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| -Land of the Free |
| Alone on the range: Bundy, Finicum kids carry on |
| 2016-06-11 |
| Tuckup, Ariz. • Her dust trail hems in five dozen cattle while Tean Finicum — pronounced Tee-Ann — rides behind them from flank to flank, driving the herd toward a dirt road that borders a low mountainside. As her saddle-length blond braid bobs in step with her horse, the 18-year-old shouts over the wind to direct the movements of her mom, Jeanette. Together with two frantic border collies, they impress upon the cattle that the most convenient option is to mosey on forward while sneaking mouthfuls of the windswept grass. Weekend adventurers in motorcycles and SUVs wave as they pass on the road — “There are some real-live cowgirls back there,” one will announce to the passengers of a car parked ahead. After a few miles, Tean rides away from the herd while Jeanette continues to drawl “Heeey, cow” at its rear. She waits for them just beyond a cattle guard, demanding that they turn more than 90 degrees and begin to climb the mountain where the scrub is less dense. They’d rather not. The last time Tean tried this, when she was by herself, the cattle refused. The whole effort, including a 45-mile drive south from the family’s home near the Utah border in Cane Beds, Ariz., had been for nothing. This time, the dogs scurry about to browbeat the grunting insubordinates as mother and daughter turn them toward slope and sky. The herd starts and stops, starts again and stops again. Finally, deprived of an easier choice, it heads unhurriedly toward the top, from which point memory alone will lead the cattle to the higher ground’s water source. The day’s work has been a success, and the Finicums are pleased. But even victories like these are dampered by a recurring thought. This was easier with Dad. More at the link |
| Posted by:badanov |
| #1 Nice article. |
| Posted by: jvalentour 2016-06-11 09:45 |