Searching for The Thing

Could this be it??

No...just one of the mesquite imagination-inspired animals that fill
the store and museum.

We first had to ask the staff if The Thing was alive before we would
commit to seeing it...then we negotiated a free admission with our
purchase.

Let's just say that we are so pleased we stopped here!

The Thing

Like the Wall Drug billboards that invite I90 travelers to pause on
their journey thru south Dakota, numerous "The Thing" ads, combined
with a DQ treat, compelled us to stop in Arizona.

We discovered a delightful shop full of Interesting art, rocks,
crystals, jewelry and souvenirs. As far as The Thing...well, you'll
just have to see for yourself!

Homeward bound...

Our first stop was in beautiful Palm Springs...where we had the
priviledge of meeting a wise old saguaro cactus up close and personal.
Every trip thru the southwest must include a photo next to a saguaro,
I'm told...

Did you know it takes at least 75 years for this cactus to begin to
grow an arm? This plant is likely more than 100 years old. Amazing!

Palm Springs is definitely an oasis...and looks like a fun place to
spend time in the winter if you're a golfer or resort-loving person.

Friends sharing a hug

Nancy and Luc share a hug, celebrating the end of a wonderful week.

A fine and foggy ending

What an incredible week! We are feeling awed and blessed to experience
this journey with our dogs and each other. Watching our dogs work on
this ancient and interesting land will never be forgotten.

Maya and Finn ran out over 1000 yards, nearly a mile, to gather
sheep...making their way over hills and thru valleys, out of site most
of the time...then incredibly, finding their way back with their
flock, satisfying their generations -old instincts. Luc, Sue and Nick
accomplished the same amazing task, gathering their own flocks which
were set out 700 or 800 yards (3/4 mile) away with little difficulty.
All the dogs handled the large flock of 150 ewes easily as they each
took turns sorting sheep each morning for the days work. Each dog
drove their charges over the hilly land 300 to 500 yards like they
were born for the task!! And apparently they were!

I again heard the story of Russell in his youth gathering up hundreds
of ewes spread out over vast lands, often taking nearly an hour to
complete the difficult task...without a single command...and always
trusted to bring in the entire flock harmlessly. Now his sons and
daughters are following in his footsteps...growing into fine sheepdogs
any shepherd would be proud of!

Our time spent in the beautiful land of norhern California has
ended...but the wisdom will never be forgotten.

Gathering

Pictured is Maya near the end of a long fetch after gathering the
sheep from a distant hill. It was incredible to watch Maya and Finn
work all those hills and valleys as they ran out to find the sheep and
then negotiate the fetch...out of site quite a bit of the time.
Nick, Sue and Luc are each learning so much about handling large
groups of sheep on the hills and have been taking turns getting sheep
out of their overnight paddock and sorting smaller working groups to
take out to work.
Nick is learning how to keep focused and calm in tight places and at
long distance, Luc is getting more comfortable doing long gathers with
a spotter and shedding and Sue is doing a great job gathering and
driving quite far over several hills.
The weather has been cloudy, foggy and a cool low 50's with a chance
of rain in the next few days. We are wearing our winter coats the last
couple days but it's comfortable. The dogs are behaving well with
motel living...and really having a great time.
We are now part of the regular morning coffee crowd at mcdonalds and
the dinner crew at applebees. Can't go wrong with the familiar, right?