Preparing for Winter

In order to prepare for winter, yesterday two ranch hands were busy getting some of the equipment inside. This is a Massey Ferguson 2150 baler. It won't be out in an alfalfa field until next June.

The tractor slowly backs up, aiming for one of the big open doors. The upper shop was cleaned out so as many pieces of farm equipment as possible could be sheltered from the winter winds and snow.

The baler's going in...

and further in...

...and finally can't be seen anymore.

Next up is the big chopper, a John Deere 6910. This is one of Desert Boy's favorite pieces of farm equipment because it has a tall ladder to climb to reach the cab. The chopper is really big--and really tall.

It's going in okay, although it looks like it might be close to get it under the door.

It's almost in, but the last few feet are just a tad too tall. So what do you do when you need to get your machine indoors, but it's just a couple inches too high?

Take some air out of the tires, and then it gets shorter. The chopper then fits just under the door and can be parked next to another baler.

When the snow and wind get too extreme for Desert Boy to play outside, we'll be heading to the shop to give the machines some company.

A Bike Ride

Tonight and tomorrow we're supposed to get a big winter storm, so I figured I better post these photos right quick. (Okay, I know 'right quick' isn't proper grammar, but it is accepted local lingo and sometimes it just feels right to ignore grammar conventions. And because I can.)

Last weekend my husband fixed up our bikes, which had been lingering in the garage with various quandries. We have this odd-looking bike seat for Desert Boy. He loves it, but it sort of gets in the way of our pedaling.

Henry came along, happy to have a chance to go exploring. He loves to run along the fencelines, sniffing for something interesting.

We went far enough for a little exercise, but not far enough to satisfy Desert Boy. He would have been happy spending an hour or two going for a ride. He might change his mind a little when he has to do some of the pedaling!

Henry got some of his puppy energy out. On the way back we stopped at the pond and he went swimming. He's got the making of a triathlete. I'll leave Desert Boy to train him how to do the bicycling part.

Gunnison Massacre Site

I've passed this sign several times and never drove the two miles to see what was at the Gunnison Massacre Site or what it was about. But the other day we had a little spare time, so we drove out the gravel road. And here is what we found...

A metal stake and a rock. I was severely underwhelmed. I got out of the truck to take a closer look.

The metal post said: "Gunnison Massacre Site Oct. 26 1853, More info Great Basin Museum Delta UT." 

Well, we went to the Great Basin Museum, but it was closed. So I looked on the internet, and I found some interesting information that made me glad I had taken the time to drive four extra bumpy, dusty miles. The Daughters of Utah Pioneers (DUP) had placed a marker at the site in 1927, but due to vandalism (primarily target practice), the marker had been removed and placed at the museum. 

Here is what it says:

In 1853, Captain John W. Gunnison was selected to lead an expedition to find a trans-continental railroad route. He followed the Old Spanish Trail through Salina Canyon, over the mountains to Pahvant Valley, and upon reaching Fillmore, visited his friend, Bishop Anson V. Call. Gunnison made friends in Utah while serving with Howard Stansbury's mapping expedition in 1851. Bishop Call warned him of Indians near the Sevier River because an old Indian brave in the Kanosh Tribe had been killed by members of a California-bound wagon train. Moshoquop, son of the dead brave, had vowed to avenge his father. Gunnison knew Kanosh and Moshoquop as friends, but they did not know of his return to Utah. On the evening of October 28, 1853, Gunnison and his party made camp on the bank of the river. They took a few shots at migrating wildfowl. Two Indians heard the shots and crept near enough to see the military uniforms and army equipment, but not close enough to recognize the men. The Indians reported the news, and during the night, plans were made and the camp was surrounded. At daylight the cook made a fire, Gunnison went to the river to wash up, and men began working with the horses. As the sun appeared over the mountain the first shot was fired. Three men escaped on horses, although one fell and had to hide in the brush. One man swam the river and hid in the willows. Eight men were killed by guns and arrows. The survivors made their way to Fillmore and reported the tragedy. Gunnison's body was taken to Fillmore for burial. William Potter, a Mormon guide, was buried at his home in Manti. Six men rest in a common grave at this site. They are John Bellows, W.J. Creuzfeld, botanist; R.H. Kern, artist; and Privates Lipcott, Calfield, and Merteens of the United States Army.

This is an early map of the area, published in 1889 in Bancroft's History of Utah 1540-1886. You can see the Sevier River in the bottom middle of the illustration. Then it flows north, around the Wasatch Mountains, and curves around to Sevier Lake. The town of Delta is not shown on the map--it didn't exist until 1906.

This is a view of the river today: a dry creek bed. That's mainly because many dams have been installed upriver, so only on exceptionally high water years does water flow all the way down the Sevier River into Sevier Lake. As a result, the lake is usually a dry lake bed. Well, whenever I see that sign now, I will have a few thoughts to occupy my mind. I find that occasionally stopping and exploring on my most common drives makes them go by a lot faster because I have memories to fill my mind when I pass the landmarks.

An Icy Road in a Curvy Canyon

Yesterday Desert Boy had a checkup at the doctor's office, 100 miles away (have I written that we live in the remote desert?). I mentioned in a previous post we have been having some cold temperatures and a little snow. Most of the straight highway was snow-free and dry, but then we entered a mountain pass through a curvy canyon. I noticed the road was really icy, so I slowed from 65 mph to 25 mph. It was a good thing, too, because as I came around one curve, I saw a couple semis pulled over to the side of the road and one that had slid across both lanes.

I pulled over to the side and noticed another victim: this pickup truck, which had slid into one of the bigger trucks. Fortunately no one was hurt.

As we sat there, the road department truck came by. You can almost see the bright orange truck through my extremely dirty and cracked windshield.

I tried to get a picture of the driver because he's got a great smile (and I know him), but he told me I had to close my window, so I only got a shot of him spreading sand on the road. The extra traction really helped, and I was able to drive around the stranded truck on the shoulder of the road and continue.

But around the next curve I saw more trouble: two more semis off the road. A state patrol officer and a big tow truck were there trying to sort out the mess.

Desert Boy got to use his new word a lot: "crash."

The big road department truck hadn't been able to negotiate around those trucks, so the road was just a sheet of ice on the other side. Two semis had stopped, and I noticed the drivers were putting on chains.

I never had to put chains on my pickup truck until I moved out West. It's a pain in the butt, and semi trucks have to put on extra chains. I suppose it beats a towing bill.

In case you haven't seen what tire chains look like, here's a photo out my dirty side window. Someday I really should clean my truck windows.

So the moral of this post is be careful driving in icy conditions! They can sneak up on you fast. I carry a safety kit in the back of the truck with blankets, tire chains, cat litter (for extra traction), a tool kit, water, food, and the most important: a book, so I have something to read if I have to wait a long time for help. 

Desert Destination: A Cold Lake

I think because we live in the dry, desolate desert, we are attracted to water. That would certainly explain why I post more photos of water than dry terrain in this blog! Last weekend we took a detour to visit a nearby lake.

The lake is very popular for fishing. During the summer lots of boats dot the blue waters, while in the winter ice shacks are set up over holes in the ice. The main catch is rainbow trout, although northern pike have invaded and are also found in the lake. They aren't good for the rainbow trout population.

We didn't have any fishing gear with us, so we had to entertain ourselves by throwing rocks into the water. Desert Boy was happy to participate.

He spent a lot of time throwing rocks.

And throwing another rock.

And another.

But don't worry, I realize I've had a lot of posts about Desert Boy lately, so here's some other information about where we were. This is rabbitbrush with some seeds still clinging on despite the chilly temperatures.

There were a number of birds out on the lake, including this American Coot. It's easy to tell apart from other waterfowl with its all-white bill.

Here are a couple more coots, also called mudhens, swimming away. The birds didn't seem to like having their photos taken.

It was fun seeing the lake before it gets covered with ice for the next few months. The cool temperatures seemed to make the water look icy blue, and it was definitely cold. The wind pierced our coats and made the water choppy. We definitely live in the cold desert!