Like a lot of Colorado mountain kids, Brandon O Connor absorbs the sights and sounds of the west on his way to school. A new frost glistening in the morning light.
Homesteaders cabins setting into the earth.
Rustling aspen groves just turned golden. A small herd of Hereford cattle. A band of mule deer foraging on a hillside. That includes brushing and saddling his quarter horse pony, Meagan. Then escorted by his mom or dad, also mounted Brandon is off on his 3-mile ride to school.