Road Trip!

Cozy Quarters

The sheep and I are on the road…though not traveling together. I am in North Carolina visiting family for the holiday and our new flock of Gotland sheep are somewhere in the state of  Montana, making their way to our farm. Though I am no stranger to long distance traveling, I  never thought I would own sheep who took off on cross country ventures.

Twenty some years ago, my husband and I moved to the far north to settle and raise a family. With relatives in the south, I have set off on 17 hour journeys with kids packed in the back seat, countless times.  Over the years, I became quite efficient at loading a car with enough entertainment and food to sustain myself and three young children for a two day car ride. We would leave home in the wee morning hours, with sleepy kids in the backseat, and me as pilot. By 10:00 am we were in our traveling groove with speakers blaring, maps strewn across the front passenger seat (no GPS in those days), cracker crumbs in the floor, sticky juice cups wedged in car seats, and “Peter”, a stuffed bunny, waving in the window at each car we passed.

It is always more fun to travel with friends…

I have tried not to stress over the fact that my new Gotland sheep have 3,000 miles to travel before arriving to our farm, a slightly longer trip than I have ever dared venture with my kids. I figure though that sheep are like children, give them a comfy seat and enough food and water, and they are good for innumerable hours of travel. Our transporter, who is very experienced shipping livestock, assured me that he put our sheep in the most comfortable pens on the trailer, as they have the furthest to go. With daily reports from the road, I stay informed of their progress. I head back north soon after Thanksgiving. I wonder if somewhere between Pennsylvania and Vermont, I will look over and see a livestock trailer in the lane next to me on the interstate?!

Follow along as our Gotlands make their way from the west coast to the northeast!
November 25, 2014 – Driving into the cold and snow of Montana!
November 26, 2014 – In Butte, MT this morning.
November 26, 2014- In the evening-stopped in Sheridan, WY to wait out a storm and let holiday traffic pass.
November 27, 2014-We are thankful for Ron and his excellent care of our sheep this Thanksgiving morning. He is located in Casper, WY and the weather looks good!
November 27, 2014 Picking up goats in Colorado Springs, CO.
November 28, 2014 Kansas City
December 2, 2014 East of Dallas, Texas to deliver animals picked up along the way.