We had heard about the "Sheep Crossing" that was going to take place in the Thousand Trails park we were staying in, in Cottonwood, AZ. They don't know when the sheep will arrive, although it's usually around Mother's Day.
http://verdenews.com/Main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=42946
I was determinded to see those silly sheep. (You'd think I've never seen sheep in my life) Everyday, I went to the lodge and asked if they'd heard anything on the sheep and everyday it was the same thing. "No, nothing yet..." I figured since Murphy follows me like a shadow, they would cross the park the day after we left.......but NO, they actually came while we were there.
A ranger told me the night before they were coming........so, Judy, BLESS HER HEART, got up at 6 am and went down to the area they were going to cross the park. She called me and I joined her about 7.....we waited and then about 8....I had to go potty.......thank you bladder.......and saw a sign on the restroom door that said they would cross between 12 and 1 so, like the dummies we are, we left and went home. We had an errand to run and while we were gone, they crossed the park!!!!!!!
All was not lost though; they rested the sheep for about four hours at the river (large stream in my neck of the woods) and then had them cross. When we got back from the errand, we heard the bells of and knew they were at the creek so down we went. The three Hispanic herders only spoke Spanish but they did say they would cross at 2 pm....this was about 11:30.....I couldn't be sure if they really meant 2 pm OR in 2 hours so I didn't leave the area; I stayed there and Judy went back up to the RV to do some things she wanted to get done.
It was so hot down there and I stayed in the shade as much as I could. They put hobbles on their donkeys so they could graze but not leave the area. They had four Border Collies to help herd the sheep and then two female Pyrenees dogs that guarded the herd. Someone said they would take on Mountain Lions, Coyotes, etc.
http://www.akc.org/breeds/great_pyrenees/
I called Judy when it was time for the sheep to cross and she came back down. It was amazing to watch and I'm so glad we didn't miss it. When it was over, I was over-heated and dehydrated. I had trouble getting back up the hill, had to rest in the shade and Judy went back and got me some cold water.....a nice guy noticed I was lagging behind and came back to see if he could help me. I told him Judy was getting me water and I'd be OK if I just rested in the shade a bit. I wasn't totally sure that was true but I knew with some water I could get back to the RV. Once there, I laid down for about 20 minutes in the cool interior, drank water and was good-to-go once again! I just need to stay hydrated; Judy had forgot to bring me more water and I didn't want her to leave to go it and miss the crossing...........
We took the herders ICE COLD PEPSI....they were so glad to have it!
The sheep had just gotten to this area; they all drank water and then tried to find shade to lay down in; some found shade and others had to lay in the sunshine.
Everyone took the opportunity to rest; there is another back dog in the brush behind the black dog you can see.
The owner of the sheep came into the park and brought food for the herders. The dogs stood guard over their supplies while they were gone.
The donkeys had hobbles on their feet so they could eat grass but not take off. They herd the sheep to their summer pasture so they can get fat on the new spring grass on the route. They truck them back home in the late fall. They have been doing this for 100 years now and HAVE to continue to do it every year or they will lose their right to do the drive....it's "grandfathered" in right now as long as they continue.
This dog was sleeping on ROCKS but still keeping an eye on the sheep and the herder's supplies.
What 'cha lookin' at lady?
Trying to figure out the route
I know but I ain't sayin'
It's starting....they start in the back and crowd all the sheep up to the edge of the stream......general thought is if you get one sheep to cross, the others will follow....they picked out a sheep, forced it into the water while the others watched.....evidently THAT sheep didn't carry much weight with the rest of the herd as they stayed on the bank....it took 3 or 4 more forced into the water to cross before they finally gave in and started crossing on their own.
I think I made a wrong turn.........
HEY....NO CUTS!
I "think" the guy in the red hat is a volunteer that helps with the crossing every year. One is a lawyer and I think the wife is a school principal. Wouldn't that be fun!
We heard there were over 1200 sheep here.....
Ahhhhhhh.....this is the life!
The sheep on the far shore and the one in the middle were both "down" at the end of the crossing; they got them on their feet and forced them across; they would have died if they just left them there. Every night, a pick-up brings the "stragglers" up to join the herd. If they can't keep up, they give them to anyone along the route that will take them.
Surprisingly, the dogs had more trouble crossing than the sheep did. They were swept down stream and climbed out on the banks.
Yep, that's it.........
And it's over for another year. SO WORTH the wait to see it!
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