Starting the New Year Off Right

Just in case you needed to know, the spot on the left side of the highest
point is a pair of golden eagles.

It is not every year that we get to spend the first day of the year outside. But with decent weather, mostly clear roads, and a Friday New Year's Day, we took advantage of the opportunity. 

Thinking that the wild horses and big horn sheep might now be forced down from the high meadows, we set out for the Big Horn Canyon Recreational Area. As so often happens, though, our day evolved as we went. What started out as an animal scouting trip became a history lesson. We penetrated much farther into the park than we previously have, and we discovered two historic ranches along the way. 

Note the brand on the chimney

The Lockhart Ranch was home to Caroline Lockhart, "The Cattle Queen of the Dry Head." Reporter and novelist, Caroline also desired to be a rancher. She bought the ranch in 1926 and lived there through 1955, eventually controlling 7,000 acres. 

The chicken coop

School house

The Ewing-Snell Ranch is even older, established in 1896. While the main ranch house has burned down, the school house and stable remain. Also on the grounds is an extensive collection of antique farming equipment. 

All in all, we enjoyed our first day of the year. Perhaps such a pretty day is a harbinger of the year we can expect. I'd be okay with that! :)

The day was not entirely without animal sightings. 

I don't know why I always say, "just a doe" or "just a deer."
She really is a pretty animal.