Texans invented the trail ride as a rite of self-renewal, a massive ceremonial trot along vaguely ancestral paths in memory of cowboys,
pioneers, and the good old days when there was really someplace to go on a horse. Modeled on the cattle drives of the nineteenth century,
but without all of that lonesome cowpoke business, since a trail ride is essentially a big, long party.
The grandest, most sacred trail rides are in February. For these highly publicized events, Texans by the thousands take off from their jobs,
put on authentic Western or pioneer costumes, and ride together for days or weeks from the country to the city.
Along the highways and into the suburbs they carry flags and club banners, parading through town after town, camping in fields and parks,
celebrating all the way with drinking and dancing, barbecues, and campfires.
More than 3000 riders from 13 trail rides converge in Houston on one Saturday morning in February.
They come into town in one long procession and join a grand parade through the city, celebrating the day that the cows were brought to market.