May

May 5 - May 11, 2002: Spring Works

Monday, May 6, 2002
Lyndsey,John and Ben went to Roberts Park where they gathered and penned cattle while I trucked them down the mountain. Up and down I went, loop after loop they rode. We got a truck load together and sent them on up to Frank, Maggie and her Texas gals. They spread them out up top. Some to Dog Spring, some to Burnt Cabin. Ben rode Creek and really fell in love with him. It was a long day, we headed on home about 7pm. About a mile from the river we saw a couple pair of our cattle walking the fence headed to a dry tank. As much as I didn't feel like it I stopped the truck and told Ben it was time to "Cowboy up". We unloaded our horses and set after them. I had John's horse Sug on the trailer and climbed up on him, a long climb onto that tall horse. We caught up with the cattle at the dry tank and found about a dozen more there. Dang good thing we headed that way. By the time we got them pushed to a gate and put through it was just about dark.
When we got back to the truck and I managed to get myself down I decided I really didn't need to ride again anytime soon. we were eating dinner at 9:45 that night.

Tuesday, May 7, 2002
Tuesday was more of the same, another truck load out and another day of working in the Park. The weather has been great, highs in the upper 70's, lows in the 40's. Over the weekend the low at the upper ranch was 19...burrrrr. Probably broke all the pipes I repaired last week. We will still have a chance of frost up there till mid June. The wind hasn't been too bad, a couple afternoons it gusted up pretty good.

Wednesday, May 8, 2002
Another truck shipped out and more work in the Park. It's taking longer and longer to find enough cattle to fill a truck load now, which is good. Means we are making progress.

Thursday, May 9, 2002
We got a truck loaded and headed up, Lyndsey and Ben followed it up to help spread the cattle. We are now putting cattle out on Gilitta Ridge about 8 miles south of the H.Q. There is good water there and plenty of grass. Lyndsey hauled a bunch of heifers up in the stock trailer. We are putting them in the south trap till late summer. They will stay in there with a couple young bulls. We use the young guys with them so none get crushed by these massive 1,800 to 2,000 lb adult bulls.
Have a couple doggie calves here and a few up top as well. The ones here just came in yesterday and are not drinking...real pain in the ass they are. You can't reason with them. You know that if you can just get them to latch onto that bottle one time they will live. Just can't get that through to them. Last year we had three doggies, all survived and did well. This year we have four so far and one has already died. This business can be heart breaking.

Friday, May 10, 2002
Frank and Ben rode some of the upper country. Checking cattle we have already put out and seeing that the water is holding for them. They got back down here to the lower ranch just in time for a good steak dinner. We hope Ben will be back, he became a pretty good hand! I spent the day in Silver City at the doctors. More pictures of my arm and the decision that they won't do any surgery yet. I have to go back next Friday and they will see how it looks.

May 12 - May 18, 2002: Spring Works

We got right to work today hunting cattle in the north west part of the ranch from Charlie Moore all the way back to the Ghost ranch. We rode in a couple different groups and found no cattle. This is not a bad thing. I know the crew would have liked to move some cattle but for us it means we are getting close to being ready to pull out of this low country. I rode today..it wasn't a whole lot of fun. Ribs still really hurt. I rode from Charlie Moore along the state line a few miles then down Sunflower Mesa. I had the "Kids" with me. Mike, Sara, and Diane, they are fine riders. John, Lyndsey and the rest of the crew rode east long the rim of Beaver canyon. We met up later on Sunflower mesa. There I left them to ride back and get a truck, Lyndsey took her crew, Jim, Josh, Joe and Liz towards the Ghost Ranch checking Buzzard canyon on the way. They finally found a couple pairs and pushed them on to the Ghost Ranch. John took my crew and headed into Beaver canyon. Rough trip in and found only one cow who didn't have her calf with her so they had to leave her there. We all met up at the Ghost ranch and hauled home getting in about 6 pm. Been getting hotter everyday. Hi about 88, low 52, moderate winds.

Tuesday, May 14, 2002
A lot of miles put down and not many cattle found. We hauled up to Roberts Park and did some BIG loops. We spent the morning riding the south half of the Park. Lyndsey rode with Mike, Diane, and Liz. They rode the area around the Carcass Basin rim. I rode with Josh, Sara, Jim, and Joe. We rode from the Buchannon Canyon fence back to the Park tank. Found a total of four head which we pushed to the corrals. One was a 2 yo heifer that had prolapsed. A sad deal, she's a pretty black heifer just the kind you wish you had a herd full of. John is hauling some stuff to the sale so he will drop her off at the vet on his way. Another bill. About noon we were done with that side, John showed up after hauling some cattle and getting some hay so we split up in three groups. John headed off with Mike and Diane. Lyndsey had Jim and Liz, I rode with Josh, Joe and Sara. We rode the north half of Roberts Park, I went up to Chub tank out to Rim tank and back, about a 5 mile loop. No cattle. The others went out above Rocky tank onto the rough ridges and pulled in a couple head each. What we ended up with was not even a gooseneck trailer full. We had gathered some Rockin' Arrow cattle. All in poor shape and on the prod. Gary showed up late in the day to load them up. One fell in the chute and wouldn't get up, he said he'd get some hay and water to her later. Before he got pulled away one was down in the trailer. They have a bunch at their house they are now feeding. They're looking better already. I'm sorry it had to come around the way it did but at least they are forced to feed and care for their cattle. I was riding Doolin today. He's my baby sitter. I know he won't buck or spook or do anything stupid. Yesterday I rode with no pain killers...it was no fun at all. Today took some before I left and I was pretty good till they wore off about 3 pm. Better living through Chemistry! It was hot today, about 90 but a good breeze with some serious gusts kept it feeling pretty good.

Wednesday, May 15, 2002
A pretty warm day, high about 85 low about 50. Frank took the Mn. guys out on a looooong loop along the state line. They covered about 18 miles of rough country and found a few pairs, which was really good. But they also found a gate open in the state line fence, which is not good. They saw a lot of tracks going through so that's where all my missing cattle are. In the Blue Primitive Range. We are planning to move up top this weekend but now it seems we will have a few of next week's guests down here riding that country with John and I. We also will be cutting hay next week. I started to do it today but as usual for any hay operation the mower broke down within the first 15 min. It's no big deal but it was something that needed two arms to fix. I tried to do it of course, pulling a rope with all my might to raise the mower blade ...rope breaks I go flying backward landing on my back and elbow. Did myself no favors there, didn't really hop back up real quick. I gave it up for the day. I'll get back on it in the morning with John along to help. Lyndsey stayed back with the Md. crew, they taking a day off from riding to go hike the Catwalk Canyon and eat at the Blue Front. Then back for some late afternoon naps and lazing around.

Thursday, May 16, 2002
Everyone headed up top to spend the next couple days riding and working around there. They got up there about mid day and spent the afternoon sorting some heifers from Bearwallow pasture over to the South Trap. There were cattle all over the place, some in the house lot, some in the horse pastures, but by the end of the day they had things pretty straight. Dinner was just leftovers they brought up and no showers. Hard living for college kids, I guess they are use to three showers a day. I can't imagine using that much water! There is no way they can be in such a NEED for that many showers. Everyone had a great day getting in some riding in the gentler country up top. I worked at the farm, John helped me in the morning getting some equipment moved and set. I spent most of the day being frustrated by things that didn't work. I knew this was going to be the case when I took over that place. The life of a farmer is constantly being mad at equipment. I got no hay cut , I settled for replacing the blades in one of the mowers. It was hot! high about 90. John spent the afternoon gathering in all the odds and ends of cattle we had been collecting in the River pasture. To our surprise we had a full semi load.

Friday, May 17, 2002
Friday John, Maggie and I were at it early sorting the cattle for the truck ride up the mountain. When we were done Maggie and I headed to town so I could get to a Dr's Appt. They just took more X-rays, told me to move it but not use it and gave me a removable hard splint. Removable I think means the same as discardable, doesn't it? That took care of my whole day. The crew up top waited on the truck of cattle to arrive, then moved them out to the Homestead spring. They didn't get back to the lower ranch till almost 9 pm. Everyone enjoyed the steak dinner and the hot showers. I think we have all but 17-20 head of cattle found, gathered and moved up top. So I guess it's time we moved up too. We leave this lower ranch house knowing we won't be back. I had a balloon payment I wasn't able to make. It's a shame, I really love this house. Many folks who have read the log over the last few weeks have called or E-mailed wondering what I was going to do next winter. Was I selling out? Well you all who know me know I always come up with another plan. Good or bad. My plan now is to winter up here with most of my cattle. Everyone around here thinks I'm crazy, but heck they raise cattle in Montana and Canada. It's no colder or snowier here. The only way I can do it is with the farm. I have to have those 15,000 bales of hay and the winter graze on the hay fields. I won't be able to keep all of the cattle on the farm but I can send the early calvers and heifers there. I will also lease all of John's private land and put some there, then keep the rest up here with plenty of hay in the barn...my biggest worry is extreme cold and all the ponds and streams freezing. Lack of water could be the killer.

May 19 - May 25, 2002: Spring Works

Monday, May 20, 2002
Monday was a great day; had a shakedown ride of about 4 hours to the Lookout tower. Then back here. A few folks were done for the day and rode a cabin porch. The others went out hunting all our horses. Some I hadn't seen since November. It took all the rest of the day but they found all but 3. We sorted them according to age, yearlings, 2 year olds, three year olds, fat pregnant mares, and junk. Every group went into a different pasture for the night. I have some folks coming to look to buy a few but mostly they are in for worming and a look over. Some I'll cut off to take to a sale. I'm keeping the mares closer to the house, all of them are huge and fat and grumpy. The young horses all look great. They were out all winter on their own, no supplemental feeding, came in fat and sassy. We took count and found we have 73 horses, I must admit there are a few I had forgotten about. The day was great, high about 70 light wind after a low of 30.

Tuesday, May 21, 2002
The wind was ferocious all day. The first order of business was to find the three horses we had missed yesterday. One was a favorite named Tom. a 3 yo dun horse. The others were 2 year olds named W.C. and Annie. For those of you who have been around awhile you will remember her mom that great mare Belle. One of the few mares who has ever worked for us. I had some folks come out horse looking. The gal Nancy has bought a couple from me, she resells them over the internet. One horse many of you will remember is Two Fingers. She told me today she resold him and he now lives on Martha's Vineyard, has a fancy barn and a heater for his blanket. Boy if his friends here knew that! They looked at everything and finally settled on two, B.C. a very nice 3 year old bay colt we bred here and Billy. Billy is a 20+ year old big, bay gelding who has worked here for 8 years. He's really paid his dues, over and over. A GREAT horse who I was ready to sell. He was sound and good worker but I just wanted to see him go to an easier life. The folks who came with this gal Nancy live in Phoenix in the winter and here in the mountains of New Mexico the summer. I think Billy will like that. We had a bunch of horse sorting still that some folks stayed back with Lyndsey and helped do around here. The others went out into the North trap with Frank to gather all the heifers and put them in the south trap. Way out near Feathery Hill gate they found a heifer down with a dead calf stuck halfway out. They worked a long time, Everyone helping out one way or another. Finally they got the calf out and coaxed the heifer to sit up a bit. They left her knowing they had done well and hoping for the best. If they hadn't found her it's a sure thing she would have died. It's a shame to lose the calf but at least they saved the momma. That's most important. It was cool, about 70 with the high winds. The low was 36. It was Terry's birthday.

Wednesday, May 22, 2002
Not near so windy today. Everyone headed out to check the heifer. She was up and doing better, They gathered all the cattle in the trap and pushed them to the tank. There they left the heifer and three others to keep her company and then pushed the other 40 or so out into the south trap. They will go back and get her tomorrow and move her into the corrals so we can give some antibiotics. Frank rode Tom today and said he was stellar. It's fun getting our home grown kids working. Lyndsey rode Ben and found him to be his old wonderful self.. The son of a bitch. Dan and Garrel went out with Alan...got home at 9 pm after a hell of a day. They said they were climbing up hills practically on hands and knees, going through some rough stuff. They complained all evening but then said they wanted to go with him again in the morning. The best part was seeing a bear swimming in one of the high mountain tanks. They got up to a bit over 10,000 feet elevation crossing Bearwallow mtn. A great day after a cold night...22 was the low! I tell ya I got soft down below. The hi was about 73. Maggie and I went to Silver City to get tractor parts, medication for the heifer, and then stopped at the lower ranch loaded up some things we needed here and got home about 8 pm. John has been working at the farm all week, he's getting ready to bale in the morning.

Thursday, May 23, 2002
Another cold night, low of 23. Days are perfect, sunny, a few high, thin clouds and 70. For years I have been a Weather Channel addict. Now I don't even bother watching it any more. I have given up being on the lookout for rain. But of course with the hay getting ready to cut sure as taxes it'll rain then. Today was more riding around fairly close to the H.Q. we are still cleaning up the mess we made during shipping season. A few loads just got dumped off here and there are too many cattle around the H.Q. A few pairs we had around for weaning, some big calves that need branding, just all kinds of stuff. So they gathered pretty much every thing out of the South Trap and we sorted some of it and then put it in the water lot for the night. The heifer who had the bad delivery made it into the corrals and on closer inspection we found it was one of the two heifers I had given Frank last year. I told him since she had lost her calf that the best he could hope for this year was a 50% death loss...welcome to the cattle business. He didn't see much humor in that. Gina and Dan headed off with Alan, he took it easy on them having them home by 5pm and no treacherous trail tales like the day before. Today was Garrel's birthday.

Friday, May 24, 2002
We sure got a lot of work done today. We sorted all the cattle we had held overnight according to who they were and what they needed. We worked a few big cows through the chute and cut bad horns off. Then branded a couple handfuls of calves, leaving a lot that were too small. It sure is gonna be a busy summer trying to find all these calves that we are turning loose unbranded,, but I just like 'em a bit bigger. We are having a great calf crop this year! Everyone really pitched right in and helped. From taking a turn with the saw, running irons to the fire, mugging calves, and branding. It took all day and at the end we were all dirty, tired and feeling satisfied, we had done a dang good days work. It was a great crew this week and we sure hope to see them all back again.

May 26 - June 1, 2002: No Guests

We had no guests this week, which I guess was just as well as it was full swing haying week. I headed down below right after the guests from last week left. I walked the fields all afternoon making a plan as far as which field first.
Sunday I was ready to cut but of course for the first time in who know s how long it looked like it was going to rain so I held off. I serviced equipment and watched the sky hopefully. It was a waste of time.
Monday I started cutting and within an hour the big John Deere was acting up , cutting out and dying every few minutes. It's sucking air some where. I limp ed through the day getting one field done instead of the two I had planned. It was pretty hot, hi was about 98.
Tuesday I raked and then baled what I had cut using the old Case tractor we have. It did ok but had no shade cover on it. It was over 100 and not a cloud. I was roasting, I had to keep water pouring over my head and soaking my shirt, I drank two gallons. The sweat just ran off. The field w as full of weeds, that's why I cut it first. Trying to cut it down before the y all went to seed and it got worse. It made some great cow hay, about 170 b ales. The baler worked great which is not what I had expected. Usually it's the baler that doesn't work well. John hauled some horses to the sale and picked up a couple hydraulic hoses.
Wednesday was a busy day in the hay fields. Frank came down to help John and I leaving Maggie and Lyndsey up top to handle everything there. I was cutting more fields trying to use the Deere, just getting frustrated as it was doing it's usual run like crap deal. Every 15 min. it would die and I'd have to get off and wrench in hand bleed the fuel lines and get it going again. It took 9 hours to cut one 30 acre field. I kept telling myself it was faster than using horses, but not near so enjoyable. But the Deere at least has a shade cover. John and Frank went and got John's old Ford tract or and hauled it down, then went and got my old Chevy truck moved from the garage where it had been parked for 10 months. The guy couldn't fix it but he managed to steal the distributor, carburetor, and battery from it. I hate thieves. They tried to hide in the shade as much as they could. The hi was 102, no w ind. Late in the day John got his tractor hooked to the rake and started working what I had cut.
Thursday I was baling early, John raking, and Frank driving the hay wagon. We got a pretty good assembly line going and got almost 500 bales of the nicest hay put up in the barn. The day reached 104 and we were mighty glad to see it end.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday more of the same, haying in the heat. Saturday the mechanic came out and finally got the big Deere fixed. He bypassed a fuel heater box. The last thing we need is the fuel heated! But it ran great on Sunday. It makes a huge difference when ya have a smooth running machine under you, and shade over top! Finally we headed home Sunday evening having put up about a thousand more bales. What a long week