Hi Charlene,
I read my last post, and realize it sounds like quite a bit on one horse, but
actuallyWash. state has more changes of terrain than any other state in the
union. Of 8 or 10 climate zones (I forget how many ) we have all but 2,
tropical or arctic. I can reach most of the state in 3 hours, whether the
beach at my folks island, the wet side of the Cascades, or the dry side.
My 15.3 racey TB/QH mare is 17, I bred for her out of a TB by a running QH,
she's a copper penny palomino 3Barr horse, a real thinker. Sure as a Mt.goat
on steep rocky trails, or side-hilling on a cattle drive. I've led the John
Wayne Pioneer Wagons and Riders as a co-leader 4 times. We've taken 150
people across the staste, a 260 mile trip in 2 weeks. It's a great
conditioner, done the 3rd week of May before the desert heats up. We go from
mtns. , down river canyon, through tunnels, into ranchland, into the sdrub
sand and sage, cross the Columbia on top of a dam, camp in sage, work our
way back to wheat farms, and then the Palouse, and rimrock to and Ponderosa
pines to Idaho.
I'd like to take this post to invite anybody who would like to travel with
us. You'd love the comraderie. We don't travel in a group, but at your own
speed. The Trail boss leaves 2 hours ahead, and you can't pass. Not a speed
test. Just enjoy and teach your horse a whole lot. You'll see the big sky,
and changes of terrain, and we will give day rides on rest days.We stay as
guests on ranches. Cost is $40. and must join up for $15. so the insurance
will be OK. Gets you a newsletter, too. We have people from other states and
Alaska. I'm secretary on the Foundation Board. Judy