Cattle Drive on the Canyon Rim | Rattlesnakes, Hogs, and Cowboys

🐂 This Week’s Adventure: Rattlesnakes, Rough Country, and a Cowboy Named Aaron

Hello and welcome to this week’s newsletter!

If you’re new here, my name’s Connor McCauley, and I married into an incredible fifth-generation Texas ranching family. These newsletters come straight from our life here on the Harrell Ranch — written from my eyes as I learn, work, and grow alongside a family who’s been ranching this land long before my time.

And for those who’ve been following along — welcome back, friend. You already know the drill. Around here, we believe every family legacy matters. Big or small, old or new — it’s what you build around that dinner table that counts. So grab a cup of coffee, kick your boots up, and ride along with us on this week’s adventure.

🌄 Day One: The Canyon Wakes Up

Aaron’s day began before the sun got its boots on.
He saddled his horse, Lariat, cinched tight, and set out to gather a group of cows and yearlings for our third round of weaning. Around here, we can’t get them all in one shot — it takes time, patience, and a handful of cowboys who know how to move as one.

Aaron, Derek, and Coit teamed up at first light, their horses cutting through the morning chill as they fanned out across the range. The Palo Duro country isn’t your ordinary Texas landscape — it’s wild, unpredictable country.

If you’ve ever been up by Amarillo, you know it’s flat as a pancake until — all at once — the Earth just falls away. That’s the canyon. From above, it looks like a giant spiderweb of cracks and veins, with streams and gullies that twist out into the plains. It’s one of those places that reminds you how small you are and how mighty God’s handiwork really is.

🐍 The Rattlesnake in the Brush

Now, every cowboy has a story, and this was Aaron’s for the day.
As he pushed through a stand of mesquite, he heard a sharp rattle from the brush. Sure enough — coiled up and ready — a rattlesnake waited just off the trail.

He handled it like any true cowboy would — cautious, steady, and a touch curious. He didn’t mess with it much (there’s a fine line between brave and dumb), but he did manage to capture a quick look before moving on. You can see that moment yourself in this week’s YouTube video — it’s worth a watch.

🐖 The Hog in the Brush

Not long after that, Aaron made his way toward Rush Creek Dam, where the water still sat deep and clear. Just a few head of cattle were drinking along the bank, tails swishing lazily, when Lariat’s ears perked up.

Something moved in the brush — not the slither of a snake this time, but a low grunt followed by the shuffle of hooves on dry leaves. Out came a hog, thick as a fence post and just as mean-looking, rooting around like he owned the place.

Now, if you’ve ever crossed paths with a wild hog, you know they don’t scare easy — and they sure don’t have manners. Aaron reined Lariat to a stop, both of them sizing up the intruder. The hog gave a snort, glared like he was daring them to blink first, and then tore off into the thicket with that telltale squeal only a hog can make.

Out here, you learn quick — you’re not the only one working these canyons. Between the hogs, coyotes, and rattlers, it’s a full cast of characters, and every day brings a new story.

🐎 The Miles Between Here and the Pens

Aaron pressed on, covering mile after mile on horseback.
He worked the herd through hills and draws, steady and sure, guiding the cattle closer to the pens where the rest of the crew was pushing in their bunches.

By the time he made it in, he’d logged a long day in the saddle — sorting and separating yearlings from mamas, pulling steers and heifers into their groups. It’s dusty, loud, and exhausting — but it’s the kind of work that ends with the good kind of tired, where the dirt on your jeans tells the story better than words ever could.

🤠 What’s Next

Next week, we’ll follow Day Two of this weaning adventure — more rough country, more cowboy stories, and more glimpses into the legacy that keeps this place alive.

In the meantime, I’d love for you to watch this week’s video — you’ll see everything I just told you unfold in real time: the gathering, the snake, the hog, the cattle.

You can find it right here in this newsletter — just click and watch.

And whether you’re new to ranch life or just here for the ride, we’re grateful to have you. These stories aren’t just about our family — they’re about what it means to build something that lasts.

Because when all’s said and done, legacy isn’t about land or cattle — it’s about who’s gathered at your table.

See y’all next week,
– Connor