Saturday, November 3, Cattle drive, installment 6 –

easy day and horseplay

 

The eyes can see for long distances out here ... and there's mostly nothing.  It's pleasant, it's relaxing and it's calming.  (Photo by Flounder.)

It was a great day!! It was pretty easy. No one got the cows too scrambled and that was made easier because we drove the cattle along a dirt road with a fence on one side. That made it exceptionally simple.

As always on this trip, we had the most incredible scenery.

A camera just doesn't do justice to some of the things we've seen.  (Photo by Flounder.)

Today must have gotten a little boring … cattle staying where they were supposed to, mostly due to the fence and little real work to do gathering stragglers. So, someone started a game of horse tag. I mostly kept away from it. But while standing still with the rest of the group a bit away from me, I heard the words, “Coon Dog.” Hmmmm. What's that mean?

Birget started coming toward me. Wonder why? Oh, I know. “Patience,” said the old Coon Dog in her head. I waited. And then when she was almost on me I drove Luke to the right, and Birgit missed me. Wiley old Luke and me dodged and lunged a few times, but then we were “it.” So, we had to get in on the game. Old 17-year-old Luke still had a few moves left in him. But I was easy on him and tagged one of the kids who was eager to play. What a great way to spend some time. Some of the horses are quite quick, and some of the riders are exceptional, adults yes, but particularly 9-year-old Esther. It was quite the game, and never ended even when we got off the horses, pitched our tents, ate dinner and were around the campfire. The kids were all into it as well as half of the adults.

A couple of the kids showed off ... climbing on the horse, standing on it.  It was a day for horseplay.  (Photo by Flounder.)

The cows had to be watered from troughs today. A water truck brought water and we drove them into the watering pen 40-50 at a time. Keep them in line, cut 'em off at 50, block the rest. Another interesting thing to note about driving cattle … how to water when there's no pond.

I found a pelvic bone ... it would make a great Halloween mask.  Eeewwwhhh.  I used gloves. 
(Photo by Flounder.)

We drove the cattle through underpasses under a road.  Then we stopped to rest them, let them feed and have our own lunch.  (Photo by Flounder.)

Blondie, Flounder's horse, likes PB&J.  (Photo by Flounder.) 

Cows kept infringing on our lunch space, so we chased them off.  (Photo by Flounder.)

Get outta here, cow.  (Flounder's photo.)

More horseplay.  Blondie and Luke were accommmodating, and held still while we got goofy with them.  Or maybe they liked having their new accessories.  (Photo by Flounder.)

Not only are these young cowgirls the real deal when it comes to riding, it appears trick riding is also their specialty.  (Photo by Flounder.)

Birgit, and all of us, drank a lot of water on this trip.  Heat and dust take their toll if you don't stay hydrated.  (Photo by Flounder.)

Flounder and I had a little help setting up the tent tonight. Emma, Bella and Rachel wanted to pound tent stakes. So we'd start them and let them smack it a few times. Don't tell anyone I'm having a great time with these kids.

Chef Mel let Flounder and me help make the salad. He must have decided we're “okay.” We felt quite privileged. We've been helping do the dishes most nights. It's fun to help and talk with some of the other family members who do a lot of this stuff.

Heather and Natashia and their kids left this evening. I'll miss them because they're all such great people and fun to spend time with.

Turkey, dressing, salad and green beans made up our meal from the chef tonight. And it's always been yummy. Then usually to the campfire. But tonight it was some card playing … I wasn't very good at it. You've got to be quick and my reflexes were not as fast as 9-year-old Esther's or Marieke's or Flounder's or Harmony's.

I decided playing was best left to those younger than I am, and went to the campfire. Most nights end at the campfire, warming first one side then the other, time and again while talking, then to bed to bed, Miss Sleepyheads. But sleep only comes after tent talk.