BITTERROOT RANCH

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The ranch newsletters are quick little vignettes about life through all seasons, at the end of a long dirt road in the upper reaches of the East Fork Valley of western Wyoming, updates about the horses, dogs, and the rest of the ranch animals, and news about Bayard, Mel, Richard and Hadley.

They are an amusing glimpse into life on the ranch, usually written during the quiet (and sometimes not so quiet) days without guests between October and April.

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Here are archived copies of our previous newsletters (or just scroll down):

• 2010
• 2009
• 2007 to 2008
• 2003 to 2006

January 2010 The latest arrivals at the Bitterroot include a small herd of Navajo-Churro sheep. They have quite strong characters and terrified the poor llamas when they first arrived. They were used to a guard llama and were bound and determined to attach themselves to our resident pair, who wanted nothing to do with them and were galloping all over the corral trying to get away. Finally the bemused sheep got tired and they are all slowly adjusting to life together. The sheep have the most beautiful wool in all sorts of different shades and we are hoping to produce saddle blankets for ourselves and for sale. For the last couple of years we have lacked a good bull to use on our Scottish Highland cows. We decided to take the plunge and attend the auction at the National Western Stock Show in Denver. To our delight we were able to acquire the intermediate champion Highland bull, who not only has an impressive pedigree and great conformation, but is also incredibly gentle.

October 2009

After a very long two weeks we have finally been able to ship our cattle to the lower ranch and the calves to market, but not before the loaded trucks had to be hauled out of the mud with a grader! The first part of roundup week was positively balmy, which made riding a pleasure, but the cows were difficult to flush out of the cover. It then suddenly turned very cold and we couldn't find them as they hunkered down in thick brush and woods. We kept searching after the guests had left and it was only the continuing snow storms that finally brought them out of the forest. Incredibly, all but two calves made it back to the ranch; a long lost bull we hadn't seen all summer turned up one snowy day in the stack yard. We then faced the problem of feeding them all and had to make numerous trips with a truck and trailer to collect the two and a half tons of hay they consumed daily.

We had a rewarding summer with a good staff and greatly appreciated all the lovely people who came to ride with us. Please note the 20% discount on next year's rates for deposits received in 2009.

April 2009

RFD TV has just aired a film produced by Best of America by Horseback featuring the Bitterroot cattle drive into the National Forest last July. We have been overwhelmed by the positive response to this magnificent country and that people realize we are caring custodians of it. This year we will be going all the way into the East Fork Basin with the cows. It will be a long, hard day and if there are any of you out there who would like to help, your presence would be much appreciated.

Unfortunately the wolves have historically denned in this area and will have hungry young pups in July. The arrival of all these cows will be an unexpected treat for them so much of our time and energy that month will be devoted to riding through the herd, trying to make sure not too many get eaten. We saw two wolves by our house a couple of weeks ago and at first glance mistook the big, black one for a moose. They are certainly a most formidable predator.

We are feeling rather under siege here with three sheep being taken from their pen by coyotes and the first bear of the season checking things out around the barn. On a lighter note, the blue birds are back, the ground squirrels are emerging from hibernation and the green grass is shooting up after all the spring moisture.

The Fox Family -- Bayard and Mel, Richard and Hadley

March 2009

Bayard and Mel have just returned from another fascinating, beautifully organized riding holiday in India, which has long been one of our favorite destinations. We then went on to Sri Lanka. Though a little country, it has tremendous diversity with Buddhist temples, cave paintings, great wildlife and unspoiled beaches all within a few hours drive. Richard and Hadley were with us and continued on to Thailand for a belated honeymoon.

It is now back to work at the ranch! The cows have mostly finished calving, the mares will start foaling in six weeks or so and the farming activity is about to begin.

In order to try to help you a little during this time of financial hardship, we are offering a 10% discount in July and August with an additional 5% off for former guests. We are also offering a 50% discount off of our regular price for children under 16.

The Fox Family -- Bayard and Mel, Richard and Hadley

January 2009

Wishing you a prosperous and happy 2009!

New Years Day

From all of us here at the Bitterroot.

The Fox Family -- Bayard and Mel, Richard and Hadley