I couldn’t keep my eyes open Tuesday, nor Wednesday night either. I literally fell asleep simply posting the photo last night. Too many early mornings and hard work.
Yesterday was our big trail up the mountain. It’s a big event every year. Since we’ve been riding almost everyday for two weeks, it felt even bigger. Approximately ten miles of trail plus gathering the pasture… and about 2,000 feet of rise in elevation. But that doesn’t count the back and forth in moving cattle or navigating trees and rocks!
I’m still not very perky… another good night’s sleep will help, and I feel for the guys who’ve been doing even more work. If you’re a lover of 8 – 5 jobs with weekends and holidays off, ranching is not for you.
Yes, the leaders of the herd are past me and if you enlarge the photo, you can see the tail end back on the other hillside. The girls were ready for cooler air and fresh grass and they put it in GO MODE. That was a blessing, because it was 95˚ at the bottom of the mountains. You want your cows to line out and go like this!
They were going so well, we didn’t even stop for lunch until we were completely done. It was almost a perfect trip, although we were so fast, the neighbors hadn’t arrived yet to move their cows out of the way and some of our cowboys had to work extra hard clearing the way for ours.
We did it though.
And, yes, I’ve made a puzzle of this photo for you… you can find it here. And I haven’t even fallen asleep yet!
Find me here!
Thanks so very much for sharing your ranch life with us, Carol. I have always wondered what it was like to live on a ranch. My Mom did a long time ago and I heard some stories from her about it. It would be great to be outside in such beautiful country, but I am seeing how much work it is also! So in any type of work one does, you always have both the good and the bad about it. But I see from your sharing how much long hard days of work it is. I am so glad to read about it and to see your photos of your life there, and want to let you know how much I appreciate your taking the time to share it with us. You and your family are all very special, kind, hardworking people who do an important job and thank you so much for sharing it with us. I do appreciate it a lot and thank you for doing it. And I hope you can get some extra rest very soon! :-}
Sandy, thank you for your warm comment! I grew up dreaming of living on a ranch, but had no real idea what that meant. I’ve learned! I’m glad you enjoy the blog and I hope I do give a balanced view of life out here. It can be romantic to an extent, but it is REAL…
After reading your description of the last few days I can’t imagine what it was like to be on the old trail drives that lasted months.
I am a regular reader but a reluctant responder. May I say here that you take me back to myhappy childhood on a cattle ranch every time you show us cattle drives to the high country, orshow photos of Panama’s soft pink nose crunching grass,bit or not. He seems quiet — is he sure footed on mountain trails? Thanksfor the inside view of ranch life for those of us who want to revive fond memories, or for those who think it’s some kind of idyllic dude ranch with endless sunshine ….. and weekends off.
You do aGREAT job
C.
Thank you SOOO much. That means a great deal coming from someone that has “been there/done that”. While every place is different, we’re all shooting for the same thing… to stay here, raise our families here, and help the next generation do it all over again… and feed the world along the way. Please feel free to comment more… your insights are valued here. Happy trails.
The thing about the old drives that lasted was that they couldn’t travel like we do. The cattle need time to eat, so “day herding” was a thing. Yes, they had miles to go but they did have to give them a break! Plus they were often trailing steers, not cows and calves. But HARD work. Dusty. Dry. Lonely. LONG hours in the saddle. Dangerous. I’m thrilled to come home to a bed, ice water, and a chocolate milk shake!
and ,silly me, I use to wonder what ranchers did with all their “spare”time! Your postings have really opened my eyes to ranch life! Thanks Carol & crew!
Thought you might be interested. Today’s “Taste of Home” featured recipe is from a woman in Powell.
https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/wyoming-whopper-cookies/?_cmp=recipeoftheday_V2&_ebid=recipeoftheday_V27242020&_mid=359064&ehid=28512B8513D6D88C12BCA3FB658E0B6682A0FA2B&os_ehash=28512B8513D6D88C12BCA3FB658E0B6682A0FA2B
Thanks for all your hard work, your entire family are great cattle folks! keep up supplying us with quality beef!!