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.