Ropes and Rails and Rattlesnake Tails

May. Time for the annual Adams Ranch Branding. We made our pilgrimage during Memorial Day weekend. We arrived on Thursday and on Friday my Mom had all of the men ensnared in her plan to fence off the yard. After years of brown spots on her grass (from cows dropping their little treasures on the lawn) and uprooted plants in her garden, she has had enough. The guys made quick work of it and had most of the posts set in cement by the end of the day. Wahoo!
Saturday was the big day. Dad had rounded up enough help to have a roping team and a good ground team. The ladies mostly worked inside fixing a delicious meal fit for Thanksgiving dinner. One thing you learn on a farm is that even though you've spent the majority of your life doing "guy's work" once you get married and live on a paved street, you no longer qualify for "guy's work" and are replaced in your duties by your city slicker husband because they are obviously better qualified on account of their elevated levels of testosterone. I'm not bitter, just amused. This year I was grateful for a break from my "duties" at the branding. In the recent past I had been the designated castrator of male calves. Not fun.
The guys performed their duties with finesse though and the calves were branded, ear-marked, and castrated (when applicable) within hours. Good job!
Sunday was a beautiful day that turned out to be very relaxing and restful, something we all needed. After church, wonderful sunday dinner, and a good nap, we went outside and played a few games on the lawn. My sisters and sister in law are very musically talented so whenever we get together, it's always fun to gather around the piano while Carla or my Mom plays and sing hymns and oldies with everyone singing a different part. Some of our favorites are "Dream" "Abide With Me, Tis Eventide" and "If You Could Hye to Kolob" among many.
Monday was rainy and the day to pack up and go but David couldn't leave without getting a fishing trip in so early that morning he and my two brothers and nephew went fishing at the "White Bridge". They had a blast catching all kinds of big trout followed by a pit stop (snake pit that is) to kill some rattlesnakes. A friend of ours recently discovered a rattlesnake pit on his property and has invited anyone willing to come hunt them. They are everywhere. Glen recently killed about 25 there in one day. Another friend killed over thirty on another day. On Monday they killed five. David came back white faced, but with a prize of two rattles taken from the serpent's tails. Yuck! So, that was our exciting weekend, If anyone wants to join us on our next Adams branding adventure feel free to ask. You can expect a grand old time filled with hard work, blood, dust, cow poo, and deadly reptiles with a few tamer past-times intermingled.
Sawyer proudly showing off the day's catch. His brother Cody caught the biggest one at 19 inches. They went all the way down to the smallest at 13 inches. Way to go boys!

The ground crew. Hyrum threw the calves down while Sawyer branded and castrated. David was a little inexperienced so he just gave shots. What a rough and tumble group.

This is a calf fry, rocky mountain oyster, little sausage.........calf testicle roasting on a piece of corrigated tin. The dog ate this one but the humans saved their share too. Michael cooked some up inside and ate them with the girl he brought home to see the family. He knows how to show a girl a good time. He could have lit some candles and served them on fine china if he really wanted to impress her, but no. Testicles on paper plates is all she got. He also took her rattlesnake hunting. What a Romeo.

The roping team, well some of it. From left to right: Matthew, an italian cowboy from back east that I can't remember a name for, and Nate Allington. Great crew and good cowboys.

Clare and Hyrum loved riding on the horses. This one's name is Jake.