Welcome to our ranch near Canada's west coast in Beautiful British Columbia's West Chilcotin mountain region. Where calling the vet means hollering back at the house to bring your kit, new friendships are formed from the back of a horse and true fun for a five year old is getting a machete for Christmas. Where 'cutting the dinks off' has a totally different meaning than what first comes to mind, Muck Boots are a household name, a hand shake still means something and the coffee is always on.

Thursday 1 January 2015

WELCOME

As we wandered across the alpine one day, a trail rider friend told me that I really should start a blog. "Pardon? A what?" I said, sure that between the rustling packs, tinkling tack and hooves striking rocks, I must have heard her just clearing her throat or blowing her nose. "A blog" she repeated, "They're a great way to share and people would really enjoy reading about your lifestyle". I was thoroughly flabbergasted at the idea, but Carla's suggestion appealed to me and three years later, and with my blog knowledge only slightly increased,  I'm finally following up. 

So welcome to this peek into our lives in the West Chilcotin. Our main focus is the 600 head cow/calf operation run jointly between ourselves and my parents. My parents, Roger Williams and Wanda Dorsey, have been taking trail rides into the Itcha and Ilgatchuz Mountains since 1978 and I started in as a wrangler at the age of 12. My husband, Eli, also has deep roots in the mountains and guiding business and was raised in the Tatla Lake area. Eli and I recently purchased the guide territory Lehman Creek Outfitting and will start our first season in 2015. Our two upcoming 'top hands' are Jackson (9) and Benjamin (5) and let me tell you, there has never been a dull moment since those two came along!





Our area is considered remote by most standards. We are a four hour drive from the nearest town with a vet. Or a Walmart or a movie theatre. We don't have cell phone service. We do have mosquitoes. And mud. And snow and 40 below. And clear air, bright stars and creeks you can drink out of. We can ride out our back door and not see a sign of another human for 10 days on the trail. We can stand outside our front door and hear only what nature has to say. And do it nude and unnoticed if willing to brave the above mentioned mosquitoes or 40 below. It's a tough life in many ways, but once in your blood, it's near impossible to get rid of. 




                                                                                           Photo Credit Nan Currie


I look forward to documenting and describing our lifestyle to you and no doubt it will be a learning experience for both of us. We will be calving, branding, shoeing horses, range riding, hosting colt starting clinics, cooking, mountain trail riding, haying, hunting and guiding, winter feeding, working on fence projects and trying to keep up to two busy boys. I'll add some local history and stories, lots of photos and whatever else perks my interest or yours. 

Any suggestions about what you'd like to hear about or what you would like to see are very welcome. Your patience as I figure this process out is much appreciated. 


Photo Credit to my friend Sheena Martinez

"Cheers" to you and this new adventure and perhaps we will catch up along the trail one day.


Sincerely,
Punky 

19 comments:

MD4 said...

So AWESOME!! Great job so far! I look forward to more!

Unknown said...

I lived in Nimpo Lake from 1980 to 1988. My grandparents, Irv and Loni Thomson, owned a ranch up the Morrison Meado Rd. I'm really looking forward to reading your blog.

nature's beauty haiku said...

Punky, I love this! You are a good writer and the "wired" world needs to hear your story. Please keep it up and add me to your email: duffymike791@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Excellent first blog, congratulations! I hear there is a crazy girl from Down Under harassing you lovely people, she goes by the name Laura. Any stories about her would be gratefully appreciated! Keep up the great work.

Bella Johnson said...

This showed up in my news feed on facebook, I can't wait to read about your adventures! I'll add your blog to my favs :)

Unknown said...

Dear Terra. I totally love your blog and your stories. Now you need to write a book. I am looking forward to hearing more about your life and experiences "out west". Cheers right back at ya - Debbie Barron.

Unknown said...

And, please add me to your email as well. ulgatcho54@gmail.com.

Terra Hatch said...

I'm trying to reply. Again. Because I am sure I know the rampaging Australian you mention... can't be too many of them. Stories follow the girl I know.......
Please let me know if you get this as I am having trouble 'replying' and not sure what is getting through. Cheers!

Terra Hatch said...

MD4! You are the first to comment..... should win a prize or something right? Thanks so much, I look forward to what this new adventure might bring....

Terra Hatch said...

Jennie, I'm gong to ask mum and dad about your grandparents, I'm sure I've heard those names! Perhaps we can find a good story to tell. The Chilcotin is full of them. :) Cheers and thanks for being part of this new adventure.

Terra Hatch said...

Thanks Mike! Should be an interesting adventure. I'm looking forward to it! Suggestions very welcome. :)

Terra Hatch said...

Thanks Bella! Am looking forward to this new adventure myself. Please feel free to question or comment!

Terra Hatch said...

I knew a Debbie Barron years ago in Williams Lake, when I was in high school. Who had a very awesome young son that I tutored for a few years. Any chance this might be the same one?
In any case, thanks for being a part of this adventure! Your suggestions and comments are welcome!
Cheers!

Unknown said...

My dear Terra, it is us. We have been so wanting to reconnect with you! Our Justin is well and would also love to see you again. What a small world it is. I have to thank your blog builder, Jeffery Newman, for telling me about your blog. I told him at the time that I thought you might be our Terra but had the last name all wrong. I am so excited now. Our phone number is the same, 250-392-2504. Until we meet again - Hugs, Debbie, Lorne and Justin

Terra Hatch said...

That is amazing! I will absolutely give you a call and hopefully we can get together next time I am out in the bright lights. So good to connect, thanks for that!

Unknown said...

We are so looking forward to hearing from you and eventually seeing you. We never thanked you enough for all you did for Justin from helping him with his education every day through the years to taking him on horse riding trips when he got his work done. You were a huge influence in his life and we are eternally grateful for all that you did to help him and see him along. He is an incredibally kind and interesting man and you would be proud of the person that you helped create.

Diana Bertram said...

Hi Punky...love your stories..can't wait for the next chapter

Terra Hatch said...

Thanks Diana! Have you figured out how to start a blog yet? I know for sure you've got some wonderful stories to share!

Unknown said...

Dear Punky: your experiences and adventures "out west" bring many rays of sunshine to my day and bring me back to a time when I was a young mother on the ranch. We lived remotely and off the grid. Had a cow/calf operation and bred and raised quarter horses. Your blog is an inspiration.