labor day weekend

ok...so this is wayy to many days to write out, so I'm going to summarize.

Friday, was pretty typical, I took my three morning classes while running around like a chicken with my head cut off. Then, worked for an hour (soo not worth the money) then, ran back to my apt, packed, dropped Bart (my amazing Betta fish :) off at Virginia's and left. But, I wasn't headed west just yet. I stopped by the horse barn to grab my saddle and visit with Joe and Ace. All seemed well there, although Joe is having some trouble with his fetlock joint it seems. I think it's probably arthritis, but we've decided that it's probably the true cause of why his other leg is swollen. He's putting all the weight on it. So, we're giving him some butte and we'll see what he does after a few days. As far as Ace goes, he was a chubby as ever, I rode him around a little bit and he seemed pretty happy go lucky. But...as soon as I got a ways down the road mom called and said he looked like he might have an impaction again. So, they gave him some oil and watched him for the night. He turned out fine, but seriously...I leave and everything just wants to fall apart!

I made two stops, one for food and gas in Kimball, and a quick stop in Kadoka to rent a movie that I wanted to see the end of (fell aspleep watching the beginning the other night). I made it to the ranch just at dark, it worked out just right. Merle showed up a little later, after the football game was way to far gone to watch anymore- sounds like Martin crushed 'em.

So, I was pretty quick to go to bed because I knew Saturday would be an early morning. And it sure was. I got up about 4:30, ate breakfast, and headed out for chores. By the time everything was rounded up and saddled up, and all the help was around it was probably 6:30 or seven. We had 13 people there I think- quite a bunch. Merle, Harvey, Me, Glen, Steve, Ross, Adrianne, Mike, Brady, Dustin, Delbert, Bill, and Matt. (Hope I'm not missing anyone.) Matt stayed back to work on dinner and the rest of us loaded the horses up and headed out.

We were rounding up Erwin's about 500 steers in the timber reserve pasture. Yup, as the name implies there are quite a few trees in the low spots. We all split up on the north end and pushed everything south. I rode Bowdie and we took the spring fed creek the whole way so that I wouldn't get lost...yeah blonde in the trees- not a good combo. I never did find anything until I met up with Glen and Ross - then I magically found myself with 60 head. I was never sure if they split and some got way ahead of me or if they got up a side draw and went back around me, but I think most of them ended up ahead of me. The creek was pretty thick- as in, get off your horse and drag him through in a few spots- really pretty, but thick. I even saw some wildlife, some turkeys, a couple antelope, and a fawn. When it was all said and done and we met at the other end we were one rider short. But, with time, Harv showed up with about 50 head (maybe it was more I can't remember). That helped numbers considerably (of steer and riders that is! lol). Moving them home was realatively easy. We made it back, ate Matt's dinner that was pretty darn tasty, and then waited around for everyone to go back and get the pickups and trailers that we left out in the pasture. After everyone was loaded up and headed home Merle and I went out and hayed. Harv and Ross were already out there stacking bales and windrowing. We all worked until about six or six thirty I believe and then headed home, did chores, showered quick and went into town for dinner at Ross and Marva's. Carol and Marva had cooked a really nice supper and it was fun to just hang out. But, fatigue hit and we headed home.

Sunday was similar to Saturday. We decided to round up what we could find left out there again. We left at about the same time, but with only six of us. Before we split up we got lucky, and saw a whole herd of 10 or 15 elk cross the fence. So cool!

I rode the same spot and didn't find anything at all this time. Actually, I turned out to be the one they waited on this time..oops. But, they had 22 head there, which helped numbers considerably. This time Harv went back for the pickup and trailer before we got all the way home. We arrived with the steers at the same time he showed up in the pickup, so it worked out good. Everybody split for dinner except Adrianne. So, we went in and had hamburger and then played some cards. It was lots of fun! On the third game I finally managed to beat Merle- we didn't care who won, as long as it wasn't him again! haha- what fun. Then, a quick game of concentration followed, but I think he won that one too...dangit. But, we goofed off long enough. Adrianne headed back home and we went out to finish putting up what we left from the day before. We hayed until there wasn't anymore to hay and then went home and did chores. I managed to finish my movie too! lol

Monday morning, I helped with chores and we ran a tub chute to town. Then, I decided I had better get going because I knew I would have lost of stops on the way home, and loose an hour. I dropped off my movie in Kadoka and stopped by Kimball for food again. Otherwise, I dropped my saddle back off and messed around with Joe and Ace who seemed quite content. Then, made some stops at home and finally headed up to Brookings and unpacked my stuff. It was a long day, but I finally made it back. I managed to fall asleep studying...how fun.

I will fill you in on Today tomorrow- way too tired!