My Time on the Drift - Day 3 to 6

June 25 - 28

If you've been waiting to hear from me, I apologize dear reader. Our schedules have been catering to the cows and we are finally home before 8 PM. I'm sure most of you can relate to making plans that take several days to accomplish.

These last few days we have finished gathering, sorting, and started our way across the Mesa north. Because we rely on family so much, I was unable to ride a few times because Mom was under the weather and I didn't have a babysitter. Finding good help, both in the saddle and at home, has been so important to our operation.

June 25

The cattle were gathered off the northern end of our BLM allotment and sorted. We did have a few extra to sort off as neighboring allotments had cattle that went through the fence. This is also the same day we move the cattle across the highway to the far northern end that is fenced separately from the main allotment. The allotment is a great place to overnight and not hard to gather the next morning. I also remember using this allotment to get to the historic cattle bridge that was built in the 1940s by the Upper Green River Cattlemen's Association.

The last time it was in use was 2013 and since then we have pushed the cattle down the highway and used the New Fork bridge and Paradise road to get to the Mesa. Every year I wish the cattle bridge was still in use because dealing with impatient drivers is one of my least favorite parts of moving cattle. This year we called dispatch and they sent two officers to help flag for us, but unfortunately, they were sent to the wrong area and didn't catch up with us until we were almost done. Once we were done, we took a chance to sort off a few pairs and a crippled bull that wouldn't make the trip very well, and a yearling steer of the neighbors.

June 26-27

The cattle were moved diagonally across the Mesa these two days with a stop at the top at a water tank we call Cow Camp. This year we were lucky that a few of the reservoirs had water in them as we moved the first day across. Last year only had one water source was available and the cattle didn't travel near as well. I know my Gyp dog was happy to get a bigger drink than I could pack. For most of the drive, we are in a long, deep draw but there was still plenty to see besides cattle. I saw several coyote pups, antelope fawns, and a horny toad. There are a few things that I will get off my horse for and catching at least one horny toad is definitely on my to-do list. We made it to cow camp with the drag, end of the herd, and let them mother while we doctored a few calves.

Even though we are done pushing cattle for the day, we still have to go out and back ride for missing cattle. From our gate count on the 25th, we found that we were missing 22 head total. France rode and found those cattle in Wells Draw and brought them home after we sorted, again, a few of the neighbors. It was a long day for him but he found 11 head.

The next day I didn't ride but helped move trailers from Cow Camp to the Tyler Water hole off of the East Green River road. This day can be hard since the sagebrush is just tall and dense enough to make it hard to walk through followed by a long steep hill and draw for the cattle to go down. If the cattle line out and travel well, it isn't bad but I recall many times that the back of the herd wanted to stall out before we even started. Luckily, the cattle moved well and we were able to find a few more cattle in the afternoon that were missed. I was also able to pick up my babysitter who will be staying with us for a while. Thanks, Sophia!

June 28

Today was an easy day as we traveled down the county road and under Highway 191 to the driveway. I wanted to bring Avery with us to ride, but the logistics just didn't work out. My Mother-in-law gave us my husband's saddle he learned to ride on and she has been so excited to ride her horse Pink. I can barely remember the first time I rode on the Drift but I was maybe 7 years old. Probably by that age the kids will be really good help!

After we were done, France and I followed the driveway north to get a feel for how our cattle were moving. They were scattered from Marsh Creek to the driveway. Most of those cattle have kept moving at a good pace to cover that much ground. This afternoon we are resting and I have a Cattlewomen's meeting at five. If I hurry maybe I can slip in a nap too...

With that, I'll keep posting and taking photos of our journey tomorrow and hopefully do a better job keeping you all updated.