Welcome to JKs Rough String Ranch

Welcome to the Rough String, and thanks for stoppin' by!! Grab a hot cup of coffee and sit a spell!
10/22/18 You will see a name change on the blog. Lots of things have changed in my life in the past few years, and I feel compelled to share my story.

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Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Home, Home on the Range

~I am exactly who I want to be.~
~Barbara Wooley 1900~

I helped the 3J Ranch sort out pairs and trail them out to their spring grazing area last week and again yesterday. It seems like calving just started, but when a ranch has hundreds of cows, branding has to start and then with getting the pairs out to graze, there's no time to waste. It takes lots of time to get it all done.


Trailing to Spring Range
Trailing to Spring Range
It was a cold, windy day. The grass is starting to come up, but normally it would be at least twice as tall as it is now.

After trailing them a couple of miles to the first water hole, we circle the herd up and wait for the mother cows to find their calves...


Waiting to Mother Up
Waiting to Mother Up

...and wait...

Waiting and Waiting
Waiting and Waiting

...still waiting...


See that nice dark sky? That was the nice hail storm we had to drive the cows and calves into...no one was happy including Colt...all he wanted to do was turn his butt to the wind. But, we couldn't let the herd fall apart...gotta do whatcha gotta do to get the job done...


Still Waiting...Patience
Still Waiting...Patience
...and wait some more...can't tell a cow what to do...eventually she'll figure it out.


It may have been cold and windy yesterday, but it at least my butt wasn't wet at the end of the day like last week! The wind was at our backs on the ride back to the ranch last week, and the snow piled up on my back and slid down into the seat of my saddle...duh me for forgettin' my oilskin slicker!

Ridin' back to the ranch last week.

Hope your trails are warm and sunny!


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14 comments:

  1. IanHApril 12, 2011 at 10:42 AM

    I am looking forward to my neighbour's annual cattle drive. It's only about 10 miles, and on the highway, but still fun. Those calves have sure grown!
    Happy trails.

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  2. SarahApril 12, 2011 at 10:45 AM

    thanks for sharing some of the less glorious sides of ranch life! It gets romanticized a little too much sometimes! But even with nasty weather, cold and wind, its still a nice way to make a living!

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  3. SusanApril 12, 2011 at 11:06 AM

    It's hard not to bitch about the weather, but... no I won't. We're getting the same stuff here over in Montana. Gotta love the moisture.

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  4. MarliApril 12, 2011 at 11:15 AM

    Beautiful pictures! Makes me wanna get out there and do it. =) Thankfully, we have nice weather here in Alabama!
    I'm a new follower... i look forward to reading your blog!
    *MeMoRy

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  5. cheyenne jonesApril 12, 2011 at 1:48 PM

    I always enjoy your words and pictures about Trail drives. I feel a part of it some how. Although, miles away. I enjoy the ride.

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  6. Rising RainbowApril 12, 2011 at 4:12 PM

    Looks like a great way to spend the day although I'll bet those momma cows can be frustrating at times.

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  7. LindaApril 12, 2011 at 5:54 PM

    I always use to hate waiting for pairs to mother-up......until the calves started coming back one time...now I'm patient;)

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  8. Val EwingApril 12, 2011 at 7:55 PM

    My goodness! Love that last shot!
    Makes me shiver!

    I rode in some delightful warm weather today!

    Hope you have a great week!

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  9. RhondaApril 12, 2011 at 9:03 PM

    Thanks for sharing the pictures - that would be scary to know hail was near.

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  10. MaiaApril 13, 2011 at 5:11 AM

    Your pictures are great and so was the story. Have you guys thawed out yet. :)

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  11. BrownEyed CowgirlApril 13, 2011 at 7:53 AM

    Now that's the reality of ranching. Makes for beautiful photos though.

    We are very dry here. Grass isn't growing much due to lack of moisture.

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  12. XmasDollyApril 13, 2011 at 7:05 PM

    Wow, These photos makes me feel like I'm almost there. moooooooo Dang, probably nothing exciting to you cuz you get to hear and see any time, but not to a city slicker like me. Totally fascinating!

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  13. CTG PoniesApril 14, 2011 at 2:45 PM

    I love the pics but BRRR!!!

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  14. EdApril 16, 2011 at 5:42 AM

    That last shot made even me shiver..:-)

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