We’re so close to the gulf that I can smell the ocean breeze…and the cow poop. We’re camping at mile marker 20 on the left descending bank and there are a bunch of cows roaming freely around us. They sound a bit upset that we’ve taken over their high ground. Their mooing is intensifying – getting louder and more frequent!
When we first pulled over I thought brett was joking about sleeping here; there’s mudd/mush/poo everywhere, as well as some mean looking cows staring back at us. But brett wasn’t joking and we actually turned it into a really great campsite! It seems that no matter where we stop we always make something out of nothing. We shovelled off most of the big mounds of poo, set up our tent, put a tarp down and now we have a nice soft ground to sleep on. We’ve made ourselves at home and embraced the poop. I don’t even smell it anymore – probably because I’m covered in it.
Although I’m so excited to reach the gulf and accomplish our goal, I’m really going to miss expeditioning and camping with a team that can turn a manure mound into home sweet home.
Good night, all!
Sarah
This post was created at this location.
#1 by marylee orr on December 9th, 2009
Dear Sarah
Who knew? Cows? That is what I call magic……turning a ” manure mound into home sweet home.” You are the best!
Can’t wait to see you all down River!
#2 by BoyRoy on December 9th, 2009
Dear Sarah I can see you were in the girl guide in Canada if you had been in the !st Southampton Scout Troupe in England with us you would know not just move the cow dung but harvest it to cook your dinner on, nothing smells better than the fire fueled with or four leg friends waste. Buy the way to have learned that with me you would have to be sixty five years old and had a sex change. Enjoy all though beautiful experiences as that is enjoying life its self. Sweet smelly dreams Sarah good night to team Annie god bless.
#3 by Celina Walker on December 9th, 2009
Ahhh!! The smell of manure! Dont worry, I have ponies and you get used to the smell. I’ve been following your progress ever since Doug told me the website (Day 1 of expedition). Im scratching my head trying to figure out where the time went. Seems like adventures always end too quickely. I hope that you’ve all enjoyed the adventure and I wish everyone great success for the future!
Peace & Love!
#4 by Debbie on December 10th, 2009
Who knew that sleeping on a pile of s**t could be so pleasant! Don’t know ’til you’ve tried it I guess ; ) xo
#5 by Linda Tanner on December 10th, 2009
If the moo-ing sounds odd, almost like a cry. Watch out! The cows are telling you a storm is coming. We learned this in Florida when a hurricane was about 50 miles away from us. The cows were crying and sounded like human children. We were told they do this for serious rain storms too. Best wishes for sweet success.
#6 by magnus on December 10th, 2009
Just when you thought you got rid of all the bad smells when Magnus left, eh! Safe journey to the Gulf. Hope you survived those storms and are taking good care of Ed. Good luck for the last hoo-rah!
#7 by Charles on December 10th, 2009
Sarah,
As Benjamin once told me “cows are not very
polite because they stare at you”
Glad you are all safe and have reached your dream.
Charles at Mile 149
#8 by carrie gray-stewart on December 10th, 2009
Sarah.. you are too funny, I don’t understand how you have adapted so well to the smells of nature.
You used to gag everytime you walked into a public restroom !
Missing you sweetie, can’t wait to see you soon !
#9 by Judi Church on December 10th, 2009
Hysterical post, Sarah. I’m still laughing my head off. You’re a better woman than I am, that’s for sure…..don’t think I could find that much joy in a pile of crap.
#10 by Lori and Randy on December 10th, 2009
Your so Funny Sarah!!
Great Job! I think of you all and how the below zero temps back home will be of no matter when your snuggled back in your own beds! Hopefully Downy fresh.. (Magnus has no Freezing temps to deal with until he ventures back north.)
But I wish I could smell the ocean air with ya’all.
Peace- Sunshyne
#11 by Papa and Nana on December 10th, 2009
Good one Sarah! You have done it all! Can’t wait to hear about it in person one day.
Love.
Nana and Papa
#12 by Roger D. Elley on December 10th, 2009
Hi Sarah I once work on a farm in Greensville On. My job to clean out the barn after milking . Trust me you get use to the smell the longer you stay near it. Do not worry you will soon smell the good old salt air from the Gulf of Mexico . Take care hope to hear from you at the end of your trip on the oldmanriverproject blog.
#13 by Donna Marie on December 12th, 2009
Brings a new concept to the all beef pattie.Glad your sense of humour prevails when the
chips are down and continues to steer you in the right direction.