Cow Country

[PT7]

Ah...beautiful, peaceful pics.

[CT_Shooter]

RanchRoper, if I didn't like my own walk in the woods of life so much, I would trade it today for yours. Thanks.

[RanchRoper]

Glad you all like the photos. It is a very pretty part of the world, and I do try to appreciate it to the fullest. I also like some of the photos from some of the states you folks are from. Some places I'll not likely get around to visiting. Although I have been to Memphis, Phoenix, Chicago and Jackson Hole Wyo. My wife lived in Boston and near Venice Beach CA for awhile before we got together. I'm not so much one for traveling anymore...oh ya been to Orlando FL, Atlanta, Great Falls and Billings in Mt, and Laramie and Cheyenne. Also North Platte Nebraska. Buffalo Bill Cody house was awesome. Had my picture taken with his saddle!

[RanchRoper]

Funny what sticks in your mind about travels. The Custer Battlefield was 94F the day we saw it. Same temp they said as the day of the battle. TOO HOT to fight! What would history look like if they'd settled it over cold drinks and cards? The other one that sticks with me was coming out of Charlie Vergos Rib place in Memphis and passing a guy going in with a HUGE pistol on his hip. Don't see that anywhere in Canada! Not to mention the waiter there who walked up to the table and said "ya'll want ribs, we got ribs, ribs comin' up." We didn't even get to order...ribs were it.

[RanchRoper]

My wife took these. And any others with me in them.

[Nam Vet]

Here's a couple more. I was riding for the a7 Ranch. One of the oldest family owned still in Canada. The brand was registered by A E Cross in the 1880's. He was one of the founding 4 members of the Calgary Stampede.

RanchRoper, All your photos are wonderful. But the photo of your friend Calvin on a cold day speaks volumes of that lifestyle. IMHO it's the best photograph I've seen in a long time. It's the kind of photograph I wish I could have taken. Thank you.

[Sir Henry]

What kind of dog is that in the picture? I had an Australian Sheep dog and he was the best with cattle too.

[RanchRoper]

Here's a couple more. I was riding for the a7 Ranch. One of the oldest family owned still in Canada. The brand was registered by A E Cross in the 1880's. He was one of the founding 4 members of the Calgary Stampede.

RanchRoper, All your photos are wonderful. But the photo of your friend Calvin on a cold day speaks volumes of that lifestyle. IMHO it's the best photograph I've seen in a long time. It's the kind of photograph I wish I could have taken. Thank you.

Thank you. I agree with you that snowy cold day is really what it's all about. No rodeo crowds or grandstands. Cowboys take care of cattle. Whatever gets thrown at you, it's just part of it. Rarely does anyone see what they do, they are out there in God's country just making sure that the owners cows are safe and healthy.
I've ridden with these guys in all weather, all conditions and all the ups and downs. I'm proud to know them.

[RanchRoper]

What kind of dog is that in the picture? I had an Australian Sheep dog and he was the best with cattle too.

Yes it was an Aussie cross of some kind. Pretty handy dog. Although I'd rather ride with no dog than one that isn't handy. Seen both kinds.

[Sir Henry]

I was ten when I got Jackie. She was about two years old. She taught me more about cattle then I knew. She was very eager to please me and just knew what needed to be done. We would gather the cattle up on open range in Oregon and she would go out scouting. Then a half hour later she would return with a half dozen cattle and she did this all on her own.

I read a book a few years ago about Australian Sheep dogs. Seems you don't train them but rather let them grow up around other trained dogs. Dogs that were trained by other dogs.