Notes: Jumped in with Cindy for a quick ride between stormy weather. Crossed the road from the parking area and rode up Hartman wash. Beautiful area. Turned around when it started getting cold and headed for Anita's for drinks and a late lunch.
 |
| Cindy and Jimmy |
Notes: Took Phil to see the sheep ruins. It was kind of blustery in the valley so we hauled up to Eagle Eye and put in. Had a slight issue with bottoming out Phil's trailer. Got stuck in the sand and had to unload the horses so he could get out. No harm, no foul; it's an old stock trailer for just this type of thing.
The weather was much nicer than in the valley. We cut across country to the ruins. Hauling made it a short ride but cutting through the rough terrain made up for it. The horses got to get in touch with their inner mountain goat and I didn't fall asleep from trail hypnosis. It's a thing. I'm sure of it.
 |
| Cindy - Dan - Teri - Cheri - Blair - Phil |
Notes: Philippi's came across a new fissure last year between the second tank and the point of Burrow Canyon. I've been wanting to know where it is before I accidently find it and end up upside down in the bottom of it.
Fissured are caused by extensive ground subsidence resulting from groundwater withdrawal ...mostly as a result of agriculture use of the desert. The irrigation systems basically suck the water out of the ground leaving voids for the earth to cave in to those voids.
It's pretty creepy when you see them up close. This particular fissure has already claimed one deer...and that's just what you can see. You sure wouldn't want to come up on the thing in the dark. I wouldn't want to get near it with my horse, either. The ground randomly gives way and breaks through who knows how far. I don't think I'll be letting Drifter run loose willy-nilly through the desert anymore! Creepy!
 |
| Deer carcass in small section of fissure |
Notes: Cindy and I shot in the morning. After practice, I took Drifter out in the desert to get some exercise. On the way back I ran into Dan and Teri heading out. I tied Drifter to Crandall's patience pole and got a few more miles in on Jack without having to pony!
 |
| Me - Pete - Lynn |
Notes: Pete and Lynn came over late morning and we shot and rode in my arena for a bit and then hit the trail. Later, Phil and I went on a short ride in the desert. That's one of the things I like about this area; you can jump on and ride straight out from my place without having to haul. You don't feel like you have to get 15 to 20 miles in to make it worth it. Little irks me more than hauling 50 miles to ride 5. I wasn't feeling all that great after my second COVID shot Friday morning. Actually thought I might die. If my neighbor and the pharmacist hadn't warned me it could be rough I would have gladly paid somebody to shoot me in the back of the head. Not sure I'm tough enough to chance the booster. Anyway - we cut it short so I could get some rest and be up by 4:00 AM for the first CSJ buckle series at Ben Avery.
 |
| Brought home the bacon at the 1st. CSJ buckle series! |
 |
| Phil - Pete - Lynn |
Notes: Pete and Lynn are down for a week. We rode behind their house on State Land and then in her arena. She has a new horse she hopes to make into a shooting horse. Great day and awesome to have them here. Hopefully they will be back later this winter for a longer stay!
 |
| Pete |
Notes: First trip with Drifter for awhile. He did pretty good considering. It helps that I've been leaving him turned out more so he can run around when he wants.
 |
| Old homestead out in the middle of Tombstone Desert |
Notes: One of the coolest thing about the Tombstone shoot is riding into Old Tombstone on your horse and tying up at the bull riding arena. The downside is riding in a big group. It seldom goes well. Horses acting crazy - folks piling up and stopping for no apparent reason. Jack isn't a particularly fast walker, but he's not slow. He was chomping at the bit - grinding his teeth and on the muscle for the first two miles. I'd had enough. Phil and I dove off the trail and rode back toward the monument. We explored an old homestead until we figured the group was far enough ahead we wouldn't catch them. We rode on in to Tombstone and tied up at the bull riding arena. Found a great little place to have lunch. We milled around until the majority of the group had headed back. I tried to go back a different direction to avoid town but ran into a fence line and had to go back. On the way through the rocks, Twister lost her shoe again. The couple that owns the arena offered to haul her and Phil back to the livery. I was happy to get to ride back since Jack was still feeling spunky and needed a few more miles. By the time it was all said and done, Jack and I got a little under 20 miles in. Sometimes it takes him a good 16 miles before he starts to act like a real horse and drop his head. Regardless - I wouldn't trade him for a dozen Arabs and a Gypsy Vanner. I love my big gnarly war horse.
Jack and I won 2nd on Saturday and finished 1st on Sunday! I could not have been more thrilled. We outran the gal that beat us on Saturday by picking up some speed and shooting clean. Great ending to a fun week in Old Tombstone!
 |
| Weekend winnings! |
 |
| Ed L. Schefflin monument (founder of Tombstone) |
Notes: In Tombstone for the Better Late Than Never Helldorado Shoot over thanksgiving week. My favorite shoot of the year. We "got permission" to ride over to the Tombstone Monument Guest Ranch (aka Margaritaville) from the livery for drinks. We played a few riveting rounds of "shut the box." Fun game. I think Cindy ordered one for home use!
Twister threw a shoe on the way in so Phil and I waited at the ranch while the rest rode back and brought a trailer to haul her home. Sweet - more time to order another prickly pear margarita! Dave reset the shoe the next morning.
 |
| Bar broke ponies |
 |
| Me - Teri - Cindy |
Notes: Coyote for dinner afterwards. The boys had already gone.
 |
| Almost back to our property |
Notes: A quick evening ride. I'm thinking Drifter is in the terrible two's even though he's just at 18 mos. He constantly picks at Jack. Biting him on the rump, hip or stifle. He acts like he's pissy because he can't walk as fast. Then he'll trot up - grab hold of Jack's reign and try to run under his neck. Jack is more patient than I am. I'd kick his head in. As it is - all I can do is bop him on the nose or snub him up close enough he can't dive under his neck. I guess if that's the worse he does, he's doing pretty good.
I rode by Crandall's place on our way back. Dave said Cindy was out riding and I'd missed her by 15 minutes. I tied Drifter to the rail so we could travel faster...and it does him good to leave him tied while we ride off. I met Cindy coming back from the south tank on Jimmy.
It's hard to believe it's winter in other parts of the country. Beautiful sunny days with cool evenings here so far.
 |
| Leaving Crandall's for home |
Notes: We rode in the arena in the morning. I shot a stage and then we headed out to the desert for a short ride. Phil is babysitting his daughters dogs: Ogy and Ike. The dogs enjoyed running around chasing rabbits and Hank enjoyed having buddies to play with for a little while.
 |
| Starry night - |
Notes: Drifter behaved himself for the most part today. I let him lead the way home. His idea of home differs from mine and Jack's however. Jack will take the most direct path back to the house or trailer...never fails. Drifter either isn't ready to go home or he has the worse sense of direction for any horse out there. He takes off running in the opposite direction until he's out of sight. Sometimes I catch glimpses of him hiding behind trees in a wash. He's independent enough now that he really doesn't care that we ride off and leave him. I caved in and took off after him. Jack chases him down eventually and he comes trotting back like it's all fun and games. We might have a problem if the day comes he can outrun Jack.
Notes: Decided to haul to the Harquahala Observatory Trail head and show Phil the area. There are actually two routes up to the Observatory - one via four wheel drive - the other a hiking/packing trail. The original pack trail was used by the scientist to deliver supplies to them via mule string. The trail is rocky - steep and very technical on horseback. We turned around before it got too harry as to not push Twister. She's doing awesome. This is not the trail to undo the progress she has made. We stopped in Wenden for lunch at Crystals Cafe'. A super cute - eclectic diner with very good food.
Notes: I ponied Nitro out and ponied Drifter home. He was a bit of a punk today. Maybe because there are other horses in our pens and he wanted to stay behind with them. I ponied him a ways and then let him loose. He's always stayed fairly close. Today he turned around and took off running 9-0. He finally stopped about a quarter mile but wouldn't come back. He stood there whinnying his head off. I finally went back and got him and drug his barn sour butt back out into the desert. He was kind of pissy and managed to get the rope under Jack's tail. Jack's used to a crupper but he wasn't too thrilled about it. I snubbed Nitro a little closer and proceeded on our way. He finally resigned to the fact that he wasn't talking us into going back any time soon.
 |
| The view of my property looking SE |
We ventured out farther today since Twister was not negatively effected by the last ride. She appears to quickly be back to her old self. Pretty spunky little mare. Phil hasn't ridded out here much so I took us south toward the power line and then west to what I call Burrow Canyon. It was a beautiful day. I still have a hard time believing I actually live here now.
 |
| Twister wasn't sure about Drifter at first - he's growing on her. |
Notes: Cousin Phil hauled over to my place for a short ride. His mare, Twister, has been lame for the last year or so. He tried a different shoer who put on special shoes that brought her front end up a bit. So far it appears to be working as she moved right out.
I opted to leave Drifter at home so it didn't cause problems with Phil's horse. It's nice not to have to pony all the time, too.
Notes: I've been here three days and I couldn't stand it any longer. I'm at a hurry up and wait point on fixing up my property so took the opportunity to saddle up. I can't remember the last time I rode! Jack and Drifter were feeling their oats for sure. They seem to like it here as much as I do. Jack was in a hurry to get somewhere. I let Drifter go so I didn't have to pull on his head the whole way. Of course he managed to get into a little cholla. A blob on his face and a few on his ankle. They don't bother him much but I got them out right away. He has a tendency to rub his face up against Jack's butt or my leg when we are riding. It's likely neither scenario would end well. We didn't ride far as the sun goes down pretty fast this time of year and the snakes are still out.
 |
| Sam |
 |
| Clear Creek Falls |
Notes: Jones and Dusty had to leave the day before. Sad to see them go for sure. :(
We went to the Rodeo again and I had yet another GIANT to die for elephant ear. It's a good thing the fair only comes around once a year or I'd have an elephant ass to go with that ear.
 |
| Jones and Diesel |
Notes: It was sure nice seeing my Idaho friends for the weekend! Jones, Dusty, Lee and Christine came up to ride, camp and go to the 100th anniversary of the Baker County Fair and Rodeo. Actually, I'm not sure they call it the "Baker County" anything anymore. I remember there was always a dispute about the naming. Small town politics...gotta love 'em.
There were too many of us to haul anywhere and nobody wanted to move their LQ's so we rode out from my property. I took them up toward Cornucopia and veered off at the road to Tunnel Creek. That evening, we all went to the rodeo; the highlight for me being the giant elephant ear fried bread. I foundered.
