The hills were bathed in fog this morning, really unusual for our country. Especially in August. The evaporating traces of last night's thunderstorms.

The road I needed to classify antelope on (or from, actually I guess) was just as muddy as two mornings ago. So I passed on that. Skip five or six miles using the paved highway, and I got back on my route, but on a bladed road. But still greasy clay. Always fun to turn the steering wheel and have the truck continue along its merry way straight to the ditches.

Conservation of momentum, you know.

Road got slicker the farther west we went, so parked on top of the Divide at Bridger Pass for a half hour or so, to let things dry out.

That's the nice thing about our wind and low humidity. The wind just sucks the moisture from the ground. Tough if you're trying to grow something, but helps when you want to get around.

The BLM sign said we were at 7600', but the GPS said 7655'.

Heelers enjoyed the extra long break to do some running (and pack extra mud in on my lap). They stirred up a coyote, which started yipping at them. Certainly got their attention. Maskless heeler sat on the edge of the road, cocking her head.

She's in heat, remember.

Bet the traces she left will drive somebody crazy.

Only 79 antelope classified this am.

Would like to write more, but the eldest son needs the phone line. His guild is launching an attack this evening.

The part of the route I skipped? Got back to at 11:17. Dry.

Not dry as in you can drive on it now. Dry as in bone dry. Dry enough to raise dust all the way.

Heelers slept the entire afternoon away. Tired. Bone tired. They aren't in shape for this yet. Had to massage the masked heeler when she woke, and got "nuggled" for my efforts.

I'm gone. Let the battle commence.