Trail Log: 9-27-2026

Drifter chilling between runs

• Trail: State Land - Aguila
• Miles: 3.87
• Riders: Self - Nina
• Horses: Drifter - Barbosa 
• Dogs: Groot - Harley - Pilot

Notes: Pre shooting-practice ride. After Nina got dumped at last practice - we decided we better warm up a little better before going straight to shooting. We rode out with the intent of riding to Burro Canyon. That intent went by the wayside after the second rattler sighting. This after killing a Mojave last night. I was puttering around in the evening and spotted one slithering out of the horse pen and under my truck. It was  chill for a Mojave. They are normally very aggressive. This one was fat, slow and didn't buzz me or the dogs. I almost felt bad dispatching it. Apparently not bad enough. I shot it 8 times and then cut it's head off AND cremated it in the burn barrel. The recent rain drives them out from what I hear. I also hear they are having their creepy little babies this time of year. I'm pretty sure if I saw a rattle snake giving birth I would die on the spot. That's why I spent 8 rounds of bird shot on the one last night. I wasn't taking any chances of it spitting out a squirming mass of hissing evil. *shudder*

Practice was great. Drifter and I shaved off a second between two runs and was within 3/100's of a second between a dry run (no shooting) and a live run. 

Trail Log: 9-16_26-2026

• Trail: The Hood - State Land - Aguila
• Miles: 7.25
• Riders: Self - Nina
• Horses: Jack - Drifter - Seattle
• Dogs: Groot - Harley - Pilot

Notes: A bunch a short little rides I am combining into one trail log. Just riding around the hood or out my back gate. Diesel prices are going to have to come down before I go anywhere that requires hauling. 

I redid my flag pole by cutting a metal barrel in half and placing it around the base of the pole  and filled it with sand. Hung a new flag and placed a solar light at the top. So far it's working pretty good. 

I don't usually ride on the road but I could hear Mike on the grader so rode out to check it out. The county claims these are private roads out here so we have to maintain them ourselves. Until it's time to pay taxes and permit fees - then suddenly they are no longer private, but county roads. Mari-Crappy county at it's finest. 

Mike L is on the grader fixing out road. 

Trail Log: 9-7-2026

 

• Trail: Burro Canyon
• Date:  9-7-2026
• Miles: 6.98
• Riders: Self
• Horses: Jack
• Dogs: Groot, Harley

THE DESERT DRUID COUNCIL

 

I rode out the back gate this morning with Jack, headed for a place I've called Burro Canyon for years. I named it Burro Canyon the first time I rode into it. There were burro tracks everywhere. Enough of them that the name seemed obvious.

 Later, I was told the burros had died off because there was no water.

Apparently, the burros didn't get the memo.

On the way into the canyon today, Jack and I found burro tracks. And fresh burro poop. So...the burros are back.

We spent some time milling around Burro Canyon, enjoying the morning, then turned for home. That's when I saw it.

The Druid Ring

I've ridden this country dozens of times. I've passed through here, around here, and probably within spitting distance of this exact spot. Yet somehow, I had never noticed it.

It wasn't a fire ring. The rocks weren't gathered around a depression. The ground inside the circle was slightly raised, almost like the rocks had been deliberately placed around the old piece of mesquite lying in the middle.

 It looked old. Really old.

"Well, that's interesting."

Because I have a history with rocks.

Back up north,  I once discovered an entire population of rocks that eventually became known as the Druids of Hell Rock Arena. I had assumed they were a local phenomenon.

Apparently not.

Sitting there on my trusty steed in the Arizona desert, looking at that circle, I realized something important.

The Druids had relatives. Relatives that prefer a warmer neighborhood. Much wiser relatives.

I highly suspect these are the Desert Druid Council I’ve heard about in legends and lore.

They don't look exactly like their northern cousins. These ones are sun-baked, desert-hardened, and considerably less concerned about rain. But I recognize the attitude.

They're watching.

They're judging.

And I'm fairly certain they've already held a meeting about me.

Probably something along the lines of:

 "She's here."

"Again?"

"Apparently."

"What does she want?"

"Probably to move us."

"Everyone remain perfectly still."

So now I have two mysteries on my hands. The first is where the burros went...and why they've decided to come back. The second is why I've ridden past the Desert Druid Council approximately seventeen thousand times without seeing them.

I'm beginning to suspect the Druids only reveal themselves when they have something to say.

And judging from the looks on their faces...they have plenty to say.

The proof is in the poop

Trail Log: 9-7-2026

• Trail: State Land - Burro Canyon - AZ
• Miles: 6.98
• Riders: Self
• Horses: Jack
• Dogs: Groot - Harley

Notes: Took advantage of a semi-cool morning. I rode on to "Burro Canyon" the first year I came to AZ. I named it Burro Canyon from the many burro tracks in the area. I was told there weren't any burros left...but those tracks told a different story. Until this ride, I'd not seen any sign since. It appears they are back! I saw burro poop and tracks! I didn't spot any actual donkeys but they are there. 

We came upon this ring of rocks. The ground ringed in rock is raised up in a mound of sorts so not likely a camp fire. I've ridden this area dozens of times but never noticed it before. However, it is not new. A marker of some sort? A grave? Druids? I'm going with Druids. 

burro poop and tracks

Trail Log: 9-6-2026

• Trail: The Hood
• Miles: 2
• Riders: Self
• Horses: Drifter
• Dogs: Groot - Harley

Notes: Technically not sure this counts as a trail ride. Frist, I rode in the arena. My goal - because I hear a person should have a goal for such things - was to shave 2 seconds off a pattern run. I set up my timer and a pattern that can be run from either the left side or the right. I ran it twice each direction. I didn't quite shave off two seconds but finished with shaving off 1.17 seconds going in my weakest direction, which is two the right. Drifter flew through the random but I think he slowed down a bit on the last rundown. He was getting tired. I'm pretty sure if we would have ran that last run in the left hand lead we would have easily shaved off the 2 seconds. 

Trail Log: 9-1-2026

Yep...that would be the power line rd. 

• Trail: Aguila - State Land - Back Gate
• Miles: 4.66
• Riders: Solo
• Horses: Jack
• Dogs: Groot - Harley

Notes: Nothing grand. Just a quick ride on a semi-decent weather day. We rode to the power line and looped back.