Guest Blogger!

At the end of a very busy week it's great to relax on the porch of the
Summer Cabin and watch horses in Bud/Gray Pasture. Even better is
getting a great picture to enjoy at home .

Our week was one of our best
ever with cattle work every day. Monday and Tuesday were shorter rides, which prepared us for the rest of the week's adventures. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday were the real deal--flushing heifers out of brush
and getting them off steep hillsides and out of Aspen stands. Trying to
get them to string out and stay in line was another huge job in itself.
And just when you think you have them all gathered, you look behind
you to see a bunch more that escaped our first attempt at gathering.
Maybe those who do this for a living get a little exasperated with those
stragglers , but it's a dream come true for a guest. The renegades
provided us with another chance to gather 'em up and put 'em where they
belong. Lunch at the Shorey Cabin was most appreciated after a 5 hour
ride and Sean the Chef provided us with a delicious meal there along
with wonderful breakfasts, lunches and dinners in the cookhouse. Add
lots of sunshine, warm temps and good company from staff and guests and
you have just about a perfect week. I just can't think of any other
place I would rather be for a week's vacation than on the Lazy EL!

Happy Trails, Kathy Irving (my 16th visit to the Ranch!)

Receiving Cattle

For the first time in years, we actually received cattle in sun shine. Not snow. Not rain. And not two feet of muck.

It was a beautiful day and everything went smoothly. We received over 2,000 head, trained them to electric fence, and turned them out. Every year the cattle herd takes on a different personality. This year they are "sticky". Instead of running from pressure, they come to it. It's taken a lot to get them trained to moving away from riders and dogs.

Cousin Charlie helped in the scale house. This year we have the opportunity to get an end of the year bonus based on weight. Here's to fat and happy cows!

Lazy EL Crew in Action!

So we continue to wait for grass. The sun doesn't shine. Temperatures at night are staying at freezing. And we continue to wait for grass. Which also means that we continue to wait for cattle.

This leads to needing new activities...

Cliff and Thad lead a team to place 2nd in a Ranch Rodeo in Cody over the weekend. The real question was why didn't they place 1st?

It all has to do with this sorry cow. In terms of ridin' and ropin' our boys were clear winners. But this sorry cow had to be saddled and rode and once she was saddled, she decided to lay down. And she wouldn't budge. There was kickin' and prodin' and yellin' and she wouldn't move. Now some of you who have visited the ranch know, ridin' a heifer after she's been roped, might happen on occasion. No need for a saddle. So despite some experience on the side of the Hands, the 1st place prize was lost on account of this sorry ol' rip. It is awfully hard to have a respectable ride when your mount is laid down.

Tip for the 2009 season

Though Billy may look like a great addition to the staff, which he is....

I don't suggest that you let Billy choose your mount...

March Storm

6 inches of snow over the weekend lead to a beautiful Monday. One of the best parts of Montana is getting those chrystal blue days right after a storm. Monday was no different.

I had heard that the sandhill cranes were back. Driving home from Luther, I spotted them on the George Place, just as regal as ever. We've been blessed with bald eagles all winter, but the cranes are a sure sign that spring is coming. Despite the evidence to the contrary.

Tom, Buck and Ceily's dad, has been a saint all winter, helping out with chores as we need him. Thanks so much Tom!

Mr. Montana

Here is Gerald rubbing elbows with our Montana Senators. I guess someone has to touch base with them once in a while and keep them pointed in the right direction. I think Gerald is definitely up to the task.

Besides, Gerald kind of "cleans up good." If I don't mind sayin' so...

First Women's Retreat!

Here are the great women who gathered for the first Women's Transformational Energy Retreat. Tamara, the facilitator, did an amazing job taking all of us on a guided journey to rejuvenate and renew. Nancy, our wonderful guest chef, spoiled us with fresh bread and remarkable food not to mention gifting us with a recipe book from all the meals over the weekend. And our own lovely Kit, lead us in the most joyful yoga I've ever experienced. But the best part was the caliber of women who came together to share and relax. Thank you lovely ladies!