It was a cryptic message, but I knew what it meant immediately. When I read the text, the two-week open window that had been a pesky nuisance in my mind finally slammed shut. I reread the satellite phone message from daughter Linnaea: "Got them loaded and about to drive out." That's it. Out of …
First ER Trip of the Season
Finally, I have a forced sit-down. I'm sitting in the Salmon, hospital ER, at 16-year-old daughter Maddy's bedside. She's reading a novel on her phone, waiting for the doc. I figured I might as well write a novel...to all of you. I think we might be here for a while. Her backcountry …
Regenerative Ranching: Tripling Organic Matter in 10 Years
The ground fairly shook with the rumble of 350 head of elk stampeding away as I made my approach to my sample area in our south meadow. To my chagrin, they had been dining on the rich green that still grew in fits and starts on this late October day in our high valley of the Pahsimeroi in the remote …
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Reflections of a Range Rider
This week’s story is from one of our summer conservation riders, Jessie Maier. Jessie came to us from Paicines Ranch in California, where she had worked primarily with sheep. Her goal for the summer was to improve her stockmanship and learn about conservation herding and regenerating landscapes. …
Stampede
The earth shaking rumble of the oncoming freight train in my dream was real enough to startle me awake. I sat bolt upright in my tent where I was sleeping quite soundly. It had been a long previous day. My crew and me had switched with the previous range riders in the afternoon, and then rode …
The Shocking Truth About Sandy
The county fairgrounds are unusually quiet for the week before the fair. It’s yesterday afternoon, and it is cool. Big thunderheads cruise over the mountains that reach up to the sky along this valley, the Lemhi. The clouds promise at least thunder, and perhaps a shower. I have many memories …