tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11539990763409342462024-03-12T20:25:21.175-07:00mule trip talkKChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03174637867192073780noreply@blogger.comBlogger231125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153999076340934246.post-18379064303729229802014-05-07T23:12:00.000-07:002014-05-07T23:12:12.649-07:00NEW BLOG at MuleArtist.comHello, friends!<br />
<br />
This blog is retired for now. <br />
I might revive it again, so do check back once in a while.<br />
<br />
To read about life after the ride, or between rides, please visit my new blog at <a href="http://www.muleartist.com/blog.html">muleartist.com</a>. <br />
<br />
That's also the website for my pen-and-ink equine art. Any news of upcoming art shows, articles published, book(s) coming out or other such news will be posted there as well. <br />
<br />
Thanks for your patience during the transition. Hope to see you at the new site!<br />
<br />
KChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03174637867192073780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153999076340934246.post-45641750003100793732013-11-13T23:24:00.001-07:002014-05-07T23:16:02.408-07:00settling in, new blogIt's one month to the day since Sir Walter and I arrived back in
<br />
Tucson. A whole month. Hard for me to believe. Seems like just
<br />
yesterday we rode up the Rillito to Riverbend Stables.
<br />
<br />
The logistics of re-entry were more challenging than I had planned for, and
<br />
I spent the first 2 weeks camping out in the boarders' "bathroom
<br />
trailer" (Thank you Jan!) while searching the ads for cheap trucks,
<br />
rentals and jobs.
<br />
<br />
But with the help of friends and family (Thank you Becky!) (Thank you
<br />
Mom and Dad!), I soon had a loaner car to use and in short order
<br />
landed truck, rental and soon-to-start job. *Whew!*
<br />
<br />
So much for practical concerns... the emotional and mental re-entry is
<br />
another matter entirely. Too big a subject for this short post.
<br />
<br />
Which brings me to...
<br />
New blog?
<br />
<br />
I am considering retiring this blog and starting another one for life
<br />
after the rides, or between rides, whatever. I'd post a link to it
<br />
somewhere on this one. Havent decided for sure, so if any of you
<br />
reading have thoughts on the matter your comments are welcomed...
<br />
<br />
Also, I suspect the ride will find its way into some sort of written
<br />
and/or visual creation down the line. If you'd like to be on a mailing
<br />
list for occasional updates, please send me your email by clicking the
<br />
"CONTACT" tab at the top of this web page and following the
<br />
directions. Be sure and put "MULE MAILING LIST" in the subject line, so I know it's not spam. Thanks!
<br />
And do check back often, as I intend to get a computer sometime within
<br />
the next few paychecks and will begin posting again soon.
<br />
<br />
Be well and enjoy the change of season, my friends.KChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03174637867192073780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153999076340934246.post-57571827807823669542013-10-15T14:43:00.004-07:002016-01-27T18:32:37.469-07:00Postscript... how we made it home alive<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Rode Walter mule from Mississippi to Duncan, Oklahoma, where he got injured in fence wreck. Spent 7 weeks in Duncan while Walter recovered. Rode Walter from Oklahoma to New Mexico. Walter mule still showing signs of hip strain, decided he needed to get home and rest, not to ride him over the mountains. Kyle trailered us from Clovis NM to midstate... rode Walter a little further... hauled with racehorses from Albuquerque to north end of Phoenix... rode another day... Randy and Tony gifted us with the blessing of a trailer haul to Tucson, dropped us off a couple miles from the stable... and Sir Walter and I rode into town as I had imagined we would, slowly savoring our lone quiet walk up the dry Rillito riverbed, climbing the access ramp to the road, and riding up the drive to Riverbend Stables. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Home.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Walter is in better shape now than the day we started. It was one of my goals. I'm proud of that.</span></div>
<br />
<em>[Postscript: Walter's hip strain healed up completely.]</em><br />
<em></em><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><strong>Thank you to all who followed the ride for your support</strong>. I know there were times when y'all wrote wonderful comments on the blog and I could not reply, as I can't do comments from my phone. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />But I want you to know that every word of support and encouragement from each one of you, whether comments on the blog, emails or phone calls, gave me a HUGE lift in spirits and morale - you have no idea how much it meant! Just knowing there were people out there who were sure we could do this. <br /><br />When out on a Long Ride, if a rider gets lonely and discouraged they can stop thinking straight and make stupid mistakes, life-threatening stupid. Love and encouragement saves lives.<br /><br />All of you helped keep me and Walter alive.<br /><br />May all of you be showered with blessings, and may you enjoy many happy trails!<br /><br />- Katie Cooper, Long Rider<br />(with a bray from Sir Walter the Red)</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<br />KChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03174637867192073780noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153999076340934246.post-12890528277957038242013-10-13T20:59:00.000-07:002013-10-15T14:48:21.361-07:00We made it to Tucson!We're home.
<br />
<br />
Mississippi to Arizona!
<br />
<br />
Tonight... just want to say
<br />
<br />
THANK YOU to EVERYONE
<br />
<br />
One love, one life, blessings and beauty abound.
<br />
<br />
My love to you all!
<br />
<br />
And brave Sir Walter sends his regards.<br />
<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg07wh6Aw1uorAl4AASFyAD0yOM3hGWhQnpjKVm3t71x3zK1dyKozANI3xH3wLT6P5XnufYtkBhCwMG1iVjjp7r7jMComjm7vYm9A0Lqj4CD-Xj7nNbEPOELo_tGiRg2WU4wQz1LNrUJg/s1600/SUNP0302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg07wh6Aw1uorAl4AASFyAD0yOM3hGWhQnpjKVm3t71x3zK1dyKozANI3xH3wLT6P5XnufYtkBhCwMG1iVjjp7r7jMComjm7vYm9A0Lqj4CD-Xj7nNbEPOELo_tGiRg2WU4wQz1LNrUJg/s400/SUNP0302.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sir Walter the Red surveys his new realm</td></tr>
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KChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03174637867192073780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153999076340934246.post-22453854575173436662013-10-12T21:24:00.001-07:002013-10-15T14:46:08.487-07:00Almost homeToni and Randy picked us up this afternoon and brought us to their
<br />
spread in Queen Valley, where we are their guests for the night.
<br />
Having a great time with new friends, freshening up, enjoying
<br />
wonderful hospitality & good company. Walter happy to be with horses.
<br />
<br />
Too tired to write more. g'nite all...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg86Yrkyi6tyzWvhELxTcXddJvQh0fuPSf4ZPCBwZdregKzMSv7yppDpC60imNwUrmyo1WhGQdLqn3JVZwfaGKc5WafHtTrqXLRMRh0anvLmd1sdXbVi9SkIJgUFWCQpHJ7WMuXM9BmOw/s1600/SUNP0298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg86Yrkyi6tyzWvhELxTcXddJvQh0fuPSf4ZPCBwZdregKzMSv7yppDpC60imNwUrmyo1WhGQdLqn3JVZwfaGKc5WafHtTrqXLRMRh0anvLmd1sdXbVi9SkIJgUFWCQpHJ7WMuXM9BmOw/s320/SUNP0298.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Next morning... went on beautiful ride in the Superstition Mountains</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMQG07yZ-_DK-HPpr20e4MrWTkeTMKt11fCbjbmlsXCAMtNuqrbcVzWb3jH7FR5ZNcU_6vuW8rL1iOKfBb4b2xZueRMQ5KjgKHDlIc0qfYmZ2MirVFDm5Rf2bh063IjbriNN9K4JSNig/s1600/SUNP0301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMQG07yZ-_DK-HPpr20e4MrWTkeTMKt11fCbjbmlsXCAMtNuqrbcVzWb3jH7FR5ZNcU_6vuW8rL1iOKfBb4b2xZueRMQ5KjgKHDlIc0qfYmZ2MirVFDm5Rf2bh063IjbriNN9K4JSNig/s320/SUNP0301.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toni and Randy, trail angels!<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
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KChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03174637867192073780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153999076340934246.post-76885393901426293622013-10-11T22:13:00.000-07:002013-10-16T17:15:36.783-07:00backtrackingGot great news! Toni, a member of AZBTR (who has never met me) is
<br />
going to haul us past the Phoenix metroplex Saturday, to her place in
<br />
West Queen Valley, south of town.
<br />
<br />
Last night was a pleasant stay at the racing barn, me in the tack room and
<br />
Walter in a ritzy pen with shavings. Trainer Juan's wife brought me
<br />
hot soup with the thinnest, best tortillas ever.
<br />
<br />
Today, rode off to get another 12-15 miles closer to Toni's spread, and find another
<br />
place to stay tonight. This is a very wealthy area near Scottsdale. The main road
<br />
we rode along is lined with huge million-dollar equestrian estates, elegant high-end boarding stables and training barns.
All of them are behind locked automatic gates that open only to
<br />
vehicles.
What side roads I tried out lead either to locked back entrances or to non-horse-property suburban houses, thier landscaped front yards planted with carefully chosen cacti.<br />
<br />
We rode past all the fancy estates to the outskirts, where groomed grounds
<br />
gave way to empty desert and dirt roads leading to the occasional California-style house. No horse properties though, oddly. Then
nothing, just desert hills as far as the eye could see.
<br />
<br />
We turned back.
<br />
<br />
We had travelled maybe 8 miles. We backtracked about 6 more miles before I
<br />
finally spotted a house
with empty pens and what looked like an open side entrance.
As I struggled with the wire ranch gate next to a cattle guard, a man stopped his car to offer help and ask who I was. Ron then called the neighbors - who weren't home - and got us permission to stay.<br />
<br />
Tonight we are grateful guests of Dana and Trish, who own a pawn shop and have
<br />
6 dogs, 2 cats and no horses. That's right, they sold their last two
horses three days ago.
<br />
Shower and cold milk (which I've craved, my body must need it), aaah!<br />
<br />
Walter was pacing frantically alone in his pen, calling to the neighbor's horse. So
<br />
I pitched my tent in the pen next to his to keep him company. It
<br />
worked. He's quiet now, calmly munching hay pellets.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnyQV7PVwZqFtVZZHE99NajzY5p6CnFT8zccxNSsEdZn8A4-tIQGf4dbYHG9-xe4-P2tOmi3cYlET8fC8_LeBgCCB82MDSt9vQdiZOq_1X4iYlEGd5kTd6ZWguzbmteCwtEh5lafqqpQ/s1600/SUNP0296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnyQV7PVwZqFtVZZHE99NajzY5p6CnFT8zccxNSsEdZn8A4-tIQGf4dbYHG9-xe4-P2tOmi3cYlET8fC8_LeBgCCB82MDSt9vQdiZOq_1X4iYlEGd5kTd6ZWguzbmteCwtEh5lafqqpQ/s400/SUNP0296.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early next morning... </td></tr>
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<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiayqouQFs-IH3XqLCbmXG4BUjulVoJKKT-JueliUXGVOCw6DqQtJjL36G_UqPi6aGM7can7aPXWh_oDX4dmAYPrZUQbItEBkZQC6xoKc4ECMzOTNwKammJDuHkGepYSbT3ojdLEo0CWA/s1600/SUNP0294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiayqouQFs-IH3XqLCbmXG4BUjulVoJKKT-JueliUXGVOCw6DqQtJjL36G_UqPi6aGM7can7aPXWh_oDX4dmAYPrZUQbItEBkZQC6xoKc4ECMzOTNwKammJDuHkGepYSbT3ojdLEo0CWA/s320/SUNP0294.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />KChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03174637867192073780noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153999076340934246.post-84401665071634031512013-10-10T23:13:00.001-07:002013-10-16T17:14:19.827-07:00Hellloooo ArizonaAfter six and a half impatient stress-filled days trapped in Bernardo
<br />
with no way out but riding Interstate 25 for 30 extremely dangerous
<br />
miles, riding the desolate road to Magdalena for 40 waterless
<br />
miles, or finding someone to haul us, we finally escaped. I paid a
<br />
racehorse hauler Vance had contacted to stash Sir Walter in back
<br />
behind the thoroughbreds and haul us to the owner's barn in Fountain
<br />
Hills, northeast of Phoenix.
<br />
<br />
Back in Arizona at last!
<br />
<br />
It felt very strange to trailer here, about 500 miles, eight hours in the
<br />
truck. Started out bad weather - wind gusts to 50mph, dust, then rain
<br />
off and on for a few hours. The beauty of the landscape was
<br />
breathtaking. Being accustomed to 3 miles an hour, the changes felt
<br />
like
the speeded up time-lapse of an instructional science film. The
<br />
billboards, neon casino signs, trash and advertising and loud vehicles
<br />
farting exhaust felt like an assault.
<br />
<br />
But we made it. Arizona!
<br />
<br />
Next challenge: how to get around the Phoenix metroplex? Stay tuned!KChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03174637867192073780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153999076340934246.post-63823971570474490802013-10-05T18:56:00.001-07:002013-10-15T10:10:12.135-07:00the weekendOur hosts in Bernardo, Vance and Alice M., run a thoroughbred breeding
<br />
operation. They have been going all out calling their racing contacts
<br />
to find us a haul to Arizona. It's looking pretty optimistic for next
<br />
week. Please think good thoughts and keep your fingers crossed for us!
<br />
<br />
In the meantime, I am spending the weekend in Albuquerque with my
<br />
Goddaughter Chloe and her boyfriend Jake. They are both wonderful
<br />
company - only wish I could have planned more time!<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmaiBBFW9JBgg5XgQCD3BI6cYMa8CtoD2hPZChE6ifJE3V7F8NuMSouBSV3xxME-cWZ-Q5mMlaD8EnDFCMpKnvmheE9IqcAPZMOE3z50f7mK6_TzoJU3466eb9tB1hc7LbOV0g5vcsMg/s1600/SUNP0291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmaiBBFW9JBgg5XgQCD3BI6cYMa8CtoD2hPZChE6ifJE3V7F8NuMSouBSV3xxME-cWZ-Q5mMlaD8EnDFCMpKnvmheE9IqcAPZMOE3z50f7mK6_TzoJU3466eb9tB1hc7LbOV0g5vcsMg/s320/SUNP0291.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chloe, not sure she wants her picture taken...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIiEVAbIFCuAq-cgmR9HDVr4qJquZv5QWBw_xh021Cw6h-FN_XxKdPbYepGL9ok65q8_O4PuzYwowu276P0LD4uvC0UIHtl6A4SkRjeuH3kR6ORr9BWsg0cdVTlDkL0bvKu4GYuvp1ig/s1600/SUNP0290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIiEVAbIFCuAq-cgmR9HDVr4qJquZv5QWBw_xh021Cw6h-FN_XxKdPbYepGL9ok65q8_O4PuzYwowu276P0LD4uvC0UIHtl6A4SkRjeuH3kR6ORr9BWsg0cdVTlDkL0bvKu4GYuvp1ig/s320/SUNP0290.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was Balloon Festival weekend! This launch at 8am</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
KChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03174637867192073780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153999076340934246.post-66117393816036961062013-10-04T20:44:00.001-07:002013-10-04T20:44:22.310-07:00BrrrrrThe weather has turned.
<br>
<br>This morning I woke shivering in the predawn darkness, my little
<br>shelter in the gooseneck of a horse trailer rocking in the blasting
<br>wind. Cold as it was, I was grateful not to be in the tent with gusts
<br>blowing in the sides.
<br>
<br>Walter is starting to fur up. He seems to be adapting better to this
<br>dry climate.
<br>
<br>Tonight he's resting contentedly despite being in an open pen, feeling
<br>safe and calm in the company of the surrounding herd.
<br>
<br>And I'm snug in my little platform cave, having learned from last
<br>night: wearing 2 layers, socks and gloves, with the wool horse blanket
<br>draped over my sleeping bag. It's quite comfortable.
<br>
<br>Don't know what gifts the morning will bring. Still in Bernardo.
<br>Hoping to be home soon...KChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03174637867192073780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153999076340934246.post-7670705977024681682013-10-03T19:52:00.001-07:002013-10-16T17:11:43.645-07:00crossed the Rio GrandeIn Bernardo tonight, low signal. (Bernardo isn't really a town - it's a place on the map where Hwy 60 and I-25 meet.) Vance M. stopped his truck this morning to ask where I was travelling to? Then offered to put us up about another 12 miles on, across the river and under the interstate, down a dirt road to his place with "lots of empty pens." <br />
<br />
Crossing the Rio Grande was another one of those moments that had way more impact than I expected. The river under the bridge was running high from recent floods. Drivers passed us just before, giving us emphatic thumbs-up out their windows. Then there seemed to be a window of stillness as we crossed. No traffic, no sound but rushing water and the staccato beat of hooves on concrete. Walter was all business: trotting briskly with head up, ears forward.<br />
<br />
And then it was done. We had reached the other side.<br />
<br />
I tied Walter to a fence and tossed my canvas bucket over the rail, letting it fill and hauling it back up by the parachute string I have attached. My mule drank from the waters of the Rio Grande.<br />
<br />
Tonight, guests of Vance and Alice M. at their breeding farm. Walter in pen, me out of the wind in horse trailer. Don't know if riding out tomorrow or
waiting on possible haul.
Didn't pass any N/S roads I could see besides I-25 on the way in. Don't see any side roads on the map either. Hmmm. <br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCHsl23h2CNdwOixxgBduVspwY_faySmnak4Qj5ODujDVRnH6cmRUc7dhCNcum-Mm3OYN2zMgmo3cCA6jeWKLiGhF7_1ItOkAqDO4WrmSJrxA2yi0UAm3X_3aEg6tI_fepvb-DbCZH8g/s1600/SUNP0283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCHsl23h2CNdwOixxgBduVspwY_faySmnak4Qj5ODujDVRnH6cmRUc7dhCNcum-Mm3OYN2zMgmo3cCA6jeWKLiGhF7_1ItOkAqDO4WrmSJrxA2yi0UAm3X_3aEg6tI_fepvb-DbCZH8g/s320/SUNP0283.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walter wondering: "How will we get to Arizona?"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigcsFN9wXtAX416g_gUwP5JmedtDGiwfXA6GYErZCBbDLESX9wbDW3BVVjyxWMc61l7Qk_fEXol-fPukKFl_FcNhrsLnfyFNKMoFi8ji1opAILMKRW9dWLaxMPEbzbn-59-pa6JL44Ng/s1600/SUNP0281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigcsFN9wXtAX416g_gUwP5JmedtDGiwfXA6GYErZCBbDLESX9wbDW3BVVjyxWMc61l7Qk_fEXol-fPukKFl_FcNhrsLnfyFNKMoFi8ji1opAILMKRW9dWLaxMPEbzbn-59-pa6JL44Ng/s320/SUNP0281.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset over Bernardo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
KChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03174637867192073780noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153999076340934246.post-52734159929089879322013-10-02T20:04:00.001-07:002013-10-15T12:04:03.012-07:00Long haul & short rideOnce again I am humbled and blown away by the generosity shown us.
<br />
<br />
Johnny's friend Kyle S. has been keeping a roping horse and huge LQ
<br />
trailer at the house. Kyle lives 170 miles west. This morning Kyle
<br />
took his horse in the LQ and offered me and Walter a ride. Kyle being
<br />
good company, we got to talking... Kyle gets on the phone with
<br />
someone, and I hear him say "...we'll be stopping at the ranch to
<br />
switch trailers, and then I'm taking the mule lady to Bernardo..."
<br />
another 50 miles west! In one day, he got us past the truly desolate
<br />
dry stretch and to a couple miles east of the the Rio Grande.
<br />
<br />
Kyle dropped us off at the intersection of Hwy 60 and Hwy 308, a little 2-laner with barely any traffic that runs south, on the opposite side of the river from I-25.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mAj3wEhgWvKDaaSR2kHGDeSRHXurtBchcxo3abYk4py5_kHyQBC0q6QU_gDErOHyaBD7XC0unEET60NJRWT881YKtpzMpcOXBmwsSLM8Nf24hrp_Mq38fpIpcygCSxsp6jTuFP2mXA/s1600/SUNP0272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mAj3wEhgWvKDaaSR2kHGDeSRHXurtBchcxo3abYk4py5_kHyQBC0q6QU_gDErOHyaBD7XC0unEET60NJRWT881YKtpzMpcOXBmwsSLM8Nf24hrp_Mq38fpIpcygCSxsp6jTuFP2mXA/s320/SUNP0272.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">heading down 380</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMR_wj9nhx9wYyGSEuE1kpaBEikrqZHFou2qC-QkbfLL2p-52AeHb1w7wqV3gylLD8CuSJ1cVDlXOspWmYOfFFVBD7Ak_iWAP4oXJFmtKB4Htkx2SrV5n0jexPmsjq_px8kXhBjFY59w/s1600/SUNP0273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMR_wj9nhx9wYyGSEuE1kpaBEikrqZHFou2qC-QkbfLL2p-52AeHb1w7wqV3gylLD8CuSJ1cVDlXOspWmYOfFFVBD7Ak_iWAP4oXJFmtKB4Htkx2SrV5n0jexPmsjq_px8kXhBjFY59w/s320/SUNP0273.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walter thinks he's on another planet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXcYlKZwqxIKKkpadhi5ewnfTckxERaYn7SAAttanWCqrKz8TlDeX2IQ2mgWQVnaU-F1EktvT0DN-H-N7Ialks6ys_kKq9y7jpcyVIbYqFpr9MBmNZIg_7T3LaO-XGboSSEoKZW_5QHg/s1600/SUNP0274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXcYlKZwqxIKKkpadhi5ewnfTckxERaYn7SAAttanWCqrKz8TlDeX2IQ2mgWQVnaU-F1EktvT0DN-H-N7Ialks6ys_kKq9y7jpcyVIbYqFpr9MBmNZIg_7T3LaO-XGboSSEoKZW_5QHg/s320/SUNP0274.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No Walter, we're not in Louisiana anymore...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
From there we rode south on 308 about 8 miles to La Joya, where we are
<br />
tonight. I love these tiny New Mexican villages. It's good to be back
<br />
in the Southwest. And mountains! Mountains on the horizon! I know where
<br />
I am again!
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidHwMKss0XkdwexaOghXBmPy1iVEzr3kgZ5qG1utyE8_B-gcRnXkagvWujGaJvw2tnhcH0oAex14ZZfkdD6W5Dvm8QFoQGT6NN6bF6uRoJK1sIg9xMYgW16UrFjj3hoKvli_Ml2uRLbQ/s1600/SUNP0275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidHwMKss0XkdwexaOghXBmPy1iVEzr3kgZ5qG1utyE8_B-gcRnXkagvWujGaJvw2tnhcH0oAex14ZZfkdD6W5Dvm8QFoQGT6NN6bF6uRoJK1sIg9xMYgW16UrFjj3hoKvli_Ml2uRLbQ/s320/SUNP0275.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First glimpse of the Rio Grande valley</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3wNhbccmu4Hr2RWQHhTisJ6lUUWZh-IMG5n0hoB9DbwmCNIwr3q-oqSHEivCLLTKbpNyx-3SfMmU573ELNmKu-5Yc1Cb2DzYafO3xjLBI3BPMKMEnvn9i8HXR8gkWRU7JDaOSACx8Jw/s1600/SUNP0277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3wNhbccmu4Hr2RWQHhTisJ6lUUWZh-IMG5n0hoB9DbwmCNIwr3q-oqSHEivCLLTKbpNyx-3SfMmU573ELNmKu-5Yc1Cb2DzYafO3xjLBI3BPMKMEnvn9i8HXR8gkWRU7JDaOSACx8Jw/s320/SUNP0277.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">La Joya post office</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDqbv4fruheKoZ823LxsVOgGtqBvuoePLoiRl3nvtisCAJOJitng_RBpuxwvr7Io67GD0VtjFj3170USrWP0PP5iq_-CwoFSjjIzvOtUv8E9_RGD66Tqf_pQBCOI20cOKS6VMLLWMBOg/s1600/SUNP0278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDqbv4fruheKoZ823LxsVOgGtqBvuoePLoiRl3nvtisCAJOJitng_RBpuxwvr7Io67GD0VtjFj3170USrWP0PP5iq_-CwoFSjjIzvOtUv8E9_RGD66Tqf_pQBCOI20cOKS6VMLLWMBOg/s320/SUNP0278.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only intersection in town. 380 dead-ends here.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Turns out 308 ends at this village. All roads south end at this village. <br />
The Rio Grande is flooded and
can't be forded. We'll have to ride all the way back to 60 tomorrow,
<br />
to where we got dropped off today, and cross near Bernardo. Ah, well.
<br />
It's only one day.
<br />
<br />
Tonight we are staying with Vince and Teresa, at the first horse pens I saw when we rode into town. Vince - with no prior horse experience - rescued an unhandled pregnant mare last year. She blessed him with an appaloosa baby with the most beautiful spotted blanket I've ever seen. Vince named the colt "Luna" because he was born at night under the full moon.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp2lE_kAjHSG8D-H8de2hOWIrFQtgkbSbYu7DRCKeCvj_eqtGR0tM7QE_tC2vs9njhCSBQNv9wHcOWf8ln6tBRIdrTLl_9ZgLeFyz0o2_Lj2Z6M38coUrhGMJgYAo3hrf1t_VfOy_9Nw/s1600/SUNP0280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp2lE_kAjHSG8D-H8de2hOWIrFQtgkbSbYu7DRCKeCvj_eqtGR0tM7QE_tC2vs9njhCSBQNv9wHcOWf8ln6tBRIdrTLl_9ZgLeFyz0o2_Lj2Z6M38coUrhGMJgYAo3hrf1t_VfOy_9Nw/s320/SUNP0280.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teresa and Vince with mother and baby</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Have to say it felt really, really good to be back on the road today on Sir
<br />
Walter. Walter seemed glad to be out too.KChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03174637867192073780noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153999076340934246.post-73566926484792622462013-10-01T21:46:00.001-07:002013-10-01T21:46:45.660-07:00All tacked up & nowhere to goHad Walter all saddled this morning and was about to lift the packs on
<br>when I got a call - if I could wait just one more day, a haul to
<br>Tucson.
<br>
<br>I waited. This evening, the trailer ride fell through. But! Johnny
<br>scored us a ride to Willard, 170 miles west of here. To put it in
<br>perspective, that's almost 3 week's riding including rest days. Walter
<br>and I are most grateful.
<br>
<br>Yes, indeed we are.KChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03174637867192073780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153999076340934246.post-60121396429251764692013-09-30T22:41:00.001-07:002013-10-15T12:07:19.625-07:00letting goOne of the lessons of this Long Ride has been learning when to let go.
<br />
There are times when the harder I try to make a certain thing happen,
<br />
the more fervently I desire a particular outcome, the further out of
<br />
reach it gets. And then I finally give up and acknowledge that it just
<br />
ain't happening. I have to let go or I'll go mad. It's generally after
<br />
that point that things start to get interesting.
<br />
<br />
I intended, after reaching Clovis, to take a few days off to arrange a
<br />
trailer ride over the empty stretches and mountains. It never occurred
<br />
to me that there might be no trailer to be found.
<br />
<br />
It's now been 10 days and many searches and phone calls later.
<br />
Nothing. Nada. Zilch.
<br />
<br />
Johnny and Sondra are back from Albuquerque, the weather is turning
<br />
and we need to leave NOW. I rode us into this dilemma, I'll have to
<br />
ride us out of it. And that's exactly what I'll be doing tomorrow.
<br />
Back to the open road...KChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03174637867192073780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153999076340934246.post-58724613103196127532013-09-23T19:56:00.001-07:002013-10-15T12:15:07.466-07:00grooming for mule and humanWalter's shoes aren't wearing out because they have diamond-hard
<br />
Drilltek welded on. But that doesn't keep his hooves from growing. So
<br />
yesterday, Walter got his mule pedicure.
<br />
<br />
Tony N, (the farrier father of Mindy, who adjusted Walter) came out
<br />
and pulled the shoes off, trimmed Walter's feet, and nailed the shoes
<br />
back on.
Walter's hooves look great and seem more even now.
<br />
<br />
And Saturday, I got my own grooming upkeep - a haircut & styling at
<br />
Crazy Beautiful Hair Salon (love that name!) donated by hairstylist
<br />
Kirsty Forrest, Sondra's grandaughter. Kirsty gave me a great cut and
<br />
styled it so pretty I tried to think of places I could go to show it
<br />
off. It was Saturday night, after all!
<br />
<br />
This mule & human maintenance being done now in preparation for the
<br />
last bit of riding into Tucson and reentry into "normal" life.
<br />
<br />
Ummm.... normal. Right. LOL<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvup1wev7fd6q_wp1nN9zLmjodLeCPyVjQzVYoC-oZHQJqztDnwqguDhbK2B8-aHADYG9qaEATLwxFE8i9jGYnOMDAV_8UkmTOUG1MsF1FDB1-Y23PB9Ljnk7cprNbFMoIQMghg-N-aA/s1600/SUNP0270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvup1wev7fd6q_wp1nN9zLmjodLeCPyVjQzVYoC-oZHQJqztDnwqguDhbK2B8-aHADYG9qaEATLwxFE8i9jGYnOMDAV_8UkmTOUG1MsF1FDB1-Y23PB9Ljnk7cprNbFMoIQMghg-N-aA/s320/SUNP0270.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
KChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03174637867192073780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153999076340934246.post-3275130813948908022013-09-22T22:25:00.001-07:002013-09-22T22:25:17.577-07:001,000 milesAs of Clovis, I have ridden a thousand miles on this journey. Today I
<br>was informed that I am now a full member of the Long Riders' Guild.
<br>
<br>Everything I wrote about being inducted as an Associate goes double
<br>for becoming a full member.
<br>I'll simply add, thank you to everyone, especially my little red mule.
<br>You all rock!
<br>
<br>I could not have done it without so much help, human, mule and divine.
<br>
<br>One love.KChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03174637867192073780noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153999076340934246.post-4809719735627188072013-09-20T22:16:00.001-07:002013-10-15T12:17:27.338-07:00Made it to Clovis!Walter mule and I have ridden from Mississippi to New Mexico.
<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyjZl3DCwyVV0OJQpoe18_Mm6pTm3UR-lps5ewV4vGAIebKpOBTsO8_TcygQfSP9PhG6DgmWTpVrXRl8bDMB90PAe5SOuki_Ck_g1t-2BSKbF32mB_Q-2JKvU8pkOwztlEsRXLbDDIlg/s1600/SUNP0268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyjZl3DCwyVV0OJQpoe18_Mm6pTm3UR-lps5ewV4vGAIebKpOBTsO8_TcygQfSP9PhG6DgmWTpVrXRl8bDMB90PAe5SOuki_Ck_g1t-2BSKbF32mB_Q-2JKvU8pkOwztlEsRXLbDDIlg/s320/SUNP0268.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
We are guests of Johnny and Sondra F. for the next few days. Too much
<br />
to write about and too tired tonight, will post over the weekend.<br />
<br />
Will say Walter saw his first ostrich today and hopefully his last...
<br />
<br />
And I celebrated tonight by dancing with cowboys to live music at a
<br />
local bar - Johnny and Sondra invited me out - they sure can cut a
<br />
rug, they showed those younger folks how it's done!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGo1sjJeeveGEBtVZOoCPUMdMvfYOfdJBu4nC6HqwVBk0nRq13yoNAuM98CV77kYHMnGRZqaPn2FYWuOGVHi09oaj51mi_rkQ0_jDNwEDLlCNW98LUF_U7E7riEcQODE4Bqe65I_Vs7w/s1600/SUNP0271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGo1sjJeeveGEBtVZOoCPUMdMvfYOfdJBu4nC6HqwVBk0nRq13yoNAuM98CV77kYHMnGRZqaPn2FYWuOGVHi09oaj51mi_rkQ0_jDNwEDLlCNW98LUF_U7E7riEcQODE4Bqe65I_Vs7w/s320/SUNP0271.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sondra and Johnny F.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
KChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03174637867192073780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153999076340934246.post-32045490874874735372013-09-19T22:41:00.001-07:002013-09-19T22:41:21.370-07:00Walter's backSir Walter the Red is back to his old self! The happy healthy sound
<br>mule I had three months ago, before his fence wreck. He was impatient
<br>to leave this morning and stepped out in a beautiful ground-eating
<br>stride that he kept up for hours, head bobbing, ears flopping. He was
<br>playful and funny and arrived at this spread almost 17 miles later
<br>none the worse for wear. As soon as he was turned out he ran along the
<br>fence with the horses, tossing his head and bucking at them before
<br>dropping for a vigorous roll.
<br>
<br>I am astonished at what a difference the chiropractic adjustments
<br>made. I hoped it would help, but never dreamed I'd see such an instant
<br>transformation. Wow.
<br>
<br>Tonight host of Linda P. in Farwell, alone in just~sold house while
<br>Walter is penned outside. Enjoyed the solitude and books - read a
<br>whole book in one sitting which is why I am posting this at midnight.
<br>Late is okay...short day tomorrow.KChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03174637867192073780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153999076340934246.post-61803115172048812382013-09-18T22:27:00.001-07:002013-10-15T12:25:15.200-07:00Walter gets adjustedGood day but long. Animal chiro clinic this afternoon, Walter got
<br />
another adjustment, to femur, and walked straight. He's way more
<br />
flexible now too. Mindy made a believer out of me!
<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpo7jDNEykRljN_7p3Ht3WR4qS5WKiTKfpBg1sKD8gonAdvcKlqkAarPmhuN3Lmlwk1D3Zht2PXXUFXmidXq9ngssOp7axBzYe0orm9x_zfbpfGUPF5Y4Eos-sFU77TaOwsVH9E1V54A/s1600/SUNP0264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpo7jDNEykRljN_7p3Ht3WR4qS5WKiTKfpBg1sKD8gonAdvcKlqkAarPmhuN3Lmlwk1D3Zht2PXXUFXmidXq9ngssOp7axBzYe0orm9x_zfbpfGUPF5Y4Eos-sFU77TaOwsVH9E1V54A/s320/SUNP0264.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
<br />
Whole family drove me on tomorrow's route & then to Clovis to find us
<br />
a host, which they did. We are all set next two stops. Such a relief.
<br />
<br />
This has been a wonderful stay.KChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03174637867192073780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153999076340934246.post-26052595560025632252013-09-17T22:20:00.001-07:002013-10-15T12:33:27.689-07:00more rain!Had destination today: The BACK in Bovina, TX. The BACK is a clinic for animal skeletal adjustment run by Mindy Neal, AVCA Certified in animal chiropractic.<br />
<br />
Almost made it - 3 miles from town on hwy 86 - when
<br />
the downpour began. After a mile thunder & lightning broke from the
<br />
sky and we waited it out in a driveway using a little tree as a
<br />
pitiful attempt at a windbreak. Did we ever get soaked! A man drove up
<br />
in a pickup. He was the Mindy's father, farrier Tony Neal, looking
<br />
for us.
<br />
<br />
Tony left, we rode off into more rain, it began to clear and he came
<br />
back. He led us through town driving on the wrong side of the street.
<br />
We chatted through the driver's-side window,
Walter picking his way through the puddles.
<br />
<br />
At the BACK,
Mindy wasn't there but she had offered to put us up for the night
<br />
plus a rest day, and to see Walter for an adjustment the next day.
<br />
Tony got Walter settled, and then he and his wife Dottie invited me to
<br />
thier home next door to dry out my gear, soak in the Jacuzzi to warm
<br />
up, have a hot dinner while my packs and clothes were washed and dried,
<br />
and spend the night. Ohhhhh.... an offer I could not refuse!
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq-ScACYmDYnuaCpJX19xMSEmY7C-VREylJAGdEaw1oQRNeCDR9bQos3VgpO94xx1ZQzEhUwAYb1sqIOHqtm2cOZpPH22zi6n2lSm_KqQwFzL63IXWEYCX8yNUjs4ZLLnvexFc1f0LQg/s1600/SUNP0256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq-ScACYmDYnuaCpJX19xMSEmY7C-VREylJAGdEaw1oQRNeCDR9bQos3VgpO94xx1ZQzEhUwAYb1sqIOHqtm2cOZpPH22zi6n2lSm_KqQwFzL63IXWEYCX8yNUjs4ZLLnvexFc1f0LQg/s400/SUNP0256.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walter in the round pen.. "Hey! Where ya goin'?"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
At dinner, Mindy joined us
and after some father-daughter consultation on Walter's case decided
<br />
to work on him tonight in case he needed another treatment tomorrow.
<br />
<br />
We all traipsed next door. Dottie kept records, Mindy evaluated, and
<br />
father and daughter worked as a team, adjusting Walter front to back,
<br />
top to bottom. It was fascinating. Walter's reactions were fascinating
<br />
too, all over the map.
<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walter gets adjusted</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Tomorrow Mindy
sees Walter again. I'll try write more then, about the clinic and family
<br />
and braiding and dogs and...
<br />
<br />
and I'm falling asleep...
<br />
<br />
that's it for tonight!KChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03174637867192073780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153999076340934246.post-77372361944003871982013-09-16T19:08:00.001-07:002013-10-15T12:38:28.036-07:00rain!After leaving Monte and Sue B.'s place, Walter & I headed back up a
<br />
mile to the highway. There would be no alternative to 86 today. But
<br />
the shoulder was good riding, traffic was light and we had a lovely,
<br />
cool, overcast sky.
<br />
<br />
By midafternoon the clouds had gathered into a looming dark mass above
<br />
us. We found shelter at a farm with horses and pens just in time. The
<br />
farmer, Gary H., led us to the pens with covered run-ins. The rain
<br />
began as I unpacked Walter. By the time I fed him it was pouring
<br />
steadily, and continued in ebbs and flows for a couple of hours. Gary
<br />
said it was the first rain they'd had since July.
<br />
<br />
Later Gary brought melons from the farm garden. Ryan and April, the
<br />
farmhand and his fiance who live in the little house next door,
<br />
invited me over for supper. I contributed a melon.
<br />
<br />
Tonight I am looking out across Walter's pen at a classicly beautiful
<br />
Western sunset, deepening dusk. A lone star hangs in the sky at the
<br />
edge of the red and orange streaks. Crickets singing. Walter
<br />
munching. My tent in the pen here next to his. Cornfields all around
<br />
us. Sigh of contentment. It doesn't get much better than this.KChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03174637867192073780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153999076340934246.post-66547441051442394962013-09-15T21:13:00.001-07:002013-10-15T13:56:36.219-07:00bolting down the highwayCamped at farm off Hwy 62 not much signal short post.
<br />
<br />
Highlight of day was walking by goat herd, guard dogs spring up out of
<br />
nowhere scaring us both, Walter spins and bolts down the highway at a
<br />
dead run. Facing 75 mph traffic.
<br />
<br />
Found out I can ride his gallop! One-rein stop hopeless, all I could
<br />
do was "aim the bullet" which I did,
<br />
keeping him on the asphalt shoulder and guiding him onto the grass,
<br />
where he slowed after a bit and I got him turned and stopped.
<br />
<br />
And then rode him by the goats and dogs at a walk. Walter stopped to
<br />
pee. I told him I just about beat him to it 10 minutes ago...<br />
<br />
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KChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03174637867192073780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153999076340934246.post-38001197492053924252013-09-14T21:02:00.001-07:002013-10-15T13:51:08.486-07:00Mile after mile of lonely dirt roadMile after mile after mile of lonely dirt road, stretching out in a
<br />
straight line across the flat Texas plain from Nazareth to Dimmit.
<br />
Solitude. Wind. The steady clop clop of Walter's hooves, his head
<br />
bobbing to his swinging foxtrotter walk.
<br />
<br />
Everything has a pattern, a rhythm. The lines of crops, the wheat
<br />
bending in the wind, the shades of green and yellow and brown, the
<br />
flocks of migrating swallows perched on phone lines, flocks that rise and
<br />
swirl around us as we ride by.
<br />
<br />
We made it all the way to Dimmit, to a mile or so north of Dimmit
<br />
actually, where we are guests of Dimmit Veterinary Clinic and all of
<br />
our needs being wonderfully tended to by
<br />
the very generous and thoughtful Dr. Amber Reiman. In the morning, she
<br />
will take care of Walter's next 30-day Health Certificate (needed to
<br />
cross into New Mexico).
<br />
<br />
Walter appreciates the good footing of the dirt roads we've been on,
<br />
but he doesn't care for the landscape. His head hangs with boredom
<br />
after a while, and every so often he suddenly speeds up, even breaking
<br />
into a trot, ears at attention, looking this way and that at the
<br />
endless acres of flat land empty of livestock. Then he'll let
<br />
out a long, loud, mournful bray, slow to a walk and, I swear, sigh,
<br />
and go back to his steady clop-clop, ears flopping.
<br />
I think all this emptiness is just too foreign to my little Louisiana
<br />
mule, used to the bayous and piney woods. Wait 'til he sees eastern New
<br />
Mexico! But he might love the dense Sonoran Desert.KChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03174637867192073780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153999076340934246.post-51918217346818812292013-09-13T20:58:00.001-07:002013-10-15T13:58:36.750-07:00Rain and welcomeIt rained tonight!
<br />
<br />
Believe me, in this parched land even the shortest shower is welcome.
<br />
And lucky for me I was not pitching my tent in the rain as darkness
<br />
fell.
<br />
<br />
We had ridden 15 miles to a liquor store I'd been told about, to ask
<br />
the owner if we could camp in the rodeo arena out back. He wasn't
<br />
there. After an hour he still wasn't there. It was getting late. A
<br />
wonderful good Samaritan (and foster mom to 18 kids!) brought me a hot
<br />
dinner. As I talked with her and grazed Walter in the bar ditch by
<br />
the store,
a truck pulling a horse trailer stopped by us. A big-
<br />
smiling man rolled down the window, leaned across the seat and said in a rush:
<br />
<br />
"Hi, I'm Ty, Marcus called from the bank and said he heard you were
<br />
here. You need a place to stay tonight?"
<br />
<br />
And so the rural grapevine saved us once again. So here we are tonight
<br />
at the new (as of 3 weeks ago!) home of cowboy Ty, cowgirl-now
<br />
sales-rep wife Shaye, 4-yr-old son Colton, and any of assorted friends
<br />
or family who happen to drop in. Which it's clear they do on a regular
<br />
basis - it's that kind of warm home, full of welcome and laughter.
<br />
After a dinner entirely from the garden and family herd, I'm under
<br />
covers secure in the knowledge that Walter is in a big pen with lots
<br />
of hay.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shaye and Colton</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
KChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03174637867192073780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153999076340934246.post-85015110108924529922013-09-12T20:11:00.001-07:002013-10-15T13:40:31.005-07:00lazy dayDay off for Walter. He spent it pacing a little, but mostly eating and
<br />
sleeping when he wasn't visiting with the three geldings over the
<br />
fence.
<br />
<br />
I spent the day mostly indoors watching movies with Marilyn, who is retired from the post office - felt kinda
guilty about not being more productive but I think my arts-starved brain enjoyed
<br />
the diversion. Husband Butch showed me some dramatic pics he took with his
smartphone of the
process of recovering an old pump from a deep well.
It was very interesting to hear about how that's done.<br />
<br />
Tomorrow will be back camping. Should be nice cool riding, overcast predicted.KChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03174637867192073780noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1153999076340934246.post-45541060018641923972013-09-11T20:36:00.001-07:002013-10-15T13:36:17.590-07:00Tulia TXGood old-fashioned dirt roads all the way to Tulia. Once he got done
<br />
saying goodbye to last night's stablemates, Walter stepped out
<br />
smartly.
<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to go</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Perfect weather: overcast, breezy, a little sun now & then, never got
<br />
above 80. Such peaceful riding, my mind quieted and I became entranced
<br />
by the sound of hoofbeats, a lone bird singing, insects droning in
<br />
stereo, the wind...
<br />
our first music.
<br />
<br />
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Tonight, at home of Butch and Marilyn L., quarter horse breeders. They
<br />
have graciously offered to put us up an extra day if Walter needs it.
<br />
Will decide in the morning.KChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03174637867192073780noreply@blogger.com0