Wednesday, July 2, 2025

Trail Log: 7-2-2025

The ground sucks...but the view is awesome. 

  • Trail: Halfway - The Loop HNR
  • Miles: 3.7
  •  Riders: Self
  • Horses: Drifter
  • Dogs: Groot

Notes: Well, not sure you can call this an official Hike n Ride - I did hike...without a horse....and I did ride...once I got back. I set up my arena for a balloon killing practice. It's pretty rocky so I put Drifters front boots on and he did great. I didn't let him run as fast as he wanted to. I worry about him getting stone bruised. He did fine with the boots on. We shot 30 out of 30. 

At the writing of the blog entry - I discover I have officially filled up my log book I've been keeping since 2016. I think I started logging my trail miles before that and have another filled log book floating around somewhere. This will be the first entry in my new log book. 

Out with the old...in with the new


Trail Log: 6-30-2025

Guard Llama on duty

  • Trail: Halfway - The Loop
  • Miles: 3.77
  • Riders: Self
  • Horses: Jack
  • Dogs: Groot

Notes: Hike and ride around the loop. I walk up Steel Hill and around since it is the steepest. I must be getting back in some semblance of shape as it doesn't feel long enough anymore. The Guard Llama was a little scary for Jack still but we got closer to it. The goat horde came out to greet us. Jack loves goats so was happy about that. 

Three Amigos...aka, The Horde


Trail Log: 6-24-2025



  • Trail: Halfway - Cornucopia Highway - Dixie Creek
  • Miles: 4
  • Riders: Self
  • Horses: Jack
  • Dogs: Groot

Notes: Parked at the wide spot and hiked/road up toward Dixie Creek. When I got back - I found the Garbage guys had left me a sweet new official garbage can. It's the weird little things that make my day. \



Trail Log: 6-23-2025



  • Trail: Halfway - Clear Creek - Snow Park
  • Miles: 2.78
  • Riders: Self
  • Horses: Jack and Drifter
  • Dogs: Groot

Notes: More of a hike than ride - I did saddle Drifter but ended up hiking in and out for no particular reason. I did try to tie a can of 50:1 fuel mix on him that I found on the road. That didn't go well. He did not appreciate the sloshing around and weird popping noise it made. I left my panniers at home or I would be packing him and getting him more use to it.   




Friday, June 20, 2025

Trail Log: 6-20-2025

 
The snow is coming off the mountain pretty quickly now


  • Trail: The Loop
  • Miles: 3.75
  • Riders: Self
  • Horses: Jack
  • Dogs: Groot

Notes: Hike N ride around the loop. Ran into the baby goat horde again but this time they just came out by the road to meet us but did not chase us. Stopped in at Jimmy Reeds place to say hi and get the run-down on his shop progress. Told him next time to have cookies ready...he said he'd get right on that...

Baby goat horde



Trail Log: 6-19-2025



  • Trail: Cornucopia Highway - Dixie Creek area (HNR)
  • Miles: 4
  • Riders: Self
  • Horses: Drifter
  • Dogs: Groot

Notes: Hauled Drifter to the wide turnout for an early morning hike and Ride. We rode cross country up an old logging road until it turned into a trail and eventually disappeared. On the way back - Groot took after a doe and her little fawn. I chased him down with Drifter and put the fear of all things un-holly in him. I doubt he will do that again. Doe and Fawn escaped unscathed. Groot, on the other hand, got a taste of what it's like to be chased down by an animal that has no qualms about stomping you into the ground. 




Thursday, June 19, 2025

Trail Log: 6-18-2025

Buds


  • Trail: Halfway - Cornucopia Hwy - Dixie Creek
  • Miles: 6.24
  • Riders: Self
  • Horses: Jack - Drifter (tow)
  • Dogs: Groot

Notes: I'm bored with road riding. Since my trailer is back in commission, I hauled up to the wide spot and hike/rode toward Dixie Creek. I normally avoid ponying but decided to take both horses. It wasn't that bad...Drifter was much less of a goof-ball than normal, so that was a win. 


The hiking part of HNR


Trail Log: 6-17-2025

The Clan

 

  • Trail: 1/2 Way - Loop
  • Miles: 3.55
  • Riders: Self
  • Horses: Drifter
  • Dogs: Groot    

Notes: Drifter's turn for the hike N ride. It is always an adventure riding down the road. I am still amazed and very happy that Drifter handles it all so well. He has a lot of confidence, which I think helps him. There were guys moving water line in the bushes - the usual four-wheeler - sheep - llamas...you name it. He checks it out and moves on. THEN we are rounding the last corner toward Grannies and I hear bleating behind us. Three baby goats run out in the road and commence to chase us. I had no idea how Drifter would react to them and I didn't want them to follow so I tried to trot on up ahead. They over-took us and surround us...chasing Groot around Drifter. Drif bowed his neck at them and snorted a little but was more curious than anything. He is a keeper. I shooed them back to where they came from and we continued on. I wanted to keep them. 


Baby goat horde


Trail Log: 6-16-2025

 


  • Trail: Halfway - The Loop
  • Miles: 4.20
  • Riders: Self
  • Horses: Jack
  • Dogs: Groot

Notes: Back in the hiking/walking mode come hell or high water. Figured if I'm going to do it, I might as well drag a horse along so we can all get some exercise; I call it...hike and ride (HNR) I try to be in the saddle by 7:00AM to try and beat the traffic. People get up fairly early in these parts and I still run into a bit of it. Mostly irrigators. I walk the first couple of miles and ride what's left. There's a lot for a horse to spook at - but it is a pretty loop for a road ride. 

Guard llama on duty


Sunday, June 15, 2025

Trail Log: 6-10-2025

Dillon and Jack

 

  • Trail: Clear Creek - Halfway Ore
  • Miles: 5
  • Riders: Self - Dillon
  • Horses: Drifter - Jack
  • Dogs: Groot

Notes: Dillon came up for a few days and wanted to try riding. My bumper pull is back in commission so we hauled to the Snow Park. I think he really enjoyed it. He was nervous until he got in the saddle. He didn't have the best experiences getting on a horse when he was a kid. Seems like he was always put on some half-rank shitter that tried to kill him. Jack took good care of him. 



Trail Log: 6-14-2025


 

  • Trail: The Loop and The Cabin
  • Miles: 8.65
  • Riders: Self
  • Horses: Jack and Drifter
  • Dogs: Groot

Notes: Killing three birds with one stone. I decided if I'm going to walk in the mornings - I might as well drag a horse along so we both get some exercise. I saddled Jack in the morning and headed around the loop. I walked the first 1.5 miles and rode the rest. 


In the evening - I saddled Drifter and walked/rode to The Cabin and back. I am really not a fan of riding on the road but if I'm going to be walking anyway, I might as well take a horse along. It is irrigation season and every farmer John/Jane is whizzing up and down the roads on side-by-sides and quads with shovels and flapping tarps. Drifter did really well. He got a little sketched out once when a side-by-side was coming at him and a quad behind him at the same time. His go-to action is to basically flatten out and freeze. I'll take that over buck and bolt.  

Majella and Drifter at The Cabin


Friday, June 6, 2025

Trail log: 5-26-2025 to 6-4-2025

 Without a run-around trailer, I'm stuck to road riding a few miles here and there on whatever horse is closest to catch. 

Jon on Bella overlooking Emmett

  • Date: 6-4-2025
  • Trail: Emmett Idaho - Canal above shooting range
  • Miles: 7.82
  • Riders: Self - Jon Stormo
  • Horses: Jack - Bella
  • Dogs: No dogs

Notes: I took a quick haul to Emmett for Wednesday practice. Jon was there on his way to Prineville. We took a ride on the canal, crossed the second bridge behind the shooting range and rode up the canyon to the highest peak so Jon could take a picture. I didn't take my phone so posting the pic he took. 


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Pivot line off Boulder Flat


  • Date:5-30-2025
  • Trail: Halfway Ore - Boulder Flat Rd.
  • Miles: 3.5
  • Riders: Self
  • Horses: Jack
  • Dogs: Groot
  • Notes: Went right at the T instead of left around the loop and rode up Boulder Flat Rd. More traffic going this way but it is what it is. 
Wild yellow roses are kind of a "thing" in these parts

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Drifter at The Cabin - 5yrs old


  • Date: 5-29-2025
  • Trail: Halfway - Loop to The Cabin
  • Miles 4.88
  • Riders: Self
  • Horses: Drifter
  • Dogs: Groot

Notes: Drifter did really well for going down the road on his own. He is actually less spooky than Jack for the most part. He took everything in stride. We tied up at moms and waited for her to follow us up to The Cabin on the four wheeler. She felt sorry for Groot and let him ride with her. She was pretty sure it was too hot and too far for him. Never mind it was a third the distance and 30° cooler than our normal treks...he enjoyed the ride regardless. We rode to The Cabin and I headed back while mom visited with my sister. I'm not much of a visitor. 



Back side of "The Loop"

  • Date: 5-26-2025
  • Trail: Halfway
  • Miles: 3
  • Riders: Self
  • Horses: Jack
  • Dogs: Groot

Notes: Rode around the loop. I'm not a fan of road riding - but I will say it is a test of how bomb proof your horse is. Everything from piles of white irrigation pipe to llamas threaten to eat your horse and get you dumped on the hard gravel road. It is a pretty ride though...





Almost back to Granny's




Saturday, May 10, 2025

Meeting Jesus in the City of Sin


 

JESUS: Do you know him? Well, if I didn't know Him before; I sure as shit got to know him up close and personal on my trip north this summer. Driving blind for twenty minutes through the dead center of Vegas will do that to you. It didn't matter that I was pulling a fully loaded LQ trailer. The other traffic around me, whether compact car or semi-truck, was in the same white-knuckle predicament. 


The most dreaded part of the trip to and from Arizona for me is always Vegas. Unless you hit it at 3:00AM on a Sunday...you can expect bumper to bumper traffic and death-defying lane changes; your brain frantically calculating the proper speed, trajectory and willingness of others to let you merge into the correct lane BEFORE you miss your one and only chance at the correct exit. I miss calculated once. I don't remember much after the initial sickening that overcame me; at once realizing I was being herded by a mob of faceless drivers toward an unknown and undesired exit not of my choosing. My only awareness of making it out of that particular episode of the Twilight Zone: The Sin City Version: I'm still here to blog about it.


I've pulled through Vegas enough times now that I'm fairly confident I won't miss an exit. You learn to take your time...go with the flow and become one with the blinker. This trip, so far...had been innocuous enough. Cloudy sky's and a few scattered showers made for a pleasant if not mundane traveling experience. Mundane is good. I don't think the opposite of mundane is OH SHIT..but it should be.


Traffic began to slow in spurts a few miles outside of Vegas. Electronic signs cautioned drivers: Wet road conditions: Use caution. Seemed a bit of an alarmist approach to a light sprinkle of rain here and there. One hardly had to adjust the wipers beyond slow/intermittent for them to keep up. Until they couldn't.


The moment between moderate rain and deafening, hit your windshield hard enough you think it's gong to break, total monsoon induced blindness type rain, was imperceptible. The traffic as a whole slowed to under 10 MPH. One moment I could make out flashing hazards lights on the car in front of me...the next, I couldn't see past the white-knuckled death grip on my own steering wheel. Were they still in front of me? Did they run off the road? Am I running off the road? I switched on my hazards just in case they would help at all. Wipers at full speed were irrelevant.


I could barely make out the distorted shape of a vehicle to my left. I could see nothing in front of or to my passenger side and of course, had no idea what was happening behind me. It wasn't blackness...it was more of a murky beige...like you were driving under water. I was in a center lane – so I could not pull over to the side even if I could see the side! The two things that kept me from drifting into the vehicles to each side of me was the white lane bumps and Jesus.


I was not afraid we were going to die. We were all going slow enough that if we crashed into one another – we'd likely survive without significant injury to human or horse. The damage to vehicles is what you carry insurance for. Weird, unexpected things run through your mind in these situations. I thought about mounted shooting and what Kenda L tells you to do when running patterns that can feel chaotic: “Slow your mind down.” I didn't really get that until this point. There was nothing to do BUT slow your mind down...stay in your lane...feel for the bumps and slowly react accordingly. I probably should have thought about breathing but that came after the fact.


Once my mind had slowed – I looked over at the empty passenger seat: I am alone. Regardless of what happens next – I felt totally and completely alone; singularly responsible for the dog in the back seat and the two horses behind me that don't know any better than to trust me unequivocally. That scared me more than death or dismemberment as a result of a massive freeway pile-up.


I needed more than prayer – I needed to feel the physical presence of someone I, too, can trust unequivocally. I don't know how you all picture Jesus in your mind, or if you even do. I am in the middle of binge watching The Chosen on Angel Studios. The Jesus that came to sit down beside me in my passenger seat looked suspiciously like Jonathan Roumie. James Caviezel being a close second. “Jesus –I don't know how you feel about Carrie Underwood – but now would be a really good time to take the wheel.”


I literally visualized Jonatha...Jesus's hand reaching across the seat to take hold of the bottom portion of the steering wheel. Both my hands were forever in that white-knuckle grasp around the top portion. We stared straight ahead – you can only control what is in your lane – block out what is happening in the other lanes – we would feel the tires hit the lane bumps and slowly make a correction back to the center of our lane. I don't know for how long or how far this went on. I remember now passing under three over-passes and possible exits – so I would guesstimate around 5 miles. A glimpse of what was happening would come into view when you drove under an over-pass, causing a reprieve in the sheet of water-blindness. Vehicles were crammed along the edges under the bridges – some at an angle – others facing the wrong way. I guess I can't blame them for taking the opportunity to pull over when they could. As for me and Jesus, parking under a bridge in a flash flood didn't seem like a wise move. The tires in front of me left a wake in the 4 inches of water running across the pavement under the bridge. I appreciate that Jesus took into consideration that only one of us could walk on water. The reprieve was brief as we emerged from under an over-pass once again into murky blindness.


It stopped as suddenly as it had begun. I could now see flashing hazard lights ahead of me. I could make out the face of a person in the passenger seat to my left: Surely the fear and relief in her eyes reflected my own.


I needed to get my bearings. I didn't know if I'd missed my exit or really where the hell we were at all. I found a wide spot on high ground and pulled over to catch my breath. I breathed a sigh of relief as my GPS reported the exit was two miles ahead.


Pulling back onto the freeway took some creative self-convincing. I was safe here – safe from driving blind and the worry of my horses being rear-ended. I was reminded of a similar time years ago on a pack trip in the Frank Church. A group of us got caught in a micro-burst while riding through a burn. Dead trees falling all around us – horses freaking out. Total chaos. By the time we reached higher ground out of the tree-line...we had one girl on the ground with a dislocated hip and my favorite hat lay under a tree. To get back to camp required us to ride back into the burn. Even though the wind had stopped...it took some doing to make yourself ride back into that mess. To this day, I will take a days ride around to avoid riding through a burn.


This felt similar...what if the monsoon hits again? There was little warning the first time. What if...what if. I couldn't sit here forever and neither Jonathan nor Jesus was going to force me to move. I only had two miles to the exit that would get me off the freeway and into lighter traffic. Time to shit or get off the pot. I threw on my blinker and glanced over at Jesus: Let's do this....


The big billboard loomed off to the right a quarter mile after pulling back onto the freeway. It read: JESUS – Do you know him? I again glanced to my right and smiled. My Jonathan Roumie interpretation of Jesus's likeness winked and smiled back.




Thursday, May 1, 2025

Trail Log: 5-1-2025

Drifter being a punk

 

  • Trail: Aguila-hood State Land- Arena
  • Miles:5 
  • Riders: Self
  • Horses: Jack - Drifter
  • Dogs: Groot

Blooming Sam

 

Rode in the arena for a little and then took Jack out into the desert to say "see ya in the fall" to Sam. It's about time to head north. Not looking forward to it. If we didn't have a shoot I should help with, I wouldn't go. It's not that hot yet and everything is just starting to bloom. I always dread going north...not sure why I go; self imposed obligations I suppose. It will be nice to get up into the mountains though. 

I get a little bored up North. There is a lot more for me to do in AZ: easy access to miles and miles of riding/jeep'in...awesome dirt in my arena...cool places to explore, etc, etc.  Plus...it's quiet. Golden Silence. No squawking - gossiping...senseless yapping...no negativity. Simple, blissful silence. 

Drifter thought we'd left him for good


Trail Log: 4-27-2025

 


  • Trail: Aguila - My Arena -  The hood
  • Miles: 4
  • Riders: Self
  • Horses: Jack - Drifter
  • Dogs: Groot

Notes: Fed early and caught the ponies for a early morning ride. I played in my arena for a bit and then rode Drifter and ponied Jack around the hood.


 

 

Trail Log: 4-24-2025



 
Didn't take many pictures around the hood - so here's a picture of Alamo Lake


  • Trail: Aguila-hood
  • Miles: 4.97
  • Riders: Self - Celia
  • Horses: Jack - Dirt
  • Dogs: no dog

Notes: Another short jaunt around the hood. With the heat and potential for snakes this time of year...you want to ride early in the morning to beat the heat and out in the open so you can see the snakes. Although, we haven't seen a rattler YET this spring. You do watch for them...

We rode around the hood and then back to my place for crepes. I then hauled Celia and Dirt home...tossed a bunch of old pallets and junk she'd gathered and make a dump run. 

 

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Trail Log: 4-22-2025

 

Argentine Cactus in bloom at Celia's place

  • Trail: Aguila-hood
  • Miles: 6.0
  • Riders: Self - Celia
  • Horses: Drifter - Raven
  • Dogs: Groot

Notes - Left early in the AM to beat the heat. Met Celia at the halfway point between Williams and Pete Rd. Drifter did well for being his first time riding down the road alone. He was watchy - but more curious at all the new sites than spooky. We rode down some back-roads...well, pretty much all the roads around here are "back roads" but this one was more back-roadsie than others. A pack of 6 or 8 dogs came flogging toward us as we passed one house. Groot dropped to the ground flat on his belly and showed no aggression at all. He probably outweighed the entire pack's combined weight but he did the right thing. They barked and flitted around until we got past the house...then another half dozen or more dogs kenneled  in the back  of the house chimed in. Some serious animal hoarding going on. It could have been a rescue but I've found a thin line between some rescues and hoarding. Anyway...we managed to get by them with little incident. We opted to find another way back to my place. I whipped up a batch of crepes for breakfast and hauled Celia and Raven home in my trailer.

Dan calls my place "The Cafe Next Door" when he and Robyn are here for the winters. I found this old headboard(?) in the desert last year. I drug it home and made it into a sign. Not 100% done - but you get the idea. 

 

The Cafe Next Door

 

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Trail Log: 4-21-2025

(f-b) - Celia - Taylor - Cole

 

  • Trail: Hasayampa - Box Canyon
  • Miles: 7.57 
  • Riders: Self - Celia - Cole - Taylor
  • Horses: Jack - Dirt - Shasta - Shanta
  •  Dogs: No dogs

Notes: Cole, Celia's son, planned to meet us at the Box Canyon trailhead off Rincon Rd about 4:30. He was running late, so Celia and I rode on up the Hasayampa to the Box Canyon. Cole and his sister-in-law, Taylor, would catch up. 

What a mess. The entire section of river from the parking lot to above Box Canyon is a stinking mess. This is a common occurrence as this is a popular spot for ATV's.  Evidently, groups of folks camped on the river over Easter weekend. Literally SHIT everywhere. From actual human feces, clothing, bags of household  garbage, toys and plastic Easter Eggs. A large blanket has been draped between two  boulders on the side of the river to act as a screen for a bathroom. The dumb bastards couldn't even use that properly and literally scattered shit and TP all over the outside. 

What is wrong with these people? I have no concept of what goes through the minds of people who behave in such a way. ZERO respect for ANYTHING! Their own properties must be disgusting. They obviously had children with them - (naked and barefoot from the looks of all the clothing scattered about) - they are teaching these kids to do the exact same thing. 

I don't know what the solution is; put up cameras and prosecute them once identified? I know what will happen - eventually, the area will be shut down for everyone. There are groups that go up and clean the area occasionally - but will it be enough? How do you even begin? There were these black bags full of crap just laying in the river. I don't know why they bothered. If your going to go to the trouble of pooping in a bag, you might as well dig cat holes. Perhaps they figure once the monsoons come - it will wash it all away like magic into the land of the poop-fairy and be turned into sparkling pixie dust. Fucking idiots. 

On up the river into the narrows, a man was cooling his feet off, (or possibly getting ready to take a dip until we interrupted), in one of the deeper pools of water. I thought, dude...I hope your up to date on your immunizations! I wasn't terribly comfortable with my horse wading through it. 

It was hard to enjoy such a beautiful area when everywhere you looked...trash. Some of it buzzing with insects and stinking to high heaven. There was a dead cow in the area that didn't smell as bad as some of it. It would be a perfect place to sit on a log and rest for a spell. Nope...not sitting on that log...not with the feces covered butt wipe clinging to it.  

Ugh...I'm done ranting about it. I'll look into finding a group that's interested in cleaning it up or just go up and do it myself. Not sure how to pack it out though....no way I'm putting it in any of my pack bags...I'd have to throw them out! Good hell...I'm really done  ranting now. 


 

Celia and I rode up into the narrows for a bit after leaving the box canyon. On the way back, we met up with Cole and Taylor and rode with them back into the narrows for a spell. This section was a little less trashed as it's slightly harder for folks to access. 

We got back to the trailers just as the sun began to set - 



Thursday, April 17, 2025

Trail Log: 4-17-2025


 

  • Trail: N. Eagle eye to Robson Mining World
  • Miles: 10.19
  • Riders: Self - Celia
  • Horses: Drifter - Dirt
  • Dogs: Groot

Notes: Well, that was a fun day I almost passed up. We had made tentative plans to ride but it was windy when I got up to feed this morning. I can easily be talked out of riding when it comes to the wind. I text Celia if she wanted to go..."it's pretty windy" I said. She pointed out that if we didn't go, we'd just sit around and be lazy. Shit...OK. If Celia's not wimping out...neither am I! I threw Drifter into Run-around-Sue and picked Celia and Dirt up at her place. We rode out to where I'd earlier seen a side panel of a car hung in an old cactus and used as a target. I'm happy to report, somebody took it down. 


 

The area is not far from the trail leading in to Robson's Mining World. Celia has never been there so off we went to remedy that. It's one of the first rides I took Drifter when I started riding him. I was happy to see it was still open and even more happy to see Michelle, the caretaker, still at it. We tied up outside the town and walked in to find Michelle hard at work. She keeps that place immaculate.  She gave us a deeply discounted tour through the buildings since Celia hadn't seen them. It's one of the coolest places and a real treat to get to visit. 

 

Ice cream parlor

After the tour, we climbed back on our ponies and headed across the desert to my trailer. We were starved, so drove straight to the Coyote for lunch. I started to remove my leg holster and noticed my pistol was missing! Shit. I had a pretty good idea where it fell. We were loping along and I thought I felt/heard something. I had already dropped my hat twice and one glove...so I sort of patted my self down: Hat...check, gloves...check...sunglasses...still on my face. Figuring it was my imagination...we loped on. Meanwhile...back at the Coyote and halfway into our drink order, I get a sick feeling: somebody is going to find it and commit a heinous crime I'll be accused of. I'll be sentenced to live out my golden years in an 8x8 cell with a broad shouldered gal named Helga with really hairy legs. I wasn't that hungry...the Coyote can wait. We jumped back in the rig and backtracked to where we hauled. It was a simple matter of following Drifter's tracks to where the pistol lay...right where I felt it escape it's holster. *phew* - Dodged that bullet...sorry Helga...no doubt your a nice gal and everything...but I prefer my hairy legged companions with four hooves.  

At least I didn't lose my horse



 


Trail Log: 4-15-2025

Jack at 16 yrs and 364 days before his 17th birthday. He has not slowed down

 

  • Trail: Aguila - The Hood (neighborhood)
  • Miles: 8.0
  • Riders: Self - Celia
  • Horses: Jack - Raven
  • Dogs: Groot

Notes: I rode Jack today so he can have tomorrow off for his birthday. Celia and I left our respective properties and met in the middle about halfway between Williams and Pete Rd. We rode the back-roads between my place and hers. I've never really wandered out that direction. There is more out there in the way of developed and semi-developed properties than I realized. Most of the snowbirds have gone home so it was pretty quiet. We ended up riding to Celia's - tying up and moving a shop table she  bought at an estate sale over to her place. Celia rode part way back with me to familiar ground so I didn't get lost. 

Kaw Liga on a road trip after being left standing at the cigar store by his fickle Indian maiden.