An Old Man's Folly

Stumped

Nostalgia is a unique emotion especially among old men. Take Dangerous for example. Who in their right mind would buy a sheep camp? Everyone else traveling the west is hauling a streamlined, modern travel trailer, but not Dangerous. He is dragging around a sheep camp shaped like a loaf of bread. I bet none of these modern conveyances has a wood burning stove. When we stopped in Francis for gas, the clerk asked Dangerous what he was pulling. She mistook it for a horse trailer at first, but since she hadn't heard of a sheep camp she settled on calling it a gypsy wagon.

A few besides Dangerous still have their roots firmly fixed in the past. As we drove north into Woodland, Trea noticed we had picked up an uninvited passenger. A border collie with strong herding roots joined us while we were gassing up. Dangerous thinks he jumped into the back of the truck because he thought we were headed out to the sheep herd, but I know better. He jumped in back to check me out. Whatever his reasons, Dangerous had to drive him back to Francis where his owner was frantically looking for him.

Home on the Range

What I can't believe is Dangerous got Trea to go camping with us in the sheep camp. Trea won't stay at Grover because there isn't indoor plumbing. She always makes Dangerous rent her a room in Torrey, and she commutes to Grover for meals and social events. Well, take a look at the bathroom facilities that go with sheep camp travel. Has Trea completely lost her mind?

Trea's Bathroom in the Woods

Putting aside the toilet accommodations, bugs, and questionable food, I think I know what got her to join us on this trip. Besides the cool temperatures, the long views were spectacular. A short walk from where we camped, you could see the Uinta Range to the north, and a good part of the Wasatch Mountains to the east and south of us.

Uinta Range

Mount Timpanogos

The short views weren't too bad either. You soon forgot the buzzing mosquitoes when sitting in a meadow of wild flowers. Lupine, larkspur, monkshood, columbine, bluebells, flax, etc. as far as the eye could see. Who needs Red Butte Gardens when you have your own sheep camp that you can park in the middle of the natural world.

Me Surround by Wild Flowers

A sheep camp has other natural advantages over urban living. After visiting these wonderful places you don't have to drive home to bed. When it gets dark, you just climb in back with the natural world right out the sheep camp window. Try doing that after a concert at Red Butte Gardens.

Trea and Max Bed Down for the Night

Well, if you see a white Chevy pickup towing a sheep camp pulled off the road, it is probably us. If we aren't outside taking in the view, bang on the door. Dangerous will break out the BBQ. As you know, dinner is usually at 6:00 PM, even on the road. For those of you stuck at home, I thought you would enjoy seeing what you are missing. The wild flowers are in full bloom this time of year. Love to hear from you!