The Goat
Scott Mclean
When we were young,most of our activities centered on the outdoors. Jeeping was a big part of it with family and friends going on trail excursions with their own rig while Dad drove our 57 CJ5.
We went over most of the trails in the mountains and there used to be quite a few lookouts. Ones like Big and Little Bald had actual towers while Jumpoff, Miners Ridge, and Timberwolf just set on the edge of cliffs. It was fun to visit with the forest service people manning the lookouts and hear their stories. Timberwolf actually had mountain goats on the cliff below it.
Above Little Bald was Clover Springs which was very cold and clear water. Flatiron lake was over the edge from there and a rough trip even with a Jeep. It is wilderness area now so no vehicles.
Our family and friends had two favorite places to camp. One was at the lower end of Conrad Meadows up the south fork of the Tieton. We would go downriver to mess around at the falls or go swimming at Phantom Lake. In August or September, fishing the logjams for cutthroats was always a favorite.
Of course, Mom’s camping meals being great goes without saying.
Another place was on Deep Creek above Bumping. The creek originates at a glacier and is give you instant headache cold.
We would go up to what remained of the old mining ghost town called Copper City.
Lilly lake was always a destination because it was warm enough for good swimming. There was a small island not too far out to swim to. Steve and I camped on it with my friend Kerry for a few days and picked huckleberries for pancakes. The boys camped there many years later. On the ride back to camp from the lake, the dust would stick to your still damp self. A culvert went under the road at camp and spilled Deep Creek about 7 feet into a pool before it continued to the lake. We would work up the courage to shower the dirt off under it. As I said, instant headache! The boys camped there with us when they were young and later used the creek to pull tricks on their friends.
Our outdoor adventures continued at home. Of course critters were involved!
One day, a nanny goat wandered into our pasture. It seemed to enjoy the company of the two cattle we had in there. Our camping friends were visiting and we kids noticed that the goat followed the cows into the barn. Steve and I saw an opportunity to catch the goat and slid the door closed. With the help of our friends we managed to get the two cows out while cornering the goat.
I saw myself as a fairly stout country boy and the goat was blocky but not very tall. I managed to straddle the goat while getting a good grip on its horns. I think I had visions of rodeo bullriding or steer dogging and wasn’t far wrong. I told them to open the door and as soon as the goat saw daylight it was off!
In hindsight, I would have been better off to let go of the horns. As it was, that little goat was a lot stronger than I figured. It yanked me off my feet and dragged me through about 15 feet of what you might expect to find in a pasture.
I came up with scrapes and bruises on both my body and ego. I was also covered in dirt and an excess of cow crap. It was even in my hair! Not a conditioner I would recommend.
The goat was chewing on our Apple trees so Dad called a family friend. The guy went up with a rope and led that damned goat peacefully up the ramp into his truck.
Never underestimate a goat!
Bye for now.