Hillbillie Willie's City of Rocks Endurance Ride: Day 3

July 6 2019

Hillbillie Willie's quest for all 3 days/155 miles at City of Rocks - his first 3-day ride!

Day 1 and Day 2 down, one more to go!

Day 3's 50 mile ride was a repeat of Day 2's (minus a little 5 mile loop): a loop in the desert towards Utah and along the Boise Kelton Stage Route, and into City of Rocks National Reserve along the California Trail. Loop 2 was up into the park to a high point of 7500' and heading back down in a big scenic park loop.

Today Willie and Jack were joined by Fancy (and Nance) again, and Belesema Anna and Chris. It was another beautiful cool day and the horses did great. Willie never missed a beat, never flagged, never was uninterested or unenthused. He really loved going down the trails, and it seemed so effortless for him.

When the four of us crossed the finish line together, holding hands, Willie felt just fabulous. He pulsed in, at the end of 3 days and 155 miles, with a pulse of 44. 44! 

My final post summed it up: Oh. My. Gawd. I LOVE THIS HORSE!

A few pix from the day:

On the Boise Kelton stage route, Twin Sisters peeking over the horizon.

Headed for Twin Sisters on the California Trail, one of the main roads through the park.

A pair of our heroes, Dave Rabe and Cheys Cocamoe Joe

Lunch time in camp! Willie loves to eat. He's not a voracious eater, but he eats the whole time.

Heading up into the park

One of my favorite trails, Geowatt

Nearing the high point at 7500'

Deb and Jack… yes, it was a wee bit chilly at times up high (but felt great)

Descending one of the prettiest trails, which we refer to lovingly as Rat Poo trail because of all the packrat nests in some of the rock cliff clefts

Cat Cook took this of the eight of us at the finish - Willie was absolutely amazing, it was one of my most favorite rides ever!

More stories and ride photos at:
http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2019CityOfRocks/

Hillbillie Willie's City of Rocks Endurance Ride: Day 2

is this a good lookin' horse or what!

June 30 2019

Hillbillie Willie's quest for all 3 days/155 miles at City of Rocks - his first 3-day ride!

Willie finished up his 50 miles of Day 1 at City of Rocks with no problem. He felt fine the morning of Day 2, and was happy to get saddled up again (and eat while he was doing it - he loves to eat at rides!). OK, here we go on Day 2's 55 mile ride!


Admiring our shadows on loop 1, out on the desert toward Emigrant canyon before heading into City of Rocks National Reserve and the California Trail.


We are on the old historic Boise-Kelton stage route. The landmark Twin Sisters granite spires are just peeking up over the hills on the right.


Enjoying a fresh spring water trough; Twin Sisters on the very left


Our escorts Deb and Jack. Just below the Twin Sisters spires, you can see the remains of the old stage stop


Just one of the bazillion pretty trail shots on loop 2 in the National Reserve park


Just after we reached the high point on the mountain at 7500 feet, a rather spectacular cold front/storm blew in. Clouds must have been racing through the pass and down into the park valley at 50 mph. We were somewhat sheltered by the mountain we were on. Fortunately I had enough layers with me to put on and stay warm, though I sure coulda used a pair of gloves for a while. The horses did great in the cold!


We were joined today by Nance and Fancy. We all 3 finished together - horses did just fabulously, and Willie felt terrific.

2 days down - one more to go!

More stories and ride photos at:
http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2019CityOfRocks/