Leaving Durango

Well, we have left Durango behind us. Mom had us up at 6:00 this morning and we were in the car and heading out by 7:19. It was 17 degrees outside so we were moving a little slowly! Leaving was sad but even highway driving has had its exciting moments. When we were still in New Mexico, we passed a red, white, and blue bus that proclaimed "Stop Obama Tour" down the side. We were very excited and wondered who might be on board. We hoped it might be McCain but found later that he was on the east coast. Sarah Palin, though, had been in Roswell the night before so it is very possible that this was her bus. (I am writing this not to promote a particular party -- I would be excited to pass this close to any candidate.) I told Greg to turn around so I could get a photo and he would not do it. It's been three days now and I'm still upset with him.

Today's drive had its own excitement. In the tiny town of Del Norte, Colorado, we saw flashing red and blue lights as traffic slowed to a stop in front of us. We thought there had been an accident but then saw a flock of preschoolers being herded across the four-lane highway. It was so cute. The police car had traffic stopped and all the kids were holding on to a rope so that they would stay together. We thought that was funny and went on through the town. Then, we saw the flashing lights again. Sure enough, another flock was being herded across the highway but, this time, it was an actual flock. We sat for about 15 minutes as a police car blocked the highway and a sheep herder with several sheep dogs moved a flock of sheep down the highway. It was so interesting to watch the dogs work -- the shepherd would whistle to the dogs and they would nudge the sheep into a cohesive group and move them toward the open pen about 100 yds down the highway. Occasionally, a dog would leave the sheep and jump into the back of a truck. I took a closer look and saw that there was a big tub of water there for them. The dog would get a quick drink and then take his place again with the sheep.





Right now, we are in Amarillo, eating pizza, and watching the World Series. Still a great vacation!