bringing the sheep to the gate
It’s that time of year again. After the ewes have spent the winter on the Red Desert, it’s time for them to trail south. Lambing is coming right up, starting about May 8th. Before that day arrives, the heavily pregnant ewes trail first to Badwater, then on to the lambing grounds north of Dixon where they will be shorn. In the meantime, the sheep have to cross under Interstate 80 and across the overpass above the Union Pacific railroad tracks. Oscar asked why we couldn’t just trail directly across the tracks. Crossing the overpass involves stopping traffic, flagging the sheep front and back, and risking someone wanting to drive through during crucial minutes on top of the bridge. It would be simpler to just cross the tracks, if it weren’t for the–wait for it–trains. The trains come fast and frequently. Years ago, we did have to trail directly across the tracks. It involved working with Union Pacific for several days ahead of time. They gave us a half hour window to be up and over the tracks while they radioed the trains from dispatch in Omaha to stop and let us cross. We appreciated it a lot. With the overpass, it is still easier and safer to cross on the highway. So here we are, again trekking south for several days.
through the rear view mirror
flagging
truck driver waiting patiently
over the bridge
heading off the highway through Rodewald’s gate