Who Goosed the Moose

Our adventurous spirit was peaked with the wild mustang chase last Sunday. We followed that up with a 2:00AM visit to Stagecoach Lake Park to watch the meteor shower. Unfortunately, while very entertaining, it was a bit difficult for an amateur photographer to film; so...sorry about that.

Don't be dismayed, however. As I said, our adventurous spirit was sequentially, significantly spiked. This morning (Wednesday) we decided to go moose hunting.

 And a beautiful morning it was...

Sunrise on CR-34

From Steamboat to just a bit south of Walden we cut cross-country corners catching County Road 34. This cuts off several miles while availing us to some sensationally, scintillating scenery. It was a magical morning and the early sun danced upon the sage and other wildflowers.

 It's hard to roll out of bed at 4:00AM...but immensely worthwhile!

Our new Cherokee friend, Degotoga, greets the hillside flora.

That's right, folks, Jethro no longer leads our jaunts and journeys. While we miss him, we are comforted knowing that he found a new home almost before the dealer in Kentucky could get him on the lot. In fact, they called us the day he sold just to let us know he had a new home. Perhaps, his new family won't work him quite so hard. While we owned him only two years, we escalated his mileage close to 100K. That said, he still was worth 60% of his sticker price when he was new back in 2012.

Degotoga, Jethro's replacement, is full blood Cherokee as his name suggests. For those of you fluent in the native Cherokee tongue, DEGOTOGA means, "Standing Together." Since that's what Liz and I try to do on a daily basis, how could we pass on a Cherokee named Degotoga. He joined us in Lexington in June.

 

Our Sad Moose Tale

After arriving at the Arapaho Wildlife Refuge we discovered the Colorado Park Ranger Service has "sold out!" While I'm not a tree-hugging liberal, and while I recognize that all good things must eventually come to and end, I still find it sad that the meese of Arapaho are almost all gone and have been replaced by over 200 head of cattle. So...as you're savoring a sensuous sirloin, just be aware Marvin and Mary Moose gave up their marvelous marsh so that it could be converted to a VRBO for bovines. Seriously, it was a real bummer to stand atop Owl Ridge Road, binoculars in hand, and see cattle completely covering the entire marshy moose meadow. I guess the motto is, enjoy the good things in life before they're all gobbled up.

Miles away from the the clamoring cattle we did spot a couple of meese maidens munching.

Meet Marge and Melinda Moose

Marge has been searching for her main man Marvin ever since he was cattle-prodded from home.

A few critters remain in the refuge and seemed un-phased by the new regulations (or lack thereof).

 Gomer Gopher

 The answer to the question, "Who's the odd man out?"

Homer Hawk

After leaving the once moose rich meadows of Arapaho Wildlife (no longer) Refuge, we decide to take an ambitious short cut back to Steamboat. Here's what that looks like on a map:

Lower black line is US 40 to Hwy 14 - the traditional auto route

The red line is the off-road, shortcut over Buffalo Pass via CR-24 & CR-38

This route is not recommended if you suspect that any of your internal organs may be loose or otherwise not permanently secured. The eastern half of the journey is rather benign; the western portion is another story indeed. All that said, the trip was breathtakingly scenic.

 CR-24 - Gravel...but...smooth sailing

 View from Buffalo Pass

Looking toward Steamboat near Buffalo Pass

As we came over a rise, Lizzy squealed with delight. At first I thought she had found the long, lost bear she has been searching for since our escapades began. Moreover, she mused upon a majestic, medley of muleys (Colorado Mule Deer). It was a fitting end to a blissful day in Cool, Colorful, Colorado.

A pic worth clicking for a closer look

Stay tuned...the saga continues through October...

Horsin' Around

Don't ask me why...we just love chasing the wild mustangs around Sandwash Basin west of Steamboat. Follow US 40 to Hwy 381 and from there take county road 67 toward Sandwash Basin. It's just a 100 mile, two hour ride to get there. But, once arrived, expect to spend most of the day crawling along the sand and gravel off-road trails searching for the wild equines.

Map of the backroads of Sandwash Basin

Last year we found most of the handsome horses while exploring the western loop. We had some amazing up-close encounters. Today was totally different; almost everything we saw was along the western boundary of the northern (upper ) loop. The horses were well scattered and only a couple of sightings offered some close-ups with my 400mm tele lens. Overall, we probably encountered over 100 horses and it was a fantastic day!

Most sightings are from several hundred yards to as far as you can see...

 ...occasionally you can find these evasive critters within 100 yards.

Apparently there is an ongoing battle to maintain their natural habitat. Like most things you read these days, it's hard to find the truth. Those trying to protect them would suggest that the struggle to save their current home is desperate.

Here's a few of our favorite images from today's adventure. Click each image if you desire to have a full screen view...

Click the pic for larger image

 Palomino Pair

 Sup, dawg? You lookin' for sumptin'?

Think I'll be movin' on.

Among the most fascinating facets of chasing these amazing critters is observing how healthy they appear, especially considering their desolate looking habitat. Also, it's cool to see their variety of interesting colors from blacks, silvers, greys, palominos, pintos, dapples, bays and everything imaginable.

I hate it when people ask about my red nose.

I've got yer back...

Wild-eyed stare

Bourbon and Thoroughbreds

As most everyone is aware, I'm sure, Lexington is the home of amazing thoroughbred race horses and amazing bourbons. In fact, 14 of the 20 horses that started the 2018 Kentucky Derby came from Lexington Farms. Further, over 90% of the nations bourbon hails from Kentucky and much of that  near Lexington. We have visited a dozen or so distilleries and several of the Thoroughbred Farms during our past sojourns in Kentucky. We find them to be interesting and unique.

Part of the allure of this region, at least for Liz and I, is the lush beauty and community pride taken in the grooming of the landscape in this area. Obviously, raising thoroughbreds is expensive and the farms wherein the horses live are gorgeous. The distilleries, on the other hand, range from beauties like Makers Mark to rather nasty looking, more industrial venues like Buffalo Trace. Each has its own unique story to tell. And...omg...flavors of bourbon range from sweet sippers to lip-burnering throat-scalders.

This year we toured two spots early on that were firsts for us: Old Friends Farm and Castle Key Distillery.

Old Friends Farm

Castle Key Distillery

Old Friends Farm

A lovely retirement home for retired thoroughbreds, Old Friends Farm was founded in 2003. Over 100 former equine athletes live out their golden years on this farm. Horses live into their late 20's and sometimes 30's. And, I assume, most would prefer not to become someone's dog's next meal. Ouch! Via sponsorship and funding from the likes of Bob Baffert (of Kentucky Derby and other horse racing fame) these happy horses receive care, affection and exercise. It was a fun day giving them a visit.

 Silver Charm - Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner - 1997

 Silver Charm enjoying brunch

Touch Gold - Belmont Winner - 1997

Castle Key Distillery

Castle Key is a story waiting to be told. Their first batch of bourbon is resting quietly in their aging barns. They've "hit the rack" - dontchasee?!  Nevermind...

Their digs aren't new; rather they're refurbished from the 1972 closing of the former Old Taylor Distillery. As you can see below, the castle-like interior is a great enticement to lure visitors into purchasing overpriced mementos. That said, it was a gorgeous drive like most in the area, and a fun place to kick around.

Castle Key Distillery Visitor Center

More to come so stay tuned!!

Make Hay While the Sun Shines

Throughout our lives I'm sure we all have heard the old adage, "Make Hay While the Sun Shines." Funny how living a legend makes it that much more real. In fact, Here I am doing just that!

 Makin' Hay While the Sun Shines

Now then...for those of you who've never raked or teddered hay from the back of a John Deere tractor, I'm sure you've always wanted to. Well, after just seven years of visits to Fink Farm, Mike has finally allowed me to begin my internship. Here were some of the stages:

• First, you must own or buy a western style straw hat and denim shirt. Denim jeans are a given (preferably Wranglers).
• Next, mow Gunner's pasture with a full-sized golf course mower sporting front, right and left retractable rotary cutters allowing for a 8-10 foot mowing swath.
• You're allowed one time to drop a cutter into a wooden fence, but you cannot damage the fence requiring repair
• You're allowed two times sinking the mower into the mud, but only once deep enough to require the use of another tractor to pull you free.
• You must offer to make drinks (preferably Old Fashoined) for Boss Mike and Bosstess Michelle.
• For each mowing or haying event, you must buy dinner for the Boss and Bosstess.
• After completing the aforementioned tasks successfully, you "may" graduate to piloting the John Deere whilst towing either a rake or tedder.
• Obviously, each day on the Deere requires more drinks and more dinners for the bosses!
• Don't ask me how I was able to negotiate such an amazing deal so heavily one-sided in my favor. Hopefully, Boss Mike will never figure it out. 

My Mentor - Mike is "The Man"

The truth about Making Hay While the Sun Shines

Once again, I'm no expert, but I think it goes something like this...
The process of making hay begins by growing a nice stand of grass (Bluegrass in Kentucky). Apparently, there's a science of knowing when to cut and bale during a window of time that allows the hay to be at it's highest nutritional value and maintain its best dollar value as well. Once cut, the weather plays a huge role in the next few days activities. If it lays around too long or gets rained on, it must be teddered or fluffed up before baling. If the weather is cooperative, sometimes the teddering can be skipped. It's interesting to watch as an expert like Mike visits his fields at different times of the day and determines not only what process, but which machine and what time of day is appropriate. During times when rain was imminent, Mike and his crew might bale until midnight to get the best yield possible.

Selfishly, I had a ball just learning the process a little bit better thanks to Mike allowing me to get up close and personal. Hopefully, I was able to help and not just hinder.

A Funny Observation!!

Keep in mind that I've only ridden a tractor once before in my life before Mike's internship. One afternoon I teddered from 1:15pm until 5:45pm non-stop. While riding old John Deere I had my iPhone in my pocket. It has an app entitled Health which, among other things, counts your footsteps and miles walked. Later that same evening, while recuperating, I glanced at said app. It read as follows:

• Walking/Running Distance - 5.4 miles
• Steps                                     11,532
• Flights Climbed                    10 floors

Keep in mind, I did no walking at all that day. The aforementioned data was recorded while the iPhone jostled around in my pants pocket while I teddered some 40 acres of cut hay fields. As they say, "Nothing Runs Like a Deere!" Nobody ever said it was a smooth ride, however. LOL - OMG!

Here's a few photos of Farmer Burton's raking adventures. Thanks, again, Mike!! The drinks and dinner were well worth it.

One of several properties for which Mike processes hay.

Lower left is cut hay - Upper right is hay raked and ready for baling

Mike baling hay that I raked into furrows

Loaded hay wagons awaiting delivery

Livin' Large!!

Back to The Beginning - Spingtime in Lexington

Well...as best I can we'll retrace our steps beginning in mid-April as we headed to Lovely Lexington and the Fantastic Fink Farm.

Ahh...Lexington in the spring!!

Liz and I love a small section of downtown Lexington called, Gretz Park. It's near, believe it or not, Transylvania Univ.! We love to walk the streets in this beautiful area. A few shots from my phone should help you get the feel of the area.

Mid-April, in fact all of spring, is a magical time in Lexington. Everything imaginable is in bloom. Typically, the trees leaf-out towards the end of April, but this year they were early - yea! I'm no  expert, but we believe that many of the homes in this are are of the "Federal" architectural style. Most in this area are both beautiful and well cared for. Further, they are located close to downtown and some truly great dining spots.

We had a great reunion with Mike and Michelle at the farm. Unfortunately, we were so busy playing around and having fun that I completely failed to get current photos of them and Gunner. All are doing fine and we'll be more diligent photographers when we return in October. In the meantime, here a quick snap of Gunner's pasture neatly groomed by "Yours Truly."

Mike is the greatest! He let's me play farmer and all I have to do is make him drinks and buy him dinner; pretty cool deal, huh?!

BTW...It was great to hear from some of you, especially those we don't get to see very often. It reminded us of the personal value of continuing this blog - keeping in contact with family and friends. Please don't hesitate to email, text or comment. We miss hearing from you. Thanks!

More to come,, so stay tuned...