Open Range Means "Driver Beware"!

So we took the scenic backway yesterday. It started out as a moderately well-paved road that vaguely resembled a patchwork quilt done in various shades of black and grey. This road lasted for awhile before turning into a white gravel road. It wouldn't have lasted as a paved road as long if we didn't have to stop frequently for speed bumps in the road. These are not your normal speed bumps. These were walking, breathing and live speed bumps that came in the form of cows, antelope and horses. And you better slow down since you wouldn't know which way the animal might run - into you or away from you.

There are signs that warn you periodically saying "Open Range" which means there ain't no fences around these parts to keep the animals penned.

These are some pictures of some of the animals that were in the middle of the road that eventually moved to the side of the road.

Our most exciting encounter came when we were driving down a red gravel road and saw five horses standing at the cattle guard by a fence. As I was slowly approaching the gate, one of the horses walked to the middle of the road (pic. 2). Then as I inched my way forward, the horse decided to move to the side of the road (pic. 3). The horse then decided to walk to the side of the car and try to get acquainted with Joe.

Before I knew it, all five horses had come down and surrounded the car. They started licking the windshield, the hood and Joe's hand. These were LARGE horses. I had visions of one of them climbing on the hood of the car. Try explaining that one to GEICO. I finally decided it was time to saddle up and leave when they discovered the button on the hood that shoots out my windshield washer fluid.Then there were the cows...