Moving Cattle!

We headed out of the lodge at 4:15. Hannah was more awake than I was, and she had a right to be. Today's ride was a birthday ride for her! She was pretty excited to go and was up and ready before I was...amazing, isn't it Dad? =) But I have to say, I didn't sleep the whole ride to the cattle. I enjoyed every minute of it. We were riding in an old Ford pickup with springy door handles and a dashboard of square lights and buttons, a back window plastered with decals from the NRA to Mentos (I think). The cab was full of the rumble of the engine, the guys talking in the front seat, and Hannah talking in the back. It was fun.



You guys would've loved the sunrise. I know some people see them all the time.  I don't, so it was a thrill. We pushed cows in a purposeful, though totally non-stress way. They kept moving and we kept walking along at the back. I learned about the people I was riding with, the generations of work represented along the way, etc. Mel, the outfitter that we were riding with, grew up in this valley. He knows who lived where and what they did. I learned that there were 3 schools in this valley! Not a one now. His friend went to the one I've explored before over on Red Rock Creek. It was just one student and one teacher! Sometimes he caught a ride over to his friend's house on the mail truck and would go to school over there for a week.

Bailey carried me on the ride. She's a beautiful thing. I think maybe only 7 or 8 years old.