We didn’t have long on tarmac road before we turned north into the Han Hentii Mountains, most of which is included in one of Mongolia’s Strictly Protected Areas.
This would be my first visit to Nomadic Journeys’ “signature camp”, Jalman Meadows. I hadn’t gone there before because, while there is plenty of interesting wildlife in the mountains, it’s not easy to see. The good news is that it would be an opportunity for both me and Pokey to see the southernmost point of the vast taiga, or boreal forest, that encircles the earth.
On our way from Gun-Galuut we passed this typical herder encampment, complete with car, motorbike, solar panel and satellite dishAnother not-uncommon scene when one is on the road in Mongolia...a truckload of the ever-patient Mongol horsesWe passed through a small soum center, the last town we saw on this leg of the tripThen it was back out into the glorious countryside on the earth roads, heading northPokey had become very interested in the cashmere goats as possible sculpture subjects, so we stopped any time there were some near the road. The markings on this one were definitely a bonus!The afternoon light was really beautiful.This family had stopped to get water from the spring, which is enclosed with a fence to keep livestock out. I've rarely seen a western style livestock or horse trailer in my travels. The animals ride in the back of trucks, sometimes with very simple barriers to keep them onboard.Did I say we wanted to see goats? We came up over a rise and....As we went higher up into the mountains, we found ourselves in forested areas and came across this herd of really stunning horses.Ovoo up on the pass.Traveling along one side of a valley, we saw these two boys herding a couple of yak/cattle hybrids.We were happily taking photos when one of them abruptly turned and started towards the car. His "minder" suddenly wasn't smiling and it got a little tense as we wondered if we needed to get ready to brace for impact.But within a few yards, the boy got him turned and we all exhaled.Our last view of them riding off into the early evening light.Onward...We finally had mountains on either side of us and saw a variety of deciduous and evergreen trees.A local herder family setting up their gerAt last we arrived at the ger camp, which was situated on a bluff above the Tuul Gol.
Next week: boating and hiking and back to Ulaanbaatar
Susan Fox, American Artist 