Jogging down HWY 62, sweating up a storm, waving a llama halter and lead rope with purple crocs on and a black cowboy hat isn’t my usual MO for a Thursday morning – cars stopping, the county sheriff’s car herding my llama, John Lee, (named after John Lee Hooker) – traffic stopped – well perhaps you can visualize it all.

Before I tell the story of how he came to be on Hwy 62 – I want to thank everyone involved in the “Great Llama Caper” from all the drivers who stopped and helped herd….who didn’t come racing by as some drivers do on 62 – to one person taking photos of this…seeing a crazy lady jogging after a llama – did I say that?   Thank you, thank you,,thank you…to all and the Sheriff’s department (Officer Franklin) who was trying to keep John Lee off the hwy…(however he had a mind of his own)…..In the end….all went well and he was herded home, grateful I’m sure, to be back in his pasture.

So…you might ask…is this a usual occurrence?…no, it isn’t….Early Monday morning (the 18^th) 3 of my llamas went missing….from all signs – they were chased by two bears….some blood, llama hair on the wire fences- but no corpus dilecti.  At 6:15 am, I received a call from Scotty, that one of my llamas was seen cruising around on Elizabeth St.  I jumped in to action, toured the town streets, could not find him.  When I returned, I noticed Sneaky Pete had returned also.   Then I saw one other one – Shady Lady at the top of the hillside trying to get in. That took hours but with the help of friends and neighbors (Johnny, Travis, Tyler, Mark, Kay and Dan )- …then for two days, we had all been combing the hillsides – asking around – Then on the 21^st, I received a phone call from Melissa (Ridgway Natural Foods) that as she came down from Log Hill, she saw a brown llama at the intersection of 24 and CR1….I subsequently found out that he had been hanging out in various pastures for 2 days up above the Weavers and also spent some time in Joy Billings pasture.  Joy told me he jumped her fence.  I didn’t know any of this since I had only called the Marshal’s office and not the County Sheriff (lesson learned) Evidentally, the County had been trying to track the owner of the llama during that time. Again, I sprung into action – alerting Don, at the Weaver’s and Katie from Harry’s – that I was on my way.  When I turned off 62 onto 24 – there he was – John Lee – one impressive guy - and you know the rest of the story…

Lesson to be learned for all who have “tameable” livestock….whether horses or llamas…Be able to approach them and actually catch them…..what a novel concept…Now in thinking back, this would have made a great video - definitely a $10,000 winner.  Unfortunately, we all were concerned about the llama and the highway – the two don’t mix – so alas – no footage.

Again, thank you for all who participated in the great llama caper. I am grateful.  That’s what I love about living in a small community.

And speaking of a small community – this once a month column will focus in the future, on the arts in Ouray County, for art is everywhere.

Now I know many of you have been here a lot longer than I have….but when I came to Ridgway, there were about 2000 folks in the county….now I am told, the number is above 4000.  And with growth brings so many new and varied forms of artistic expression – which in some circles may include jogging down the highway herding a llama.  John Lee told me to also thank everyone and he wondered if there was anyone out there who does llama grooming.  After his long journey home, he could use some TLC.  And clearly he knows that I can’t catch him to even get a brush on him!!!

Next month look forward to a tour of the galleries and locations in Ridgway and Ouray where “art” is hanging and happening.  Twenty years ago, there was no Weehawken - no Friends of the Wright Opera House - no 4H Event Center - no Ouray County Players nor the County Chorus - no Art Sculpture Committee and no G3.  Now you might ask yourself…what’s a G3?  You’ll have to wait until September to find out.

Until then, keep singing, dancing, painting, sculpting, crafting and any other “ing” word you know of to describe your involvement in the arts.  See you down the trail!