Powder River

The Powder River runs deep in cowboy history and right through Johnson County. I've crossed it's paths for years, but have never dipped my horse's hooves in its current. Until now. 

The Powder runs through the Powder River Basin. Along these breaks, oil and gas flow freely and the ranching is plentiful. Today I got to help roundup in this great basin. 

Mollie was my steed of choice. After we celebrated Mass and the sun broke, we saddled up and headed east. 

James Iberlin was rounding-up this pasture today. Needing another rider, he gave me a call. 

This has to be the driest summer on the books. In Sheridan County, the Powder River stoped flowing at one point. Not far from it here, but still chugging along. 

Ole Powder River, you're muddy and you're wide. 

Back to work. Time to push cows south. 

Pairs were lining this river up and down. 

About this time, Hank jumped in the fun. 

I got sent on a side quest to pick up critters in the hills. "Just head them down the country road," were my marching orders. 

As we peaked over the hill, the valley below was lined with cattle. 

Back in the day of the coal-bed methane boom, the gas company erected some pivot sprinklers on this place to help distribute the water. What once ran 24/7 has now sat still for 15+ years. 

About this time, James and I met back up. More cows to push. 

The grass is short as stubble, but the cactus around here is big and bold.

Once all was gathered, we headed for the corrals. 

A good 300 pairs we pushed over the hill. 

Then down to the ranch house that lies below. 

The other guys helped roundup and push on bikes. Stay out of the bulls' way! 

At last, the gate we were all looking for.

Fun stuff. An unfortunately dry year for ranchers around here. You can't throw in your hat, though. Ranchers have to roll with the punches and improvise as they go. James and company are shipping calves a month early to give the ground all the breaks they can. It was great to ride along this river and spend time in this basin. This is a tough year. But it's not the first dry year. All it takes is rain at the right time to get this grass back on its feet. We'll see what God gives us next spring. In the meantime, cowboys along the Powder River continue to ranch on. 

Riding Around

To give Fr. Brandon the full Wyoming experience, we had to saddle up. Clear Creek was our area of choice, and Mollie and Chief were the horses to help us explore it.

The best thing for the inside of a man is the outside of a horse.

After a few laps around the riding arena at the VO, Brandon and Chief were ready to ranch. 

Instead of going up the creek, this time we went down the creek. 

Eventually we hit the water and had to cross. 

Giddy up, pardner! 

It was the hills to the south that we wanted to explore.

First you got to get across the fence. Been a while since this gate has been opened, looks like.

Funny stuff. Looks like the sagebrush is blooming on a super dry year. 

Only one way to get to the top.

Beautiful view of the valley from up here. 

You sit a saddle well, bud. 

More miles to go.

Got a little western. 

Beer for my horses. 

After finding a watering hole and checking out the land scape, we headed back down the hill. 

Look like petrified trees to me.

Sure enough. 

Back to the water.

Clear Creek comes by its name honestly. 

On the way home we let the ponies run, just to give Fr. Brandon the feel. Did good and looks good. 

Then back to the barn. 

First up is Chief. 

Then Mollie took her turn. 

Good friends. 

Fun stuff. Great to have Fr. Brandon Guenther in town to hang out. It was fun to ride around today. Such a gift. Praise God for the opportunities we've been given. Praise Him even more for the gift of the priesthood. Keep on ranchin' in a free world, Fr. Brandon. You are always welcome in Wyoming. 

Loving Knowledge

Golden Rule.

           https://youtu.be/Vf90XI6glOc         

Brooke Doran

Good work, Brooke!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWwuhU13vFE&list=PLlerzPRygWYJ54Z44nrju1n3_xDJKz0wt

Apostolate

Doing everything for the Kingdom of God.

           https://youtu.be/IsdjDXzS13A         

Surf Wyoming

Wanting to show my priest buddy some of the highlights of Wyoming, we went paddle boarding in the Bighorns this afternoon.

Fr. Brandon Guenther, from the Diocese of La Crosse in Wisconsin, came through Buffalo for a couple days on a vacation out west.

So we loaded up the paddle boards in White Horse and headed up to West Tensleep Lake.

Beautiful fall weather.

West Tensleep is a good standby for an easy paddle board trip.

Sections of beach are hard to find in Wyoming, but this guy will serve our needs just fine.

So we blew the paddle boards up and hit the water. Great trip around the lake. Jumped a bull moose on the far end.

After all that work, we stopped at the cabin to grill some ribeyes. 

Before we could enjoy our Lungren Brothers beef, Brandon reloaded his camera. Old school. 

Then we left and headed back to town. 

Mom, Dad, and my brother worked all summer re-staining the cabin. Looks great. Fun time in the Horns, as usually. Great to have my priest buddy in town. We'll see what else we can find to do. On to the next one!