Rocky's Horsetales Follow the adventures of Rocky's rides

I’ll try not to make this too long. The first of October, Sharon and I took our dogs and horses to Cedar Creek camp ground located just south of Heavener, Oklahoma (eastern border of Oklahoma). It is a well noted and highly attended horse camp because of it’s nice camp sites and wonderful trails that go into the Ouchita National Forest and mountains. Sharon took her camper and I took my living quarters horse trailer. I was able to ride, visit, relax, and enjoy the outdoors for almost a month. During that month, i spent 5 days sitting with my mom in Shell Knob, Missouri while she recouperated from carpel tunnel surgery on her left hand. I also spent 4 days in the hospital from pancreitus (SP) and a gallbladder trying it’s best to pass a gall stone. Other than that….it was a good vacation. My black mustang (Blade) was able to learn a lot about trail riding and I was able to learn a lot about riding a gaited horse. Yes….Blade is a gaited Mustang from BLM. Anyway, that’s my latest riding adventure and I’m home, now, trying to get caught up on my ranch chores. More later and do keep in touch……..

Sorry about the delay, but I’ve had problems with my web page and I’m just now getting it under control. I had to end my ride after 5 days and almost 85 miles in Pine Level, NC (just south of Raleigh). They were setting temperature highs, already and I was feeling it for me and my horse. There were other issues to include unsafe riding conditions and the safety of me and my horse come first. I almost got heat stroke at least 2 times. Tina didn’t make it because she was having too many problems with her pickup, so she cancelled the ride. She still has my horse trailer but is working on getting it back. You can read more about the ride by going to Sharon’s web site of www.theadventuresofdaisy.com I don’t plan on riding any more till the temperatures cool down since it’s been in the 100’s here for quite awhile. My next ride is scheduled for October and is the Red Steagall ride from Jacksboro, Tx to Fort Worth, Tx. You can check back here often to monitor the updates of my horsetales.

Sorry about not doing a post yesterday, but I was unable to get a phone signal.  Yesterday was another bad weather day (heat).  I think I only rode 13 miles and had to stop.  I usually get started around 7:30 local time, but in about 4-5 hours, the temperature is just to exhausting.  I am needing to take more salt.  I do drink plenty of water and am able to get water for Soldier.  We ended up in Eureka which was a blessing.  Sharon found a real nice place to park in the shade and next to a church.  The pastor came by and gave her permission to park there.  I got there about noon and was sure glad she had a spot to park.  The roads still have very small right of ways and I can’t really describe why riding in the fields by the rode is sometimes the wrong thing to do.  It has to do with the ditches that are between the fields and the highway.  Most are good deep and steep.  I’m always leary of Soldier spooking when a car might come by and he might just jump sideways into the road.  He did it once yesterday when 2 quail flew out from underneath his feet, yet, when a racoon ran across the road just 10 feet in front of us, he paid him no attention.  Can’t figure…….

Yesterday, after we got the animals taken care of, we had to start the generator and run the A/C just to get some relief.  I was hearing Soldier’s shoes click once and awhile and was worried that he might be trying to throw one of them.  I did check them and they were tight, but didn’t want to take a chance.  Curt (the minister of the Heart of David church and his wife, Kem came by, again, to invite us to their Wednesday evening worship.  We said we’d be there and I asked Curt about a farrier.  Interesting, enought his cousin is one and he immediately called him and indicated he would be her around 3:00.  The farrier came.  His name was Randy and he had been in the business for over 21 years.  He’s had back problems, recently and has even had surgery, but was still shoeing horses.  He gave us a break on the price.  It was ONLY $80.  He says he gets $90 to $120 per horse and (a note to my son-in-law, Mark) he does natural balance shoeing (he even had the shoes) at a base price of $160.  Mark, I think you might not be charging those Okie and New Mexico people enough!!!

About an hour later, 2 bicyclists were riding by and saw us.  They rode right over and threw their bikes down.  “Are you the one who’s riding to California”? one of them said.  “Yea, but how did you know?”  It seemed they had stopped by the same store I did to get something to drink and the people there were telling them about me and my ride.  I’ll bet those people at the store thought they were having such a “wierd” day seeing two groups of peopl riding from coast to coast on the same day.  One of them horseback and the others by bycycles.  We chatted for quite awhile.  Their names were Kerry and Cam.  They were riding for the cause of getting more good drinking water to the people of Etheopia.  We wished them a safe journey and they went on.

Finally, I was able to take a shower and Sharon and I went to the local cafe for some supper.  I had beef tips in gravy and Sharon (being a vetegarian) had a veggie plate.  I couldn’t eat all my place, but I was sure saving space for the orange sherbert ice cream.  We finished supper and went straight to the church.  It started at 7:30 and they were doing a bible study of 2nd Theselonians.  There were only 6 of us there, but we sure did have some good conversations.

Today, I tried to get off to an earlier start, but spent 20 minutes just trying to load Blade.  We have to remember not to feed him in the morning untill he is in the trailer.  He’ll go in to eat and today we feed him first before trying to load him.  I told Sharon to meet me in Fremont and we would decide what to do from there.  I rode only about 8 miles, but was already getting hot.  She met me in Fremont and we called the local police to see if they know of a place to park.  They didn’t have anyting in town (and even overnight stabling of horses was against the law), but referred us to a Church of Christ church that was just outside of town.  The preacher’s name was Travis.  I called and he said “sure, come on down but we don’t have any shade”.  I said that all we needed was a place to park our rig. Thank goodness we stopped, again.  Even with the fans going, we were still sweating inside the trailer.  I said the heck with it and started the generator so we could use the A/C.  It’s still running!!  Tomorrow will be an interesting day.  I don’t plan on riding the complete distance to Selma (20 miles), but don’t know where we will find a place to park.  There isn’t any towns along the way and it is just farming country.  There isn’t even space to pull along side the rode and park.  We’ll just have to wait and see.  I’ll let you know what happens.

Are you sure I’m not in Arizona??  The temperature today was in the 90′s, but the humidity must have also been in the 90′s!!  I think I was getting heat stroke just after noon.  The sun is shining down on us and there isn’t much shade by the roads.  Mostly open fields of wheat, corn, sorgham, and some cotton.  The wheat is ready for harvest and the corn and sorgham is at least 4 feet high. 

Traveling the roads is the “pits”!!  I only have a few feet between the road and the ditch (which soldier refueses to cross).  I tied up and laid in the shade once for about 45 minutes and again at a Baptist Church for about an hour.  I was able to get water at the church and earlier at a lady’s house which I knocked and asked her for some.  I also had mistake number 2 for the day when I hurridly tied Soldier with the reins and……he definitely broke them.  I spent another 30 minutes trying to repair them.

I got an early start, today (7:00 local) and was going to try to beat the traffic going into Winterville.  Well…..I beat some, but Soldier and I did a good job going down main street and across traffic lights.  I wasn’t a half mile from town and was going to slide over into a field, when I spotted a black snake with what looked like yellow bands on him guarding my entrance.  I figured he could have the field and we just trotted on.

Sharon did an excellent job of finding a place to park for the night at the fire station in Castoria.  The owner and local farmer specifically if she was “packing” in any way because of so many migrant workers in the area.  Of course she answered “yes”.  She sure has been a blessing…..taking care of Blade (daily) filling the water tanks, cleaning the inside of the trailer, getting gas for the generator and pickup (just to mention a few).

Anyway, because of the heat and humidity, I’m cutting down on the number of miles each day.  Tomorrow it will either be 8 or 12 miles, depending.  Don’t count me out……yet.  Oh..by the way….if you want to see some pictures, go to Sharon’s blog of www.theadventuresofdaisy.com

WOW!!!   I’ll tell you my start story, but first….I’ve got to “cool” off!!  No clouds, slight breeze, and temp in the 90″s.  Not to mention riding on roads that the traffic is just 4 feet from your horse, going 65 miles per hour.  I left Washington about 9:00 local time and was escorted across 23 bridges by Sharon and Mark Davis.  Sharon was driving the LQ up front and Mark was in his van with the flashers in the back.  After the bridges, Sharon went on to find the camping spot for tonight (a city park outside of Winterville) and Mark and Margaret escorted me to the railroad tracks where I really started my ride.  The temp wasn’t bad in the morning and most of the tracks were lined with trees that gaave some shade.  I soon found I had to be careful on the tracks because it was swamp land on both sides and I didnt’ want to go off into that.  I started spotting turkey feathers on the tracks and soon enought……Soldier and I both spotted the turkeys.  Is there such a thing as a swamp turkey??  Anyway…..they flew off into the swamp and trees.  I noticed a lot of upside down turtles between the tracks.  I guess they get caught there and perrish!!  I also spotted our first snake.  It was a black on about 5 feet long and was coming right towards us between the rails.  Soldier and I just stepped over the right hand rail and let him have the right of way.  There was about 5 miles of tracks and we turned off and started the road trip.  I stopped briefly to let Soldier eat some grass and a man caught my attention and as we talked I asked if he had any water for Soldier…..”sure” he said follow me.  He let Soldier drink some real good “cold” water and let me fill my water bottle.  I was stopped about 4 times to day to talk and get water.  Everyone I asked was very helpful, even a lady named Connie who ultimately gave me her whole life story as well as her daughter’s!! 

I ate my sandwich while riding and the temperature really started getting to me.  I can’t believe that I drank over 6 bottles of water and I’ll be Soldier drank over 6 gallons!!  It isn’t really fun traveling roads that have very little shoulder!!  I hope tomorrow is a little better.  I am only traveling about 16 miles to a town called Castoria.  Sharon has the task of getting diesel for the pickup, gas for the generator, and water for us and the horses.  I hope a girl from Arkansas the do Multi-tasking!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyway…..I”M beat, but glad the LQ has air conditioning.  I only wish I can take it with me on the ride.  It’s suppose to be in the 90″s most of the week.  With the humidity……it must be 120.  You breakout is a sweat just standing still (or sitting still as I do on Soldiere).  Night for now and I wish evey veteran a happy Veteran’s Day and “welcome home”;

Well….we made it!!  We arrived at Days Inn at Washington, NC about 3:00 today.  We met with Mark Davis who is the President of The American Mustang and Burro Assn.  We were able to park the trailer and horses in a vacant lot next to the hotel.  Last night, we got into Asheville and were able to spend the night at The Home Depot after asking permission.  We got up this morning and continued our drive towards Washington.  We got into Grenville and then found out route that we are going to take from Washington to Winterville on the first day of the ride……Monday.

We stopped by one of the parks owned by Grenville (which was on our route) and got permission to spend Monday night there with the horses.  Now I’m working on the next few days.  Tina called and said she is still having trouble with her pickup and is definitely going to have get a new truck.  She has a lead on one, but won’t be able to get with us till she gets a new truck.  She will join us on the ride when she gets a new truck able to pull the trailer.  I’m going to assume it’s going to be at least another 3-4 days in the least.  Meanwhile, I’m starting the ride on Monday.  The first day is about 22 miles.  I’m starting with soldier.  Sharon will babysit Blade and the dogs.

Mark Davis is planning on a meeting with the media tomorrow (Sunday) or when we start on Monday.  He is interviewing us later tonight and is taking some pictures for the Journal of AMBA.  He gave us some handouts about AMBA to hand out to interested individuals.  Anyway, Sunday will be a good day of rest and an opportunity to do last minute preparations.  I have pictures, but will add them, later.  Stay tuned……..

First, I want to wish all VETS a happy memorial day and let them know that my thoughts are with them….all.

Well……we (sharon, me, Daisy, Cotton, Lacey, Soldier and Blade) left home on Thursday, enroute to Washington, NC to start this Ocean to Ocean ride.  We spent Thursday night at a PILOT truck stop.  There were over 100 trucks at that stop, but we found a large openeing at the rear.  I guess no one wants to park in the rear.  This is after we tried to park in the Natchez Trace State Park.  It was a horse park, but after trying to park in about 3 different sites, we just gave up and went on to the PILOT truck stop.  That is a story in itself!!

Today (Friday), we drove to Nashville and stopped long enough to let Sharon visit with her best friend, Pat.  I think Pat may just decide to act as a driver for Tina when we get close to Arkansas.  Speaking of Tina, I don’t know if she will eventually make it.  She had to turn back home, yesterday, because of a bad shake in her pickup while she was driving.  She found out it was a transmission bracket.  She went back home and they were to order her one and have it put in, today.  She called later this afternoon and said they had the wrong bracket and they would have the right one for her tomorrow (Saturday).  This is going to delay the start of our ride one day and we should now start on Monday.  That’s also why I’m taking a little more time getting to Washington.  We should be there tomorr (Saturday) afternoon and Tina should be in ther by Sunday morning.  We are currently parked in The Home Depot parking lot in Statesville, NC.  The Manager was good enough to let us spend the night here.  The horses are doing fine for having to ride all day in the trailer and it has now been 2, going on 3 days.  They get to rest when we stop to eat or fill up with gas.  I water them each time we stop.  Sharon and I walked them for about 30 mnutes this evening before feeding them and then feeding ourselves.  We got a treat, being able to walk to the Golden Corral for a good supper.  The dogs are riding real fine and Daisy and Cotton are spending the night sleepping with Sharon while I get Lacey.  I could and need to write more, but my computer is dying and I’m getting a little tired, myself.  Hopefully……more tomorrow when I get some time.  HAPPY VETERAN’S DAY!!! (weekend)

Riding in the rain

Wagons

Blade tied to the wagon

Well…I’ve waited almost another whole week (after the ride) to post about my event.  A week ago last Friday, Sharon drove in from Fort Gibson to go with me on the Oklahoma 89er Land Run Wagon Train trail ride from Bray, Oklahoma to Norman.  We left at about 2:00 and arrived at Clear Creek Lake in Bray, Ok at about 5:30.  I took Blade (my new black Mustang) to be able to work and train with him a little more before my coast to coast ride and thank goodness I took him instead of Soldier.  We left Saturday morning with an overcast and 50% chance of rain.  It did “drizzle” on us most of the day.  Sharon was able to hitch a ride (for the week) with Royce and Loretta in their wagon.  Sharon was also able to take Daisy (her pomeranian dog) with her each day on the ride.  Sunday morning we awoke at 5:00 in the rain and I decided not to ride that day (because of the rain and mud).  Monday it was still raining (off and on), but bundled up and forged forward in the rain.  Besides, I had gotten stuck in the mud and had to get my rig out to the next stop for the day which was at Lindsay Rodeo arena.  Tuesday we left Lindsay (again in a light rain) for Maysville.  Again, slight drizzle off and on during the day, but arrived (dry) at the Purcell Expo Center and were able to hook up to both electricity and water.  Thursday was just overcast, but we rode to Tom Thomas’ Ranch at Slaughterville, Ok and arrived in decent (but very winday weather) in Norman on Friday.  Saturday was the parade in Norman and it was a fairly nice day and an uneventful ride.  Altogether, we rode over 115 miles.   The ride was led by Jason Kirkwood (president), Matt Bullard (vice-president), and Lisa Wright (wagon master).  It was a good learning experience for both me and Blade.  Blade has now connected to the wagons and any time a wagon moves out…….he, automatically, starts to follow it.  He just can’t stand still and paces all the time.  When I tie him to a wagon, I have to tie him short so he can’t move around…..much.  When I tie him to my trailer, he moves so much that by the next couple of hourse there is no longer grass where he’s tied or (if it is raining) nothing but a mud puddle. 

Blade's Mud Hole

 This is the last major ride before my coast to coast (which starts at the end of this month).  That is also when my next major adventure begins……..

I just got back from a weekend ride at Roman Nose State Park (Watonga, Oklaoma) with the Sooner Be Riding Club.  It was a charity ride for the Watonga Hospital.  I took Soldier with me to test him out and glad I did.  I got there at about 3:00 Friday afternoon and was ready for a 6:00 ride.  I met up with some members of the Riding Club (Tracy, Dick, Jennifer, Sue and about 4 others.  The group of about 25 riders was led by a member of the Watonga Hospital ride staff and about 300 yards out, Dick’s horse started “bucking” with him and just about 5 minutes later, Soldier started bucking and giving me a hard time.  All in all, at the start of that ride there were over 4 horses that acted up.  We couldn’t figure what the issue was.  Dick said his horse hadn’t acted up in over 5 years and he’s been on a few weekend rides the past 2 months.  It was kind of errie!!  Anyway, we rode about 5 hours on Saturday through some great trails, creeks, and trees.  The ride was on $50 and we got all of our meals for the weekend.  Nice ride……nice friends……nice event.  Soldier did O.K. the rest of the weekend as if nothing had happened.  He did throw 2 shoes and I have my farrier out this week to redo all his feet (as well as my other horses) so they will be ready to start my coast to coast ride next month.  More…..later.

Well…..I guess I’m getting more and more certain to take this ride.  Last Friday, I took a trip to Evansville, Indiana (680 miles one way) to deliver my new stock trailer to Tina so she can use it to haul her horse and have it for the ride.  When I got there, the BLM was having a Mustang adoption at their 4-H livestock center.  They had about 25-30 horses and about 6 donkeys.  To purchase a horse or donkey…..it was first come, first serve on that Saturday morning.  The adoption fee was still $125, but if you wanted one of their horses that were 3 years or over, it only cost you $25!!!  Anyway, Tina had trouble with her pickup as she was coming down from Michigan and she rode the rest of the way with some friends of hers.  I guess it was lucky I brought the trailer because her friends adopted 2 horses and will be keeping 3 more at their house for local adopters (5 horses).  I guess my trailer was large enough because they got all 5 horses in the trailer.  Well…..3 of them were yearlings.  I was surprised how much room was left, even after they were all in.  We put the 3 yearlings in the front, closed the middle gate, and put the other 2 in the back.  Worked pretty well.  So…..spent all day Saturday visiting with the BLM personnel and local citizens as they viewed the Mustangs and as I got ready to go back to the Motel 8, it started to “snow”!!  I left Oklahoma in 70 degree weather and was now in Indiana at freezing and below weather!!  I went drove back towards the motel and stopped at a local restaurant that had a buffet.  The choices were interesting for their meat.  It was fried chicken, roast beef and chicken and noodles.   About 6 different veggies and over a dozen different deserts with an acceptable salad bar.  But……the food was good.  A lot better than the Mexican restaurant that I stopped by when passing through Joplin, Mo as I was returning home on Sunday.  Cold chips and cold tacos!!! ugh!!!  The manager wanted to give me more, but I had enough.  She then wanted to give me a 20% discount and I told her to give it to the waitress.  Then, she said “wait” I have something for you and brought me back a coupon for a free appitizer (only if I order a lunch)!!  She asked if I’d be back and I politely told her “I don’t think so”!! and left.  Anyway, the snow lasted through Saturday night and into Sunday but was mixed with some rain so only enough snow just to cover most everything.  When I left Sunday morning, the roads were clear and there was snow on the ground way past St Louis.  I was glad to get back home where it was warmer and NO SNOW!!  It was a quick and wild weekend (not to mention the bed bugs at the Big  8 motel………they did refund all my money back even though I had a dozen bites on my legs and body from my 2 nights there).  Stay tuned for more………….

I guess it’s about time for another update.  I have invited, and so far, she has accepted the position of “Driver” on my upcoming coast to coast ride.  She is Sharon Lybrand.  She is initially from Arkansas (we can forgive her for that), and currently works as a Host in one of Oklahoma’s parks.  She is a horse woman and will be a great asset to the ride.  I’ll let her introduce and tell more about herself…..later.  I did ride my 2 mustangs this weekend (Soldier and Blade).  Blade did real well, but Soldier has reverted back to some of his old habits.  He seems a little more “spooky” and not as anxious to have someone on his back.  You’d think that after a few thousand miles that this guy would learn!!!  I’ll be headed towards Evansville, Indiana this coming Friday.  I’m taking my stock trailer to Tina so she can use it on the ride.  Evansville is also the location for a Wild Burro and Mustang adoption event by the BLM this next weekend.  I’ll be staying till Sunday and then coming on home.  I’ve been in contact with The Long Rider’s Guild and they definitely support Tina’s efforts for the Mustangs, but, alas, cannot recommend her becoming a member because of the use of trailers on the ride.  I commend The Guild on their rules and sticking by them.  Tina is aware, but she indicates her primary goal is to educate people about the Mustangs and to try to raise funds for the American Mustang and Burro Association.  The Guild indicated that my participation in the ride would not hinder or hurt the Guild in any way and supported my ride and efforts to assist Tina.  You will find links to both the Guild and information about the ride as well as the American Mustang and Burro Assn on the right side…..below.  Do check them out and see what a good organization they both are as well as a site to learn about and follow Tina Aguire’s ride across America, for the American Mustang…..Stay Tuned…..