trip cancelled

Butch's rope burn was worse again yesterday morning. I asked myself, if I were at home, would I ride him?

The answer: No.
I'd call the vet and give him time to heal.

Instead of hauling to Colorado City, TX, I asked Lee to turn around and haul us back to my rig at John & Lois' place in Salt Flat.

I took Butch home today.


Thank you to everyone who has helped me & Butch mule on this attempted ride, everyone who has lifted us up with your support and encouragement and belief; to John and Lois, you incorrigible enablers! for seeing me off at the beginning and being there in every way possible throughout; Annie for the half-chaps and britchen; to the MTR Texans who planned to host or meet up, maybe next ride; thank you to Darren, Lee, Cathy, for your endless patience, good humor and refusal to accept any excuses when I needed a good kick in the butt, and for biting yer tongues & letting me make my own mistakes and learn the hard way when needed; thank you to JoAnn and Joyce for showing me true Texas hospitality, welcoming me into your homes and treating me as one of the family; to Charlie and Drue Stanford and family, and all the hands at the Collier ranch; to the good folks of Seminole, especially Meriya; to Bo, who I still hope to meet; to anyone I'm forgetting right now only cuz I'm old and it's late at nite; and to all those at home in Arizona (plus Lee and Mel in CA) who have given your love and support since the planning began... from Betty's Mule Shower to Sally's printouts to Tom's chaps to Jan's holding mail to Jack's cat sitting, to all my friends who spent so many hours of listening cheerfully to my obsession. And finally, thank you and much love to my Mom, Dad and brothers for your support even after you realized what I was actually planning to do!

I could not have gotten this far without all of you.

Next one will go better...