SUMMER RANCH WEEK

Click on SCHEDULE to the left to view the schedule for Summer Ranch Weeks

Click here to read a past Summer Ranch Week Cowboy Log

This is a great time of year. The summer rains start (hopefully) and things green up, the cattle are fat and happy.

The two main jobs this time of year is being out with the cattle to protect them and branding calves.

These camps are basic but comfortable. Everyone gets his or her own range teepee and thick pad. The chuck wagon serves up a steady supply of good grub. At night the lullaby of the coyotes puts you to sleep, or keeps you awake. You are encouraged to drag your pad up next to the campfire and enjoy the magnificent New Mexico night sky.

The wolves that were introduced here six years ago really start getting our calves this time of year so we must be out with them as much as we can. This means days of riding some big country seeing as many of the cattle as we can.

Some days we will split into two or three groups of a couple riders in each, ride till dark and sleep out on the trail. When we do this we will be traveling light. Just a light sleeping bag, tortillas, a couple cans of stew or something and some coffee.

The real deal of cowboy life on the range, it’s good to sleep with no roof over your head once in awhile.

We will also be hunting for unbranded calves and pushing them to one of the small corrals we have around the place where we will sizzle and whittle them. Once again you will have the chance to try your hand doing everything.

The weather is great here in the summer months. Days rarely get over 85 with wonderfully low humidity. On the other hand there are frequent summer thunderstorms. They usually start up mid afternoon and continue for several hours. Often we can ride around them but just as often we get caught in them and let me tell ya it can be a religious experience. They are usually over about suppertime leaving behind a breathtaking sunset.

Nights are pretty chilly, in the 40’s even on a July or August night.

Click here to read a past Summer Ranch Week Cowboy Log