Colorado Trip - Branding!!!!

Friday, April 6

This was another R/R day.  The 5 of us packed up our swimming trunks and headed to Ouray, CO.  The night of our wedding was spent at the Beaumont Hotel in Ouray, so we like to go visit it for nostalgia's sake.  The other reason is that there are some pretty nice hot springs there!  We spent a couple of hours in the 92 degree and 106 degree pools.  Aislyn absolutely loved swimming in the 92 degree pool.  We all got a little sunburned (not Aislyn though who had the good sense to wear sunscreen).

That evening, we took Mick's truck and got some propane for Saturday's branding and then met Jared, Mandy, Loy and Alex for an enjoyable dinner.

Funny Story:  As Geoff is not used to driving a Dodge 3500 manual transmission, he really didn't feel like parallel parking on the main street in Hotchkiss.  So, around the block we went, finding a spot that was 2 truck lengths long.  In we went, pulling to about 4 feet of the car in front.  Into reverse we went, and as the clutch was released, forward we went.  We gasped, Geoff slammed on the clutch & brake, put it back into reverse, let up on the clutch...and...forward we crept again...By now, Jocelyn was truly holding her breath...Geoff really shoved it into reverse this time...nope...forward again...by now we had about 6 inches (or less) before we were pushing the brand new subaru in front of us.  So, 4th time being the charm, Geoff shifted into 2nd, then back into reverse...the gears locked...we went backwards.  Phew!!!!!!

Saturday, April 7

Branding!!!!!!!

Saturday started with catching the horses (Geoff & Loy), morning chores (Mick), making breakfast (Jocelyn), preparing lunch (Dawna), eating breakfast (all of us!!!), waiting for the help (alot of help!), getting the cows to the buffalo corrals, sorting the calves from the cows, doctoring the cows, then pushing the calves into the main corral where we where branding, roping the calves, dragging them a few feet (30ish) to the head catch device, branding them, doctoring them, dragging them a little further, and then releasing them into the main area so they wouldn't get mixed up with the non-branded cows.  We helped as much as we could, but mostly enjoyed taking pictures, watching the whole show, cheering the ropers (Mandy & Kent) when they roped a calf, and helping wherever we could.  Branding took about 3 hours, then it was push the cows/calves back to their original pasture, eat lunch, and then sadly, We packed, jumped into the car, and homeward it was.

Thanks to everyone for such a wonderful trip!!!!  Hopefully it won't be 2 years until we get to come back out!!!!!!!!!

Aislyn loved helping Papa!

You can't really see it, but Aislyn is actually sitting IN the dump truck...she's falling out right about now...

As you can see, Aislyn loved the dirt outdoors!!!

Auntie Loy was kind enough to take Aislyn for a ride.

Aislyn, Loy and Cousin Larissa

Brylan was a big help keeping Aislyn out of trouble and entertained.

This picture doesn't need any explanation!

Gramma Nola did her best to keep the little one entertained as well.

Loy & Dane hard at work

Aislyn meeting her Great Aunt Bonnie

Mandy dragging out her calf...

Alex (Loy's man) was great all week.

Aislyn was good with everything, but the bawling calves unnerved her a little bit.

Brylan telling Dane how to do it..

Rissy did a great job keeping the branded calves at the other end of the corral, and also let Aislyn pet Taffy every now and then.

After branding was done, Brylan showed Aislyn the ropes of how to play in the dirt.  Thanks for your help Brylan!

There were so many more pictures that we could've uploaded...We guess if you want to see them you'll have to come and visit us!!!!!  Thanks again Mick and Dawna for a great week in Colorado!