Driving deep into the Sawtooth mountains,
we happened upon an old sheep ranch.
I've been enamored with the sheep wagon for years. So it was quite a treat to stumble across a field of them in various stages of disrepair. Wild horses (or my boyfriend) could not restrain me from inquiring...
The ranch owner is a man who comes from a long line of sheepherders. He fixes up these beauties as a hobby.
The guy is also a cowboy trader. I asked if he knew where I could find some old Navajo rugs. He opened up his barn of treasures, and revealed some of the most achingly beautiful Indian blankets and rugs I have ever seen-- as well as other treasures and relics of a great American West long gone.
He invited us inside his home, which was practically a museum. More beautiful rugs, embroidered & beaded garter bands once belonging to saloon girls- encased in glass. Nez Perce beaded fringe gloves, walls of trophy animals and birds. Completely wonderstruck, I managed a few photos, but could not begin to capture the magnitude and layers of it all. He was very generous in sharing his collections with us (and allowing me to take a few photos).
