Old Car Week

Today we had the wheels aligned on our car. While we were waiting for the repair, we walked into the dealer showroom. Much to our surprise there were not any new cars there, but 3 "golden oldies." They were very shiny and cute. I wonder why all the interest in "old cars" is happening now?

A bright red Barracuda was the first car we saw. 

A cute pickup truck was next. It was restored and enhanced with "modern" bucket seats with head rests and seat belts, and the bed of the truck was lined with shiny wood 2 x 6's.

The last car was a 1972 Dodge Dart Swinger. The first car I bought was a 1967 Dodge Dart. This car had the same basic body style as the '67, but it had a lot more ZOOM. 

I wonder why there were not any new cars in the showroom? BTW these cars were for sale. I'm guessing they are too precious to be put outside in the used car lot. 

Classics

I'm sure you will recognize these logos. 

Now, if you know the year, you're good!

Old Cars

Today we visited Afton to see the old cars on display. It was a big deal event...the Main Street through town was closed and about 3 dozen cars were parked along the street showing off the pride of years past. They don't make cars like these any more. 

My favorite was a 1926 Super Six Hudson, that sold for $1,165 when it was brand new.  With 79 horsepower and six cylinders, it would really go! Other stock equipment was an 8 day clock, 19 gallon fuel tank and white side wall tires. This was one cool car!

I love the hood ornament

And look at all the goodies on the running board

Wooden spoked wheels that were made in Detrioit, USA long before the city even knew there was a hint of bankruptcy. 

One of my favorite cars as a youngster was the 1956 Nomad wagon. A 2 door wagon is completely impractical but the lines still work 50+ years later. 

There were more Fords than any other brand. The Model A is still too cute.

Ford is still using the same logo today. 

I will post some other cars later.

Cattle Call

It  must be animal day in western Wyoming. As I was driving to Alpine this morning I was delayed by a cattle drive. For "city slickers" it's a rare thing to be stopped by 100 head of cattle. For folks in western WY, it's something that happens on a regular basis. When you are driving along and you see a dust cloud in the distance .. And then the cars start to slow down ... That's a good sign that one of the ranchers is moving his cattle from one pasture to another. 

Today, a rancher and his crew were moving some of their livestock south from Alpine toward Afton. Traffic stopped as the beasts moved and mooed their way down highway 89. 

There are still cowboys in Wyoming--see him at the back of the herd. 

It reminded me of a verse from a western ballad, "Whoopee Ti Yi Yo" 

Whoopee ti yi yo, git along, little dogies, 
It's your misfortune, and none of my own. 
Whoopee ti yi yo, git along, little dogies, 
For you know Wyoming will be your new home. 

Deer

We have had several female deer grace our home this summer, but today we saw two or three bucks. That was a real treat as we have not seen any bucks on the property all summer. 

The first buck was in the front yard, sitting in front of my petunias. I think I know what has been eating them now. He was minding his own business looking as if he owned the house, lock, stock and barrel. 

I walked into the house and thru the porch door i saw our little Bambi in the backyard. The Bambi ventured out without its momma --  this is the first time I've seen him alone.  

And, that's when I saw a huge surprise. The Bambi settled down next to another 8 point buck. 

Both the buck and the Bambi sat in silence as we ate our lunch on the screened in porch. We had a perfect view of them, but I don't think they could see us. After about 10 minutes, there was a rustle in the forest...both deer perked their ears in the direction of the sound. The Bambi fled without thinking twice. The old buck perked his head in the direction of the rustling sound and hunkered down in his burrow. Soon another buck, a little bit smaller, walked into view and sauntered toward the front of the house. I don't know if this was the buck that had been in the front of the house before, or another one. Still, we had a little but of excitement. 

We were both taken aback to see the fawn and the buck sitting next to each other. I've seen the fawn with the momma doe several times this past week...but never with a buck! 

Later

A doe arrives about an hour later. She noses her way into the back yard. Before I realize what's happening, the buck moves and gives the doe his spot. Such a gentleman!

Two "Discoveries"

1. The deer discovered my back yard petunias. They now look like this. 

2. I discovered the real name for "butter and eggs" -- it's Mullein. 

Busy Bee

It's hard to get a good close-up with a smartphone camera. I was lucky on this next shot. Take a look at how busy this bee has been. His legs are loaded with rich pollen. 

The lupine must "bee" happy too

Cycle of Life

A wildflower garden has a definite life cycle. Some years, the cycle is faster than others, depending on the weather. I've been walking and talking to, and taking pictures of my little acre of wildflowers for several years now.

By mid-July, the blooming cycle is just about at an end. Many of the flowers are starting to show the perils of time.

The Susans (as I call them) are getting droopy, when they are prettiest.

The yellow salsify are changing into huge "puff balls" (for lack of another word) in order to send their seeds far and wide. 

I think the salsify puff balls are wonderful! This one looks like it's floating on an aspen branch, while the one below is already over the hill! Again, like the Susans, the salsify puffs are prettiest when they are getting ready to "fly away."

 The asters are blooming up a storm! This year we've had a banner crop of asters!

 Queen Anne's Lace is full and ripe! 

 The harebells are still "ringing"

I don't the name of this bloom, some call it "butter and eggs." It appears in July every year, growing on a tall stem, with yellow flowers on the end it looks like it comes from the Pleistocene. Some folks don't like this weed, but as you know, it's more than welcome in my garden!

There are a lot of sego lilies this year, growing in places they have not grown before!

 The lupines are going to seed. Look at the tiny "pea pods." 

 The Paintbrush is still going strong

 but, the tall prarie grasses are starting to droop and go to seed.

 Lastly, I try to grow some petunias every year. This batch, planted in an aspen log is thriving. Unlike the petunias I have planted in the front of the house, these have not been eaten by the deer. 

Roping

We went to a huge family birthday party in Colorado last weekend. Along with great food, conversation and laughs, we were treated to a roping show by the little ones. From an early age, these kids practice roping a "calf." OK, it's not really a calf, but a model of one. It's still quite a feat when you look at it. Have you ever tried to pick up a rope, make a loop, then swing that loop over your head in such a way so that when you let it go, it will lasso something? There were tiny 3 year olds taking their turns with the best of the bigger kids. It was great fun to watch. 

Getting a lesson

This little girl is 3

Sometimes a bigger "kid" joined the sport