TEXAS RANCH HOUSE is a hands-on history series airing May 1-4 at 8 p.m. on PBS. Produced by the same team behind 'Frontier House' and 'Colonial House,' the eight-hour series challenges 15 people to travel to Texas - and the year 1867 - to get a real-life cattle ranch up and running using only the tools and technology of the era. Below is the experience as seen through the eyes of Rob Wright, Evergreen teacher and running coach, who joined the project.

My 1867 Experience - by Rattlesnake Rob

I've always tried to live my life with a "No regrets" philosophy: You don't do things that you'll regret later, and you sure as hell don't not do things that you'll regret not doing later. So I try to take advantage of every opportunity that the big guy throws at me.

When I was first considering being a part of the "Texas Ranch House" project I promised myself that I would try and learn something new everyday. I wanted to feel like I had accomplished something new at the end of the show. I didn't want to have regrets for not taking advantage of such a cool opportunity. If this was gonna be my fifteen minutes of fame then I was gonna milk it for all it was worth! And I did: there were goats and a cow to milk you know.

I think that the attitude I had going in set me apart from some of the other people on the show. I was the new guy who rode in to find a job after all of the other cowboys were already settled. A little awkward and slightly intimidating to say the least, but very exciting at the same time.

The cowboys knew they still had a huge job to finish and were ready to do it no matter how many obstacles the Ranch owner threw at them. I was proud to work alongside these guys everyday (if you can't tell), and it was pretty cool to go to work everyday on a horse. Quite possibly the coolest job in the world by the way (next to my current job I'm afraid)!

Of course we as cowboys had a lot of fun, but I think we took our jobs pretty seriously. We all had a lot of pride in what we were doing, and I hope that comes across in the show. One of the reasons that I took the work so seriously was the fact that I had a little bit more to lose than the average show participant (my wife for example!). I was the only "married cowboy" on "Texas Ranch House." And just so there's no confusion, the Pony Express ran at about the same speed in 1867 as it did on "Texas Ranch House," which was about two and a half weeks. Apparently there were no cell phones or email back then either...who knew! So communication with my wife Michele back in Arvada was a little less than optimal. That factor alone could've been pretty disastrous, but thankfully my wife was sent directly from heaven, and for some strange reason supported me in my crazy Texas time travel adventure.

Another glitch was the fact that I would be on the show when my brother Jeremy was getting married, and I was the Best Man. I also teach physical education at Bergen Valley and Bergen Meadow Elementary in Evergreen, CO and also coach cross country and track at Evergreen High School. So I ended up missing most all of my summer runs with my cross country kids, a big handful of races, hours of just hanging out on runs, and the first month of school with my students. To the average person this wouldn't be a big deal...just get a sub. I don't have my own kids yet though, so the 600ish kids that I teach and coach are like my second family. I felt guilty for even considering taking off on them for the show. Of course they let me go and everything worked out in the end...happy ending. Thankfully, I coach with another angelic lady, Niki Burger, who took over the whole team while I was gone. In the end our kids had another very successful season, rocking the State meet pretty hard, and to no one's surprise Niki won "Coach of the Year." Slightly shocking (for me) was the fact that they gave me "Coach of the Year" honors as well! Lets just say my kids made me look pretty good!

Did I mention that I have the coolest job in the world?

I think I got a lot out of my short time on the show:

*I made some pretty cool friends from all over the world who I am still in really good contact with and have a pretty weird connection with as well.

*I bought the horse that I rode over 500 miles on in the show, Hammer. We're best friends you know.

*I learned how to slow down, look around, and get more out of life in general. Had a little bit of self inflicted ADD before the show and apparently cured myself...Hammer and my harmonica helped. You try pushing a herd of hot Longhorns across the Texas desert at ADD pace. Just doesn't work!

*I learned how to laugh and walk away from dramatic people who like being on camera no matter what their grandmas are gonna see!

*I learned how to catch, skin, clean, and stretch a Texas Mojave rattler in less than half an hour. That's a trade skill I think!

*Most of all, I learned who the important people in my life are. Sometimes you take these people for granted until they're missing. For me that won't happen again! Don't let it happen to you! I did get to go to my brother's wedding by the way. Yes there was an embarrassing best man speech as well.

I definitely missed Colorado, my wife, my family, my kids, my runners, toothpaste, toilet paper (don't ask!), fruits, veggies, ice cubes, beef!, my camera, running water, running shoes, and sunblock (Irish white boy 95 spf - which apparently didn't exist in 1867!). But if I had the chance to do it again I would in a Colorado heart beat (which is fast... the altitude you know!). But next time I'd bring my wife, and maybe my cross country team, okay possibly a little chocolate, a feather pillow, sunblock, did I say sunblock already? and my dogs! There that's it...send me back!

***********************************************
The preceding was written by Rob Wright, a teacher in Evergreen. It was posted by Deirdre Branley, publicist for TEXAS RANCH HOUSE.