Sorry for the delay in posting but it’s been really cold around the place and my old bones get kinda creaky running around keeping water pipes from freezing, hauling wood up to the cabin, and building fires in the fireplace to keep warm. Unfortunately, as the weather isn’t scheduled to change for while things might get a little spotty arould here. Anyway, here’s a great little carving with lots of history around it.
If you haven’t heard of the Four Sixes Ranch which is way out, and I mean WAY out, in west Texas you ought to read up on it. It’s a great story about a part of Texas history and the establishment of one of the largest cattle ranches in the world. Here’s the link which explains it’s story and why I picked it to make my small contribution. https://www.6666ranch.com/
The date of my carving is around 2006. Back then Judy and I were on our way to a Cowboy & Chuckwagon event in Lubbock, TX. After crossing the Red River borderline from southwest Oklahoma we began noticing that the fence line along both sides of HI way 82 just kept going and going and going and never seaming to stop. Considering the ranch is composed of 142,372 acres I can certainly see why. There was so much history along that road I just had to make a record of our trip so once back home I sat down and carved out my own contribution.
As you can see, it’s Roundup time on the Four Sixes. By the coffee pot setting next to the fire it must be early morning and that wrangler has been charged with keeping that branding irons red-hot and ready for the days activities. The most difficult part in making this little scene was the construction of the branding iron. I wish I had made a closeup of it as bending the metal to make those little 6’s getting every small piece soldered together was a real chore…..fun but still a chore. I think I did a pretty good job of it as every time I see it I think I can smell the burning hide of the steer as the smoke rises . Ouch! I increased the interest of the scene by adding several more irons heating up to burn ranch symbol on the next bunch being pulled in by the cowboys.
I hope you liked this west Texas scene and look forward to your comments.
