We all eventually gathered at the shop and there were so many little kids gathered to help! Grandpa Wally and Grandma Gaye definitely knew what they were doing when they made this ranch and raised this cattle. These kids love helping out where they can and it's so great watching them do so.
I would guess that around 9:30 a.m. we decided that we were ready to push the cows west. We all took our positions to help get them safely past the on and off ramps of the freeway. We blocked the roads and hurried to herd the cattle under the overpass. As we were walking them past the gas station all of the tourist came running to the roadside with their cameras as if they'd never seen a cow before. We just laughed and went on our way.
Tyke did quite a bit of walking and was so cute to watch do his thing. He would clap and holler and run after the cows that would stop to eat the tall grass along the way. Chad and I took turns walking and driving the rhino and Callie Jo was so good to stay in the rhino and babysit Luke for us.
Grandpa Wally was able to come and ride along on our cattle drive. We weren't sure if he would feel up to it or not because he had strained his good arm but I knew he wouldn't miss it! He was happy as can be and had a permanent smile on his face as he and Grandpa Terry drove alongside us all.
We made good time and got the cows through town without incident. When we got to our destination, the water trough on the west mountain, we found a huge group of campers there. We did our best to keep the cattle out of their camp. We let the cows drink water and rest up for a good thirty minutes before getting them ready to move up into the hillside. The kids were all drawn to the water like magnets and enjoyed kicking off their boots and wading in the water catching tadpoles.
We had a yummy barbecue of hot dogs (Luke ate a hot dog on a bun with ketchup for the first time ever! He ate about half of it before calling it quits. Good job Lu!), chips (Tyke had Cheetos for lunch...) and donuts and then it was time to call it a day, for some of us anyway. Grandpa Terry, Daddy and a few others saddled up on the horses and atv's and pushed the cattle on up into the hillside where they will graze for the next few months. Once they left we all realized that Grandpa Wally was exhausted and ready to go home and relax so instead of waiting out west for Daddy and Grandpa Terry to come back we (the kids and I) took Grandpa Wally home in Grandpa Terry's truck and then relaxed at Grandpa & Grandma's house until the boys got home.
It was such a long, hot, fun day! We all had a great time and agree that there is nothing better than spending time with our family in the outdoors doing fun farm work. We love our Kay family and our chores!
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