So it's been only a week but I have seen and done so much since I wrote so I thought I really should update this and let you all know what I've been up to...
The last time I wrote I was in Santa Barbara and about to head up to San Francisco with cousin Hannah, Frannie and E.... We hired a car (a very sporty red thing) and I drove everyone on the wrong side of the road all the way up to San Fran. I only almost turned onto the left side once so I was pretty proud! We got in in the dark but that just made driving over the Golden Gate Bridge even more spectacular!
San Francisco was amazing! We stayed with Gerlinde's friend Ed in Sausalito in an apartment complete with city and Bay Bridge views which were beautiful. The next three days were a whirlwind as Hannah and Gerlinde made sure that we saw everything that we needed to from a local point of view. Here are a few highlights:
Friday: We headed downtown (once again the Aussie driving on the right side of the road) early in the morning and I drove down Lombard St, we wandered through China town, Castro (the gay quarter) and Haight (the hippy quarter) then after walking about 20 miles caught the ferry home across the bay driving past Alcatraz, Treasure Island and the Golden Gate. This was particularly exciting as it was E's first time on a boat!
Friday night saw us visiting Hannah's friend in at the Marina and then a trip to meet some other people at the State Uni where a group of us very quickly got into an extremely deep conversation about, among other things, how Australia is going to sink because there is no volcanic activity and we're on one plate (or something like that anyway...)!
Saturday: An early start again with Gerlinde this time as Hannah went off to EMT class for the day. We drove up to Coit Tower complete with Columbus, had a Noah's NY Blueberry Bagel then headed down to the water to walk around the bay to the bottom of the GG Bridge. This was then followed by a trip to the Farmers Market (which included LOTS of taste testing!) and a quick trip into town for the St Patty's Day Parade. I made a friend called Tequilla (A mounted shooting champion mount) - I thought of you Lillian!
Saturday night was an experience... hannah took us to an under 21 club that made me feel like I stepped into a scene on Honey. There were the battling dancers on the front stage, the drunk girls wearing next to no clothes and dancing on the poles and in the cages up above and the general dance floor showing off moves that I think should be almost X-rated!!! I think Hannah just laughed at me the whole time cos my mouth was open in constant shock and awe!
Sunday morning was recovery that was followed quickly by a wine tasting tour in the Napper Valley in the afternoon and my first mexican meal at Taco Joes before the other girls headed back to college on the overnight bus.
Monday was the beginning of the next chapter in my travels and although I was really sad to leave San Fran I was super excited because I was heading into Big Sky country in Montana to see my other cousins Bill and Jim. This is where I write this from now and I can safely say that this has been the best week so far!
Jim and Lindsey picked me up from Bozeman airport in the middle of a snow storm (very lucky to be able to land...)! I was really wondering why I thought I should come up here at this time of year... We headed back to Sheridan very slowly and made it safe and sound to Horse Creek Cattle and Hay Ranch.
Since I have been here I have mainly been on the ranch. Its been really wonderful just being back in the fresh air (as long as I have about 6 layers of clothes on...) and I am re-learning all of these things that I haven't done for ages and ages! It is the middle of calving so we have been checking, tagging and pairing out cattle everyday. Tuesday we had to move some heifers for branding on Wednesday so I was handed my trusty steed Stash and I clambered into a really big, hard Western saddle and after only an hour or two thought that I had done permanent damage to my seat bones! All went well though and we freeze-branded on wednesday. Thursday included a trip into Dillen with Steve where I was given a bright pink John Deer cap and a camp chair as lucky door prizes by the local ag supply stores - I have proudly been wearing my hat ever since...
Last night Jamie took me out on the town to the local bars - picture a saloon bar from a Western and you have a pretty close idea of the type of establishments I was in... Jamie lead me astray a little and introduced me to 7&7s (whiskey) and Southern Bitches - both of which made me feel a little worse for wear this morning... I did also manage to convince Jamie to have Vegemite toast before bed to help with the hangover but he really wasn't that impressed...
Today has been another day of firsts. Bill, Jim, Lindsey, Sam and I all climbed in the truck with a few horses and headed to a branding. This is basically where all of the neighbours help out with branding a ranches cattle. COWBOYS!!!! There was roping and drinking gallore!
So I hope that catches you all up - I know its a long one but it's been an eventful week!
Catch you next week!
Z
