We awakened this morning to the cacophony of coyotes singing, dogs barking, horses whinnying and wranglers urging the herds in to the corrals. The sound of the coyotes’ singing as they head out to hunt in the evening and as they return in the early morning reminds us that we live in the wilderness and share it with many other creatures. So far this year, the bears have kept their distance except for the young one a month ago that decided to pasture with a wrangler’s horses, refused to leave, and finally had to be relocated. A red tail hawk family has matured and can be spotted flying as they hunt and call to one another. At least four huge ravens daily croak their early morning conversations outside the pig pen. And the hummingbirds still dive-bomb those who approach the flowers or their feeders.
It is a treat for staff to welcome back returning guests in our first week of adults without children. Two retired cowboys are visiting for a few days, one of whom used to work at the ranch “next door” years ago. Everyone got off to a fine first day’s ride and some even got in a few hours of fishing. The river is clear and beckons. Days have remained hot and dry but the wind blows away some of the smoke from the forest fires in Yellowstone and in nearby states.
Yesterday afternoon after everyone was safely home from rides and fishing trips, we finally got some rain. The good earth has soaked it up and is looking green again. We are grateful. The air smells clean and is sweetened by the smell of the many baskets and pots of flowers which adorn outsides of cabins and lodge.
Our wonderful cook Dianne offered us sweet rolls for breakfast that were so yummy it was hard not to lick the platters clean. A good start to another good day at the Ranch.
