Migratory goat tales

[Alice In TX/MO]

We live in Texas (primary residence) from November through April, then drive to our place in the Ozarks for May through October. The goats travel with us, which has a variety of benefits, including forcing me to keep the herd numbers down. I up-sized the trailer once, but unless I get a bigger truck, my 16 foot bumper pull is as big a trailer as I'm interested in.

This year, five does, three kids, and two bucks made the migration north. The kids were the remainder of Cassie's quintuplet bucklings. Two of them sold in south Texas before the trip, so that helped reduce loading problems.

The trailer is divided so that the big bucks have the front quarter to themselves, and the does and kids have the back three quarters. The bucks are an Alpine buck and a yearling MiniMancha buck. The Alpine is normally the cooperative one and the MiniMancha is cautious, but of course they reversed roles at loading. Jim Dandy, the Mini, jumped in without hesitation. Sir Guy took a little tail twist encouragement.

[Alice In TX/MO]

It has been *really* hot in South Texas. Two of my does are pregnant and due in May, so this late April migration is last minute for them. One Alpine, Orange, looks like she's going to have triplets or really big twins. She's been uncomfortable for over a week, bagging up already and looking heavy and awkward.

When we made a stop at a major grocery store for dry ice to keep our frozen foods cold during the trip, I checked on Orange. She looked miserable. Standing in the middle of the trailer, panting, and leaning her head on the only goat in the herd older than she is. I felt horribly guilty, as the temperature in that parking lot was close to 90 degrees. Heat is one of the reasons we migrate, and she was suffering in it.

[Alice In TX/MO]

Our path winds north through Houston, where there as a significant delay on the Southwest Freeway due to a prior accident. Changing lanes with a sixteen foot trailer is a challenge when everyone else on the highway is in a hurry and irritated, but we navigated that successfully and headed toward Texarkana.

During this leg of the trip, we met up with another HT goat lady who was purchasing one of the MiniMancha bucklings. We had kept in touch by phone and rendezvoused north of Carthage on the side of the road. I got to the meeting spot a bit early, so I took the opportunity to cut some oak browse for the goats. They really appreciate green snacks during a long trip. The sale was then made, and we were back up to speed shortly.

[Gaby Rose]

Oh poor Orange! How long is the trip?

[nehimama]

Sounds like the trip went well, overall. I'm sure everyone is happy to be out of that Texas heat! Welcome back to Missouri.

[Alice In TX/MO]

Just north of I-20, in Marshall, there's a McDonald's on the right hand side. It's convenient, it's about half way, and there's a long parking area behind the building. I've got a habit of Hot Latte' Whole Milk Vanilla Flavor and of milking goats in their parking lot.

The first time I milked there, a busload of high school students had stopped for a food break, and they were fascinated. No audience this time, but the Latte' was wonderful, and their landscaping benefited from goat milk.

After that, it was simply lots and lots of driving. Crossing into Arkansas on the loop around Texarkana, stopping for fuel, to feed, to fill the water buckets in the goats' compartments. If anyone knows a better way to provide water for goats in transit, I sure would love to hear it!

We made it to Arkadelphia about 9:30 PM. Tired. Checked out several motels till we found one with exterior rooms in the back by a parking lot so that we'd be able to check on the goats easily.

The desk clerk at the motel was a very nice young Pakistani or Indian gentleman. I explained about the room we needed for keeping an eye on the goats, and he was very understanding. As I was going to have to milk again, I asked him if he'd like some goat milk. His face lit up, and he said, "It has been a LONG time since I've had goat milk."

I washed out two bottle water bottles, milked directly into them, and brought them to him. He practically chortled in happiness.

Half an hour later, there was a tap at the door. He brought me two bottles of water and an empty half gallon pitcher for the next morning's milking.

What a wonderful experience!!

[Alice In TX/MO]

Day two of our 700 mile trip started early, but a cool front had blown in, so 50 degrees had Orange smiling and willing to eat breakfast.

I milked, took the milk to the front desk, fed, watered, and walked the dogs. Yes, we are traveling with a Basset Hound and a Shepherd mix, too.

Traffic wasn't bad in Arkansas, and we zipped on north.

As you can imagine, the cost of gas is the biggest expense on this trip. We kept an eye out for reasonably priced gasoline as well as parking lots that I can maneuver the goat rig round in.

We stopped at the Casey's (used to be Bullseye) in Thayer, Missouri for fuel and a pit stop. As I walked to the building, three women were peering curiously at the trailer's contents.

As I went in, one lady asked, "What have you got in there, a possum?"

[Alice In TX/MO]

She had seen the face of one of the MiniManchas, and the only thing she could imagine was that it was a possum. I sure wouldn't want to run into a fifty pound possum. :smiley-laughing013:

I explained about LaMancha goats, and before we left, I pulled one of the bucklings out, brought him into the convenience store. He's a bottle buckling, and he was rubbing his head on my neck as I held him. They were amazed at his behavior and apparent affection.

Traveling with goats is such a delight.

[LoneStrChic23]

LOL love it!

Happy you had a safe trip Alice.....though I'm shocked, and slightly hurt that you didn't swing by Noodle to pick me up & save me from the Texas summer heat!

[Goat Servant]

What an experience! Im sure the Pakistani guy was in heaven. You have guts Alice, making this migration, one Im sure few of us would venture.

[Laverne]

700 miles, that is quite a trip. What fortunate goats being taken out of the summer heat.

[Alice In TX/MO]

The goats know and understand what's happening when we are loading the trailer. They started watching us closely a couple of days before we loaded *them.* The trailer prep had caught their attention.

Orange has staked out her birthing territory. One of my projects today is to get the bedding renewed there.

The weather here is HEAVENLY!!

Crystal, Uh..... have you looked at a map of Texas? Noodle is 400 miles *the wrong way!* Come see us here in Ozarks.

[Cyngbaeld]

Is there really that much difference in the heat? I remember MO as being hot and muggy, (1973, can't believe it has been so long) but I had just arrived from AK and was very acclimated to the cold. Might be different, moving from TX to MO. LOL

[Alice In TX/MO]

OMG. It was in the high 80s already in Texas before Easter!! Goats were panting. Nights were very warm, not much cool down.

Here, it's in the low 50s at night and 70s during the day.

Yes, August is hot in Missouri, but even the nights are cooler.

[Oat Bucket Farm]

Thank you for sharing your goat traveling adventures, I loved reading them. That is great that the clerk at the hotel got to enjoy goat milk again.

[LoneStrChic23]

Originally Posted by Alice In TX/MO

The goats know and understand what's happening when we are loading the trailer. They started watching us closely a couple of days before we loaded *them.* The trailer prep had caught their attention.

Orange has staked out her birthing territory. One of my projects today is to get the bedding renewed there.

The weather here is HEAVENLY!!

Crystal, Uh..... have you looked at a map of Texas? Noodle is 400 miles *the wrong way!* Come see us here in Ozarks.

Aww come on Alice......where is your sense of adventure?? A 400 mile detour to Noodle would have been soooooo worth it!! Plus you'd have me to help with goat chores along the way, AND keep y'all awake with my off key, tone deaf car singing

I do envy your weather and greenery.....we've had 3 days this year over 100° already...mostly staying in the high 80's to mid 90's...high winds, no actual rainfall that did more than barely wet the ground.....everything that greened up is dead and had weeks of smoke filled air thanks to the grass fires... Not a good time to be in my neck of the woods.

[April]

I loved reading about your trip! You are such an inspiration and help to everyone. Thank you!

[Cyngbaeld]

Originally Posted by Alice In TX/MO

OMG. It was in the high 80s already in Texas before Easter!! Goats were panting. Nights were very warm, not much cool down.

Here, it's in the low 50s at night and 70s during the day.

Yes, August is hot in Missouri, but even the nights are cooler.

OK. Anybody want to buy an 8 acre farm in Central Texas? LOL

[Backfourty,MI.]

Thanks for sharing your trip with us Alice! So glad you all made it safely & Orange held out on kidding in the trailer.
Of course your going to let us know what she has, when, & pictures when the day comes right?

[noeskimo]

I love your saga: it reminds me of my younger days, as a Navy wife, moving by myself from Charleston S.C. to Groton, Conn. I was 7 months pregnant, driving an compact Audi, a 2 year old in tow,. 4 Afghan Hounds, 3 cats and a U-haul that weighed more than the car. I got into the wrong lane in NYC and wound up lost in the Bronx. I LOVE adventures-don't you? Thanks for sharing and bringing back a crazy memory.