Got compass?

Back in TX - got totally turned around, went in a loop and ended up
10 miles north of intended route, almost dark, anxiety...

beautiful country roads - paved no shoulders, Walter in boots

Am in yard of empty home in lakeside trailer community of Eisenhour State Park, Lake Texoma.. Walter tethered to tree, man named Barney helped us, found us this spot.

Another layover

Still at Lois and Duane's near Calera. Layover at their generous suggestion, due to weather etc. Lois teaches nursing - she's a great communicator as well as RN, she knows the art of nursing as well as the science - and Duane, when he's not making art or working cattle, is in school doing fascinating research on language and technology in the Native Studies program. Have spent the time out at their ranch land searching for cattle, hiking the woods harvesting medicinal plants, updating the blog, resting... a good break.

Walter has spent his time buddying up with Gray the horse and will probably let me know in no uncertain terms that I'm tearing him away from the most bestest tightest pal he's ever had when we go to leave... until he meets his next bestest tightest pal ever at the next stop.

Life's little mishaps

One of those days... started out with horses knocking down a fence, me running after them, slipping and colliding with a metal bleacher. Ow! I patched myself up as best I could and rode Walter out.

(All photos below of us at cowboy church are copyright Robert Clouse, used with permission.)

Tacking up at the cowboy church grounds

Walter anticipating the day

Leaving the grounds

A slightly punch-drunk wanderer

The road I planned on was unridable... got lost looking for another way... totally turned around, riding south... three times over the highway bridge... end up riding on the highway shoulder, in a swamp...

But after many twists and turns, ended up as usual exactly where we needed to be. At the Calera, OK home of Duane D. and Lois P., an artist and RN, respectively. Nurse Lois expertly bandaged me up and Duane, also a farrier and trainer,  turned Walter out with his horse and gave me some training tips.

Turns out Duane is a fabulous cook too - 100% homemade enchiladas and salad from the garden, mmm.  And Walter's enjoying his pasture.

Lois and Duane

praise for dirt

Walter barefoot on 15 miles of beautiful packed dirt roads today;
excellent level footing, made a huge difference. No swelling at
fetlock joints nor any other signs of soreness at end of day..

Red River Valley

At cowboy church in Colbert OK camped out by pens. Several folks
stopped us to talk with hours of solitary riding in between, partly
cloudy with light breeze, a perfect riding day.

Oklahoma!

Leaving Mary and Johnny's near Bonham, TX... what a wonderful stay with wonderful friends! Besides a relaxing time in good company, they set us up with everything we need for the next leg, Mary not even minding when I spent 5 hours on her computer uploading photos and doing email.

Disorganized morning...

Geez, it's past noon...

Oops, gotta re-adjust again...

After quiet ride, spent last night in Ravenna, tx. Home of Steve And Donna D. Walter alone in
mule heaven, huge lush pasture. No post cuz no phone signal.

Today many miles - over 20? - to bridge over the
Red River at Carpenters Bluff. Shortcut road not onmap, bridge old
concrete one-lane next to abandoned RR track.

Walter did great. Holiday 4 heeler and boat roaring below, rode him across.

Tonite at mule ranch of Harold S. and family. Both of us well fed and
shelter with good folks.

almost made it

decided to head out despite storm warnings. Hoped no tornados and
figured we could ride through heavy rain and wind.
Was overcast temp dropping wind picking up but dry when Mary drove up
to say we were still about 9 miles away, severe storm right on our
heels, did we want to trailer in?

Oh nooo says the cocky rider, we'll make it. Mary drives off. I look
at my phone- 6 miles to the turnoff, 2 hours. shortly after. vehicles
coming our way have lights on. Hmmm. Wind starts whipping trees. Sky
turns so dark its like a shadow fallin over the countryside.
Sprinkles... raindrops...
then with crack of thunder, howling wind sweeps down, driving huge
sheets of rain in terrific waves across the road and through the
bowing, twisting trees.

By this time I.ve got Walter frantically racing along in his fastest
trot, in a vain attempt to outrun the storm. Then I suddenly
understand why the vehicles had lights on. I can,t see 20 feet ahead.

We take shelter under a tree canopy on a rural driveway in front of a
locked gate. I huddle there feling water seep in btween my seat and
the saddle, Walt with his back to the wind and ears flat.
Contemplating my options. Phone rings. Cant take it out to answer.
Finally decide to ride to next available shelter- anywhere- and wait
for lull, hours if need be.

Ride just up next rise - a crossroads, buildings- and there,s Mary
pulling up with a stock trailer. She jumps out and waves us over with
a big grin shining through the rain. "Get in, girl!"

Walter hopped in, packs and all. Turns out we were in fact only 5
miles away - we rode about 1-13 miles - almost made it.

But man, was I ever relieved to see Mary and that trailer! And so
grateful to her for coming when I didnt answer the phone. Tonight Sir
Walter the Red is holdin court in his own corral and covered run-in,
surrounded by Mary and Johnny's herd. I'm in thier cozy LQ trailer.
We'll be here for a day or two so Walter can rest up. And I can visit
with friends.

Mary and Walter

peace

Long day, maybe 20 miles or more. Mary B. surprised me on the road
late in the day, small figure in the distance next to truck waving
arms yelling "katie! katie!"
We were so tired- what a cheerful and weloming sight! Tornado storm
moving in, she called friend Dewayne who manages rodeo and found us
not only shelter, but food and feed courtesy of Dewayne.

Tonight at the empty rodeo grounds near tiny Allen Point, Walter in
catch pens and me in old cowboy clubhouse. all around are green
pastures, grazing horses. Swallows nesting under porch eaves dipping
and gliding. Sky overcast, muggy, breeze. First lightning strike of
approaching storm illuminates the darkening horizon.

I feel a peace so deep
it could be my first day on earth, or the last.

maxey, Tx

Last nite offered shelter in exhibit bldg, but Walter was out of sight pacing and
fretting in lonely show arena.

kitchen, shower and AC...

exhibit building

Pitched tent by arena and used shower
etc. of bldg, best of both. Walt calmed down, I slept better to bass beat of
quincinera party.

keeping Walter company

Today took peaceful but slooow back rd detour round hwy 79. Friendly
dog led us to home of Mike and Patty C.

Tonite Walter in good pen and I'm in tent at Pattys mother's place
next door, after big Sunday family dinner. Once again at the last
minute meet good folks and it all works out.

Another good farrier

There's an old saying "no hoof, no horse [or mule]" and Walter's feet
are an ongoing obsession. He came to me with a case of White Line
disease that I'm still treating.

Kenny had arranged for a farrier and young Ike Roach came out
yesterday. He gave Sir Walt a very nice trim Nd showed me how to
maintain it, and left me a half-rasp. To my relief Ike saw no signs of
bruising or any other concern. And thank you Ike for donating .your
services. Walter' feet look great!

NETT event

NETT is the Northeast Texas Trail. Dick and Marilyn hauled us to the
dedication since equestrians arent allowed on the trail from Reno into
Paris.

Dick on Sweetie

Met all the good folks weve been talking to on the phone and
Walter and I got to give the gold rail spike a few whacks.

Tonight at fairgrounds, all is well.

Novice tx

Rode to Bagwell on CR 2573... cool overcast, back roads, maybe 10
vehicles entire day, 6 hours ride.

These flowers are everywhere now

So are these

The barn roof says "WILL U MARRY ME"

picked up at bagwell Post office, hauled to spend nite at Dick and
Marilyn H.'s in Novice after fun dinner out. Walter enjoying company
of horse, bossy molly mule, donkey and 2 longhorns.

Farrier tomorrow. thank you Kenny B. ... And then big day in Paris!

Walter's previous owner...

...called me today! I must have given him my number way back when.

I bought Walter two months ago, after being driven to 100 miles from
Jonesville LA where I was staying, at 7:00 at night under a streetlamp
next to a pasture.

I dropped the paper with the seller,s name, number and address, on the
ground at the pasture. Up until now I didn't know where "Floppy" came
from or who sold him to me.

Lee W. of Hineston, La is who sold me the world's best road mule. And
now I feel good about who I got Walter from - that Lee cared enough to
call and see how "Flop" was doing.
I think Walter just brings out the best in people - such a fine mule!

storm layover part 3

... also friends Dick and Maryln H., who have offered us a place
tomorrow and haul into Paris.
Great Italian food, all had such a good time we closed the place down!
Clear tonite, shd be good riding tomorrow.

Kenny B. with Walter

storm layover part 2

... good thing, as neighbor place was hit by lightning shortly after,
and lights flickered on & off all day while torrents poured down.
cleared tonight and taken out to dinner! By the ever generous
Backus's, who also invited neighbors JP and Brenda, and...

storm layover

Staying in sweet tiny cabin Kenny B. built for his wife to have a place to get away. It's far off the county road, next to mess hall/ranchhand office and in front of barns and pens on grounds of the lushly beautiful Big Dam, Rattlesnake & Dry Hole Ranch. Walter is in a large pen next to two halflinger geldings used for driving.

Last night thunder shook the cabin and lightning flashed all nght.
Woke to same - so unlike the brief monsoons of Tucson! calls from
friends west and east and from Kenny warned of worsening severe weather
with flooding. Decided to wait it out...

planned route

right now I plan to follow the red river valley area to around wichita
falls. From there somewhere between lubbock and amarillo into NM.
Summer heat and water big issues so all plans subject to change.

post comments and emails

To Judy, Cindy and all dear readers: please note that I cannot answer
or post comments to the blog from my phone.
Apparently the "contact" link isnt working. So sorry!
Try me at
pentimental@yahoo.com
I might be able to reply from the phone. worth a shot anyway...
Thanks for your patience!

scary port-o-potties

Walter had his first big spook under saddle today. Two big white
port-o-pottys at a construction site were scary enough - he snorted and
froze - but then two huge german shepherds came racing toward him from behind them,
barking menacingly.

Walter was sure the dogs were in cahoots with the port-o-pottys. It was too much for him. Sir Walter spun and headed for the hills.

...But he only got about 10 feet and I turned him round. After much
protest, Walter finally decided to believe I'd protect him from the aliens and shimmied
past.

Back country roads to somewhere between English and Clarksville.

Thought this was a deserted homestead, til saw porch light on and bedsheet curtains

Walter and I both have wonderful shelter on a rainy night courtesy of
Kenny B., a very kind rancher.

sharing the pasture

Rode the NETT to Avery. Walter was given water in a back yard, by a nice man with a Cajun accent so thick I could hardly understand him; I loved the sound of it. We turned onto a little county road from Avery where the currently ridable partof NETT ends.

downtown Avery

Across the street

Just south of  English, TX tonite. Pitched tent in pasture with Walter wandering about untethered. Hope he wont get too curious...

solo again

Had a nice one-day layover at Sheron H.'s place between New Boston and Malta, TX. Walter got to see equines grazing next to pigs, I think it blew his mind. He enjoyed his quiet pasture with old Buddy mule while I enjoyed Sheron's company and cooking, goat milk, and a trip to Texarkana for new jeans after mine finally bit the dust.

Sheron saying 'bye

Today rode the Northeast Texas Trail - part of Rails to Trails - from Malta to Dekalb, where we were treated like royalty! Keith Sherman treated me to a great lunch with Walter tethered outside, and we rode from feed store to feed store for photo ops. I swear Walter was hamming it up.

Then on to a prearranged stop - Doug and Melide P. had been contacted by Melide's brother Steve and offered shelter for us at thier ranch, partway between Dekalb and Avery. Enjoyed kids' baseball practice, tonite Walter relaxed in pen and I'm roughing it in a fully equipped travel trailer while the whole extended family helped me with maps and Internet.

Walter was fussy this morning... hoping he settles tomorrow. If not, there's some sort of further adjustment I need to make to his tack, shoes or packs. Little Walt's an honest mule, he never complains without reason. But he really relaxed once we were out on the NETT trail. No traffic, beautiful canopy of trees, and I let him set his own pace. After a cheerfully social couple of weeks I enjoyed the change to solitary riding as well. Just me and my mule... ah, life.

short ride

Only 7 miles to Mike,s brother,s ranch w good pen but gives us a
do-able 17 miler tomorrow. Then I am back solo again

over the dam bridge

crossed 2.4-mile dam and bridge over Wright Patman Lake ith help from
Jackie driving behind w flashers on. Sir Walter lead the way.
Exhilaration! We made it!!
In Maud tx tonite

douglasville w/friends

Me and Donna joind by 2 other guest riders today, daughter Sally
w/husband Roy. Back roads, then cut across 700 acre ranch Roy used to manage. Walter without packs, we loped through fields.
good ride

Roy, Donna on Jab, Sally

Cuteness attack - passed a baby mini

crossing the big ranch - off road, yay!

back on the road part 2

...and added plus, having a friend along for a few days.
tonite mules together in old garden, sound of crickets in depening dusk.

back on the road part 1

Not sure where we are.... its about 11 miles from Bivins. So good to
be back out on road with Walter...

Donna on Jab, up high on wide shoulder by roadway