February 2012
Meet the Team Monday
Bryan Ulring
General Manager and Head Honcho at the J Bar L Ranches
Where are you from? Born in Minnesota and raised in South Dakota.
Favorite season? I like the changes and could never pick just one favorite season...ok maybe fall, if I have to pick just one. It's nice and cool, clear skies, but still warm. Spring is awesome too. I love the green grass and the regeneration of new life. Of course, in the summer there's grasshopper fishing... and there's skiing in the winter. Oh, the options are just overwhelming.
Favorite place? Geographically speaking, it's Montana. More specific? It's hard to beat the Centennial Valley. Mentally I prefer outer space. That's where I spend most of my time.
Tea or Coffee? What's with making all these tough decisions? I like both.
My best hidden talent? This is a hard one. I brag about almost everything so it's hard to think of a hidden talent. I guess most people might not guess that in my day, I was a pretty fair skier of both the liquid and frozen variety.
The best thing I ever ate... Duh, grassfed beef! I actually like fresh seafood just as much as grassfed beef, but it's just a little harder to come by in the Centennial Valley.
On the weekends I... Enjoy time with the family. Now that Charlie is a little older I am very excited to take him fishing, camping, hunting, and skiing.
The best thing about the J Bar L is... Hands down, the J-L team is the best thing about the ranch. Well, the team and Grandma Birdie's granola bars!
photo by Lynn Donaldson
Adventures on the Ranch
Monday, February 20, 2012
Yesterday we headed into the valley to attempt to work on a few wells. The Centennial Valley, unlike the rest of Montana, had seen some snow, but our confidence increased the further we drove. It wasn't until the well was within sight that the truck came to a full stop in knee deep snow. We were stuck. The dig out with a shovel kind of stuck.
Luckily the guys from Graham Drilling were able to pull us out and we had an expert on hand to put chains on the tires, creating this photo op of Bryan maneuvering between the tire and a snow drift. We didn't make it to the wells, but we did get to see a coyote and a few raptors and as always, enjoy a day in the Centennial.
The "best behaved" award has to go to Charlie who managed to keep a smile on everyone's face till the end of the day!
Meet The Team Mondays
Braden Hurst
Where are you from? I am from Indiana. I grew up on a grain/ diary/ swine farm.
Favorite Season? My favorite season is the fall because it's harvest time. I also enjoy the changing colors in the mountains.
Favorite Place? My favorite place is probably on my parent's farm in Indiana.
My best hidden talent is...I am also a musician (bass, guitar, and drums).
The best thing I ever ate...was a five course meal served at the Blue Hills restaurant in Tarrytown, New York.
On the weekends... my family and I enjoy attending our local church and we spend as much time outside as possible.
What else should we know about you? I enjoy riding horses and roping. I had never been on a horse before working at J-L (four years ago). I enjoy learning to talk to and listen to horses. They'll tell you how they like to communicate if you listen.
The best thing about the J Bar L is...that it's a group of young families. Also, individual intrests and talents are encouraged and accepted as part of the whole.
photo by Alan Kindt
