truck overloaded, the jeep was the last to pack. We had thirty
chickens that belonged to my daughter, which she loved, and I
could not get rid of any. We packed what we could comfortably
in big boxes; taking half the flock in three big boxes. We
decided the jeep would be the only safe/warm way for them
to travel. This would not have been a bad idea, if I hadn’t had
to take one very pregnant dog and her mate, both being bird
dogs. So the sound and the smell just about drove them nuts
for the ride. Buster (mom to be) was due any moment, Jake
(the dad) was always full of fun and energy.
Once packed tight and cozy, we started out on our six
hour journey north. (I myself had never driven more than
two hours alone. Yes, I was sheltered.) So brave behind my
wheel, I followed my husband and son. Just before we left,
a snowflake fell. I asked my daughter if she had heard of
any storms and she assured me no. Hmmm…
About thirty miles into our drive the snow was really
starting to come down. Our decision to drive
north on this day was starting to be unsettling
to me. I was already starting to get very nervous.
We arrived in Bangor after four hours, up from
the normal two, because of the road conditions.
Before leaving home, our pit stop points had
already been decided, so here we took the very
pregnant dog and her mate for a much needed
break. After getting them back into the car, we
noticed Buster (the mom to be) was panting and
had a look in her eyes of “it’s time for the babies
to arrive.” I immediately jumped from my car
and ran to notify my husband and my son that I
believed Buster might be in labor which, of course,
helped my nerves greatly. My husband told me that
we should keep going and we would stop if necessary.
So onward we pushed. Once we got back onto
the highway, I looked in my rear view mirror and there
was one of my daughter’s hens roosted on the top of the
box. Another one was on the wheel well, and another
getting out. Horrified at the idea of Jake (the boy dog)
getting ‘wind’ of the events about to unfold. I slowed
down and tried to pull over on the already treacherous
highway, with the speed limit reduced to 45
due to the road conditions and white outs.
After Jake had a bit of fun, I managed to
cram them back into their box and jumped
back behind the wheel. My nerves at this
point felt as though I had my 15th cup
of coffee in the last hour. Swallowing
heavily, I plugged on.
My husband, ahead of me
in the truck and u-haul, started
to slide back and forth. The
back and forth motion
getting bigger each swoop
until he was up on two tires
and about to tip over right
in front of me. The last
SUMMER & FALL 09
Our Farm 79