Wild Wild West

Just pulled into Grouse Creek and passed a cattle jam on my way. Summer must be coming soon. If I have not already described my field site to you, the best way to picture it, is to think of the West 100 years ago. It probably didn't look much different than it does today. This NW portion of Utah is made up of open range cattle grazers. All or at least 99% of the people that live out here (that's only about 80 people) ride their horses more often than their trucks. They drive cattle between March and June and then again from August until October to graze on open ranges with plenty of grass. Yes, it is quite a desert out here, but the ranchers have learned how to monopolize the water resources, tapping into every spring and filling troughs for their livestock. It is a simple but rough way of life. Ranchers toil all day on everything from moving cattle, to cultivating alfalfa, to building fences. They make little money but are rarely affected by the rest of the world, except for beef prices and BLM leases.

It makes me wonder, in times like these when budget cuts rule the world and wildlife careers suffer, should I just become a rancher? Unfortunately, most ranchers do not make much money and health care can be difficult--not just to pay for, but to travel for all medical needs. Grouse Creek "A Place Like No Other" the sign reads. On one of my first days here I asked one of the neighbors, "So, what do you do if you injure yourself?" He said "Well, basically you live or you die." That's the truth. Either your injury is too large that fatality strikes, or you'll survive in pain long enough to get to a hospital. Oh, and he also mentioned that if someone needs Life Flight, it's best to drive to the Idaho border 10 miles away and then call because Idaho will respond faster than Utah.

It is certainly an interesting lifestyle. To idolize it, or be deterred by it, is up to each individual's impression. I'll say this--I can't wait until class is finished in 3 weeks so I can move out here permanently and avoid the back and forth every week of driving. Oh, and it is a great place to contemplate about life's ideologies and begin new hobbies---for me, painting and reading became quite popular last year--hope to continue both of these this year.