From: george.kincaid@worldnet.att.net   
      
   A case for Gerald' comment. I took a trip to Big Bend National Park in the   
   80s. It was a class field trip for a geology course. We hiked all over the   
   park, got lectures and comments. I got attacked by an eagle claw cactus I   
   think it was called. I wish we had been told to wear at least jeans. Most of   
   us went tramping around in shorts. I recall my mom--and later the family   
   doctor--digging needles or whatever got shot into my leg. We got scorched   
   and sunburned and Lord knows what else. Could have used a canvas jacket and   
   a big hat--and leather covers over our pants. Now I see why cowboys wear   
   chaps!   
   "Gerald Clough"  wrote in message   
   news:4cKdnQJVLt0XkMLfRVn-oQ@texas.net...   
   > Julianne Stevenson wrote:   
   >   
   >> Why did Cowboys always wear Chaps?   
   >   
   > Don't always. Unless you're into leather, they're kind of awkward in bed.   
   >   
   > The purpose is protection from brush, often thorny. They were and are a   
   > necessity in South Texas where most of what grows will hurt you. They can   
   > also save your clothes and legs when a hot iron goes astray or the   
   > castrating knife slips.   
   >   
   > In that kind of country, even in the hottest weather, a canvas jacket and   
   > leather gloves are mandatory and even then aren't enough.   
   >   
   > Think about going along for the ride atop a horse fixated on chasing a   
   > steer and making his own path through this:   
   > http://www.southtexasranches.com/420brush1.jpg   
   >   
   > Most of that is virgin mesquite with long thorns that tend to make   
   > festering wounds. The rest of it hurts, too. Just less.   
   > --   
   >                       Gerald Clough   
   >    "Nothing has any value, unless you know you can give it up."   
   >   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)