Home on the Range

Four years ago I traded my city dorm for a sheep wagon and forthe first time in my entire life I truly felt home.It is the first time I felt like I had a familyI belonged in. I started working as wrangler at Triple G Outfitters and living on a sheep ranchers property and my life felt like it was truly beginning.

I felt it as soon as my lungs inhaled the crisp mountain airand I knew it my first morning meeting my four legged coworkers.

My first time at Triple G Outfitters my heart crumbled into about a hundred pieces all at once, a piece forevery majestic creature at the ranch. My heart felt completely used up and fullwhen I felt it crumble a little more for the two legged creatures that took mein and showed me the ropes. Who treated me like family and who became justthat.

Each day I learned more about my family and more about myhome, from the plants that decorated my scenery (Sage Brush and more Sage) to the mannerisms of the beaststhat I trusted my life with. I wonder sometimes how many mistakes away I wasfrom my own death. From yuppie city girl mistakes made cinching saddles wrong orstupidity with my horse. I may never know but I do know that I’ve gained vastknowledge over time and the confidence to ride horses I never thought I could. Idid things I never thought I would.

Most days consisted of showing tourists the love of my life, the mountains,and I never got tired of showing them the beauty of my Colorado office. 4 Eagle Ranch is nestled in between Red and White Mountain, and Castle Peak, an extinct volcano which I argued endlessly with JD (one of the hardest workers and kindest souls I've ever met) over it's title of volcano, but the land doesn't lie. Scattered everywhere is black porous lava rock.The landscape around the ranch gives the most authentic western feel. Most rides start in the lush alfalfa fields with views of the snowcapped Sawatch  Mountains in the distance. It's a breathtaking sight of greens, golds, and blues. We continue up rocky hillsides and down to a humble creek and end on top a mesa that makes you feel like you and this horse are truly free. On top of the platoue you can't see the ranch, you can't see any buildings and in the spring it's endless dandelions that make you feel like you're drowning in gold. It's pure magic. On days when I had the time to be out there alone its where you can fly. Kick your horse and really get going!

My favorite experience on the ranch was when we had renowned photographer Steve Thornton visit. He wanted us to run the horses across the Mesa at sunset. The problem or concern was our horses were not used to that, it was possible the horses we were on would want to take off and run with the rest of them leaving us with no control. So we picked our best horses saddled up with our best western rustic saddles and leathers and made a plan. We chased the herd up the hillside yelling and shouting like only cowboys know how. When we got to the top of the mesa the sun was resting on castle peak creating a red glow. We took off yipping and yelling laughing and discovering what the word freedom meant. The sun was trapped in the dust and we couldn't see what was in front of the horses ears but we flew. That was my moment, it felt like a dream and I will continue to dream of it forever.

I came to know manyhorses like my own child. Eli, my first love, slow and easy, the gentle soul.Chessy, the free spirit for when talking wasn’t needed and the only thing youwanted was to chase the wind. Sundance for when a laugh is what you needed andall the fillies and fouls who still treated you like an equal. I stayed longenough to see horses come and go and my heart broke for the ones passed on andburst for the new ones nibbling at my nose. 

I wasn’t born there but it will always be my home. I willalways dream of the hikes through Lake Creek and the lazy days by Nottingham Lake. Iwill always remember what it felt like to fly through fields of grass on theback of a beautiful horse. I will always smile at the laughter I shared with therealest coworkers I've ever had. From laughing endlessly at the diner after long days to sharing real conversations by the fire we shared moments to treasure forever. I will always have a family in the people who took mein when I had no place to stay. I will always be thankful for the knowledgeeveryone around me taught me. I learned patients and love from the job I hadand how wonderful that is, when a job can give back to you something soinvaluable.

My boss Dan asked me every day, “Is this still your dreamjob?” and for three wonderful years my answer was yes.