"THE SETTING" MOLLY AND JACOB'S WEDDING
AUTUMN AT ROUGHLOCK
A tradition for the Reinhold family going all the way back to when Rachel and Molly were just children. Of course brothers and sisters have joined them. These rapids just above Roughlock Falls have been the setting. Continues to be a favorite location. Could not help but be dismayed by all the damaged timber due to the tornado that passed through the canyon this past summer.
This Trail Could Tell a Story or Two
When ever we use this trail, I often think of my Dad as a kid going to the Reinhold School located almost two miles from the house. He and some of the younger Reinhold siblings would go to school on horseback or drive a homemade horse drawn cart up and down this path. He told of the fastest time getting home on the cart was seven minutes. Probably a pretty wild ride. I can just imagine it ... Him laughing as he urged the horses to go faster... His sisters squealing... I can almost hear Grandma Hazel when they got home... perhaps telling him to slow down and Grandpa Emanuel chuckling in the background
Branding on the ranch... Generations.
Branding on the ranch...
enjoying the scene of your son on a good big horse.
Riding into the branding pen. Yes, I love this palomino horse, this way of life.
God has blessed my family and me.
Branding 2020
Doing it on horseback. We love this way of life. Family, friends that are nearly family, good horses, good cattle, great views, plenty of water, and the grass is growing. We like to think this is "God's Country".
Robin rode out with me to gather for branding yesterday. We saw the same scenery, however she was generally behind me taking photos. What a blessing to ride with family and friends in such a beautiful setting.
Not sure what happened, but things happened. We call them "unplanned dismounts". Our good friend and capable helper, Jesse Anderson, messed up a wrist pretty good. But he made it back before we were completely done branding. Probably all the good food that was waiting. Even through this, Jesse kept his sense of humor. We are praying that his wrist heals fast. Jesse will be working with us again this summer.
We are blessed to have great help that are good friends as well. Thanks Brian LaDue
Cow Tipping? Not!
Wrastling Calves is about technique as much as strength. Here Kiersten and Molly team up to get the job done.
No I did not misspell Wrastling... wrestling is done on a mat... one wrastles calves.
We were able to get Robin in front of the camera and not just behind it. Robin grew up on a ranch in the southern Black Hills and the tradition of livestock and family continues. It was so nice to have our dear friends Todd and Melanie Ellis Hofer with us at our branding.
The Reinhold Sisters.
Another Chapter...
We finished planting our last seedling yesterday in the rain. Of course we paused for a picture by a crabapple in bloom that we planted a couple of years ago And we paused to pray and thank God for the opportunity to be stewards of this land and to ask his blessings upon our endeavors.
A number of years ago while my Aunt Ila was still alive, she asked me why I plant and replant so many trees. My simple response was, "Aren't we glad that Grandpa Reinhold took time to plant trees?" I could have continued by naming my parents as well. I have planted thousands of trees over the last four decades. I do not know how many have survived and I do know that hundreds have not, but I continue to not only plant trees, but also teach our children the importance of being stewards of this land that we call home.
Planting, cultivation, and caretaking is really more about generations. I will sit in the shade of only some of these trees. It takes years for them to grow. But just as those who lived here before on the Lonetree Ranch, I look to the future and the blessings that may be enjoyed in the legacy that I and my wonderful wife Robin establish.
This is a tough land. The landscape is scarred by drought and history-making blizzards and storms. But I love it here. I so enjoy the opportunity to daily express my faith and hope in God Almighty even in the simple day to day tasks of agriculture.
Yesterday's conclusion to another chapter was really quite joyful. Yes, we were finished with a task, but even more... it was raining. One of those perfect rains that was watering the earth. The grass... the wheat... and our little trees were soaking the life giving moisture that will make for a better summer. Sunshine will be coming and that miracle of photosynthesis will kick into high gear.
I tell my family that I am writing a book entitled, "All the Things I have Learned Over the Last Fifty Years... That You Don't Have to". Often I will tell Robin or the rest of the family, "Well that is another chapter". I am certain that if I would look inside the front cover of this tattered journal, one would find several chapters about establishing and growing trees... where?... of all places... The Lonetree Ranch.
Grandpa's Garden
Welcome to "Grandpa's Garden"... Because Grandpa Tige did not just pick flowers... He picked agates and petrified wood and quartz and big rocks and little rocks and all kinds of rocks. And it must be in the genes, because we still do. A couple of years ago we laid out "Grandpa's Garden" with some of the treasures and set them in a somewhat naturalized setting for many to enjoy. Not a time goes by as we walk through this area that we don't hear my Dad say whether he was on horseback or in later years on his four wheeler, "Here, see that pretty rock there... lift it up to me and I will carry it home.
Snow on Mother's Day
Another Spring Day
Another day doing "Spring". A day on the ranch is often a wide array of not only activity but also emotion. Oftentimes it includes planning and adjustment. Today was no different. We had calves born and had calves die. We trimmed trees that bear witness of extreme drought and vicious storms. We are grateful for a second year of plentiful moisture that will give the grass, trees and shrubs a powerful boost. We pruned up an old elm in the yard and added a garden swing. Robin tried it out and gave her approval. Kiersten is excited since it will provide "a great place to read". What does it take to build one of these... A tree, a section of 2x8 and two old stretched and kinked lariat ropes. We drove down to Misty Meadow where our zipline is located... Water is running in Lonetree Creek... grass is greening up. Then we checked on Rendevous Spring... Talked about what fish to stock in it later this spring. Of course there was time in the tractor, in front of the computer, time on horseback and of course time just enjoying family. God is good. We are blessed... I have an idea... Why don't we count our blessings. Perhaps you would want to share some of them with us in the comments section below.
Great Bunch of Guys
Had a nice visit with some great young men last night for supper... Steak and birthday cake to Celebrate Danny's birthday.
Caleb, Derek, Jesse, Brian,Ben, Tanner, Danny
Doing Spring
Another day doing "Spring". A day on the ranch is often a wide array of not only activity but also emotion. Oftentimes it includes planning and adjustment. Today was no different. We had calves born and had calves die. We trimmed trees that bear witness of extreme drought and vicious storms. We are grateful for a second year of plentiful moisture that will give the grass, trees and shrubs a powerful boost. We pruned up an old elm in the yard and added a garden swing. Robin tried it out and gave her approval. Kiersten is excited since it will provide "a great place to read". What does it take to build one of these... A tree, a section of 2x8 and two old stretched and kinked lariat ropes. We drove down to Misty Meadow where our zipline is located... Water is running in Lonetree Creek... grass is greening up. Then we checked on Rendevous Spring... Talked about what fish to stock in it later this spring. Of course there was time in the tractor, in front of the computer, time on horseback and of course time just enjoying family. God is good. We are blessed... I have an idea... Why don't we count our blessings. Perhaps you would want to share some of them with us in the comments section below.
Happy Birthday Danny 2020
Happy Birthday Danny!
Son... Partner... Coworker... Robin and I have been privileged to be parents of six children, but as those children continue their path of maturity, one begins to appreciated the ongoing handiwork of God in each of them as individuals. Danny has been that individual that we have had the opportunity to observe boyhood to manhood. What is so special is that his tender heart is melding together with maturing mind. He is man of few words but strong ideas. His stern look will give way to a wry smile and a twinkle in the eye. Instead of buying a hot pickup he buys a bull or a swather. He has true concern for his friends and for the path they are following. He continues that concern even when some make poor choices. We appreciate your Danny.
#Don'tHideGetOutside
#DontHideGetOutside
Make it part of your plan each day.
Danny likes this dog. His name is Smokey... such an all around "people" dog.
#DontHideGetOutside
Don't Hide... Get Outside
Drawing to the end of a beautiful day. Some are still doing chores, some are riding putting some cattle where they belong, had to doctor a calf tonight... All in all, a grand and glorious day. We planted around 125 peach leaf and golden willows below Reinhold Lake today. This area is nearly a slough with lots of cattails. Always has water running through it. Kiersten spotted a Canada Goose setting motionless on a nest. So much to see and enjoy... My new motto for America..."Don't Hide... Get Outside!"
#Don'tHideGetOutside
Drawing to the end of a beautiful day. Some are still doing chores, some are riding putting some cattle where they belong, had to doctor a calf tonight... All in all, a grand and glorious day. We planted around 125 peach leaf and golden willows below Reinhold Lake today. This area is nearly a slough with lots of cattails. Always has water running through it. Kiersten spotted a Canada Goose setting motionless on a nest. So much to see and enjoy... My new motto for America..."Don't Hide... Get Outside!"
#DontHideGetOutside
Grandpa was a logger
Grandpa Reinhold
Emanuel Reinhold was a Swede from the "Minnesota". (You know how those folks would have pronounced that) For a while before moving to Dakota, he was a logger. It only seemed right that when it came time to build the new barn and house... he went west about 15 miles into the Black Hills and cut his own logs. I love his logging truck. If I understand it right, he would have had to come by the area where the present-day weigh station is at Tilford. And you truckers know how much they love you there
Nels August Jensen
My Great Grandfather...
Nels August Jensen, born in Denmark, went west... way west as boy to eventually own The Circle Star. The ranch was located east of Farmingdale, SD on Rapid Creek near where it ran into the Cheyenne River.
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His daughter, Vivian, wrote of N.A.... "He wore Justin Boots (black with little white insets) and a big Stetson hat with a beaded band. In the springtime he stuck a flower sprig in the band. In town, he would walk into anyone’s yard and help himself to a flower for his hat. If the lady of the house appeared, he assumed his jaunty smile and said, “I knew you wouldn’t mind if I took a flower for my hat.” Strangely enough, they never did."
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You know what is really fun... My Dad, Tige, N.A. Jensen's grandson, would often go by Robin's roses in the summer. With a wry smile as he was picking a rose, he would say, "Mind if I borrow a rose?"
