Tuesday, September 15
The crew and I are boondocking in Fishlake National Forest about twenty miles southeast of Salina, Utah.
“Reggie! It’s too damp and cold out there. Can’t you wait until it warms up a bit?”
He hops up and down impatiently. Obviously the answer is “No.”
“Okay. C’mere and get in your sweater.”
“How about you, Bridge? Coming with us?”
She lifts her head and gives me the look that says, “Are you kidding me? No way I’m leaving this bed. See ya’ later.”
Reggie and I leave Bridget contentedly wrapped in the bed covers.
The exercise warms me up and Reggie’s cute butt sticking out of his blue sweater as we trot down the road makes me laugh.
We approach the corral and a drama unfolds. A drama involving horses, mules, and one upset calf.
It’s easy to figure out what the problem is.
Range cattle are wandering around, most of them on the far side of the large corral. The calf is on our side of the corral and he’s crying for his mama. Apparently she’s on the other side of the corral.
(Note: I don’t remember if the calf is a he or a she and I can’t tell from the photos. I’m going with he.)
Calves being what they are, he doesn’t realize he can walk around the corral to get to mom. Instead, since his side of the corral is open to the field he’s in, he attempts to take a direct route. Through the corral. Which is NOT territory open to bovine visitors.
The appearance of the calf in the corral does not set well with the horses and mules.
The poor calf is chased one way and then another. Horses whinny, mules bray, and the calf yells, “MOMMA!!!”
With all the excitement the chase deteriorates into confusion.
Who’s chasing whom?
After a while, it’s obvious that running around isn’t working.
A mule steps forward and employs a different tactic.
“Move along now. Go on. That’s it. Keep moving.”
The mule intervention works!
The calf leaves.
Soon the calf is quiet. I assume he is reunited with his mother.
Excitement over, attention turns to me leaning on the corral fence.
“Aren’t you a beauty!” I say in greeting.
The mule barges in, slinging her large head over the corral gate.
“Congratulations, mule! You saved the day!”
In response to the compliment, she displays her noble profile.
“You, my dear, are one handsome mule!” I exclaim in admiration. (I think she knew that already.)
Reggie scampers around, trying to look brave but not quite pulling it off.
Oh, the beautiful black! Hold that pose!
And there’s another horse over there!
Outside the corral and outside the fenced field, this gorgeous creature grazes by herself. As Reggie and I approach, she lifts her head.
I wonder if she broke out or if she’s allowed to range free . . . .
I snap photos while Reggie tugs at his tether.
She looks us over and then resumes grazing. What beautiful color she has!
“This has been so much fun, Reggie! If it weren’t for you, I would’ve missed it. And look! The sun is coming out. It’s going to be a bright day . . . . Well, we’d better get back to camp. Bridget will be wondering where we are.”
On the return to camp, we discover another photo opportunity!
To be continued . . .
rvsue
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“Reggie, you can fly!”
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