Ike, Ike, Ike...

 

One beautiful day in late 2014, Guy called and asked Craig and me to help gather cattle on the flats, then push them up through Round Valley to a winter pasture. As it was just the two of us, Craig of course opted for Ike, aka Mr. Roundup, and I took my pretty yellow horse and bloody good cow pony, Kachina. We parked the trailer on the side of Foothills Road, then mounted up to meet Guy and his crew. Per our instructions, Craig and I headed off to gather cattle scattered and strewn all across the flats - which, by the way, weren't really flat. Craig dismounted and opened a cowboy gate for us on the other side of the wide gravel road, keeping Ike at hand as Kachina and I made our way toward a group of cows, leaving Craig and Ike to close the gate. China and I were busy picking up and moving the recalcitrant bovines toward a tank (watering hole), when I looked over to see Ike racing along the road, white socks churning through the road dust and 8-foot split reins flying like ribbons on the breeze - without Craig...

"Blast! (not really the word I said, but this is a family-friendly blog) Kachina, let's go!" So, I flipped her around toward the road and kicked her on. She lifted her pretty yellow self into a mad canter, careening down the road after that Big Red Horse. We caught up with him at the trailer.

"So, Ike," I said in my stern Mommy voice as I reached off Kachina and grabbed both reins (miraculously intact), "where exactly were you going, and where is Daddy?"

He looked at me, not at all chagrined by nor contrite about his obvious and unusual naughtiness, and replied flippantly, "Oh, he's probably still near the gate where I left him."

"He's not going to be happy. You know he hates to walk."

"Well, he shouldn't have dropped his hat and scared me."

"Ike. Nothing scares you."

"You scare me, Mom..."

"As I should, Ike." I said, pulling him around to pony him. Kachina was a little miffed at having the larger gelding trailing at her side, but she soldiered on like the boss ranch horse she is. 

We found Craig not far from the cowboy gate, grumbling as I knew he would be. Once Craig remounted and he reteamed with Ike, we headed back over to where China and I had dropped the cattle near the tank. We made quick work of it, both Kachina and Ike putting in their usual effort and Craig and I enjoying the "cowing", the fresh air, bright blue Arizona sunshine, horses, and simply being together. 

The gathering and moving was easy and exhilarating, but when we pushed them toward Round Valley, we were gobsmacked by its unearthly beauty. It was perfect, as if the wizards at Disney or Universal created it. Every step through the deep groove of the wash was magickal, perfect with desert beauty. Driving a hundred or so head of cattle between the steep banks was unbelievable. But driving them up a steep, winding trail in a corner which leveled out several feet above the wash bed to the flats and roads toward White Tail Canyon nearly knocked us out of the saddle.

Ike redeemed himself with Daddy for his earlier transgression. Kachina was perfect (as always). The scenery was indescribably breathtaking, and riding with seasoned cowboys was a thick layer of frosting on the most delicious cake imaginable. 

Enjoy the photos by some unknown photographer of this incredible day. Whomever it was who captured various moments of this day, thank you. And to Guy - thank you so very much for opportunities like this. They meant everything to Craig...