And the Adventure continues...

 Load 'Em Up & Move 'Em Out!!

Or hold onto one of them on a leash so they don't go running down the road - AGAIN.

 

We outfitted three of the goats with packs before we shouldered our own packs.  The idea is to have the goats carry stuff but being the Maiden Voyage none of us really wanted to risk our stuff going over the side of the mountain or in a creek due to an unruly critter.  So, they carried insignificant things like cans of beer - along with their own supplies (leashes, food, etc.)

 Jim the Goat Wrangler

 

Once we got walking the goats fell right in line and followed us up the trail.  We took turns eatin' dust at the back of the line, making sure no one got too distracted and kept moving.

 



Hummmm - goats and water?

Well, a few walked, a few jumped / splashed and one had to be drug by the horns.

All in all it was a successful crossing.

 



The line-up:

John, Carter & Little the dog, Pam, Ol' Tom, Jim, Tractor, Dolly, Midnight, Daisy

(not pictured - Me and Peanut Butter)

 



Jim was trying to convince Rider to carry his pack.

Rider and his family (not pictured) met up with us on the trail during their day excursion.

 

 

My John what a BIG PACK!!

Isn't that why we brought the goats?  To help carry stuff?

 

Jim and his new "lap dog" Daisy.

 

As not to have a repeat of the first night, a few of the goats were tied.  Being true herd animals, they stayed together in camp.  Again, it rained most of the night.  Huddled in our tent and the goats huddled under the trees, Ol' Tom bleated his protest into the night.  Luckily he's old and didn't vocally complain for too long before succumbing to his dark damp bed with the others.

Pam forgot to tell me that Ol' Tom loves peanut butter almost as much as beer.  Probably why he was so interested in our peanut butter & agave syrup pancake tacos.

 



Carter decorated our camp while the rest of us finished packing up.

A few pictures to greet the next campers.

 



Ol' Tom is not so sure about this packing thing.

Don't worry Buddy, it's all downhill from here!

 



 

I guess Tractor hates the water so much he would rather "tightrope" walk across the fallen log.

 



Back at the trucks, we were greeted by this beautiful moth.
(corrected by Jim - it's a butterfly)

 

I hung a skull I found a few days earlier (when searching for goats).

I hope that it's left there to welcome others to the area.  Unfortunately, I realize that many people will consider it a treasure and take it home to display in their own yards.

 

John and Tractor

Farewell guys and thanks for the adventure!!

 

We had a great time and there were uncountable funny goat things, like hanging out with a bunch of 3 year olds on energy drinks!  I don't know that I will rush out and get goats of my own but I would go camping again.  For the most part they are pretty well behaved and follow well on the trail.  Eyes up when you stop though, they tend to scatter (like 3 yr olds) in search of snacks to eat or rocks to climb. 

 

Happy Goat Packing!!