ROUNDUP 2015 PART 1

Connie and I went over to the Centennial Valley to help the Martinell Ranch get their cattle out of the hills, wean, and ship the calves.  We missed last year because of my knee replacement surgery.  This year with my shoulder surgery, I didn't want to ride quite yet so we were just drivers of pickups pulling horse trailers taking the cowboys and cowgirls to where they had to go and pick them up.  Great job:  thermos of coffee, warm cab of a pickup with a good radio - cushy job!  The weather was great and much warmer than usual.  And the best part was seeing all the Martinell family and catching up on what has been happening with them.  Hard working, salt of the earth people.

Saddle in the dark.  The horses waiting to be loaded.

Bret getting ready to mount up the first day.

View of the Centennial Valley looking to the southwest.

Two horse trailers full of horses.

Getting the bridles on.

Taryn making sure she will stay warm.

Ryan and Craig mounted up.

Heath ready to go.

Ryan looking a lot like a cowboy.

Everyone mounted and ready to ride.

And back at the cow camp, the grand kids are having boat races in the creek.  This is Calen with his boat.

Marin with her boat.

Kara was the official starter with "Ringo" the puppy dog making sure all went well.

Calen's boat won the first heat.

Grandma Yvonne caught them as they finished.

Calen celebrates his victory.

And the spare horses have to come over to watch.

Little girls like Blair just love horses.