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Gathering Between Storms

Posted on October 12, 2021October 12, 2021

I thought it was going to be UGLY.

We knew this winter storm was on the way, but because of the appointment with our vet on Friday to preg test the last of our cows, Thursday and Friday were full. Saturday it rained (ACTUAL RAIN!) giving us .65″ in total. What that does to our dirt/gravel road up the mountain is like pouring baby oil on glass. No way were we going to be able to haul horses up the mountain in that.

Sunday was supposed to be nice. The snow storm was due to hit today, raining first (as it did) and then snow (which it is doing as I type). Some of the weather models were calling for two FEET of snow on the mountain. Been there. Done that. Don’t want to do it again. (Please follow those two links… it was an impressive experience)

Vernon’s solution: Drive some four wheelers (and side by side for me) up the mountain early Sunday, gather the pasture, and trail the cows down, all in one day.

We’d try hauling one four wheeler on the back of the pickup, while pulling the little trailer with two more four wheelers on it. Brandon and our friend, L. would ride their four wheelers up, while Vernon would drive the side by side. If the pickup couldn’t make it, we’d unload and ride up, but Vernon also hoped to gather salt feeders while we were up there, plus we all wouldn’t be absolutely frozen by the time we got there. Temperature was right at freezing.

No horses.

One day.

I don’t think any of us thought it would work well. Twice the work of our usual procedure and on wheeled vehicles.

Honestly, if I’d been driving the pickup, we wouldn’t have made it. Slipping and sliding and clenching (as Megan said!), Daniel drove us up the mountain. Aunt Mary’s Hill is a steep pitch right at the beginning and Daniel never set his coffee cup in the holder nor used two hands on the wheel. I would have had a death grip and ground my teeth down. Daniel gets a Gold Star for that job well done!

Jekyll seems excited. I’m not too sure about Megan!

Cows heading for me out of the morning sun while a whisp of a cloud dances through the tree tops.

Bravo keeps an eye on those cows and Megan while I survey the cows scattered across the hillside.

By 10:30 we’ve gathered the pasture and are ready to head downhill. So far, so good.

(to be continued)

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2 thoughts on “Gathering Between Storms”

  1. Larry Grappy says:
    October 12, 2021 at 8:33 AM

    Thanks for the visual on what is involved in being a rancher, good and bad. Thanks Carol.

    Reply
  2. Susan says:
    October 12, 2021 at 5:03 AM

    Wow such a beautiful sky! Amazing to think a storm was on the way.
    Great Pics as usual Thanks Carol!

    Reply

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Carol, Wyoming rancher

Since 2008, I’ve kept this photographic journal of life on a Wyoming ranch.  I share ranch work, my family, crafts and DIY, my English Shepherd, Bravo, and a love for this land.  Enjoy this red dirt country!

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