The Woolly Way: Papou and the Story of Lantern Ridge tells of the role sheep and shepherds have played in Colorado, historically to present-day, including cultural and land management contributions. The book is illustrated by Liz Banman Munsterteiger with stunning artwork based on historic and modern photos of sheep ranching in Western Colorado.
 
The Woolly Way trails the Theos family’s sheep through the generations and as they move from their winter grazing in the desert to the shearing shed and the ranch, through Meeker, and to their forest grazing allotment in the White River National Forest. The Theos family has a rich history in the sheep industry, beginning in the 1900s when Angelo Theos arrived in Meeker, knowing it would be good country for sheep.
 
“This story that Rachel has written represents some of the legacy and traditions that our family has carried on for five generations,” said Anthony Theos of Swallow Fork Ranch. “We continue to operate on the same soil my great papou did over a century ago. Rachel has captured not only the uniqueness of the sheep industry in her story, but a dream that will hopefully continue for generations to come.”
 
The Woolly Way is Gabel’s fourth book. She is the author of Still Good: The Faces of Family Agriculture and The Sweetest Treat, both illustrated by Munsterteiger and used for the Agriculture in the Classroom project, and Kindergarten Rancher, illustrated by Shannon Clark.