After a good rest on Friday night, we got up early (but not too early) Saturday morning to begin our long hike down Wild Horse Canyon. First things first, though. There being no toilet facilities at our primitive campsite, Phil came prepared. Many thanks to Aunt Marianne and Uncle Steve for providing this handy little item.

Pac-Man carried our food and water on this hike and he did an admirable job. He never complained, and he only tried to scrape the pack off on boulders for the first hour or two. Cuzco did not have to do anything except look noble for the outbound trek, and he did an admirable job of this.

One of the most enjoyable parts of Wild Horse Canyon was right near the beginning where we encountered this lovely playground of unique boulders and miniature arches. I could have played here with the goats all day!

Besides looking noble, Cuzco also kept an eye on Larry. He thought Larry looked very suspicious with those walking poles. And since Larry described himself as a “cranky old curmudgeon” on more than one occasion, it’s possible Cuzco thought he had found a kindred spirit.

Cuzco really enjoyed this opportunity to micromanage Larry’s activities: “You should point the camera a little more left!”

Phil and Cuzco both loved this rock.

This was another favorite rock:

I love how goats like to go right up to the edge and peer down as though they are going to jump, but you can see their nervous posture when they’re not sure where the bottom is. We skirted around this little slot canyon and then backtracked up it.

Naw… Finn hasn’t learned to pose for the camera at all… not at all.

It was a tight fit in some spots.

Finn and Bacchus going at it. This was one of their few altercations. It seemed that my goats and Herb’s goats were content to stick mainly to their own herds during this trip, so there was very little fighting.

One might think I wear bright colors to match my goats, but the truth is that I breed goats to match my love for bright colors.

We stopped for lunch at this lovely, shady little rock shelf. We had been in the sun for a while at this point, so this was a cool and relaxing spot for everybody, human and goat alike.

Get ready for the 4th annual Hassey “Goat Vacation”! We went to Escalante, Utah again this year, but we stopped for a couple of days of camping and hiking in the San Rafael Swell near our favorite state park, Goblin Valley. This stop was special because it included friends! We met up with folks from Utah, Washington, and Idaho. There were eight people and nine goats, and our friend Herb was the trusty guide for this trip. We arrived on a Thursday afternoon, got our vehicles parked, and headed up to Chute Canyon for a late afternoon hike. The cliffs looked amazing in the last glowing rays of the sun, but the sheer size of them made them difficult to photograph.

Finn is a show-off. A BIG show-off. Not only does he try to climb higher than anyone else, he’s as big a ham for the camera as Cuzco and has already learned just how to pose. 

Finn saw a hole in the rock.

And what do you do when you find a hole in the rock? Why, you squeeze through it  of course!

Of course, we can’t have any hike without an obligatory “Glamour Shot” of Cuzco. If Finn likes to pose for the camera, I can tell you exactly where he learned it! Cuzco was very loyal on this hike. My friend Taffy from Washington had to walk slower on the way back because of a cranky knee, so I stayed behind and visited with her while the rest of our party went on ahead to the trucks. Usually Cuzco leads the way when we’re headed back, but in spite of the “herd” going on ahead, he stayed back with Taffy and I and made sure we didn’t get left behind. (Of course he nagged us a bit along the way.)

The drive and hike up Greenhorn Mountain were so beautiful last week that we had to do it again yesterday when we knew the aspen leaves would be at their peak. This time Phil and I had company! The couple who bought Snickers, Sledge, and Hammer from us last month also came on this hike. The weather was fabulous once again, and even up top the wind was not too bad.

James has made good friends with Snickers and had him carrying a small dog pack with lunch and water for our trip. We all lamented the shortcomings of dog packs, but they are better than nothing. James is unable to carry any pack at all, so having a goat that can carry even a few things for him is the only way he can get into the mountains.

Sledge came along on our hike too (Hammer is on the verge of losing his manhood and had to stay home for this trip until that issue is resolved). Sledge carried James’ fanny pack around his neck for almost the entire hike. I thought it was hilarious. He’s still a love bug and wants to sit in Deirdre’s lap at every opportunity.

The big boys all remembered each other, and Snickers immediately went about putting Sputnik in his place, right after Finn put Snickers in his place. Old pecking orders die hard! Sputnik cried for his brother for a few minutes when we all went home, but the tears did not last long. I think they are both secretly glad to be rid of the competition.

James leads the troupe of young packgoats back down the trail. James’ and Deirdre’s other little baby packgoat, Frodo, brings up the rear. He is also an Alpine/Nubian cross and is as sweet as he can be.

Deirdre and I stopped to chat and take in the view before heading down the trail after the boys. A few minutes later, we heard worried baa-aa-ing and Finn poked his head around the hilltop. He was upset we weren’t with the herd and had left the others to come back up the trail to check on us, which we found very touching. I like a goat that looks after his humans.

Today was gorgeous, and Phil and I decided not to waste it. We drove up Ophir Creek Road to the short but spectacular hiking trail up Greenhorn Mountain. We took Finn and Sputnik, and I decided that Sputnik would be the special goat who carried out water bottles today. This was the first time I’ve ever put a pack on him, and although he was a bit skittish about the fastening and loading part, once it was installed he wore it like a champ. I’m feeling more and more confident than Sputnik will become a good packgoat if we keep working with him.

A trio of cute guys at the trailhead:

A pause to look at the view…

And what a view!

Sputnik rockin’ the pack.

We found a memorial at the top of the mountain that was put there just this year. Finn paid his respects.

Sputnik was very excited about this cairn and ran ahead to check it out.

Sputnik gave Phil a kiss… what a sweetie!

Finn practiced posing… what a ham!

Sputnik marched down the hill to take in the view.

He looked this way and that…

…Then looked back to tell me the view was awesome.

He was right.

And after about five or ten minutes he decided he’d seen it all.

Finn told me to quit taking pictures of Sputnik… the best view was of HIM!

It took Finn forever to find a spot where he could lay down comfortably. There is an overabundance of sharp rocks on this mountain. And as soon as he found it, it was time to head back.

Sputnik told me he was too awesome to lay down–he’s a packgoat!

One last photo by the cairn, and then the wind kicked up and it was really time to head back. But what a wonderful day on the mountain! We couldn’t have asked for a prettier day.

Phil and I took Finn and Sputnik for a little hike out to a local arch this afternoon. The boys did very well and stayed behind us almost the entire time. Looks like they’re learning!

Me and the goats and the last of the wildflowers.

Rock climbing under the arch.

Finn is too much like Cuzco. He’s always posing for the camera.

Sputnik doesn’t have the posing thing down so well, but he’s photogenic nonetheless.

It was a fun weekend at the Colorado State Fair. Phil and I took Nubbin and Petunia for the milking competition. I have high hopes that Petunia can get her milk star this year since she’s been in lactation for so long (440 days or so at this point), but we’ll see. Naturally the girls give less milk the moment they get to fair.

The most important event of the day was of course the costume class. As usual, Phil and I were the only adults competing. We did a group costume this time. I was Cinderedna, Phil was Prince Capricornicus, Nubbin was the Fairy Goat-Mother, and Petunia was a pumkin. There’s nothing quite like shuffling through shavings and goat poo in high heels and a floor-length gown!

The highlight of the fair was when we saw the couple who bought Snickers, Sledge, and Hammer. The boys are doing very well and their new owners adore them. They’ve already taken the boys out hiking several times, including a pretty long hike with several water crossings, and they have nothing but good things to say about their new hiking companions. The boys follow them everywhere and come running for loves (especially Sledge). They agree with us that goats are therapeutic. They’ve hiked more miles now with the goats than they have in ages. They’re even talking about taking them on a trip to Utah this fall. It thrills me to no end that the boys are happy and thriving with people who love them.

Today was bittersweet, for three of our beautiful packgoat prospects went to a new home. It is exhilarating to finally come full circle and sell our first goats when all we’ve done to this point is buy and breed. But it was also sad to say goodbye. I’ll miss the playful, romping babies, Sledge and Hammer. Tigerlily misses them too, and Jezebel spent all afternoon softly crying for them because she’s not sure what she’s going to do now that her kid has no playmates. Nubbin is taking it in stride.

I’m going to especially miss Snickers. He’s been sweet, gentle, and easy-going since he first came into this world, and he may well be the best prospect among our three 2014 boys because of his good and willing attitude. I am going to miss his gentle eyes and unassuming nature. I am so happy that Phil and I took him hiking with us yesterday. We had no idea it would be the last time, and we got some fun pictures.

I know this is Colorado, but no, we’re not sharing a joint! I put a cookie in my lips to see if he would “kiss” me. Yes, he certainly did!

The nice couple who bought the goats originally only called about Sledge and Hammer, and they were thinking they would only buy one. But they fell in love with all three and couldn’t decide between them, so they bought the lot. I wish the new owners all the best as they start their new adventures in goat packing! And maybe we’ll even see our boys on the trail in the coming years since the couple lives on the other side of our own mountain range.

We had a lovely campfire a few weeks ago, and Cuzco joined us as usual.

Afterwards Phil brought out the fiddle, and as always, Cuzco parked himself front and center for the music.

Finn and Snickers eventually came over to check out the music too.

Phil wandered out into the meadow and played for the entire herd.