Not much going on at cow camp these days. We've done some elk hunting...seen elk, but just weren't in the right place at the right time. I came down for chores, and hoping to work a day for Sandy. That didn't materalize, but I'm getting quite a lot done. I'm waiting for Rod Merrell to come by with some wolf kill affidavids, and then I'll head back to camp. We have a few hold out bulls...they are NOT a joy. And we're taking down let down fence. We'll be there until roughly Halloween. It's cold, muddy, and some snow. :)

Guard Shack

Well, I took guard shack training under Sally today. It's a whole new world from cowboying out on the mesa.

We're fencing up at camp, and snooping on the elk. Can hardly wait for the season to open. Will keep you posted on any news.

The Cows are Headed South!

The cows are gone from our pastures...and most of the fall color is gone. The hunters are up country in full force. Our area isn't open until October 15th, but on the west side of the Union Pass road, it's open. Bob bugled several elk in the other night...it was one of those gorgeous nights, fairly warm, lots of yellow leaves, and two nice elk.

Two days ago, we made a long ride in the pasture looking for cattle to push out, and found nothing. Bob did see three, that somehow we lost. Yeah, right! Lost three head. We split up, and I headed down to the creek as he headed east. I came up on three wolves running down to a bear kill we had several days before. Ahhh...no wonder those "cows" disappeared so quickly! They were wolves. I watched them fight over parts, tear legs off, and run off a ways to eat.

Bob got his new computer, and getting his programs and files on it has been and experience. We sort of maxed out our knowledge, and also Sally and Pete's. Betty, you're next...when we come back down from cow camp nexgt time! :)

Rider's night at Cow Camp

Phil and Ivy McChesney, Keith Murphy, Rod Merrell of Wild Life Services, and Bobby Gilbank joined us for a night of booze and steaks. It was a fun get together. We were sorry Todd Sterns didn't make it. It's hard to get everyone together. Thought you might enjoy the pictures of these guys, however.

Fall at Cow Camp

Dell drank my water as I was painting a little watercolor of our cabin!

We had 1200 head of cattle trying to head south when it snowed. It's a wonder we didn't loose this corner. A few hours later we had them scattered.

It's gorgeous at cow camp these days. We did turn our cows loose yesterday...the annual Green River Drift is in progress. For those of you who haven't seen it, it's worth a trip.

We had the riders to cow camp last weekend for a steak dinner. It was good to have (almost) everyone there. Todd was unable to make it. Later I'll post pictures of everyone.

The snow is gone...but we'll have more. Just yesterday..yes, the day we turned them loose, we had two more confirmed bear kills and one more confirmed wolf kill. It's never ending.

Last night we had such a fun night at the Box R. It was Irv's last night of the season...and there was some old timers there to enjoy the event. Many yarns were spun, old times rehashed...and some awful good music and food. Jeane and I have plans for next summer...God willing!

Cow Camp Visitors!

This has been a very social week at our cow camp. Sunday night Betty and Brent showed up. We ate, and laughed, and told jokes until dark, and they needed to head out. A low key fun evening. I/we enjoyed it so much. The next night, Brian and Krishna came for dinner. Krishna had never been up there, so that was an experience for her. They enjoyed the leaves, and left hoping to bugle in an elk. We don't know if they did that or not! Anyhow, we were glad to have them up there.

The next day, Irv brought his bunch up, and we moved cows. Boy did we move cows north. Twenty five of us spread out across the north east pasture, and we pushed almost everything north. Then we rode to the cabin for lunch. I had made up some sloppy joes from Bob's elk meet, and Jeane from the Box R brought much other stuff to go with! We had such a fun day. The next day they came up and Bob took them up on Bacon Ridge for a sight seeing trip. The smoke kept us from seeing the Tetons, but it was still a neat ride. I got to know some of the people we rode with, and enjoyed them so much. Bobby came along as they were loading up at Mosquito Lake and lent his own character to the day.

The plan continues...I'm down for groceries..gee, I wonder why. And we are having the cow camp riders to the cabin for dinner on Sunday. We are certainly looking forward to that evening...hopefully laden with stories from all. I usually plan this for after cow camp is over, but it tends not to come together..so we're trying for now.

High Country Color

We are getting some gorgeous color these days...we think early in the season however. This is the brightest picture I took. The color is all fantastic, but the pictures come out subdued because of all the smoke. The smoke lays in the low areas heavy.

Wildlife services has killed five wolves in our general area lately. Only yesterday Bob and I saw a wolf track. They are still around. Also fresh bear scat, and later tracks.

We had lots of company at camp, and they all brought food! Especially late in the week, it's a good idea, as our supplies tend to run low.

The summer has gone so fast. It's hard to believe it's almost over. We're thinking about hunting these days...Bob was bugeling elk yesterday. Not much response. One bugel, and some tracks. Saw several moose and lots of deer.

Fires at cow camp..NOT ours!

Wolves that were taken out of the Black Butte pack. There's a male, female who has not had pups, and a pup in this picture. Sorry, I didn't get it all in, I was leaning over the side of the Wild Life Service's pickup. They got another on Pinon Ridge the same day.


Thought you might like to see how close it came to Phil's camp. The Kendall crew saved it however. The fire line was in his corral.

We're dealing with bears and wolves..same ole same ole! We have 20 verified wolf kills and 17 verified griz kills. Seems like we find something everyday.

The leaves are turning, the bugs are gone, and it is gorgeous. Hunters are hoving in. I guess it's bow season on the west side of the Union Pass road.

Gyp Creek Fire as seen going to our camp!

This fire almost got one of our cow camps. John Blaha from the Boulder fire department no less, was there and kept the cabin watered down. They saved the cabin. Phil's horses were turned out to go where ever. They were caught and taken to Les Fluckiger's place later that night. We saw the beginning of the fire from our camp, and beat it down the hill to try to save a few of his treasures. ie, his wife Ivy has a pair of spurs that Roy Lozier made for her decades ago. The forest service would not allow us to go up to his camp. We'd also planned to hook onto his horse trailer and bring his horses out. Again..no go. I guess it all worked out. Phil, as it happens, was not there. He was in Washington D.C. with his wife who was taking an IRS class there. Dave Fluckiger and his dad Les were riding for him.

Things at our camp are smoky. We are sitting between the Purdy fire and the Gyp Cr. fire. We are in no danger. We moved pastures yesterday and today. Long days. However today, I was one of the hosts for Artist Guild, so we planned to get done a little early. We got back to camp just as a cold hard storm hit. Good timing. Bob decided to come out with me, as in that mess, he couldn't shoe horses. Yes, it was trying to snow as we left camp. And there were yellow leaves in the road. In August no less.

The leaves are changing...and as always, it's gorgeous up there.

Artist Guild at Elk Ridge was a joy. We had a lovely lunch...view, and good company. And speaking of company, Madeleine Murdock and Barbara Budd were there. They were the joy to have with us, for sure.

Go Vote!

We came down from cow camp to vote. I found two dead calves yesterday..one was verified as a bear kill this morning...the other "carcass" will have to be soaked a while to determine it's cause of death. Bobby had 3 others over at Fish Creek. It's never ending.

The days up country are beyond gorgeous...I love this time of year. Last week I saw grizzlies, a wolf, deer, elk, moose and antelope. How good is that?

Jane and Scott are off to Africa. The 21st my mother would have been 92, along with our other Willow Creek neighbors who were her same age, Walt Lozer and Amie Reynolds. Ahh well, those were the days.

Scott's trial was last week, and as it should have been, he was acquitted. He should have never been brought up on charges. He is now packing for a new life at college in Laramie. He's a fine young man, who I'm so proud of! Go Scott!

My girl's youngest half sister gets married on the second. They were nice enough to send me an invitation...I love those kids. I'll not make it in person, but I'll be there in spirit. Go Kelly! :)