Blizzards Sculpt The History of the Ranch
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 23 ก.พ. 2019
- Over the last 133 years the ranch has stood up to many challenges but none so intimidating as the blizzards that can strike Wyoming.
Beginning in 1886, settlers had to contend and adapt to something that is beyond our control. Preparing for the worst and hoping for the best. Today we look at the history of major blizzards and how they shaped how we ranch and live our lives.
A special thanks to the Rockpile Museum in Gillette Wyoming for all their help and the use of video and pictures featured here. Check them out at www.ccgov.net/317/Rockpile-Mu...
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Our Wyoming Life
PO Box 667
Gillette WY 82717
Join us on our journey as we leave a life in corporate america to come back to Wyoming and help on the family ranch.
Our Wyoming Life features our Wyoming ranch and our ranch family. Giving you a look into the workings of ranching from raising cattle to raising and harvesting crops. Erin will join you weekly out of the garden, showing you how she helps provide for our family through growing produce and selling at local farmers markets, and Mike will take you along as he tends to the animals and land of ranch, from calving to fencing to planting and harvesting hay.
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This has to be one of the most interesting channels on TH-cam. Not just this video, but the content is just real life and available to everyone. Good stuff, you guys!
Thank you Justin! -Mike
I love these History Episodes. Great work Mike. Thank you. 2 Thumbs up.
Thank you very much - Mike
Growing up in SE Montana I can remember my Dad recounting the blizzards through time. Especially, the blizzard of 1886-1887. Millions cows and sheep died. Thousands of heads of cattle found standing up, but frozen in place.
These history episodes are better than the History Channel. You and Erin's past work experience shine thru with every vlog.
We are spoiled with the equipment we have today, to feed cows and move snow. The ranchers that went before us were amazingly strong people!
For sure, I was thinking about that while feeding this morning, thank you - Mike
The old pictures are amazing to look at and imagine what life was like back then. Thank you for making these videos.
you are very welcome, thank you for watching Richard - Mike
I have my pilots license. Was really interesting to hear about how aviation helped the ranchers.
That really impressed me too, the whole community pulled together. Thanks - Mike
Didn't like history when I was in school, but I love it now. The history videos are great if we don't look at history we will do the same things again. God bless you'll.
Do remember as a kid of stories of how grandma, grandpa or someone dying of exposure from trying to go feed the animals in the barn and not being able to make it back to the house. Or tying a long rope to the house, and using it as guide back to the house. Can't see in the white out. Even then, some couldn't make it back to the house because of the heavy drift. Ranch and farming life isn't for the faint of heart. It makes you a better person or it will crush you! Thanks for the great video!
Thanks Mike for the history lesson and the reminder that tough times could be just around the corner....weather is unpredictable at best and being prepared should never be overlooked. I was born in 1949 in Utah and have lived here all of my life, but was never reminded of the harsh winter conditions of that winter. I look forward to your videos and admire your work ethic in making the ranch a success. Keep up the good work.
Wow, thanks. Kind of amazing that anyone is living up there. Stay safe and warm.
Wow! What a very informative history lesson .Thanks for putting this video together for us Mike and Erin!
Thank you very much Charlie - Mike
Very good video great job Mike on the history lesson of blizzards and the way cattle ranchers at change the way they ranch I remember hearing this story as a young teenager for my father growing up on the ranch cattle ranch in New Mexico I've never forgot it thank you so much have a great day God bless you and your family
Thank you Ernest! - Mike
Well done! I like the quote from Thomas Edison "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looked like work".
Hi Mike, I never heard of "The Great Die Up" before. But now it all makes sense, why the western ranching changed so dramatically. Thanks for filling in those history gaps. Great video! Happy trails,🤠
It did force change to continue. Thanks Rich - Mike
Well done. My grandparents would talk about the blizzard of 49. My grandpa was heading from Wyoming to Colorado when it started. He had to help more than a few people who had ran off the road.
Yea, the southern part of the state got hit alot harder, couldnt imagine being in the middle of it. Thanks - Mike
Mike, you do come up with some very interesting information from time to time. I really do appreciate your efforts and the dedication it takes to research the history and collect the details that you do such a good job of presenting. Thank you for sharing with us, we all enjoy these videos and will be watching for more.
Glad I can give you something you enjoy from time to time lol 😀 -Mike
Beautiful and tragic story. Great teaching moment, thank you!
Thanks Charles - Mike
Great video Mike in reminding us that Mother Nature is in control. It is how we adapt and adjust that determines our survival. God bless You, Erin and the Kids.
Thanks Daniel - Mike
I like these videos..it was sad for the farmers and the ranchers...Thank You
Thanks for watching Jody - Mike
Thanks for the look back into the history of the region! Very interesting and much to be learned from the lessons of the past.
How does that old saying go? "Those that fail to learn from the past are doomed to repeat it!"
I think that the weather this year is proving to be a repeat of past seasons! Stay warm and safe!
This is great Mike, we have been record breaking wind, cold, and snow here in central Minnesota. On one hand I wish I was still in the hay business, on the other I'm glad I can look on and smile knowing I'm not fighting the snow and machinery to make my hay stash accessible. Wyoming has an amazing history, I have watched documentaries and read books about Wyoming's history.
Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Bill! - Mike
great history. i did cattle work for Texas rancher, who told a story of helping a friend fly in hay to his families ranch in Wyoming, of late 40s, during Bad blizzard.
I just love these history videos. Great Job👍👍👍
Awesome vintage footage.
Thanks again to the museum, they have proved to be an invaluable partner in helping with these videos, and thanks to you as well - Mike
Mike& Erin, you two show us all how it's done. Thanks for the perseverance. History informs us, if we will be honest and ready to adapt. Yup! I enjoy pretty much everything you all do to teach us how life still is on the Plains. Happy Sunday! Blessings to you all in Jesus name.
Thank you Tom - Mike
Thanks Mike, this video really gives an understandable insight into the 'American Spirit' of our country. It's amazing what can be accomplished if folks will just keep pressing forward. Children raised, families established and communities prosper as the winds of adversity howl.
For sure. Thanks Larry -Mike
Excellent video, Mike! I'm watching this while we have, literally, a blizzard that's been pounding us since last night. Here in Northeast Iowa, we've been due. The last 3 winters have been fairly tame and this winter was also - up through to the last week in January when we saw our 1st standard temps of -34 and -65 wind chills! We've had nearly 2-1/2 feet of snow this month and today, the 55 mph winds really humbled a lot of people! Thankful Spring is just around the corner - but with more snow in our forecast - it's the hope of what's coming that keeps us strong! Stay warm and looking forward to more videos from your ranch!
Great video. Snow, snow go away come again some other day. WOW, Wyoming has had its share of blizzards
For sure, thanks Tom - Mike
You ace it Mike! Our prayers are with you!
Thank you very much - Mike
Thanks for the history lesson Mike. In Saskatchewan the 1930s taught us grain farmers 0 till was the way to go conserving water and topsoil.
I remember the blizzard of 78 the most. Good video you two!
This content is what helps define your channel title. Although you do a great job at showing us your typical days on the ranch, you have now started to show what a Whyoming Life is all about through the history. By the way, you have confirmed for me that I won't be starting my small homestead in Wyoming. LOL. I really hope that you continue this path once a month. It's great knowledge that many of us east coast city boys really like. 🙂
Nice too see a picture of 80 in there. Thanks for the history lesson Mike keep em coming
God bless you mike. Lots of love from INDIA
Thank you very much Neeraj - Mike
Mike like always another awesome video great history!!
It was nice to getting to know some of the history in your area!
Thank you
Thank you for watching Scott - Mike
What a great history lesson‼️ Very interesting how things have changed over the years. We got 14" of snow here in Oregon where we usually don't get snow here‼️Thanks again for sharing the video.
I think I can relate. For nearly years I kept horses on a piece of property a mile from my house in the Sierra Nevada mountains. The property had no well, and you had to walk back from the road about 200' to get to the hay barn and corrals. It didn't help that the county plows would build a berm in front of my gate that would freeze over night and that had to be chipped through before I could even begin to clear snow on the property. I would have to use a sled to haul water in 7 gallon jugs that I had brought from home to the horses twice per day, sometimes after a three or four foot snowfall. The first year I about killed myself hand shoveling trenches to get back the the horses since I had neither a tractor nor snow blowers. Often I would have to shovel the snow from the shelters to keep them from collapsing. I finally invested in a pair of snow shoes so I could walk over the drifts, and a blower so I could keep the tracks clear. I had mini horses at one point and the snow would be over their backs in height so trenches had to be dug for them as well. We adapted since we had no other choice and the lessons I learned while dealing with the Sierra winters have stuck with me even after I moved to a much less taxing climate. My pipes are over insulated, I have a wood stove so that I can heat the house and cook on it if necessary, and I keep bottles of water out to freeze so that I can keep the food in the 'fridge cold if/when the power goes out. We don't get anywhere near the snow where I am now, but I still have my shovel just in case, and it has come in handy on a couple of occasions. I always have two years worth of hay in storage in case I can't find any during the winter months. The Sierras taught me well. You adapt or you don't make it.
Great history video, Mike. So interesting the hardships the pioneers endured to settle the west. Spring of 1969 while in Gillette it snowed 19 inches in 36 hours. Canceled school due to snow drifts. April 1 , 1969. Last snow of winter, melted and everything was green . Keep up the good work.
Harsh but great teacher history is...!🌟🌟👍👍👍🌟🌟
I have read the history of blizzards and dust storms, it take a strong people to survive and thrive in these conditions. Thanks for the history tell the family hello. Enjoy Erin's recipes and watching the kids. Have a great day!
Thank you Theresa, always a good read :) - Mike
Thank you for compiling all this information, keep them coming. I enjoy watching your videos very much.
Thank you very much Krystyna - Mike
Wow you do an episode on blizzards, from Wyoming and we just get hit with yesterday, 11 inches of snow here in southwest Kansas, blizzard conditions haven't seen that out here in a long time. Thanks for the history lesson and try to stay warm y'all
Fascinating to see and hear about this history, I replayed it a second time to see things I may have missed, thanks so much for this excellent series
I remember the 1997 blizzard I got caught in that one. I was driving semi through Southern Wyoming. It was crazy nasty. God bless
Great video! God Bless you and your family!
Thank you, you as well - Mike
Hi again! Excellent vid Mike! I so enjoy your historical vids and this one is full of great info and pics. Blizzards definitely fit into the nemesis category along with those tough winds for you and water for me! Hard to imagine the hardship of those early storms. Back then they didnt even have a fighting chance. Hard enough in these times but thanks be for technology with modern day equipment. Evolving over time saved the industries for sure. But no matter when the blizzards come they haven't changed!! I'll be saying prayers for you all this calving time cause I know how the bad weather can bring even more stress and exhaustion. Appreciate all the time and work it took on this vid Mike. Definitely a treasure for your kids as they hopefully become ranchers too and carry on your tradition. You all keep extra safe and warm as you enter your extra busy time of year. Til next time...
I can say, that learning this stuff makes me very thankful for what we have. Thanks CC - Mike
Keep your cows close & your hay closer.
I had heard about the hay lift but forgotten about it. It was nice hearing about it from a more local perspective.
I remember those blizzards of the 70's and through my life so far here in central NE I am hoping spring comes in gental and don't bring to many severe storms but it wouldn't be central NE if spring didn't bring some good old storms have wonderful week Mike and hope it warms up soon for u guys out in WY
Interesting information of the histori of how was ranching back in the days.
Yes it is. Thank you -Mike
Great history vlog today Mike! I really enjoyed the history. We moved to Wyoming less than 2 years ago. Loved this. I will rewatch this with my husband today.
Very cool, thank you Lisa - Mike
Great insight Mike. Thanks for making my beef taste so good. Farm to table is the best way to eat.
That it is, nothing like it, thanks Greg - Mike
Absoutly this best vid Ive seen from your channel, Thanks, My Grandba was born in 1887
I agree and nicely done historical footage. I believe more content like this will be a subscriber driver!
Thanks David :) - Mike
Thank you Keith - Mike
Thanks for sharing Mike! You deal with things most around my neck of the woods never do. Here 60 miles south of the Metroplex, I do t know of anyone else beside me who has tire chains and cables. And that is because we have friends in Colorado, I've never used them here, super cold and snow just do not stay here more than a few days. Now we do get weeks of 100°F+ degree weather in the summers where it doesn't cool off below 80° at night. Have a great week!
Mike that was so interesting. Thanks for the history lesson. Let's hope we don't get another one of those blizzards for a long time. Love the pictures.
Great video very interesting 👍
We have blizzards, ice storms, hurricanes but drought is never A problem 😀
Another great video. All of the extra work you put into your videos really pays off with great video after great video. I noticed your subscription numbers are getting up there. Another well done.
Thank you Todd! - Mike
Yet another great history video. Thank you for letting us in on the history of your area and the history of your farm.
Definitely remember the Blizzard of 84... damn it was collllddddd!
Hi Mike, I live in Central NY, 20 miles east of Syracuse. Syracuse is always listed in the top 3 of the snowiest cities in America & we are no strangers to severe blizzards, lol. It's very normal for us to get 2 feet of snow at a time, it's no big deal & we deal with it with no problem. I live in the country, in the middle of the "muck lands", it's very flat & the black soil is very rich for growing onions, potato's, corn, soybeans & wheat. But that flat land is awful in the winter & the wind roars across here creating white outs & huge drifts. Add to that all the lake effect snow we get from Lake Ontario & it can be pretty treachorous here. But hey, I'll take the snow & cold over tornado's, earthquakes & hurricanes anyday! LOL!
Justin said it all! Mike, you are doing a Great Job with your channel! I can’t thank you and Erin enough for all the great content you send us! Jen and I are looking so forward to the ranch roundup!👍
Thank you very much! - Mike
Another great history video.. I'veheard my Grd-father,alife time farmer talk about the winters in Northern Ill. I have pics of my mother and uncle in the 30's ,standing on a snow drift ,leaning aginst the cross arms on telephone poles Drive ing horses pulling bobsleds acrost fences and fields on the hard snow Keep on prouduing s\computer broke
Thanks Barry, that weather makes us stronger :) - Mike
😊 thanks again Mike
Welcome Kyle -Mike
You really have done your research! OMG those winters had to of been miserable. One can only hope your not going to have a winter like that for a while.
Great job Mike and Erin,,love the history!!
Thank you for the great videos Mike, I envy your way of life ! Good for the both of you !
This was such an eye opener. Very well put together Mike. Thankyou for sharing and ❤ your channel.
Awesome & inspirational to strengthening the human spirit and condition...thank you
What a wonderful vid.
Thank heavens we dont have it as bad as they had it years ago. They have called for a blizzard here all day. 😂😋alls I can do is laugh,and think a couple inches of snow isnt a blizzard. Have a wonderful week coming up.
Loved the history lesson.
Thank you sir - Mike
Great video very informative from your friend from a cross the pond.
Thank you Mike!! Bravo!
Wow that's huge
Thanks for the Doc Mike.
Jo Jo in VT
Wow Mike you really had to do some research for this one. You had me thinking about how easy the winters here in Nova Scotia, Canada really are compared to just what you may have to deal with In Wyoming. Thanks for bringing me along as you do with every video and oh ya I really thought this was worth sharing with my friends and family on Facebook. Keep up the good work and I look forward to your next video on Tuesday !!!!
That was great Mike thankyou..
Its interesting the years you said that there was major blizzards in wyoming, we have major droughts in either the same year or year before here in parts of australia where I live..
Thanks for the History lesson. We enjoy the videos, keep up the good work.
Hi mike this video showes that no matter what we go into we need to star
Awesome video, I learn something new with all your videos, thanks for the history
You are very welcome, thanks for watching - Mike
Great vid Mike Erin!!! I hold my breath for 90 days Dec through Feb on getting feed to the cows and keeping the water open cool thing to have in your war chest is a battery powered chain saw Makita ( 30 minutes of use per charge) is the brand cuts the ice out easy and takes little space in the tractor. we are not going to calve until April 12ish but they seem to start hatching around the 4th hang in there guys we are on the homefront towards spring.
Man this was so interesting....people sure had it hard back then.
Thanks for another great show your the best
Thanks for the history lesson Mike.
What an extraordinary video wrapped up in a history lesson. I really enjoy the history segments. The last snow storm you mentioned was a turning point in my life also. I was working on a large project in PA. and the state shut down the project because of the storm and low temperatures. Like many winters before I returned to my office only to find out that they were laying off employees because of this extreme storm. I received your lay-off and started a new chapter in my life at another firm. It’s hard to predict the future but we can count on one thing weather will also be a factor.
Oh wow, isnt it amazing how things as simple as weather can change our lives. Thank you Dennis - Mike
Love the history videos. Thanks for sharing. Have a good week
FANTASTIC video thank you
Thank you Deanna - Mike
Excellent...alarmists say we have extreme weather today..they should view this vid...with modern machinery and scientific ranching techniques and computer, radar, satellite weather forecasts today I think we have much better odds against mother nature today...but of coarse we should not let our guard down...thanks once again Mike
Anther great history combined weather lesson Mike 👍. It's always the history of weather and the ranchers and farmers who will always remember what years were the worst in past, and some ways it's not only crops that are affected but also the livestock and people's insanity affected too ! Enjoying the history lesson Mike, alot better than than me saying at school back then " I rather watch paint dry than being here ! " lol 😆
haha, thanks Calum - Mike
A nother interesting and super cool video!
Thank you -Mike
You write like a Newsman. That's a compliment.
Thank you George -Mike
Thks mike for memories
Thank you for watching Barbara - Mike
I love the History episodes. Super interesting info.
Great history lesson. Well told.
Very Interesting & Thank You for the education - Knowledge Is Power! - Jim
Very well done Mike.
Excellent video! One of your best. Thank you.
its been a non stop near blizzard all winter here in N. Missouri...We are cranky, bad feed shortage...
Boy it will do that, gotta see the sun soon! - Mike
In some respects, you might just as well be on the dark side of the moon, your life is that different from life in Newport, RI, particularly this Winter. For the first time in my life we will see March roll in and we haven't had an inch of snow all Winter. While we benefit from being close to warmer Atlantic currents, this is really amazing with little more than 4-6 weeks to go. Your history lesson highlights and reinforces the differences in this vast country. Great content.....thx!
Man I love these history videos
Excellent
Thank you sir -Mike
Hi good evening Mike thanks for the much needed history update,another informative video with a wealth of information.Great job Mike,hi there Makenzie how's Bambie doing hope she well and so are you. Till the neXt video keep aim coming Mike and Erin God bless beautiful family.
Mike thanks for another great video. Look forward to your next video. Enjoy your day!
Thank you Linda - Mike