May

May 6 - 12, 2001: Spring Gather

Sunday, May 6, 2001
What a crew this week! We have a bunch of guys here from New York, Anthony Sr. who organized the trip bringing along his two sons and three nephews. Anthony Jr. Sal, Steve, Mike, Neil and Joey. These guys are a whale of fun. Sunday evening when I got down here they were already on a roll and it hasn’t stopped yet. Then there’s Andy from tx. who just kinda fell into the middle of them and in his own way is fitting right in.

Monday, May 7, 2001
We got everyone mounted up and headed out looking for pairs and dry cows of Alan’s here on the east side. We rode in two groups, Alan and Tanya taking one bunch, and Lyndsey and I another, going two different loops on the mesas behind the H.Q. My group only came up with one big unbranded pair and a heifer, leaving behind a few little pairs that were too small to push. Alan’s group got in fourteen which Frank hauled down to the river pasture. We had about six calves to brand and soon had a fire going. The guys tried their hand with a bit of roping. Not as easy as it looked! Once we had them caught I wouldn’t really say they all jumped right in...more like they watched in amazed horror as we did our thing. But I tell ya what there is never the lack of a good line or joke to keep ya laughing with these guys around.

Tuesday, May 8, 2001
Today was a bit more of the same, getting in a few more pairs and some dry cows. Our objective was to get about 45 dry cows {a truckload} in the river pasture to ship up top on Friday. We did pretty well only coming up 5 short by lunchtime. In the afternoon some guys decided to take a break from the saddle and go exploring with Tanya around Mineral creek and the Catwalk. The rest of us went out and found the five more head that we needed and also a few more to brand. I headed to the upper ranch late in the afternoon leaving it to them to get the branding done. I spent the night up top then left early with Cassady to get down here by about 8:30. They all went over to the West side with Frank, Tanya, and Lyndsey, meeting John and Alan over at the Hicks pasture. The goal is to get a load of my dry cows in so we can put them in the Alma river trap, making a second load for Friday. I stayed here with Cassady and spent the day at the creek building a dam, swimming and getting sunburned.

They came back with all kinds of tales of cow chasing, getting cussed at, and riding the river. Four out of the five came out of the saddle and a few more than once. We’ve only had about a dozen folks fall in the whole history of the N-. Seemed these guys were out to set a record.

Wednesday, May 9, 2001
I decided it was time to start everyone at base one and do a bit of education. I did a short demonstration on Doc showing what they were doing wrong and what it should look like when doing it right. Then we split them up into four groups of two with Frank, Tanya, Lyndsey and I each taking a group and giving some individual work. Making them sit right, handle smooth, ride with eyes closed to get balance. A few hours later the improvement was amazing and everyone was feeling pretty good about themselves. Then after lunch we put some yearlings in the arena and started on cattle work 101. They learned how to work together and move a bunch in figure 8’s and stopping and turning them. It’s not as easy as it may sound. They had a pretty good handle on how to move and read cattle by the afternoon’s end.

The latter part of the day we did a little paintball action. I’ll tell ya I’m just too old and crippled to keep up with these 20 and 30 year olds. They wore me out and had a great time doing it.

The evenings are spent around the campfire after Amy’s good grub, then around the poker table as the night moves on. I have no idea how late these guys stay up...way past my time.

Days have been in the low 80’s with a sunfactor well over 95. Nights are really nice in the low 50’s. The afternoons have clouded up with thunderheads just like a summer day, making a bit of thunder and just a few drops of rain. Maggie said it has rained a nice slow soaker for the last two evenings up top.

Friday, May 11, 2001
We went to the west side and gathered the cattle we had put in the river trap. It didn’t take as long as we thought and had them all in the corrals within a couple hours. While we waited to load trucks Lyndsey took the crew on a long ride home through the cedar breaks. They all really enjoyed the country and only one fell today!

We got both truckloads loaded and on the way up top several of the crew this week got to see a bear feeding on a dead calf we dropped over the cliff near here. I didn’t get to see it but heard it was a pretty big one.

It was a really fun week and I want to thank all the guys for all the laughs.

May 13 - 19, 2001: Spring Gather

Monday, May 14, 2001
Last week it was all guys, this week we have six gals and three guys. Mary Dale, Holly, Pat, Ann, Meg, and Nancy, all from New Hampshire. Jean Luc and Jean Marie both guys from France. And Bill from Mississippi. Every one very much good to go riders. All own their own horses and are very advanced. Jean Marie even rode in the Gran Prix in Paris 15 years ago, which is what we really need as we are into a busy week.

Monday some folks rode with Lyndsey and Alan here on the east side getting about 60 head of momma cows and calves. These they gathered into Alan's H.Q. corrals and then in the evening he, Frank, and Corey trucked to the Road Trap in Alma to await trucking mid-week. Frank, Corey, and I took the rest of the crew to the west side and gathered the lower end of Frisco pasture. Everyone caught on how to move cattle real quick. We rode in groups of three and then met up a few hours later with about 40 head. We cut and sorted at the canyon gate, which got a little western at times but without any losses. We got everything done pretty quick.

Tuesday, May 15, 2001
We had an N Bar morning. We are now down to 1 working truck with four in the local mechanics yard. Of course the one we had running Monday night wouldn't start this morning. After messing with it we finally got it going but had to make several trips to get everyone over to the west side. Eventually we got there and rode the rest of Frisco pasture, coming up with just 20 head. A lot of cattle missing. 
I rode with Cassady which was lots of fun. He rode Duellin and is becoming a pretty good little rider. The two of us stopped for lunch along the creek in Vigil canyon and told Indian stories. 
About mid-afternoon I sent everyone up to Sunflower Mesa to get cattle that might be there, then headed home with Cassady and Tanya, packed them up and sent them on the way to Albq. Tanya is flying to N.H. with him tomorrow. He will be back in about a month for most of the summer.
I then went over to the Ghost Ranch and got there just in time to see a long string of cattle coming down the canyon and into the corrals. They had hit the mother load up on Sunflower Mesa. We got everything in and looked it all over. Cut out one sick cow and penned her, the rest we let drift. They were now one pasture closer to the shipping pens. We just kinda roll from one pasture to the next over three days getting closer to the river and corrals. Tomorrow we will go back out, gather and sort them, and move them into Frisco pasture. And at the same time, gather the River and Road traps and load two trucks. A busy day!

Wednesday, May 16, 2001
The last few days we have had afternoon clouds and some sprinkles of rain, keeping the temps. just perfect. Today there were no clouds and the heat blasted. It was about 88 in the shade with a sun factor well over a hundred.

Alan picked up Frank and I at 5:30am. and we went to the Road Trap and gathered in the cattle we had been putting there for the first truck going out. I was on Doc and Frank rode Chile, who hasn't really been worked much. I told Frank a heads up that he would buck first then trot of the day and he meant nothing by it. Well in the cool dawn the cattle were frisky and so was Chile, who loves working cattle. He was excited and when the cattle broke and ran as we first entered the field Chile broke too. He bucked a bit, more spinning than buck and Frank rode him fine. Before the cattle were in the corrals he did it a few more times then stopped and worked perfect. We got the first load sorted and headed up top. Lyndsey arrived with part of the crew to help Frank and Alan gather the River pasture and then sort for the second truck.

Corey went to the Ghost Ranch with the crew who had left horses there the night before and John and I met them there. We gathered most of what we had pushed in yesterday, cutting John's off from mine, and leaving his in Cabin pasture while mine went into Frisco. We had two big heifers of mine that we branded giving every one a little taste of it. Lyndsey's group showed up out there with tales of calf wrestling and cow dodging. Mary Dale had the shit on her to prove she had been a help. We ended about 5:30pm with everyone feeling they had put in a productive day.

At one point today everyone was out riding loops getting cattle in and I was left in the corrals with 9 pairs and had to separate them through two gates so we could haul them down to the river. It was really hard to do alone with no one to watch the gates. Doc was just such a pleasure to ride, he worked his butt off, making cuts that were just spectacular. When I was down to the last two pairs I took off his headstall and with just legs let him do his thing. He works better in a corral cutting cattle with nothing on his head than he does with a bit or the bosal I'm riding him in now. It is so cool, I've never had a horse like this. He is even better than my late, great Mangus, who I had thought was the best cowhorse I would ever ride.

Thursday, May 17, 2001
Mary Dale, Meg and Corey rode with Alan here on the east side. They gathered about 30 head, and branded 9. A lot of work for just four folks. They were worn out from the rough country and steep hills. But not so much that they didn't agree real fast to meet Alan at 6:30 in the morning and do it all over again.

The rest of the crew came with Frank and I, we rode the west side. We went all the way to the state line, then down into Charlie Moore and looped all the way around Sunflower Mesa. All in all we collected up about 30 head and got them into the Ghost Ranch corrals where we then did the same old song and dance. Cutting my cattle into the trap and John's out into Cabin pasture. I was riding Cooleye, and after sorting on Doc it was a bit frustrating. He really has no clue what he's doing, he wants to do something but his energy and attention are too scattered. There is so much going on and so many cattle he just doesn't stay focused on one. He needs more time in a corral with cattle working slow, over and over, but right now we have a job to do and I just can't afford time.

We covered a lot of miles, the day was great, high about 82 with a light breeze and not a cloud. We have been leaving most of the horses at the Ghost ranch, due to all the trucks being down. We ride out from there each day which has really worked out well. This afternoon we fed but then just turned them out. This is their old winter grounds so we will see if they are there in the morning. Frank doesn't think they will be, I do. But being here for the last two months at the H.Q where there's not much pasture and they are kinda graze crazy. We might not see them for weeks.

Friday, May 18, 2001
The horses were there in the morning! All feeling good after a night out free grazing to their heart's content.  Alan's group was out pretty much on time, Corey getting up at 5:30am to feed. They rode till about 2pm then called it a day after getting in just a few head.

The rest of us went over to the west side again and gathered and sorted more. Bill, Holly, and Ann went to Vigil Mesa on their own. They gathered in a dozen or so head but were gone a long dang time doing it. We didn't worry...don't worry unless a horse comes home alone. So we just figured they were having a time with the cattle. Being Friday and good riders I knew they would get it worked out. In the mean time the rest of us did shorter loops getting in a few head here and a few head there which we sorted and corraled. Finally late in the afternoon the three amigos came in with their cattle. Proud but tired. I asked what took so long and Bill started asking...well have you ever had a cow go under the fence? A cow hide in the trees? A cow just not go where you want it to go? 

NO NEVER!

We got moved everything in Frisco pasture and called it a week. A dang good one too. Great folks, great riders and a whole lotta help. Thanks Y'all.

Saturday, May 19, 2001 
I went up top to see my wife and how things were there. Rain started to falll just as I left the lower ranch and continued all the way up. Downpours at times. The high Saturday up top was 48. I was freezing my cojones off after being in the upper 80's and low 90's all week. Hauled up a few heifers and a couple horses, they were glad to get off the wet trailer. Everything there was in good shape. Four foals on the ground, two duns, a sorrel and a buckskin, all doing great. The Iris are starting to bloom and things are really getting green. Any of you who are coming this year are really in for something special! It will be a spectacular year for grass, swimming holes, wildflowers and fat cattle.

Did a few things around the guest camp Sunday morning, cleaned out about 800 pounds of shit out of my trailer and headed back down here about 5pm.

May 20 - 26, 2001: Spring Gather

Monday, May 21, 2001
A good crew this week though small. We had three cancel at the last minute. With us are Russ and Ron from N.J. and a friend Adam from Ca. As well as Rebecca from England. Over the weekend we had left a bunch of horses at the Ghost Ranch, so Tanya took Russ and Adam over there and got squared away with horses. Lyndsey got Ron and Rebecca set here, then we trailered over to the west side, meeting Tanya's group on Sunflower Mesa. There we got a dozen head and moved them to the Ghost Ranch. Penned, cut and sorted, then moved them a few more miles into Frisco pasture. Everyone did really well and got along fine with their horses. Russ is on Zeno, Ron is on Creek, Adam on Casino and Rebecca on Cibique. I rode Doc today and half of it was spent riding with nothing on his head at all. Made me glow inside.

Tuesday, May 22, 2001
A beautiful day! High about 80 with a light breeze. The half inch of rain we got last Saturday has made an awesome spring even better. Cactus of every type blooming, flowers I've never seen, there is color everywhere.

Frank, Tanya, and Corey took Adam, Russ, and Ron to the Ghost Ranch where they saddled and then took the Pipeline trail over Fox mountain to Roberts Park. Rebecca and I trailered right to the Park where we met John. There were over 50 head just within sight of the corrals. This, a pasture we have gathered three times. While we waited for the rest of the group to show up John and I agreed on a price and shook hands on a deal for me to purchase all his cattle. Big day for me, sad day for John which dampened things a bit. Long time financial problems forced the sale.

We gathered all the cattle into the corrals, then while the crew took a lunch break in the shade of the trailers, John and I cut off the pairs which we loaded up and trucked down the mountain to the river. The rest of the crew took about 40 head down the long, hot, rough trail off the mountain getting them all the way to the Hicks tank. They got in about 6pm worn out, but proud of the good work they had done.

Wednesday, May 23, 2001
A bit warmer today, about 88, not enough breeze. Tanya went to the Ghost Ranch with Ron, Adam and Rebecca. Russ went with Alan and Lyndsey and rode on the east side. They got in about 20 head and got to see a bear. When they were done they trailered over and met us on the west side. John and I got some cattle away from Sun tank and fixed some fence, then met up with Tanya and crew. We spent some time sorting 50 head through the Frisco gate, then as the crew pushed them to the river Lyndsey and I put out some salt. All the groups got together for some late day branding at the Alma corrals. Rebecca showed up with the back of her shirt torn open by a low branch. She worried she'd be hung by her sports bra which wouldn't let loose.

We did five 300 pound claves and it was a pretty good work out. Standing next to a branding fire on a hot day is not one of my most favorite activities.  Corey is no longer with us. He couldn't handle the 16 hour days. Got slower and slower and grumpier and finally headed down the road.

Thursday, May 24, 2001
Rebecca and Lyndsey rode with Alan here on the east side, getting in about 15 head. Rebecca had tales of adventure riding the steep slopes and canyons. As usual they spent several miles walking and busting branches but no clothes were torn today. She did say she had on a sexy bra just in case her shirt was torn off again.

Russ, Adam and Ron went with Tanya and I over to the west side. We gathered the river pasture and put them in the meadow near Johns H.Q. As we gathered we came up with a newborn calf with no momma.  We hoped she was just not showing herself and would later in the meadow. But by the evening we were sure he was abandoned or momma died so we have another bottle baby.

After gathering the River pasture and a quick lunch Russ went with Tanya to Sunflower Mesa and got in a couple strays. Adam and Ron stayed to help John and I brand. We did 7 cows, 7 bulls, and two calves. One of the bulls was over 1700 lbs. We are weighing all the bulls since I'm buying them from John by the pound. It's fun to guess the weights and see how how close we are. It's going to be a huge job to get all these adult cattle branded and tagged. It was way hot and just after what we did I was beat up, sore and tired. Only 193 more cows to go!

Friday, May 25, 2001
A hot day, over 90 after a low of 50. It was a 5am start for me today as I met Alan at the Road pasture to gather cattle we had in there for a truck leaving at 7:30. We got them in pretty fast and Frank showed up after feeding horses at the Ghost Ranch just in time to help us sort. The morning clicked along, the truck came and loading went smooth and they were on the way. Tanya came by with Russ, Adam and Ron and picked up Frank then they headed to the Ghost Ranch where they saddled and rode the Pipeline trail to Roberts Park.

Lyndsey came in with Rebecca and helped John, Alan, and I brand a few cows and one bull of Alan's. The bull was big and mean, there was no bluff to him. But we got the job done with no wrecks. Maggie showed up which was a pleasant surprise. We trailered up to Roberts Park and met the others just as they were getting in twenty some head. Russ, Ron and Adam were worn down after the long week and opted to trailer to Ghost Ranch, say adios to the horses, and go to the Catwalk with Tanya. The cattle had to get moved all the way to the river so Frank, Lyndsey and Rebecca pushed them a long, hot, rough 8 miles to the river. I drove the others to the Ghost ranch, then went to the Alma corrals and loaded a second truck to go up top. I then drove back up to Roberts Park where I picked up three pairs with calves too small to make the push and trailered them down to the river. The timing was perfect, I got there just as they were pushing the cattle on the water. They sure were happy when they heard I was trailering them back to the H.Q. and didn't have to ride to the Ghost Ranch.

It was a good week, we got 99% of the cattle within 5 miles of the river, and most of my main herd shipped up top. Now next week we have the big job of getting all John's cattle gathered and sorted. I'll pick out what I don't want to buy, then rebrand and tag them all. Then we'll load on trucks and sent up top. It will be a huge job. We have to get a system going of cattle coming in, cattle getting branded, and cattle getting shipped. Should be interesting.

May 27 - June 2: Spring Gather

Monday, May 28, 2001
A hot day, not near enough breeze, the high was about 88 with an over night low of 48. This is the big week and we have a crew up to it. Sara and Katherine, sisters from England. Franchello and Karl, two fellas from Italy, and a friend of theirs Jack from St. Louis. And also Carol from Ca.

Franchello and Karl rode with Alan and Tanya here on the east side and had a fairly short day of it, getting in about 2:30. They gathered a half dozen head and hauled them to the Road Pasture.

Frank took Katherine and Jack over to the Ghost Ranch, caught and saddled there, then met John, Lyndsey, Carol, Sara and me near Hicks Tank. We had ridden up from the Alma corrals. We gathered up about 60 head and pushed them across the river into the corrals, tied up our horses for the day and started a branding fire. We branded 53 cows, 2 calves and 5 bulls. All the bulls weighed over 1750 pounds, all but one was sure on the prod. One bull was 1855 pounds and had a hard time fitting in the chute. There was so much excitement I haven’t the energy to write it all. Frank and Lyndsey both got charged, we had cattle break gates, run through fences, just a bit of everything. Carol was the all purpose cowgirl, loading tag guns, applying the E of the brand and taking the - out of my hand when I was done, and keeping the tally book. She got a good system going and it was only the first day. Sara did the ear tagging, Jack did the Y of the brand, I did the -, my brand is a -YE. John handled the head gate, Frank the squeeze lever, and Lyndsey chased cows to the chute. It all went pretty dang well. I am sure by Wednesday we will be a well-oiled branding machine. We finally got home about 8:45....long damn day!!.

Tuesday, May 29, 2001
High about 85, a bit of a breeze, low of 45. Maggie reported thick ice on all the water tubs up top this morning.

We all trailered to the Alma corrals and split into 2 groups there. Tanya, Jack and the English birds went up Vigil canyon and we didn’t see them till about 4pm when they finally showed up after busting 18 head out of the brush and pushing them all the way to the river. The English gals came home raving about all the steep slopes they had done...heck it’s dang near a golf course out in that area. Tomorrow they are riding with Alan in the Deep Creek country, bet they will look back on today as a stroll through the park.

They rest of us messed within a couple miles of the River pasture. Gathering this bunch and moving them here. Getting another bunch and moving them there. We branded 11 cows and three bulls, got two truck loads sorted and in separate corrals ready for express loading in the morning. We are planning two loads a day for the next three days. That means we have to find and brand 150 head!

In the morning I will meet John at 5:30am at the Alma corrals where we will load the first truck. Then we will get in the cattle Tanya put on the river today and corral those and brand ‘em as another group going to Roberts Canyon, and a third groups goes to the Ghost ranch. If all goes well they will find a bunch of cattle and push them to the Alma corrals, getting there in the afternoon after the second load leaves so there will be room in the corrals. Those will get branded and sorted for Thursday’s loads. While the crew works on that I will follow the second load up to the upper ranch, cut and sort them according to pairs and dry cows, put the pairs into the North trap and the drys into Bearwallow pasture. I’ll get home about 11pm. That’s the plan... now lets see how it really happens.

Wednesday, May 30, 2001
Well it didn’t go exactly to plan but a good amount of work got done. I was up at 5am and on the road at 5:30am. Met John at the Alma corrals and sorted and loaded the first truck. Then the others showed up and we gathered the second load and moved them into the corrals, cut and sorted them. John and I are doing all our sorting horse back and it’s great for Doc. He is getting so sharp!

Lyndsey and Frank then went to the Ghost ranch with Karl, Franchesco, and Jack. Frank hauled back pairs that we had put in yesterday while the others rode Cabin pasture and gathered up over 50 head. John and I loaded the second truck about 12:30, then he went to help Alan haul a few loads from his H.Q. while we did the same from the Ghost ranch. About 3pm we started branding. Frank, John, Carol and I. We got 20 head done and called it a day about 6pm. It was a real hot one till about 2pm, got up to 90. Then some great clouds rolled in and gave a bit of shade and hopes of rain. None came, just some hot lightning up on the mountains. I am sure we will see some fires burning in the morning.

Thursday, May 31, 2001
Up at 5am and loading the truck, all went well, got two trucks off and another 100 head up top. John, Frank and I stayed and branded while the crew went to the Ghost Ranch and gathered more cattle, moving them to the corrals, getting in just as we finished the first bunch. We continued branding with Carol’s help while Tanya, Sara and Jack went with Alan and rode the afternoon with him, getting in a few head. When we were done branding they all headed home about 5pm. I went out to hide some loot bags for next week’s Posse Week. One I put down on the San Francisco River. It has been awhile since I have been down there; it is an incredible canyon. The scenery was spectacular!!!

Friday, June 1, 2001
A really hot day! Hottest of the year so far. I was up at 5am with a chill to the air; it was amazing how fast it turned around. We loaded a truck, then the crew went with Lyndsey to Roberts Park Mountain to get a few head that I had seen up there the day before. John and I branded more cattle, and loaded another truck. But by 2pm we had to stop due to the heat. Lyndsey and her crew came in about 3pm with over 50 head! It was a great day. Just the cowgirls out doing a real job of getting them all into the River pasture. When they were done all the girls went to the river for a little skinny dipping. A first for the English birds. It was a very fun and productive week.