You have probably all seen a dairy cow, but have you ever thought about actually milking one? Milking a cow takes preparation and calm nerves.

First, bring your cow into the milking area. Depending on how new the cow is to the milking process, you may want to put her in a stanchion or tie her halter to something. Some cows can only be coaxed into this process with a little food, so have some grain or hay available.

When you approach the cow, make sure that you talk in a soft, calming voice and touch her flank so she knows where you are. This will help so that the cow isn’t startled by your touch.

Next, take some warm soapy water and wash off the udder. Pat dry with the towel, but don’t rub as this may cause irritation. This also prevents possible mud or manure from falling into your bucket of milk.

Take your bucket and place it under the udder. Sit or squat at a right angle to the cow. Don’t sit on the floor as this could result in you either being kicked or stepped on if the cow becomes frightened. Place your thumb and pointer finger at the top of the teat, closest to the udder and then gently squeeze with all your fingers. Some recommend lubricant such as Vaseline or udder cream on your hands to reduce friction, but this is optional.

You should see a steady stream of milk, although it may take some practice. Continue until the udder becomes flaccid and then move onto the next teat. With some cows you can do two teats at a time, but start with one until you have more practice. Continue until the flow of milk has just about stopped and pat yourself on the back, as you have just milked your first cow!

Life in the American west is juxtaposition between the old and the new. You can still find people living the working cowboy life in the twenty-first century. There are still cattle ranches, sheep ranches, and dairy farms. There are square dances in town halls and county fairs. There are Native Americans living in their traditional ways and museums devoted to the anthropology of indigenous peoples.

There is western art in the form of sterling silver and turquoise jewelry, as well as coral, onyx, and other stones. There is a culture of western painting; for example, the art of Georgia O'Keefe. There is the photography of Ansel Adams, who captured the great western landscapes on film. Natural monuments abound, whether as large as the Grand Canyon, in Arizona, or as small as the Petrified Forest, near Calistoga, in Northern California.

Amidst all this splendor and cowboy lifestyle there are booming cities, big business and suburban sprawl. People may go to work wearing jeans but they are still working for big corporations. The computer industry is huge in the west, especially in California's Silicon Valley and in Texas, where Compaq computers has its headquarters. Orchards and farms have disappeared from suburban neighborhoods, to be replaced by multiplex movie theaters and giant shopping malls or outlet centers. Dancing is done in nightclubs where live music, karaoke and radio favorites blare.

Gambling is a big source of entertainment in states where it is legal, such as Nevada and increasingly in California. There are museums, parks, libraries, monuments and every other kind of entertainment imaginable. There are quickie marriages and quickie divorces. There is the corporate lifestyle and there are people who wish to escape from the corporate lifestyle. The American West has it all.

Horseback riding is great for every age. It provides a sport with plenty of enjoyment. However, before riding, you need to know safety measures and be aware of all the equipment needed for this hobby.

The basic equipment for the horse is a saddle blanket, saddle, stirrups, reins and bridle. Of course, there are different varieties of each, depending upon the type of riding intended. For example, an English saddle differs from a western saddle. Bareback riding requires only the bridal and reins. For the rider, it is important to have sturdy footwear, gloves and appropriate clothing (depending on the desired ride). The first important thing in horseback riding is to know the horse. Being relaxed will make the horse more comfortable with you. When approaching the horse, the rider must be composed; this will ensure that the horse knows how to obey commands. After the horse appears comfortable, the rider can mount him or her by slipping their left foot into the stirrup and grasping the horn, then swinging their right leg over the back of the horse. The reins should be held at all times. Now that the horse is mounted, the rider can issue commands for the horse and begin the ride. Bonding between the rider and horse begins during the approach and mount, continuing throughout the ride.

Whether at a slow trot or gallop, the rider must be ever aware of the surrounding environment for safety of the horse and him or herself. For casual riding, the purposes are pleasure and sport.

The lifestyle of the modern day farmer is much like it was hundreds of years ago. The farmers of today must still be up before the sun and experience long hours spent outdoors, no matter the weather conditions. Farmers are constantly fighting against the elements, either hoping for rain, so the crops will grow, or for the rain to stop, so they can plant or harvest. The farmer does not stop working at sunset either. There is bookwork to be done, fences to be fixed, animals to be cared for and machines to be repaired.

The one thing that has changed over the years is the actual size of the farm. Farmers used to only have to take care of tiny plots of land, yet the concept of a small farmer is a thing of the past. With the demand of produce getting lower and prices of equipment increasing every year, most small farms have gone under.

With demand getting lower, you go big or not at all. Today's farmer, whether it be a crop harvester or a rancher, you have to be big to get by, and even they need help from the government, most of the time due to the weather. If the government has cut backs, it is the farmer who feels this the hardest.

Farming is not for the weak of mind or heart. It is a gamble on the everyday market and the demand of the people. With the constant effort to keep the ranch up to adequate conditions, it is back breaking work. Throw in the random chances of an animal getting sick or your plants not producing, farmers are constantly taking chances throughout their day.

West America is a huge piece of that keeps on bursting its seams because it is such an exciting area to find oneself in. From deserts and mountains to oceans and lakes, the land is mesmerizing. One can't get too tired of being in this area. One can drive through a valley of dry sand and rock only able to support a few brown shrubs and cactus plants. Everything seems lifeless at first sight of the mountains. Towns are few and far between so one needs to proceed cautiously and safely.

Another Western America adventure can be found in Billings, Montana. The wild days of the west are not prevalent in Billings. Writers gather in town to participate in a series of public readings or discussing land use in rural communities. That sounds pretty country for city folk who don’t leave their state or city often and rely on their computers for everything.

Openness is the word that describes Western America and the citizens maintain individual openness. It is open to everyone who wants to stay after their visit. The desert areas are hot and sunny for the most part while the Pacific Northwest is cool and wet. In the winter there could be snow every once in a while but, lush and green most of the time. Then there is California. They are known for droughts, grass/brush fires and tons of people. The ocean lines the west side of the state and inland, one will find mountains, desert and beautiful scenery.