Picketwire And Stonewall

My Top 3

WOW!

I went up to Stonewall invited by a guy I meet on Match.com. I’ll change his name to William. William did not want to be identified at all in a blog so I am granting his wish. Crap….it’s sort of hard to write about someone even in a nice way, which I strive to always do, but I do have a few blogs that are not so nice about people who are not so nice. It takes a lot to get on Frankie’s Bad List. : )

So anyway….I left work in Denver early to drive down to Stonewall and try to get there before it got dark. William was running behind and wouldn’t be there until after dark. I had no idea how to find his house in the dark. I kept busy on the way down snapping a few shots.

He had told me that I wouldn’t be able to get cell service on the ranch. Great! now as I arrive in the area I have no idea what to do. I traveled to a little place called the Picketwire Store and Motel. I was getting tired and hungry, which is not a good combination. I pulled over here and called William. He wasn’t home yet. Hmm! Now what? I stayed for awhile longer and called again. He answered and told me to be brave….he had the lights on??? In the dark there is no way to find it, but I started back the way I came. House after house with lights on. He gave me mileage from Picketwire to his place and it didn’t work. I was still lost. OK! Now I was getting upset. I had asked him to come and escort me back, but he just told me to be brave. I can be pretty brave most of the time, but I had never been to this area in my life. Not city living, we are talking about dark, not a ton of homes, but enough for me not to know what house to look for. I drove back once again to Picketwire Store. I called frustrated once again. He wasn’t there. Dang!

I was going to just go home, but as I was getting ready to leave I see this huge 450 Ford Ranch Truck speed up and pull up next to me. It was William. I got out and he got out. He felt bad, and that was nice, but I was hungry. This dirve should have taken me a 1/2 hour from Trinidad and not it was going on an hour and a half late. I was sick of driving. Now ….I was going to follow him to his place. I got there and got settled in my room. We stayed up and talked a long time and I was going to be up at sunrise, so I knew I should head to bed early. I had brought my usual bottle of wine when I travel and I had a glass, I think he had the rest. He needed to though. It seemed like he relaxed much better around me after that.

William was a gentleman. He said such cute things to me. I was shy more than anything. I don’t know how to take flirtation very well. I suck at it!!! If I have things in common with someone then it’s always fun. I seemed to get along with him well. I get along with most people though.

I went to bed and got up when the sun was coming up. This is what I got to see

Molly waiting for me at sunrise

It’s hard to see Molly in the photo. The sun is not up really and we are still in the dark. The sun is shining on the Sangre de Christo Mountains in the background. The moon is setting over them. I love this shot. I enjoy it mostly for the beauty, but Molly and I totally hit it off. She loved going on a walk with me. She would sit in the road far ahead of me and wait until I made a step her way and then she would take off running again.

Molly waiting for me on our morning stroll

I took some really nice shots that morning.

100 year old barn with the moon and mountains

This is just one. I will have many more on my website under my portfolio.

That morning William made me breakfast and it was so good. It’s been ages since a man has cooked for me. I love that! We got everything we needed ready and his friends were going to be ready to meet at his ranch soon. We loaded one ATV. I had my gear all set. I’m like a kid at Christmas when it comes to this sort of stuff. ATV’s AND chasing cows!!!! How much better can it get for me.

We arrived at a small shed to gather more things and meet his friends. Dick and Aleen, were a very nice wonderful couple. Then we would be off to meet at the ranch where the cattle were going to start to be moved from.

I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw this place. It was so spectacular that I couldn’t believe it. I huge valley laid out before me with cattle sprinkled as far as I could see. Lakes, the Stonewall which runs on the property. Stonewall is actually on their property. It is so incredible! I rode on the ATV with William and we chased a few cows alone with Aleen, and another friend named Jubull. I’m not sure if that is how you spell his name, but what a great cowboy. He was the only one on horseback. I got so many great shots of him.

South Six Ranch

Jubull

I love this shot of Jubull. I didn’t want to post any photos of William since I wasn’t sure how he felt about that.

I had so much fun on this day of gathering. We sorted them once we had them all penned and his group of calves looked quite impressive. There were some huge beautiful ones, for sure. I helped as much as I could while still taking photos. Even when the camera is around my neck, I’m still helping sort and all that. I LOVE the work.

After we sorted we made plans to meet in the morning and then get them inspected, counted and ready to be shipped. It was a very loud day. All the bawling must have made my head start hurting.

We rode the ATV’s down to where his little barn is on this property and where he is building his beautiful home. I was so impressed. I have to admit I saw myself living there. It was amazing. There was the most beautiful herd of deer in the meadow across the river from his home. He helped me cross the river over a huge dead tree. I really did love the house. It has to be one of the nicest places to ever build a home. I started really feeling bad when we were there, and wanted to just go lay down.

I ended up getting a huge headache. A migraine at that. I didn’t know William had purchased tickets for us to go to a Cattleman’s Banquet. Those are pretty fun and lots of food and drink. I felt so bad for not feeling like going but he was very understandable.

The next morning we started a bit later and got up on the mountain where the cattle were in their pens all separated. The momma cows were still bawling and so were the babies. One momma cow had been attacked by coyotes, so it seemed. It was an awful site. Her udder had been destroyed. I could barely look at it. All in all the herd looked great.

The big cattle shipping trucks arrived and the the loading process began. It took a long time. I had been hoping that William and I could go travel around on the ranch and he could show me all the cool spots he enjoys. We all made sandwiches after the trucks left.

I also met William’s mother. She was very nice to me. I pretty much get along with everyone, unless the are some sort of butt-head.

I have to throw in one more photo. It’s of Jubull holding on to some cookies. I found this so funny. He is a cookie lover and I have to admit, these were great cookies.

I had a really nice time, and I’m sure I will see William again. He has so much of what I’m looking for in a partner. We certainly share a passion for ranching. I can’t wait to go back.

Tag: match.com