Willie and I have been taking little road trips in the areas where the Cowman and I have lived. I have cataract surgery coming up in a couple weeks and hope to get in as many field trips as possible down here before I go up to RB for those.
The Spring Valley ranch is on the West side of the valley. I haven't been back that way for a long time. So I packed a lunch and we took off to see how things had fared over the years.
There is an old sheep ranch at the turn off of the blacktop.
There is an old sheep ranch at the turn off of the blacktop.
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| ewes on a hilltop |
Amazingly the old rams club was still around just as you got onto the gravel road.
There were lots of cattle further on, (and for some reason I didn't take any pics of them.)
The smell of sunshine after a rain, sweet grass, and cows make it a good place to be this time of year.
The smell of sunshine after a rain, sweet grass, and cows make it a good place to be this time of year.
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Spent a lot of hours a horseback in that rugged country. It's beautiful this time of year when it's green and the creeks are running.
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| Our house is right above the center of the gate, (can't believe they painted that clear cedar white). |
The ranch runs to the top of that far ridge line. It is actually one of the smallest ranches we lived on. Acres only count as they relate to carrying capacity.
They have power out there now. There was no power when we lived there. (We had a big CAT diesel generator for power.)
There is a photo of the house just after we finished building it in this post:
https://brighidsplace.blogspot.com/2015/08/shotguns-snakes-bull.html
There is a photo of the house just after we finished building it in this post:
https://brighidsplace.blogspot.com/2015/08/shotguns-snakes-bull.html
There was an abundance of wild hogs, elk, deer, rattlesnakes (overabundance), and the occasional bear.
Talking to a friend after his cataract surgery, he complained the county had put up a lot of new stop signs.
ReplyDeleteWSF,
DeleteLOL, geez I hope I haven't been blowing through them around here. Colt did ask me the other day how long it had taken me to get from town to the farm hdqtrs. Apparently it is not possible to do it that fast, on the ground.
Beautiful place, Brig.
ReplyDeletePrayers on the way for a successful surgery!
drjim,
DeleteIt is, this time of year.
Thanks for the prayers. I'm look'n forward to clear vision!
I do love this time of year. Cows and calves are so fun to see when I walk. Your pictures are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the cataract surgery. Just remember to follow doctors orders and not try and cheat the recovery time.(-:
CiNdEe,
DeleteI do too. Think it's the light and the clean smell.
A good friend just had her eyes done and was amazed.
Had mine done...you will love the new colors.
ReplyDeleteSkip,
DeleteThanks for the info. I'm really looking forward to having it done.
Wish pictures could include smells:) What a beautiful setting where you lived. Think you will be pleased after your surgery at how much better you see.
ReplyDeleteChanges,
DeleteOh I do too. Although I'm not sure you would appreciate some of the smells that I find wonderful!
So want to be on the other side of these surgeries, there is a house and garden on the Columbia waiting for me.
Prayers for a successful surgery and a quick recovery, Brig.
ReplyDeleteLindaG,
DeleteThank you, keeping the faith that your prayers are answered.
Nice photos and beautiful country. Good luck with your surgery.
ReplyDeleteRain,
DeleteThanks. Wish I could do it justice, but these are what I got.
How was it going back? Thomas Wolfe wrote his novel and titled it "You Can't Go Home Again." I suppose once we move into a certain mindset (and perhaps you are there), we can be in the moment and appreciate a former home and life for what they were. I am such a sentimental basket case when I revisit places I have lived and places where my parents lived, that I usually adhere to Mr. Wolfe's title.
ReplyDeleteCheri,
DeleteI learned long ago that you can't really go back again, and I'm fine with that. The memories that are attached to the places are still with me. Maybe it's a country thing, but you can paint the barn a different color, but the country it's self doesn't change that much and the smells are the same, only changing with the seasons.
I met a local gal who reminded me so much of you. She is our age group and a widow. She manages 40 acres alone and hunts and fishes are runs a local business. I wish I had the stamina you both portray.
ReplyDeleteGranny Anne,
DeleteThink how utterly boring it would be if we weren't all different.
Still looks good, Brig. I went back to that older post. Have we really known each other that long?
ReplyDeleteWoodsterman,
DeleteYep, when I went back to that post's comments the same thought went through my mind.
Great that you're getting the chance to revisit those places, and they're still there!
ReplyDeleteOld NFO,
DeleteSooo many memories on those ol ranches.
Sure is beautiful out there. Seems such a shame a person , or at least, most people, can only live in one place. I've been in every state in the Union, and 36 foreign countries, and in every one of them I saw somewhere I'd like to live. There just isn't enough time in a mortal life.
ReplyDeleteHarry,
DeleteWow, you have seen a lot.
I have a bunch more ranches to see again, and the wanderlust is strong.
Soon, you will have the eyes of an eagle, again?
ReplyDeleteSCOTT,
DeleteI sure hope so. Dad and the Cowman always took me along as their spotter.
This is the BEST time of year up here too!! Best wishes for the eye surgery and new clarity.
ReplyDeleteNotClauswitz,
DeleteIt is going to be a tough water year for ranchers & farmers, no thanks to state government.
Thanks for the best wishes!
Beautiful riding country!
ReplyDeleteMakes me want to get in the saddle and gallop/run off. And Texas is great but my part doesn't have any mountains. That's a lack.
LSP,
DeleteIt's much steeper than it looks, but yes, beautiful.
I didn't realize you were in the flats.
Snippets of your life take us all on an adventure.
ReplyDeleteI love visiting you!
Barbar Cat,
DeleteThanks, I'm glad you stopped by!