Ainsworth Prairie Training -Aug.9 -Aug.13

August 9, Continued.......

It proved to be a great afternoon for a nap & I took advantage of the opportunity. Bob & Brett still out helping the Painter's move bulls and then Bob went down south with Jason & Heather. Two bulls got into it and headed south taking down 3 fences as they went. It took to almost 6:00 pm before they got back and had everything fixed.

Jason and Devin heading down to visit Roger tomorrow – surgery scheduled for Monday and he's going to be laid up for several weeks to months.

We started to make dinner – some of those savory beef from Imboden's – grill went out so I changed bottles and it did it again – took it apart and it was corroded through – no way we're getting another meal out this old Weber we bought back around the early 1990's. You know you been at summer camp along time when you realize that you've had at least 3 refrigeratiors, 3 washing machines ( 1 this year) new stoves, couple of freezers, multiple air conditioners, dishwasher, new septic system, and more sump pumps than you can count, and now a 2nd propane grill ( one of those that last forever). 20 years on the prairies – working mainly hunting Irish Setters. We've sure had fun watching the kids and the dogs growing up and evolving over time. We now have some of the real young grandchildren that are riding and working dogs, like Katherine, Daniel, Owen and cousin Whitney – all not yet teenangers but getting close. What a thrill to watch them handle a dog and take those young puppies for those long evening walks that start the pups out right.

We went and saw Owen perform at the Country Music Festival. He did a great job with Joe backing him up. There was only 3 entrants in his class but he still did a fine job. Back to camp and a nice evening. Dogs have settled quite a bit and most of the night is peaceful.

Sunday, August 10 – a nice morning. We had planned to birdwork and road today. Everyone was looking for an easy day. I have to follow up with the transmission on my truck and make sure all all is okay.

Roading: cool and light almost mist when I started.

• Erin, Mariah, Brenna & Kate – very solid and fast paced – no one hardly wanted water. 35 min.

• Brie, Hank - Linda thought Brie might be limping a bit and she was holding a rear leg up when I checked her but Bob walked her around and she seemed okay. She roaded just fine. – 32 min.

• Inde, Ritha, Blitz & Midge - once again solid and fast – warming some but still very nice and no one hardly wanted water. 36 min.

Bob and Brett came back from feeding the birds and found that a varmit had found our bird house and tore open one side with many Huns getting loose and he took our 5 of our Huns. We had to do something so I went to town ( planning on seeing Owen's 1:00 pm performance) and got some wire, a trap and a new grill, then some shopping as Owen was delayed until 3:00 PM – back to camp and Linda went back with Phil and the crew. Owen did a fine job and took 2nd in the competition. GOOD JOB, OWEN!!!!!!!!!! We're very proud of you. Coming into camp about 5:30 was Lucas with his girlfriend Chelsea and Jenny's friend Rene. Had a good dinner and told some stories about camp and dogs.

Talked to Jason and his Dad is doing good but getting surgery on Monday. Good luck Roger.



Monday, August 11 – plans for early rise and get to the hills quickly – we did pretty good and were leaving by 7:30 – nice cool breezy morning that promised to be great for the dogs. Brett on the roading machine early after going out and checking the trap. Some varmit got into our trap and managed to get our bait and drag the trap off 20 or 30' and get away. That's not a good sign.

Roading:

• Suzie, Lea & Sorrel – 28 min.

• Annie, Kate,& Tess – 35 min.

Hills:

• Ernie & Shauna – had high hopes for this brace but just didn't get it done. Shauna a pretty good race and 1 point only to chase as chicken left. Ernie just did have his head into it today –loopy and not purposeful like his last time down but he had a mannerly STF at 18 and a point @ 21 – I thought turtle and pushed him on – he took 2 steps and out came the chicken - ok my fault – went on he had another STF and was mannerly and finished make a decent move hunting. 45 min and 10 or so chickens.

• Mariah & Lily – kind of a medium ranging GD for both dogs – w/ Mariah having birds getting up 40 yards ahead of her which she never say or smelled – then what should have been a STF and turned out to be a bump and chase then a so so STF – overall a boring brace. 30 min & 6 or 7 chickens.

• Neely, Clifford & Bart – Neely went directly back to camp and shows virtually no desire to go anywhere but camp. Clifford and Bart are both showing signs of improvement with Clifford showing better focus.

Monday afternoon was a trip to the vet with Lightning – some kind of skin issue on her back but nothing too serious. Phil did a big dump run and disposed of the old grill. We had a good dinner planned and watched as a serious storm rolled in. Cranked up the new grill and couldn't get it to work or stay lit – not good – Storm is brewing and getting closer- all radars are showing Tornado watch & we 're set with everyone in the house. Devin called us with updates and so did Jason – Tornado warning to the south and we got a rock and roll hit as the wind blew, rain poured and no tornado sightings in camp.
Not a night to eat outside. Bob had set a trap down by the Hun House – hoping to catch the varmit eating our birds.

Hit the hay with the skys still cloudy and our hopes for Perciad were minimul. Linda set the alarm and we found clear skys - awesome – went around waking folks up to see the meteor shower. Linda, Sue, Chelsey, Phil, Daniel and myself all got up to see the star shower – a bit hay but at least 20 – 30 meteors in about an hour – some really brite with long tails – it was wonderful.

Big day planned for Wednesday at the Niobrara – going tubing. Let's get a bit more sleep.

Tuesday, August 12 – clear but damp morning. I needed to do some work prior to heading out to Valentine so the crew ran dogs and got us packed up. Brett checked our trap set up and we had raccoon caught up. He'll be transported beyond any hope of making it back to camp.

Roading:

• Brie, Inde & Hank - 34 min.

• Brenna, Blitz & Midge - 36 min.

Meadows:

• Erin & Ritha – Erin a mind of his own and Phil had to go get him and tell him he needed to go with us. Ritha a solid out front performance. Thought we'd get some Huns for sure but no such luck. 35 min.

• Ernie & Lea – Ernie was big again today and had him focus back – Lea a solid independent race. No birds again but good runs of almost 30 minutes.

Bob G. had got up early and left to help Jason vaccinate calves at a couple of different ranches. They planned to do it all and Heather was out there helping also. Roger's surgery went good and he's coming home on Wednesday – he'll be laid up a bit but he'll be okay when he's heeled up.

Most of the crew (13 in all) with Linda and Susan staying home at camp. We all hit the Niobrara just after noontime and were set for an afternoon on the river. 13 tubes all lashed together and one for the cooler and food. We drifted the river and stopped at about 2 hours at Smith Falls and on for another 2 hours—enjoying the great scenery and rock formations along the way – many different types of trees. A beautiful day on the river – hardly a cloud in the sky – upper 80's to low 90's and good water levels – very relaxing afternoon. No cell phones – no chores – just enjoying.

We finished up and jockied people around and went to Young's at Valentine. Phil wanted to help the Valentine economy also. Then across the street to what used to be the Peppermill but was now known as Cedar Canyon – same good food and service. A very enjoyable evening. Left for home about 8:30 only to see a huge storm brewing and making it's way towards Ainsworth. We arrived in camp before the storm and the wind was blowing. We got some rain but the majority of it missed us and we just had a short downpour. Great day and the ladies in camp enjoyed the peach and quiet. Bob got back late and they got some help from Heather and got all the animals fed.

Wednesday, August 13 – woke to lightning in the west and radar showing it bearing down on us. Looks like we'll be delayed this morning. Jenny, Renee, Sue and Brent all head home today. They all have things to do so it will be a driving day.