Here's one you won't hear in city: Steve Richert recalled time his son Josh and several other kids had treed a bear in yard and had gone and fetched knives to tuck into their belts like a pack of would-be Davy Crocketts. We howled at Steve's description of practical, down-home parental discipline dispensed through an open window to a bunch of kids milling about under a tree: "Leave that bear alone!"

There were plenty of others: day Rick almost bought a farm implement by accident at auction, County's road-paving techniques, and Terry's use of propane bombs to get prairie dogs out of his pastures. I'd go back to Yellowstone Country for stories alone.

It had been a fairly mild winter, and ranchers needed to protect their stock early against ticks and other pests. At Crazy Mountain Cattle Company, where Rick Jarrett and Karen Searle raise cattle and sheep, we started with their nine ranch horses. Rick sprayed them with an insect repellent and then vaccinated them for such ailments as "strangles" and West Nile Virus. Most of animals took it well, but two were rather spooked by spray bottle. Sometimes it's hard to predict what will scare a horse.

To read this entire feature FREE with photos cut and paste this link: http://www.jetsettersmagazine.com/archive/jetezine/cabinweb/ranches/lambing/lambing.html

Rob LaGrone, Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent – Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To book travel visit Jetstreams.com at www.jetstreams.com and for Beach Resorts visit Beach Booker at www.beachbooker.com

Another troupe, The Party Lovers dressed up in traditional African outfits included five sections of men and women, dressed in brilliant costumes with tiger stripes, leopard spots and shades of yellow and purple and drew rounds of applause from onlookers.

The Gathering Troupe was adorned in traditional costumes from tribes in North Africa and New Guinea. The large troupe danced in four different sections in Post Office Square before gathering together to march towards Stadium as crowd eagerly anticipated their arrival.

There was additional thrill and excitement as Skydancers Mocko Jumbie troupe from British Virgin Islands performed. The members exhibited limber and acrobatic performances, hopping on one stilt at times to delight of crowd. Arryl Donovan with Inverno Troupe sparked quite an excitement with his huge dragon costume as he moved from side to side.

Calypso Monarch Whadablee won coveted crown for fifth consecutive time on St. Thomas and remained undisputed champion.

He took home a first prize of $5,000 and glory of winning for fifth consecutive time. Other winners were Road March, first place Jocky Jam Band, and Grammy Jam Band and Crazy Man Immigration tied for second place.

In Adults Parade, with floupes with more than 300 members, Escoe and Associates, Bacchanal Time won first while Hugga Bunch came in first with floupe with more than 100 members.

In Float Parade, Gypsy...the Bounty came in first while University of Virgin Islands came in second and Angels Wings placed third.

As curtains drew to a close on St. Thomas, thousands were gearing up for 14th Annual St. Croix Half Ironman International Triathlon. Some 750 athletes took part in what has become an event that features courage, determination, endurance, and physical strength.

The athletes have to complete a rigorous three part course that traverses picturesque terrain and tranquil blue waters of St. Croix. The competition starts with a 1.24 mile swim from Protestant Cay to wharf area of Christensted. Fresh out of water, racers then begin a 56-mile bike ride on a challenging course that travels through lush tropical forests and alongside Caribbean Sea. During course riders.confront notorious uphill stretch of twisting road known as "The Beast" that averages a grade of 14 percent as it climbs 600 vertical feet in seven-tenths of a mile. Competitors then conclude face with a 13.1 mile run that circles grounds of Bucaneer Hotel and finishes in historic town of Christensted.

To read this entire feature FREE with photos cut and paste this link: http://www.jetsettersmagazine.com/archive/jetezine/globe02/Carib02/usvi/carnival/carnival.html

Edwin Ali, Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent – Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To book travel visit Jetstreams.com at www.jetstreams.com and for Beach Resorts visit Beach Booker at www.beachbooker.com