Pat and Sharon in Ariquipa
September 27th is our 41st wedding anniversay. We had the good fortune to be attending a meeting in Jackson, Wyoming. As we were having dinner, we noticed that the Tetons were reflected, upside down, in the wineglasses of nearby diners. It was quite a sight.
The Grand Tetons
Chester eating an apple
My friend, Annie Hatch, world-renowned folklorist, was looking for a new home for her mule, Chester.
Serendipitously, Pat was looking for a riding mule, just like Chester. As an added bonus, Chester was a pack mule in his previous life.
After a Wyoming brand inspection, and a horse-trailer ride through the rain, Chester is at home on the Ladder Ranch.
For those who might wonder, “folklorist” is a real job–in Annie’s case, with the Wyoming Arts Council
Chester in his new home
Tiarnan and Maria ready to ride
Our Hampshire ewes and their lambs spend the summer on private land, the Johnson Place, in the middle of the Routt National Forest. In late September, we trail them back to the Home Ranch, so they can hang out with the guys for a few weeks. This year, Siobhan and Tiarnan trailed them 15 miles to the Bull Pasture on our good horses, Maria and Sarah.
on the trail
the happy horseback crew
Helicopter with bucket hauling water to the Snake Fire
All the Forest waits
to burn, nature’s tinderbox
waiting for a match.
Val, Tiarnan, Maeve, Roxie and Seamus checking out the chokecherries
Seamus, Maeve, Tiarnan
Check out the late chokecherries
And dream of jelly.
Seamus
Maeve
reaching for the high ones
Heifer waiting for Doctor Ben
We are lucky to have two young veterinarians, Dr. Ben Noland and Dr. Hallie Noland, in our community. They have opened up Sage Veterinary Services near Baggs, which means that–much as we love them–we don’t have to depend on vets in the distant burgs of Rawlins, Craig and Steamboat Springs. Dr. Ben showed up to pregnancy check our heifers. I told him that he didn’t have to worry about his wife criticizing his dirty clothes at the end of the day.
At breakfast, McCoy informed his dad that he’d rather help preg check than go to kindergarten. Eamon had to explain the new reality to McCoy.
That’s Dr. Ben at the “rear”, with Eamon and Chad assisting.
She’s awaiting the verdict that will determine her future.
Bucks in fall
This time of year, the bucks are like teenage boys, with two things on their minds–one of them is eating. Here the “boys” are more or less contained in the Mouse Pasture. The Mouse Pasture got its name because the fence was built by long-time (and late) Ladder Ranchhand Bob Holmes. My Dad said the fence was so tight, it “would hold a mouse.” They still seem to be able to crawl under the gate.
 | Martha Kennedy on Autumn work |
 | murisopsis on Sandman Mountain |
| Martha Kennedy on Sandman Mountain |
 | Ladder Ranch on Loading the 2023 Wool Clip |
| Martha Kennedy on Loading the 2023 Wool Clip |
Ladder Ranch