Slept in today. Or tried to. Got interrupted a little after eight o'clock by a deer hunter who didn't get his game in until well after dark last night.

How does he get it tested? For West Nile, or whatever that disease is.

Nothing like having a bunch of new diseases arrive in the same few years. Folks are having a hard time keeping track of 'em all. One of the fish guys helping last weekend went up to his first truck and asked if they wanted their deer sampled for whirling disease.

For those urbanites uninitiated into the world of wildlife diseases, whirling disease is a trout disease. Newly arrived into our state. But control measures have been ineffective, and it is just something we (and the fish) have to live with now. Like West Nile. And, it seems, chronic wasting disease. So I guess the tongue slip was understandable.

Aaanyway, I managed to stay in bed, although not asleep, until ten-thirty. Actually read the newspaper, for the first time in six days. Then a couple hours on monthly reports that are overdue because of the five straight days of check station (Although, I got the important ones done at night and in the wee hours. And in the mail on Saturday.).

Heelers enjoyed the sleeping in, too.

After unloading the check station signs and gear from the truck, I had to make a decision.

I forgot to send the coolers back to regional town with the cutthroat crews. And they were borrowed equipment, not something you want to be late in returning. So, after lunch, the heelers and I headed out for the north, to return the coolers. And pick up a few wing barrels on the way home.

Boss called while we were in the construction, and after finding out my current task, offered to meet me part way.

Nicely saved us an hour and a half, letting us get home only an hour and a half late for the heelers' dinner.

Found out one of my wing barrels was being used as a bulletin board. A note taped to the front end.

But it was a wrong number.

Two barrels (and two benchmarks... wonderful views from the cold one) into the evening, I spotted the rising moon over Bare Ring Butte.

Enjoy the view while you can. They've got plans for lots of gas wells just off to the right of the butte.

And as much as I detest the gas fields, I have to admit their pollution and dust add a great deal to our sunsets.

If you like orange.

Retrieved the final three barrels of the day by headlights. Was surprised as we rounded one curve in the road to be greeted by two long strings of intensely bright lights in the black void.

Lights that weren't there before. Took a while to figure out it was railroad crews, replacing the track. Whether they only work at night, to accommodate train schedules, or are working 24/7, I do not know.

But the young man in the company truck from Nebraska was nice enough to get the gate for me.