Buffalo WY Week One

We are back in another of our favorites spots, Buffalo, Wyoming.  We plan for this to be our home until the end of September, so you’ll see lots of local scenery while we’re here.  We are camped again at Deer Park Campground in the long-term parking section.  This means we have a large, grassy lawn with lots of shade and some great neighbors.  

As in years past, one of our first adventures was a walk along Clear Creek up Mosier Gulch west of Buffalo.  "Joe's Trail" winds along the creek for over a mile, providing lots of ups and downs and good shade from the bright Wyoming sun.  We have already walked it three times, and will be regular visitors while we're here.

The dogs are accustomed to their packs, and to the “trail” command that lets them know they are working (carrying our water and a few dog treats) and not free to go hunting for squirrels and chipmunks.  (Well, Rue doesn’t think that rule applies to her, and feels free occasionally to go a few feet off the trail in pursuit of one.  She even convinced us to take off her pack so she could play in the water at the impound.) 

We also explored another nice trail about a half-hour from camp.  The South Piney Creek Trail begins near the small town of Story and runs alongside...you guessed it...Piney Creek.  We only walked a short distance up the trail, but found some lovely pools and more rushing water like we found in Clear Creek.  

We will plan a longer hike in the next few days to see what other sights this trail can provide.  

On Thursday I enjoyed an adventure, sans dogs and John, when I was invited to join Linda Lulias to check cows at her ranch east of Buffalo.  

The ranch is lovely, and the cows are fat and sassy in spite of it being dry this time of year.  They came running when Linda called them for some cubes.

Most of them are sleek and shiny black angus, but there are a few light-colored ones, the descendants of the "old yellow cow" that Linda's dad kept in spite of her color because of the good calves she raised.  

One of them is named Marilyn because she is a beautiful blond.  Marilyn's sister is above, and her good heifer calf is below.  

The grass is high on Linda's place, and the Powder River still flows.

The river provided an interesting introduction when we forded the stream!  This rock is the river level gauge that lets you know when you can cross.  If it is under water, you don't!

The original ranch was larger, but has been divided among several heirs.  Linda inherited her spread from her father, who passed several years ago.  I was able to see the home Linda's grandparents built that is located on an adjacent property.  

It brought back memories of the good times I spent on my grandmother's small dairy farm in Comanche County, Texas. 

Linda has lived in Buffalo most of her life, and shared a wealth of information about the area and her family.  It was a great time with a good friend in a magical place.  `

We arrived in Buffalo just before the beginning of Longmire Days, the (almost) annual celebration of the Longmire books and hit TV series.  This year, Robert Taylor, star of the TV series was on hand for the activities, as was author Craig Johnson who continues to write the Longmire mystery series.  Unfortunately, we didn’t make advance reservations so we haven’t seen either of the celebrities, but many of our friends here have.  We’ll report on any sightings in our next post, so stay tuned.  We will be working sheep this week as well, so watch for pics of Cody and Bo in action.