January 11, 2008 - I apologize for the great time gap in keeping this updated. 2007 came to an end with one of the worst ice storms I have ever lived thru. Thank goodness we had the lodge. Joe kept the generator running for the feed mill and feed lot water. The water comes from the lodge well when we run the generator so we moved down to the lodge and had electricity part of the time. The amazing thing about a storm like that is that it helps put things in perspective. We take so very much for granted when we get up each day, put on clean clothes, take hot showers and eat hot meals. I decided it was good for all of us to have to do without for a few days to remind us of all that we have.
After the ice we had a really heavy snow storm. Some years we don't hardly get snow. At one point in December though, there was over a foot. The kids had so much fun sledding. They actually wore out two of those plastic ones. Of course the 4 wheeler added a dimension that appeals to adolescents!
One of the things that we are still feeling is the financial affects of those two storms. We had to feed a lot of hay that we had not planned to use until 2008. The mud is so hard on the cattle that are in the feed lot. It affects their rate of gain and performance. We tried to get as many out as we could, but some need to be confined. We had a bull hurt his leg probably from falling or slipping when breeding a cow. Thankfully he is starting to mend. But we actually found a cow that we felt had gotten down and just couldn't get footing to get back up. She of course died.
I know I am looking forward to Spring and warm days and all the green grass this moisture is sure to bring. We continue to invite you to stay at our lodge, ride your horses on our privately owned land and enjoy the beautiful quiet prairie.
August 18, 2006 - Yesterday was a historic day for us here, and a tough one too. We bid good bye to son # two as he headed for K-State. (and very happily, I might add) To add insult to injury the four remaining children had to go back too. The old house was quiet! Thank goodness for cell phones and KSU football. We intend to see our boys a lot this fall.
The good thing about school starting is that it is going to cool off very soon. I love fall when we wean calves, bring in cattle, preg check and sort for winter grass. It is always busy and very rewarding.
With fall on the horizon I am getting calls for fall bookings. If you would like to spend some time with us, you need to get your date confirmed. Just give us a call and we will work with you.
July 15, 2006 - We have hit the 'dog days' of summer. It has become very warm during the middle part of the day. I always forget from one year to the next. During this time of the year we have to get to the pastures early if we want to get a good look at the cattle before they hole up in the timber or ponds. We have been blessed with some small rains which are always a bonus in July. We would love to see a gully washer though.
On July 2 we held our first annual Fire Cracker ride. It was fun. We rode for much of Saturday morning. During the afternoon our guests shopped, visited the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, and ate out. About an hour and half before dark we headed out on horseback for the evening ride. Once we got to the hill, we waited patiently for the fireworks to begin. As soon as the show started, the coyotes went nuts howling. Even the horses watched for awhile. Because it was about 5 miles from us, we got to enjoy it without all the noise and people. When it was over, we rode back in the dark. This year we had a quarter moon so it wasn't completely pitch. The Firecracker Ride is definitely a keeper!
Before long we will begin to pull bulls from pastures. We will begin the process of preconditioning the calves too. If you would like to try your hand at a routine ranch duty, contact us on how you can be a part of that experience, or, whatever task we are doing while you are here. With 25 pastures to check weekly, ranging in a quarter of a section to over 900 acres, it is easy to customize the morning to fit your needs.
June 14 - We have had guests including 4 legged ones. It has been fun and we are beginning to formulate a plan for how to best accommodate guests, both equine and human. Timely rains are keeping the grass fresh and the wildflowers blooming. I do believe my favorite time to be out is about 6 a.m. It is so cool and fresh. Laura has taken some amazing wildflower pictures. Some of them are now on display in the room that we have named the "Wildflower room".
June 6 - Lots has happened since I last updated this journal. Besides graduation another son from high school, we had two receive confirmation and one her first communion. Besides all of our family things we weaned the fall calves, pregged their mothers, worked the spring calves and turned all of them out to their summer pasture. It has taken us weeks to get it all done. Now one of our weekly chores is to check all 25 pastures to insure the safety and health of the cattle. Besides counting, we put out mineral and fix problems. It can range from cattle in the wrong pasture, to injuries or some unforeseen complication. With recent rains the wildflowers have taken on new life. Daily I am seeing new ones. Laura, our daughter has photographed quite a few. She is entering some in a little photo contest. We have created a grouping for the upstairs bedroom. It has officially been named the Wildflower bedroom.
Rodeo weekend we had the privilege of hosting Ernie Rodina, the district manager for Purina feeds. We took a ride Saturday morning and then rode in the parade Saturday afternoon. He and some of his guests got to ride again Sunday. They have already booked the lodge for 2007.
The Symphony on the Prairie is coming right up. I can't be there as I have family coming home from two different airports. Joe will be coming back from Denton, TX and his annual Red Angus board meeting. Our oldest son Daniel is returning from a six week stint in South America. They were part of an Ag. Business class and learned more about Agriculture in a different part of the world. One thing he has already shared via email is that they have the big old ( I mean 4 years old) steers just as we did less than a century ago. The cattle Joe and I feed out are all ready for harvest before they are 20 months old. Many are as young as 13 or 14 months.
December 16- We have a little group of 50+ Spring cows in a pasture about 12 miles west of here (on horseback) We are trying to decide whether to drive them home or haul them. If we drive them, it will require permission across some neighbors and a little planning and the fall pasture is looking close to being done. If anyone thinks this is a ride they would like to participate in, it might help us determine whether to drive or haul. I anticipate them coming home right before or after Christmas. The family continues to enjoy the lodge and we sneak down for a soak in the hot tub every chance we get. It is quite a way to end a hard day and really warms us up. Our favorite time is when it is clear, not to windy and around freezing. Once you are in, the sky is amazing. We have seen more shooting stars this fall then all our other years put together. The Milky Way is unbelievable too.
To anyone reading this, our family extends a very Merry, Happy and Holy Christmas with lots of time to spend doing things you enjoy with those closest to you. May your New Year be filled with happiness and good health.
November 15 - We had our first taste of winter as it hailed and then snowed today. Once the front is thru it will be fun to get back on our horses as we have lots of cattle to sort and shuffle over the next couple of weeks. The family enjoys the hot tub when guests are not using it. It has been lots of fun for us to 'play' down at the lodge.
We recently finished weaning all the Spring calves and have been receiving new cattle for next years breeding heifers and for our feed lot. It has been busy, loud (with freshly weaned calves) and fun. There is always something to do with cattle here. Much of the activity happens not far from the lodge. In November we will be sorting and breeding the Fall cows. We would be glad to let our guests be involved in any of our cattle operations. The Mushrush family has spent a lot of time in the new hot tub. Sitting under a star speckled sky with very little artificial lighting, it is so relaxing. The spa is a nice amenity just for being our guests.
Recent guests over-nighted here and spent their days on the 2005 Purina Dream Ride. We were lucky enough to be included in the Saturday evening festivities. What fun when people with a passion for horses, the outdoors, and nature get together.
Guests enjoying a visit with Sparky.
Definitely participating. Everyone relaxing after loading 4-H pigs.
Recent guests who met at the Tallgrass Prairie Lodge for a little family time with their grown children and grandchild. Susan wrote in part, "We so much enjoyed our time on your ranch. You certainly went out of your way to be accommodating and to provide a comfortable place for us to relax as a family. We all agreed that it was indeed a special treat to get to be a brief part of your lifestyle--playing with the kittens, farm pond fishing, being around the livestock, learning about the business of ranching, and of course the "Pig Party"!.
August 26, 2005 - Welcome to our web site. I intend to use this journal page to keep you updated as to what is happening out here at the Tallgrass Prairie Lodge. Just today we are experiencing a flood. Living near creeks and the Cottonwood River, that is not unusual, except it doesn't happen in August. The flooding is due to the extreme rainfall on up toward Marion. We have heard that they had up to 10'' of rain in the past day or so. We are hopeful it will not last long and we can get on with our life.
The grass has had another tremendous year and when you come you will have the opportunity to see many varieties of mature grass. When the seedheads shoot up, it is very pretty. There are places where you can look and see nothing but grass and sky. I like to imagine how the early settlers felt living out here.
October 9 - We had the pleasure of hosting a group who were affiliated with the Purina 'Dream Ride" trail ride this weekend. Our only regret is that they were so busy they had very little time to play and relax at our place. We are in the process of bringing in bred heifers to preg check and deliver. We are also finishing weaning our Spring calves and getting cattle moved to winter pastures. It has been an outstanding grass year and everything is very beautiful.
Our spa arrived in time for our latest guests. We have also been enjoying it. I cannot describe how amazing it is to sit in it while viewing the star speckled sky. With the moon in the 'fingernail' stage, the sky is so dark and the milky way so easy to see. There have also been shooting stars the past few days.