May

May 4, 2003: 2 Week Update

Sunday, May 4, 2003
     What a hell of a two weeks. We pretty much worked non-stop on the guest camp. Up at 6am work till 8pm, an hour off for lunch, damn sounds like a city job. Most of last week after we were done working I drove to Johns and picked up a load of cattle and drove them back here. That made for some late nights, it was just about a five hour round trip. I finally got so tired Frank did the last load, but finally we have all our cattle back up here in one general area. On one of my trips I saw four head of our cattle about 25 miles from here at an area called Sheep Basin. The next morning Frank and Lyndsey trailered down and spent the entire day looking for them with no luck. I sure want to get them back a bit closer to home and on our range.

     We had a gal show up last week looking for riding work. She is part of the Spotted Owl research group based a few miles away. My first reaction was move it on down the line darlin’. But I saw Idaho plates and George Strait sticker so I decided to give her a try. She has been working out all right, coming over in the afternoon when she is done with her owl work and riding the guest horses to get them in shape. Lyndsey nicknamed her Hoot and since her real name is Annie I call her Hooteannie.

     We got all the horses working we need for our Pack trip and decided to start a new packhorse. We had a lot to choose from G Man, Cibique, Annie,

     Quentin trying to decide I notice W.C. A coming three year old. He was on the list to go to the sale but something about him always intrigued me. Ever since he was a kid he wanted to be a big horse. As soon as he was weaned he started hanging out with the kids a year older. When they went to work and were put in the big herd he jumped the fence and insisted on staying with them. He watched them all go to work everyday and you could tell he wanted to go too. He’s a very common; almost ugly until you get to know him sort of horse but I always knew he was very smart. We had never halter broke him but I told Lyndsey to go catch him. She went out slipped the halter on and led him into the corrals. Within 15 minutes I had him tied hard with a packsaddle on, then tied four big feed sacks to the pack harness. It was a really windy day, the sacks billowed around him and he just stood there with a sparkle in his eye. The next day Frank and Hoot took him out and packed 100 pounds of salt five miles with him, no problems. The next day he had box panniers on and a loose tarp going through the trees. After banging a few trees he quickly learned how to twist around them and get by smooth. He has been out every day and just keeps getting better. Cassady named him W.C. when he was born because those are his initials for William Cassady. I have decided W.C. means Wonder Colt. We’ll see how he does on this long trip but I think he’ll be great. Needless to say he’s off the sale list.

     We have the place looking great! It all came together about Friday leaving us a couple days to deal with the horses and gear.

Frio strained a suspensor ligament in his ankle last week so he has been set up with sweats and standing wraps, seems to be getting better slowly. I was going to use him on the pack trip, so now I’m back to Ol reliable Gambler.

      The weather has been dry and windy for the most part, hi’s in the 50’s and lows in the upper 20’s and 30’s.

     We have a great crew for the trip leaving out in the morning. Bob from Ohio here for his third time, Kathy from Ma. Here for her fourth visit. She brought along her brother Victor this time. Rounding out the crew are Julian from here in New Mexico and his adult daughter Patricia from Al.

     Everyone is excited about the trip as I am. I told Maggie tonight that after the last two weeks it well be a well needed break.

May 5, 2003: Gila Wilderness Pack Trip

Monday, May 5, 2003
     A great week packing around the wilderness.

     We had along with us Kathy from ma. Here for here fourth time, she brought along her brother Victor this time.  Julian and his daughter Patty, he’s from Albq, she’s from Al.  Rounding out the crew was Bob from Oh. Here for a third visit.

     Monday was a long day, too long perhaps. Frank and the crew rode from the ranch all the way out through 7HL, Pitchfork, and Canyon Creek, about 25 miles. Lyndsey and I met them at the Loco Mtn trial head when they came in about 7pm. We had trailered out the gear and the pack animals.

Tuesday, May 6, 2003
    After a comfortable night we were all up early and getting ready to drop off into the wilderness. But before we got going Bob insisted on putting on a show with the help of Chili. He was riding Cisco, leading Chili to water a long half-mile away. Out of the blue Chili bit Cisco on the ass and he set to bucking. Bob rode him well, for a few seconds then hit the ground. He skinned up his knuckles pretty good but he’s tough, and through it all he never lost his hat.

     Packing is always a slow process but we were on the trail by mid morning. Right out of camp we crested Loco Mtn and there before us was the breathtaking view of the wilderness spread out. We picked up trail 705 and headed across Aeroplane mesa.

     About three miles later we dropped hard and fast into the Middle Fork Canyon, the trail was kinda crumbly with rocks and steep with switchbacks. We could see the river shinning in the sunlight below beckoning us. When we hit the canyon bottom we found ourselves in another world. Behind us were the wind blown grass lands, here we found the Cottonwood trees leafing out, as well as the willows, the grass was lush and green and the sound of the river filled the air.

      We headed north up river another five miles and made camp at the confluence of the Middle fork of the Gila and Iron Creek. A nice streamside meadow and a cottonwood grove, it was picture perfect.

     Tents were quickly set up; a downed tree became the kitchen. We had packed an electric fence and made a large corral for the horses in the meadow.

     All the packhorses did great, W.C. was as good as they come; he never made a bad move. He made me proud of the little booger.

     That night as I drifted off to sleep under the stars I thought I could spend the rest of the week right there. In the morning when I proposed the idea it seemed everyone else was thinking the same thing.

Wednesday, May 7, 2003
     Wednesday we did a huge loop into the upper country. Riding up Swinging Cross canyon, topping out on Jackson mesa, where we passed the grave of a trapper killed by Apache. Then on to Clear creek where some Deer and Elk antler where found. We followed Clear Creek to Chicken Coop canyon and then dropped back down into the Middle Fork about 8 miles below camp. We came in about 7pm tired but happy.

Thursday, May 8, 2003
    Thursday we decided to pack up and head north to Snow Lake and then ride on into the ranch. I had mentioned all the cattle work to do and they decided on a day of that. I didn’t take the time to weigh the packs and paid for my laziness on the trail. When we headed out I was in front leading Ben, Frank was behind me with Rocky, Margie and W.C. strung out behind him. We had to stop and adjust Margie’s load a couple times in the first mile or so then the big wreak happened. I heard it start behind me and turned to see W.C. on his side rolling around, then he was up, then back down. The trail was going across a pretty good slope and he was fighting to keep from going down. I jumped off and quick tied my animals expecting him to come running through us. Frank was off his horse even faster cutting ropes. W.C. had an odd load of coolers and such but most worry some were 20, 4 ft fiberglass electric fence posts. It was only a minute before it was all over and W.C. was standing catching his breath. Luckily he didn’t shish kabob himself; he actually didn’t really have a scratch on him. When it was all figured out we discovered he’d didn’t cause the wreck. It was old Margie the number two animal, the old veteran, the one who has packed everything. She went the opposite way around a tree than Rocky the number one animal. When she got caught and snapped back W.C. plowed into her and got knocked off the trail. He stood quiet while we repacked and reorganized, we split the pack string up with the three of us and Kathy each leading a packhorse. We got to the lake about noon where we unloaded the horses and put the gear in a pile. Lyndsey and the crew gathered some cattle there and started cowboyin’, moving them north to put them into Negrito pasture. Frank rode Chili back to the trailhead where we had left a truck then picked up the gear on his way home. I had the loose pack animals, which I pushed home. I enjoyed the ride, Gambler was great as usual. I only had a bit of trouble when I was getting them up onto Snow Ridge but from there on they knew they were going home, it was just a matter of keeping up with them. W.C. lost a few atta boys on the way home when he blasted both barrels at Gambler who was right behind him. It was a high kick, Gambler dodged them but I got a hoof in each elbow.

     We got home about 4pm and the shower house soon became the center of activity

Friday, May 9, 2003
    Friday Julian and Patty headed back to Albq. Frank, Lyndsey and the rest of the crew spent the day in 7HL pasture getting about 40 head of cattle back into Pitchfork pasture in preparation for next weeks branding. I changed four tires and then did a round trip hauling horses to Albq. for a sale this weekend.

     It was a great trip, with a great bunch of folks, just the right way to start off the season.

May 11 - May 17, 2003: Spring Ranch & Branding Week

Sunday, May 11, 2003
     I hauled another load of horses to the sale Saturday then spent the weekend watching horses sell. Our young stuff sold about what we expected maybe a bit lower, it was a buyers market. The mares sold real cheap but Travis was the 3 rd high selling horse in the sale. There were some real nice horses that I would love to have gotten but I sat on my hands. It was the first time in years that I came home from a sale with an empty trailer. It was good to sell all those yearling and weanlings, they were just a pestilence on my pocket book.

     A big crew for our first week of branding. Alan is here again from England for his fourth time I believe. Fred from Ca. here for I guess his 12 th time, he brought our stallion back with him, Saint has been standing stud in Ca. for the last two seasons. I wanted him home to breed our mares then Fred will come in the fall and take him back to all the California girls for the winter. Two sisters Marla and Carla are here, one from ca. the other Tx. They are with their friend Candice who arrived via helicopter, an N- first. Keith from Mi. is here for a second visit, he brought his buddy Perry with him. David from al. is enjoying his birthday present from his wife. Then last but certainly not least are Mike and Joe, two firefighter buddies from Kansas City. It’s a great crew, a bunch of good riders.

Monday, May 12, 2003
    Monday we got right at it, getting horses set and riding out from the ranch to fence tank. Lyndsey led the group while Frank and I trailered out with branding gear. There was no trouble finding cattle, they were there waiting for us at the water. Before the sunset we had twenty calves branded and a crew that knew what they were doing. We left the horses at the tank trap for the night and got home tired, dirty and feeling good.

     Hi 65, lo 30 sunny

Tuesday, May 13, 2003

     We went out, got saddled and quick gathered a big bunch and had them sorted by noon. The rest of the afternoon was spent in the pens having a good time with lots of laughs and getting some serious work done. 40 calves left the pen wearing fresh brands. We had come across a cow with a bad udder and poor calf, at the end of the day we penned her to haul home for some doctoring. It was the damdest thing, she walked right on the trailer and you better not have gotten in her way.

     A few folks were in bed early but there was still enough energy to run a poker game into the early morning hours.

     Hi 60 lo 31 sunny

Wednesday, May 14, 2003
    We worked the south side of Pitchfork and up on T Bar ridge, we only found a handful of cattle and just three to brand. We had a lot of fun with them, split the crew into three teams, it was a race to see which team roped, tied and branded the fastest. Besides time, form and quality of branding counted. It was a hilarious spectacle; all teams took a first in at least one aspect. We were home pretty early, about 5pm, just in time to enjoy some quality porch sitting.

     Hi 72 lo 37

Thursday, May 15, 2003
    We did some long loops checking water and fence. We laid off branding so the ones we have worked can rest before being moved 7 miles to new pasture on Friday. It was really windy, couldn’t have branded if we wanted to.

     Frank headed south with Carla, Marla, Joe, Mike, and Fred. Mike was on Chico and decided to put on a show for us. Chico is Frank’s personnel horse and is a bit nervous; the wind didn’t help settle him any. Just as we were all mounted and heading out Chico took of in a leaping sort of bucking, Mike rode him well and had him back in hand within just a few seconds. He did a great job of riding the horse and was kind enough to do it in front of everyone. Once they got settled they headed down to Snow Lake, then up Snow Canyon. Everyone enjoyed the trip even the steep hill they didn’t think they should go down. It set nerves on edge but once they were at the bottom they were all smiles and pride. They were out about fours hours and missed most of the wind by being down in the canyon.

     I headed north with Alan, Keith, Perry and David. We set out at a brisk trot up passed Steve tank, around and down to hay tank, then followed the north fence all the way to Dead Horse Corral, after a short break we turned south to T Bar ridge then up to the top. Along the way we saw several groups of Elk and being we were down wind we got pretty dang close. We traveled along the ridge for a mile or two then headed down to the Point of Rocks Ruins in T Bar Valley and on to Fence tank. Our horses were really traveling out, what usually would have taken 7 hours we did in just over 5. A good stiff wind up the butt really kept them going. We found the fence to be in pretty good shape, White tank was just about dry, Ridge tank was totally dry.

     The first half of our day we were in the trees mostly and missed the worst of the wind, the last half of the day was out in the open country and you could hardly even talk.

     There had been the plan of camping out at Fence Tank to watch the eclipse but with the wind and idea of no fire, the plan was with out volunteers, I was the first to back out.

     It was a warm wind. Hi about 70, lo 37.

Friday, May 16, 2003
     We saddled our horses at Fence tank again and started gathering the cattle we had worked earlier in the week and left in 7HL. Some folks rode high on T bar ridge while others waited below to hold cattle as they were pushed down. We had pretty good luck and by noon we had a hundred or so holding on T Bar tank. From there we headed east picking up just what was in front of us as we went. We saw several bunches way to the north but left them since it would have taken too long to drive them in. We had a good push; excellent drag riders keep the little calves from falling behind. Up past Elladean tank and through Ewe Canyon we went finally getting to the Silver gate about 3pm. We pushed the cattle through into Negrito pasture where they all came to a stand still glad to be on new grass. Along the way we picked up a bull we call Banana Horns who we had been hunting all winter. The only time we ever saw him was when we were in a truck. We had wanted to get him out of the herd of cows so we wouldn’t have a bunch of winter calves next year and because his horns that hang down along his head were growing in giving him a permanent bad attitude. We had penned him at Fence tank earlier in the week but within five minuets he had jumped the fence smashing a panel all to hell. Last fall we had him in the pens at the H.Q. and he had done the same thing. So after we got into Negrito pasture we cut him out along with a cute red heifer for company and pushed him home. I was prepared for a fight but he traveled along well and we got him into the corrals about 5pm. Lyndsey had the girls and Perry ride with her to ease the just moved cattle into the trees where the best grass was around Dog Spring. They had a hell of a time getting them to move but finally got them yelled into it. They got home about 6pm. Frank had gone back out with a couple of the guys to get a little bunch we had passed along the way, they were within a mile or so of the gate so we wanted to get them before they drifted off. They got 14 cows and two pairs put onto the new grass. They got home not too long after Lyndsey. All together we put 145 cattle and 60 calves into Negrito pasture. It was a great drive; weather was perfect about 75 with a light breeze.

     A great crew this week, we got a lot of work done and a lot of miles under us.

     One of the things I enjoy the most is seeing the improvement in folks riding as the week goes a long, and with each visit, this crew was good to start and got better. The most improved award goes to Alan from England. When he first came here four years ago he was a beginner at best. Now he is right there doing anything and going anywhere. It makes us smile.

     After everyone left Saturday I went down to the pens to feed Banana Horns, surprise, surprise, he was no where to be found, no broken fence or open gate. So he must have cleared the five foot steel fence. Dumbass.

May 18 - May 25, 2003: Spring Ranch & Branding Week

Sunday, May 18, 2003
      Another big crew for our second week of spring gather. Jim from Ct. is here for his 3 rd time, bought along his friend Ralph this time. Phillip from Tx. Is here for a 2 nd visit. Bill and Jackie, also known as Ralph and Alice are here for their 6 th time. Joe and Marc from N.Y. are here again for a second go round; they brought a buddy with them, John. Christian is here all the way from Austria. Ferrell is here from Ca. And rounding out the crew is Karen from Germany, don’t hold it against her, she’s all right.

Monday, May 19, 2003
    Kinda a repeat of last week, Lyndsey rode from the H.Q. to Fence Tank with the crew while Frank and I trailered out with our horses and branding gear. It was afternoon by the time they got there so it just gave us enough time to do a couple small loops into Pitchfork. We found a bunch of cattle but only five to brand, the rest where too small. It was late by the time we got to the corrals at Fence tank so we cut the five pairs off and left them in the trap over night with our horses.

     A good long day to get the week going and butts broke in.

     Sunny, hi 74, sunfactor of 80, light breeze. Lo was 39.

Tuesday, May 20, 2003
     We were on our way early to Fence tank where we caught and saddled in good time. Just over the hill from the tank we came upon a fresh killed cow elk, wolf tracks all around it. It had only been down a few minuets, the blood was still dripping. I thought about butchering out the tenderloins but decided to do it later when we came back by. We pulled some really long loops and covered the country. Our goal was to find 50 head for the day. Frank has been riding Cowboy the last couple days, the little dun horse is doing great. He went up on T Bar Ridge with five riders, working east. I rode the valley with Karen all the way out to Incognito then went up into the rough country on Canyon Creek Mountain. We are using small radios this year; it’s really saving a lot of time. I was spotting cattle on the slopes and giving Frank directions since he couldn’t see them from as high up as he was. Lyndsey was riding Tom, one of our young homebreds; she rode with the other riders from Witch canyon to Dead Horse Corral. They came across a cow and calf and she told me the calf had an injured face and was bleeding from the nose, she thought it should be put down. Mid afternoon we all met up near Doubtful tank. She took me to where the pair was and along the way a wolf crossed 100 yards in front of us. It was limping so it must have been the one we caught in the trap last December. I feel so sorry for it. Yea Right! As soon as I saw the calf I knew what had happened to it. Its muzzle was punctured and badly swollen with a hunk missing off one lip. When the heifer was down giving birth the wolves or coyotes started to eat the calf as it came out, for some reason they didn’t finish the job. The calf was healthy and alert and the momma was doating on it. I’m a believer in miracles so we left them be hoping it will recover.

     Before the day was over we came across another wolf, a young one that was looking at a bunch of little calves.

     When we came back by the dead elk it was just about gone, so much for fresh tenderloin.

     Lyndsey came back raving about Tom, said he was really something special and it was time for me to take him over for his college education.

     Once again we didn’t come up with too many to brand, but we did put 42 through the gate. We started branding at 5pm and before 6pm we had 12 done and everyone getting a taste of what it’s all about.

     The day was cooler as a cold front pushed in over night, a bit windy in the midday but calming in time for a branding fire. Hi 65, lo 38.

Wednesday, May 21, 2003
      A long day in the saddle.

     We started out from Fence tank again, gathering 7Hl moving west. Lyndsey went up on T Bar ridge with half the crew and worked the slope. Frank went north past 7HL tank and across the mesas and draws with another five riders. I rode the valley with a couple more riders moving along and holding the cattle that were gathered up. It was a slow day with lots of really small calves. All the groups met at Elladeane where we cut back 20 of the smallest pairs and left them there for the night. At least we got them away from the main wolf area. We put 94 head through the gate, one of them being good Ol’ Banana Horns. Once again we cut him back with a couple girlfriends and pushed him home with no problems. When we got there we cut him off and put him on the scale, it has 10’ steel sides and there is no way he can get out. As we came out of the corrals and headed home a Fish and Wildlife guy pulled up and parked behind the liquid feed tank, which is just outside the gate. I was on Dakota who is always really worried by that tank. As I was swinging down the guy stepped from behind the tank. Dakota spooked and spun whipping me off and hammering me into the ground. I wish he could spin that fast after a cow. I only suffered a few good bruises.

     Hi 74 lo 30 sunny till late afternoon when a few thunder heads built up and tossed some lightning around. It’s usual for May, no rain just lightning and fires.

Thursday, May 22, 2003
    I headed down to check on Banana Horns right after breakfast. We could see that he was still on the scale from the cookhouse so I had been in no hurry. When I got there I found he had stomped the wood floor of the scale to pieces. So we got ready to take care of him in the chute and cut his horns. We had riders lined along the outside of the corral and a good plan worked out. I let him out of the chute and sent him down to Frank, Phillip and Ferrell who were waiting for him. He was like a locomotive and was hitting full stride as he came through the chute. He had all 1800 pounds in forward motion and nothing was going to stop him. From his ears to his hips he is one solid chunk of muscle and like a wedge. Frank was on the catch handle and that bull blew through there not even slowing to say howdy. The handle flew up with such force it knocked him back a few feet. Banana went on the prod and tested the fence a few times before he jumped over it into a line of horsemen and bowled on through them. He jumped another fence into the next pasture and the fight was on. Lyndsey had seven riders and they tried to turn him back over and over. They went over the ridge but we could still hear the yelling. Around and around and over one fence then back over again several time till they were a mile away at the North Trap tank. Finally with blown horses and nerves they watched him head up Feathery Hill and disappear. Dumbass.

     All that took till about 11am, after it was all over Frank and Phillip {who is now wrangler 1 st class, meaning he gets a radio and a crew}, along with Ferrell and Karen trailered out to Fence tank to hunt up the couple little pairs we had left back there the day before. He was especially after the one with the muzzle eaten calf. They rode and rode and rode in two groups and only came up with one red cow.

     All the rest of us went back to Elladeane where we quickly found the 20 little pairs we had left there yesterday. We pushed them slow and easy, stopping to rest them for 30 minuets every hour. It made for a long afternoon. We finally got them through the gate about 5pm and then headed home. On the way we passed Dog Spring where over 200 cattle were hanging out. Among them was Agnes, the orphan we raised year before last, my little loveable cow. Well I should smile; she had the dandiest little black baldie calf about a day old with her, jet black but her white face and the white tip of her tail.

     Frank got home just a few minuets after we did, they were tired and disappointed about the lack of luck they had. Hey, we know where not to look.

     When I got home I had a message that a fella had some of our cows in his corral, they were 30 miles from here, so Maggie and I went and picked them up.

     Hi 70, few clouds and afternoon thunder, lo 38.

Friday, May 23, 2003
     Frank took the day off to be a good son and take his mom to Drs. Appointments in town.

     The first job of the day was to brand the calves I had picked up yesterday. The riders gathered everything from the Water lot and pushed them into the corrals where we cut off the ones to brand. There were only three so we split the crew up into three teams again and had a competition. It was fun to watch, Phillip, Jim and Ralph got thiers done first, the N.Y. guys, John, Marc and Joe ran a close second. Ferrell, Christian and Karen got the award for most try. They had a wild dang calf and Ferrell had a work out trying to keep up with it and get a loop to set, but he got it.

     After the branding most of us headed out to pack salt into Negrito pasture. We want to keep our cattle to the east side of the pasture and you can control the movement of cattle by where you put the salt. I loaded eight hundred pounds in a truck and with the help of Phillip, wrangler first class; we drove it out and left it near Dog Spring so we could reload our packhorses there. Joe, Karen and Christian wanted to ride on their own and go to N Bar Park. Lyndsey drew them a map and off they went.

     We used Rocky and Doolin as our packhorses. We had salt frames on Doolin, wooden pack racks I made just for hauling salt. We had to use regular panniers on Rocky and that is where our wreak started. We set the panniers and them Ralph and I dropped a 50 pound block into each one, well that big bang set Rocky off. He reared and took to bucking and it was a sight to see. We just stood back and watched him buck out like a PRCA bronc, he got down to it, going hard for about two minuets then stopped and settled down. After that he was fine. I was riding Doc and for a small horse he sure walks fast, too fast for Rocky, so I was twisted around. After the first trip I turned the leading over to Phillip who was on Chili. They were a much better match. In between loads we took a long break under the pines surveying the sky. It was a great day, about 70 with a light breeze and a few thunderheads. When we got home about 5pm Joe was back but not Karen and Christian. He allowed as how he and Christian had a disagreement as to which way to go, so Joe went his own way and came on home with no trouble. It wasn’t till about 8pm that those two came dragging in. They had gone the complete opposite direction but finally found home. The horses had been trying to tell them all day where to go but Christian was sure they were lost too. All I can say is it’s a damn good thing it wasn’t up to the Germans to discover America; they’d still be looking.

     It was a good week, got a lot of cattle moved. I feel lots better getting all those little calves out of the wolf country.

May 24 - May 29, 2003: No Guests

Saturday, May 24, 2003
    The crew left this morning, leaving us with all the work to do. Maggie drove them up and then picked up her sister Mary who is coming for a visit. Lyndsey went to Albq as well to meet her boyfriend for a long weekend. Frank headed out to work on the Bearwallow fence; he was hard at it till about 7pm. I spent the morning in the office then saddled up Doc about 1pm and rode till 6pm pushing cattle back over to the east side of Negrito, showing them the salt and hoping they will stay there.

     Hi 72, sunfactor 85, lo 37

Sunday, May 25, 2003
    Frank went down to the hay farm to start hauling the rest of our hay up here; John who is leasing the farm this year is already cutting hay and needs the space.

     I went and picked up where Frank left off on the fence the other day. I wore myself out carrying all the equipment up and down the hills, I needed a packhorse. There is only about three more miles to go on that stretch but it’s all steep and full of deadfall.

     Clouds built up and there was a lot of thunder in the distance but no rain here.

     Hi 73, sunfactor 80, lo 30

Monday, May 26, 2003
     It’s a holiday, so we unloaded 200 bales of hay Frank brought up yesterday, a good before breakfast work out. We kinda took it easy in the middle of the day, sitting around the guest camp. About noon we looked down and saw the stud horse Saint running up the hill to join up with all the 2 y.o. fillies, all of them in heat. It was a rodeo trying to get him caught. They all ran circles around the camp raising all kinds of hell. I finally got him caught and back into his corral. He had jumped a 5-foot fence to get at the girls. Fortunately he didn’t get to breed any of them, they are all his daughters. No morals I tell ya.

     Late in the afternoon Maggie, Mary and I gathered the little pairs we had been collecting around the H.Q. here and moved them out to Dog Spring. It was a great time of day to be out, the sun was low and the shadows long. We got home about 8pm riding under a beautiful pink sky.

     Hi 75, sunfactor of 90, lo 40. Again, lots of thunderheads but no rain.

Tuesday, May 27, 2003
      Frank was back on the road early for another load of hay. It’s a good way to start the day, unloading and stacking a couple hundred bales of hay before breakfast. Gets the kinks out.

     I went out and fixed some line leaks on the Homestead Spring getting water flowing again for the bulls. Then I spent the rest of the day working on fence, Cutting dead fall tress off it and splicing. It was hot and kinda humid (30%). I came home worn out.

     Maggie and Mary spent the day redecorating stuff around her, them gals got a talent.

     Hi 73, sunfactor 90, thunderheads with a few sprinkles over night. Lo 37.

Wednesday, May 28, 2003
    Maggie, Mary and I saddled up after unloading hay and getting Frank on the road. We headed to Snow Lake where we gathered about 60 head that weren’t supposed to be there and moved them up Snow Canyon. On the ride back down I found a big hole in the fence where they had gotten into the lake area. So after taking the horses home and dropping off the girls about 2pm, I got my fencing stuff, went back and fixed it. That pretty much filled up my day.

     Hi 72 sunfactor 85, lo 39

Thursday, May 29, 2003
    Frank was on the road for more hay today. I spent my day riding with Forest Service people. Oh you bet I had fun. I just kept my mouth shut so I wouldn’t get myself in trouble. They wanted to see where the cattle where and where to set “Key Location” areas to monitor grazing. We spent awhile doing that then headed to Snow Lake to look at some tanks that I need permission to repair. About 3pm they decided they had to leave so they could be sure to make it back to their office before 5pm. There was a lot more I wanted to show them but…Government employees.

     I kept riding around Loco Mountain, came across about 100 elk down in Loco Canyon. They had a sweet spot, deep in a timbered canyon, nice spring pool, grass up to the knees. I rode around not disturbing them and continued down the canyon to another pool where I got off and let Gambler grass on the fresh grass. It was a perfect day in a perfect place. The trees were full of bluebirds, meadowlarks sang in the meadow. I am the luckiest man in the world to live and work in this country. If heaven is anything like this it will be perfect.

     I finally dragged myself away and we continued on down to Snow Canyon. There I found five head of cattle I moved into the trap where I left them till sometime I can get back and move them into Negrito pasture.

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