A Doggone Good Time!

As we returned to Texas and I started to work with Cody in preparation for this spring’s herding dog trials, I had an opportunity to watch some of the very best in action.  The Texas Sheep Dog Association was holding its 2019 Finals just outside Stephenville, only an hour from our farm.  I volunteered to scribe (keep score) for a couple of the judges, and spent the rest of my time watching the awesome dogs and handlers.  When I wasn't working, I was taking pictures.  Here are some of my favorites.

On Friday the weather left a lot to be desired, and everyone was bundled up and taking shelter from the cold and wind.

Alan Mills usually has a dog in the hunt, so to speak, and he is always generous with his time and very supportive.

Brent Phelps and Pete made it all the way to the double-lift finals.

Brent was preparing for a shed, but it looks like he's about to conduct choir practice.

Jack Christensen and Durt are neighbors who live in Meridian near our farm.

Emil Luedecke and his dog, Zac, are veterans, well-respected by all the handlers. 

Is it my turn yet?

Kay Stephens and Jef prepare to pen their sheep.

Joann Hardy and Wyatt work on their shed.

Jamie Mitchell and Sweep...praise for a job well done.

But the fun wasn't over...far from it!  On Saturday, our good friends, Neal and Lana Caterson joined us for a while at the trial, then came out to spend Sunday with us at the farm.  We met the Catersons in 2014 when they parked next us us at Custer's Gulch RV Resort and Campground in Custer, SD.  They have been camping neighbors since then, as well.  Here are a couple of photos from the year that friendship began.

As well as this one from 2015.

Lana and Neal are down to only one pomeranian now, 19-year-old Happy (the little black fellow above) who was napping when we took this year's photo.  We cherish their friendship and were glad to see the three of them.  We look forward to many more meet-ups as we all continue to travel.

Homecoming

We arrived “back home” on Wednesday, October 24.  That’s a little early for us, but that’s how our timetable worked out.  We checked with Ranglers in Hamilton on the way into town, but found that workers on the pipeline being built in the area had taken all the available RV spaces.  

We pushed on to Circle T a few miles west of town, and dropped Falcon and the Royals for a few days.  For those of you who may be traveling through Hamilton, this is a good option for an overnight or short stay.  It’s a fantastic facility for roping, barrel racing, and other similar events, and it has a large parking area with water and electric.  (I believe we paid $25 per night.)  If you’re lucky, there will be an event scheduled and you can watch for free in their beautiful, covered arena.  The Crossfire Cafe is open on weekends, and there is a very nice hotel on site if you’re not pulling your own bedroom.  

With John and me, the three dogs and food for a couple of days packed into our petite Chevy Equinox, we headed to the farm some 15 miles east of Hamilton.  (Those of you familiar with the place know we call it Goat Hill because when my parents bought the place back in late December, 1958, they stocked it with angora goats. The name stuck, even if the goats didn't.)  

We found everything in order there.  Both HVAC units were working, the hot water heaters produced all we needed for showers, and the cows were fat and happy.  It’s drier than we would like…there was a lot of rain before we left, but not much has fallen in the 4 months since.  But we’re home, and happy to be here.

One of the first things I did was pull the card from our game camera to see what critters had visited since we left.  In addition to a good representation of whitetail bucks and does, and our small herd of cattle, we logged in one coyote,

  

several turkeys,

a good-sized hog,

a couple of appearances by this non-typical whitetail buck,

and a number of visits by this young fallow buck that must have escaped from one of the neighboring ranches that are high-fenced and stocked with exotic game.

We’re always glad to see wildlife, and hoped that the non-typical and the fallow would survive deer season and visit again.  However, on our next visit to the farm they did not appear on the camera.  I’m afraid they went “off the (Goat Hill) reservation” and were taken by hunters on neighboring properties.

After a couple of days relaxing and prepping the farmhouse for our next visit, we hooked up and headed back to Volente.  I’ll brag on John.  When we park the 38-foot fifth wheel, he has to make a 90 degree turn to back into the RV shed.  We have only 6 inches clearance between the posts on each side of the RV, and when the coach is properly positioned, there is only about a foot between the rear and the back wall.  It normally takes us several tries to get it right, but this time John slid the coach in correctly on the first attempt!  Good job, Bagley!