Winter Wonderland and Wild Horses

With the Tetons still closed because of the government shutdown, David and I plotted a course to Salt Lake City that took us over an amazing road called Highway 150.  Before embarking on this highway, we had no idea that the passes were so high.  We began our drive over the mountains in mid-afternoon.  Rain turned to sleet, then quickly to snow. 

By the time we made it over the highest pass, it was after four o’clock.  David checked his altimeter.  We were still well above 10,000 feet.  After my severe bout with altitude sickness many years ago, we always camp below 9,000 feet, preferably at or below 7,000.  We determined to continue driving. 

Thankfully, we found a place to camp at about 8,500 feet… higher than we wanted, but still within our imaginary safety zone.  Snow began to fall in earnest.  Once more we were so grateful for our camper’s little furnace.  We snuggled inside and warmed our hands on mugs of hot clam chowder.

We awoke to a winter wonderland.  Over eight inches of snow covered the truck.  Roxanne romped in the drifts, acting more like a puppy than our golden-aged girl.  David had to use our camper dust broom to scrape snow from the windshield. 

The golden aspen leaves against the white snow were exceptionally beautiful.  We stopped several times during our drive to try to capture the beauty on film.

As the drive continued, the terrain changed drastically south of Salt Lake City.  Pine trees faded into junipers and sagebrush.  The snow-covered mountains disappeared, replaced by an arid ruggedness.

Davis Mountains south of Salt Lake City, Utah

My coordinates for the Davis Mountain wild horses were sketchy at best.  The herd was suppose to be on BLM land along the Old Pony Express Trail.  We crossed over a pass, but the name was different than the one in my directions.  We found a dirt road that appeared to be on BLM ground.  Several miles up, we saw a sign that the road was closed.  We continued on but found the road badly rutted.  With ominous dark clouds overhead, we turned around.

My heart told me that we had given up too soon.  Rather than backtracking and abandoning our quest, however, David agreed to head further west, towards Dugway, an army proving ground.  Perhaps the coordinates were further west than my map indicated.  The road dead-ended at the military entrance.  Disappointed, we were about to turn around and retrace our steps.  Instead, I spied a sign for the Pony Express Trail... that was it!!!  That was the name of the road to the wild horses on my cryptic map.

We followed it.  To our amazement, within just a few miles, we stumbled upon a herd of over 100 wild horses!  Only one other car was parked nearby.  We were totally mesmerized, watching the herd for nearly an hour.  We watched a mother trying to wean her nearly grown filly.  The mother was so patient, but the filly was persistent.  Ultimately, the mother turned on her child.

Weaning time.

Curious colts eyed us.  We saw a horse playing with a tumbleweed, tossing it in the air.  A young colt ran, full of energy and fun.  

This was more than I could have ever hoped for... wild horses!!!  Thank you, God!!!  

We easily decided to spend the night and see what tomorrow might bring.  The camera is charged and ready... woohoo!!!