Water Lesson Part 2

Drove to Cecil's mill around 7 am. On my way there I passed the proof that our plan is working. The plan is to get the cattle to graze south of the mill and leave the north alone. We moved the salt away from the drinker where it had been for years to a new place south of the mill. Remember yesterday I put out this yellow bucket? They have found it. Some may go out for coffee and other prefer salt.


Gained 2 inches over night. Decided that was good. With no cattle on it and all. Then drove out to the Big Mill. With hunting season open I wanted to check the gates and the grass with all the moisture we have gotten. Saw about 12 head of Antelopes. In the distance so no pictures. Then came upon the proof that Cody really did get a chain saw for his wedding.
These trees were known to add Arizona Pin striping to the sides of your trucks.

Gates and grass look all in order. Still early morning so maybe I aught to muck out the drinker at this mill. It was more dry than wet so the work went fairly fast. When I first started my dogs jumped in with me and rolled around on it. I didn't think much of it until I hit a wet spot. It did stink. No wonder they want it on them. Dogs love to stink.

Before


During


After


Job done so I drove past Cecil's mill and noticed I had already lost my gain and it is still not near afternoon when they all would of drank. I decided to go ahead and run the generator. I have to leave and my dad will return so no need to put extra work on him.

Just Checkin

Went today to check the water level at the mill. Down 8 inches but there is a breeze enough to pump water. Decided to leave it and check it later in the day. That way I can get a feel for how much the wind can put out and how much the cattle take in. I always have the generator to pump water.

Didn't see any salt. So when I went back out to check the level of the water it was down 2 more inches. That is okay cuz the cattle have all drank for the day. I brought out a block of salt. Did find the old salt and it was down about 2/3rds. Put it in a yellow bucket to keep it out of the dirt. Not an exciting day. Just a learning day.

Bringing Us Up To The 21st Century

Dad, Greg and I went out to Jennies Mill to muck out the drinker. It didn't take long so we went ahead and remounted the electrical box for the pump.
Stopped by the ranch to grab a couple of blocks of salt to take to Cecil's Mill. As we were approaching the mill, out of the west we had some cows on a fast run toward the mill. We were commenting that we had never seen a sight like that. Then I noticed that there was a second bunch on the rise doing the same thing. We were joking that the cattle thought they were antelope. Antelope always run the same way you are headed and they will beat you at an intersection in the road and keep going. It baffles me why they don't turn and go far from you. Why they race to cross you. Anyway here is two group of cows racing toward us. We get to mill before them and put out the salt. I have noticed that just before reaching the mill they have turned and now are walking north. Out of no where comes along a man on a mountain bike. Ends up he is what my dad calls a (Nester). Some one that buys a few acres and lives out in the desolate range we call the ranch. He talks to us and loves to check out everyone that crosses our section. He wants to help out how ever he can. As we drive off it comes to me that cattle were on the run from the man on the bike. We decided that is what we need to do. Round up on bikes and we will have them gathered in less time. Straight into the 21st Century.

Two Much Trouble

For the first time I worked both of my dogs together. They are a year apart and both under 2 years of age. Believe me when I say they compete. I knew it was going to be an easy ride. We were riding early in the afternoon, going to just throw them on water so we could film them for a video auction. I was dropped off on the south on my quad. My dad would go get his quad from the ranch house and come in from the north and my cousin would come from the east on horse.
I have the option if it gets to hairy with both I can tie them to a tree and come back after them. First thing I notice is one of our calves is over the fence. I decide that my younger dog Vaquera, who loves to ride on the quad, will ride with me then I don't have two scary monsters chasing one scared calf from here to there. We go through the neighbors gate, swing wide, low and behold it goes down the fence line. Now momma has noticed and she comes the fence line. Just got to get the calf to the gate before his mom, and it will be fine. Yes, the calf saw the hole and ran through. Now as I close the gate the cow takes off on a trot the wrong way. I go to turn her and the game is on. The two take off at top speed to see who can get there first. The cow and calf have tails high in the air and are gone. First choice is to get the dogs back under control. My trainer has showed me how well dogs listen to a quirk (a whip). I catch up with them, jump off my quad, give two snaps with the quirk and tell them to get back. I get on my quad, once again tell them stay behind me and slowly come up on the cow. My older dog, Gideon, he's a heeler. Doesn't like to go out front. He loves to trail behind. He keeps his distance. Not much fight in him. He will take a nip if he feels that is needed. The other, she is a control freak. She tries to take charge of every situation. Head is her place but she will come behind. Always on the move she is. Swing up one side and then the other, always trying to get to the front.
We now have the cow and calf almost bunched up with about 12 other head. My young one has now stepped up to work the cattle. Every time she gets close the last cow stops and takes a look at her. I call her back. Soon she takes notice that if a cow looks back she is too close and she either stops to get distance or she slows down. Lesson learned. It was a beautiful thing to behold.

Worth the fifteen minute wait

Two weekends ago Tom and I were with my dad checking Cecil's Mill, when dad got telling us stories.
He said when he was young they also raised colts for sale beyond just the cattle they ran. They wintered them in Cecilville and summered them on a forest permit and also the Taylor place.
They would sale the colts to the Apaches. They were pretty good horses. Had a stud and quite a few brood mares.
It was first of December. Him and Judd were to move them off the forest. They had found them earlier in November and left them in Los Burros. As they left the ranch they stopped by the Midway. Which at the time was also the post office and told Donald Goodman to watch for them. They would be a few hours and they would need someone to stop traffic on the 60 as they crossed back.
They got to Los Burros. To get them to all follow them, Judd saddled up the stud. They did a few laps around the clearing until all the mares were in tow. Dad brought up the rear. They strung out for quite a ways. Mare,foal,mare,foal.
Back at the midway, a highway patrol man had stopped by the store and Donald asked if he wouldn't mind hanging around just a little longer to help the boys and horses to cross the road. It had been about two hours and it shouldn't be much longer.
Close to that time Donald could here them coming down the road. So Donald and the officer went out to stop traffic on the 60 while the horses crossed. The officer told Donald after they had gone bye that is was worth the fifteen minute wait.
We asked how old he was at this time and he remembered it was the last winter before he went into the service.

Now that explains all the pictures of colts in at the ranch corals.

EL PASO

Recently I found out that the song "El Paso" by Marty Robbins was the number one song about a gun fight. When I heard this I went online to research the song to get to know more about it because it was one of my Dad's favorite songs.
Did you know that the Grateful Dead covered this song and that it was their most requested song on the road? Also, Marty Robbins wrote another song, "El Paso City," while flying over El Paso. He said it was the second time he had ever written a song in the same amount of time it takes to sing it. The first one was "El Paso"!!! Both songs hit number one!
Most of you might know my Dad was born in El Paso, Texas. As far as I am concerned he was the only good thing that came out of Texas.
My Dad was not really into music enough to go out and buy it or buy a stereo, but he did like to listen to it on the radio if he had one. I do remember having the Marty Robins album in the house that had "El Paso" on it. All we had was a record player and I think the only reason we had that was for Sister's 45's.
Anyway, as I listen to this song, it reminds of Dad for different reasons.
1. He was born there.
2. Dad was born 100 years too late. He loved anything to do with the old west.
3. He loved his childhood home Mexico and the culture. When we would go to Matta's he would always have the mariachis sing the Mexico national anthem.
So please listen to the song and I think you can envision Dad trying to sing it!

Missing Dad

It has been a long time since I have posted anything and I have really wanted to say something about my Dad but It has been really hard for me to say anything. I guess I have been in denial. I still don't believe that he is gone. I keep thinking I should call him because he has not called me and then I remember. No more phone calls.-------- I am having a hard time right now.------- Sorry.

I am also reminded all the time with "How is your Dad?" And then I have to give them the news. Then they give me their condolences and I say "It was a good thing, It was a good thing." I really don't think I say that for them but for me! I am telling myself "It was good" because it has not been good for me. I miss my Dad! Dad and I spent a lot of time together working, dreaming, fighting, forgiving, farming, raising my kids, playing, going to church, parades and helping each other on hobbies.

For fifty years He has was always been there for me and now he is gone!

I hurt.