Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Back Country Traveling Companions


Meet my two back country traveling companions. "Little Guy" (LG) is the gray Appaloosa, and his buddy "Dottie" is the dark buckskin. Unlike LG she is of known parentage, a registered Tennessee Walking Horse. A more unevenly matched pair of equines would be very difficult to find. LG is a short, stumpy gelding with a great personality and keen intellect. Dottie is a tall elegant mare with a tremendous gait and the habit of trying to spin her rider into the ground when troubled. Rumor has it that LG is actually a registered Arabian hiding out from all those women endurance riders, while Dottie's spinning results whenever anyone mentions her registered name Merry Rendezvous. She just wants to fit in with the rest of us who don't have registration papers.

Monday, December 29, 2008

Home Place


You are looking at my base of operations. From here, we launch all of our wilderness adventures. My human buddies got the cabin free from a friend and spent a great deal of time and money putting it back together. It was worth the time and expense because it has become the gathering place for those who love the Colorado Plateau. It is a real diverse group of horsemen and hikers who spend their time on the porch discussing past and current adventures. The hikers and horsemen mix casually with a minimum of conflict. Only those who are involved in motor sports might feel a bit uncomfortable. Even a few of those who ride "crouch rockets" and "um-ums" have spent time on the porch. However, their preferred means of transportation are not welcome at our small, motor free zone. This time of year you will find us huddled around the stove reviewing last years adventures and planning the upcoming riding and hiking season. Stay tuned and I will introduce you to some of the characters who spend their time solving the worlds problems on our porch.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Year End

I am lying on the warm floor next to my human companion's desk. We have just returned from a four day horse ride, or in my case, trot. Since the snow melted, I have spent my time following along as he rides and hikes the trails and back country of the Colorado Plateau. I thought I would share where I have been and what I have seen. Like all tricky canines, I have another purpose in mind. I want to encourage anyone who might read my blog to help take care of these places. A lot of you may not get to see them personally, but they are out there, and I get to see them all the time. Maybe my experience will encourage you to help me protect them. Without your help, there is a good chance that they will disappear, and I will be left without a place to run, chase, and bark. To capture your interest, I will introduce you to some interesting characters as well as places. Through their stories, maybe you will take an interest in protecting the trails and back country where I spend most of my time.