Fall comes early in the this part of the Rocky Mountains.

Before the snow gets too deep in the high country, the horses we use for patrolling the park must be taken to their winter pasture and turned out.

I didn't get to go along on the last ride this year, but I did meet them at their destination and assisted pulling the horse shoes off for the winter. The horses also get their hooves branded, and get a shot of de-worming medicine.
Here's a quaint sign on the road to the ranch.
Along the way, there were also some wildlife hanging out. There were no tourists around, so I could pretend to be one.

Later, on another day, I found the time to patrol some old sections of fire road - with a few less horse power.



I didn't get any photos of the helicopter this time, but I did have to make a short flight into this backcountry lake.
A bunch of old signs and garbage had been collected, but weather had prevented it's removal on a previous attempt.
So the pilot dropped me off here and hooked on his long line while I ran up the trail and secured the cargo. He then flew it to a road accessible location, then came back for me.On the home front, Harley got a bag full of catnip from some of his admirers, (thanks Marie & Terry)and was really getting in to it!We got a call one morning recently of an overdue mountain climber. I found his vehicle in this parking lot, and soon the search was underway - once the rain and fog cleared a bit.After a first fly past of the mountain, the subject was spotted, and we quickly geared up the helicopter to sling rescuers in to the site.


In cases like these, we don't get to ride IN the helicopter, but rather hang UNDER it on the end of a long rope.

The Calgary Herald carried the story, but if you don't like bad news, don't read it.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the horses were off down the trail, not to be put to work again till May of next year. Giddy Up!
If the weather stays nice, we hope to take out the camper, or even the new 5th wheel for another good run before things are snowed in. This winter's expedition southward might be a bit short - due to lack of vacation time and time-in-lieu, as well as some ill-timed training at work.
But we will be saving as much time as possible, and there will for sure be some time in California and Arizona at the very least. My new truck wants to use Ultra Low Sulphur diesel, so until Mexico has that available, we will not be able to go there. Till next update.