Big Horn Sheep

Daily Note

Every day, a photograph, a poem. Today we drove along Highway 155 turning left down River Road that takes us into the middle of nowhere by Omak Lake on the Colville Confederated Tribes Reservation. This is where we went on our second date, and where we almost ran out gas— in the middle of nowhere, although nowhere is beautiful, as you can see. It’s also why I always ask, “Do we have gas?” before we take off on one of our adventures.

You can see in the photo two things: the burned tree and the Big Horn Sheep sculpture. Our area was on fire with wildfires in 2015, and this Ponderosa Pine did not survive, although many did. Read about Ponderosa Pine and fire here.

We stopped here to stretch our legs and snap pictures of the Big Horn Sheep, although one is missing from the granite outcropping. The sculpture was made by Smoker Marchand, a Colville artist of amazing talents and a tribal council representative. Sadly, he passed away this January. So we were happy to pay respects by pausing here, thankful for all he gave for his people and for the wonderful person he was and will be remembered as. Sculpture is located on Kartar Road.

Information about Smoker Marchand

Poetry

Big Horn Sheep

Big Horn stands on granite
Solid in its stance
High above to oversee
As guardian of the lake

Colville artist Smoker Marchand sculpted this Big Horn Sheep located now by the side of the road above Omak Lake.
Sheri Edwards
06.18.23 170.365.23
Poetry/Photography [See-Frame-Focus]

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