Pig Wrestling

Some people explore other cultures by traveling overseas. Sometimes though, one need only meet new people or travel to a new state to experience a fuller view of life and culture. Here in Jackson Hole, I encountered a fascinating display of cultural expression at the local county fair: pig wrestling.
Here's the idea...

Flood a round corral to create tons of mud.

Slather a 250 pound pig with mud.

Release 4 determined individuals to catch, lift, and deposit the pig, rear first, into the barrel in less than 1 minute.

Chris, Seth, Drew and Jason did a terrific job of representing Turpin Meadows in the men's division. 

They then experienced the most painful shower of their lives.

Grateful

Sometimes, I look around this country and wonder at being so blessed that I get to spend even a moment here. Today, I'm grateful for Jesus, that my soul is ransomed, and that I, a nobody, am privileged to read the perfect, inspired Word of the great I AM.  

I'm grateful for my dear friends on this ranch. In their uniqueness, I see aspects of Jesus in them and love them for it. I'm also grateful for the way they love, laugh, and live life fully. 

I'm grateful for my soft bed at the end of a long day, the smell of perfect cookies coming out of the oven, and the adorable way my co-workers steal cookies off the cooling rack. 

I'm grateful for the wide open space here and the daily evidence of the hand of my Creator. 

What are you grateful for? 

Last Sunday, Turpin Meadows became a wedding venue. Iin all seriousness, I can't imagine asking for a more perfect way to say your vows. Against a backdrop of the Teton Mountains, our guests exchanged their life-long vows and staff excitedly set out to make it a picture perfect wedding.

 Staff members used their varied gifts and did everything from performing the ceremony to photographing it. One of our guests even provided live music. 

My contribution was the wedding cake. It is decorated with wild flowers that Emma and I picked just hours before. Thanks so much, mom, for teaching me how to decorate cakes! This was a white cake with whipped cream frosting and a chocolate mousse strawberry filling. 

Johnny

Many of you have asked if I've found the cowboy of my dreams while out here in Wyoming. Well, I think I've fallen in love. His name is Johnny. He's practically perfect. Oh, and did I mention good looking? :D

Don't expect to sleepily saunter into the dining room for breakfast on Wednesday morning. Here at Turpin Meadows, you get to ride a horse to breakfast! If you're staff, you'll be pulling on your boots as dawn begins to break so everything will be in perfect order for the guests. 

Preparations begin the night before the breakfast ride, when I gather things like plates and serving shaffers and Emma cracks around 9 dozen eggs and mixes up the pancake batter. The morning of, we gather the rest of the food and supplies on my extensive checklist, pack everything into an SUV, and off-road it to the breakfast ride site. 

While we scurry around the kitchen, the ranch hands are chopping wood and starting the cooking fire.

When we arrive, we set up our serving tables and begin cooking the eggs and pancakes. I call that giant stirring utensil that Emma is using the "paddle of power". 

And some days, precious moments like these happen. :)

Fourth of July

We celebrated Independence Day Wyoming style here on the ranch. Complete with a cookout by the river, patriotic dessert, and the Wyoming state sport of bull riding, it was a lot of fun! 

 Two of our spunky cowboys decided to live out their summer dream and ride some bulls!

Experience level: 0

Gear: beg and borrow from other cowboys

Cheering team: staff is family, so you can bet we all showed up to cheer till we were hoarse. 

So proud of you, Chris and Jason. And thank you Lord, for keeping them safe. 

On the first ride of his life, "Copper Head Harris" rode over 8 seconds and took second place!

"Jason Kruger" did some pretty intense bull riding! 

And just a random note folks, I will remain in the grand stands where it's safe! 

Emma is my dear friend, the jelly to my peanut butter, and my boss in the kitchen. At six o'clock every morning, you'll find us stumbling around the kitchen playing around with knives, scalding liquid, gas burners, um... er.. I mean, getting breakfast ready for staff and guests. Last week, our supervisor gave the two of us a lovely suprise: a day off to explore Yellowstone with one of our ranch guides, Derek, and his guests!

West Thumb

Am I in a science fiction world? 

Bull elk

I also saw my first grizzly and black bears. 

Dragon's Mouth. Mythical. Magical. 

Mud Volcano

Artist's Point

Tourist picture! Emma, Derek, and me. 

If we look cold, it's because we were. When I donned my corduroy jacket that morning, I had no idea there would still be snow on the ground nor that the temperature would be comfortable only to Eskimos! 

Fountain Paint Pots

Every turn in the road opened up new beauty and wonder. The most natural response: worship.

Lord of all creation

of water earth and sky

The heavens are your Tabernacle

Glory to the Lord on high

God of wonders beyond our galaxy

You are Holy, Holy

The universe declares your Majesty

Old Faithful Inn, AKA the pirate lair where Derek, Emma and I hung out while our guests shopped for souvenirs. 

The mandatory picture of Old Faithful

Moose Falls

Mount Moran on the drive home

"The earth is the LORD’S, and all it contains, 

The world, and those who dwell in it." 

One of my favorite things to do in Wyoming is take an afternoon walk. Once breakfast is served, cookies are baked, dessert is ready to serve, and the kitchen is in order, there are a few precious moments to step out into the wonder of the wilderness for some fresh air before dinner. It is in these moments that I discover the never-ending wonder of clouds as they alternately hide and frame the mountains, I embrace the playful wind as it caresses my face and hands and roars powerfully in the pine trees above my head, I smile as the aspens leaf out in a fresh, springy shade of green, and I delight in the goodness of a God who created both the majestic grandeur and the lovely wild flowers fighting for life in the dessert terrain. 

Yesterday morning, I read Psalm 24. These verses ran through my head all day:

"Who is the King of glory? 

The LORD strong and mighty, 

The LORD mighty in battle. 

Lift up your heads, O gates, 

And lift them up, O ancient doors, 

That the King of glory may come in! 

Who is this King of glory? 

The LORD of hosts, 

He is the King of glory." 

Sunrise at the Snake River

Especially beautiful clouds one day. I love living in a place that looks like a puzzle! 

Inside the horse pasture

The farrier at work. 

 Jackson Hole held their Wild West Days last weekend, so Turpin Meadow Ranch staff enjoyed a day on the town. Hatchet throwing, shootouts, group picture taken by a drunk guy passing by... it was a great day. :) And no, there is not a picture, but I did manage to hit the target with a hatchet!