The Temple of the Sun at dawn.
I like to go out to Capitol Reef National Park in Utah a couple times a year for camping and four-wheeling and photography. There’s BLM land outside the Park, and that’s where I like to camp if possible. I can carry my guns and have a campfire, unlike in the Park. (The gun part will change next year, when new laws take effect.)
Anyway there’s a spot I like to camp about 2 miles south of the Temple of the Sun, on BLM land, and there’s a little corral there. It’s about 25 feet square, made of worn-out fence posts and it looks like it’s half falling down. I have always doubted whether it sees any use at all. Well, on a recent visit I got my answer when, not 20 minutes after I arrived, a couple of cowboys from a ranch over on Thousand Lake Mountain showed up to gather some cattle in the area. They had 2 trucks with trailers: an empty one for the cows, and the other carried 3 saddle horses.
I talked to the guys for a few minutes; Jake, his younger brother, and younger brother’s 3-year old son. They said it was just fine for me to camp out there, and they even agreed to let me shoot photos while they worked. They were real nice people.
Rounding up strays.
The 2 men went off in opposite directions- Jake alone, and his brother with son in tow. Keep in mind this little boy is barely 3 years old and he’s on horseback helping daddy round up cows.
Youngest cowboy ever.
They parked one trailer alongside the corral to create sort of a chute to guide the cows inside the fence:
"Get in there!"
One cow and calf decided to make a break for it, and Younger Brother had to cut them off:
Head 'em off!
Next, it’s time to load the cows onto the trailer:
"Get on the bus!"
Finally, it’s time to load the saddle horses for the ride back to the ranch:
Load 'em up for the ride home.
"We're done for the day."
For what it’s worth, cowboys in Utah seem to favor wrap-around mirrored sunglasses. Like I said, Jake and the boys were real friendly to me- shook my hand, talked to me about their ranch operations and what it’s like to cowboy in Cathedral Valley. We all agreed we liked the peace and quiet and big open spaces about the place.
Anyway, it was great watching some real guys doing real work Out West.
All photos ©2009 Barry D. Jones. All Rights Reserved.
