Texan Edge

Charles Goodnight's Winter Drive

Tweed Scott Season 1 Episode 80

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Description 

In this episode of The Texan Edge, Tweed Scott tips his hat to legendary cattleman Charles Goodnight and a story of grit that could freeze the horns off a longhorn. When a brutal Texas cold front hit the Llano Estacado, most men would've turned back—but not Goodnight. His answer to the storm? “Courage ain’t about comfort—it’s about commitment.” Join Tweed for a lesson in tenacity, Texas-style, reminding us that tough times don’t last, but tough people—and tougher Texans—sure do.  

Show Notes 

  • Host: Tweed Scott
  • Podcast: The Texan Edge
  • Episode Theme: Resilience, Courage, and Commitment
  • Featured Texan: Charles Goodnight – Cattleman, pioneer, and trailblazer of the West
  • Story Setting: Llano Estacado, West Texas
  • Takeaway: When life turns cold and the trail gets rough, stay committed to the journey. The warmth always returns.
  • Shoutout: Larry Haney in Cushing, Oklahoma – proving the Texan Edge welcomes good folks from everywhere!


Key Quote:
 

“Courage ain’t about comfort. It’s about commitment.” – Charles Goodnight


Reflection:
Whether you’re wrangling cattle or wrestling with modern-day troubles, this story reminds us that real courage shows up when conditions turn cold and quitting looks easy. Hold your line, keep your purpose steady, and trust that better weather—and better days—are up ahead.
 

This isn't just a podcast, it's a Texas state of mind.

SPEAKER_00:

Hi there, it's Tweet Scott again with the Texan Edge. Here's a heartfelt shout out to Larry Haney in Cushing, Oklahoma. That's right, I said Oklahoma. Hey, everyone's welcome here. Today's story is about true grit, a Texas trail story that carries wisdom for today. If you've been around Texas for say the maybe more than a week, you've heard of Charles Goodnight, cowboy, cattleman, and all-round symbol of Texas tenacity. But there's one story about him that doesn't always make the textbooks. It happened on a winter cattle drive across Yano Estacado, that big, flat, wind-bitten stretch of West Texas that'll make you question your life's choices about five minutes in. A coal front had blown through, and temperatures dropped so low that even the cattle's breath hung in the air like smoke. Most men would have turned back. But Goodnight, he didn't believe in turning back. He figured the herd needed feeding, and the buyers were waiting, and the job had to get done. So he pushed on through sleet, through wind, through nights so cold you could hear the saddle leather creak. One night a young hen finally said, Mr. Goodnight, we can't make it. The weather's too bad. Goodnight looked at him right in the eye and said, Son, courage ain't about comfort. It's about commitment. Then he climbed back on his horse and kept riding, and sure enough, they made it. Now that's just not cowboy talk. That is life advice. We all hit cold stretches when the things don't go right for us, you know, when plants freeze up and when the wind's in our face. But that's when you find out who you really are. You keep the herd moving, even if you can't see the trail. So if you're facing your own winter right about now, well, take a page from good night, bundle up, hold your line, and keep going. The warmth will come back soon enough. This is the Texan Edge. Ride tall. Stay steady, and we'll see you Monday.