WINTER IS ARRIVING

When we got back from roundup, we were greeted with snow on the ground.  And Lost Trail pass was slick so we had to take our time coming down this side.  But the good news is:  THE AIR IS CLEAR AND THE FIRES ARE OUT!!!!  And that is good.  We are now trying to play catch up as far as getting our place ready for winter. 

Zephyr is growing and thinking everything is a game and play time.  He and Catmay are still giving each other space, but are putting up with each other.

First snow that stuck to the ground.

Clear air, fog in the valley, and snow in the mountains.

And a worthless puppy who likes to jump up on rocks.

ROUNDUP 2012

We went over to the ranch to help them gather the cows out of the high country then wean and ship them.  After that we preg tested the the cows which took three days.  Weather was pretty good except for the last couple of days.  Was really nice seeing all the Martinell kids who have now grown up and have kids of their own.  We have been involved in this fall ritual since 1992.  We have a great time eating some great meals and talking to people we only see once a year.

The horses getting a well deserved drink of water.

Getting the herd together on the second day.

Counting through the gate.

Ryan with his niece Blair.  These kids start riding at an early age.

Allen and I figuring out if we are missing any cattle.

Kristen with her son Rowen.

Separating the steer calves from the heifer calves.

Loading out the 10 semis with the calves.

The truckers making sure the paperwork is correct.  Note how many axles this trailer has.

Allen, Connie, Ryan, and Brett working the calves after weighing them on the scale.  Connie is looking a little short.

Jesse and Davonna making sure there are enough calves for the truck they are loading.

I couldn't resist taking a picture of this rainbow.

 Zephyr and I moving a few of the cows out of the corrals after preg testing.

The last day of preg testing it started to snow.  Notice the new hydraulic squeeze chute which is a great improvement over the manual type.

Zephyr was not impressed with the rain and snow.  It was his first experience with it.

FINALLY SOME RAIN

We had 2 tenths of an inch of rain this morning.  It was a very welcome development.  We have been over 50 days without measurable precipitation and it has been very dusty.  And of course we still have some smoke hanging around, but this should help alleviate that problem also.

The puppy is growing fast.  He is going with us on our long walks in the morning now and keeping up quite well.  Weighs over 15 pounds now.  And loves to climb up on rocks on the walks.

Will be headed over to the ranch to help get the cows out of the hills next week.  Will be over there about ten days getting them rounded up, weaned, shipped, and preg tested.  Will post when we get back.

He likes to get his picture taken on rocks.

Sunrise from sagebrush flat.

Had a couple of clear days when we had a northeast wind.

He also likes to carry rocks.

Everything is new to him.

 He found this fawn leg one morning and insisted on bringing it home!

UPDATE 6 OCTOBER 12

We finally have some very nice clean and clear air to breath.  There was still a little smoke on the west side this morning, but over here on the east side it was really nice.  Cool though.  We are definitely in fall around here.  Frost on the grass every morning the last few days.

Starting to get our horses in shape for round up so have been riding everyday.  I have to put hind shoes on Jack tomorrow, and we will have all three horses shod up so can concentrate on riding as we haven't really ridden much since the middle of August.  For one thing, it was just to smoky.  Still have some elk hanging around.  I had to spend some time fixing fence down in the meadow today where they just ran through it and knocked it pretty well down.

The puppy is doing well.  He is growing pretty fast and starting to run ahead of us when we are doing our walk - getting braver by the day.  He and the cat can't really call themselves buddies yet although they have smelled noses.  

You can see some smoke hanging over Hamilton.

Zephyrus on our walk this morning.

Ran into a few elk on our ride this morning.

LUNCH IN PHILLIPSBURG

We were planning on going kayaking up in the Seeley Lake area for a few days, but the weather up there was not so good and forecast was worse.  So decided to just go over to Phillipsburg with Ike and Brenda for lunch.  Had a nice drive over Skalkaho Pass and enjoyed the fall colors and most of all - the lack of smoke in the air.  It is so nice to breath air that does not smell like a campfire.  Looked around the cute quaint town and after lunch headed back to the Bitterroot.  And our air is getting better by the day.  Now if it would only rain or snow, that would be  better.

The moon setting over the Bitterroots.  Still a little smoke hanging around, but so much better than it was.

Another puppy picture on the stump chair at the upper fire pit.  He goes by this and jumps up on it and does the same on a rock on our walks in the morning.

Sunrise this morning.

Main Street Phillipsburg.

The girls doing a little shopping.

Fall colors going over the pass.