Friday, October 24, 2014

Donkeys! Pull Over!

For three whole days we got away from it all. Being in Red Feather was amazing, as it always is. We didn't see any wildlife because they were hiding from the hunters but I saw moose tracks and the scent of bobcats was nearby. Very nearby. Like, under our trailer. That doesn't bother me. Not even a little bit.

A friend of mine reminded me that 'it all seems so much more real up there in the mountains'. She's right.

At 9,000+ feet in elevation, the negative ions really work their magic. It's like any weight is promptly lifted off my shoulders when I sit in the silence and listen for the owls. The air is clean up there in the Rocky Mountains. I've not seen any sign of pollution in the Roosevelt National Forest that surrounds the Silver Moonbeam and us. That land is my refuge. That land is what I live for. Besides the Mustangs of Wyoming.

Before we had to leave, I was replacing a new garbage bag in the wastebasket of the adorable outhouse when I stopped and said to C, "You can leave me here...I'll call in sick forever."

That's how strongly I feel about living there. Off the grid. No neighbors. Just a bunch of mountains, trees and birds. And an occasional bear. All that silence. Maybe just the rustling of a rabbit in the crawling juniper.

After being coaxed in to the car, we began our journey home. We followed the back roads through the Rawah Wilderness, where moose had been introduced to the area in the 80's. They are doing extremely well. They are protected there. We took our time driving to Woods Landing, past Guest Ranches with fancy yet rustic porches and corrals of horses, and tiny chinked cabins set so picturesque on the banks of the Laramie River.

When we crossed the Colororado/Wyoming border, all of a sudden the terrain looked completely different. It really did change. All of a sudden, we could see forever. Once again.

Then we saw something neither one of us had seen before. Donkeys. Eight beautiful Donkeys on the side of the road, just waiting to have their carpet-like heads petted. And to be talked to. And to be loved. And so that's what we did for awhile. Just hanging over the fence with them. We had a real nice conversation with Donkey Boy. And Jesse, Pal, Larry and Bud.

An older Ranch friend of mine told me they sometimes use donkeys to break in colts.

Well now, you know what's on my mind, don't you? I'm going to adopt a wild colt, get me a donkey, tie them together, and we'll all live happily ever after.

 

 

30 comments:

  1. Wow, I just love living vicariously through your adventures & photos!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello! We live in such different kinds of land, you and I. I appreciate your part, too! You've got WAY more trees than I do! Are you a bird watcher, Sally? You must have lots of them there. :)

      Delete
  2. ja ik kan mij voorstellen dat je niet naar huis wilde.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. je hebt gelijk ! zijn zeer moeilijk om thuis te komen . heel wat van de wilde verblijven in de bergen als we vertrekken . dank u voor uw opmerking . :)

      Delete
  3. I love that you name them all. I love that you pet their carpet-like heads. And I love that you pull over to experience these things.
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sagey darlin', ya gotta pull over when you want to touch something!! Haha
      I think every beast needs a name, don't you?
      Thank you for loving this world. x

      Delete
  4. Replies
    1. So true. They are amazing animals and caring. I've read SO much about them since seeing them on this trip. Extraordinary, to say the least.
      Thanks for being here.

      Delete
  5. those big ol' fuzzy ears.
    and you, squeezing the heck out of that honey.
    if i lived there, i'd call in sick forever, too….

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know, Bernard. I knew they had big ears, but seeing them up close, they were unbelievably a foot long and quite furry!
      Yeah, I like a little coffee with my honey. Hehe.
      xxO

      Delete
  6. I would have shouted the same thing: "Donkeys! Pull over!". :) They are a funny and sweet bunch - great photos. I've noticed too, that the land really does change at the CO-WY line. Been some time since I've been there, but yeah...I wonder if you'll retire at Red Feather? I know that's where your heart is. Have a good weekend, my friend. I'll be trying to soak in as much of the tail end of autumn as I can.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You'll have to come down from your north mountain and take a trip to RF with me. Drive along that Laramie river road. Stop and pet the donkeys. ;)
      I WILL be retiring up there, you know it! The original plan was get rid of the Silver Moonbeam ( what??!!!) and put up a deck and a yurt. C is now wanting the yurt to be outside Taos. (Um...OK!!!) We will still keep RF & the SMB. :)
      I have a hunch you'll be getting snow s o o n. ;)

      Delete
  7. Oh my gosh, that third picture, the donkey profile, just slays me! I can totally buy into your donkey obsession :D

    What a beautiful description of the mountains, the stillness, and the creatures invisibly, yet companionably surrounding you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Clare, glad to share my mountain with you. Normally, the wildlife are around for me to stare at and that's what really brings me happiness. Knowing that we've got a pair of bobcats, moose, a black bear and Muley's visiting my little piece of land is the best part of Red Feather life.
      Now, if only I could drag a donkey or two up there! :)

      Delete
  8. oh my...that feeling of being just where you want to be. One time we were camping and sitting around the fire and I thought to myself if this was my last night on earth I would be perfectly happy! I wanted to let you know I just finished Claiming Ground....what a story!...loved it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's one of my favorite books!! It's a fascinating story and well written. She did a reading/signing here. She's cool.

      Delete
  9. you always makes me ache for the wilderness experience. such a wonderful experience and you live in it. one day, oh one day, i'll board that plane and visit you there.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. When you're done making your movie, just board that plane, girl!! :)

      Delete
  10. Silence and, the sweetest donkeys :).... and gorgeous landscape. Your peace sounds thorough. :)
    xo!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Completely! Complete contentment, sister!
      When I'm up there, staring into space, thinking, planning my future, encouraged by the silence, it just doesn't get any better.
      Thank you, San.
      x

      Delete
  11. I will come and live with you and the donkeys. Love these cute little guys. Glad you enjoyed your time in the mountains x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I promise I won't tie you to the Donkey, too. ;)
      Don't you just want to kiss their little forlorn faces!
      x

      Delete
  12. adorable donkeys!!!! I just love them! I'm glad you had the kind of time away that you were hoping for-- it sounds blissful. this fall has been magnificent! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Are you back??!!
      You know how much I love these heehaws. You know!
      I wanted my get away to RF to be perfectly fine. I was looking so forward to seeing everything again. It did not disappoint. How could it? High mountain air, no wind, a couple'a rabbits, fire pit and peace. Haha.
      Want to hear about your Cali trip! :)

      Delete
  13. your spot looks and sounds like a found treasure ...no wonder you love it there so. finding the donkeys ~ what a gift welcoming you home. I love your adoption plans ♥
    always enjoy stopping by and visiting with you. your love of the land shows in your stunning photographs xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really love the land of Red Feather. Quaint little mountain village. Nothing fancy. That's why I love it so! I always feel so different there. Like I'm in another time zone, another country. Very carefree and alive.
      Those donkeys! And yes, I'm working on a serious mustang adoption. Found a spot for him. Now, I wait for the right time.
      Glad to see you, Deb. :)

      Delete
  14. love you♥♥♥

    love and light

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey, I've missed you.
      An overdue letter is on the way. Got a story for ya!
      xx

      Delete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.