It's a Horse Life

Just Hangin

2012-01-23T14:13:00.000-07:00

Juanita and I went to the Denver National Western Stock Show last night and watched the draft horse "6 up" and "8 up" hitches. We both forgot our cameras, so you'll just have to take my word for it, but nearly 8 tons of horse flesh pulling a wagon is impressive. It was a very pleasant evening with friends.

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The weather up here is pretty nice today. Temperature in the mid 30's. Wind in the lower 20's. Sun shining full on. Time to do a little outside work.

Recyclables to the transfer-station.

Trash out to the dumpster.

Dog messes in back yard.

Move hay from the big barn to the feeding shed.
(If you REALLY want to get your horse's undivided attention, unload a ton of hay just out of their reach)

Now, time for lunch and a soak in the hot-tub, then maybe an old James Bond movie.

I'm okay with that.

Bill

Maybe the Bahamas...

2012-01-20T11:13:00.000-07:00

It's snowing again today.

Wind is in the 20's

Temperature is in the 20's

I'm no longer in my 20's.

I KNOW why old people move to Florida and Arizona for the winter, 'cause I are one.

Bill

My Turn

2012-01-15T20:34:00.000-07:00

Beel keeps hinting it's my turn to blog. Don't know why I have been absent so much from the blog world. It's been busy, but not so busy as the summer gets. I think it's just a different kind of busy. My mom has had a couple health issues lately; not the complicated and tragic kind some of you have been dealing with, but time consuming for us, as it's a three hour round trip to check on her. She wouldn't even let me know she had doctor's appointments until a couple days after the fact. (See where I get my martyrdom attitude?) Now I insist on going to her appointments with her, so I can get the whole story, not just her 'maybe' version. That was a trick in itself, finding out and getting her to let me go. It's always difficult to accept the time when you become the support system for a parent, instead of the other way around; something I need to learn to deal with emotionally. I've been lucky; a lot of you have already had to go through this, so some of you might have to prod me in the right direction now and then (no cattle prods, please - my titanium would not be pleased!)

We had a group of croppers in this weekend, which brought us back to reality. You know, real work. As I was stripping rooms after they left today, I looked out an upper story window and noticed Jesse just standing off by herself and ignoring "the boys" at the feeder. Huh? Jesse never, ever ignores food - and she is NOT a loner. You just don't see her like that. I watched for a while, thinking she could be in the beginning stages of colic, but didn't notice any real signs. She was just hanging out, ears up and alert, squared up like some stallion standing guard, but NO motion. I checked on her every couple hours and she just stayed there.

Finally, I decided she was melancholy; no going out, no person to play with as we've been on the road so much; and the boys were boring. I grabbed her halter, her frisbee and a pocketful of treats, and headed for the corral. She couldn't get her head into that halter fast enough; she didn't care where we were going, but we were going! Beel tried to get me to take the Flip, but I figured I would have my hands full as is - and boy, was I right. I took her to the neighbor's big corral, turned her loose, brushed her and saw a spark in her eye. We started playing frisbee and by the time the neighbor came home a few minutes later and let her two dogs loose, we had pandemonium. Jesse doesn't usually chase dogs, but she had a ball today keeping her frisbee away from the dogs. She raced up and down the hill, kicked up her heels, let loose good ole horsie farts and threw in some bucks for good measure, while I talked with the neighbor. When she decided I had talked enough, she went to the gate and stared over at the boys in our pen, like she was saying, "OK, we can go home now."

I think I needed that time out in the fresh air as much (maybe more) than she did. Of course, when I got back to our pen, it was very obvious both boys felt extremely slighted. Guess I'd better make time for them tomorrow. Oops, we're supposed to get another six inches of snow tonight. Oh well, what's a little snow among friends!

Bionic Cowgirl

PS - I forgot to tell you all MY New Year's Resolution. NO MORE BIONICS!!!

A Couple Monsters

2012-01-06T16:02:00.000-07:00

This morning Juanita and I went out to feed the horses, and as we walked up I realized something was wrong. The two geldings, Ranger and Washoe were running around in a panic, and even Jesse was a little concerned.

"HALP! HALP! HALP!"

As I walked into the corral, hoping to find the problem, Ranger was very worried, stomping, snorting and staring off at the highway. (Jesse and Washoe saw Juanita with BOWL FOOD and lost interest in the mysterious problem that still had Ranger worried.

"BEEL! THERE ARE MONSTERS IN THE TREES!"

Ranger, staring high into the trees by the road, was on FULL ALERT. Upon closer inspection, I saw a white hard hat near the top of a 50' ponderosa pine tree.

"Howdy!"

"Hi there! I'm from the power company in Estes Park. We're trimming trees near the power lines."

"No problem." I say. "But I don't think I'm going to convince these horses it's not a problem..."

"Yeah," he says "they have been running and snorting pretty good."

We wandered back to the lodge, Jesse eating and Washoe and Ranger keeping watch.

"That's not the usual, Beel. Peoples just don't climb up trees."

*******************************************

A couple days ago we hit an after Christmas sale.

Someone got paid to build a moose, wearing a Santa outfit, sitting in a rocking chair singing "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer".

Sad.

Sadder still, I bought it.

I can't WAIT till next Christmas!

(I hope I haven't run the batteries down by then...)

Bill

December Recipe of the Month... Elephant Stew

2011-12-26T00:06:00.000-07:00

This time of year, we are always looking for good stew recipes. A guest gave us this one several years ago.

Elephant Stew

1 large elephant, cut into bite sized pieces

2 rabbits

Cook elephant in large stew pot over outside fire. Simmer for 4 weeks until tender, stirring occasionally.

This will serve 3,800 people. If more people come, add the rabbits. DON"T do this unless necessary, because most people don't like hare in their stew.

Bill

Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T07:32:00.001-07:00

Merry Christmas, all!

More welcome than Santa...

"Mare-y " Christmas (and Gelding New Year!)

My Less Favorite Walk. By Me. Ranger the Horse.

2011-12-22T19:14:00.001-07:00

One of the two legged barn apes that hangs around here (Estes's human) has a contest for bad walks. She sayed that Beel or Nita can't enter the contest, I think cause they are her parents or cause they have a bunch of bad rides that would scare people. So Beel sayed I could tell a story.

Early one day, in the still dark, a few summers ago, I saw Beel drive away with the rolling horse house behind the stinky truck. I thought that was kind of weird, cause there weren't no horses in it. But peoples do really confusing stuff all of the time, so I didn't think much about it. He came back later in another car, without the wagon.

Beel and another gal, Elsa walked up to me and caught me and another horse I knew a little bit, Coontail. They strapped the chairs on our backs, put the iron bars in our mouths and said we were going for a LONG walk today.

I hate when that happens.

The sun had been back working again for just a few chews when we left. We went up the trail like we mostly do, and everything was usual. We walked a LONG time, and finally got to the far-place, where we ALWAYS turn around.

BUT WE DIDN'T!

We kept walking and went down a steep trail, and crossed a HUGE, RAGING, RIVER! It was so full, Beel's feets almost got wet while he was sitting in my back chair! Okay, he's purdy tall and I'm purdy not tall, but still. Then we walked next to the raging river for a LONG time. Finally Beel and Elsa told Coontail and me to stop, and they took the chairs off and the iron bars out of our mouths so we could eat.

We had stopped at the BEST PLACE ON EARTH! Warm sun! Lots of sweet grass! A whole river of water to drink! Beel had finally done it. He found horse heaven. He done good. While we were all eating, I heard the peoples talking. "Well, we are almost halfway there."

What? No, you don't understand. We ARE there, Beel. Where else would we want to be? You are talking like a dog. We can just stay here and eat. We don't have to run around just to run around, that would be crazy! But the chairs went back on, and the bars back in after just a taste of sweet, sweet grass. Okay, maybe it was more that one bite, but still...

We walked along the river for a long time, and then went up a cliff. It was terrible. It went straight up and almost hit the sun! Beel MADE me go. It was terrible. I stopped halfway up and told him he was a lunatic. He kicked and swatted and cussed, but I had made my mind up. No. More.

He finally climbed off and led me. "Oh, okay." I thought. "If you are willing to climb the cliff, I guess I'll follow."

We climbed for many, many steps, until finally we ran out of hill. "That was terrible." I told Beel. "If it was so flipp'n horrible, why did Coontail make it just fine?" Beel yelled very meanly. "Because Elsa is very small, and you are a BIG DUMB MONSTER." I stated.

Beel climbed back into my back chair and we went along the trail at the top of the cliff for a long, long time. Then the trail ran into a gravel road.

I HATE gravel roads. The gravels hurt my poor bare feet. There was a LOT of gravel road.

We finally reached a gate. Beel got off of my back and sayed "It's locked."

His brain must have been cooked by the sun, 'cause he can ALWAYS open gates.

Not this time.

He took my lead rope and walked for EVER down the fence till he found a loose spot in the wires.

Now, let me tell you about barbed wires. THEY HURT! They cut you and make you blood all over your chest and they are about the scariest things ever (except for flags).

Beel stepped on the wires until they smashed to the ground, and then he MADE ME STEP OVER THEM!!! I am really brave, so I did after a while. Then Coontail saw how brave I was, and he walked over them, too. Beel tied the wires on to the little posts, and we went back to the road.

It would have been easier to use the gate.

We went down the road for a long, long time until we finally got to the WORST PLACE ON EARTH. There were houses, dogs, the gravel road, parked cars, mail boxes, FLAGS!!! I couldn't believe it.

I stopped. "YOU ARE THE WORST LEADER EVER, BEEL. WE WENT FROM HEAVEN TO HELL, AND I AM NOT HAPPY." I wouldn't ever move again. He kicked, and swatted, and cussed. But I had made my mind up. No. More.

He finally climbed off and led me. "Oh, okay." I thought. "If you are willing to walk in hell, I guess I'll follow."

We walked for a LONG time, and suddenly, the houses were gone, the dogs were gone, the parked cars were gone, the mail boxes were gone and the FLAGS were gone! Okay, this was better. Beel climbed back on my back and we walked for a LONG time.

Then we got to a place I remembered! GRASS! NICE TRAIL! WATER! And suddenly we were at the rolling horse house and stinky truck! I jumped right in, 'cause it ALWAYS goes to a good place, and it was getting dark.

That was my most horriblest walk ever, cause I thought for sure Beel had lost his mind.

I'm glad he found it.

Christmas Decor

2011-12-19T23:05:00.002-07:00

Sunday one of our grandsons wandered up to Juanita and I and said "I think the neighbor dog took something off one of the logs out front."

"Na." we said. "Ingrid's always bringing over balls and toys for us to throw for her." (Ingrid. What else do you name a German Shepard?)

Looked out the window and saw she did indeed have not 1, not 2, but 3 balls at her feet. Guarding them and wagging her tail.

Oh man, those aren't her balls, those are Christmas ornaments off the posts out front.

Kid says..."I TOLD you so."

When I was a kid, we always cut the family tree in the national forests down in New Mexico. My parents BOTH had slightly off kilter senses of humor, so our Christmas trees were usually rather... odd.

I attempted to keep up the tradition with my family, but could rarely talk them into a "good" tree more than every other year. If you ask them about their past Christmas trees, they will mostly contort their bodies into a rough approximation of one mutant tree or another while trying to describe one.

This year, we had a couple friends offer to cut us a tree when they went to cut their own. They know me so we got this...

I love the trunk. This poor tree survived at least 3 other attempts at killing it for decoration.

Juanita made me decorate it. So I did.

Makes me happy.

Bill

Tanks for Nuthin

2011-12-17T15:55:00.001-07:00

The small stream our horses drink from is freezing up. Happens every year. So today I drug our 100 gallon Rubbermaid water tank over to the corral.

The grays watched me drag and haul the tank into the pen with great interest, and then ignored me once I quit pushing it around.

Ranger, however, flipped his lid.

"What are you doing, Beel? That is a bigblackscareything and you LEFT IT IN MY PEN! Are you CRAZY?!?"

So, I walked over to Ranger, took my belt off, and was going to put it around his neck and lead him over to the tank and make him touch it.

"NO.NO.NO.NO!" he says.

And I spent 10 minutes chasing him around the pen trying to catch him.

Chasing Ranger around reminded me of when I first got the old mustang. He was 9 or 10 years old, and had never been handled. He was pretty sure he knew all he needed to know, and one of the things he knew was I was not going to get ANY WHERE NEAR him.

I can not rope. At all. Period. But that was the only way I was going to catch him. So I started to learn.

33 tosses and a catch.
27 tosses and a catch.
24 tosses and a catch.
21 tosses and a catch.

Each time I would rope the horse, I would gently touch him/brush him/give him some grass. Then I would release him.

16 tosses and a catch.
15 tosses and a catch.
13 tosses and a catch.

By the time I could rope the horse in 3 or so tosses, I was getting pretty proud of myself. Until Juanita pointed out that by this time, Ranger wasn't running in terror from me, but trotting slowly at ropes length holding his neck out to make it easy for me to rope him and be nice to him.

To this day, I must walk up to him swinging my lead rope over my head, and then drop the end over his neck before he is "caught" and will let me put his halter on him.

As I was chasing Ranger with my belt, I realized what I was doing.

I swung the belt over my head a couple times and he walked up to me. I dropped the belt over his neck, led him over to the tank.

He told me "Golly, Beel. It's just a water tank. Why was you so scared?"

Sometimes I forget MY training and Ranger has to remind me.

Bill

Rodeo 101

2011-12-11T20:28:00.001-07:00

Rodeo Primer

When Juanita and I get tired of watching people and animals at the lodge, we take a break and go to a rodeo. Where we watch people and animals in an arena. This year we were not able to go the the Rodeo National Finals in Las Vegas, missing it for the first time in years. But we are still thinking about it.

Some of you may not know much about rodeos so here is a short description of the events.

Rough stock events: Bareback, Saddle Bronc and Bull Riding. Cowboys try to stay seated on an animal that is trying to get rid of them. They attempt to ride for 8 seconds in a row. Half of the points (up to 50) are determined by the animal, the other half (also up to 50, ain’t math GREAT!?!) are awarded to the cowboy. Touching themselves or the animal with their free hand disqualifies the cowboy.

Timed events (Steer Wrestling, Team Roping, Tie Down Roping, Barrel Racing) are, well, timed events. Fastest time wins. Penalties are given in seconds for infractions, adding to final time.

Bareback Riding:

Probably my favorite event. The horses are smaller, and appear to be bucking harder than the other "rough stock". The cowboys in this event look like they are being BEAT HALF TO DEATH.

The horses seem to be having fun.

Saddle Broncs:

This may be my favorite event. The skill of the cowboys, and the technique that they demonstrate in the spurring to the rhythm of the animals bucking is just amazing to watch.

These horses also seem to be having fun trying to unload the fools.

Steer Wrestling:

Quite possibly my favorite event. Huge cowboys leaping off of horses traveling at 30 miles per hour onto the ground and grabbing the head of a 600 pound steer running at 30 miles per hour, dragging it to a stop, and twisting it over onto its back. Sheer genius.

The horses are having a good time, the steers, maybe not so much. They're pretty annoyed.

Team Roping:

This has got to be my favorite event to watch, because it isn't possible. One cowboy ropes the head of a calf (Okay, I can see how you can do that), but the other cowboy ropes both hind legs, and then they stretch the little booger out. How in the heck can you throw a rope around both hind legs of a 4 legged critter running away from you full speed while you are sitting on a running horse. Just can't be done.

Horses having fun, calves... well, mostly just kinda surprised.

Tie Down Roping:

I may like this event the best because of the sheer number of things that MUST go right to get a good score.

From horseback, you rope a calf, tie the roped off calf to your saddle, as you jump off your horse, your horse backs up just enough to keep the calf from running off. Then you run over, throw the calf down, and tie together its legs in the least amount of time possible.

Bovine bondage at its best. The horses usually know and enjoy their job. Calves are again, surprised.

Bull Riding:

I find I root for the animals more than the cowboys in most events, so this one is my favorite. Smallest cowboys, largest rough stock. Remember those little cattle in the other events? I think the bulls are just getting even. They try to buck the cowboys off of their backs, and then turn to kill them.

Bulls are DEFINITELY having a good time. The surviving cowboys seem happy, too. (Maybe just glad to be alive...)

Applause to the rodeo clowns, they really save lives in this event.

Barrel Racing:

Okay, this is ABSOLUTELY my favorite. Pretty girls and fast horses. What's not to like?

Not much of a race though. The horses ALWAYS win. The barrels hardly ever even MOVE.

Bill

Wow

2011-12-11T11:07:00.001-07:00

It's baking weekend.

Mom and Bill have left the building.

I'm not sure if that means: A) after thirteen years of baking weekends, they finally trust that we won't burn the lodge down; or B) they can't stand to watch us messing up the kitchen and they just had to leave; or C) they can't stand to watch us messing up the kitchen and they hope that we burn the lodge down so they don't have to see the kitchen.

I'm an optimist - I say it's option A.

Baking Day Readiness

2011-12-09T14:22:00.000-07:00

Am I ready for this? Heck no! Are we gonna' have fun? You betcha'!

Every year for the last - oh - 13 or so years, we have had a baking day/weekend extravaganza. I open up the Lodge kitchen to our kids and their/our friends for a huge cookie/treat baking marathon. That's what it has turned into - a marathon. Everyone brings an assortment of recipes and most of their own ingredients, and then my big kitchen and cookery get put to use, and it is a huge amount of fun, I get to see lots of new ideas and a tremendous amount of goodies spew forth, until both big tables are covered with entice-ables.

Wish me luck, keeping my sanity. I'm getting better (with age) at not being quite so anal about how things are done in MY kitchen ... but it's tough! Watch for GunDiva's blogs, complete with pics.
Bionic Cowgirl - turned kitchen monitor for the next two days.

Last Official Ride of the Season - long

2011-11-29T19:17:00.000-07:00

It isn't, really, for Bill and I, but we decided to do a regular 'end of season' ride with Gundiva before delivering Estes to fat pasture. (Estes is doing very well since her bout with sand colic, but I just didn't want her to lose ~~ground~~ weight this winter.) So ....

We have a special place we like to ride before dropping the horses off, and today was the perfect day for a ride there. It's across the road from where our horses used to go for the winter. Sunny, sunny, in the 40's, slight breeze - it just doesn't get better for us at this time of year.

Washoe, Estes, Jesse, Beel - yes, I opted for a saddle; elbow still isn't up to hauling myself up bareback.

Welcome to Hall Ranch, home of the mountain lion - and we think we spotted a track. We headed off on the horse portion on the trails, with a gentle climb over rock.

... down into the gully with it's natural earth bridge ...

Shortly after this picture, Beel's camera decided to quit working. While he was playing with it, Washoe decided to have a quick bite, and while trying to correct that Beel accidentally popped the battery compartment open, sending his camera batteries flying to the ground . Oops! Needless to say, Beel and Washoe had to have a bit of a discussion ...


Honest, Beel, I didn't steal any grass! You should have seen the wad Beel pulled out of his mouth!

In the background of this next picture, you can see the horses' old hangout.

OK, here's proof ... the hand holding the camera is attached to the 'formerly' broken elbow. I don't have full strength (Bill had to heft my 45 lb. saddle) and not quite full range of motion, but pretty darn close.

By this time, Jesse had decided it was hot and started her shaking routine. That horse starts at the nose and shakes all the way through her tail!!!

... and then you stroll off like nothing happened. You just gotta laugh.

All too soon, we had to head back...

Overlooking the bluffs we had come up ...

Low hanging branch, even for short horses and riders. LOL

Stairs! Well, not quite as impressive as the ones we did at HCR 2 ... but still considered a trail obstacle.

Ranger got the day off, mostly because we can only haul three at a time, and he is the only one that will stay home alone without causing trouble - like hollering for the other horses the WHOLE time they're gone. And believe me, Beel did his share of complaining about having to ride a taller horse. Notice his feet aren't dragging the ground..

We were even nice enough to share the trail. We noticed two 'riders' coming up toward us, so we found a wide spot and pulled over to wait. No one showed, so in a few minutes we called to them that it was OK to pass. They called back that they had gotten off to wait, also, only they really got off. Actually only one was riding; the second horse was bareback and was being led. We didn't tease them too hard about the walking part after they noticed Beel and GD were bareback. Later we passed a hiker sitting on the trail and as we approached the trail head, we waited on a mountain biker to pass. It was just such a beautiful day to be out.

Coming back down towards the old ranch again.

Back at the vehicle ... the victory stretch.

Proper way to get off ? or just hanging out with your horse?

Now we had to load up and go a few more miles down the road to drop off Estes. She was sure excited to see her herd.

From L-R: Meeker (Estes' 1st daughter), Brownie in back, Digger (Meeker's daughter), Peanut, Baby Meeker (Meeker's last year foal), Audobon (Estes's second daughter), Doc, Andromeda (black in back, the full Friesien), and Dakota (Audobon's daughter)

This next picture is GunDiva's lotto winnings, should it ever happen.

Estes' grand-daughter, Dakota.

And Baby Meeker is already sold. She has the cutest reverse star; it's black instead of white. She's just a yearling and already taller than her mom, beside her. Her Friesien dad is showing in those legs. She gets to stay with the herd until April, when her new owner is in hopes of her being a good polo pony. Watching her move today, I don't think there's much doubt she will do well.

It was a wonderful end-of-season ride.
Bionic Cowgirl, signing off.

Blog Blurb

2011-11-27T23:32:00.003-07:00

Last night we only had 6 guests, so it was a one table breakfast this morning. Time to experiment!

Juanita is calling it a "peach/pear/cranberry crostada". This one was made with phillo dough.
When she gets the kinks worked out of it, maybe we will post the recipe. Tasted wonderful!

After all of the guests left, we grabbed Ranger and Jesse and went for a quick bareback ride. It was cool, but not too bad... mid to lower 40's, but the wind was blowing pretty well, and they were concerned. Jesse was all set to go around the block here in town, but balked a little at going up the mountain into the national forest.

I have a mustang that trusts me. He would follow me through the fires of hell.

Ranger took one look at the snow covered parking lot at the livery, and said "No way, Beel" I spent a couple minutes flailing ineffectually at his ribs with my heels, and finally gave it up and jumped off and led him across the parking lot. No problem. I remounted at the base of the hill, and rode him down to the little stream that crosses the trail. You know, the same little stream that all of our horses drink out of, EVERY DAY, about 8 feet upstream from where we were standing. Balking. Not crossing the stream we have crossed maybe 500 times before.

"It has ICE Beel. I might break through and drown!"

"Ranger, it is 8 inches wide, 3 inches deep, with a quarter inch of ice covering the edge. You drink out of every day. DON'T BE A MORON!"

He bent down and touched his nose to the mud.

"Nope, it ain't worth the risk Beel."

I pulled the belt out of my pants (riding in a halter and lead rope, I got no reins to "whack" him with) and tapped him with the belt (And no, I didn't hit him hard. As a horse he's bigger than I am and as a mustang, he knows it). Nothing.

"RANGER, YOU JERK! YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE ME DISMOUNT AND GET MY BOOTS MUDDY, AREN'T YOU?!?"

I dismounted, led him across (and back and forth another half dozen times). No problem. Followed me like I was the boss.

We rode up the mountainside and got to a snowy north slope. I stopped before Ranger could balk and make me dismount again.

We turned back and went home.

Yes, I have a horse that would follow me through the fires of hell.

"You first, Beel."

Bill

. . . and Let the Feasting Begin

2011-11-24T19:21:00.000-07:00

GunDiva and RCC ran the local turkey race today as a starter; we got up and put the turkey on and shoved all the casseroles in the oven that we prepped last night. The day was much warmer and sunnier than expected, so we spent some time with the horses. We'd saved some bread treats for them ... waiting for enough snow to be off the ground so we could toss them all over. OK, so Ranger and Jesse got handouts from Beel; Estes and Washoe prefer the hunt and search method on the ground. Even the neighbor dog got in on the act, but Thanksgiving is for everyone so she was allowed.

Bill carving the turkey. Would you believe EVERYBODY forgot the camera!!!!

We packed up all the food and headed to my Mom's, to be joined by all but the youngest of our children (who is trying the trade-off routine with significant other's family). It was a joy to see everyone together and we hope all of you had as wonderful a day.
Juanita and Bill

Novembers' Recpie, Chocolate Covered Cherries

2011-11-21T20:29:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Juanita and I were in the kitchen with a couple friends. They were helping Juanita make chocolate covered cherries. As the dippin' and rollin' were going full steam, the lights went out.

"OOO! OOO! YES! I get to try my new generat..." and the lights came back on.

Poop.

Maybe I'll get to use my new generator another day.

Chocolate Covered Cherries

Ingredients-------------

2 and 1/2 cups of powered sugar
1/4 cup softened butter (unsalted is best, salted will be good, too)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon milk
16 ozs maraschino cherries, with stems, drained
2 tablespoons shortening
2 cups (16 ozs) semisweet chocolate chips

Directions----------------

Combine butter, sugar, milk and vanilla in a small bowl, knead until mold-able. Shape into about 3/4 inch balls, then flatten into 2 inch disks.

Wrap each disk around a cherry and gently roll in hands. Place the wrapped cherries stem up on a sheet of waxed paper on a cookie sheet and chill the bunch. Half an hour in the freezer, or four hours in the refrigerator.

Microwave the chocolate chips and shortening until melted, stir until smooth. Dip the chilled cherries, holding by the stem, into the chocolate. Let the extra drip off and place on waxed paper until the chocolate has set. Place chocolate covered cherries in a covered container and refrigerate for a week or two before eating.

Cherries can be soaked in Bourbon before wrapping for a more adult-type treat.

Will make about 36 covered cherries.

Here is to future power failures.

Bill

Bionic Cowgirl: Very Much Alive and Doing Quite Well, Thank You

2011-11-19T13:48:00.000-07:00

Yeah, it's me, the bionic cowgirl. We've been receiving quite a few email inquiries about my current physical conditioning, so I thought it prudent to 'get over' my current malaise with my computer. Many years ago we left the computer industry and I swore I would never again become addicted to the creature!!!! So every now and then, this particular malaise hits me and I refuse to be drawn into the electronics world (except of course, the normal, everyday entering of company data, bookkeeping, and quarterly reports, etc that I can't get away from). Besides, Beel is so much more fun to read! Onward ...

Jesse playing peek-a-boo with me.

Again woke up to a good four inches of new snow - now 5 hours later and still coming down - but had this amazing feeling that it's now RIGHT. It's beautiful and I love watching the horses be at peace with the weather, even like this.

Love Jesse's snowy eyelashes!

Estes, next to 'the shed'. She sure blends in.

We've had three weekends full of guests, and only a couple rooms this weekend, so maybe that's why I feel like maybe a blog would be good. The physical therapist says my arm is on the fast track, healing wise, and should be fully functional within the next 4 - 6 weeks; as soon as we can get my strength back. MY goal is to be riding next week - at the 6 wk mark. Yesterday, before the snow, would have been a perfect ride day: dry road, no wind, sunny, mid-40's, so I brushed the horses instead. They weren't too appreciative because they had worked very hard over the last few weeks getting their mud-coat just right and I messed it up right before a storm.

Yesterday, these two had black backs. Now they just have sad faces. LOL

Did I mention there is a pallet load of pellets sitting on the back of our truck? Hmmmm, good thing they shrink wrap those babies pretty well! Right now I'm not much help unloading things like that (they weigh slightly more than my coffee cup weight limit), although yesterday, I did help bring in wood. I'm only allowed to carry 'baby' sticks, but it's better than nothing. Beel keeps a really close eye on me.

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I've always said that lodge work was the best kind of physical therapy. I tell my PT that all the time. Imagine the stretching that takes place folding sheets for 19 beds at a time (after each full weekend!), and did I mention the making of those beds? Of course, that's just the start ... but I still enjoy my life. How many people get to live in such elegance as the Rocky Mountains?

Although sometimes, I am envious of Mikey in AZ, having the weather to tan her own cow hide. That is so cool. The desert is a way neat place to live if you can take the heat. In fact, most of you bloggers live in really cool regions. I would love to visit everyone of you; I think I will make that a goal - or a NY's resolution, since that's the only kind of resolutions I make (fun ones!).

Due to all our lifestyle changes this year, what with my bionic-ness and the decision to keep the horses home, we have decided to forgo the WNFR (Wrangler National Finals Rodeo) this year. Instead we will travel through AZ in a couple weeks to see a friend who lives near the Mexico border and catch up there. I'm actually looking forward to the trip, even though certain kids have tried to threaten me to stay off any horses while away. What fun is that?

So, you see, I am alive and well, but very, very slow. The arm gets tired before the work gets done (typing is still a strain) and blogging has fallen by the wayside. I promise to do better soon.

Yours truly,
The Bionic Cowgirl

My Latest Weekend Story

2011-11-18T19:05:00.002-07:00

Last weekend we had a "scrapbooking" group in that had rented the whole lodge for 3 days. These gals have been here every year for the last 11 or so years, so they knew the drill. Dinner in the evening, wine or beer after dinner, crop all night, breakfast in the morning, crop all day, dinner in the evening, wine or beer after dinner...

Things were going normally until the last night, about halfway between "wine or beer" and "crop all night", when the lights all flickered. The wind was howling, so it wasn't completely unexpected, but I lit some candles and ground a bunch of coffee, just in case the power blinkages turned into power outages.

Then, "LET THERE BE DARK" and there was. Boy, was there.

We handed the gals that were still up watching movies and cropping their pictures an assortment of flashlights, and they all went to bed, giggling like it was a slumber party. Not too much different than usual, just a little earlier. Juanita and I stoked the fires, set up a bunch of battery operated lanterns, pulled out the frozen stuff we would need the next morning (just in case the microwave still wasn't working in the morning) and then we read for an hour or two by lamplight. And went to bed.

When we woke up the next morning, it was still dark. We re-stoked the fires and cooked breakfast. We have a gas oven/range/griddle just for this sort of thing, so breakfast was wonderful and on time. Several of the gals said when they woke up and the power was still off, they were sure it was going to be cold cereal in Styrofoam bowls. HA! NEVER!

We fed them and as it was their last day, they packed up and headed home after breakfast. They went home to their houses with electricity. We stayed at the lodge in the dark. After a while, I started to worry about the food in the refrigerator. The temperature in the ice box was up to 52 degrees, and climbing. So I closed the door to the kitchen, opened the kitchen window (outside temp was in the 20's), and WAH-LAH! The temperature in the kitchen was 40 degrees. I opened the fridge door and WAH-LAH! Cold food.

We spent the rest of the day wandering around and wishing we could do laundry, vacuum the floors, run the dishwasher... You know, all of those chores that need power. We finally drove down to Fort Collins to bake our oldest son's birthday cake at his house 'cause, well, he had power.

After the party at his house, we drove back home, lit some more candles (fortunately we had no guests in THAT night), re-stoked the fires and went to bed early and read by flashlight until bedtime.

We woke up the next morning, re-stoked the fires, lit some more lanterns, swept the floors, answered phone calls about a neighboring lodge that was burning to the ground, and pretty much hung out in the dark. It was becoming more of a chore than an adventure at this point.

When the lights came on a little before noon, I closed the kitchen window and started vacuuming the floors, while Juanita started laundry and the dishwasher.

If this had happened in the summer, we could have lost hundreds of dollars in groceries in the fridge and freezer, 'cause I wouldn't be able to cool the stuff down by opening the window. The fires in the fireplace and wood burning stove kept it a toasty 65 degrees in here. It could have been a whole lot worse.

I bought a generator yesterday. It won't run the whole lodge, but by gum, our ice cream ain't gunna melt.

Priorities, you know.

Bill

My Weekend Story

2011-11-15T09:16:00.002-07:00

Last weekend (November 4th and 5th) I went to Sedona Arizona to watch my kid sister get married.


Fog/Rain/Snow

Love the Desert.

My Little Sister, Beth

The Cute Sibling

**************************************************
We interrupt this blog for a two day power failure. Now that the lights/heat/refrigeration are back on, we will continue with our regularly scheduled blog, at the point at which we left off.

**************************************************

The bride, groom and mountain were all in white.

After the ceremony, the bride and groom made there escape.

And yes, the bride is wearing hiking boots.

Which is just as well, with all the crypto-dirt and all.

Congratulations Beth and David!

Bill

Transporting Horses

2011-11-03T22:22:00.000-06:00

This time of year we help a friend transport her horses to their winter location. Between snow storms, Bill hooked up the trailer and off we went. The ranch where the other horses are kept is about a half hour's drive up a steep, dirt road; best to do when it's NOT snowy!

Boots, the pony, was an easy catch.

Blaze, on the other hand, decided to play hard to get ... for about 30 seconds, until he found himself cornered.

So off we go to the trailer. Wait, let me see what's in here. OK, I'm ready.

For the first time ever, Blaze loaded himself on command. So quickly I missed it on camera. This is a HUGE improvement for this horse. Having his buddy in first helped, but he used to still be tough to load. Then he unloaded just as easily. He's finally learning that this travel thing isn't so bad.

We're there and the horses are certainly excited. The day is perfect to turn them loose.

OK, guys, there you go . . .

As soon as they spot the snow, it's tails in the air and off at a trot . . .

for a good roll in the snow! They soon took off with tails in the air to join the other horses in the pastures on the other side of this gorgeous old barn. They will be out all winter, hidden in the trees on some really nice, rich pasture. Alas, it's too rich for our guys. I tried to get pictures of them running out, but it was too far for the camera to catch clearly. See ya next spring!
Juanita

Another Monster Slain

2011-10-29T18:56:00.001-06:00

The wind is HOWLING outside today. That's fairly normal for this season. You know, the "not summer" season.

I went out to feed the horses, and since the wind was blowing, I wasn't too surprised that the horses weren't standing right by the feeder. They were all standing out in the middle of the field. Ranger was particularly bug-eyed.

"What's up guys? Not hungry? Still a quarter bale of hay left from this morning!"

"Monster nesting in the food, Beel!"

"What's that, Ranger? I can't hear you over the wind."

"MONSTER! LOOK OUT BEEL! IT'S RIGHT NEXT TO YOU!"

I dropped the new bale into the feeder. And pulled out a sheet of tar paper that had blown into the feeder.

"This monster Ranger?"

"LOOK OUT BEEL! IT'S GOT YOUR ARM!"

"I'll take it away buddy. Just go eat."

Okay, I'll admit it did look a lot more fierce with the wind making it rear up.

Dopes.

Bill

Easily Amused

2011-10-28T15:54:00.002-06:00

Probably 10 years ago, I was remodeling the bathroom to one of our "private" bedrooms that we don't rent to guests. It's the one our kids usually stay in when they spend the night here at the lodge. They call it the "slave's quarters". Go figure.

I plumbed the water heaters so either can be replaced and keep hot water going to the lodge.

Ignore the rat and snake

Anyfixtures, I noticed all of the extra pipes and such that were orphaned in the bathroom, and built on the theme.

Hand towel ring.

Towel bar on door

Shower curtain rod

Shower valves

Even the toilet paper roll holder

So when we got snowed in, I looked at the leaky faucet in the sink and it went from this...

To this...

To this.

I crack me up.

Bill

Snow of the Day

2011-10-26T20:46:00.001-06:00

Woke up to snow this morning.

About 16 inches.

Cold too. About 22 degrees.

Cold horses.

Even their house looks cold.

Ours, too.

Burrr.

Bill

I'm Back - Sort Of

2011-10-21T22:19:00.000-06:00

OK, I'm right-handed, usually - unless I've done something dumb and the left hand has to work! I am typing this two handed- but only for short periods of time. 10 days post-surgery; docs really surprised at how fast I am healing; stitches gone, arm sort of back to normal size. For anyone not too squeemish, GD will probably post X-rays soon. To my dismay, I will probably not ride for 2-3 more weeks. THIS time I will take the doc seriously. You see, he could only place a few of the pieces back and then hold them in place by screwing in a few more - for a total of 7; said he couldn't get the last two to fit anywhere. The round part that actually makes the elbow socket is what took the hit of a fully extended kick-and got smashed. Only 4 are actually being held in place with the plate and screws, so I have to give the bone time to mend to itself. I have a weight limit on my right arm of one paper only; not even my tea cup! Ouch! If I bumped a tree limb or grabbed a rein while riding, it could mean major problems....so, I am really, really, r e a l l y trying to be good. Beel and kids have been life savers. Thanks to everyone who has so graciously commented with well wishes. My elbow says its tired.
Juanita

You Never Know

2011-10-15T23:38:00.001-06:00

I once heard a story-

A cowboy dropped his favorite Bible out of his saddlebag while he was mending fences out on the range.

Three weeks later a cow walked up to him carrying the Bible in its mouth.

The cowboy couldn't believe his eyes. He took the precious book out of the cow's mouth, raised his eyes heavenward and exclaimed, "It's a miracle!"

"Not really," said the cow. "Your name is written inside the cover."

Sometimes my life seems like that. I am amazed by the wrong things.

I have been married for 24 years today.

Amazing.

No-

I have been HAPPILY married for 24 years today.

THAT'S amazing.

My name is written in my Bible, 'cause you never know what'll work.

(I love you, Juanita. Get well soon.)

Bill

Worst. Picnic. Ever.

2011-10-13T11:29:00.002-06:00

It was a dark and stormy night. No, that's not right... It was a bright and sunny morning, like so many other bright sunny mornings. Only this bright sunny morning Juanita and I were trailering the horses to a new trail head to ride with a friend.

Ranger and Washoe drew the short straws for the day and off we went, driving about 45 minutes to the trail head outside GlenHaven, east of Estes Park. We pulled in right behind our friend PV with her horse, Molly.

There is actually a horse in this trailer.

I like Molly. She's a Halflinger, and it's nice to not be on the shortest horse for once.

The three of us rode into the Comanche Peak Wilderness area. A beautiful ride.

Molly lead out, with Washoe in the rocking chair, and Ranger riding drag.

Hunting season. Elk colored horse. Yes, I'm in BLAZE.

Molly lead out most of the time, but we reached a horse eating bridge with no stock bypass, so Ranger took the lead for a moment, followed by Washoe with the mare in the rear. After defeating the Bridge Of Death, we headed up the hill beyond. Washoe took exception to a little bit of tailgating, and kicked Molly a good one. She seemed okay, so she took the lead again.

How do you spell "glower"?

After a couple of hours at a good clip, we scrambled down a hillside to a sunny patch out of the trees for our picnic. I grabbed my tortilla spread with peanut butter and Tabasco Sauce and was eating it while trying to keep it away from Ranger (he thought it smelled WONDERFUL) when I heard a commotion behind me. I spun around in time to see Juanita being launched into a small bolder field and her horse leaving the area. I headed Wahoe off at the pass, and tied him to a tree. Then tied Ranger to another tree. By the time I got to Juanita, she was sitting and taking stock of her injuries.

" I only saw hooves flashing at me."

"My elbow hurts."

Uh oh. There is blood seeping out of her long sleeved t-shirt and sweat shirt.

"Let's pull up the sleeve and look at your cut" I said.

"Oh s#!t" I thought. Blood pulsing out of an exit wound looking hole. Got to be a compound fracture at the elbow.

"Let's bind this up and go home".

I wrapped it tightly to immobilize it with a gauze pad and roll of gauze, and pinned it into a triangular bandage from one of our first-aid kits to act as a sling. Juanita said "Why don't you get some of that snow for an ice pack for me?" "I can do that." I thought, so I filled a plastic bag with snow and fitted it into the sling. I walked her horse up to a rock so she could mount, ran back to my horse, mounted up, looked down longingly at my P-B-T tortilla on the rock where I had dropped it, and we all rode away.

After and hour or so the blood started soaking through.

Pretty ride, though.

Less than 1/2 hour to go!

End is near.

THE TRAILER!

And into the truck while I loaded the horses.

Half an hour's drive later...

The rig took up about 6 handicapped spaces...

And I passed her off.

I went back to the lodge to unload the horses, call the kids and let them know their mom was broke, and get the lodge ready for check in.

The kids all jumped up to bat and covered everything so I could get back to the hospital and see Juanita after her 2 or 3 hour emergency surgery.

Bone broken into 9 pieces, plated and screwed back together.

Other than that, how did you like the play, Mrs. Lincoln?

Bill

Bionic Cowgirl Update

2011-10-11T19:31:00.001-06:00

Well, when Mom does something, she does it big.

Why have just one hip replacement when you can have two?

Why just fracture your arm when you could totally obliterate it?

No half-ways for Mom, no siree.

She got out of surgery shortly after 7:00 pm our time. When I heard that she had broken herself not into two pieces, not even three, but seven pieces I wasn't too terribly surprised. I'm pretty sure they coined the phrase "go big or go home" for Mom.

I didn't even ask how many plates and screws are holding her arm back together, but I'm sure it's an astronomical number. Remember, she has 2 plates and 17 screws in her left wrist. Certainly an obliterated elbow warrants more than that.

I didn't even ask when she's coming home because they'll kick her out for being too ornery in short order. Expect a real update from Mom or Bill in the next day or so.

Bionic Cowgirl's Getting More Bionic

2011-10-11T14:31:00.001-06:00

Just talked to Bill. They were out on a ride with a friend and her horse. They stopped for a picnic and two of the horses started tussling. Mom, unfortunately, got caught in the middle and shattered her arm (she got lucky, because apparently she's got a graze to the face).

Since they were all prepared, there was a first aid kit with them that they could fashion a splint, pack her arm/elbow in ice and get her mounted back up for the five mile ride back to where she could get in a vehicle to go to the hospital.

The Bionic Cowgirl is one of the physically toughest people I know. I can't imagine having to re-mount, ride and dismount (apparently that was the worst) and then go to the hospital.

Because of her new hip, they have to do surgery within six hours of the accident to avoid infection moving throughout her body. She's being wheeled into surgery as I type.

We'll keep you updated.

2:47 p.m. update: Talked to Bill again. It was a compound fracture - the bone broke through the skin - which is why they are so worried about infection. Took an hour and a half to ride back out from their picnic spot. I'm assuming (being in medicine and all) that they've started her on IV antibiotics already to decrease the chance of infection.

First Snow

2011-10-08T10:51:00.000-06:00

First snow of the season (at least the first that stuck).

We woke up to a couple of inches of snow on the ground this morning.

I went and checked the shed.

Nobody's Home

There weren't even any footprints leading into or out of it.

Found 'em.

Hanging out in the Trees

We went to Estes Park day before yesterday.

Downtown Estes

Why is it that the wild elk in Estes Park will cross in the crosswalk, with the green light, but our "wild horses" won't go into a run-in shed when it's snowing?

Dopes.

Bill

Giant Step Forward-Small Step Back

2011-10-07T08:08:00.000-06:00

Isn't that how it always goes? I called GunDiva yesterday all excited because when I went out to feed, 3 horses were standing inside the shed, with Jesse sleeping on her feet in front, like a guard. I thought it would take forever to get them to cooperate on the shed space. Then, while feeding, Estes actually wiggled her way into the feeder with the other horses. This is HUGE, because she tended to let them shove her around. Not yesterday. She wanted to eat NOW and made her wishes known. It was fine with the others; they just want her to hold her own so she shows she can be an asset to the herd (wild horse table manners). I had lots of smiles walking back to the lodge.

Later, we had a snow cloud come by. Yep, blowing snow, and when we checked on the horses, guess who was NOT in the shed. Estes seems to prefer being outside the shed, in back under her favorite tree. Bill tried to get her to stand inside it, but she kept moving as soon as he turned his back. I did check that area later and it was dry, so maybe she just can't give up her personal digs.

Oh, well.....
Juanita

A Difficult Chore

2011-10-05T14:21:00.002-06:00

Two or three times a month, I take a load of recyclables to the transfer station a half mile from the lodge.

As I pulled out I saw this...

Looks like snow in the high country

The picture doesn't do it justice, but you gotta believe me when I say it's a great view to have from your dump.

It's an awful job, but somebody's got to do it.

Bill

Again

2011-10-02T20:45:00.000-06:00

No kidding. Three times in four rides.

Went out with daughter GunDiva for a short bareback ride on Estes and Ranger. And fell off. Again.

Moseying along, camera in hand, taking pictures of the fall colors, when BAM! Ranger did the hard, fast spook and ended up about four feet to the side of where I was hanging in space. I hit HARD this time. GunDiva said I made kind of an "Eeep!" sound when I hit the dirt. I stood up, dusted myself off and prepared to ~~yell at~~ lecture Ranger about spooking at things that won't hurt him, like camera flashes and the like. I stood there, lead rope in hand working my mouth like a goldfish, making no sound at all. So I tried to give him the "stink-eye", but with no swearing to back it up, he just stared at me blankly.

"Bill, are you okay?" Gundiva hollers back at me. I replied as a guppy would, complete with fluttering hand signals.

"Ah, got the wind knocked out of you, huh?" she responded. "Don't worry, if you black out, you will start breathing again."

All heart, that one.

I rode home with the camera in my pocket.

Bill

Birthday Tribute

2011-10-01T20:49:00.001-06:00

Today's my guy's birthday - and I have been sooooo lax. OK, I did vacuum up after his horse. Yes, you read that right. Ranger's present to Bill was coming in to 'the party' ... as into the Lodge. Of course, being a horse, he got his dates a little wrong; the party is tomorrow, but Ranger still earned a horse cookie, and he knew exactly where to find them. As soon as he went back out the door, he tipped over the cookie bucket. That's when I noticed cute little muddy horse tracks on the carpet, so being the nice wife, I did vacuum them up. After putting Ranger back in his own pen, Bill comments that the only reason he didn't take Ranger up to the bar was he didn't want to scratch the wood floor if there were rocks in his feet. HUH?

Happy Birthday, Dear. Love you lots...even if you do make your horse do crazy stuff!
Juanita

Bush Whacking ? or Ultimate Competitive Trail?

2011-09-28T12:37:00.001-06:00

Bill told you about the llamas ... or llammers, as Ranger calls them. Jesse and I had more fun with the "trail"; a trail that obviously had not been ridden since the last time we rode it, over a year ago. A lot can happen to trails around here in a year's time, especially when a winter is included! One of our favorite passtimes is the 'cleaning/clearing' of trails, so how fun it was to find one at the END of summer.

Just at the toe of my right boot, you will see the beginnings of a trail ... honest, it's there.

Less than 15 ft. along the trail and you can see how overgrown it has gotten; the aspen leaves were a magnificent color and I love the sound when they touch you as you.

Next, we practice weaving between trees, some of the spaces not much wider than a certain horse's plump behind. (Are you listening, Mrs. Mom, if you think Luten has weight issues?)

A look ahead at the next obstacle (enlarge the pic by clicking on it, then describe what you see past my right shoulder) totally blocking the trail. Upon closer inspection, it was obvious we could climb to our right and cross more deadfall ... or go left down a steep embankment into the dry creek bed, but I couldn't see what the terrain looked like to climb back out of the creek. So......

... up and around we go, letting Jesse pick her own way. Bill thought she was going to high-center herself in a couple of places, but I trust that horse implicitly in these situations - her balance and strength are remarkable.

After we were back down on the trail, I chanced a look over my shoulder. Wow!

Bill and Ranger going the same way. Bill actually admitted he had to grab a handful of mane; yep, the angle is right. It was close to a 45 degree climb, but then these Mustangs think they are related to mountain goats, anyway.

Over the deadfall, and back down. Easy as pie. We did learn a thing or two from GunDiva a few years ago, though. If you are going to ride bareback, DON'T polish your horse first. When you come to things like this you cannot keep from sliding right off!

After "the tree", we descended down into the dry creek at the correct crossing and headed back up the opposite hill, just to encounter some really pokey stuff, which the horses stepped around and over with the finesse of their breed. At one point we had to step through a grouping of four slimmer trees, laying across the trail, about a foot high and only about two feet between each. Talk about working poles, these could easily break a leg if not done well. I was disappointed my picture came out too blurry. Probably because my hand was shaking thinking of a misstep, but I should know better. These guys won't go somewhere they think is too dangerous to their welfare.

At the top of the trail, in the middle of the National Forest, is this cute cabin. Boy, couldn't we all just live there for a time? Just threw this in to make you drool.

Finally, back on the road to home. Wait ...

We need to say good-bye to our new llama, llama friends. Jesse would have walked right up and touched noses with this guy, but I was afraid she would then snort at him and he would retaliate by spitting back ... and I would be the end recipient of that spray!

Ranger to the rescue - scaring the nasty male, stud llama away. Look at the llama's ears; he is very disgusted at that "other" llama that keeps appearing on the other side of the fence. We do love your ears, Ranger.
Juanita

Llama Drama

2011-09-27T22:00:00.003-06:00

Juanita and I went for a couple hour bareback ride yesterday and headed to a trail head we hadn't been to this summer. The aspen leaves are just starting to change in earnest, and even though we were heading down a dirt road, it was beautiful.

Juanita and Jesse seem to have the same look on their faces.

It's like they are waiting for me to fall off my horse while taking pictures, or something.

There was motion just off the road, and Ranger and Jesse went on alert.

"Look Beel! What are they?"

Those are llamas, Ranger

"I think they scare me, Beel."

"Let's leave, Beel."

"Is this close enough, Beel?"

"Look Beel! The llammers are running away!"

"They all runned away from me!"

Another llama.

Hiya cutie!

Ranger approaches.

RUN AWAY!

"Wow Beel! All of the llammers runned off! I must be very brave and strong!"

Yes Ranger, you are.

"Beel, did you notice how ugly them llammers are? Have you ever seed such goofy ears?"

Umm, sometimes buddy. On occasion.

Bill

PS- I heard the "Llama Llama Duck" song all the way home. I think Ranger was humming it.

We've Got a Shed!

2011-09-25T17:53:00.000-06:00

Finally, after three years of begging, planning, scheming ....

So you want a shed?

Laying out 'the plan'

Load me up!

The three Musketeers? Concentration....

The Kid worked building pole barns for a couple years, so when it comes to chopping off posts, he was the expert.

Moved to the corral - taking shape ...

What twist in the beam - I'll just put a little weight on it ...

The brothers ... have drills, will travel.

Bill's helping hand ....

Flatbed truck beds make great scaffolds ...

Looking great!!!!

An undercoat of paint, some slab siding and roofing material .... Voila! Shed!!

The Queen Estes approved when she got to eat her hay in it the first night, right after the rain started. The Mustangs were not so dually impressed. They have finally decided it is OK in the corral...and quit snorting at it.
Juanita

Just Another Ride

2011-09-18T21:30:00.004-06:00

Our daughter, GunDiva, had a couple of her friends come up to Allenspark to ride horses. TLB had never ridden, and his girlfriend had limited riding time, so GunDiva invited me along, probably to help if a problem came up. Surprisingly poor planning on her part. I tossed a sheepskin on Rangers back, tied both ends of the lead rope to his halter and away we went.

Things went well until we started a long, steep down-hill stretch.

"Bill, you are on the short horse, why don't you do a cinch check for everyone?"

No problem. I jumped off, checked everyone's cinches and as they rode off, I jumped back on. And right over the top of the short horse and onto the ground on the other side.

"$#!T"

Ranger stood over me, looking down curiously.

"Why are you down THERE, Beel? That's not what you usually do."

Fortunately, the other riders and their cameras were well down the trail, so I put my hat back on and jumped (a little lower) and ended up on my horse.

Now, I'm not a great photographer. In fact, I'm pretty poor at it. But digital cameras are great as I can take a couple hundred pictures, and get a couple good ones, and trash the rest.

I had my camera in hand, late in the ride, and was reaching out at arms length to the side to take a shot. As I stretched out my arm, I guess I pressed the battery door. I felt it pop open. I lunged further out to keep a grip on the batteries and managed to LEAP sideways off of my horse. I found myself looking up at Ranger... again.

"PEGASUS ON A POGO-STICK! WHAT ARE YOU DOING, BEEL?"

"Look, Ranger. I was trying to not drop the camera..."

"BEEL, I WAS JUST WALKING!"

"Yeah, but see, I lunged for the camera..."

BEEL, THE FIRST TIME I WAS JUST STANDING THERE!"

Damn. This time I think GunDiva may have gotten a picture.

Bill

Sunday "Play" Day

2011-09-12T17:09:00.001-06:00

Remember all that wood I was talking about?

4 cord dumped in the alley way next to the Lodge!

Well, I sent out an email to 'our gang' (all the kids) offering a chili supper to all 'supporting staff' who might want to help distribute the stack of wood to various locations at the lodge. I was NOT surprised at all to get a response from all of them, saying they would be there.

The Start......

Everyone worked....right down to the littlest.....3 year old Asset....we missed the best shot of her carrying 3 sticks of kindling curled up in her arms...just like the big kids!

Many hands make for a fun time. Deejo's family laughed a lot; a first for the kids in their new Colorado life: Wood Stacking 101. They have just moved back to CO from AZ, to be closer to the family - and involved with our busy family life. What a start! We need to come up with screen names for them; for now we have (from L to R) SO, Kyzzer, The Boy, T from The Kid's family, The Girl, & Deejo.

Autobot....

Kyzzer......

The Boy and T....

Full wood shed.

GunDiva...

Deejo and SO....

T and The Girl...

And the one and only injury. Asset needed a drink and a bandaid, for a splinter.

Ken...it's getting to be a tight squeeze....

Nebalee...

Progress....

The Kid and his BTB (bride to be) and T came an hour before and cleaned out the hot tub room, moved one ton of pellets into it from the wood shed, to make room for all that wood, and got one wall full before he had to take off to work. So, he isn't camera shy, just busy.

Works done....it's chili time. Nebalee and GunDiva made homemade tortillas while Ken and I took the kids for a two mile drag on the horses. It was a great day and many, many thanks for all that help.

Next project: build a shed for horse shelter. Looks like the horses are going to have to winter at home this year, and a wind break would be nice for them. Then, five ton of hay will be brought up. Gotta love our 'play days'!

Ten Years

2011-09-11T07:29:00.001-06:00

I have sat in front of the computer for several hours over the last couple days, and re-written this post 5 or 6 times. It's just-

I remember.

Bill

Code 2

2011-09-07T23:04:00.002-06:00

I hab a code. I twied to go to bed eardy tonidht, but I can't breed, and dat keeps me ub. I figgered I'd white a blog as log as I can't sleep, but am habing a hard tibe cubbing up wit sobthing to white about.

Say, I dough!

I hab a code...

Dill

PS- It's the next morning.

Okay, I feel much better this morning, so it was probably just allergies, but I COULD have been really sick...

Bill

Colic 101

2011-08-31T17:06:00.005-06:00

Last few days our blog has mostly been about "Colic". Some of you non-horsey types may not understand the disease, so here is a quick primer on it.

Colic is a general term for "pain in the gut" (not pain in the butt). When you have a "colicky" baby it's usually not life threatening to the infant, at least not since the "Don't Shake the Baby" campaign got started. In people, it's mostly just pain from gas or cramping.

Colic in horse's is different. It can be, and often is, fatal. The severity of colic in horses is due to the design of the horses digestive system, and how they are being fed and housed. A wild horse has access to feed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, but has to walk 10 to 20 miles a day to get it. That goes a long way toward keeping things moving in their gut. Most domestic horses have a couple bigger meals each day, and stand in a pen an awful lot of the time. They don't much mind, because it is easier to find their forage (it shows up magically after they holler for a few minutes), but their systems need more work to work.

Colic is a blockage of some sort in the horses digestive system, and it's a big system.

*5 feet of esophagus. (swallow tube)

*Stomach. (4 gallon capacity)

*70 feet of small intestine (where most nutrients are absorbed)

Then you get to the large intestine.

*4 feet of the "cecum", an interesting organ that has no real counterpart in humans. It's an 8 gallon bladder that holds a grass soup so bacteria can break down the soup into components that the intestines can absorb. A number of colic's are caused here by changing the feed the horse eats too quickly, and not having the right bacteria in the gut for fermentation of the new food. (I suspect the same problem is seen in humans with gluten intolerance. If you go for a couple weeks eating no gluten, the bugs in your gut that break it down will starve. Then when you start again, AARRRG! Colic!)

Question---I wonder, if you gave a horse brewers yeast, would they make beer in the cecum?

*12 feet of large colon (absorb carbohydrates, which were broken down from cellulose in the cecum.)

*12 feet of small colon (absorbs the water from the soup and turns the poop into balls)

*1 foot of rectum (Holding chamber)

Tooth to tail you end up with over 100 feet of tubing that holds nearly 50 gallons of primordial soup, in an animal that can't even burp. If any thing goes wrong (kinks, blockages, etc) the animal will be in great distress, and may die.

Years ago, I talked with a vet about the types of problems he most often saw in horses. He told me "Four legs and a gut, that's all horses are. If you can work on those, you have over 90% of the problems covered."

Makes my little bit of heartburn seem kind of... insignificant.

Bill

On the Road to Recovery

2011-08-30T19:22:00.000-06:00

Just a quick note to say Queen Estes is indeed on the road to recovery. Last night we all finally had a spark of optimism about a recovery - when she got sassy about the quantity of food (or lack of quantity) she was given, but we had to get her system started back up gradually. Explain that to a horse! She even got to manage to bypass her 2:00 a.m. pain meds. Today, she and the rest of the herd spent catching up on sleep. I hadn't realized just how worried all the guys were about her. Usually, Estes is a little stand-offish from the rest of the herd when resting. Today, she was surrounded by three sleeping horses, all with their heads down and tails slowly swaying in the breeze. I would have gotten a picture if I thought I could have gotten close enough without waking them. Many thanks to all for your concerns - and hope life is going well for all of you. Gonna go get some sleep.
Juanita

A Not-Good Surprise

2011-08-28T20:11:00.000-06:00

I guess I'm the one who gets to break the bad news. When I left a lodge full of people (literally, 26 of us!) this morning to go feed, I knew something was wrong. GunDiva's horse wouldn't come when called. I put feed in the others' bowls and called Estes again. This time she came over very slowly and stuck her nose in the bowl, then gave me a pathetic look, "I just can't eat right now." Oh-oh.

"So, Estes, what's wrong?" To this she walked over to a soft spot, laid down and curled herself into a ball.

I hop through the fence, grabbing a piece of twine on the way. "Come on, girl, let's walk!" A few times around the corral and I started hearing gut sounds. Another half dozen times around and she laid down and stretched this time. More walking, a few 'Hershey's squirts' and I thought we were making progress. She appeared much better, followed me around a few more times, voluntarily with some little trots, then headed for her bowl. I wasn't much worried as I had seen Jesse clean it out. I was just glad to see her show interest.

I headed back to the lodge to help with dishes, then back out to check. Good gut sounds, good look in her eye, gentle tail swishing, so I thought we had beat it this time. Back to the lodge to start changing rooms.

Phone rings: Compass calling to say Estes is down-and not looking good. Back out to the corral. This time it was pretty apparent we needed to do more. Had to struggle to get her up, walking, walking, walking. Wrangler helping take turns to keep her on her feet. Notice what she is passing is full of sand. Call GunDiva, call the vet - both of whom are on their way up in a rush. Decide to do an IV Banamine and keep her moving. I found myself talking under my breath; more chanting, really, "You will NOT die on my shift. Keep moving!"

Bless her heart; she kept pace with all of us and did keep moving. Once she did go down and got her feet tangled in the rails when she rolled, but we were able to keep her from casting and got her moving again. Once the Banamine started taking effect, she started moving a little easier. GunDiva and the vet showed up a few minutes apart. Poor Estes got tubed and lubed; new experiences for all of us. She was an absolute jewel through all of this.

Five hours later. Now she seems to be resting. Vet says we are not out of this yet; it will take about a week to get all the sand out of her system and we will probably see more colic. We've put mats down under the feeders and will start psyllium treatments tomorrow. Bill just came back from checking and said she has minimal gut sounds. We are just waiting for the orange Metamucil to do its job; the vet would actually like her to lie down and rest. We worked so hard keeping her up, I think she's afraid to lie down now. Looking around the corral, I think she pooped out a good deal of the sand before we even noticed this morning, as the vet just got some sandy stuff and some good looking stuff, too. Hoping that's a good sign.

GunDiva is staying the night, on vigil. Estes's to have another shot of Banamine in a couple of hours.

I asked the vet why only Estes is having problems, as all the horses eat together and the same stuff. He believes Mustangs tend to move sand through their systems better (gut of iron, he says) and they tend to NOT snuff up ground as they eat. No matter; they are all getting treated this week! I'm thinking this could be part of the reason Jesse gets touchy around the loins and rather grouchy at this time of year - every year. Then she has a couple loose movements and she's all better. Hmmmm?

We are always learning with horses.
Juanita

Thanks For the Memories

2011-08-27T14:29:00.003-06:00

My mind works like lightning. One brilliant flash, and it’s gone. Minimum information retention. I tell our guests I have a mind like a steel sieve.


What the heck is that for?

Sometimes I envy the horse's memory recall. They remember where every rock, log, stump and flower were on the trail when they last went down it. Total recall. Photographic memory.

The horse's brain developed when the were "Equis-ittibittycus" and stood about 18 inches tall. It has served them so well that very few changes in their reactions have occurred over the years even though their size has changed drastically. A log rolled into a different place requires careful examination. Might have been moved by some sort of equiniverous critter and is being used as a hiding place. Maybe a sabre-toothed bunny rabbit or something.

Their recall is sometimes quite useful.

Last spring, during our endless winter, I was riding in the national forest with the gal that runs the livery across the street from us. We were off trail (no way of seeing the trail, it was under several inches to several feet of snow). We were heading home. Ranger is all about going home, so I was slightly surprised when he veered away from the direct route home I was taking, and went 20 or 30 feet off at a tangent before returning to the direct route. Compass's horse, that hasn't been on that hillside nearly as often, took the direct route. He found himself floundering in a 4 foot deep snow bank that there was NO WAY of spotting from the surface. You needed to know where the drifted over low spot was. I didn't remember, but Ranger did.

A couple days ago, Juanita and I went out on a ride, and right beside the trail some bark had fallen off a dead aspen tree. Juanita's horse Jesse looked it over VERY CAREFULLY before going past. It was just outside the horse's Coral, so I don't know if she saw a bear or elk knock the bark off the tree, or it just wasn't the way it used to look, but she was on DEFCON 3 for a moment. She finally decided that the missing bark posed no immediate threat, and we went on for an enjoyable monster free ride.

I'm sure I had a point to make with this post, but I can't recall what it was.

Probably was going to be really funny.

Bill

Historic Hotels - Yeah

2011-08-23T21:40:00.001-06:00

I went riding with one of our guest couples yesterday. We had spent a good deal of time chatting the evening before; she helps manage a 101 year old historic hotel. She had a very interesting story about several people in town banding together to 'save' this historic sight. Between monies of their own and grants, they were able to have this beautiful building restored and now have it up and running. Check out the Weaver Hotel in Waterville, KS. It was a lot of fun discussing the differences and likenesses of running two totally different types of lodging. They have a lot of history connected to the railroad, so their business consists of travelers interested in that, plus the normal set of family reunions and groups. Whereas most of our business is hikers and visitors to Rocky Mt. National Park, we are more seasonal. Needless to say, we shared lots of laughs, so when they mentioned going riding the next morning, I tagged along. It turned out I also got to 'teach' the liveries new farrier/wrangler the trail. It's funny how things just seem to work out!
Juanita

Sophie the Lodge Dog

2011-08-22T19:26:00.001-06:00

Valentine's Day, 2002

Juanita and I went to one of the cities down the mountain from us to find a dog for the lodge (our previous dog had died the December before and the lodge was just FAR too empty when we would come home). Sophie was sitting in the back of her cage there at the humane society, surrounded by maniacal barking dogs in the other cages. She was just watching. I checked the clipboard on her pen.

"So. Your name is Sophie."

She heard her name and walked up to the front of her kennel to introduce herself. She went home with us.

Sophie had been returned a couple of times for "behavior problems". Well, she had been behaving like a puppy. At 6-7 months, she was still very much a puppy.

We had a vacation planned starting several days after we took the dog home with us, so after spending a few days with us, we took her to our favorite kennel in Estes Park, so we could fly away. When we got home, I returned to pick her up from the kennel. Happy, bouncy young dog greeted me at the counter. Happy, bouncy young dog rode home with me to the lodge. The happy, bouncy young dog jumped out of the car and ran to the front door. She stared at it for a moment. Then she looked at me, then back to the door. Then she LOST HER MIND!

"I'M HOME! THEY BROUGHT ME BACK AGAIN! IT'S HOME!"

Happy, bouncy young dog knew her place in the world.

Sophie has been greeting guests, playing with guests and being stroked by guests for the last 9 and a half years. She has never met a stranger, just people who haven't petted her yet.

She would join us in the fall on our trail rides, and had her own blaze orange t-shirt to wear during hunting season, Washoe the horse taught her how to walk down the trail WELL in front of the following horses.

We began buying pickup trucks with back seats so she could join us on vacations when we took the horses with us. She would join us on trail rides when she could, and sleep in the truck or trailer when she wasn't allowed.

Well, the old girl has slowed down noticeably this summer. Wal-mart would have canned her for slacking on her greeting people as they come through the door. Sometimes the newcomers rate no more than a raised eyebrow.

I guess she is 70 in "dog years".

So, last weekend I changed the sign over the desk

I've never seen that much hair on a slug.

Bill

Howling Dogs

2011-08-21T07:31:00.001-06:00

We have a contingency of "Brit's" in the lodge, and before breakfast (AFTER catching Jesse and putting her back in the corral) one of them was talking about the howling dogs that woke them up at 4:30 this morning.

"No" I said, "Those were coyotes."

Their eyes got big.

"I'm glad to hear them again. It means the mountain lion across the highway has moved farther away." I told them.

""Now the coyotes can start eating the rabbits in our parking lot again."

Their smiles were as big as there eyes by now.

Welcome to the American West.

Bill

Exhaustion and Horses Don't Mix

2011-08-18T21:40:00.000-06:00

We've been running on very little sleep and a lot of people for quite awhile now, and it finally took its toll on me today. I went out to feed this morning; beautiful day, quiet, well-behaved horses. Maybe too quiet. They were being so good standing at their bowls eating....

I've been haltering Washoe and tying him lightly to the post by his bowl, to keep him from sneaking over to Estes' bowl as soon as I would walk away to get their hay. He's been doing really well, as long as he has the halter on. Today he stood so quietly, even after I got the hay and gave them each some apple chunks, that I forgot I had him tied and I walked back across the street to the Lodge.

Suddenly I hear Compass calling my name (she is on horseback getting ready to take a ride out) and yelling something about Jesse and the fence. I turn back in time to see the whole side of the buck fence tip over. Yep, ever seen eight sections of fence topple? It's quite a site! Apparently Jesse had gone around to Washoe's side of the feeder (which had slid way too far down the hill over the last few weeks), crowding him into thinking he was in too close of proximity to the picky mare. They both got their feet tangled in the wooden portion of the feeder and in the melee to free their feet, the lead rope tangled in the fence, breaking as the fence toppled. Horses were flying everywhere!!!

As luck would have it, one of our male guests and his 21 yo son were also out and came running to help. While I calmed the horses down, got Washoe into the little side pen and convinced Jesse to NOT jump the whole contraption, they managed to upright a section of the fence. The three of us were actually able to get the thing set back up, section by section and put the feeder back where it belonged. Fortunately, our horses like their pen well enough that we didn't have them scattered across the countryside. A lot of Mustang snorting from Ranger, some huffing from Estes who wanted the hay laying under the fence, major bucking antics and racing around from Jesse, but that was the extent of the excitement. I turned Washoe loose from his pen and they all went back to eating - from the monster feeder.

Tonight I go out to feed....and everyone lines up at the proper bowl at the fenceline...just like nothing had ever happened! You gotta love a happy herd.
Juanita

Small Town Vehicles

2011-08-16T16:45:00.002-06:00

Here in Allenspark, you learn the local vehicles fairly quickly. They are the ones you see over and over mixed with the tourist trade cars you only see a time or two.

We noticed this truck cruising Main Street right away.


Kinda Stands Out

Saw the truck several more times, and then parked at our neighbors, just south of the lodge.
Next time, at the fire station.

Naw, it can't be!?!

Yup. That's our local Fire Chief's truck.

It's like, camouflage.

Awesome.

Bill

Update:

2011-08-15T15:09:00.000-06:00

The famous 'hunters' didn't actually get to ride yesterday - family obligations popped up, so no, no moose were spotted. However, now something has broken into the front of the corral: BROKEN bottom pole pushed inward, more mangled wire and smaller hoof prints going IN. I told Bill I don't know why we even bother with a fence; our HORSES aren't going anywhere!
Juanita

Bye Jack

2011-08-14T20:33:00.003-06:00

Just got word that a cowboy friend succumbed to throat and lung cancer after a long and painful battle.

He was diagnosed shortly after our (trip to South Dakota) last year.

If you smoke, stop.

Jack, you will be missed.

Ride on,
Bill

Again?!

2011-08-13T21:47:00.000-06:00

Just came in from feeding and yes, I checked the fence line, and yes, it was broken again. This time I DID get the camera and a ruler to measure the foot print from last night. I also collected a wrangler from the livery on the way, to get his ideas. He agreed that it was a definitely large animal; the print was more than six inches across, a good six inches deep in the mud and had a split hoof. His guess was moose, also, and to add to that, today a moose cow and two calves were spotted up at the pond by one of their rides.

The wrangler was able to track it further into the grass to see how it left the scene of its wreckage. Tomorrow, Beel and GunDiva will be going riding and I bet everyone can guess where they will be headed!
Juanita

Guard Horse

2011-08-13T07:20:00.000-06:00

I don't know what Jesse shooed out of the corral this time, but it was BIG! Kyzzer and I were cleaning the ditch last night so the horses' water source would run better and I noticed a lot of hot wire 'popped' off the top rails, so I started walking the fence line and soon came to a broken spot in the fence. We have a 4 ft. tall buck fence, so having the top rail missing is noticeable - when you look for it - it's down in the middle of the aspens where only the horses go...usually. The top rail had been knocked off with great force and there were HUGE footprints imbedded in very deep mud. I am guessing it was an elk, even though none have been spotted here recently. Bill thinks it could have possibly even been a moose. Whatever, its feet were bigger than Jesse's the bigfoot, and sunk a good eight inches into the mud at the creek edge there. Don't know where or how it got into the corral, but it wasn't allowed to stay very long!!!
Juanita

HCR 2

2011-08-08T22:58:00.000-06:00

August 5-7, 2011: our second annual High Country Rendezvous has come to end, with lots more smiles, giggles, sore muscles and most fantastic weather. The only sad points were not getting to see many friends made last year, due to family/work emergencies…but it has already been scheduled for next year, so there is a chance for redemption (hint, hint, HINT!!!)

Due to a lack of enough riding participants for horse games, Friday became a free day for sight-seeing in the area, then an afternoon and evening at the Larimer County Fair, where we enjoyed rounds of Cowboy Mounted Shooting, Splash Dogs, Fair food, tractors, small animals, big animals (I was taken by the Yaks!) and of course, the Draft Horse Pulls. (Killashandra, you need to post some of your most fabulous pictures from your free time and the Fair.)

Saturday, we awoke to beautiful weather and the rest of our riding contingency. GunDiva had arrived late evening from her stint at HorseMaster filming and a couple more ladies joined us from the Ft. Collins area, and we had Killashandra’s family from NM. Eight of us mounted up after breakfast to ride into Rocky Mt. National Park, namely Calypso Cascades in the Wild Basin region.

Gettin' mounted up: Killashandra on Boone & W on Thunder

GunDiva on Estes, Autobot on Jesse (hidden), Bionic Cowgirl on Washoe....

GunDiva demonstrating a yoga warm-up stretch (heaven & earth?), our two friends from FC.

Leavin' town! Yeah!

The line up: me in front, Autobot, Killashandra, W, C on Chip, D on Ali, Beel, on Ranger, and GunDiva on the camera.

Beel and Ranger, acting as outrider.

Two miles down the road we come to the entrance to RMNP and head up the trail.

The easy part is over as we start up one of the staircases along the way; this is a long, steep span with all eight horses on it at the same time.

Autobot on Jesse, taking a rest while all the horses finished the stairs.

There is a large burn area from a forest fire in 1978. We used to be able to see miles across the Basin from this trail, but now is has grown in so well, the views are more limited.

You can see where the fire jumped from hill top to hill top.

Finally, a view from the top of the world, looking across Wild Basin to Pagoda Mountain.

Renewed growth....a healthy forest awaits us.

Yes, W, it was a long way up! You and Thunder did a GREAT job!

We had just gone two miles up, now we have to go back down one mile to get to Calypso Cascades, and our adventures aren't over yet....

This log bridging on the side of the log slide is always good for taking your breath away, because if you looked over your right shoulder down that support, it's a really loooong way down.

Then we come to the rock slide area, getting closer to the cascades; after all, water running over rocks creates cascades, right?

Finally, lunch break. We had left the Lodge at 11:00 am and made it to the Cascades about 1:30 pm. This big flat rock is a favorite eating place - and check out the view.... below our feet....

... and looking up the hill.

Now we had some decisions to make. Just before getting to the cascades, GD's horse, Estes, slipped a foot off the trail, getting some scratches and leaving her sore. GunDiva had chosen to walk the rest of the way in and said she would walk Estes out, but going down the Wild Basin trail instead of the Allenspark Trail we had arrived by. Upon further discussion, nobody really wanted to ride the same trail back - thinking about all those stairsteps - in reverse. The WB trail is somewhat shorter, and less difficult, but it also meant some long stretches along the highway to get back to the Lodge. Since all these horses are trained for riding along the highway and not bothered by speeding traffic, the decision was made.

Mounting up after lunch, rested horses, food fortified humans, the two youngest on the trip in great humor.

Since GunDiva refused all offers of a lift - most of these horses are trained to double - Bill chose to walk also. GD kept saying something about her trainer was going to be so impressed with the "workout".

On the pretense of giving the walkers a rest after a mile and a half - OK, so maybe some of our seatbones were wanting a rest, also - we stopped at Copeland Falls at the base of the Wild Basin trail.

That water looked good enough to jump in, except we all knew how cold it was!

This is about the last of the pics; we were all too tired to keep our camera hands up. We rode another two miles of horse trail after leaving the trailhead to get to Wild Basin Lodge, a mile of paved road through Olive Ridge campground, and a mile along the main highway back to our lodge. We spent six hours on horseback plus another half hour of lunch time. The kids were the greatest of troopers; not a whine out of either of them!

We ended the night with southwest pork steaks and brownie sundaes. You know, ice cream makes everything better!!!!

HCRII

2011-08-07T21:44:00.004-06:00

We had a group of Bloggers/Horseback riders up this last weekend for our 2nd annual High Country Rendezvous (HCRII) and it was a blast.

Went on a road trip to the county fair to watch draft horse pulls, mounted cowboy (and cowgirl) shooting and all the other usual county fair stuff.

Nice long ride up to Calipso Cascades in Rocky Mountain National Park. We were riding about 6 hours (Okay, 5 1/4 hours with an 45 minute lunch).

The youngest rider was 6 year old "W" and he didn't poop out until the last 30 minutes or so of the ride.
He rocked!

At one point we were riding along the highway to get home, and a bicycle passed us from the rear. I hollered "BIKE" to warn the other riders, but W's horse Thunder was surprised by it's sudden and silent appearance and did a 8 foot spook. W brought him back into line no problem. And a couple minutes later, I heard W yell "BIKE" as another one showed up from the other direction. The kid learned fast.

We don't normally have kids under 14 years old as guests, but special arrangements were made for this group. It was fun having some little ones running around. I gave an impromptu magic show for 2 year old "E" at breakfast this morning. When a bird magically showed up under my napkin, I think his Mom laughed until tears ran down her leg.

Oh give me a break. He's only two. He didn't get it.

We had several guest/friends we had hoped could be here this year but couldn't make it due to illness in the family, death in the family or a cranky parole officer. We hope they can all attend next year.

We'll post more and with pictures later.

I need a nap.

Bill

Just a Walk in the Park

2011-08-04T14:00:00.001-06:00

I went for a ride in the forest north of Allenspark last week.

And I have been slow in posting pictures.

Wife Juanita, our daughter Nebelle and her daughter Autobot were in attendance.

Nice ride.

The four of us spent an hour or two riding in the national forest.

Everyone was having fun.

Hang on... What's wrong with this picture?

Yup. The twelve year old granddaughter is riding Ranger, the fire breathing mustang

bareback and in just a halter.

Secrets out. "Diablo a Caballo" is really "Perro Grande".

Kinda embarrassing to let people know...

Bill

'Tis the Season

2011-08-02T17:36:00.003-06:00

It's that time of year. In mid May, we go from weekends only to full time here at the lodge, and we keep it up until mid October. That puts Juanita and me at work 24/7 for about 5 months. August 1st is the halfway point. Hump month I guess.

Late July is when I start looking around the table at the guests while we are eating breakfast and ask "Don't you people have homes?" On the odd day we do take off, we feed guests in the morning, clean up after they leave at 11:am and then check guests in at 3:pm the following day. More like a shift change than a day off.

This summer we do have "B.A." working for us. She was sister "B" in Riding with the Guests, and she is really helping spread the work load. So we have three of us working far too many hours.

But now, we are halfway to the off season (when we will only put in 80 hours a week). And in a couple days we are having a group in, and we will mostly be horseback riding. I can't wait! That's time off while working!

Bill

Back Again for Now

2011-07-30T15:19:00.004-06:00

In a previous life, I repaired computers ~~for a living~~ ~~as a punishment for my sins in a previous life~~ as my job. I now scrub toilets, and I highly recommend it.

I had my hard drive fail earlier this year, and lost all my pictures. Last week the whole damn computer went down and guess what...

I can't be taught, just trained. There must be consequences, or it doesn't sink in. Apparently the consequences need to be more dire than merely loosing all my pics forever, or I will just not back anything up.

Go ahead. Ask me if I have backed up any of the photos I have taken THIS week.

Bill Imadork

People Picnic...or Horse Picnic?

2011-07-21T22:31:00.000-06:00

We're busy...we've been running full for a while now...and we've really been trying to get out on the horses. Today, we made it!!!!

Would you look at the SMILE on this boy's face at the thought of a picnic ride!!

And l u s h.......all of our extra snow is making a great show.

Some of you might remember this trail...leading down into the aspens?

Coming out of the aspen/meadow...and sunshine.

And of course, our obligatory "aspen" shot. Bill's pic came out better than mine.

Ranger really, really thought the water tasted good. We stayed 'parked' in this spot a long time...

Cool, clear water - lots of it. Jesse just waded to the middle and 'cooled her heels'.

We got to our picnic spot next to the lake, tossed down the blanket and enjoyed some down time...but that grass tickles the nose!

Lots of wild flowers this year, again thanks to the moisture.

And lots of Canadian Thistle....now you see them....

...now you don't. She is the most delicate thistle eater I have ever seen.

You just curl your lips back and snap off the top with your teeth, then continue down the stalk.

It sounded like a person eating celery.

Not to be left out, Bill offered Ranger a peanut butter granola bar. He claimed Ranger liked them...

Not.... Three times Ranger sniffed it and turned his head away. I think he preferred the green grass hanging from his lips. However, he was a very happy camper....

as soon as that tree limb he kept stepping on quit hitting him in the tail!

There were many happy moments today....like mounting my horse from the ground...

not graceful yet, but it can be accomplished!

And I have my girl back; Jesse was a tuned up power house.

Whether it was looking at more down hill....

...or leading out in front...or trying to run down Ranger for cutting cross country and hitting the trail in front of her at a trot. She must like my new hips because she has her great ground-eating walk back...and Ranger doesn't trust her to make the right turns toward home because she always picks the 'other' trail.

Meeker Peak...on the way home. Lots more stories to tell our guests....

Juanita

Why Me?

2011-07-19T17:33:00.002-06:00

Completely clueless.

No, really. I have no idea.

I usually have an inkling, but not this time.

I went out to move the minivan Monday after GunDiva's birthday party Sunday and found it on the seat.

Who could have done such a thing?

Plastic severed hand.

Who, oh who, would have left this on my car seat?

Could it have been the hiking guide who's pie's I have sabotaged in years past?

Could it have been the other hiking guide that I have teased unmercifully for years?

Could it have been the friend visiting who's truck received magnetic bullet holes from me in years past?

Could it have been GunDiva getting back at me for "hair implants"?

Could it have been any of my other kids just getting back at me for now long forgotten pranks I have played?

I really don't know.

Okay, maybe the question isn't "who would", but "who wouldn't".

By my count, there were 22 people at the party.

Guess I'll have to get them all....

Bill

(Gunna be a long summer, I'm guessing)

Riding Ranger!

2011-07-16T00:20:00.000-06:00

This is a BIG first for me - riding Ranger. We've had the horse eleven years and I could NOT be convinced to "hop on him". You see, I've seen what that boy can do; picked Bill up many times and watched in horror as "bronc riders" couldn't stay on. OK, a lot of this was undeniably "early on " in his training, yet these pictures tend to stay with you. GunDiva has ridden him; another friend has ridden him a few times; and .... nope. That's it. In his lifetime with us, that's all that have braved the Ranger except Beel. Well, now that I am bionic, I had to bite the bullet, so to speak, so when Bill said, "Let's mix it up a bit today. You ride Ranger, I'll ride Jesse and J can ride Washoe." So OK.....

Mounted up! Whew..I tried not to hold my breath.

On our way....

Proper way to cross a road....

J had to work on some navigational skills with Washoe, but they got it figured out.

She is a granddaughter of a friend visiting; not used to riding but game anyway. She soon figured out the rein thing and convinced Washoe that the trees were NOT the way to go. Bill commented on hearing a lot of funny noises that sounded like giggling.

Ranger was the perfect gentleman that GunDiva says he is. Bill's saddle I can do without; OK, it's just the taps that drive me nuts. I can't set my feet right in them 'cause they bite me in the ankle.

We did some hill climbing....

On the way home, we both relaxed. He was pretty timid when we started out..and I was nervous.

It was a great ride!!!

Going home....

Thanks Bill - and Ranger - for expanding my horizons.

Juanita

Time to Clean

2011-07-14T18:23:00.004-06:00

It was time to clean the corral again.

Ranger the bonehead mustang is convinced that when I think I am scraping manure, that actually I am CHASING HIM WITH THE TRACTOR. And sure enough, he runs in a half panic just ahead of me, and I drive in circles just behind him. For a half an hour.

"Hey, Juanita! Why don't you come over and see if you can get pictures of Ranger freaking out?"

I fired up the tractor and headed into the coral.

Ranger ran over behind Juanita and hid.

And hid.

And hid some more.

I got to make a half dozen passes without him running ahead of me, until Juanita got bored and went back to the lodge.

Then... OH NO HE'S CHASING ME WITH THE TRACTOR! And round and round we went. Pictures aren't too good as I was focusing on ~~driving in circles scraping manure~~ trying to run down a horse at 3 miles an hour.

HALP! BEEL'S CHASUN ME WITH THE TRACTER!

None of the other horses much care as long as Ranger isn't chasing them away from the horse eating tractor.

Bonehead.

Bill

RoofTop Rodeo Parade

2011-07-12T22:23:00.001-06:00

We went and saw the Roof Top Rodeo parade in Estes Park today.

Fire trucks.

Pretty girls

Our youngest boy driving a "deuce and a half"

Pretty girls

Big team.

Pretty girls.

Little team.

Pretty girls.

Stage coach.

Pretty Girls.

Dead float.

Pretty girls.

Fire trucks.

Pretty girls.

Good little parade.

I noticed I posted a couple images of fire trucks. I must subconsciously REALLY LIKE fire trucks.

Bill

Portrait of a Picnic

2011-07-07T23:42:00.001-06:00

We're going for a picnic!

MMMM! Picnic!

Yumm! Thanks Beel!

*FLASH*

GAH!

WHAT WAS THAT, BEEL?!?

You had BETTER be sorry. That little silver box in your hand just BLEW UP!

*FLASH*

YOU DID THAT ON PURPOSE!

You shouldn't do that to your horse, Beel.

It's RUDE!

I'm keeping a eye on you, Beel.

Beel...err...Bill

Four for Four.

2011-07-06T17:26:00.001-06:00

Fourth of July parade was on July 4th this year. I'm so confused. The Allenspark Lodge Contingent was out in force this year. GunDiva picked up some matching shirts. As the horses were being readied, I put one on and walked out to tell them there was NO WAY I was going to wear this in a parade.

When the shouts of laughter subsided, the shouts of "Where is my camera?!?" started. I came to my senses and RAN back to remove the (far too small) shirt. We have more bloggers than people in this fam-damily.

The parade was very nice. No wrecks and a good turnout for the crowd.

Assorted fire trucks.

A band.

A ~~couire~~...~~cowire~~...~~chouire~~... bunch of singers.

Assorted kids and grandkids.

Not a lot of horses this year, though.

This was following the horses. I'm not sure what it means...

Not much candy left at the end.

Bummer.

Bill

Nothing to Say

2011-07-02T11:36:00.001-06:00

" "

Bill

Oddz and Endz

2011-06-27T21:10:00.001-06:00

We have been kinda busy this last week, so here's a short post.

Went for a horseback ride on Fathers Day with one of the daughters (GunDiva). Wonderful ride.

J & J Paris... The puzzle is done. As it turns out, another couple that stayed with us last week had been here a year and a half ago, and the SAME PUZZLE was on the table, and they had to leave before it was done. I'm not sure he believed me when I told him we had saved it for him to finish. It is missing a piece, so if you guys could check your luggage...

We have been working a lot lately. Bed at midnight, up at 5:30. Sometimes in the morning, the brains are not
fully functional. But I still knew what Juanita wanted when she asked for the "squeegee-spoon".

My hand writing leaves something to be desired. I have the fine motor control of a drunken buffalo. So when
guests leave notes like this, I can't read them. I mean, I see the words, but I get so distracted by how pretty it is, I loose all comprehension.

(Click on this one to see it larger)

Juanita went to the post office last week and bought some stamps. I congratulated her on buying some exceptionally ugly stamps. She gave me "that look" and told me "I thought they were pretty."

Oops.

Bill

(Okay Momma Fargo, here's a post. Quicha bellyaching.)

2011-06-19T14:40:00.000-06:00

Happy Father's Day to my wonderful other half - who bravely stepped into the lives of four wild Indians (ages 6 to 16) when he should have been enjoying a leisurely bachelor life. Now...many, many years later....I thank him again for doing a super job he didn't have to do.

Humiliating his horse....

On a good day with his horse....

As our guests see him....

Enjoying the WNFR in Las Vegas....

What he's wishing he could do the rest of the day!

Juanita

It Worth It?

2011-06-13T20:24:00.004-06:00

I had to go down the mountain to drop a friend off for a flight. Driving back up I stopped to pick up some supplies. After grabbing what I needed, I called Juanita to see if she needed anything. She told me what she needed, so I wandered over to domestics.

"May I help you?" asked the young sales associate.

"Miss, It boggles my mind the number of things I didn't even know existed before I got married, that I find myself shopping for nowadays. Do you have any Full Bed Dust Ruffles?" I asked.

"Why yes, right over here" she says. "Here are the bed skirts."

GunDiva's note: Do yourselves a favor - click on the picture to enlarge :)

PS - Bill and Mom - aren't you glad I set up your blog so I can break in whenever I want?

I made my selection, and walked to the register to pay for my Pet Proof Window Screening, my Window Spline Installation Tool, my Can of Spray Paint (yes, I'm over 18), and my Dress for a Bed.

Driving back up the mountain to the lodge I reflected on our current life, both pluses and minuses.

I thought to the trips to the store and crowds and scrubbing toilets and vacuuming floors and plumbing repairs
and dealing with salesmen and calls at all hours of the day and night and the 8 month winters and and and...

I thought of the horse back ride I went on yesterday with one of our daughters and one of our granddaughters. A Papa/aunt/niece ride.

I am blessed. I would change nothing.

Bill

PS- Do you know how you get down off a horse?

You don't. You get down off a goose. (didn't think I could end on a sappy note, did you?)

Maybe I Should Just Stay Inside

2011-06-11T20:58:00.002-06:00

I try to avoid Estes Park this time of year. Lots of people milling around making it hard to run errands. Particularly on the weekends. But sometimes we run out of something and have to make a quick run into town.

Today we ran out of cottage cheese, syrup, oranges, and beer. Okay, that's pretty much a crisis to me, so I braved town and went to the brewery. Then I figured as long as I was in town I'd get the other stuff, too.

I hit the grocery store and drove around the parking lot for a while, wishing Juanita was with me and still had bad hip joints. That handicap parking tag was GREAT! Finally got parked and scuttled into the store.

LOTS OF PEOPLE.

They were out of the normal sized shopping carts, and only had these odd little units that were about 1/4 sized. I stuck the few items I needed into the tiny thing, and headed to checkout. While standing in line, I was looking down at my toy cart and blurted "Damn. I feel like I should have my baby dolly in here."

It was at that moment I noticed a 275 pound biker dude in line behind me. He looked down at my cute little undersized grocery cart. Then he slowly looked down and appraised his own pint-sized cart. When he looked down at me a moment later, he spoke with a chill in his voice........

"I hear you, buddy."

Bill

I Don't Need Any Help to Look Like a Fool, Thanks Anyway

2011-06-08T15:41:00.003-06:00

Last year one of our horses took our sign out front for a walk. Actually, a wild, crazy, scary run. During the trip, the lights attached to the sign broke off. They hadn't worked very well at night anyway, so I didn't replace them.

Unlit Sign During the Day

Unlit Sign at Night

I decided that reflective paint on the lettering would be the way to light the sign. No unsightly wires, no light pollution, no electric bill... I would use the cars headlights as they drove by.

Reflective paint is often made by sprinkling VERY SMALL reflective glass beads onto the wet paint, and they stick to the surface and reflect light.

Very cool.
Very easy.

A half pound of the beads will cost $10, + shipping and handling. You can get fifty pounds of glass beads for $50, but I'm unsure what I would do with the other 49.5 pounds. Would be something of a false economy. Like a single guy shopping at Costco or Sam's. So I did the obvious thing.

I did nothing.
Sign stays dark.

Yesterday they painted the yellow lines down the road in front of the lodge. And Hurray! They sprinkled the glass beads onto the paint! I waited until this afternoon, and ran out to sweep up some of the the excess to use on my sign.

The white sand actually glass beads.

While I was sweeping away I happened to glance up. I saw the neighbor that I haven't met yet looking at me.
No, staring at me. Arms hanging, slack jawed, open mouthed, incredulous expression, staring.

His lunatic innkeeper neighbor was sweeping the street.

I gave a little half wave, finished picking up what was in the dustpan and went back into the lodge.

I'll have to wait a few days before I go outside and work on the sign.

Time spent.............5 minutes
Money saved.........$10
Damage to ego.......priceless

Bill

Move It

2011-06-07T15:33:00.006-06:00

Last weekend our youngest daughter, Nebelle and I flew to Phoenix to help the oldest boy, Deejo and his family (Lana and kids) move back to Colorado. He has been in Phoenix for about 15 years now and is ready to "come home". It probably doesn't have anything to do with the 120 degree summer days, or a somewhat stagnant job market. I think he just misses being picked on and abused by the rest of the family.

Nebelle and I hit the ground running and loaded up a good many boxes into the trailer and box truck in a hurry.

One item in particular we were told, was not going to make the trip to Colorado with them. A drop leaf table.

(B) "Look Nebelle. That's just like the table you got from your great-grandmother."
(N) "Yes it is, Bill. Except it's got some broken parts."
(B) "Ya know, I bet I could glue it back together"

(N&B) "Let's load it up!"

So load it up we did. We made a space for it well in the front part of the box, and stacked TONS of stuff on and around it. We got caught loading it up by Deejo's kid, and Nebelle and I swore the kid to silence.

"Don't tell. This will be funny!"

By the time we finished for the day, the table was just barely visible under the other boxes and furniture. When we got back from our hotel room the next morning, the broke table was in the middle of the driveway. Deejo greeted us in the kitchen with an angry-

"You two really need to slow down! Some of this stuff isn't going with us!"

Nebelle and I laughed until we nearly cried. Deejo, not so much.

Then I loaded it back into the truck later in the day.

(Sorry about the focus, but the empty wall Vanna White pose had to make the post.)

Big 'ol truck.

The drive was mostly uneventful.

Nebelle started off driving the Subaru, Deejo drove the big Penski box truck while Lana rode passenger with him, and I drove the other car pulling the U-Haul trailer with their kid as passenger.

After a while we were all ready for a change. Nebelle opted to drive the box truck. She said that she feels it's "good to do things that are scary, to help you grow". You know, get you out of your comfort zone. Like next school year she is going to teach kindergarten rather than 2nd grade. Scary.

I sat in the passenger seat to offer helpful comments while she was driving.

"LOOK OUT!"

"DON"T HIT THAT!"

OH.........MY...........GOD!!!"

(That's a lie. She did great.)

After just a little while, it was old hat to her.

By late evening we were thinking of stopping, when the Subaru I was driving started jerking to the left like I was hitting potholes in the road. I was on smooth pavement. We parked it at a park-and-ride by the interstate and drove on another half hour to our hotel. Next morning Deejo and I drove back to work on it. We couldn't find anything that might cause the jerking. We surmised it was perhaps a brake pad grabbing. So I oiled the rotor.

Kids, don't try this at home. Oil on the rotor will keep the brake from working at all, but since I was following a car pulling a trailer and a box truck, I figured I could still stop faster than them.

No more grabbing.

Made it up to Fort Collins and started unloading the trailer. Our youngest son and his ~~feeancee~~ ~~feansee~~ ~~feancee~~ Bride To Be showed up to help unload. Oddly, whenever my youngest son came to the truck I seemed to be holding a very lightweight box, and when is BTB came up, I had something heavy to hand to her. It seemed to peak when I handed the boy a 3 pound box of wicker baskets and her a 60 pound crate of bricks.

I'm glad she's a good sport.

The unloading finished just before dark, and Juanita and GunDiva showed up with a half dozen pizzas.

Glad they're "home", and I'm glad the move is over.

But what in the heck am I supposed to do with THIS?!?

Bill

A Continuation: Stuck!

2011-06-04T15:53:00.000-06:00

Bill and I are happily fixing breakfast for the guests when one of them comes into the kitchen announcing, "Juanita, I think you horse needs another backing lesson." Huh? I stare at him blankly as he further announces that Jesse appears to be stuck in the fence. Bill drops everything and shoots out the door; I look around to get a measure of how we stand in breakfast prep, throw some stuff in the oven and dive out the door, too. Sure enough, when I get to the corral Bill and guest are standing beside a horse halfway through the fence and very, very stuck! I think the only one NOT upset by the situation I saw was the horse. Jesse was so focused on the nice green grass she found - outside the fence - that she had just munched her way through, one little foot at a time, ducking under the top rail. Unfortunately, she hadn't paid much attention to where she was and had climbed through a small opening between the big metal feeder and the fence post! That meant there was zero flex in the rails and the hole was smaller than the hips (have any of us had that feeling?). She was perfectly willing to lower her head when asked, but her position was such that her withers were still too high to back out of the hole and she couldn't wiggle from side to side because of the feeder and posts. Bill took his leatherman and unscrewed the bolt that held the rail on the post, which just gave her enough room to hop her back feet through; a less agile horse would have still been stuck. She was non-plussed....and guess who's electric fencing is now up and running. It's such a tiny shock, I'm amazed it's a deterant, but they hear the clicking and keep clear.

I have been very careful to give her some outside time each day since, just to keep her thinking, and she has been good about staying in. And yes, Mr. Daddy, that horse needs a definite 'talking to'.
Juanita

Caught in the Act!

2011-05-31T22:54:00.000-06:00

I have GOT to get a hidden video camera in the corral. Too many good shots are being wasted.

It was sunny, windy and a balmy 70 degrees today, so we headed for the corral with manure fork and tractor. While Bill was riding circles on his new (very old) tractor, I was hitting the lowlands and slopes with the fork. I just happened to turn around in time to see Jesse climbing through the buck fence in the middle of the creek; the only part of that horse inside the corral was her back hocks. She was just ducking her big fanny under the upper rail and munching on long grass on the other side, not noticing me sneaking up behind her, when I popped her on the butt and told her to get her little fanny back inside that fence. When she started to continue forward I told her, "Don't you dare! You back up right now!" She gave me that 'I can't' look and I stared her down. She finally - very slowly - backed back through the fence as much as possible, then twisted her body into a U-shape and crawled back into the corral, even managing to do it without getting her feet tangled in all the downed wood in the stream. However once inside, she glowered at me then stomped that big hoof of hers in the water and - you guessed it - splashed me a good one! I was hit with muddy water from the neck down; the front of my jeans were soaked. I told the neighbor wranglers that I only looked like I lost the battle; the horse was still inside the corral. I love my crazy horse.
Juanita

Flaky Weather

2011-05-30T21:51:00.000-06:00

It's been snowing off and on all day.

It's finally gotten cold enough to start sticking.

I'm numb.

Bill

Attack Horse

2011-05-24T19:08:00.000-06:00

Washoe is not particularly fond of dogs; he has learned to be well-behaved when with humans or being ridden - everything else is fair game. This morning as I went out to feed, the neighbor's dog came bounding over to greet us. The neighbor and I have been working with this puppyish dog to "stay out of the corral", and she tries hard, usually going along the fence line to the corner and then charging over to see me. Today, however, dog was totally on the opposite side of the corral and just came bounding through the corral. Washoe was standing looking at me. Without thinking - and focusing really hard on the dog racing toward us through the corral - I said, "Washoe, get the dog!"

Wow!. I gotta say, I was really impressed with the cutting horse 180 spin he did, launching himself at the dog at a full run. I bet his butt wasn't three feet off the ground, he crouched so low, then just launched before the turn was done, coming to bear on the dog at a full run. Estes, GunDiva's horse, was close by and joined in the fun. Estes is an old hand at the cow chasing thing, so they looked like a matched pair chasing that dog. You should have seen that dog high-tail it out of the corral! I think it might be a day or two before said dog gets in our corral again. Where is that hidden video camera when you want it?
Juanita

Another Fledgling to Take Flight

2011-05-21T23:25:00.001-06:00

The Ashinator graduated from high school today. How did that sweet, little granddaughter of mine get that old? She has spent some summers working for us at the Lodge; really fun times and a great way to learn a lot about the kind of person your grandkid is. This one has developed a feel for photography and is finding her own special style in her pictures, but I could have told you through her work ethics at the lodge, her kindness to the guests and that lovable smile that caught everyone's attention, that she was a definite keeper and we're proud to have her in the family.

Congratulations hon. Keep forging that path in the world.
Grandma.

Barn Shower

2011-05-19T10:10:00.001-06:00

Some of you are really gonna laugh at this, but....my horses have never seen the inside of a barn - or a turnout shed - or any sort of horsey shelter. I should be more specific. I have walked them into and around all sorts of structures - for training purposes. I can even walk them into the Lodge and know they will behave, but to "put them in the barn" due to foul weather? Never. They are Mustangs and lived out in the wide open spaces. They get a little antsy about being shut in.

Yesterday we got pelted with another snow storm. (GunDiva, you had better intensify those prayers for sunny weather to Mother Nature, because right now it looks like the reverse.) The forecast was for mid-40's and showers. I incorrectly assumed RAIN showers. After some drizzle it turned to snow ... and stayed that way. My mother told me we were under a winter watch and probably 5" of snow. OK. Later the neighbor said they were warning people to stay out of RMNP because 12" was expected (avalanche issues in the spring) by 6:00 pm Thur. Yeah. It hasn't stopped yet, although it has gone from huge, very wet flakes to tiny, dry flakes, and I am sure we have passed the 12" mark, even though we only have about 8" on the ground right now.

I am digressing....back to the barn story....

I go out to feed and the crew is wet...grouchy. I decide middle of the day to give them more hay to help with heat...they don't want it. Ranger is standing out in the open and every few minutes, lets out a big sigh..I'm sure they are feeling the same about the snow.

Dinner time...really soggy horses...shivering....miserable. I have become a big softee...so I decide to put them inside...just long enough to dry off so they can stop shivering.

I knew they were cold when I tied them inside the neighbor's ancient barn and no one complained. I scraped most of the water off them...mini waterfalls per horse...gave them a flake of hay each and stood back to watch.

This barn is part of what is rumored to be one of the oldest, continuously run liveries in the state of CO.

One of the wranglers was keeping me company, trying to talk me into just turning them loose inside the barn for the night. I tried to explain it wouldn't be safe for the barn because they would soon be getting rowdy. Sure enough, before he could say more the two grays started nipping and playing. Time to go back out.

I was amazed. Once I scraped the water, it only took them about half an hour to get pretty dry and feeling really good. In fact, Jesse noticed she could slide the top gate rail open because it had gotten icy, so she hopped out to go play. Fortunately for me, she discovered a fresh patch of grass under a big tree and just HAD to eat it. I went home feeling much happier that the crew was no longer miserable.

Morning after: my glutes are killing me..wading around in 6" of snow over 12" of muck catching horses (OK - just Ranger!) last night...what a workout!

It does make for great pictures. Believer it or not, there is a white horse in this picture.

Where's ~~Waldo~~ Washoe?

Ranger playing peek-a-boo.

Last snow - P L E AS E !!!

Juanita

Sigh.

2011-05-18T10:46:00.002-06:00

Re-edited

I took this shot a couple minutes ago.

Okay, it's not very much.

But it's just too much.

2:PM

7:PM
It's been snowing fairly hard all day, but it's 36 degrees, so it melts almost as fast as it hits.

Bill

Case of the Slippery Towel

2011-05-17T22:41:00.000-06:00

Our new 'thing' this year seems to be towel riding. Bill discovered it early on because he hates putting gear - or his pitooty - on a wet horse, so one snowy day he grabbed a towel to dry off Ranger. Not being able to get the horse very dry, he just left the towel on Ranger's back and hopped on. After several sessions of this, Bill made mention that that 'skinny little towel' he had been using didn't stay in place very well; it took a lot of adjustments while riding. Yesterday, Bill opted for a thicker, larger towel. You be the judge of the towel debacle....

A properly placed towel: smooth, square and even on horse's back.

I use it in an attempt to keep the seat of my jeans clean.

Do you notice a difference here already?

Trotting along the edge of the swampy area, Ranger has noticed.

Check the ears....

Coming around the corner, and oops...a little slide to the left!

Just happened to catch this one on camera!

You need to enlarge this picture (just click on it) and check out the towel location.

It's hanging to his heel on the left and just above the knee joint on the right.

By the time we headed home, that poor towel didn't know where it belonged.

Bill gets lots of practice squirming around to adjust the towel - and Ranger just ignores him.

You guys should try this some time; it's really great balance practice.

Just make sure your horse doesn't mind flopping things.

Juanita

And Just What is This?!

2011-05-14T20:38:00.000-06:00

Unhappy horses. We are down to our last bales of hay that we had stored up for this year...meaning we have now fed out all the alfalfa, then the alfalfa/grass mix, and are now feeding straight grass hay.

Tonight's feeding didn't go quite as planned - per the horses. It's snowing again this evening, therefore alfalfa should be on the menu. No such luck guys. Sorry. I cut the bale, flaked it out along the feeder wall like I normally do; carry some to the spare feeder tire and realize I have four horses following me all over. "What IS this stuff?" "Go eat your hay, guys." They blankly look at me, go back to the main feeder and carefully flip each flake over with their noses, then look at me like I am a criminal. "Do you not notice something wrong here? There is not a single leaf of alfalfa in this hay!" I apologize profusely, explaining that the alfalfa/grass is all gone. Really, really sorry but can't do anything about it. I can't feed what we don't have.

Ranger had the gall to mutter at me as I was leaving!!! He has never done that before. Jesse and Washoe are hanging their heads over the fence giving me the biggest puppy-dog eyes a horse could produce...and Queen Estes? She is eating; she understands hard times and is grateful there is food.

I told Bill I would feel a lot more sorry for them if they were shivery cold - or I could find a rib on one of them somewhere. Yes, it is wet out there and ice crystals are forming on the wire fencing, but when I felt under their manes, they were toasty warm, so they were left to complain among themselves. Oh, and did I mention that they did get their normal ration of warm beet pulp mash and their favorite amino supplement. How bad can it be?

Maybe the sun will shine tomorrow.
Juanita

Plumb thy Neighbor

2011-05-13T11:04:00.001-06:00

We have a neighbor across the street from us that has asked us to help him get his house ready to rent.
We had one of the coldest stretches this winter we've seen since we moved here 14 years ago.
Our neighbors spend each winter in Florida.
We are in the mountains of Colorado.
Their house was empty.
The heat was off.
Damn.

I hate plumbing.

Pictures of burst pipes as soon as Blogger lets me.

Bill

Goodbye Summer - Hello Winter

2011-05-11T21:40:00.000-06:00

We had two and a half really nice days; you know, temps in the low 60's, SUNNY, only light breeze. Yeah, woke up this morning to .... S.N.O.W. A friend called mid-morning to tell me that she heard a warning that between Estes Park, CO and Idaho Springs, CO the expectation was for 14 inches of snow. Guess where we live? We left the lodge at noon with six inches on the ground and still coming down. Figured it was a good day to get the "town" stuff done. Why would I be surprised? Last year, on May 10th, we had 15 inches of snow.

When we got home about seven hours later we found: same six inches of snow, lots of water running and still snowing. Can't say how much we got but at least it's melting. Should definitely help the run-off in the rivers (being sarcastic here), which is just starting and already worrying people about flood stages this year.

May 11, 2011 7:00 am 3-4 inches of new snow, with more to come.

Gonna sign off and go cry in my blankets because it's STILL snowing and no, we didn't get to ride on those two really nice days - because it's spring cleaning time and sometimes work comes before play!
Juanita

Barebackin'-- > Snowbashin'

2011-05-08T18:31:00.001-06:00

I had decided that this weekend would be a good time to practice just swinging my leg over the horses' backs until I could do it with a little more finesse. Washoe was the clear candidate as he is the taller of the two; if I could swing clear of him, Jesse would be no problem. The weather could not have been better - in the high 50's and sunny. Well, you know how it goes....since we are mounted up, let's go for a ride...a bareback ride...on the mountain....Y E S!

Jesse's foot was still a little sore, so she didn't complain - too much - about me taking off on Washoe. I was feeling very comfortable just riding on a towel so we decided to do one of the steeper trails over to the neighbor's ranch. We found deep snow banks. Washoe, who has become quite comfortable in snow, plowed right through. When we ended up in chest deep snow, he started rubbing his face in it, like a dog does when it finds something on the ground really interesting. I think he felt slighted when I insisted we move on.

This wasn't the deep snow; Bill was too busy dodging branches to get a picture of that snowbank.

On the north slope, the trail was pretty covered.

We had to do some scouting around some of the deeper stuff. I had to duck branches while Washoe watched out for stuff under the snow.

Meeker Mountain, all snow covered.

It got really breezy on our way home, as you can tell from Ranger's 'bad hair' day!

We were only out about 45 minutes, but it was sure wonderful.
Juanita

Lazy May Day

2011-05-06T20:12:00.000-06:00

Jesse sends her heartfelt thanks to all of you well-wishers. She says her hoof feels much better, thank you. She can stand levelly again (with all her weight on it), walk with the slightest of limp - only when she plants that foot as the wheel foot in a turn - and showed off with some hops and skips around the corral today, because it was actually SUNNY!!!!

Bill says the hoof print finally wore off his boot today - mostly. Yesterday we had a spa day for all the horses; just brushing out winter hair and cleaning the feet really well. Jesse and I walked to the post office and she was the perfect guest, tied to the railing in the parking lot. When we got back it was still so nice and sunny out that I actually took my Nook (eBook) and sat outside to read with the horses while they napped at the hitch rail. We've started getting back in tune for work days; practicing standing nicely for no reason except the human said so. They all promptly went to sleep. I don't know why I thought differently.
Juanita

Nursemaid to a Half Ton

2011-05-05T09:46:00.003-06:00

Well, Jesse stepped on a nail earlier this week. We got the nail pulled out and the vet called to get all of the horses tetanus boosters.

Now for the fun stuff. Long term care.

Worming...

"Ummm, Yuck?"

"I think I'm gunna spit"

Antibiotic...

"Now what?"

"Where we going?"

"What we doing?"

"What you got?"

"Now Jesse, this is going to hurt me more than it hurts you"

"You got THAT right!"

OOOF! PINNED!

"See Jesse, that wasn't so bad"

"The #e[[ you say!"

"I thought you were my friend"

Then repeat for the next couple of days,but only the shots, though.

Don't step on any more nails, horse. It hurts my ribs.

Bill

Photos by GunDiva

First Booboo of the Year

2011-04-29T20:42:00.000-06:00

I guess we are starting out early this year. It's usually closer to the end of summer before things get fired up. The culprit?

Looks nasty, huh? Jesse thinks so, too, since Bill found it in her foot. Fortunately, it only poked in about 1/4-1/3 of an inch. I don't know if it started out bent, or she bent it stepping on it. Her sole is so thick and strong, it could be either. When I fed this morning, I found Jesse lying on the ground; no big deal, but when she was slow in getting up and coming to me for breakfast, I noticed a gimp. It was so mucky, I couldn't find anything on her foot, but I didn't have anything with me to really dig with; no swelling or heat in the leg, but I still mentioned it to Bill, so he went over and dug around in her foot with his handy-dandy multipurpose tool. Sure enough this explained why she wouldn't put any weight on that hind foot. Bill pulled it out to discover it hadn't penetrated very deep-thankfully-and I soaked her foot, packed it with our old doc's favorite "sugar pac" (betadine and powdered sugar on a maxi-pad) and called the vet for a tetanus shot.

It surprised me when the vet said he would be "right up!". For a shot? Turns out he had a horse go bad after stepping on a nail this year; was at a vet hospital for a month, having chipped the coffin bone! When he looked at her "tennis shoe" as I call it, he laughed and said, "Looks like one of old Doc Dull's sugar pacs." He was much relieved to see that he couldn't even find the hole and Jesse let him poke around a good deal on her foot. He gave all the horses their yearly shots and helped re-pack Jesse's foot, saying that was probably all we would need to do for a week, thanks to her thick, hard sole. She trotted off back to the corral with barely a hint of lameness.

We got off easy this time. When she was three, she had three absesses and one nail wound because she likes to bounce up and down in deep mud to splash the other horses - and there is always something hidden in the mud!
Juanita

Jesse's Day Out

2011-04-25T23:12:00.000-06:00

Just finished cleaning up the lodge for tonight's guests when Compass calls and says, "Let's ride."

"Don't have time. Gotta go to town and finish getting supplies."

"What's a half hour? Get your b*tt out here! I'll wait for you to saddle up."

Bill agrees, so OK. Had much more snow last night and this morning, so I am wading through a NEW eight inches of snow to the corral, thinking about trying to saddle in the drift at our hitch rail. Oh well, what's a little snow - we were getting sunshine for a few minutes. Jesse bounces at my shoulder over to the hitch rail, bounces while Bill tosses her saddle, bounces to the mounting block. Bill figures he better try her out first. She bounces him along the parking lot, trying to be good; so delighted to be out.

I lead her to the blocks and she gets nice and quiet - she KNOWS - gotta be careful. Boy, I love that horse. I get mounted up (tapping her butt a bit, but she doesn't care) and we all head out, Bill bareback on Ranger, Compass on Eli, and good ole Jesse. All the horses seemed tense for some reason; maybe just excitement. Ranger jumped everytime snow fell out of the trees. They all hesitated at various places along the way. Jesse wanted to challenge all the funny snow covered shapes in the fields we passed. Crazy guys. It still all went very well and we had a great ride, then it started snowing ... AGAIN.

Some day, spring will come and stay for awhile.
Juanita

And now for something completely different

2011-04-24T14:35:00.000-06:00

I don't usually put videos on the blog (I had dial-up only for too many years), but here are several I needed to post.

Juanita mounting Washoe 6.5 weeks after both hip replacements.

Juanita dismounting.

The rabbit my 83 year old mother in law got us for Easter.

Words fail me.

Happy Easter!

Bill