Riding 'round the ranch

Lately, Binbin has been going out to give feed to the horses, pigs, and chickens with the feed man. Feeding the critters is only part of the job, though. The first time, they came back with just four eggs, but the after lunch run today produced about 10 or 20 (according to Binbin’s count). That’s rewarding, but so too is the ride out and back in the back of one of the many pick-ups on the ranch.

A more unusual vehicle here is the pedi-cab that the cook uses to transport his dog back and forth from Henderson Station about 2 miles down the highway. The pedi-cab, is a 3 wheeler contraption with seating area affixed to the steering. The cook graciously gave the green light for a ride down to the fields and back before dusk yesterday evening. It’s got kind of touchy steering, and it’s slow-going through the softer, deeper pockets of sand, but that’s part of the charm.

now that's old

Behind Binbin is one of the oldest living things on earth, an ancient bristlecone pine tree! Some of the oldest individuals in the Methuselah Grove, where we went hiking this morning, are known to be over four thousand years old! They grow at altitudes around 8000 to 10,000 feet above sea level in a crushed dolomite, nutrient poor soil. Incredibly, some may suffer from fire, soil erosion, and sacrifice a part of themselves so that another part continues to live.

From our high vantage point, we could see much of the impressive Sierra range to the west beyond the Owens Valley. And, we could see nearby Deep Springs Valley, which is our temporary adopted home, a little green oasis in a dusty bowl. Last night, as we peered to the east after sunset, we could see a magnificent lightening storm happening in far, far away Nevada.

We’ve heard about Hurricane Irene even farther east, and we hope our friends are managing to keep dry. We miss you.

Cream, Mmmmm

A couple days ago, I started my morning by stirring a thick, nearly solid spoonful of cream into my coffee. Jack spread the rest of this heavenly stuff on toast with jam. Does life get better than this? Most of our milk, cream, and other dairy products come from the udders of Ruth and Lilith and the daily labor of the dairy boys who milk at 4 am and 4 pm. The dairy boys let us come and watch Thursday afternoon, as they dished up some grain, added more hay to the feeding area, topped off the water trough, then cleaned the bovine ladies, and milked them. Frothy, fresh milk poured out for the dairy boys whose calloused hands worked with enviable efficiency. I managed a single, small pitcher, as Binbin looked on. He also watched the separator produced two streams of cream and milk. When Ruth and Lilith were done, the boys checked in on the leffies (Ruth and Lilith’s most recent progeny), Boyd and Oliver. Then, we headed back to the Boardinghouse with the afternoon’s goods.

Deep Springs

After spending a couple of days camping at Bryce Canyon National Park, we arrived at Deep Springs last Saturday afternoon. I can hardly convey what an amazing place this is. Here is what is it to drive in.

We came in from the east, crossing from Nevada into California through a mountain pass, probably on the order of 6000 feet above sea level. The approach to the college took us down easy switchbacks, and what we saw was a valley floor, dusty and brown desert, with a single green patch, as if we were in a massive sand trap aiming for a tiny green. The ranch entrance isn't marked like your typical elite college or university with highly visible signage. There is a dusty (of course) gate, a box for a missing visitors' log book, then a row of stout trees lining the dirt road between alfalfa fields. The road leads to a circle, populated with soccer goals, balls, and frisbees. Several buildings sit around the circle, most notably the main building, with library, offices, guest quarters, and a living room.

We settled in the boarding house, or BH, which includes the kitchen, dining hall, our apartment, and meat hanger. Yes, meat hanger. On Monday (I think it was), we took a detour from our trip into the Bishop, the local metropolis, to watch a cow being butchered. Binbin was fascinated, as were we. Four guys with knives and the traces of blood and entrails staining their clothes, removed the insides into a bucket loader and then proceeded to separate the hide from the carcass. After the hide was completely separated (about an hour or so), we headed into town for some shopping. We are still close to that creature, as it ages beneath our apartment, which now buzzes with the operations of the cooler.

We have learned so much in our days here that it's hard to get it all out. I had meant to write about the dairy boys, yesterday's 4 pm milking, and the delicious raw milk and cream that Ruth and Lilith provide. I'll get that in soon.

Another day is dawning in the valley, the cool breezes will soon cede to the mighty sun here.

crazy landscape

Quick update:
We drove through Rocky Mountain National Park yesterday morning. Highest elevation was over 12,000 feet, and boy did we all feel it. Even Binbin complained of a tummy ache and tired out quickly. The views were spectacular, and the air a cool 55 degrees. A storm blew through and by lunchtime we were picnicking under the sunshine.

The afternoon was hot and dry and hot as we drove along the headwaters of the mighty Colorado River. Our evening destination, just minutes before the park closed was the campground of Colorado National Monument. Here's a photo from our hike this morning along the Canyon RIm.



We're now cleaning ourselves up in Cedar City, Utah. We're heading out to Bryce tomorrow morning. We hope you all are enjoying the summer, and we'll post again soon.

Into the wild

We are about get back on the road for a few days, for this of you who have been waiting for new news of our cross coutry drive. We left Rcokford last Friday. Morning in the wee hours. Binbin noted the amber moon hung low in the western sky before falling back to sleep around 4:30 am or so. sunrise came at 6:17 in the Iowa sky, rolling hills of corn beside us, and news of the Republican candidates banter.

we pulled into Grand Island, Nebraska mid afternoon. ...More on that later...

We need to get the food packed, Jack informs. We will be camping in Colorado Ntional Monument and Bryce Canyon Ntional Park these next several days. We hope to pull into Deep Springs on the 19th, and have Internet access again then.

In the midwest

We're about 1/3 of the way across the country, and we've stopped in to visit Yeye and Nainai in Rockford, Ill. The weather has cooled off considerably, making it very pleasant for local outings.

Here with Yeye at the Boone County Fair:



Then with Nainai at the Anderson Japanese-style gardens: