A few weeks ago we got the chance to go on a working vacation. I know that seems like a contradiction in terms, but for two country kids that had been living in the city and just now getting back to country life it was a treat. Ty's folks have recently moved back to Silver City to help Ty's grandma with the ranch and we went up to help them with the fall branding and shipping. Needless to say it was a great trip for all of us and we spent ten days doing what we really enjoy and have missed the most about ranch life.
There was never a lack of stuff to do while we were there, which was right up Trey's alley of course. He got to help feed cows and horses, work on trucks, fix water troughs, and still found time to make two new girlfriends.
Our trip was bitter sweet though, because as we were gathering the decision was made to sell the longhorn herd that Ty's grandpa Pete had put together. He passed away last November, and in the last 10 years or so he had taken up having some registered longhorns as a hobby. Well what started as a few cows turned into a herd of about 50. Luckily enough though, we had a private buyer who was very excited to buy some of the registered cattle and a bull. This man is as passionate about the business as Pete was and loved the pedigrees and history behind the cows he selected. What he didn't take we had another buyer for, so it all worked out good for everyone. We did keep back a few for posterity though- an old momma cow who we turned out with the heifers (she's good at bringing everyone in for a bite to eat), one of the first cows that Pete bought, and an old steer with a great set of horns that's the pet.
Other than that it was just a great trip for all of us and we really enjoyed seeing Ty's mom and dad and other extended family and friends that we hadn't seen in a while. It was also nice to have a little vacation before I started my new job at Angelo State and Trey started pre-school. I took a ton of pictures while we were there, and here are some of my favorites from the ranch.
Trey and Dusty- "Buddies"
Trey riding Dusty
Branding the late summer calves
Ty and Web dehorning
Branding smoke
Ty and Trey just before sun up
Heading out to gather the longhorns one last time
(I got the lucky and warmer job of driving the feed truck. Trey is even better than me at honking cows in.)
A few of the longhorns that were already at the pens
Even for as much of a pain as the longhorns were- we're going to miss them. Happy Trails...
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