Greetings From Willow Springs Guest Ranch!
Report from Willow Springs
December 29, 2009
Winter is a time of reflection. The temperatures are cold and except for short bursts of outside activity motivated by hungry cattle, horses, chickens, time is better spent inside, next to a crackling fire, thinking about recent times when temperatures were not cold and feeding the livestock was a whole lot more comfortable.
The 2009 season at Willow Springs was one that is worth recalling. In late spring, March and April, there were some unseasonably glorious days when the thermometer climbed, the grass greened, the cows who had dropped their long-legged, awkward calves a couple of months earlier, found life in the ranch pastures pleasant. The calves, no longer awkward, ran and played and grew. Such is the cycle of life and it is held in much esteem by ranchers everywhere. Healthy livestock are visible evidence of success and the trips to the feed grounds where we spread hay and check the animals for continued well-being, are reward in and of themselves. Chores are an integral part of the ranching system and considered a privilege. Even on the cold days. There's something about a group of calves frolicking in the frosted fields that renews your own spirit.
In May the cattle were driven to the high meadows with the help of guests eager to participate in an authentic cattle drive. It is a long process designed to move the animals slowly so they do not become stressed. The calves are still young and such a trip can be taxing if taken too quickly. At the top where the high meadows provide knee high grass, the cows and their babies are allowed to "mother up", to reunite if they have become separated in the drive. The mooing and calling eventually gives way to the sound of munching as they all try out the new forage.
June was one of the wettest we can remember, but that was a hidden blessing: so many wildflowers this past year because of the early and frequent summer rains. The pretty little sand lilies even stayed around a week longer than usual. Then things went back to a normal Eastern Oregon climate with stone-washed denim skies and pleasant breezes. The trails dried out and guests were treated to some spectacular vistas both from the ranch and nearby trails.
Summer saw many folks anxious to get out and see the country. With so many trails and so many areas for cross-country riding, the options are many and varied. Our ranch lies at 4,600 to 5,400 feet. Rides just a short trailer distance from the headquarters can find you enjoying trails to 7,000 and at that elevation, the old adage "you can see forever" is just about true. While riding is the number one activity at Willow Springs, birding, fishing, and relaxing are equally enjoyable.
Our visitors were often unique and much anticipated this year. They came from all over, including four foreign countries: France, England, Ireland, South Africa. We enjoyed our folks from "across the pond", as we did the more local visitors from the States. The majority of our guests bring their own horses, so that limits them to time and distance for their getaway. We do get groups from areas further away and for them we maintain a herd of ranch horses to provide those wonderful trail rides through our little corner of the world.
The Fall was nice this year. The days get progressively shorter, but the garden harvest is in full swing, with those good home-grown vegetables. Tomatoes, lettuce, corn, beans, peas, carrots all taste a little better when you can watch them grow and much produce found its way to our outdoor dining area. Many of our guests were also gardeners when they weren't enjoying life at Willow Springs so garden "tours" were popular.
Speaking of gardens, the seed catalog came yesterday, so it is now time to start planning ahead for what Willow Springs will be growing in the coming year. It is also time to think about what trails we will ride, when the migratory birds will again appear, what new guests and honored returnees we will greet in 2010. Living as we do in the heartland of the Oregon desert, we feel a kinship with the land. We feel the seasons come and go as life moves on to new years and new experiences. So please consider this your invitation to come and share this special place with us.
We wish you the best for the new year and hope it finds you healthy and hardy as we are here at Willow Springs!
January11, 2010
The Taming of Number 36
All of our cows have cute little pentagonal ear tags with numbers on them. This helps us keep track of the production of each cow with each subsequent calf since the youngster is given the identical number on an identical little tag at birth. The quality of that calf can be assessed and can be attributed to a specific mother, thus allowing us to retain the best producers. When we refer to the cattle in the specific, it is, "Number 90 looks like she might calve this week," or, "That number 86 cow sure was spunky when we fed this morning!" Not, "Helen was a bit off her feed," or "Danielle is huge! Do you suppose she's carrying twins?" Also it helps keep a bit of distance emotionally between us and the ultimate sirloin steak.
So when Keith mentioned Number 36 and how mean she was when she had a new calf and how he wished she was a little less psychotic as a mother, and how he was not looking forward to another hassle with her when he tried to vaccinate and ear tag her 2010 offspring, I knew which cow he meant: a big black water-buffalo of a a cow with just a smidgeon of white hair frosting her forehead. And I also knew what I was going to do: make Number 36 a personal project. A quest to turn a cantankerous cow into a "companion cow", a "beatific bovine", a "mellow mother".
Every winter I hand-feed a few select animals while Keith gets the big 3/4 ton hay bales ready for distribution from the back of the wagon. Number 90 is always the first to approach. Several years ago she proved herself to be not only brave, but gentle as she stepped from the herd to snuffle, then ultimately sample the sweet green hay I was offering from my outstretched hand. As the weeks passed she became bolder, was the first to greet us as the big wagon and tractor pulled into the lower pasture. Good old Number 90! She even allowed a fleeting pat to her face. "Sure, she's nice enough now, but wait until she has her calf," Keith cautioned. Less than a month later Number 90 parted from the herd with a little Number 90 tottering after her. "Be careful!" I was warned. And within minutes I had a ravenous, post-birthing cow literally "eating out of my hand". Even though it took nearly a month to coax Number 90 Junior to join mom, I eventually won over the calf too. Since then I have added some 10 - 12 other cows to the list of hand-feeders. but not Number 36.
The challenge is out there, the gauntlet thrown down. To date with little more than a month and a half, two at most, until calving, my quest to turn a fractious momma cow into a tractable one will be brief. So far I have managed to slip her a few stems of hay and whether it's true or not, I believe I can see her eye getting softer, her manner improving. The truth, of course, will come soon enough. In the meantime it gives my mornings focus and something for Keith to chuckle over. And at least for now Number 36 is enjoying the attention.
Stay tuned.
Cookbook
For those of you that are interested in purchasing our cookbook that is mentioned in the article in the "Oregonian", "Songs of the Sagebrush, Recipies, Rhymes, and Reminiscences From Willow Springs Guest Ranch" you may email us using the link on this page. The price of the cookbook is $12.95 plus $2.50 for shipping and handling.
Patty and Keith Barnhart
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