BITTERROOT RANCH

Life on the ranch in winter is different and often full of little dramas. Thanksgiving was quite a day. It dawned cold and grew windy with snow flurries. Bayard took off early to the farm for some pheasant hunting. Richard was on a road trip visiting the National Parks in southern Utah and Tracy was spending the holiday in Riverton. Mel was feeding, as usual, and returned to the warm house after the morning chores.

Her story….. Since I was not raised to celebrate Thanksgiving it was just fine being alone for lunch at the ranch. I had lit a candle and all of a sudden there was a ruckus and one of the cats was tearing across the room with a column of smoke billowing behind. She hid under the bed and with visions of the mattress catching fire and the house burning down, I flushed her out. An embarrassed cat appeared with singed whiskers and a patch of furlessness, but no longer on fire.

We all settled down again and after about half an hour I heard a vehicle. “How nice that Bayard is back early”, was my first thought, then, “No, it’s rattling too much,” followed by an enormous bang which rocked the house and sent the pictures flying off the walls. I shot outside and there was Jake, an Indian neighbor, very embarrassed and very drunk, staring at the flood of water from his radiator and the twisted front of his truck. He had gunned the vehicle up the hill and, forgetting that his brakes were no good, hit the house with a considerable head of steam.

The truck was obviously in no shape to go anywhere and, not wanting to be stuck with Jake for too long, I offered to take him home. While putting on my sheepskin boots, warm hat, etc. which takes some time, I was concerned to hear the truck start up again and before I knew it, Jake had reversed rapidly through our fence, sending splintered wood in all directions. Ah well; I got him home, which is 15 miles down the road, and while coming back, a badger crossed in front of me. I never saw another vehicle, the snow was gusting across the mountain tops and I felt very happy to be living in wonderful, wild, wide open Wyoming.

Mel, Bayard and Richard Fox

Thank you to all who have attended one of the Equitours presentations with our California representative, Annie Bradfield, in the last few months. We are pleased to invite horse groups from California to the Bitterroot Ranch in Wyoming during the month of August. The ranch is reserved for the week of August 13-20 for Annie and riders from California! The Bitterroot Ranch is the last remote valley bordering the Shoshone National Forest and the largest wild ecosystem left in the lower 48 states. Accommodations are in charming cabins scattered along a clear mountain stream. The quality of food will match the beauty of the surroundings. All meals are served at the main lodge. Enjoy home raised beef, fresh vegetables and salads picked from the ranch’s vegetable gardens, and freshly baked breads and pastries. Wine is served with dinner.

One can ride through wide open spaces in all directions always in view of the eternal snow of the Wind River Mountains. Rides enable us to explore high in the mountains and one can try their hand at team sorting and working cattle. Those with experience riding cross country can try the varied course of over 70 jumps. Instruction is available so there is something for everyone. Guests and non-riders can try fly fishing in the stream or in stocked trout ponds.

For more information please visit www.bitterrootranch.com, e-mail bitterrootranch@wyoming.com, or call 800-545-0019 and ask Roz or Sarah for details about the August 13 stay at the Bitterroot Ranch.

We are offering a discount price for this week: $1,575 per person. Children (ages 4-15) are welcome and receive a discount of 25%. Cost for non-riders is $1,300. A 15% service charge is added to cover all taxes and gratuities. Air fare is not included. (American, United and Delta all fly into Jackson Hole, Wyoming.)

Space is limited so make your reservation soon! Please join us on a riding adventure you will not forget.

Bayard Fox and Annie Bradfield (our California representative)

March 2006

Richard and Masai friend

We (Richard and Mel) joined a group for another adventurous riding safari in Kenya. The rains had failed to come in Tanzania and the famous wildebeest migration was disrupted with many of the animals still in pockets of the Mara. We were cantering with one of these great herds when a rider fell (unhurt) and his horse took off with the wildebeest. One sight that will remain etched in our memories forever was a fellow rider galloping into the dust of that great mass of animals to retrieve the loose horse. It turned out he had been a rodeo pick up rider and he soon came trotting back, mission accomplished!

We then went on to Tanzania and basing in Arusha with an old friend of Mel’s, visited her family farm at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro. It had been nationalized in the 1970s, but amazingly was still intact, with evidence of elephant coming to a salt lick along the forest boundary. We also explored Mt. Meru’s (15,000 ft.) eerie crater which one can drive/hike to, and checked out Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara National Park and the northern Serengeti. The rains had just arrived here and the wildebeest were streaming through the area, returning to their traditional grazing grounds.

Mel admiring coffee trees planted by her father on her childhood farm in Tanzania.

We were inspired by this visit to set up a new non-riding travel company enabling people to have a similar experience far away from mass tourism. We are now working on the details for very special, customized trips starting with Kenya and India and should have them up and running shortly.

Meanwhile back at the ranch we have been battling frigid, -26 F nights in the middle of calving season and Bayard has been busy these cold winter days writing some of his memoirs. One particularly good story about a favorite horse named Democrat is posted on the website.

Mel and Richard Fox

December 2005

One advantage of wintering in Wyoming is cuddling up to a cozy wood stove, peering through the crystals on the windows and seeing the mountain peaks blanketed with snow looming above a bank of low-lying clouds. The mule deer are back, very tame as usual and it is fun to watch them foraging and bedding down out of the wind in the valley below our house.

The downside is waking up after a night of -35 F to no water because the pump control box has frozen open, the vehicles don’t start and the horses are out of their field because the elk have knocked down the fences. Life is never dull.

Richard and Mel are off to Kenya and Tanzania on Christmas Day and Bayard hopes to join them for a few days in London in January. He is enjoying the pheasant and duck hunting with the dogs on the lower farm where most of the horses and cows spend the winter. Richard is ensconced in his new house there (it is the old Crowheart school teacher’s home) which we finally moved in October.

We wish you all a wonderful holiday season and hope to see you again next summer. There is a $150 discount if you make your reservation before the end of the year.

Mel, Bayard and Richard Fox

March 2005

We are back at the ranch after a fabulous month in India. The Nagaur Fair ride was as spectacular as ever, and the shopping can only be described as dizzy (Bayard thought we were all totally extravagant). Viewing a tiger very close up from elephant back was exciting and humbling. India is so very multi-faceted and draws us back again and again. If you are interested in the details, you will soon be able to view our itinerary-- complete with pictures-- on www.ridingtoursblog.com .

On the way home we picked up four adorable, unbroken Welsh ponies in Nebraska. Tracy, who was looking after the ranch while we were gone, will be starting them and hopefully by the end of the summer they will be ready for some of the children staying here.

We have been incredibly lucky over the years to host clinics led by innovative and inspiring horse people, and we have learned so much from them ourselves. This year Linda Tellington-Jones will be returning for the 15th time to start the young horses we have raised. Also returning this summer are Peggy Cummings in June and July, and Donna Snyder-Smith in August to teach a radically different and effective approach in learning to be one with your horse. New this year is Anna Twinney, lately head instructor with Monty Roberts, who will be concentrating on body language and problem solving. We hope some of you will join us on these rewarding journeys of empowerment that result in you becoming a more complete horse person.

Bayard and Mel Fox

January 2005

It has been very quiet around the ranch over the past few months. There are just the two of us here now, weathering winter with the farm animals, the young horses and some mares. Most of the riding horses and all the cattle are at our lower place near Riverton. We have had very little snow which makes the daily chores easier for the moment; but we worry about moisture levels for irrigating next summer. On Christmas Day, for a change of scene, we set off hoping to view bighorn sheep above Trail Lake. There was a small family group which we had been observing and photographing for a time, when down the ridge came a young ram who passed about ten feet away, completely unconcerned. It was a lovely experience.

Richard is in Kenya helping guide horse safaris. He arrived there just in time to join Metian in the Masai ceremony signifying his transition to elderhood. Metian has been with us since the early days of running safaris in Kenya over 20 years ago, and we have shared some exciting times together. Richard will be back in February to help with the calving.

We will be spending nearly a month in India riding and viewing tigers with a great group of guests. The organization on these trips is always impeccable thanks to the efforts of Arun and Bonnie. The best thing about these rides is the wonderful friends one makes in other countries. We wish you all a prosperous 2005 and hope to share happy trails with some of you next summer.

Bayard and Mel Fox

April, 2004

It has been a very easy winter here with the snow pack well below normal. Bayard began irrigating at the end of March, and we were very concerned about drought conditions later in the summer. However, on April 8th we woke to find eight inches of heavy wet snow which has transformed the situation.

We purchased a few more highland cattle and now have over 100 cows with calves to send into the national forest this year. The cattle roundup at the end of September is already fully booked with many old clients returning for the challenge. Someone commented that it is like hunting elk; the cows tuck themselves away into some incredible places and we often have to track them.

The foals have started arriving and we are expecting more than ever this year. We have been able to breed to a lovely Spanish Arabian stallion who was training and first level dressage champion at the 2004 Scottsdale Arabian Show. The quality of our horses continues to improve and we look forward to sharing them with you.

The April issue of Arabian Horse World features the Linda Tellington-Jones clinic which is held at the ranch every June. The renowned equine photographer, Gabriele Boiselle will be joining Linda this year. It is always an honor to have such renowned people visit us and we look forward to the Peggy Cummings and Donna Snyder-Smith clinics later in the summer.

Mel, Bayard and Richard Fox

September 2003

The summer season has gone well with many appreciative guests who make us feel all our hard work is worth it. After a comparatively wet and cool spring we jumped to the hottest July and August on record since 1972. Plenty of water in our river and smaller creeks have helped us keep our irrigated horse pastures green and we are thankful to be so blessed with streams which always flow.

The Linda Tellington-Jones and Donna Snyder-Smith clinics were a great success and we expect to repeat both next year. It is truly inspiring to absorb some of the knowledge of these very talented instructors. The colts that were started in the TTeam clinic have been backed with little fuss and are now sallying forth on their first trail rides. Bayard, Mel, Richard and Tracy (our head wrangler) all participated in the centered riding clinic and have become more aware of the subtle interactions between horse and rider which make for a harmonious relationship. All participants learned how to hold themselves more effortlessly and reduce tensions making riding less stressful for the horses as well.

We moved our cows up from our lower ranch in early July and had a great week of cattle drives pushing them on up into the mountain pastures. We check on them frequently, but there is lots of grass this summer and the cows look terrific. Several times we have enjoyed watching a small band of wild horses living on Game and Fish land just to the east of the ranch. We have been able to ride quite close to them and it is fascinating to observe their behavior.

The fall colors have started to appear – a bittersweet time of the year. We are starting the fall roundup of our cows this week, which is always exciting, but also means that the end of another season has come.

Bayard, Mel and Richard Fox

July 2003

The summer season has been going well with many appreciative guests who make us feel all our hard work is worth it. After a comparatively wet and cool spring we jumped to the hottest July on record since 1972. Plenty of water in our river and smaller creeks have helped us keep our irrigated horse pastures green and we are thankful to be so blessed with streams which always flow.

The Linda Tellington-Jones and Donna Snyder-Smith clinics were a great success and we expect to repeat both next year. It is truly inspiring to absorb some of the knowledge of these very talented instructors. The colts that were started in the TTeam clinic have been backed with little fuss and are now sallying forth on their first trail rides. Bayard, Mel, Richard and Tracy (our head wrangler) all participated in the centered riding clinic and have become more aware of the subtle interactions between horse and rider which make for a harmonious relationship. All participants learned how to hold themselves more effortlessly and reduce tensions making riding less stressful for the horses as well.

We moved our cows up from our lower ranch in early July and had a great week of cattle drives pushing them on up into the mountain pastures. We check on them frequently, but there is lots of grass this summer and the cows look terrific. Several times we have enjoyed watching a small band of wild horses living on Game and Fish land just to the east of the ranch. We have been able to ride quite close to them and it is fascinating to observe their behavior.

It won't be too long before the fall colors start to appear – a bittersweet time of the year. We are booked up for the fall roundup the last week of September which is always exciting, but there is still space some weeks in the latter part of the season.

Bayard, Mel and Richard Fox