April 29, 2021. Torrey, Utah
Have you ever seen a ranch gate? We have enjoyed driving by and seeing all of the designs. They can be very simple or crazily decorated.
For years the ranch stood alone in the vast, unfenced range. Back then there were no well defined roads and we can attest that we have been on some that weren’t much of a road. The owner usually placed his home to face the prevalent breeze, scenic vista or he may have wanted to place it so he could watch over his livestock.
Visitors, especially strangers who approached from the open range had to figure out which was the front of the house as they drew near, so their intentions would not be suspect. Even if the rancher fenced his range, he had to leave openings to get from one pasture to the next..so having one gate larger than the rest helped visitors know the way. Sometimes the gate is miles from the actual home itself so they truly help. Often times, these gates were decorated with found objects like broken wheels, cow skulls and rocks. Below are a few we have seen along the way.
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This is made entirely of antlers and horns. Almost a piece of art. Mule and white tailed deer drop their antlers in Early winter to early spring. Elk shed theirs January – April. In Utah you can pick up shed antlers with no permit except February 1- April 15. You do need a certificate to collect them then. This guy was a big collector!
Tomorrow we are headed to Capital Reef National Park!
hkdorr 
Those are cool ranch gates. That is something I’ve always found to be cool and fascinating. Kinda like good ole fashion Diners! Seen or eat at any of those?
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No diners but tonight we did eat out for the first time!😋