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.
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| 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.
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| 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!
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| 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!
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| 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.
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| Brought home the bacon at the 1st. CSJ buckle series! |
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| 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!
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| 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.
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| 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!
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| Weekend winnings! |
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| 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.
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| Bar broke ponies |
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| Me - Teri - Cindy |
Notes: Coyote for dinner afterwards. The boys had already gone.
