Ranch Camp Cleanup to Branding Preparation

Since Papa and I were married in 1981, we've had household help until we moved to the ranch.  Our ranch road is rough and we are so remote, that I have cleaned the house myself since 2003.  We have more to take care of at the ranch than we've had before.  Since our family left Ranch Camp on June 21, I've been cleaning up - washing 17 sets of sheets, windows, floors, bathrooms...  And yesterday, I turned the page to preparing for Branding Week, when our first guests arrive on July 13. 

We love having guests!  Preparation for their arrival has become the time when I plan activities, meals, and other details.  During the days of cleanup, I find myself smiling as I relive moments of the visit.  Over this past weekend, I put together a Ranch Camp slideshow set to music, and I've played it over and over as I've been busy preparing for Branding Week.  All good!

More Rain!

The ranch is growing greener and more lush every day.  We've been fortunate to have several June rains, with more yesterday.  Summer rains are the lifeblood of desert ranches.  Our cows are happy!

Summer Rain Clouds

Papa and I spent most of this week in Tucson.  We returned to the ranch late yesterday afternoon.  By early evening, we were surrounded by rain clouds, dumping .30" rain on the ranch.  The air cooled from the 80's to 70 degrees.  It's good to be back home on the ranch!

Last Morning of Ranch Camp

Toby and Greta were up early on Sunday morning, to clean rocks with soapy water.  Each chose rocks to take home in their backpacks.  Audrey's family packed up and drove away by 8.  We drove Whitney's family to the gate by 8:30.  Papa and I were sad to see them go.  We made many happy memories during Ranch Camp 2015!

Ranch Camp - Post Branding Afternoon

Brian and his family left Ranch Camp just after the Branding.  None of us wanted to say goodbye!  We had our Branding Lunch, with trophies given to all children participating in Ranch Camp. They were thrilled to get a trophy, the first for most.  The kids played with Savannah's puppy and hunted for lizards.  Claire's family left by mid-afternoon.  After dinner, the rest of us, Whitney and Audrey's families along with Papa and me, had another ride in the ranger to hunt for rocks and crystals.  Papa read stories before bedtime.  Oh, what a day!

Ranch Camp Branding

Colter offered to do a mini-branding for Ranch Camp.  Saturday morning, Whitney and Papa were up by 4:30 and down the hill to feed the horses by 5.  They rode Oscar and Pablo to the Buck Knob pasture.  Colter's family joined them by 7.  Everyone at the house was getting dressed in their best "cowboy duds," eating breakfast, and preparing for lunch.  By 7:30, Brian and I took all the "under 6" bunch down the road to watch the roundup and the downhill push into the corral. After sorting the calves, branding began.  Brian branded with the hot iron, Dan castrated, and every child had the chance to hold a calf.  It was a special branding for Papa and me with our whole family!  Thank you to Carly, Colter, Madilyn, Colter Lee, Traven, Larry, Justin, Will and Savannah, for helping everyone learn to hold the calves, give shots, brand, castrate, cut ears, and let them go!

 

Ranch Camp, Day 5

After breakfast, we all piled in Papa's truck and went to Carly and Colter's for a morning of goat roping, trampolining, and pony rides.  What an experience!  After naps, we went to the garage for art time.  We painted red, white, and blue t-shirts, handprints on canvas for a later project, and our big family "handprint art."  We had another family dinner on the patio and the kids earned more awards... Taylor - alarm clock award, Lauren - goat tamer, Emerson - imaginative artist, Colby - explorer, Toby - explorer, Greta - trampoline gymnast, Emily - safe driver, and Sarah - leather craftsman.