Adventures on Wilderness Ranch

About the Book

In Chapter1 “Wilderness Ranch,” two children, Karl and Callie, meet for the first time, and Karl meets with his grandfather “Unca” Wally for the first time. In this chapter, the children are introduced to some of the wildlife on the ranch and learn about Wally’s precarious health and how it has affected Nellie and her family. The children learn that Wally is not able, nor is he interested, in doing very much with them and other members of the family. Because he cannot do much physically, Nellie finds ways for the children and her to have fun without Wally during their stay.

In Chapter 2 “Trash and Treasures,” the children learn much about how Nellie spends her time on the ranch, and she is able to turn some of her activities into adventures for the children. Collection of trash around the ranch becomes a treasure hunt for the children and provides the introduction for them to their Native American heritage. Karl finds a raven feather during the treasure hunt; subsequently, a raven feather becomes a “trigger” for other significant events throughout the story that have an effect on both Karl and Callie. Nellie is able to take the ordinary in her life on the ranch and make it fun and exciting for the children. For example, the children take pictures of wildflowers and identify them; later, they will use some of the these pictures to make ornaments for their Christmas tree.

In chapter 3 “Lady and Chief,” the children are introduced to the two horses that are boarded on the ranch. They learn how to care for the horses (develop responsibility) and are taught how to ride them (have fun while being responsible). Each of the children has a negative experience with the horses, but each also learns to persevere and turn the negative into a positive relationship with the animals. This has positive and exciting repercussions for all of them in the next chapter.

In Chapter 4 “Grandels, Frangles and Mud Holes,” Nellie and the children encounter some rodents on the ranch that provide a frightening episode for them. They learn something about humor (sometimes inappropriate), trust and respect for the horses and more about their heritage. Unca Wally and Nellie teach the children how to make a teepee, and the children learn a little about what it was like to spend a night in the wilds with wildlife, much as their ancestors had done.

In Chapter 5 “Thanksgiving,” The children and their parents (both Karl and Callie now have stepfathers) learn what Thanksgiving is like in the mountains on the ranch. Elements of the holidays echo traditions from previous times. All learn to work together, four generations, to pull off a holiday feast in a short period of time. The lesson in this chapter is cooperation. The children and adults all share a variety of activities that provide fun in this episode.

In Chapter 6 “The Tree Hunt,” the families experience a winter picnic, the hunt for the “perfect” Christmas tree in the forest and the excitement of making their own ornaments for the tree. The children also learn something about resourcefulness as they use the poles and hides of their teepee to make a travois for carrying the tree from the forest to the truck. Here again, the families work and play together to get to know each other and to get a job done. The children also learn how to turn something ordinary into the extraordinary. In this chapter, the family becomes acquainted with an injured young buck and learns how nature works in terms of survival.

In Chapter 7 “Two Losses,” the children learn how to cope with death, grieving and moving on. The injured buck returns with a lame doe and later with a fawn. Unca Wally dies, and the family must deal with his death. The young buck disappears and leaves behind the doe and her fawn. They appear when Unca Wally’s family has gathered together to scatter his ashes. Karl must decide what he wants to keep from his experiences with his grandfather,

About the Author

Ann Camy was born in Golden, Colorado. She has an MA degree in English from the University of Northern Colorado. She taught both high school and college writing and literature courses before retiring from Red Rocks Community College in Lakewood, Colorado. Ms. Camy lived in Eastbourne, Sussex, England, for four years, where she and her husband managed a pub for Courage Brewery. Upon her return to the U.S., she resumed teaching. Ms. Camy also owned her own business for six years, conducting training seminars in written and interpersonal communication skills. Ms. Camy is currently a part-time Tour Director.