Irrigation Season is here
June 18, 2008
Posted By: matt


June 18th, 2008

Just a quick note. Summer is struggling to get here. Snowed a lot on the 8th of June! I’ll attach a photo.

Joey and I turned on the irrigation water on Fathers Day. We are running about 12 CFS right now. We finally got all the ditches ready, meadows harrowed and aerated. Now we just need warm weather to make the grass grow. The cows are still on the meadows, as we want them to get settled in, so if and when they get out, they know where they are supposed to be!. Turned the bulls out with them a couple of weeks ago.

We will bring the calves back in soon, brand and... more »

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june snow
June 18, 2008
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busy.. busy .. busy
June 4, 2008
Posted By: matt


June 4, 2008

Spring has finally come up here at the ranch, although they are fore casting snow showers tomorrow. I can tolerate the S word when its not going to pile up anymore!

We have been working as much as possible since we are a good 30 days late starting. Joey has repaired most of the interior fences, and has working about ½ way around the parameter fences. The record snow was very hard on the wire. Most ¼ mile stretches have about 20 breaks in it.

I’ve been cleaning and repairing irrigation ditches. We will harrow and aerate the meadows once they finish drying out next week.... more »

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cold calves
May 14, 2008
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May 14, 2008

Just a quick note. Winter refuses to leave the Colorado mountains this year! I got home Friday night, just barely before a new blizzard hit! We had four cows calve that night. It was really nasty, and I had the cows out on pasture, since the calendar says its mid May!
We had to bring one new calf in to spend the night in front of the wood stove. Joey took a photo, so I will try to up load it on the web site soon.

Sunday afternoon was really nice, so we took advantage. Joey and I set up some targets and sighted in some rifles! We both received new 270’s for Christmas, and... more »

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rivers are running full
May 6, 2008
Posted By: matt


May 6th, 2008

Spring is finally coming around here at the ranch. Since winter was slow in coming this year, I guess it had to be slow in leaving! The meadows are clearing off on the south facing slopes, and water is running everywhere. Kim and I tried to take the ranch pickup up the road past the stack yard today, but its still well over a foot deep on the road where I quit plowing. With the sun shine, I think we will be able to get to the upper meadows in about 10 days. Most years we would be harrowing and aerating the meadows already.

The tulips are ready to bloom, and several... more »

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Horses, cows and snow
April 12, 2008
Posted By: matt


April 12, 2008

Holy smokes, I don’t think it’s ever going to stop snowing! We’ve had at least 48” on fresh snow in the last 10 days. Just when the snow pack was melting down to where we could see some actual bare ground in the driveway, it started again! We have left the young bred cows in Wiggins, but I need to get them home soon. It’s really hard to keep new borne calves alive with this much new snow falling daily. They lay down and get covered by the wet heavy snow, and then they suffocate.

The cows we sold brought a very good price, but the replacement heifers we bought were... more »

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march is over
March 28, 2008
Posted By:


March 28th

So, the sun is shining again, after snow falling most of the month. The old saying about in like a lion and out like a lamb is proving to be true! The beauty of snow in late March is that it melts off real quick. The snow pack is setting quickly also, which is now down to about 24”. Overall snow for the season is over 450”. Now everyone in the valley’s are worried about flooding this spring. We don’t have to worry about it up here at the ranch, as we are up high.

We have spent a lot of time looking at ranches to expand to, mostly in Wyoming. Property there has gotten very... more »

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snow machines
March 10, 2008
Posted By: matt


March 10th, 2008

March came in with a vengeance, so it’s gonna leave like a lamb, right? The mountains are getting a real winter this year, but so has the rest of the country. This will give everyone stories to tell their grand kid, “I remember the winter of 2007……….”
The paper reports that we’re over 436” so far this winter.

The sun has been shinning bright the last few days, so everyone is in better spirits.

With the time change yesterday, Joey and I went to play on the snow machines yesterday afternoon. We got home from a 4H meeting about 3 PM with lots of sun, so what the heck.... more »

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rodoe update
February 25, 2008
Posted By: matt


February 25th, 2008

Joey had another NLBRA rodeo this weekend. Its hard being competitive this time of year, with no place to practice.

Joey had a tough day Saturday; won the flag race {which is very unusual for his main horse} missed his break away calf {had a wreck on his spare horse!}, his heeler missed in team roping, and fumbled his string in goat tying, {he’d rather tie calves}.
Sunday he redeemed himself, and won the all around for the day, winning all four events!

We woke up this morning to 8 or 10” of fresh snow. Got to love it :)-

We’re preparing to move the cow herd... more »

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Disney Trip, ya hoo!
February 21, 2008
Posted By: matt


February 21st 2008

Merry {late} Valentines Day!

We got to take a few days off and get out of the snow! We went to visit my Uncle Mike in Orlando. Spent 4 days in Disney World, and walked entirely too much, but it was fun.
Joey brought his two best friends along, Taylor and Tristan. We stayed at Fort Wilderness, where they have small cabins. That way we were able to bring our own food and do our own cooking. Since its right in the park, we were able to take busses all around Disney, without renting a car. The one bedroom had bunk beds and a full size bed, while the living room has a... more »

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the sun is shining
February 10, 2008
Posted By: matt


Wow, two days in a row!

Checked the cows at Wiggins yesterday.There's still snow cover down there, but the snow is slushy, and the cows can finally graze on the alfalfa pasture we bought for winter feed. Were figuring on bringing them home in April, so we'd like to get the value from the feed thats been under the snow before we move them.

Keep shining sun........

matt... more »

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still snowing
February 6, 2008
Posted By: matt


February 6th 2008

We are officially sick of winter! And it’s only February………

I’m getting so cramped up in the house that I’ve started reading the editorials in the local paper. For me, that’s really weird! I did like the one this morning, as the writer is as sick of snow as I am. I understand from some folks that we had a record snow fall for December. Were over 26 feet for the season so far! That right, over 312 inches of new snow has fallen.

Today is snow boarding day for Joey at school, and its snowing over 1” per hour. He loves the deep powder, so they should have a fun day ... more »

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another task
January 23, 2008
Posted By: matt


January 23rd, 2008

Greetings,

I’m getting too old to hang with the younger crowd! Joey and I went to a roping last night in Eagle, and didn’t get home till after mid night. I’ve been dragging all day! That boy is a top hand. Since they are snow boarding on Wednesdays for school, he was fine this AM. If there had been classes to attend, I’m sure he would have been tired too!

My back has been really bothering me again. Riding really helps it a lot, but we have no where to ride at the ranch, as the snow is too deep, and the bladed areas are too slick. I decided I needed to bust the ice... more »

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Burrrrrrrrrrr
January 16, 2008
Posted By: matt


January 16th, 2008

Holly cow its cold our there! Its been sunny, but the sun just went down so it feels colder than it really is. Looked at the thermometer on the side of the barn and it’s 6 degrees. Been getting down to minus 10 to minus 20 before dawn in the mornings.

Joey’s school has winter sports every year, where they take the kids to Steamboat on Wednesday’s for 5 or 6 weeks. Today was his first day. I bet they froze their butts off today! Joe snow boards pretty good actually. I’ve tried it, but I’m not very graceful.

Our Web designer spent the day here a few days ago. You... more »

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jan 8th update
January 8, 2008
Posted By:


January 8th, 2008

Update on Molly; she seems to be fine. We have her on vitamin K daily, to slow down the potential internal bleeding caused by the poison.

Joey and I were gone most of last week, and got home after midnight Sunday, or I guess early Monday morning.

We have 17 head of horses turned out on pasture with the cows. We didn’t pull shoes before we unloaded, as we didn’t account for them being in the snow forever! So we had to catch them and pull shoes. Joey decided being a horse shoe’r is way too much work. My back agrees.

Cows look OK, all though the winter is being... more »

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happy new year
January 1, 2008
Posted By: matt


January 1, 2008

Wow, this last year seems like it took fore ever around here! It’s usually the opposite, but the Lord put some substantial road blocks in my way this year, and I’m a slow learner!!!

OK, so this years gonna be GREAT…..right?

The weather has been the topic around here lately. Winter was slow in coming, but man did it hit with a vengeance once it got here! We usually get more snow than we have now, but the storms come and then we get beautiful sunshine. So far we’ve been stuck with a perpetual storm. All roads in and out of the entire Rocky Mtn West have been closed for... more »

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Post season hunt memo
November 17, 2007
Posted By: matt


OK< OK< OK

I’ve been getting a lot of grief for not every making entries into the blog. Sorry, but I seem to never have time in the spring and summer. Then fall brings the hunts, and the rest is history!

Just a quick note of thanks for all this years big game hunters;

We really enjoyed having everyone this year. You all come and are a part of our family while you’re here, and that’s what makes the best memories. Hopefully you all see the benefit of hunting here, with a family operation, versus hiring a more commercial outfitter.

*Our archer hunters were 100% take, cows... more »

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Calving time!
April 5, 2007
Posted By: matt


Sorry for the lack of impute lately. Typing isn’t my favorite past time. And to boot, I just typed a whole page and then lost it before I got it uploaded……….

Spring mud season is here. The snow is almost melted, which is not good. It’s way too early to have the snow melted off. This may mean a long dry summer, which is bad for pasture and hay crops. Although with diesel already selling for $3.25 per gallon, we wont be able to pay for the fuel to cut hay any ways! Hopefully we can take advantage of CAFTA and get cheap hay from Mexico! “this is a joke of course”.

We are in the middle of... more »

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Ode to Winter
January 14, 2007
Posted By: matt


I received a new digital camera for Christmas, but haven’t quite got the “bugs” worked out yet. I took some shots of our fire wood pile to give you an idea of what we do all day this time of year. I’ll get the photos here soon. The wood pile is over 5 feet high, 6 feet wide and 40 feet long right now. That’s after we’ve already burned about 4 cords! Oh you gotta love the romance of a log fire!? NOT.

I’ve had the flu for the last week, yuck. First time in over 4 years though. Kim and Joey have been OK so far. Usually its Joey that’s sick.

Joey finished a winter series for the National... more »

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Merry Christmas
December 25, 2006
Posted By: Matt


Merry Christmas!

What a blessing to live in America, and to know Christ as Savior.

This winter has not seen near the snow as last, but just being our second year on the place is keeping us more than busy. So far we haven’t moved out all the horses, and in fact are feeding several for a friend. Hay is scarce, due to the sustained drought throughout the West, so we are going to get rid of several horses and restock after spring grass.

We will start having calves in late March, and hope to build the cow herd through out the summer. Most of the rental hay ground from last year has sold... more »

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winter's here
October 22, 2006
Posted By: matt


We just completed the first rifle season with a grout that has come Nebraska for some 20 years! There were seven guys this year, which made High Camp a little cramped but fun! They all saw several elk, but the weather wasnt in their favor this year. Several storms moved through making shooting difficult. The wrangler earned his keep, saddling up to 8 saddle horses and two pack animals before 4 AM every morning. I'm glad Lyle was here for the help!

No second season hunters this year. We were hoping to have family and friends come in, but the timing just didnt work out. We've had interest in... more »

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Time Flies!
October 7, 2006
Posted By: matt


Here it is, October 14th.....We are done with the hay, well almost. We had trouble with the big baler, and we have at least one semi load of hay on the ground here at the ranch. Its only been snowed on twice, and now its been raining for a solid week.

Once Joey started school, finishing up the hay was tough. Really missed his help, as he ran the tractor with the MOCO, {cutter}. Joey's playing his first year of football, and really enjoys it. This of course keeps him at school late every day, so he gets to skip alot of chores! Winter rodeo season is getting in full swing, so he must start... more »

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Well needed coupled days off
August 3, 2006
Posted By: Matt


We're getting a few day's off.......whew. Long time friend is here with his family, and were getting some rain. Weve put up well over 500 tons of hay so far. Kim, Joey and I are all really tired, but thats agriculture in America. Break downs have been problematic, but normal. The fuel prices are whats going to make us loose money this summer. Wish I owned stock in Exon / Mobile.
We tore off the addition at High Camp, only to find there is spring running out from underneath. We have redesigned again, and are going to add a nice outside patio/deck, and restore only the original log... more »

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Hay season in full swing
July 18, 2006
Posted By: Matt


OK, so I need to teach someone else how to sit here and type!. Sorry for being so far behind, but there just isnt enough of me to go around some days!
We've struggled trying to get a ton of ranch repairs done in a short time this summer. Between constructing over 5 miles of new fence, repairng old fence and general maintainace, were more than covered up. Our oldest Timmy came up several weeks and helped on fence, and my folks came and helped Kim on the main house for a while, so that was good. One of Joeys friends came up for two weeks at the start of hay season. Jacob was GREAT help.... more »

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Ditches are running full!
June 7, 2006
Posted By: Matt


We've got the irrigation ditches all turned on as of the last couple of days. Our main ditch is over 16,000 feet from the ranch to the head gate up Trout Creek where we turn in. The ditch is all through deep timber on the National Forest, so it is a constant job to keep it clean of trees and debris.
If the ditch gets clogged up, the water spills over the edge, washing out the bank, causing us to loose all the water. I'ts a huge endevor to repair, as the trail is quite small in places. We monitor the water levels at least twice a day, and ride up the ditch as needed, no less than every... more »

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Way Busy
May 14, 2006
Posted By: Matt


Happy Mothers Day to my Mom!
Were actually going to let the fire go out in the wood stove today! Hopefully this means summer is just around the corner.
We have all the supplies in the yard to build over 5 miles of fencing. We are going to use a contractor from Greeley to complete the major part of the work. We've had a D8 dozer working for several days leveling the area for the new corrals and roping areana. Working on pricing now.We prefer to use lodgepole corral poles, but it may be less expensive to build steel.
The fencing contractor will be staying in the lodge. Once he's... more »

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Summer season
May 1, 2006
Posted By: Matt


We are officially in the summer season now! We pulled the snow chains off of all the feeding equipment this weekend. We started burning ditches and are preparing to harrow the meadows this next week and the next.

We've been without water this weekend, thanks to the well house burning down! Oh the joys of being independant. Can't phone the water company and complain! We had planned on replacing it before next winter, but not right now!

We are helping the Maneotis's move their sheep from winter pasture up here for the summer. They winter in Utah, Whyoming and north of Denver.
I'll drive... more »

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Hayin' on the Mind
April 26, 2006
Posted By: Matt


Yesterday, we spent from 6AM till Noon, looking for the escapee heifers! They love to chase grass in the early spring, and with some fences in poor repair after winter...........We ended up finding them on the old Woody place, about 3 miles to the West. Joey, Matt {me}, Speck and Molly got them back without too much trouble. Then we worked till dark on some bad spots in the fence. Looks like their still home this AM, so thats a relief for the moment.

Folks are harrowing the meadows down in the Steamboat Valley already, so were gearing up for summer hay season! We're going to meet a land... more »

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Spring has sprung
April 19, 2006
Posted By: Matt


This is my favorite time of the year! There is new life everywhere you look. This is one of the few years of my life we arent in the middle of calving. Hopefully, next year we'll be back in full swing.
We still have a snow base of well over 30 inches, but the south facing slopes are bare. The irrigation ditches are over flowing with the run off. Trout Creek is almost out of it's banks, with the peak runoff to be in the next 2 to 3 weeks.
We've brought in two big trailer loads of TGI's and deminsional lumber to start the remodeling. We will complete the new addition to the lodge... more »

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Just an update
March 31, 2006
Posted By: Matt


We just returned from a three thousand mile road trip, looking at equipment for the ranch. Our local communities are remote enough that the pricing on large items is sometimes higher than other places.

We secured a large square baler, which makes 3'x4'x8' bales of hay. This larger baling capacity make putting up hay alot faster, which with the frequent summer showers is a must.

We also bought a new {to us} Peterbilt tractor to make a dump truck, replacing the one I wrecked last Christmas.

Now we really have to get to work getting ready for spring and summer. We returned home to a... more »

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Mud Season is on the Way..........
March 10, 2006
Posted By: Matt


If winter seems long in the Mountains.......just wait for Mud Season!
I'ts said we have only three distinct seasons, Mud Season, Summer, Winter and another Mud Season! Gotta luv it.

The snow has really receaded the last two weeks. It's been snowing again this week, but not building up much. Hooray.......

I had Joey saddle a horse yesterday and ride up to the logde for a "snow report". I've dozed the road open several times through the winter, but I kind of quit a month ago. Joey reports that it's not too deep up the road, only belly deep on a tall horse! We are going to doze open... more »

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Oh the sunshine!
February 27, 2006
Posted By: Matt


The wonderfull thing about living in the high mountains is the radiant heat of the sunshine. Around here, if the sun is shinning, you dont need your coat on! Really, even if its in the low 20's, you break a sweat while feeding! The night temp's have been around zero, but with day time highs in the 30's, we've all got spring fever.
Another Pacific storm is moving our way mid week, so I suppose we better put away the swim suits, and keep the snow plows fired up.:(
Spent last weekend at a Little Britches Rodeo in Rifle CO. Joey and his healer didnt place in the team roping either... more »

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