We just returned from a 5-day visit with my sister and brother-in-law at their ranch in West Texas. B-I-L Maxie and his two siblings were each given approx 5.5 sections (3520 acres) of their parents' ranch about 20 miles west of Iraan where Maxie, Sharon and I grew up. M&S are building a hunting cabin on their part of the ranch and we decided to go out and help them.
We worked hard the first two days, finishing up the forms for the foundation that was poured on Thursday (pictures will be forthcoming as soon as Sharon sends them to me -- I forgot my camera!). Suffice it to say that I added rebar "wire twisting" to my construction skills resume!
After work, lunch, clean-up and a nap, we would take a ride in their 4-wheeled Polaris Ranger. In addition to the longhorn cattle, sheep, and goats they raise on the ranch, we saw quail, dove, roadrunners, jackrabbits (which JJ and Grover LOVED chasing), cottontails, deer, a variety of butterflies and even rattlesnake tracks. JJ and Grover also kept us safe from vultures touring the area by barking at them whenever they came into view. One afternoon, it showered on us as we were riding around -- quite refreshing!
One evening we were treated to a spectacular lightning show -- one that only the skies of West Texas can produce.
While there, I collected some cacti for our desert garden at home: cholla, horse-crippler, lace cactus and another type I'm unsure of.
Every evening after dinner, we played 42 -- Carl and I managed to win enough so we were not totally humiliated!
It was a great week and it reminded me of all the things I loved about living out there. . .
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