Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Trail Log: 12-29-2025



  • Trail: Aguila - N. Eagle Eye - East
  • Miles: 6.54
  • Riders: Self - Celia
  • Horses: Jack - Dirt
  • Dogs: Groot

Notes: Well, that didn't go as planned. Apparently, I got distracted worrying about running over my puppy while hooking up the horse trailer and forgot to lock the hitch. I threw Jack in the trailer and picked Celia and Dirt up for a ride out N. Eagle eye. Once the pavement and decent gravel ends, the road turns into more of an off-road, rutty mess littered with whoopty-does. One whoopty was a bit too much for an unlatched trailer and it jumped off the ball, dug a trench dang near six inches deep before bending the jack horizontal and breaking one of the safety chains. We had to jack it up as far as we could to get Dirt out first. Then came Jack. Without the balanced weight of Dirt and Jack - the trailer rocked back like a teeter-totter as Jack backed out. Once he stepped out, it slammed back down with a crash. Jack handled that WAY better than I expected and just went to eating. We tied the horsed up and went about finding anything we could to brace it until we could jack it up high enough to get it back on the ball. Once that was accomplished - we continued on our ride. We rode east to the base of the saddle that would take you into Robson's Mining World. 

Back at home, Dan helped me straighten the jack the best we could. The jack itself was not damaged so I ground it off, straightened the bracket and welded it back on. I am not the neatest welder on the planet - but that thing isn't coming off again. There better not be an "again." It was a good lesson. I got complacent and didn't walk around my truck/trailer several times before heading down the road. I will not do that again. 

As I type this - I realize this will be my last log for 2025. Time goes way too damn fast. Spend it doing what you love with people that don't make you crazy...er. 


Oh shit...


Thursday, December 25, 2025

Trail Log: 12-23-2025

My friend Celia and Dirt


  •  Trail: South Eagle Eye
  • Miles: 6.40
  • Riders: Self - Celia
  • Horses: Jack - Dirt
  • Dogs: No dogs
Jack checking out old mining stuff


Notes: It is still above average temps down south here but today was a little cooler than it has been. We hauled to the second windmill and rode up the wash and looped back to the trailer. We checked out some old mining ruins and wondered how they actually mine this area. No running water to speak of...although we did come across an open well casing. I dropped a rock down it and hit water maybe 40-50 feet down. As scarce as water is around these parts - I always wonder why they don't keep those wells active. 

Powder House - I think



Wednesday, December 17, 2025

Trail Log: 12-15-2025

made it just as the sun set


  • Trail: Aguila - Back Gate south to Eagle Eye Road - Pete Rd
  • Miles: 9.57
  • Riders: Self - Celia - Robyn
  • Horses: Jack - Dirt - Big Drifter

Notes: Celia text she was riding toward my place for a "quick" ride in the afternoon. Robyn and I saddled up and met her in the middle. We rode out my back gate and looped behind Lutchs' place in search of the cattle guard gate on Eagle Eye rd. Very cool area back in there. We found a "dump" spot full of rusted cans and glass. I collected two glass flasks which Celia stuffed in her pommel bags for me. I had my endurance saddle with no bags since this was intended to be a "quick" ride. We found the gate at the cattle guard that took us on to paved Eagle Eye Rd for a couple of miles. All the horses did great with the loud semi-trucks and trailers whizzing by. It was unusually heavy with traffic for this area; perhaps the semi's and dump trailers were getting off work from a road project. Robyn and I cut off on Naked Pete Rd toward my place and Celia continued on to her place a half mile farther. We rode into my driveway just at dark. Great ride...

    

desert treasure! 


Friday, December 12, 2025

Trail Log: 12-9-2025

Eagle Eye



  • Trail: Aguila - State Land - Back Gate
  • Miles: 3.69
  • Riders: Self - Dan - Robyn
  • Horses: Jack - Bulls - Big Drifter
  • Dogs: Groot - Boo

Notes: Quick ride in the desert out my back gate 

Trail Log: 12-8-2025

Celia and Dirt


  • Trail: N. Eagle Eye
  • Miles: 7.20
  • Riders: Self - Celia
  • Horses: Drifter - Dirt
  • Dogs: Groot

Notes: Rode west to a big tank and looped around.  

Full tank


Trail Log: 12-6-2025



  • Trail: Aguila - State Land - Back Gate
  • Miles: 4.26
  • Riders: Solo
  • Horses: Jack
  • Dogs: Groot - Boo

Notes: Threw on the endurance saddle and took Jack for a quick jaunt out the back gate. 






 

Wednesday, December 3, 2025

Trail Log: 12-1-2025



Celia and Dirt

  • Trail: S. Eagle Eye - East Tiger Wash
  • Miles: 8.25
  • Riders: Self - Celia
  • Horses: Jack - Dirt
  • Dogs: Groot

Notes: We parked at the Harquahala Observatory TH and started to head South. It is super rocky and I didn't have Jack's rear boots so we headed more east up the wash. Came upon a full tank. pretty cool area. We let the horses run in the wash. I wish Drifter had half of Jack's speed. He loves to run