We Came, We Hiked, We Rodeoed

Post by Clemson Prairie Ecology Fellow Marilyn Jackson

Happy Fourth and end of the summer to everyone! I hope the heat back east isn't quite as bad at it is out here. High's of 95 seem to be common in these later months, but without the humidity it is a little bit more bearable.

As we welcomed July with open arms, we also got our arms pumping on a strenuous hike up to the ice caves of Crystal Lake last weekend. Within the five mile climb to the top of the mountain, we gained 2200 feet in elevation, positioning us around 8000 feet higher than all you South Carolina folks! Although there wasn't much extra air to be used having conversations, we communicated well enough to make our way up to a clearing, trailing closely behind two native Montana women, who had no trouble breathing on the very steep hike. Once at the top, and near the tree line, we had a much easier climb down to a few ice caves. After sitting and eating lunch while dodging swarms of flies, the only living things that far up the mountain, we made a brisk descent, full of conversation and impatience to reach the lake. We were all very impressed with ourselves to finish that hike, and ready for a few much needed showers.

This week the heat has been brutal. Although it isn't nearly as humid here in the West as it is in the Southeast, some of the moisture reached us around Tuesday midday. Apparently there have been forest fires all around Canada, which have caused smoke in the atmosphere to be pushed down as far as Georgia and upstate South Carolina. I think a little bit of it has been causing some haze around our ranch.

Between the tree cutting, grass sorting, and routine maintenance on the Kubota, our week has been full. Terry Frost assisted us with some issues we were having with the equipment, but other than that we have been working on our own. Working for the weekend has never been more true, especially for this past weekend holiday.

Now the fourth of July out in Montana is a sacred holiday. Not only is it the celebration of freedom, but it is also a celebration of the West. I believe that the West is one of the only places that is still truly and completely American. All the locals have a deep appreciation for hard work, they treat their neighbors as family, and each rancher salutes the sunset with a locally brewed beer in hand and a loyal wife at his side. No matter where one goes in the West, there is no mistaking the country pride that exists between farmers, ranchers, and sheepherders alike. So there was only one way to spend the holiday weekend and that was at the Home of Champions Rodeo in Red Lodge, Montana.

Red Lodge is about 90 miles from Roundup and is home to a three day professional rodeo that includes bareback bronc riding, barrel racing, kids' sheep riding, bull riding, and wild horse wrangling. It was the biggest rodeo I personally had ever been to, and it was the first time I had seen large groups of similarly aged kids in Montana. It seemed to attract students from MSU and UM Billings, and it slightly resembled a more laid-back tailgate. This event was the most fun activity that I have been a part of since being out West, and was the first time I didn't feel like a visitor. There were families that traveled from all over the world to be there, including a very own Tennessean bronc rider who actually ended up winning the event! This show was enough to inspire anyone to be a cowboy, and I'll surely be in the market for some decorated chaps of my own!

Below are just a few of the pictures from yesterday.

The four of us are coming up on the last weeks of our internship, and it sure is bittersweet. I think I speak for all of us when I say that I'm really really excited to be home, but this experience is one for the books. I've learned so many things these last two and a half months, and I know this summer is one I'll remember and talk about for the rest of my life. Montana, you've been a wonderful second home, and I will definitely be back!