by Michael Hofferber. Copyright © 1997. All rights reserved.
Grayce grew up on horses. By the age of seven she was riding alone. At 18, she drove stage teams for her uncle up to mines in the Ochoco Mountains. She'd ride up from Prineville, stay overnight at the stage station, and return the next day. One day up, one day back, day after day. It was great work.
"My mother wanted me to be a lady. That was always a bad word with me. I just wanted to be me," Grayce explained.
For a time, she lived with her mother in Portland, working at a dimestore. But soon as she could arrange it, Grayce was back in Prineville. There were two problems with city life. First, there were no horses. ("Horses were my first love.") Second, she didn't like the people.
"I don't like people," she said. "I like folks."
"What's the difference?" I asked.
Continued at... Folks
Out of the Past
The Corral
Artwork: Oregon Summer Cowgirl by Paul A. Lanquist
