Been a while!
It's good to be back! After almost a week in Colorado visiting Derek's family for Thanksgiving and some friends, we came back home, I got one whole day home, then left to go out to the ranch I used to work on in Eastern Utah. 10 years ago I came out to this ranch for a summer job and ended up starting on a whole new life...called my folks and told them I wasn't coming back, and thus ended up living out west.
Anyway, Joe and Linda, the owners, wanted to go to Indiana to visit family and I am the only one they trust their property and animals to for such a long time. So, on November 30th I went out there, they left on the 2nd and returned yesterday, the 12th. I had 18 horses, 4 dogs and two cats in my charge on 60 acres on the northern end of the Ute Indian Reservation...kinda the middle of nowhere...but I LOVE it.
Derek ended up being hired for a video shoot (An HGTV show called "Home Team") the same week I left for the ranch, so he stayed behind and I took the two dogs with me to the ranch. We thought he'd be able to come out after that shoot, but they liked his work and asked him to go to Florida with them from the 7th to the 20th...so, he came out for a quick one-night visit and left the next day...sigh.
The arctic front came down on Utah while I was on the ranch...it got to -10 one night and I had space heaters going everywhere to keep pipes from freezing. But, all of the animals survived, no pipes burst and all was well. Joe and Linda got back yesterday and this morning Joe went out with me and we chopped down a tree for my Christmas tree...something I was planning on doing with Derek. You can get a $10 Christmas Tree permit to cut down your own tree rather than pay the rediculous amount of money they charge for trees on lots anymore. So, that was fun.
But, after almost three weeks away from home (including Thanksgiving) I was eager to get homen and the dogs missed having a yard to hang in...so I headed out this morning and am pleased to be home. I got the little tree all set up (looks like a little Charlie Brown Christmas tree) and the dogs are all curled up in their beds and the wind is howling and the snow is blowing and it's winter in the Rocky Mountains...I absolutly love it!!!!
While at the ranch I got to enjoy the herd of elk that hang out around the ranch, heard the coyotes howling right outside of the cabin window, saw the beautiful bald eagle fly over each day, saw the snowshoe hares running around and the red fox that would chase them, and the mule deer came through every morning and every night. I love it at that ranch...it never gets old!!! BUT, at the same time, I'm very glad to be back in my own home where I know I don't have to worry about pipes bursting and moose running through fences and potentially letting a whole herd of horses loose. But, I love having the ability to experience that stuff for a short period, too. Some day I hope to have a someone secluded cabin in the mountains...and I'll be all the better to handle the hardships!!!
Hope everyone's getting geared up for the holidays and having a good winter!!!!! Wish I had some pictures from the ranch to share with you...but you can see their website at www.jlranch.com it's not the greatest site, but it gives you a glimpse.
LOL to everyone!