Growing up in New England has made me appreciate the vast landscapes of the high desert. Deciduous forests, humidity, fall foliage, and an hour’s drive to you’re vacation spot creates an image of home. My parents ask me if I miss living back east, which I do, but nothing compares to the views of the Sawtooth Mountains while kayaking down the Salmon river. If you have not been to Stanley, Idaho then on your next day off…go! Grab hiking boots, a kayak (you know, just throw it in your back seat?) and a bathing suit for an end of the day hot spring soak. Stanley is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to and may have New England beat.
Salmon river and the Sawtooth mountains.
Though livestock grazing is happening back east, I’ve never had to rescue week old lambs on my drive to work. Just like any day Avery and I are driving to a plot listening to NPR, when we spotted a lone lamb outside of a grazing fence. Naturally, I slam on the breaks, we get out of the car and obsess over how cute this baby is. While I continue to stare, Avery is chasing the very clumsy lamb until she catches him. After taking a few pictures, we feed him water and try to figure out what to do with the lamb in our truck. We thought it would be nice to have a pet at the house, maybe give our neighbor’s 17 cats a new friend. After serious contemplation, we drove past a sheep herder and returned the lamb. Avery and I felt relieved that we did not just have to leave the lamb on the side of the road. After that we continued with our day, finished a plot and returned home, only to find two more lambs. We went through the same process as before, took more photos, and laughed at the phrase “No Sheep Left Behind”.
Friends
A lot of interesting things happen when you’re in the field, that’s one of the reasons why I love seasonal work. One day I will return back east and have a different gratitude for home. Until then, I will continue to explore the hidden gems of the west coast!
Happy trails,
Alexi
Bureau of Land Managment Shoshone, ID Field Office
Larva in Tetradymia canescens shrub.
Horny toad hanging out
Gilia aggregata