Last Day

Our week at the HFBar is over, said goodbye to friends this morning and later again in the evening.

We were moved to another table, along with MC & Steb; joining Millie, Millie's family, Botsie, Bronco, John, Paulette and a whole bunch of other people...all very friendly and fun to enjoy the quips and general conversation. Somehow in all the chatter, I didn't hear "cocktails at Millie's" - whoops!Oh well...we explained being deaf and she was gracious.

Spent the afternoon in Buffalo at the rodeo. Long time since I saw a rodeo. The 1st event was calf roping and I was considering calling PETA but settled down and enjoyed 15-20 mins of the 2 hours.Pole Pulling didn't seem to verge on cruelty to animals.

Why I'm named Last Frame

Once again I lived up to my reputation - as you can see by the wonderful candid snapshots I took at this evening's party. What!!! You missed these great shots!!!

After copying pictures from the camera to the pc; I failed to return the chip to the camera. So while I was dazzling the crowd with my photojournalist skills & blinding them with the flash; NOTHING was being captured to the camera.

So it doesn't make any difference if I move from film to digital - my name is well-earned.

Castle Rocks

After a "everybody as the corral by 8:45" breakfast; we met at 9:00 to ride to the rocks. This is one of my favorite rides and I never go without thinking of T.C., Laurrie, Tom and Gregg. The morning was gorgeous - air fresh after the rains, vegetation lush, saw several deer. I wasn't strong enough to make this ride last year, thus it is at least 7 years since I rode to Castle Rock. We took a trail I wasn't familiar with - but liked better. This one didn't go directly thru the rocks but followed a more southeast direction around them and then came up on top.

At the top, you can see as far as South Dakota to the east and Montana to the north.

Another Day in the Big Horn Mtns

We're half-way thru our visit, settled into the relaxing "sameness" of life at the ranch. Coffee in our cabins, wander outside to check the weather over the mountain peaks, listen for the 7:30 breakfast bell, wander across the creek to the dining room & greet our groggy fellow dudes.

We then gather at the corral where the wranglers are waiting to assist the dudes. I didn't ride this morning as I thought the few open trails would be too wet and slippery but the Chandor clan rode out. Instead I went to Buffalo to do some power shopping.

The day remained pleasant so I went for a walk after lunch. We met at Mike & Charlottes for cocktails. Visited with Laurie, who's R&D director for NYC's public schools. She was interested in the work Jacob's doing and gave me several contacts that might interest him. One was a man at Harvard and the other is a man in St. Louis. Need to follow up with her before I leave.

We rode the RoseBud trail - one of my favorites. With all the rain, the Bee Balm & cone flowers are blooming in masses. We saw lots of deer. Tomorrow we're heading out early to Castle Rock.

Met at Pam and Stebs for domino's. Brooke and I took a beating from Pam & Pauline. Then Steb & Pauline beat Michael and Charlotte. Pauline's 13 is enjoying being a champion.

Into Each Life A Little Hail Will Fall

This picture doesn't do justice to the amount of hail that fell as the picture was taken on the following day. The other pictures are scenes of the daily ice being delivered. (ice for drinks, not from the sky!)

Wednesday was a typical mountain day - a little overcast in the morning; lots of sun, then around supper time a major rain storm with 20 minutes of hail. The hail nuggets were about the size of walnuts. When it started to hail, most of the dining room emptied out onto the porch. A few kids braved the storm to catch hail stones but quickly retreated to the safety of the porch.

Cocktails were split between Junior Chandors and Bronco & Botsy's. 1st time I've visited at length with B&B. He was a wrangler here when Philip 1st came in 1959. He's now outgoing president of ASPCA and is responsible for the rescue effort of 600 mares in Canada. Mares no longer needed after Canada outlawed the practice of using pregnant mares urine for medications. 5 of the horses arrived at the HF bar a few days ago.

Milly came to the table to visit. At 90, took her a few days to connect the dots and remember who we were. I wish I could be doing so good at 90.

Oddly enough, the evening ride wasn't cancelled - like the night before. Pam and Steb had friends visiting and the kids wanted to ride. They got to ride, probably a trip not soon forgotten. After going into Red Canyon, they got caught in the next downpour and spent 25 minutes struggling to come back in.

Scenes from Misty Moon

After a few days, we're finally settling into our cozy cabin. Both Philip and I are sure we hear footsteps & I'm convinced it's TR. Still, for the 2 of us, it's perfect and very comfortable.

Settling In

It's midway through our 3rd day. Sun is shining, big puffy clouds are hovering over the mountain peaks.

We're staying in Misty Moon - the cabin TR and Cookie remodeled a few years before TR's death. It's lovely and I'm almost convinced I continually hear TR's footsteps; expecially in the evenings. I'm still not accustomed to the luxury of having leather sofa & chairs, good lightening in the bathroom, Smith&Hawkins porch furniture - I find myself hesitating to put my feet upon the leather hassocks.

Chandors are here and our table is full of laughter, jokes and good natured kidding of one another. MC's step-sister, laurie is here; along with her daughter & grandchildren from England.

There's been rain in the past couple of weeks - some trails are closed. Stone Mountain is closed but they are trying to reopen the Martini Trail for the 1st time in 20 years. We attempted Castle Rock yesterday but the wind and rain forced us to turn back - believe we will try again tomorrow. Today we rode up Speedway and across the top of Red Canyon - the scenery was magnificent; believe we could see all the way to South Dakota. As we rode up Speedway, we encountered at least 3 gathering herds of Antelope - totaling around 30-40 animals; many with small babies.

Last night's domino game was a draw. Brooke and I bet Phil & Pauline but took a beating at the hands Pam and Michael - however the last game didn't count as Brooke and I wanted to quit while we were ahead and it was agreed the 2nd game wasn't a game; therefore wouldn't count.

Tonight it's cocktails at Pam's & then a quick appearance at Bronco's before supper - too poplar!