Goat Packing?!

August brought unexpected extra time off for me.  I could have sat around and worried about the lack of $$ on my paychecks or I could embrace my new found free time.  I chose to embrace it!!

 

Jim and I did more stuff together and I tried to learn to relax A.K.A. sit on my butt and read a book all day.  We received an invite to go Goat Packing with our friends during that time.  Sure, why not, sounds interesting, entertaining, adventurous ... pick your adjective but you get it.  Two nights of car camping and one night of backpacking was the plan, how could we resist?  Did I mention this would be the Maiden Voyage for the goats?  Yes, they had done a few short hikes but not weighed down and not overnight.

 

So off to the mountains we headed -

4 Adults, 1 Teenager, 1 Dog and 6 (yes 6!) Goats.

 

Sit back and enjoy the antics that would ensue over the next couple days and nights.

Unleash the hoofed beasts!

After a slow drive (You can't haul as* around corners when towing livestock - OK I guess you can but I don't think they would appreciate it.) up to Silverton we stopped for pizza before heading to camp for the night.  The camp we wanted had a livestock pen but it was occupied when we arrived.  So we opted for another site for the night.

 Daisy offered Jim some help with setting up the tent.

Perhaps she was chagrined at his denying her because later that night she tried to climb on top of our tent.

 

Ol' Tom likes beer. 

Yep, he's right by your side when he hears that can crack open and fizz.  So I was wondering if he would like a sip o' wine.  Well, after a literal snootful (right up the nostril!) it dribbled down his lips and he was in heaven.  A few sneezes and a lot of lip lickin' and Ol' Tom became my new best friend.

 

After a fire and a few snootfuls for the adults we turned in for the night.  John was hoping the goats would just hang out in camp.  Kinda bed down for the night and call it good.  No such luck.  They went MIA sometime after midnight.  John quietly drove the road a couple times, more or less making sure they weren't chewing on someone else's camper or tent.  They were no where to be seen in the dark of night.

 

The next morning, the sky barely glowing and the humans without coffee, we went in search of the goats on the lamb.  All six sets of hooves were found, no harm no foul.  Coffee was made, then breakfast, then Jim, Pam and I set off on a hike up the trail we were planning to take the goats up the next day. 

 Jim & Pam

Behind them in the valley below was where we left John and Carter (their daughter) with the goats and dog for the day.  We needed to do a little scouting before the entire herd tackled this trail laden with packs.  Besides, John was hoping to lay claim to the campsite with the livestock pen as soon as it was vacated. 

 

 Jim at the first of three lakes at Highland Mary Lakes.

 

I am always amazed at the display of colors in the high back country. (12,000+ ft)



Forget your tent stakes,John?

Well, he got the new campsite by time had returned.

Another family had joined us for Night 2.  They brought a couple more dogs and two small children.



The ever industrious Rider, spent the better part of the afternoon rerouting the river with small channels.

 

I went about my camp cook duties as usual.  Only this time Chama made sure I didn't wander off, by securely holding my foot in place.  Jim & I aren't real versed in car camping and all the comforts you can bring along.  However, I scored this amazing 3 burner table top stove (thankfully John brought a table) just two days before the trip. 

Pre-yard sale shopping!

 

 Pam was right at home with their stove - complete with a large griddle that covers both burners for optimal cooking surface.

 

Jim entertained the kids by the fire until dinner was ready.

 

We all filled our bellies with warm food against the cooling air.  We circled the fire, roasted marshmallows and assembled s'mores as night fell around us.  We no sooner toasted the last 'mallow and ate the last bite of chocolate and the rain came. 

 

The rain lulled us to sleep with the pitter-patter on the rain fly of the tent.  The goats however, had no shelter.  As the rain continued into the night John donned his coat and shuffled the goats through the darkness and into the shelter of their trailer.  Smaller yet drier they slept without a sound.

 

Next comes actual backpacking with goats...

check back soon!