A scene out of time, a pasture full of cracker cattle. This scenery was the backdrop to the big cattle auction on Saturday.
With a strong cold front promising days of dry air, it seemed like every hay field I passed was either cut or being cut. This baleful scene was around the Chinsegut Trail Head outside of Brooksville.
This is looking north from the drive up to the Chinsegut Conference Center. It was late on a Saturday, so I turned around at the gate, but it was a beautiful detour off of US-41.
Florida is so flat, we don't get sweeping vistas much, but the Brooksville area is full of nice hills.
The ride home continues tomorrow with a sunset stop at the Cross Florida Greenway where we race the setting sun and a shutting gate ...
14 comments:
So what will you do with cattle? Are they just going to be hay burners to add to the quality and diversity of your life? Or do you intend to raise them for meat that you will eat? Or are you trying to send some large animal vet's kid through college? Preserve and expand the breed? Become a breeder yourself?
Just curious.
Pretty, pretty country down there. Not what us Northerners think of when we think Florida, but purely wonderful. Up here, some folks are still chopping hay, although baling is pretty much behind us. We are chopping corn for silage and praying for some more good weather.
It's great to see a different view of Florida. It really is so pretty and green there. I'm glad you're taking us along on the ride.
Excellent Sunday and Monday posts. Didja know those "cracker ponies" were used to guard the cattle?
Thanks for puttting the Arcadia Rodeo up in the "Events and Happenings" section. It's big fun and Arcadia folks can certainly use the dollars.
That's my kind of Florida.
Mockinbird
Fall in Florida is so pretty!!! Little one now wants to live on a farm and have a cow. Mr. would be happy just to have some to eat.
Beautiful. I don't have a JEEP but I have a SEQUOIA with a ginormous moonroof and a back window that rolls down. I've been driving around today with every window open. :) LOVE this weather.
Now that part of Florida could almost resemble the part of Minnesota where I live...until you consider temperature. Around here, haying is done late June and early August, if there is a second crop. There wasn't this year.
I say again, I LOVE that part of the state! I so need to move back down there. Definitely God's country. *aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh*
"Hay Ya'll"...you're so punny!! Hope you liked the doughnuts...and the moonshine jelly! :)
Pablo,
The appeal is living history I suppose and a general desire to keep heritage breeds alive, especially if it pertains to FL.
Realistically, I may only start with one or two calves and see how it goes.
3C,
I like to hear that. One of my goals is showing the Florida that was here before the glitz.
:)
Robin,
Green we got!
I'm glad you're riding along and enjoying the view.
Artful,
I did, in fact I've seen them advertised for sale with the comment, "...has good cow sense."
You're welcome on Arcadia's rodeo, thanks for letting me know.
We missed the Cooter festival in Wildwood tho.
Mockinbird,
Well, it should be, you ARE the state bird!
:)
Dani,
This little one sounds cute as a button. Fall is the best of times in FL.
Sharon,
Go for it!
Hey I tried to comment about your beautiful bridge and ship picture last night but Blogger would not let me in.
Great shot!
Deb,
Here the grass will probably slow down this week, upper thirties are forecast by the weekend.
Sophie,
I knew you'd like this. Didja see Cathy S's comment about Starkey?
Pretty cool.
Mel,
I just now finished two of those apple cider doughnuts and it's only through a superior sense of self discipline that I am not gobbling the rest. A lesser man would have been on his fifth or sixth by now!
Thank you, Thank you!!!!!
What is UP with blogger not letting you do stuff??? Don't they realize who you are??? ;o) Thanks, that was a fun shot to get. It was pretty impressive standing on that little dock, watching it go by.
Great pics of the Cattle. The Brooksville Area reminds alot of the Panhandle and what a nice town.
Let's just hope those pastures don't turn in to McMansions anytime soon. Unfortunately here in Orlando area all the pasture and Orange Groves are pretty much a thing of the past.
Yours in the Bond
Sharon,
Maybe they do!
Scott,
Yup, the turnpike orange groves are all cookie cutter hip roof houses these days.
I'm developing a taste for Brazilian orange juice cause the FL stuff is going to be a thing of the past soon.
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