status update

Had a lovely ride on Butch today. About 7 miles, in the riverbed and along the city path above. First time in months he has saddled up without any protest.

And first time in months I've had a comfortable seat as well. What a difference! I loaded the large pommel packbags over the horn. They're ugly fluorescent orange, spot em a mile away, exactly what I wanted. Butch didn't bat an eye. Tomorrow we'll try the matching large rear saddlebags.

I also brought along hobbles, and hobbled Butch when I got off to let him graze. Somebody taught him well! He doesn't move with them on; stands still and stretches his neck out to reach the far grass. I'll need to teach him it's ok to move a little and graze with 3-leg hobbles on, but I like that he knows to freeze with the doubles, and don't want him to un-learn that.

Out riding relaxed through a city wash in the midafternoon sun, with big orange saddlebags hanging from the horn in front of me, kids yelling "Hey! It's a donkey!" from a distance, it was easy to imagine I was in some other town, mid-route. Heading for the evening's camping spot. A stable, a ranchette, somebody's back yard, a fire station... not thinking about the low-30s temps we're still having at night and how I lost a stake for my tent the second night I used it... (true haha)

Back home, put Butchmule up for the night and fed him his pellets & psyllium in a feedbag, the new nightly ritual. When I get the stake setup, I might start feeding him his hay on the ground while staked. We'll see.

Current status:

Rental and storage arrangement with landlady - check.
Work contracts amiably suspended until return - check.
Home for cat while I'm gone - check.
Saddle and pad rebuilt to fit - check.
--(Courtesy of Jack, saddlemaker here in AZ. What a guy!)
Basic hobble training - check.
--(Turns out Butch had worn them before.)
Hobble training to 3-way hobbles and picket - TK.

---(TK=editor's shorthand for "to come")
Mule packing gear - check.
Tent - check.
Good, light sleeping bag - TK.
All the other stuff to pack - getting there.
Butch's hooves repaired, shod - check.
Easyboots - TK.
Butch road safe - pretty much, tuning up, riding lots around traffic.
Real mule camping dry run - TK.

Route - check. Um, well - TK. Nope, original route - check. Uh, gas price up, maybe rethink that. Okay, let's study the map again...
Contact fairgrounds etc along route to prearrange places to camp - Oh, sure! LOL

Naive enthusiasm - check
Courage - TK

Sense of wonderment and slight disbelief - constant.