Day 7

On Friday morning we went on a half-day ride in the area around the ranch to Trapper Creek Canyon. We rode through the fields and along Trapper Creek. The creek provided trees and greenery not found in the general area. The creek had flooded on Monday - our first day - so we were surveying the damage to see how far we could get into the canyon.

On our way we passed the Trapper Ranch where the ranch owners live. They are from Brussels. The wife named Maurin, practices natural horsemanship. I don't know how natural it is for a horse to stand on a can - but I guess that is part of the skill set.











Our destination was a rock formation covered in inscriptions found slong the canyon wall. Most of them were Native American carvings that were several hundred years old, showing a variety of figures and animals of symbolic importance.

There was also a carving of a skull dating back around 3,000 years. 

This one is a turtle.
























































And, of course, there was some hundred-year-old graffiti.

We climbed out of the canyon - which required some scary foot work - for the horses that is.







We then headed out and back to the road.

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Tom's dogs were tired and hot









In the afternoon we drove up into the Big Horn mountains and went on a short hike to see some views of the snowy peaks. We went up to 9200 feet where the air was cool and pleasant. Got to see some vistas of snowy peaks and pretend we were in The Sound of Music.












































































That night the ranch had their farewell barbecue. We ate ors d'oeuvres while the head wrangler played the bagpipes in the background.

As part of the barbecue they served us unusual sausages: bison, pheasant, rattlesnake, and venison.

We were happy to have last dinner there with our good friends from England, Debbie and Terry.

The wranglers also joined us for dinner. Here we have Head Wrangler Tom along with Daniel and Jeff.

Lydia gets a surprise. One of the guests - Roberta (from NJ) - had a skirt that Lydia coveted and at the dinner she gave it to Lydia. She was thrilled. Here they are together. Lydia wearing her new skirt!

Tom's son Shamos entertained us with some guitar playing and singing. Emma, Lydia and wrangler Kara also entertained us with YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE.

During the dinner a strong gust of wind came through, bringing some really neat clouds with it.

After dinner we packed to leave.