March/April Ranch Trip – Afternoon, Evening, & Night

Friday afternoon Megan and I took a drive (as we so love to do) for some practice for her, and of course a few pictures.  We were particularly interested, on this drive, in the tumbleweeds.  As you recall, Jacob had some work to do in the morning, clearing a lot of them from the side of the cabin.  Well, that was by no means the only place they had accumulated on the ranch!  It was quite a shock to drive through the Carrizo wash and see it piled high with what, from a distance, appear to be golden pillows!

Back at the cabin there was more goofing off.  I captured a rather American Gothic pose with Grandma and Grandpa, and Megan sat Grandpa down and drew a portrait of him as well.

Outside, Laurent was giving Sissy Jupe a much needed bath.  Apparently, on her early morning explore, she had found a dead coyote down in the valley and decided to roll in it… oh my goodness… and I thought it was bad when she rolled in cow poo…  Really, really intolerable stench. No way could she spend the night in that cabin without being washed (and of course, with night temps in the low 40s, she couldn’t sleep outside either…).

Back in the cabin, a little more relaxing, a little more portrait drawing, and then … a first for me as a photographer:  that magical, elusive, golden moment when the sun is just about to set.  It’s impossible to do it justice, really.  But at least this time I had my camera and was ready for it.  With only a couple of distractions, such as my husband climbing to the top of the woodpile and basking in the kingly glow. 🙂

Then it was dusk, and time for campfire, and eventually some real fireworks, thanks to Jacob’s collection of tumbleweeds!