The isolated Canadian River in the Texas Panhandle stretched before John Erickson and Bill Ellzey as they began a journey through time and what the locals call “the valley.” They went on horseback, as they might have travelled it a century before. Everywhere they went they talked, worked, and swapped stories with the people of the valley, piecing together a picture of what life has been like there for a hundred years. Through Time and the Valley is their story of the river—its history, its lore, its colourful characters, the comedies and tragedies that valley people have spun yarns about for generations.

Rancher Erickson is an insider who knows his territory and has the gifts to tell about it. A wry and delightful humourist, he tickles our funny bone while touching our feelings. Outlaws, frontier wives, Indian warriors, cowboys, craftsmen, dance-hall girls, moonshiners, inventors, big ranchers, small ranchers–all are part of the Canadian River country heritage that gives this book its vitality.

Photographs by: Bill Ellzey