Hooves on the asphalt. {the final trail.}

The last trail started with a 5am wake-up call (that probably should have been 4:30am, but I needed as much sleep as I could get), shoveling yogurt in my mouth and braiding my hair with my eyes closed. Oh, and how can I forget? The morning also included a 23 degree reading of the outside temperature gauge. These things started my mental list of things I won't miss however, just weeks from this trail that has become the Things I Already Miss List. 

I fussed about which hat to wear, and asked Jesse if I'd be warm enough in just a few layers. Also, of course the last trail is the FIRST trail that I remember to put some extra toilet paper squares in my jean pockets and remembered the bag balm for my lips!

Our wonderfulfantasticsupportiveawesome friends, Lorelyn and Trav came through our front door with smiles of support and excitement right on time and ready to go! Yes, we know how blessed we are to have friends that sacrifice their weekend and wake up at 4:30am to chase sheep 12 miles on foot! I'm telling you...these people are awesome.

We met our sheepherders at camp. They are ready to go and sadly didn't get much sleep with such cold temperatures on the eve of an emotional trail. It took us about 45 minutes to load their sleeping gear, the dogs and other items in the truck and the first sheep hit the road at 7:07am. We were off!

The first few miles Lorelyn and I front flagged together. As usual, I waited for the call on the radio that I was needed in the back. I dread that call, but I also love this call. It reminds me that I am needed and play (or played, rather) an important part in it all. This is when I have to get into marathon/professional sheep trailer mode and channel my inner mountain goat because I will be climbing up and down the sides of mountains chasing sheep and pushing them along.

I flank to the back of the large herd and the sheep just keep coming. There were so many more this year because a local sheep herder's sheep mixed with our herd while they were on the mountain so we were trailing a lot more than usual. As my wooly little friends walk past me, I take a few minutes to just appreciate it all. I took special notice of the sun glistening on their backs, the unique bleating of each and every one of these four-legged animals, I listened to their breathing and my heart smiled at each of the little lambs who managed to stick right next to their moms this far in to the trail.

I took special notice of their hooves on the asphalt and how it sounds like a rainstorm on a metal roof. This will be the last time I ever do this. Ever. After I take it in, I start sheep talking and walking and try to forget the tears welling up in my eyes.

Just before the picture above was taken a sheeptrailing angel (also known as one of our really neatsupercool friends) came to our rescue and offered up some coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. I asked her a few days before this day if she would be interested in taking some pictures of us trailing since it's close to impossible for me to catch any decent ones while running along the trail. She happily agreed and later gave us hundreds of photos to sift through and look back at. We will cherish these photos forever. The coffee, tea, hot chocolate and the use of her bike to help move traffic through the sheep were just added bonuses. Nice to know that we had been doing it all wrong all these years! Shoulda invested in a bike with a bell. Worked like a charm. ;)
 

We have some darn awesome friends, I tell you. Awesome.

When I was going through all the photos we got of this trail I stopped at this one and decided it was my favorite of all. I am so proud of this man and am so glad he'll get to take it a little easier on his body now - ranching is no joke, folks. I'm especially excited for him to be able to sleep in every now and again.

We finally made it to the major intersection of the trail. This is when the rest of the family met up to help. I see my mother in law with the grand-kids, my sister in law at the West side of the light stopping cars and my father in law on the East stopping cars. I stop and hug my mother-in-law (the sweetest, most genuine woman alive) and get a little teary eyed. She enthusiastically reminded me, "It's a good day!" and while I tried really hard to fight the tears a part of me wished this sheep herding thing would have worked out a little differently for our family. I had to remind myself of all the things that lead us to the decision we made and move forward.

I hurry over to my niece and nephew, give them kisses and snap a picture...if they don't remember this day, I'll show them this picture. You were there on the last day of a beautiful family tradition.

Just a few moments later the sheep are crossing through the intersection that we all are anxious to get through safely.
Now, it's the homestretch....

We keep the doggies in the trailer and off the road for their safety. If they don't look happy in this picture, it's because they aren't..they want to be with their sheep.

It wasn't long before we were heading down our county road which is all of our favorite part of the trail. Have I mentioned that we live in such a beautiful area? ;)

Just a mile from the house I picked up my nephew and he helped me trail the sheep to the ranch. The 4 hour and 45 minute trail went by pretty fast although, my knees weren't saying that the next day.

It was a bittersweet moment for all, but it is so exciting to close this wonderful chapter and begin a new one. 

It's been just over a month since this final trail and while there is no doubt in our minds we did the right thing, we are sure missing our furry friends that have enriched our lives over the past years. We will never forget them and I personally owe them so much for teaching me patience, love, loyalty and most of all to enjoy all of the beautiful things this world has to offer, especially God's creatures. 

This story isn't over folks, I feel like it's just the beginning.

Save any sheep lately?

These pictures tell a great story.

 

Click here for article.

Baa-ing Before Breakfast {and a Bloglovin request}

The past two weekends (at a time that is way too early to even mention) Jesse and I, our herders and two of our most awesome friends oh, and 2100 sheep headed up to the high country aka summer range.

In years past I've always walked and front flagged the trails heading to and from our summer range. When front flagging you can't see the chaos of the herd; you don't see everyone working their butt off trying to keep the sheep on the road.

When front flagging you enjoy the beauty around you, the birds chirping, the deer roaming - you get the picture. In case you don't...

If you can imagine the very opposite of such a peaceful state, that is what herding the back of the herd along the road feels like. Complete and utter stress and chaos.

Imagine herding 100 cats. Impossible, right? Exactly.

This year I had the great pleasure of pushing the back. Jesse pushes the front group, two people the middle group and about three people push in the back aka run like crazy chickens trying to get these ewes and lambs back on the road. No offense to chickens.

Even with all the bodies there are challenges. Challenges that include rolling ankles or having to channel your inner mountain goat and climb up the sides of hills to get sheep back on track. Or getting heat exhaustion (which happened to one of our helpers this trail). Or getting sheep dung flung onto your face. Um, that happened too. Or, my favorite is being the lucky herder that gets to chase that one lamb through an open field with nothing but hope he/she will go where you want it to, all the while having everyone watch, wait and hope as well. It's a little humiliating to have your sheep herding skills on display like that. After all, we have a "leave no sheep behind" policy.

Or...getting peed on by this little guy. Don't worry, it dried pretty quickly.

The first of these two trails is a hard one because not only is it 13 miles while gaining elevation it's the first long trail for the lambs. This means they are tired and haven't learned to stick by mama and follow the herd.

This picture below was a great portion of the trail because there was fencing along this stretch and the sheep were a bit easier to keep on track. Keep reading and you'll see what happens when there isn't good fencing.

This was right about when things went completely haywire! I mean...clothes even came off!

Lambs are mischievous little suckers. They frolic into every field, up every hill, every garden. It's no joke. This picture below is a great example of lambs misbehaving. The horses in this field actually charged at the lambs and helped us out a bit. The quality of this photo is horrible, but it was the best I could do while running. ;)

The sheep cheering squad was nice....this was around mile 5 of 13 on the first trail. First time in 20+ years we've had signs! I love my community. Two weekends later the sheep are now on our first permit of the summer, but this doesn't mean the work is done. Just this week J got a call from his friend that saw a small group of sheep running up the road. Again, mischievous little suckers. Needless to say there have been several trips up and will be many more to search for the group on the loose (click here to read about our ewe that walked herself all the way home!). Oh, and did I mention it's haying season as well? My husband works too damn hard. He deserves a vacation!

Happy First Day of Summer and please keep our beautiful state in your thoughts as we have many fires burning and a lot of firefighters risking their lives to save ours. 

And another important announcement in case you didn't know - Google Reader is going away July 1st, y'all.
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A Dear John To My Twenties.

Y'all I turned 3-0 today!  

My lovely twenties,

Boy, did we have some fun?!

We also made a lot of dumb decisions...like driving across the border into Tijuana for a fun weekend. How can that ever be a good idea? A lot of stupid occured with you; you had a way of justifying everything. I was young with you, very immature with you and very ignorant with you, but I loved you so, so very much. You were a constant reminder that I could (and did) get away with almost anything. I was 20 and I was living and loving my life even if I was pushing it to the edge a bit.

I made a lot of friends while with you and also lost a few which, I've learned was a good thing...for the most part.

I joined a sorority which I never thought I would do, but am so grateful that I did.  You were there when I dealt with two hard losses that I didn't think I'd get thru. You were there after these losses triggered a chronic disease that I thought at the time would ruin my life. I can be so dramatic. With you I was blessed with two adorable nephews and the most unique little girl that I get to call my niece not to mention one special little four-legged that I fell in love with even after I thought I wasn't ready to be a dog parent again. You most recently blessed me with this wonderful, beautiful life in the country. You are pretty badass for that. Thank you.

While with you I was often mad that I couldn't and didn't voice my opinion when I really wanted to. I've improved on that. Thank Gawd.

I spent lots of money that I didn't have on trips to Vegas. I am, however very glad I went often with my awesome college sorority sisters because had I not I would have never met my hunky hubby. What a story! So, thank you again for justifying everything.

With you I moved away from all I knew for "some guy" that I had so much hope in. I just had that feeling. You know, that feeling you only really hear about in movies. It was a huge leap faith that I owe to you. All of my experiences led me to have the courage to take such a leap of faith. I now call that guy, my husband and I love him with every ounce of my soul.

Looking back, I've come a long way. I'm no longer that ignorant, immature girl I once was. I've graduated from a girl to a lady. I walk with my head up, I speak my mind when appropriate and I feed the friendships you gave me as often as I can. I continue to make new friends and experience new adventures...something you taught me to always look for and leave my door open to.

I had a lot of challenges with you and while going thru them it was impossible to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Looking back I realize everything worked out just fine. Thank you for having my back and looking out for me. That is something I will take with me. The reassurance that everything always just.works.out.

Thank you for an educational, unpredictable and wild ride. I wouldn't change one thing about it.
Not a thing.

I'll take the loss, all the mistakes, sadness and bouts of depression for all the life I can say I've lived. And to think...I'm only 30! I have lots of time to accomplish so much more! :)

I'm embracing this new decade and will make it mine. It's about damn time 30 looked good!

Today we say goodbye. You will be missed, but not forgotten.
Thank you,
Veronica

Wordless Wednesdays - The Home Stretch.

This past week the very pregnant sheep came home from their winter range. This was their home stretch.

Mutton Mondays - a few things I learned this weekend.

Here's a not so heavy Mutton Monday post for ya!

A few things I learned this weekend is that I need dog-jail bars for my car to keep the 4-leggeds from trying to come sit on my lap while driving.

 

 The aftermath of trailing can be horrendous for your car. How am I barely just admitting to this?

 

Jigs can squeeze into the tiniest of places, especially when the alternative is sharing the front seat with ::gasp:: another dog!

 

I hope you can see Jigs' nose in this picture. She wasn't having the whole "sharing" thing.
 

Dog breath can help keep you warm on a chilly morning.

 

 

I will continue to stand by the belief that dog poo DEFINITELY smells worse than sheep poo.

AND the last and most important thing I learned this weekend is...

The ONLY thing, ladies and gents that will get this girl out of bed in the blink of an eye before the sun rises is a phone call saying, "It's a boy!"

 

We had our first lamb of the season this weekend.

Wordless Wednesdays - That's what she thinks about that.

Mutton Mondays - From The Ranch Gate to Dinner Plate

Many people are quite removed from the reality of where their food comes from. This film, From Ranch Gate to Dinner Plate was created by the Colorado Wool Growers and the American Sheep Industry to inform the public of the process that your lamb goes thru before it lands on your plate. From Ranch Gate to Dinner Plate is specific to the Colorado sheep industry however, many of the practices are used throughout the entire meat industry.

My hunky rancher husband filmed this movie. It makes us both quite happy he is able to use his talents and degree while helping the sheep industry. He left his job with Warren Miller Entertainment a few years ago when we decided to move down south to help his Dad with the ranch so when he is able to get the camera out and film, he is quite happy.

The film covers a wide range of topics from how ranch chutes are designed to the actual meat production process and there are a chapters on braising lamb, grilling lamb, barbecuing and roasting lamb. The film covers the humane treatment of sheep, the history of sheep ranching, industry challenges among many other topics.

Here is a link to the Colorado Wool Growers website where they have the movie broken up into chapters. I hope you'll take a few minutes to browse the chapters and learn something about the sheep industry.

I found it interesting that one of the main reasons for the popular dislike of lamb derived from World War II. WWII soldiers were served mutton that was often cooked poorly and therefore these soldiers were turned off by lamb, rightly so. This thinking has been passed down from generation to generation. I understand this is not the case for many people, but I never knew that is where the popular "dislike" of lamb came from. 

My favorite chapter is Chapter 4: Challenges

This chapter discusses the wide array of challenges we face as sheep producers. I feel like ranchers are always getting the short end of the stick. Ever since we've become part of this industry it seems we are constantly on the defensive. Whether someone is trying to kick us off our forest permits, a new law that prohibits our cattle friends from using a certain ranch technique or funding being cut from our Wildlife Services program which will allow more coyotes and bear to kill our ewes and lambs.

The Agriculture Industry is a vital part of our economy and even though you may have never set foot on a ranch, what happens on our ranch ultimately affects you.

If you watch a few minutes of this film you will realize how passionate my fellow sheep ranchers are about their sheep, their ranch and the quality of their product. You also might see a few clips of our ranch and our sheep like this one below! :)

If you would, please take a few minutes to answer these questions. I'm just doing some research for future blog posts and I'd love your input.

What keeps you from eating lamb?
Before watching this film did had you heard about the H-2A Visa Herder Program?
Do you know anything about the Big Horned Sheep conflict?
What did you find most interesting about the film or the clip you watched?
What does Predator Control mean to you?

A Four-Legged Frenzy = Lesson Learned.

The other day I was driving to work and noticed the first country-life sign of spring. Calves. Fellow cattle blogger friends - how do you stand the cuteness? Lambs are cute, but there is something about calves that makes me want to knit one a sweater, clip on a leash and take it for walks then follow that up with a bunch of snuggling.

My drive to work is ten minutes, 2 stop signs and country on both sides of me. Beautiful? Yes. Easy? No. This does have something to do with the cute calves I just mentioned, I promise. You see, the road I take to work isn't nicknamed the "Buck Highway" for no reason. So, I should know better than to take in the scenes of calving season rather than be on high alert looking right and left, left and right for deer. 365 days of the year.

I still don't know what I was thinking as I took my eyes off the road for 5 seconds to stare at the calves. Well actually, I do know what I was thinking. They are so cute. Cuddly. Cozy, fuzzy, a little wobbly and just every bit of precious. I started imagining having one as a pet. Where it would live? Would I be able to hide it from J? I'd have to steal hay from our own barn to feed it. Could I go to jail for that like these barn thieves might? Would Jigs get along with him or her? Maybe they would play together.

We'd name him/her "Banjo".

It was right in the middle of my vivid visualizations that I remembered there was a large vehicle I was (supposed to be) operating and that I should probably pay attention when a deer jumped out from the shoulder of the road. I swear it was hiding in a hole in the ground because it came from nowhere. The local deer gang had plotted this out, I'm sure of it.


All I can say is something truly electric happens to the human body when you go from such a peaceful state of mind to one of fear, surprise and shock. I haven't put my finger on what it is, but if I had to imagine what a heart attack feels like, this would probably be a similar feeling.

After I screamed loud enough to hurt my own ears, I realized we were all okay. The bouncy four-legged deer went on his merry way to scare the crap outta some other poor soul. The calves in the field continued on with their cuteness and I vowed never to take my eyes off the road again. Ever again.

Basset Hound at the ranch?

Since I'm not allowed any more animals that don't "work" at the ranch I'm in dire need of finding a purpose for a basset hound.

Here are just a few reasons why.



Source: bestweekever.tv

For more basset hound photos (because I know you just want more!) go here.
and to see the most adorable male dog-model, click here.

Wordless Wednesdays - "Uh, it's a little crowded back here!"

Wordless Wednesdays - A ram and goat and the fight for food.

Happy Monday. Or not.

It snowed about 5 inches last night. {{thumbs up!}}

My car decided to die on the way to work this morning. {{thumbs down!}}

I'm sick, but have to be at work today and it feels like a tennis ball is lodged in my throat. {{thumbs down!}}

 {{ Oh, how I wish this was me on my comfy, cozy bed right about now. }}

Gringo on a summer day, working hard.

How are you surviving your Monday?

Wordless Wednesdays - Run Rabbit. Run.

Happy Shipping Day?

Found this over at The Rustic Chick

It's shipping day at the ranch and I've contemplated writing about shipping day because it's a day of mixed emotions. I don't really know how I should be feeling about it yet.

I love all furry things and I have really enjoyed watching the lambs at the ranch grow, but the reality is that we do sell them in order to make a living. Does that make me any less of an animal lover? Is it okay that I am proud of our success in raising our first herd to sell?  Or am I expected to only feel heavyhearted?

Today, I am feeling a bit of both.

I guess this is just how it goes.

We can't keep every single one of these animals because it's just not possible and they are not our pets. Our job is to raise the lambs, give them the best lives possible and make sure they are happy, safe and healthy while in our care. I can say that we have done all this and now it is time to ship them off.

I think people take having food so accessible, for granted. It's easy to do. I'm guilty of it as well!

Today is a reminder that milk doesn’t come from the carton, meat doesn’t come from the deli and vegetables don't come from the produce section at the grocery store. These things come from farms and ranches like ours.

Found this at the Missouri Farm Bureau website.

Just know that ranchers and farmers truly care about their product(s) and it's good to remember the hard work and care that goes into making the food you eat.

{don't forget to submit your photo!}

National Hug a Sheep Day! {contest}

Crazy Sheep Lady has coined National Hug a Sheep Day and I am loving it.

This year, National Hug a Sheep Day will be on October 29th and you better believe I am celebrating it!

So, here's how we are celebrating at City Life to Ranching Wife.

No, we aren't strangling sheep despite what the picture above looks like.

We are {hugging} sheep!

All you have to do is email me a picture of you hugging a sheep (it can be any kind of sheep – a doll, a picture. Get creative!) before October 29th and you’ll be entered in my little giveaway. That's it!

What will you win?

The winner of this contest will win this sheep picture frame.

How will I pick the winner? 

I will pick the winner at random, using a random number generator like this.

So, get to hugging and send me the picture! That's it! It's simple. 

By entering you are giving consent to have your picture posted on the ever so scary internet! I don't mind linking your picture to your blog or website, either. (Just a little more incentive to enter.) ;)

Email your pictures to citylifetoranchingwife(at)(gmail)(dot)(com) on or before Friday, October 28th.
 
The winner will be announced on October 29th.

Can't wait to see the entries (and crossing my fingers that I have at least one participant)!

Wordless Wednesdays - Pups in the high country

Here are a few pictures J managed to get a few weeks before the sheep came off the mountain. 

Nell taking a break.

Handsome Wito.

Coming Home.

The alarm buzzes and I think, It can’t be time already.

As I stumble through my morning routine I am ready within minutes for Rambling Ewe Ranch’s big day.

The moon fills the sky and sheds enough light so we can find our way to the truck.
Orange flag in hand, Camelbak packed, we load up water and lunches for the herders. J checks the trailer to ensure proper hitching and we hop up in the truck.

We pick up Alberto, he lives nearby on the ranch. Elias and Daniel are waiting for us at the mountain.

Our herders are used to this early work, it’s a daily occurrence for them. For me, it's a little tough and I find myself unable to hold back the yawning.

As we all make our way up to where the sheep, Elias and Daniel are waiting, the excitement begins to build.

The mamas and babies are coming home!

Make way B-town…Sheep on Road!

I am dropped off about a mile ahead of where the sheep will get on the road and  I find myself smiling with excitement. It’s just me, the horses in the field nearby out this time of day and the road is quiet. Soon enough cars will be making their appearance. I sure hope we have happy drivers today.

It’s important the cars see me as they are driving.  My sole purpose as flagger is to alert cars that sheep are ahead and to PLEASE slow down.

Most cars slow down and enjoy the drive through the sheep. Some smile and wave and roll down their windows. Some want to chat with you about the sheep and ask how many we have this year. Many times children poke their heads out of the car to get a better view of the sheep. Other cars take heed to our signs that are posted the week prior and avoid the street altogether. That's fine too.

Some forget the sheep are on the road and are either pleasantly surprised or grumble the whole way through.

I radio J on the walkie-talkie and ask them what his status is. He replies back, "They are on the road!"

I wait to see the first sheep around the bend and start walking!  "Okie dokie! Here we go!"

Soon enough we are rocking and rolling.

J will trail the back of the herd in the truck. He slows traffic behind him as he pulls our horse trailer full of our dogs that were working on the mountain. There is an orange, bright sign on the back of the truck that says, Sheep on Road. We don't let the dogs trail on the road, we've had a car hit one of our dogs once before and want to ensure that doesn't happen again.

They want to be where the sheep are. They aren't happy campers when they aren't.

Last year the sheep wanted to run home (all 12 miles) and this year was a bit better. They weren't in such a rush.

Jigs did come along for the ride, but slept most of the time in the car. She gets by on her looks, not her hard work. ;)

Along the way, I enjoy the view of the foothills of the San Juans. It’s a lovely sight and there is something about leading hundreds of sheep to a place they love, that makes your heart happy.




And so, I am reporting back with news of a good and successful day. Today is a milestone for J and I. We made it through our first full year of sheep ranching! It's a wonderful feeling and I want to say thank you to everyone that has offered us their support, prayers and words of encouragement over the past few months.

Tonight our herders are proud of their work (as they should be) and our sheep are happy. 

"Trailing 2011"