Moving Cattle

My box just became a little bigger this week.  Jean invited me to ride up to her ranch with her. The cattle have spent the summer grazing in the mountains around the homestead area of Dehlin. As winter is approaching, they have to be rounded up and trucked back down to the valley ranch. Their summer range has turned to gold and deep yellow. Soon the trees will drop their leaves in anticipation of snow.

The black angus bunch together as the men push them toward the corral.  Bawling to each other they follow the leader down the hills and eventually into the pen. For some this a remembered experience and they lead the younger cows through the gate.  They are a noisy group as they come together and group up. A four wheeler pushes behind them along with a gaiter to keep them moving, One man on a mule and another on a horse keep them from moving too far apart. The old way and the new way have come together making the job faster and easier, while the mule and horse still keep the color and flavor of the past alive.

Jean and her niece, Sara, have a hot meal waiting for the men as they come in.  A tailgate lunch at a cattle round up as much more atmosphere than tailgating before a football game.  The air is crisp and the wind plays with the paper plates and napkins. Sara's hot barbecue sandwiches along with Jean's macaroni salad, cookies and brownies are a perfect fit for hungry men and boys.  The back of a flat bed pickup makes a perfect table.

This is a yearly ritual--getting together to help your neighbor and enjoying a good meal together at the end of the day.  No one seems to act like this is work, but rather a fun way to bring fall to a close.

Jean has been part of this annual event all of her married life.  Driving up she expresses her love of the area and appreciation for its stark beauty. I understand her feelings and see the beauty also. Her life is much different than mine, yet we still find a common ground in the beauty and richness of the land. I am fortunate she invites to share these things with her. I am not so much city that I can't be a little bit country.