The ranch blossoms in fragrance and soft color just in time for the wedding

The tables are set under stately 100 year old white oaks.

The honored guests gather

And so do the curious horses

You can feel the love

At the garden gate the groom awaits

Now the procession winds past the heirloom roses

Here comes the bride and her proud father

With, family and friends surrounding them, Lyn and Beth exchange their sacred vows

In the cool breeze of a late afternoon in the foothills, a new life begins for Mr. and Mrs. Wilkinson

As owner Larry and Pam Butler remember their own vows

And after cake and celebration …

The couple leaves in “Old Blue,” Seventy-four Ranch style

Our Best Wishes and Congratulations!

Cowboys from near and far joined us for spring roundup

Some of the herd came reluctantly

But come they did ….

The corral filled up with our Corriente and Longhorn cattle

Guests staying in the Cowboy Cabin for the roundup look on

Generations of cowboys pitched in

That’s Annabelle, who was an orphan last year and spent months inside the three acres surrounding the historic Butler-Cape House with the Butlers. 

Owner Larry Butler gives Annabelle the treasured 74 brand. During our roundups, ranch cattle are wormed, vaccinated, castrated and branded as needed. It’s a unique opportunity for cowboys to practice their 1880’s skills and guests to see them in action and understand why they have become so important to cowboys and ranch operations for more than 100 years

They had never been out of a cage, never put their pretty orange feet in the water.

We bought them at Hinton Milling across the street. Easter ducks who hadn’t found a home.

Now they have one at Parker’s Pond at the Seventy-four Ranch. Who would be the first one to leave the safety of the cage?

We stood silently as they quacked and slowly approached the water.

A brave soul touched it with one foot and then…..

The water had to feel cool and refreshing. Soon they discovered that there were good green things to eat in it.

And then the Grand Adventure out into uncharted water.

The horses stood quiet witness…

As the ducks began to live as God had envisioned, and always planned

Sophie and Monkey are soaking up the sun. Come find your spot to relax at the Seventy-four Ranch.

These are just three of the new baby calves that we have at the Ranch.  Spring is here! Come pet a baby calf.

The wellhouse is going to be a great place to watch the horses and cattle at Seventy-four Ranch.

All the men helping out in the building of the well house.

Despite the ongoing drought our hay barn is nearly full this fall, and what a blessing. In such a drought, our pastures and fields cannot provide enough forage for all the horses and cattle to eat in the warm months, in addition to enough hay for the winter.

But our neighbors, John and Samantha Brandreth, of Brandreth Farms, generously gave us several of their hay fields to mow, fluff and bale. And right now we have leased neighboring pasture for current grazing to give our pastures a rest. We drilled grass seed a week ago and we are anxiously waiting for the necessary rain to cause the seed to germinate. Then we will fertilize. Pray for rain, and soon.

What a pleasure it is to step outside. To feel the crisp, clean air and just look around. The leaves are turning now at the ranch and all around us on the mountains and foothills. It feels like just what it is, nature’s last technicolor production before the quiet, bare bones beauty of winter. Come see for yourself.