Our Last Day

Friday we left at 7:00 am and drove two hours to Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Once off the highway, we drove 7 miles up a winding mountain road to the entrance of the cavern. We hiked 1 hour and 45 minutes down the steep trail of the cave to the Big Room (which could hold Notre Dame Basilica and several football fields). Unfortunately we could not take the elevator up like last year's group so we turned around and headed back up the 750 feet ascension. We all made it safe and sound (a little out of breath) and enjoyed a meatless picnic lunch outside the cavern. On the way back to the ranch we took a small detour and learned about all the oil in the area and the many oil pumps that we could see working across the land. We treated Mr. Kim and the girls to a shake at Sonic and headed back to the ranch.

St. Patrick's Day at the Ranch

Life is always busy at the ranch. Ms. Unrau and Ms. Parks started the morning off by driving an ATV to rescue a calf that was born overnight, while the girls herded the mother back to the main pen. The calf had not even learned to take its first steps so the girls milked the cow and fed the calf by bottle hoping to give it enough nourishment so it can stand on its own to feed itself. Some of the girls that chose service as their focus, spent two hour painting a fence for the Chessers. That afternoon the girls learned roping skills, more western riding techniques in an arena and shot at cans with two rifles and a shot gun. Quite a busy St. Patty's Day!

Baa, Baa, Black Sheep, Have You Any Wool?

Today we loaded up the trailer with the Chessers' sheep to get a haircut. We had a great adventure riding through the vast terrain as we drove to the farm where we would watch the sheep be sheared. We were able to meet America's national sheep shearing team and be educated about the process of cutting the wool and sorting it.  We even had our very own, Meagan and Katie, help wrangle the sheep so that they could be groomed. After our great trip, we had a yummy packed dinner at the park in Roswell. We then headed to the Roswell Wool Warehouse where we had a fascinating demonstration on the process it takes to sell the wool.

Tuesday's Supper: Special Guests and Entertainment

Supper Tuesday evening was a real treat. We met Tye's whole family (Becca, Teagan and baby) because they came over for a cookout. Cheeseburgers with all the fixings, chips, "coke" (any type of pop) and smores on the fire. Ms. Patricia brought out her fiddle and Ms. Unrau and Clara played the guitar while students sang hymns, patriotic songs and a few pop songs featuring 4 year old Teagan.

Food, Glorious Food!

All the guests and animals eat very well here at the ranch. All food and beverages are homemade and served with prickley pear lemonade, sweet tea and lemonade. Sunday Supper: tacos with all the fixings and chocolate and vanilla pudding with whipped cream and nuts; Monday Dinner: BBQ ribs and beef, baked beans, potatoes, coleslaw, texas toast and peach shortcake; Monday Supper: cheese quesadillas with all the fixings and fruit pizza; Tuesday Dinner: beef and cheese New Mexican enchiladas (topped with a fried egg), rice, refried beans, salad with ranch and sopapillas with honey.

Afternoon Chores: Feeding Cattle

Ms. Unrau drove a Dodge Ram truck with half the girls in the back co-piloted by Ms. Parks; Mr. Kim drove the flat bed truck with the other half of girls and Tye drove a little Suzuki truck around the ranch for over two hours to feed the cattle. It was like we were on our very own safari. As soon as the cattle saw the trucks they literally came running like a stampede. Ms. Unrau's bucket list is now checked off for an off road adventure!