Catching Up & Ranch Happenings
You may have noticed that there was no newsletter last week. Unfortunately, both Helen and I caught the flu, which put us out of commission for a bit. Thankfully, we didn’t get sick at the same time, so between the two of us and Sam, we were able to keep the ranch running and take care of the essentials. After a few days under the weather, I recovered just in time to make a flight to Pennsylvania for my dad’s 70th birthday in my hometown of Lancaster.
Now that we're caught up, let’s dive into this week’s ranch happenings.
The Hummer Project & A Trip into the Canyon
After packing boxes on Monday, Sam and I needed to make a trip down into the canyon. While I was away, Sam finished the last touches on our feed Hummer project. With two bolts securing the feeder hopper to the military Hummer’s support frame, we now have a solid setup for feeding cattle in the rough terrain. If you’re new here and want to see the project in action, check out our last YouTube video—about halfway through, you’ll catch us working on the fix. Click here to watch.
With everything in order, we took the Hummer down into America’s second-largest canyon, Palo Duro. Our herd there enjoys a natural advantage—warmer temperatures during the winter. This is particularly important for newborn calves, as they are most vulnerable to the cold when they’re first born wet. While cattle develop the ability to handle cold weather early in life, that first exposure can be risky. Ensuring this part of our herd has the best possible environment is a big part of our stewardship.
Exclusive Drone Footage
On our way into the canyon, I grabbed some more drone shots—something a lot of folks seem to really enjoy. If you’d like to check them out, make sure to watch this week’s YouTube video at the end of the newsletter. Since we own land in the canyon and have special permission, we’re among the few who can legally fly drones there. So, if you want a unique view of this incredible landscape, be sure to subscribe to our channel while you're at it!
Feeding, Checking Cattle & Ranch Stewardship
Once in the canyon, we put the newly fixed hopper to work, feeding grain to the herd. I’m happy to report the fix was a success! Beyond feeding, we also check on each animal, making sure they’re all accounted for and in good health. Ranching isn’t just about raising cattle—it’s about caring for them. We go to great lengths to ensure their well-being, and days like this remind us why we love what we do.
Testing Out the Dirt Bike Cam
After a productive morning, it was time for a little recreation. I took the dirt bike out for a spin—this time with a camera setup to film the ride. I’ll be honest, getting the angles and mic settings right has been a work in progress. This was my fourth attempt, but I finally ended up with something watchable (and pretty fun). That adventure is also on YouTube this week, so be sure to check it out for another glimpse of life on the ranch.
The Windiest City in America
As I write this, Amarillo is living up to its reputation as the windiest city in America. The average wind speed here is 13 MPH—let that sink in. Today, we’re hitting 50 MPH sustained winds (not just gusts). It looks apocalyptic outside, with huge dust clouds blocking out the sun. By the time you read this, things should have calmed down to a “mild” 14 MPH.
One thing you can pray for, though, is rain. While we’re not in dire straits yet, the extended forecast looks bone dry, and with wheat in the ground, we need moisture soon.
Thanks for reading—be sure to click on that YouTube link, and I’ll see you next week!
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