THE RANCHERS

CANADA, Williams Lake: Fresh mountain air swirls with sweet smelling grasses in alpine meadows. Plateau grasslands descend into raging rivers that give way to wooded timber ranges. Thunderous lightning storms pelt the earth with enormous hailstones. Clouds transform and give way to beaming rays of sunshine. The acrid aroma of diesel fuel and the earthy scent of aging leather tack lurks within barns and cabins scattered throughout the countryside. This dynamic environment mixing beauty and danger is British Columbia’s Cariboo and Chilcotin country. Here is where my story takes place, delving deep into the rich history of my family ranching heritage in the heart of this vast and rugged landscape.

I am immersed in the ritual day to day activities of ranch life predicated by the seasons. I provide glimpses into the routine and physical nature of this lifestyle. A steadfast determination and incredible work ethic have allowed families here to survive and in some cases, thrive.

Idyllic dreams of homesteading or living off-grid have become popular and are a catchphrase to many people looking to escape the rigours and confinement of city living. That reality and the successful achievement of such is far beyond the grasp of the average city goer looking to escape. These ranchers embody a lifestyle that is hard won and rarely understood outside of their communities. They embody a toughness and resilience in the traditions of those that came before them seeking out a life of independence and self reliance. Often recluse and isolationist yet members of strong and close-knit communities, this rare breed of people rely closely on one another for support when times are tough or when it is time to cut loose and celebrate.

The pursuit of happiness through hard work while nurturing a connection to the land and embracing a symbiotic relationship with nature describes for me, a harmony that embodies The Ranchers.