Trip Over the Top

Thursday - Kilian went to Ginger Meadow today - it's a 2 hr ride up the mountain, beneath the pines, horses and riders are tired by the time they reach the top - but are rewarded by a magnificent view of the high, snow-covered mountain peaks; an hour's rest at the top and then a rough 2 hr ride down the mountain through a fairly narrow canyon. I thought Kilian would enjoy the scenery but I was relieved when he said "it almost ruins all the other trails for me, it's so beautiful." My thoughts exactly. While at the top he learned to fly fish - mostly snagging trees.

Michael and Matt are beside themselves that they are now able to gallop. Matt's gaining more and more control over his horse; he can turn him without assistance. Still hard to kick Moccasin into a trot; much less a gallop but with Dad's help; he gets his horse going.

Dean and Philip went skeet shooting - Dean agrees with Kilian - Philip's good with a gun. Using a 12 gauge; he only missed a couple of the clays.

The week is passing quickly - I'm storing up all the memories; seeing Laura and Kim going on walks; watching them meeting other dudes and exchanging stories. I kidded Kim that most of her friends must be in shock 1) she's spending a week at a Wyoming Ranch 2) she rides a horse every day; sometimes twice. She's a good photographer & I'm looking forward to seeing some of her pictures.

50th Anniversary

Tuesday Evening – our good friends the Chandors celebrate 50 years together. Steb II & Charlotte hosted a ranch cocktail hour in their honor. As usual, invitations were distributed at breakfast – cute picture of MC & Steb on their wedding day … however, much to Charlotte’s dismay (she prepared the announcement) there was no mention of the Chandors name or who was hosting the party. Nothing escapes the wits at our table – we were all running around ‘fessing up to be the mystery couple.

The evening was lovely. Everyone but Philip, MC, Steb & I went riding on a glorious evening. The 4 of us waited at the corral telling stories and watching an amazing sunset; turning the clouds over Little Mesa a glorious pink.

Earlier in the week; there was a hot domino game at our house. My partner, 16 yr old Brooke Chandor and I took a beating at the hands of Kilian and Pam (Brooke’s mother). The following morning Brooke announced to me “you and me we’re here ‘til we win!” Turned out Philip didn’t have to reserve extra nights – Brooke & I took the 1st game and lost the 2nd by a point. We might have won but it was close to 11:30 and I was staring at the dominos through the slits of my eyes.

Just Another Day in Paradise

It’s midweek and the days are starting to pass in a blur of sameness – breakfast, riding, lunch, hiking, wading in the creek, supper, riding, reading books, playing games; then we get up and start all over again. So relaxing. I particularly like the part where other people prepare the meals, set up the tables, clear the dishes make the beds, turn on the bed pads, saddle the horses and so on and so forth.

I took a break from all this luxury and went to Buffalo. There are only a couple of small shops still open; obviously the recession is hitting Buffalo hard.

The kids and Dean are glued to the saddles and are showing lots of confidence. Mike’s learning to lope - little harder for Matt as his legs just aren’t quite strong enough to kick the horse. Trotting, with encouragement from Dean is about as fast as old Moccasin is going to go. Nevertheless he safely carries Matt up the mountains & back.

A Little Hail in Paradise

Yes, even in Paradise - a little rain will fall; only this rain took the form of hail, about the size of large pea. Hard to believe we had a hot sunny ride earlier in the morning and by afternoon; enough hail & rain to cancel the Kid's picnic and close all but 2 trails. Laura and I were doing laundry & just barely made it into the house before the onslaught. Mike & Matt didn’t seem at all perturbed – just another show at the ranch for them. Philip, Dean, Kim & Kilian were in the car, returning from Buffalo. They’d just returned so they parked under a tree waited it out. Some of our friends weren’t so lucky – they got caught outside either fishing or hiking. One of the boys, referring to the hail, said “it hurt!” An hour later there were sunny skies again.

The morning ride was to Saw Mill for everyone but Kilian. He went with a group to Castle Rocks. I was assigned a new horse – Wrinkle (nicknamed Botox by Philip) – not happy with Wrinkle so I hope to have a new horse this morning. The Saw Mill ride was spectacular and we were led by Isaac.

Isaac is worth a paragraph. This young man is 17, from Silverton, Co. He has in-depth knowledge of the immediate world around him – the principal compound of each of the 5 soils on the ranch; how aspen grow (there is usually only 1 aspen per grove); he quotes Langston Hughes & knows all kinds of cowboy poetry, being able to quote poems many pages long. I wanted to adopt him and take him home with me.

Laura, MC and I felt like the ranch dopes as Isaac tried to get us to remember Anything we might have learned in science – What is the principal compound of black soil – water? Salt? All wrong! Our guesses got wilder & wilder. All known life is made up of it…Carbon.

Our table, which is already packed and raucous, has two new members – Erin & Kim Hamilton from Steamboat Springs, Co. Erin’s the son of Ed & Terry Hamilton. We had a party for everyone – sort of a 18th anniversary for Charlotte & Michael; 50th for MC & Steb & a goodbye to the Hamilton’s who will be leaving as will Charlotte, Michael & family.

1st Ride

Kim on Rock, Laura on Onion, Becky on Iowa (no corn jokes please!), Mike on Nick, Dean on Little Owl, Matt on Moccasin, & Kilian on Chief.

We rode with a wranger along the Olive trail - spotting antelope, deer & cattle. It was a beautiful sunny day; not too hot but still a welcome relief to enter the aspen woodlands. As we rode up one of the mesas; we could see for miles & miles across the plains.

For a 1st ride for most of our group - it was pretty impressive; they rode like they were born to the saddle. Kilian was greatly relieved not to be riding a horse where his feet touched the ground. Everyone who watched him bound on his horse as graceful as a gazelle commented "this kid's going to be able to ride!"

Much to my great relief - riding a horse was a little like sitting in a rocking chair - certainly more comfortable than sitting in a chair. I even managed to trot a few times.

Philip can't ride. This afternoon, he and Kilian went skeet shooting - they just returned home. Both were successful - Philip hit 50% of the clay pigeons & almost 100% of the clay rabbits and Kilian hit almost 100% of the clay pigeon & most of the clay rabbits. Both look tired & hot. But they are excitedly recounting shot by shot...fascinating, Not!

I'm not riding this evening - not going to push my luck; will settle for morning rides. But the rest of the gang is anxious to go again. Kilian's going to ride with the Chandor's, as he can easily keep up the pace. The rest will take a wrangler to help them get a little more experience - I think by tomorrow evening; they'll be riding without needing a wrangler.

That's all for now.

We Arrive!!!

I'm sitting here on the porch of our cabin, Meadowlark. The sun is up; the chill is out of the air and the horses are arriving at the coral.

The 1st day couldn't be more perfect. The boys are duded up; Philip's daughters & son-in-law are here - this is the day he's dreamed of for a long time.

As we arrived both Philip and I are looking around, trying to identify familiar landmarks & wondering what changes we'll notice.

The first Dudes I see are Our China Wall Gang - Lil & Butch (aka MC & Steb Chandor). The familiar comfort of the HFBar slips over us; laughter, talking, the beauty of the place.

Laura, Dean & the boys are in Big Bark - a lovely cabin nestled next to the creek and with a view to the mountains - we're at the other end of the ranch in Meadowlark - one of my favorites.

At lunch we run into more of the extended Chandor family (whom we met at the ranch in 1985) - Charlotte, Paulette & Michael. Afterwards, Dean, Laura, Kilian, Matt & Mike go for a hike & then hit the swimming pool.

By evening, all the Chandor have arrived and we're caught up introducing our families, trading jokes & stories and meeting new people. The end of day, we return to the cabin & Kilian has a wonderful cozy fire going. Yes...a perfect 1st day.

Cowboys

Laura, Dean, Mike & Matt arrived via United & Great Lakes Airlines (to Sheridan, WY - go figure) on time, slight turbulance...but all in one piece.

9:00AM Grandpa and boys (with Mom & Dad) are waiting at the door of Dan's - the order of the day were boots & hats - I never saw either of the boys without one or the other for the rest of the day.