Cactus and Cowboys

Every country, every nationality, has a stereotype for others. I am amused to find that, in Spain, one of the most common stereotypes for Americans is that we're all cowboys, farmers, or rancheros who ride around all day on our horses. I've heard many people say this, both in Valencia and Cáceres, and as I sat reading a Spanish book today, it came up again... "What kind of dreams are you having over there, among the cactus and cowboys?"