Stepping into the Frontier: Paige Drummond's Return to Ranch Life with Pioneer Woman Ree

Ree Drummond's daughter, Paige, has embraced her roots and returned to the family ranch, embracing the challenges and rewards of cattle ranching in the spirit of her mother's bestselling book, "Frontier Follies."

On the sprawling Drummond Ranch in Oklahoma, a new frontier has emerged for Ree Drummond's youngest daughter, Paige. Leaving behind the confines of a corporate office in Dallas, Paige has returned to the rugged landscape of her childhood, embracing the multifaceted role of a cowgirl.

In a heartfelt story shared in "The Pioneer Woman Magazine" and on Ree's blog, Paige candidly describes her decision to trade the desk for the saddle. Growing up on the ranch, she had a newfound appreciation for the vast expanse and the demanding lifestyle it entailed.

Stepping into the Frontier: Paige Drummond's Return to Ranch Life with Pioneer Woman Ree

"When I was younger, I never really thought that I would be back here working on the ranch," Paige reveals. "But as I got older, I realized how much I missed it and that I just wanted to come back here and try it out."

With her father's encouragement, Paige embarked on a new journey, embracing the challenges and rewards of ranch life. As a woman in a predominantly male-dominated profession, she has found her footing, proving that her upbringing had laid the groundwork for her success.

Stepping into the Frontier: Paige Drummond's Return to Ranch Life with Pioneer Woman Ree

"She can really hold her own with the cowboys," Ree says proudly. "She's not learning it for the first time. She grew up doing this."

Paige's typical day begins at the crack of dawn, venturing out to feed the horses and saddle her own before embarking on an hour-long drive to neighboring Kansas, where she tends to the calves. Her responsibilities include wrangling, vaccinating, and branding, a testament to the physical and demanding nature of the job.

Stepping into the Frontier: Paige Drummond's Return to Ranch Life with Pioneer Woman Ree

Despite the early mornings and grueling labor, Paige finds solace and fulfillment in her work. "I'm so thankful to be out on the land," she says. "It's definitely a rewarding profession."

However, Paige is quick to dispel romanticized notions of ranch life depicted on television. "It's not all just riding horses," she emphasizes. "There's a lot of hard, hard work involved. You're getting kicked, you're getting crap on you, you're fixing fence, you're doctoring cattle...it's a time-consuming, exhausting job."

Stepping into the Frontier: Paige Drummond's Return to Ranch Life with Pioneer Woman Ree

As the first of the Drummond siblings to return to the ranch full-time, Paige believes her brothers will eventually follow suit. "They'll definitely come back," she says. "So I'm excited for whenever they get older and graduate college and they're back here too. So it's just a cool thing to be able to do this with your family."

While Paige acknowledges the demanding nature of her work, she remains uncertain if it will become her permanent career path. "I definitely could see myself staying here," she says. "I don't know, I'm not sure, but for right now, this is great."

Stepping into the Frontier: Paige Drummond's Return to Ranch Life with Pioneer Woman Ree

In the spirit of Ree's book, "Frontier Follies," Paige's return to the ranch is a testament to the power of embracing new adventures, finding fulfillment amidst challenges, and forging a connection with one's roots.