Through Ethan's Eyes: Life at Hawk's Peak
Life at Hawk's Peak
with Ethan Gallagher
Days at Hawk's Peak begin before the sun rises over the mountains to bathe the valley in dull gold hues. The clouds like to make an appearance up this way, but we get enough sun peaking through to warm the bones on a cool summer day. Trees dot the landscape and fill the forests scenting the air with pine. The freshness manages to overpower the cattle when they're off grazing in the high pastures. Closer to home, the scent of freshly turned hay is carried through the wind.
The eagles, hawks, bears, and mountain lions will sometimes greet us as we venture into the pastures or the woods to wrangle in a stray cow. It's a glorious sight to behold.
Mabel's usually in the kitchen before the rest of us come back from first ride. Freshly baked bread, apple pies, and brewed coffee is enough to make a man fall down to his knees and propose. She'd likely bang a pot over your head if you tried.
Gabriel is the cool-headed one of the bunch and rides a horse like he was born in a saddle. Never did meet a mustang he couldn't tame. Eliza is the best of us, and that's the truth of it. She can ride, rope, and talk her way in or out of just about anything with us. She's a tough one, too. Truth is, take one of us away and Hawk's Peak just isn't the same.
Life isn't easy on the ranch, but it sure is interesting. Family keeps me on my toes and once in a while I'll sneak out with my brother Gabriel to play a round of cards in the bunkhouse. We don't venture into town much with all the work needing to be done at the ranch. It sure is a pretty place to hang your hat so I don't mind much spending my days riding the range or venturing up into the mountains and looking down on the glorious land my father worked and built up for us. This land is a part of us and good or bad, we're here to stay. There isn't a day goes by when I wouldn't rather be on the ranch.
From all my friends and family at Hawk's Peak, we wish you many wishes for beautiful dreams and adventures!
- MK McClintock
This post was first shared in 2012 on my original author blog, so it reflects life during Gallagher's Pride, book one of the Montana Gallagher series. Seven more books and a lot of Hawk's Peak living has happened since then.
