Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeps!!!!!!!!
What a FUN day this has been!! (Ed. Note – Like a small child!!!!) The hubs and I came to Reed Point, Montana to be a part of the 33rd Annual Great Montana Sheep Drive. We arrived yesterday for our stay at the Old West RV Park which is located downtown in Reed Point. (Ed. Note – I think you meant “downtown“!!!!!!) (There WERE only 3 streets each way and about 3 blocks) The Old West park has nice size spots with the softest, greenest grass I’ve seen in a while. I enjoyed walking around in it barefoot and wiggling my toes. The pups loved rolling around in it. We parked and set up and wandered around Reed Point – it was a very short walk 😀. (Ed. Note – “Downtown”!!!!!) Behind us was a pen holding 3 sweet, black faced sheep (Suffolk sheep?) – the hubs commented that there were all the sheep for the drive but I felt sure there would be more by morning. (Ed. Note – Quote – “I swear to God, if there are not more sheep……”) (pants on fire!)
I took a few pictures while walking around yesterday, there were so few people around I really wondered what the next day would look like. I thought I’d show you!
Early this morning before I woke up, I started hearing loud engines rolling into Reed Point and eventually the hubs and I went exploring. First, we looked at the pen that held the 3 sheep yesterday and were shocked to see this! A pen FULL of sheep.
Carnaval de Buenos Aires is probably jealous!!!!!!!
The main road was lined on each side with craft booths, yummy food and a several informative booths. There was everything from antiques to yard art to all kinds of crafts. My favorite booth was From These Hands offering hand woven decorative wall hangings. She had a large selection of Lambscapes – sweet little individual sheep and larger flocks of sheep as well. Susan also had beautiful landscape weavings with mountains, rivers and trees. She said her Lambscapes have become “ambassadors of peace and friendship in countries all over the world since 1970” and brings a smile to everyone who sees them – they certainly did me! This is the one I chose –
I mean, “downtown”!!!! It’s like Genoa with sheep!!!
After browsing the booths, we headed back to our little home. That was the best thing about staying at Old West RV Park – it is right in town, so we could shop, come back and take a little rest, go back for lunch, come home and hang out, then head back for the sheep drive – what more could we ask for! (Ed. Note – I think you misspelled I !!!!) When I started hearing sirens and horns, I realized the parade must have started. I wasn’t sure what to expect since Reed Point is so small but they had some really cool old tractor trailer rigs leading the way. Some were throwing candy to the crowd and ALL were honking their horns as the kids lined up along the road requesting it with the universal hand pulling motion that we all did as children when a big rig passed!
They were followed by other vintage cars –
Finally!!!!! Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeps!!!!!!!!
Finally it was time for the actual sheep drive! The hubs and I found a spot in the shade (it’s amazing how HOT it is in the sun and cool in the shade) and waited for the sheep to appear. People were lining the streets and watching down the road. Pretty soon two teenagers came by leading two sheep on halters. The other sheep were supposed to follow them but the lead sheep weren’t happy to be the leaders!
As they came around the corner and around the crowd of people (who they wanted to avoid at all costs) they slowed down and then the ones on the outside started trying to get into the middle of the crowd of sheep. I assume this was an instinctual response to get away from the outside (where the wolves would be) to the middle of the crowd 😉. (Ed. Note – It reminded me of a school of fish trying to avoid getting eaten by penguins!!!)
They swirled around and around in a knot and got closer and closer to us until I could reach out and touch them – then they touched me – stepping on my feet! It kinda hurt but I was so excited I got over it! Unfortunately, the sheep decided they didn’t want to go all the way down the main road and turned off on a side street.
We waited and they tried again – unfortunately, they took the same side street the second time but, third times a charm, and the sheep finally made it all the way down the main avenue and back to their pen! It was SO COOL!! What a great day 😁!
So cool!