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M
artha McNiel (my support person and great friend),
had asked me a long time
ago to go to the Western States Horse Expo in Sacramento. Doing so would
mean leaving the trail or diverting it. I was reluctant to do either, but
glad now I chose to divert it and go. Martha can say, “I told you so,”
because I had a blast. I met some great people, especially those from the
Bay Area Equestrian Network, like Debbie Smith. I also met some people I had
never met in person but felt like they were old friends, like Ron and
Donalyn from Equine Elite Labs. It felt like we were family.
I also met Bonnie Davis from Two Horse Enterprises, who is a great person
and of course, a camping guru. Her grandson summed it up when he said to
me, “Some people think she is a god, but to me she is just Gramma.”
I also met some great people from Backcountry Horsemen and of course I
joined this organization, like everyone who likes trail riding should. I
learned more about the importance of this on my trip and I hope to share
more about later. I also met Ken Graves from the National Forestry Service,
who is the liaison between the Backcountry Horsemen and the Forestry
Service.
Probably one of the most beneficial introductions from the girls’ standpoint
was that of Joe Maxwell and his wife, Cindy. Joe is a master saddle maker
and we spoke about the possibility of a custom saddle for the girls. You
will read more about Joe later, as I plan to stay at his shop in Cottonwood
later in the trip.
While staying in Sacramento for the Expo, the girls were at the beautiful
home and stables of B.J. LeMaster. B.J. is the second of three generations
of equestrian competitors in her family and now is a well-known judge of
many equestrian events. Her daughter is going to World Championships this
year shooting for the all around title.
Besides all the great shopping, the event was a great place to meet people
of like spirit and passion for horses. I am already looking forward to next
year.
Sacramento to Hilt!
Well the last stage of the trip is now in the books. 1350 miles completed and it
was more of an adventure than I ever expected. I will publish my final thoughts
and lessons learned later but first let me tell of the final leg of the trip.
Leaving the Expo charged and excited I headed out from Woodland. Riding alongside
the Sacramento River was exciting. Water has certainly been a theme of the trip
and here there was plenty of it everywhere. Fields were flooded to grow rice and
other crops that required flood irrigation. I never knew how much rice we actually
grow in California. I stayed at several farmers' homes along the way
(See Acknowledgements.)
This area was not only hot, it was home to some large mosquitoes. I called the
founder of The Long Riders' Guild (CuChullaine O'Reilly), hoping to receive sympathy,
but he lives in Louisiana. When I began my adventure, he had informed me not to call
and whine unless something worse than lightening striking me occurs (which actually
did happen to fellow Long Rider Mike Winters). This time he said don't call to whine
unless I have to cut off my arm to save myself (after the recent event of the lone
hiker's incident in southern California). So I won't complain, but when I was awakened
to find a couple of mosquitoes trying to carry Gwen off in the night . . . OK, I'm
exaggerating a bit.
For almost four days I had heard of a guy who raised mules and did lots of packing.
It was George & Carolyn Rainken, who live in Grimes. I just rode up to their
house and told them what I was doing. His wife offered for me to stay at their home
and both of them were so nice. George is a member of the Backcountry Horsemen. He
told me of his friend Lyle Charter, who I later met at a trailhead packing in gear
for the CCC crew that was working on a trail in the Trinity Alps.
In Colusa Ginger had an accident which caused quite a rope burn. We had to nurse
this wound most of the rest of the trip. This helped me lose some weight, as I often
walked to keep her from going lame. I held up several times to let her heal some and
once was at Fire Station in Richfield. On this corner I had three different people
bring me a meal that night. Again people were so awesome.
(See Acknowledgements.) Then the next morning
Diane and Rudy of Corning took me to breakfast and took Ginger to see a vet (who
gave me some bute).
We then went to the J.J. Maxwell Tack and Saddle Shop. I had nothing to do but hang
around and talk to its proprietor, while I held up to let Ginger heal some. This
proved to be a great stop. As Paul went into the desert to learn, I went to Cottonwood
of all places. Joe took me to his Bible Study and then to Cowboy Church. It was a
great time and refreshing on the trip. I had plenty of quiet time alone with God.
But while there it seemed even more enlightened. Joe's faith may have inspired me,
but I felt I had some great time with God.
Then Joe also gave me another lesson. He taught me about saddles. I had been plagued
with saddle sores on the girls, and though I had nothing more than hair loss (and all
the missing hair had returned), I did have the scars on Ginger to show the actual place
of the most impact. It was a hard lesson to learn but easy for Joe to teach. The gimmick
of a flex saddle had left its mark. Learning that on distance rides those four bolts
where the panels connect are pressure points and lay exactly where the saddles sores had been.
Joe was so gracious he fitted the girls and pulled a brand new saddle off the rack for
them to use the remainder of the trip. Joe explained how no point under the saddle should
be restrictive or hold more than two pounds of pressure. When I put my saddle back on I
felt horrible finding out what I had done to my horses. The saddle that was supposed to
fit all was now causing my problems. I was amazed to learn this because I had bought
the flex saddles' pitch (hook, line and sinker). If you have any questions regarding
this please check out Joe's website at http://www.jjmaxwell.com
or write me at Garry@dream-adventures.com
and I would love to discuss what I learned with you.
The next part of my trip was so beautiful as I ventured into the Trinity Alps.
It was so gorgeous. I hung out at one trailhead for a few days and met more packers
and Backcountry Horsemen than at the Expo. I met Walt Simpson of the National Park
Service. He packs for them and has the best job in America. Walt has forgotten more
packing things than I will ever learn and does a job he truly loves. I hope to spend
more time with him.
Speaking of spending more time with . . . I met many of the Trinity Alps Backcountry
Horsemen, including Jim Griffith, Lyle Charter & his wife Lori (friends of
George Rainken) and many more by first name including Mark, Stan, Arney and Allen.
These men and some of their wives ride and pack for the park systems, to work in
cooperation and partnership to preserve our trails. Later in June they ride to pack
fish up into the lakes and streams. I would love to do that someday.
I also met Kelly Rawls, who trailered me down from my campsite to babysit Ginger and
allow me to ride more each day. (See Acknowledgements.)
The Alps were awesome. There are some really cool towns back there like Weaverville a
nd Alton and Fort Jones.
Then I arrived at Yreka which was, for most intents and purposes, the end of the
ride. The only road that went to the border from there (the last twenty-two miles)
was Highway 5. We had a celebration with sparkling apple cider for Garry and carrots
for the girls, and took plenty of pictures of the sign at Yreka, and then trailered up
to Hilt (the final town before the Oregon border). It was finally over. 1350 miles in
three months and one week. I will publish my final thoughts here soon.
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