WINE CUP RANCH

Kent, my son in law invited our family to go camping on the Wine Cup Ranch over Memorial weekend where he spent his youth hearding cattle. Some friends of theirs Tadd and Nicole and two of Kent's half brothers also joined us. The Wine Cup is a Ranch in Nevada 25 miles out of Eli. The ranch itself is 1 million 200 thousand acres. Once owned by the actor Jimmy Stewart, which sold many years ago and is now for sale again for 150 million. I had no idea what to expect. All I knew was that there was no water or out house available, pretty primitive.

Lance, Kimberly, myself and Kent's half brother Jerimiah left early Friday afternoon to pick out a camp spot . Kent and the others came up later.

2 and 1/2 hours driving we got to the Wine Cup. Opened the gate and were on our way to a camp spot. There was a lot of this, actually miles and miles......

And miles and miles of this.....

And this......

" Where are the Quacking Aspen and the pines?" Kim piped up, "Kent promised me quackies and a stream, not sage brush!" "We are almost there, said Jerimiah". By this time it was dark and we couldn't see anything but the dirt road in front of us.

Then we came to this creek. It was dark when we crossed it and it looked like a lake. I thought, "What in the world is Jerimiah thinking?"

"We are in a Journey not a 4 wheel Truck." We crossed the creek and up over the hill was a dead end "Meadow" with tall grass, a stream and beautiful willows , beaver ponds, bitter brush and wild roses. "Here we are Kim. Is this okay?" Kim laughed, "I guess so, It's dark!"

The first thing to get set up in the morning was the portable potty. Lance took a toilet seat and attached it to a wooden box. He dug a deep wide hole and put the box over top on a plank of wood to support the box. It worked great and didn't smell like outhouses do. It was wonderful (better than squatting for 3 days).

The creek behind one of the tents


Our camp in the meadow of grass.

Mya was a Jewel the entire trip.

Everyone tried taking away Bo's title as Horse Shoe Champ. Lance took the title. Kent won 1 game.

Kent with Joe and Jerimiah playing cards

Kim and I went on the 4 wheeler up the canyon to look for rocks. I usually go home from a trip in the mountains with a rock or 2 or 3. Sekada and Ellie ran along side.

Very tired, as you can see their tongues hanging down. Found a trail to a creek so the dogs could get a drink. Sekada layed down the minute she hit the water, it was so funny.

We saw beautiful beaver ponds

See the beaver head in the water?

Big beaver dam

We hit the Mother Lode!
 

Too many to choose from

Kim and Kent going 4 wheelin

Grandpa holding Mya. The mornings were chilly.

Going for a walk

Riley and Bo built a monument of twisted wood and branches. Thick and tight standing about 3 feet tall. Here they are at dusk lighting their work of art

After the fire was lit the wind came.

Burn

Burn

The glow from the fire was amazing and sooooo warm

........OOOOOOO....AHHHHHHHHH

Lance and I headed to Devils Gate

There were acres and acres of wild flowers

Beautiful

all the Wine Cup

Looking down on Quacking Aspen. Perfect Elk Country

More of the Ranch, clear to the far mountain.

In the middle of the picture is Devils Gate

Over looking more of the Ranch

The little white spot below the 2 bigger spots of snow are the beaver dams just above our camp

Breaking camp Monday afternoon

There were silk worms everywhere . Madly spinning silk.

I had a great time. I love the outdoors. There is so much beauty to enjoy and appreciate. Being with family and friends and sharing this experience with Kent was well worth the long long drive. I'm looking forward to coming again to share this beautiful country with the rest of my family who were not able to go this time. Few times in my life have I enjoyed something so much that I wanted to share it with everyone I know. This was one of those times. It was simply beautiful and amazing. Thank you Kent and Kimberly for a wonderful trip.