Hello! Hello from the Red Reflet Ranch crew!

After three or "false starts" and a balmy November, winter has come to Ten Sleep. December 1st brought on the dry, crisp cold we have come to know that will immerse us for 10 or 12 weeks! Now the ground is frozen hard, the Ponds are iced over, the plants have completely given up, feeding their root stock and are a dismal brownish yellow, offering little or no nutritional to the browsers. The "backyard" has yielded Christmas trees for the Lodge and others on the Ranch, so the balsam smells fill the Lodge as another reminder of the Season.

We used October and November to move the cattle off the mountain and into the pastures at the Ranch. Unfortunately the elk had also come off the mountain in big numbers and the alfafa stubble went more to wildlife than our cattle. We shipped the steer calves in early November (with the help of guests from New York). Then we culled the young heifers, checked the older cows and heifers for pregnancy (open or those females not pregnant are "sent to town"), culled the older cows, heifers, and shipped off the heifer calves born in 2009 to pastures near Worland. Once the 230 older cows were trailed to our allotment in the Badlands, we finally were done and the cattle center suddenly became very quiet. Just a few beef to process, bred heifers to feed, and bulls to keep healthy over for the winter.

Clay has also been very busy, not just leading the rides for cattle work, but buying and riding the 15 new horses we have added to the herd. We are starting 'the book' we make on each horse, recording every ride and noting the traits we like and want or those that need to be 'adjusted' to be ready for guest riders. We continue to develop new trails, finding more rides close to the Horse Center, and more challenging rides for our experienced guest riders.

We have been busy with chef auditions, as Alden has moved out of the kitchen and back to a dude ranch near Dubois, WY as manager. We have had several exciting auditions. There is usually some fish or meat awaiting the new guy/gal when they arrive and we ask that a "guest dinner" be prepared. Then have a staff lunch so he/she can meet everyone, and finally we have them cook for a Christmas dinner, usually for 35, but some up to 85. It is quite a tryout and we all have learned a great deal from the process. We are sure there will be much to look forward to next season in the dining room and no one will be disappointed! Our new Chef is Toby Bauer.

Many of our guests have asked what our cattle and Ranch schedule will be fore the next year in order to plan their trips around certain events. Please click on the link below for the updated information.

Oh, where does the time go as it speeds by so fast! Yesterday we found the first Spring flowers, this morning we greeted our guets on the Ranch, and this noon we all enjoyed lunch on the deck ... or so it seems!

We hope everyone has a Happy Holiday Season, has found just the right gifts under the tree, and was surrounded by good friends and family as the year drew to a close.

Laurence and I, and all the crew at the Red Reflet, look forward to seeing our guests for this past year and years, return in 2010. Until then, be well, work hard, be kind, and make the most of everyday!

Bob and Laurence

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View our 2010 Calendar of Events Here