns out to be a large undertaking as the bear and elk are two of the most elusive animals in the lower 48.

Wyoming is the perfect place to hunt…whether your goal is to hunt moose, elk, bear, mountain goat, big horn sheep, mountain lion or mule deer.

My good friend Cody Brinton and I headed into the Bridger-Teton National Forest in attempt to fulfill my 2008 hunting goals.

We headed west from Laramie on Thursday around 3pm and let the white lines pass by for 350+ miles. It was a pleasant drive across some of Wyoming’s most undisturbed land. Tourists are mostly familiar with Yellowstone, Devils Tower and the Grand Tetons, but what may go unknown is the fact that Wyoming has vast prairie lands as well. You have to really respect the hard work of ranchers in this area that make their living off the land, especially when winter months set in.

We arrived at our location in the Bridger-Teton National Forest around 10pm. Arriving at night and navigating our way up the mountain range on narrow gravel roads was difficult. I can honestly say I had no idea where I was…and still not too sure!

At daylight Friday morning, Cody and I were deep in the forest. As soon as we arrived Cody hit the elk call and we had immediate response. Five different bull elk were bugling at us as close as 200 yards. It was my first time to hear a Elk bugle and the adrenaline rush I got was similar to that of fighting bulls. My heart wanted to jump out of my chest!

Cody told me take cover under a tree and get ready as he would attempt to separate himself in order to call the Elk in closer. I found a sound spot under a Pine Tree towering above. With my shooting sticks in place, I was ready to harvest my first elk.

As Cody walked ahead he blew on the elk call and a bull elk came blazing through the forest breaking any and everything in its way. He stopped 25 yards or so from me allowing me to see only the back half of his body. Unfortunately, he winded (smelled) us never to be seen again. My goodness, are those animals smart.

From there we hiked into places that Jim Bridger himself would have been tempted not to venture into. We knew there were more elk up the mountain but to my dismay we didn’t spot any.

The hike was a challenge…an uphill battle to say the least. But what a pleasant day it was to be in the Wyoming wilderness. The temperature was below freezing but with all the walking we couldn’t shed our jackets quick enough.

There is a certain calmness found only in nature and never have I found a place that has more serenity than Wyoming. The pine trees were tall, strong and prideful. The river running below us was constant yet peaceful proving life to all the creatures of nature. And then the animals…their presence was evident as the elk bugled and the birds sang.

Despite all of the harmony with nature we opted to leave the forest and hunt black Bbar.

In Wyoming, it is legal to bait black bear. Cody registered his bait with the Wyoming Game and Fish and to date had been one of the more successful baits attracting multiple bears. The bait consisted of a 55-gallon drum filled with foods that only bears enjoy!

The blind I was hunting from was a mere 15 yards from the bait. Although it may sound easy trust me its not. First of all, the bears are smart and can wind (smell) you like no other animal. Then there is the fear factor…not everyone is willing to be in between a bear and its food.

Courage wasn’t the issue for me as I hunted the black bear on two different occasions this weekend staying until dark fell. I can’t say that I wasn’t nervous at times because trust me it can be nerve racking.

Again, I came up short…I didn’t even get to see a bear on my hunt.

I was hunting with a single shot 30-06 and I’m pretty confident in my shooting. I have to be since it’s only one shot! So perhaps the animals of the Wyoming forest heard about the Blogging Bullfighter and his dead aim single shot and took cover deep into the woods! That’s my theory at least.

Well, I must sign off for now. Do me a favor, explore Wyoming with or without a firearm. I can assure you the experience will be life changing.

Uncle Sam just called…I am off to Atlanta, Georgia for temporary duty. That seems to be the story of my year. Service before self…I remind myself of that daily.

Forever West,
Jeremy

Back from Bama

What a whirlwind it has been since my last blog from Cheyenne Frontier Days.

The long days and full schedules of CFD helped prepare me for my next challenge which I met head-on merely two days after leaving the CFD Championship Round.

The list of deployment opportunities is quiet lengthy for today’s military personnel with the majority of them taking place in Iraq and Afghanistan. My deployment and temporary duty was spent in Montgomery, Alabama of all places.

Despite the fact I was able to stay stateside the duty hours often times reached 21 hours per day.

I was selected to serve as a Flight Training Officer responsible for training and evaluating the Air Force’s future officers. It was a great experience molding our next generation of Air Force warriors!

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to see any of the 2008 Olympics. Cheyenne’s own Jennifer Nichols went to Beijing as the USA’s top female archer and I’m still not sure how she did. (Editor’s note: Jennifer missed the medal round)

The timing wasn’t the best for my rodeo career but I live with the core value of Service- Before-Self. And I understand the fact that duty calls. While I was away “stomping out ignorance,” I was unable to represent the US Air Force and great state of Wyoming at rodeos in California, New Jersey, Colorado and Wyoming.

However, upon my arrival home I received a call from the First Frontier Circuit informing me that I have been selected to fight bulls at the 2008 First Frontier Circuit Finals Rodeo.

This was a goal I set early in the year and I couldn’t be happier than to have received that call. I am now qualified for the Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo in Pocatello, Idaho. The DNCFR is my ultimate goal for 2008 and I eagerly await the voting outcome

My 2008 rodeo schedule is a long way from being over. I will be flying east two times this month to perform at the historic PRCA Cowtown Rodeo in New Jersey.

The Tribute to Chris LeDoux (Casper, Wyoming) rodeo is also on my schedule and I look forward to being a small part of such a wonderful event Stay tuned as more is to come from the Blogging Bullfighter!

Forever West,

Jeremy

One Done Daddy

Believe it or not the 112th Cheyenne Frontier Days is now over.

Congratulations to Steve Woolsey for winning his first CFD title after riding three bulls for 245 points including a 91-point ride in the championship round. Over the years I’ve become friends with the 2000 World Champion Bull Rider, Cody Hancock. Cody proved once again that he is a contender recording an 85- point ride on Sunday and ultimately a second place finish overall.

Cheyenne Frontier Days is undoubtedly the most prestigious rodeo in the world. 2008 marked my seventh year to fight bulls at CFD and each year the western celebration improves. CFD has been named the PRCA’s Large Outdoor Rodeo of the Year nine times and what an honor it is to be just a small part of their success.

In the 112th edition of CFD, Jesse Bail made perhaps the best ride I’ve seen him make when he turned in a 91-point ride in the first round to earn $6,300 for eight seconds of work. NFR qualifier J.W. Harris rode a previously unridden Thomas Taylor bucking bull for 86 points. Perhaps the most sentimental moment came when Jay Marrow made a qualified ride on a bull renamed for Cheyenne resident Hunter Jones. Despite the fact Hunter is fighting cerebral palsy he attends CFD every year. But it’s his smile that is contagious and his smile that has made him a big hit among CFD bull riders. After Jay’s successful ride, Hunter autographed Jay’s CFD Day Sheet. Jay might not have won the CFD championship but he will always remember the smile Hunter Jones had when he made a successful ride. Now that is priceless.

I knew Sunday was going to be a busy day for me and my wife, Jamie. We had to hustle from Frontier Park to the Dick’s Sporting Goods Stadium in Denver in order to make the Colorado Rapids game Sunday evening. There weren’t too many minutes to spare but we did end up arriving on time. Jamie had the truck running and I sprinted from the rodeo arena to the pickup as soon as the last bull bucked. I threw my gear bag in the back and made a mad dash for the back seat as Jamie spun out.

Cheyenne’s CBS 5 had previously done an interview with me regarding how busy Sunday was going to be but it wasn’t until the moment we pulled away that I felt the pressure to be on time.



At 7p.m. we got to the stadium with not a minute to spare. We were escorted onto the field where I was to meet with the Rapids team captain, Pablo Mastroeni (No. 25), and then participate in the coin toss.

After my duties as the Honorary Team Captain were complete Jamie and I enjoyed watching the game and learning more about my now favorite MLS Team, the Rapids. I have to say, the Rapids fans take the game seriously and aren’t afraid to let the referees know how they feel when a call doesn’t go their way. MLS is intense and action packed. It’s not just a bunch of people chasing a ball. I’m now an official soccer fan and can’t wait to return for another game.

While sitting on the bench getting ready to meet Pablo I told Jamie I think I could play this game. That’s something you most likely wouldn’t hear from Mastroeni should Pablo come to CFD next year to watch me in action.
Forever West,

Jeremy

Tough Enough To Wear Pink

The odds were stacked against me today as I had to fight bulls in the mud and unusual humidity created by yesterday's rain shower. Add that to the fact I was wearing a new pink jersey in support of Wrangler's Tough Enough To Wear Pink (TETWP)campaign and you have just the right mix for a potential hooking!

2008 marks the fourth year Wrangler has donated money for each contestant wearing pink on such designated TETWP performances. I would guess more than half of the cowboys competing today participated in this great event. I will try to get you the amount raised by CFD cowboys ASAP. I will venture to say that amount will be in the thousands.

Prior to the performance, Cheyenne’s CBS 5 reporter Alex Hannum interviewed me regarding the program. Be sure to check out the full TETWP interview at CBS5.

Speaking of good deeds, Locks of Love an organization which accepts donated hair in order to create wigs for children fighting cancer received a donation today that was certainly unplanned!

CFD Barrelman Cody Soesbee has been growing his hair out for over a year now. His hair had reached the minimum requirement to donate and it was getting hard to recognize him being his typical hairdo is similar to an Airman’s. Well today, front and center at CFD arena I arranged for Cody to get a surprise haircut courtesy of none other than myself! It was certainly entertaining as I tried my best to shave his head. He got away from me before I shaved him completely bald…but not before I could leave him with a nice Mohawk! He’s not ready to enter active duty but he did get a free haircut and Locks of Love will be receiving a donation.

As for the bullriding it wasn’t too bad. 2008 College National Finals qualifier Brent Menz made a good bull ride hanging on for the required eight seconds but it’s current World Champion Wesley Silcox who holds the second round lead with an 88 score.

Despite the odds being stacked against me with the mud and my new TWTWP jersey I managed to walk away in one piece.

It’s hard to think that we are on the downhill side of the 2008 Cheyenne Frontier Days but a lot of action will take place in these last few days so make sure you keep checking in with the Blogging Bullfighter for a first hand look at CFD.


Forever West,

Jeremy

Wild, Wet & Western

CFD wouldn’t be complete if we didn’t get to play in the mud at least once. In the middle of the fifth performance we had our chance to get wet and wild. We were in the second of three sections of bulls when the bottom fell out. Believe it or not I don’t mind fighting bulls while it’s raining. It’s the next day when it’s muddy that I have to work a little harder to get my job done.

I have been busy this week with parades, news interviews, promo appearances and a host of other CFD events and I hope that you have been able to keep up through it all.

I sported my Rapids jersey on Monday and guess what? I took a hooking. Bullfighters typically wear the same outfit as it always seems that when we put on a new article of clothing we get hooked. I’m not totally superstitious but I will say 60% of the time a hooking happens. Nevertheless, it made a great picture and you can see it online at the Rapids official website. In addition, the Rapids had this to say...

Let the Sparks Fly: In a sport where only the strong survive, Jeremy Sparks has excelled. Jeremy is an eight-year veteran bullfighter in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association as well as the Professional Bull Riders. He is the only professional bullfighter in the United States Air Force, serving as the Commandant of Cadets at the University of Wyoming. In true Rapids supporter fashion, he's been wearing a Rapids jersey all week as he has competed at Cheyenne Frontier Days, the world’s largest rodeo and western celebration. He also wears shin guards and soccer cleats when he competes. Fans will get the chance to see Jeremy in person this weekend, as he will be the Honorary Captain at the Rapids game this Sunday.

Jamie and I are excited for Sunday when I make my appearance as the Rapids “Honorary Captain” when they face off with Columbus at 7:30pm at Dick Sporting Goods stadium. It is really nice to have my family supporting my career choice and attending so many events with me. I know it’s going to be blast.

As for rodeo action, my good friend, and Wyoming Secretary of State Max Maxfield, came out to support our Wyoming cowboys and they didn’t disappoint! Bobby Welsh was successful turning in a 78-point ride. He has certainly been on fire this year and you can bet he will represent Wyoming at the 2008 National Finals Rodeo.

Relatively unknown Cheyenne cowboy, Tyrel Nelson is tied for the lead in the bareback riding with two-time world champion Bobby Mote. I hope Tyrel carries his momentum into round two and earns a spot in the championship round on Sunday. How exciting would it be for this young man to win his hometown rodeo?

Despite the hurricane in Texas, it looks as if CBS News will make the trip to Cheyenne and report live from the pancake breakfast on Friday. Tune into “The Early Show” and watch my live interview tomorrow.

Well I have to wash muddy clothes but thanks for stopping by.

It is “Tough Enough to Wear Pink” day and I have a special jersey just for that. I hope I don’t get hooked for wearing a new jersey but if I do it will be for a good cause. We hope to raise both money and awareness for the Susan G. Koman and TETWP Foundations. If you’re a cancer survivor, my hat’s off to you for fighting the good fight…and WINNING!

Forever West,

Jeremy

Always Moving!!

Cheyenne Frontier Days is officially underway. It has been a whirlwind ride so far and we have only just begun.

The interviews I previously blogged about went really well. I’d like to thank Denver 7 and Fox 31 for their generosity and sharing my story. It was an early morning but well worth it.

I woke up at 5am and was on the road by 6am. I was scheduled for Fox 31 “Good Day Colorado” show at 8am so I needed to hit the ground running in order to beat the morning traffic. I fueled up in Cheyenne before heading south. To my dismay ten miles into the trip I realized I had forgotten the video footage they had requested so I had to return home in order to pick it up. Good news is I made it.

There was a break between the morning news interview and my taping for Denver 7. I crashed at a friends’ house just outside Denver. It’s always better to visit and laugh with good friends than it is to walk the mall.

At 1:30pm I headed back into Denver to start the taping. It was a fun interview and allowed me the opportunity to promote Wyoming and explain the role of a bullfighter. Perhaps you were able to catch it both Friday and Saturday on the 10 o’clock news.

Big thanks go out to Steve Kelley and his Fox 31 team as well as the entire Denver 7 Sports crew. Also, congratulations to my good friend Anne Trujillo of Denver 7 for earning the Emmy for Denver’s Best News Anchor!

Be sure to check back as we work to upload interviews.

Well I arrived back into Cheyenne just in time to make a promo appearance at the Wyoming Tourism booth located near the CFD Ticket Office. Don’t miss your chance to stop by and learn more about Wyoming and get your free Chris LeDoux Tribute DVD.

From there I met up with Jamie it was on to a CFD reception. It’s always a treat to visit with the many people who play a large part in making CFD the greatest outdoor rodeo. Among those in attendance were legendary stock contractor Harry Vold and his wife Karen.

There is no rest for the weary and that is certainly the case for me right now. Jamie and I walked through the night show just long enough for me to get a headache. That was the end of the night for me. We returned home and doctored my headache so I could be better for the first of nine PRCA rodeo performances.

The next morning (19 July) it was off to the CFD Parade at 9:30am. If you want to see a parade, the CFD Parade is a must. There are horses, wagons, Indians, queens, antique vehicles, bands, military troops and so much more. Good news is, there are three more parades (22, 24, 26 July) so you can be sure to get in on the action.

From the parade we headed to Frontier Park to get ready for the rodeo. Fighting bulls with me this year are NFR bullfighter Darrel Diefenbach and world champion Mike Matt. It’s always good to get the first performance under your belt. The first one went well and I hope for eight more just like that! Congrats to Wyoming native Clayton Savage for turning in the high marked ride of the day scoring 87 points.

P.s. - Happy Birthday Jamie!

Forever West,
Jeremy