Here's yer sign

So I got an email this morning that asked if I still wanted to be part of Mountains Beyond the Cows.  
I do.  
I signed up for the notification of new postings.  


So....  
No apologies, life is what it is.  I haven't posted for almost 2 months now, but have not forgotten.   And the occasional posts/emails/snarls from friends/family/friends I haven't met/others, do produce results.  

Okay, to try and somewhat catch up, I'm going to do a photo journey for you.  

July 7th

Photo credit to Lorna Jimmie  

As a community, we had an amazing rodeo weekend.  Contestants were delighted  with the new events added and prize money available.  

Personally, I'm always happy when Monday rolls around after rodeo weekend, but with our new events and format, it was quite possibly the most exhausting weekend ever.  Worked out well and the spectators were happy, but next year..........  more delegating is a huge priority.  

July 8th

View from my kitchen window

July 9th

July 10th

July 11th 

Tired boy, tired dog...

July 12

Cows on summer range

July 18th

JULY 19th

Lunch Lake 

July 21st 

Coming in through the fog.

July 22nd 

July 24th 

This is a photo of a photo.  During our 16 day mountain ride we go right over the Itcha Mountains to the Pan Phillips Fishing Resort for some much appreciated R & R.  Rob and Linda were outstanding hosts, as usual.  This time was a bit special as Rob brought out his collection of photos and newspaper clippings.  I hope to get back in there this winter to help them organize and preserve what has painstakingly been collected.  The photo shown is Rob's father (Pan Phillips on the bay horse in front) and Barry Remple (brother in law) heeling the moose.  The back story is that the moose had actually been caught in a steel trap meant for a fur bearing critter and probably would have died if not for the men taking the time to capture and free the animal.  

July 26th

Cody and Vickie arguing over who gets the dinner plate (he won this time). 

July 27th 

Riding past Pipe Organ Moutain

July 28th

Climbing over the pass from Pan Valley.  "Smile Magalie, you could be famous......."  :)

July 29th

Peaches testing out the contents of Liz's bottle.  Delicious.....  

July 30th

Corkscrew Island Camp

July 31st

Horses having a much needed break.  

Aug 3rd

A young friend that helped me out a lot this summer.

Aug 5th 

Summer Range

Aug 6th

Try it, you own't regret it. 

Aug 8th

Sweet Rea, teaching another kid to ride.  Ava is having a blast and kept telling Jackson (who was leading her) "keep going buddy, keep going".

August 10th

Heading for High Camp in the Ilgatchuz.

August 12

Luckily we had an excellent nurse along to fix up Jackson after his painful reminder about sharp axes.

August 13th

A weird evening.  The smoke rolled in shortly after we set up camp and the skies were dark.    

August 14th

We knew it was going to be a good day, and it was!

August 15th

Dog down!

August 16th

Jackson and I (and Brady and Zip) did a big climb up the side of Pipe Organ.  Was a bit smoky but still beautiful.  

August 17th

A smoky morning in Pan Valley.

August 18th

Cooperation.

August 19th

Trailing the horses home at the end of the ride.

August 20th

Back to the ranch to deal with a wolf bit calf, luckily already healing well.

August 21st

We've been kicked out of the Park again, so its another short season.  Very frustrating.

August 25th

Could not agree more.

August 26th

Plenty of late summer feed.

Looking through the impressively long ears of Shmoose with trusty Zip to my right.

August 27th

Finally getting the cows to summer range after a very long day (and several hours to go before getting to the Cabin.)

August 28th

Salt is often brought to the range in the winter and stored in these pails.  Being by myself, I was at a bit of a loss of how I was going to transport them to where they needed to be.  But good old Shmoosey solved my problem by allowing me to tie them to my saddle and I led her to where we needed to go.  During our very long ride the night before, she also allowed Ben to ride double so he could rest against my back.  And I packed my very sore footed Zip dog for several miles as well.  I don't know if we happened to end up with the best Standardbred ever, or if they are all this amazing.    

August 29th

Sorbay carefully taking my niece for a ride through the heifers.

There may be a few stories to tell along the way, and I will get back to that!

Hope the summer has treated you well.

All the best, 

Punky