Day 23 Mile 251-278

Desert Creek Ranch - Hampton

Slept so well and comfortable and didn’t want to get up... but when I heard that Graham was already up I figured I should get a move on. I got up and showered and was treated to a real ranchers breakfast of country scramble, bacon, and sausage. We all sat down and watched a DVD of John Grant’s group and got to see the fiddle player who was not able to make it out for the party. We took some group photos and shared stories through out the morning. Lavonne gave me a wonderful summer sausage to carry me through my next several days on the road. Donny offered to take me out to ride fences and look at the cows. We drove all the way up to the top of Hampton butte at 5900 feet elevation and could see out over the entire ranch and desert. Walking through it you would never know how much life is in the desert, but from up high you can see the many oasis hidden out among the canyons and hills. many of the wells up here are drilled down to 900 feet or more to find water but there are other spots were natural springs bubble up in the desert. The Ranchers must manage their cattle so as to ensure that water is available for them throughout the year. they are rotated from range to range and each has its own water ponds and holding tanks. On our ride we came across two old homesteads from the early 1910’s and 20’s. Even today the Ranchers go into town (Bend or Burns) only maybe once a month, but back in the homestead days they would only venture out maybe twice a year and would have to temper the harsh desert climes and find water and store food for Winter and Summer. We came across an old windmill that was used to pull up water from the well. The stories of the Ranching legacy bring you to the realization of man’s determination and strength. Donny is the Rancher incarnate and was such a gracious gentleman to share his lifestyle with me. Him and Bill and Graham, Left me on a trail on BLM (Bureau of land Management) lands several miles outside of Hampton and I pushed through the desert and enjoyed viewing several herd of deer probably 20 fold. Came into Hampton and went in to eat at the Lamplight Cafe. The sign says the best food in town... Its the only food in town (the only building in town) but the sign would be accurate even if you were to drop it in the middle of any town. Daniel and Kathryn run a great spot here and have a beautiful family. I hung out for a while and stocked up on water knowing I had over 40 miles of hot desert ahead before the next sign of civilization. I continued another 6 miles out of town and camped out with the sage brush.