Winter in Wyoming

I hope everyone has their coats with them. It snowed around 5" last night here in Encampment. I see that I 80 is closed through Elk Mountain, no doubt thanks to blowing snow and high wind warning. Hwy 30 is also closed, so if you are headed east you'll have to come South to Encampment and go the back way to Laramie.
The chickens were not happy with the turn of events. I think they like the window I built into their little hay bale house, so they can see better in there. Hoping that I won't have to have a light on as much this winter. They should get sun for most of the afternoon.
The dogs love it, jumped right into it like it was old home week.
I'm traveling to Rawlins today, hope it's not too bad. The first drive in is always the worst, then you get so used to it that you hardly notice. Still have to always be careful though.
I'm glad hunting season is almost over. I don't have problem with hunting, just so many people show up here all at once. We aren't used to seeing more than two or three at a time, unless we're at the Bear Trap for dinner.

20 miles from Saratoga, Wyoming

I mentioned living four blocks from the Encampment museum, where the Sierra Madre Muzzleloaders Club Mountain Man Rendezvous is held. Someone asked how I live in the Town of Encampment and have livestock. Well, first of all the town is only about 450 people, secondly, it's in the boondocks, literally. There aren't a whole lot of rules, except no pigs in the city limits.
The nearest town is Saratoga (north 20 miles), with about 1700 or so people, depending on the season. Then Rawlins (up on I80. 60 miles), with around 8500. (I only go there to register vehicles, and judge at the Carbon County fair, it's the county seat, and really yucky.)
You can travel to Walden, Colorado in about 40 minutes in good weather, it's a cute little town South and East of us.
We have a little grocery store here that provides an amazing variety of things, including the best beef, sausage, bacon and deli meats and cheeses this side of Fort Collins. Allyson does a fantastic job of stocking the best at Mountain Market here in Encampment. In Saratoga there is a Valley Foods grocery store that does a fine job also.
We have a restaurant called the Kat House, OK food, great atmosphere. The Bear Trap provides wonderful fare very reasonable prices, and extremely Wyoming atmosphere. It is in the little village of Riverside (pop. 59).
We travel to the Walmart or Safeway in Laramie once or twice a month for a large bill of groceries, I buy a lot of bulk items because I bake so much, and cook most meals from scratch. Sometimes we make a day of it and go all the way to Cheyenne or Fort Collins. It really depends on the weather. In the winter, there are many times when you the roads are either closed or just not safe to travel. We don't mind. Most of us stock up before winter so that we can hold out in case of bad weather. Besides, we can get milk, and other necessities in Encampment Riverside, or Saratoga.
The trips to Laramie, etc. are more to get away for a while and remind ourselves what big towns look like, plus the variety is nice.
You can check out the corner of 1st and Bridge in Saratoga if you go to the KTGA, Saratoga, WY website. I've also got pics of where we live on my website at www.rendezvousclothing.com.

Backyard hens and turkeys

What a nice day! The chickens were thrilled when I opened the side gate and let them out in the yard. I hope they stay there awhile, then I won't have to mow over there. Really cuts down on the feed bill. I don't know what is everywhere else, but here in Encampment, WY our Hen scratch is going for 11.50 and the Chick Grower is 16.00. I have kept them on grower for the next three weeks. The turkeys are looking great, and they are only 2 1/ 2 months old. This year chicks were hatched on April 4. They all look really great. I expect to be able to butcher the turkeys around September, hopefully before the first snow.

Upcoming rendezvous'!

Here comes the Encampment, Wyoming Mountain Man Rendezvous, sponsored by the Sierra Madre Muzzleloader Club!
I'm getting ready for the dutch oven cooking and the 'hawk and knife, and cast iron skillet throw. Hope to have some clothing made to sell, but with things looking like they are right now, I doubt it. The orders have been pouring in so I think I'll just show up and sell ice cold drinks...always something they like.

My chickens are doing really well, as are the two turkeys, Thanksgiving and Christmas. With the price of feed, I'm letting them out to forage more in the front and side yards. I have cut down their feedings to one a day, usually in the morning. I figure with all the rye grass, bugs, etc. around here, they should be quite satisfied.
Egg layers are still doing pretty well, but about a dozen of last years hens will be going in the stew pot come the middle of August.

The garden is in, as is the greenhouse. Potatoes are coming up, looking forward to the first crop. I've also got snow peas and bush beans up nice and strong. Have been in the greenhouse eating the first leaves of that wonderful leaf lettuce. Yummy!

Today I made my first batch of homemade laundry soap, got it off of a website about old fashioned homemaking. IN this day and age, I think it would be a good idea for everyone to start learning more about the old ways of making do, using up and saving up.

I grated 1/3 bar of Fels Naptha into a quart and a half of boiling water, turned the heat down and dissolved the soap, then added 1/2 c. washing soda, and 1/2 c. borax. Stir till thickened. In a bucket add a quart of hot water, then pour the soap mixture in, then fill to be a total of two gallons. Let sit for a day, then use 1/2 c. per load. I figure it comes out to about 10 cents per load. Does a great job, very seldom need bleach.
If you use 1/4 c. vinegar when you wash, it'll help cut through any unpleasant odors as well as soften the water so the soap works better.

Fels Naptha is a rather harsh soap, considerably stronger than homemade lye soap. Be careful about washing your hands and face with it. Some do, I don't. I use homemade lye soap for washing and bathing. Next I'm going to try making shampoo, although as cheap as it is I'm not sure it's worth it.

See ya later!

Spring time in the Rockies!

http://www.rendezvousclothing.com

Rendezvous' are popping up again here in the west! I can hardly wait for the one here in Encampment, the last weekend in July. Sponsored by the Sierra Madre Muzzleloaders club, it is truly a wonderful get-together.

I'm still making the drop sleeve shirts from muslin and osnaburg, as well as flannel and homespun. I also have made many, many Hunters Frock Coats this year. Using duck canvas, or osnaburg, and sometimes making them out of heavy 10 oz. canvas, it has been a challenge to keep up!

The drop front pants have become very popular too, as have the pioneer dresses with bonnets and aprons.

I'm thinking about making breech clouts and leggings this year as well, but have never made them and I'm not sure what fabric to use.