for The Fence Post
Most aging city folks can’t wait to retire. Ranchers, well… they keep right on working. Because it’s nearly impossible to terminate lifelong muscle memory or that “6 a.m. to way late o’clock p.m.” routine.
Jo Geer was born at home 75 years ago on the Walden, Colo., ranch where she and her two siblings spent their early lives. The only reason she left in 1964 was to marry Marc Allard, whose family also ranched nearby.
The newlyweds remained on Marc’s large ranch, raising up to 1,000 head of cows and calves, until they received an offer they couldn’t pass up. Arapaho National Wildlife, a federal government affliliate, was buying up properties all around them to raise ducks. Sold! The ducks moved in and the Allards flew the coop!