Grace residence – Lewellen, Nebraska – March 3rd, 2018

France Ride

March 7th to May 1st, 2018 with Lynx Vilden

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Whoa, time to say,  “Thank you”

There are so many people to thank for this France trip, so many who have contributed time, money, encouragement, but there are a few who must be acknowledged for going above and beyond…

The ride has been made possible by the following..Tucker Saddle Company and Outfitters Supply.

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Outfitters Supply painstakingly shipped my gear to France. I can not thank Lynn Foster, Manager of Outfitters Supply for getting my 3 big boxes with saddles and gear safely to Ferme de Fonluc, France, the boxes have arrived safely.

And with private donations from the following

Burton Robson

“ANNonymous”

Melissa Deaver-Rivera

But then there is Rosie Rollin whom I have been traveling with for the past 3 months- She deserves an honorable mention award. Rosie and I did 12 rides through out Utah, New Mexico and Arizona this winter. Rosie not only assisted in getting the boxes mailed out she assisted with assembling /finding all the necessary gear I needed for the ride in France. THEN she hauled me all way up to Nebraska  where her friends Jeannie and Butch Grace have kindly agreed to board my two mares at their lovely home in Lewellen. Rosie also has her retired Arab mare Maple here. Jeannie and Rosie have known each other for years, both were endurance riders. Butch’s family homesteaded in Nebraska and have been ranchers in Garden County for many years.

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Jeannie and Rosie. You can see the horses behind them in the 30acre pasture. Liska doesn’t know what to do with all the space. It could not be more perfect place for my two hard working mares, they are also on vacation! THANK YOU JEANNIE AND ROSIE … THANK YOU
Horses wanting their morning Source Micronutrients.
Liska Pearl and Montana Spirit with a new shipment of Source, they love this seaweed nutrient supplement. I am going to miss these two that’s for sure but they could not be in a safer place. Bon Voyage

Edgewood, New Mexico February 27th, 2018

From “On Trails” by Robert Moor

The word for path and road is the same in Cherokee: nvnoho, “the rocky place,” a place where the soil and vegetation have already been worn away.
….we generally don’t make trails unless there is something on the other end worth reaching. It’s only once an initial best guess is made, and others follow it , that a trace begins to evolve into a trail. Thus a trail grows-a hunch is strengthened to a claim, a claim splits into a dialogue, a  dialogue frays into a debate, a debate swells into a chorus, and a chorus rises, full, now, of clashes and echoes and weird new harmonies, with each new voice calling out…” This way,This way, This way.
It is impossible to fully appreciate the value of a trail until you have been forced to walk through the wilderness without one.

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My path/trail recently took me to Bear Mountain Lodge where the multifaceted art project, One Million Bones has found a home, a resting place.  I had never heard of the One Million Bones project until Pat Wolph told me about it. As a member of Back Country Horseman she helped with her horses as many members did to haul the bones from the parking area to a meadow up the Lodges Old Windmill Trail. One Million Bones primary purpose is to bring awareness to the world wide genocides which have occurred and continue to occur. One million bones were crafted from clay or paper mache by “artists” from all 50 states and 30 foreign countries. The creators were of all ages, genders and ethnicities. The website is www.onemillionbones.net

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The word I will use to describe the sight is, sobering.

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On a lighter note… Rosie and I passed through Silver City again and I spent a couple of days catching up on business at Pat Wolph’s lovely Casita. On a run to town Pat and I stopped at at Silver Shoe Repair in Silver City. I’d been looking for heel cleats for my boots and for the most part had given up hope of ever finding the horseshoe shaped cleat I’d found in New Elm, Minnesota years ago. The heel cleats keep my boot heels from wearing out, its the pavement walking that wears them so.  Like the horses who have horse shoes I use a steel cleats on my boots. I have been making them or rather a handy hand has been making them usually by cutting a stainless steel washer in half and counter sinking holes for screws.  Now shoe repair shops are few and far between. They are a thing of the past, have their own smells and ancient looking machines that fill the back rooms. I love these shops. So of course I must stop and visit and ask questions. David Wait had only been repairing shoes for 6 years. Once a carpenter, “Um I said, well that must have helped in becoming a shoe repairman.” A quiet unassuming man, much like other shoe repairman I have met. Maybe its the work that makes them like that, sort of like imagining a elf in the back room quietly tapping out shoes while we sleep. Any way in an old box high on a shelf were stainless steel heel cleats, the real kind that look just like horseshoes.

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There they are Dave’s holding real heel cleats. Pat can’t believe my enthusiasm over new heel cleats. Notice the machinery in the back ground.

Turned out Dave and Pat were neighbors but had never met until that day. Smiles

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A so my “Travels with Rosie” is coming to an end. We had our last ride at the Empire Ranch, north of Sonoita, AZ. with two of her friends from Tennessee. We have had 4 months of Southwest travel, several afternoon rides with warm sun and cold nights. We have strung out behind us a list of new people we have met that we can now call friends and many sunsets and moon rises we shall never forget. It’s been a great winter. But now I must look at my ride in France and riding with Lynx Vilden through the Dorgdone Region. The saddles and equipment have already been shipped over thanks to OutFitters Supply.  Rosie is taking me and my girls north to Nebraska where they will stay at the Butch and Jeannie Grace home for the 2 months I’ll be in France. I fly out of Denver airport on the 6th of March.

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Ok until later. Happy Trails. Bernice

Leslie Adler Residence, Madrid, New Mexico February 8th, 2018

I met Leslie and her husband Jerry(now deceased) on my first ride. We have been friends ever since. Always nice to see her again.

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Jerry and Leslie in 2006 with Honor and Claire Dog, a 5000 mile ride, just a few hours after I left their place.

Ride from Silver City to Madrid, New Mexico – Jan. 26th, 2018

Please remember I am not “Long Riding” right now. These are short little 2/3oo mile jaunts and I haul as need or want dictates. “Long Riding” is all together different than what I am doing this winter. This is vacation riding! smiles.

Pat Wolph saying goodbye to the lovely accommodation at Pat's home.
Pat Wolph’s – the girls saying goodbye to the lovely accommodation at Pat’s home.
This trail angel Bonnie Freeman found me north of Caballo State Park where I'd spent the night after Pat dropped us off. Nice horse facilities.
This trail angel Bonnie Freeman found me north of Caballo State Park where I’d spent the night after Pat dropped us off. Nice horse facilities. The park is South of Truth or Consequences on the Rio Grande River. Bonnie set me up at the Seirra County Fair grounds, found hay and then took me to supper! She had a hard time remembering things but she sure did not forget about me.
Campsites along the way.
Campsites along the way.
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water and a molassases lick, Cattle on BLM land. I could not be riding this country if they were not out here.
Water and a molasses lick. Stopping for an afternoon break. Cattle on BLM land. I could not be riding this country if they were not out here. Mona Bauman and her daughter Grace brought out hay on this stop, there sure wasn’t much for the horses, more trail angel work.
Coming into San Antonio, NM
Coming into San Antonio, NM.
Had a tip off from a local rancher that Rex Klietz might put me and my girls up for a night. Well Rex turned out to be a retired Philosophy teacher at several major university. His caregiver Robin was a pastry chef and they had a visitor who had wore the cap of meterogogist at the white Sand Military Facility. You can only imagine the conversation that evening over a glass of brandy.
Had a tip off from a local rancher that Rex Klietz might put me and my girls up for a night. Well Rex turned out to be a retired Philosophy teacher who’d taught at several major university. His caregiver Robin was a pastry chef and they had a visitor who had wore the cap of meteorologist at the White Sand Military Facility. You can only imagine the conversation that evening over a glass of brandy.
Here is a perfect example of why I use Roger Robinson's horse shoes. I ran out of Rogers horseshoes and had to put on regular shoes on LIska. These shoes from the back of Liska Pearls disintegrated before I got into Socorro. They lasted maybe 300 miles is all. A cowboy wearing a black hat but driving a white pickuptruck JUST happened to be driving out his long ranch driveway. He went to town and picked up a couple of shoes in town brought them back and I put new shoes on off the side of the road with only my leatherman and a small hammer!! Spirits shoes from Rogers THe Blacksmith Shop still have 100s of miles left on them.
Here is a perfect example of why I use Roger Robinson’s horse shoes. I ran out of Rogers horseshoes and had to put regular shoes on Liska. These shoes from Liska’s rear hoofs disintegrated before I got into Socorro. They lasted maybe 300 miles is all. A cowboy wearing a black hat but driving a white pickup truck, Dustin Armstrong, JUST happened to be driving out a long ranch driveway and saw me. He went to town and picked up a couple of shoes for me. I put new shoes on off the side of the road with only my leatherman and a small hammer!! Spirits shoes from Rogers The Blacksmith Shop still have 100s of miles left on them.
The Soccoro Fairgrounds are south of town. But I had no hay so I rode a short ways to Tractor Supply where the night manager helped get me set up with a sack of cubes and other supplies I needed.
The Socorro Fairgrounds are south of town. But I had no hay so I rode a short ways to Tractor Supply where the night manager helped me load up with a sack of hay cubes and other supplies I needed.
On my way back I stopped a car that had just driven out the Fariground gate thinking she was the caretaker. She was not but she became and instant friend and took me on a tour of the town meeting freinds and family and I had such a wonderful time in Socorro because of Connie Robnett. Really "one of those" stops. all smiles Connie all smiles.
On my way back I stopped a car that had just driven out the Fairground gate thinking the driver with a little dog hanging out the window (Cowboy) was the caretaker. She was not but she became an instant friend and took me on a tour of the town meeting friends and family and I had such a wonderful time in Socorro because of Connie Robnett. It was SO interesting, and beautiful architecture. The town seemed to be full of musicians and artists.  Really “one of those” stops. all smiles Connie all smiles. Here is Connie taking a picture of Spirit.
For a number of reasons I had limited time for a long ride to Madrid. So here she is at it again, Melissa Deaver Riviera who came quick as a snap from Albuqueere and hauled me up to Madrid in time to see a friend whom I may have missed had I not hauled. She also wears a Trail Angel hat, not just from me but with her help with her work with Childrens Hospice in the area. She's quite the gal, its been an honor getting to know her.
For a number of reasons I had limited time for the long ride to Madrid. So here she is at it again, Melissa Deaver Riviera who came quick as a snap from Albuquerque and hauled me up to Madrid in time to see a friend whom I may have missed had I not hauled. She also wears a Trail Angel hat, not just from me but with her work with Children’s Hospice in the area. She’s quite the gal and its been an honor getting to know her.

If you can’t look at nature and see yourself in it,  you are to far away.

SamIllus lopez, Tohono O’odham lore master

Happy Trails Bernice
 
 
 
 
 

February 7th, 2018 Announcing – A 6/700 mile through Southern France

I am pleased to announce

A 6/700 mile ride in Southern France with Stone Age Skills practitioner and founder of the Living Wild School

Lynx Vilden.   www.lynxvilden.com

March 7th to April 29th 2018

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This ride is made possible by the following sponsors:

Tucker Saddle Co.

OutFitters Supply

And with private donations from the following

Burton Robson

“ANNonymous”

Melissa Deaver-Rivera

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Thank you also to the following sponsors:

Cashel

Source Micro-nutrients

Sunbody Hats

Skido Saddle Pads

My horse has graciously been provided by Herbert and Isabelle Backhaus owners of Ferme de Fonluc

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Herbert Backhaus
“Ferme de Fonluc”
24620 Les Eyzies de Tayac
Dordogne, France
Tel : 0033-(0)-553-353006
To contact us by Email please use the form, and we will get back to you ASAP
GPS Coordinates : Latitude: 44.949249 – Longitude: 1.002631
Ferme de Fonluc is situated in the heart of the Vezere Valley in Tayac, just 10 minutes walk from Les Eyzies de Tayac. We have the Vezere river running through our land, and stunning views of the Limestone rock faces riddled with Prehistoric dwellings. All this makes it an ideal location to spend unforgettable vacations in one of our two wonderful gîtes.
 
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About the ride

I remember first meeting Lynx nearly 25 years ago in Montana, years before I’d begun my life as a long rider. She was completely dressed in hides she’d tanned and sewed with sinew!   She’d been hunting ground squirrels with bow and arrow if I remember correctly. Even for me it was a stretch of the imagination that anyone, let alone a woman, could be living such a primitive life. Now she has become a renown primitive skills expert the world over. She has taken it to the level of art. A documentary “Pale’o Extreme,” produced in 2012 brought Lynx’s skills into the lime-light throughout Europe. Lynx has traveled, explored and researched the nature and traditional cultures of arctic desert and mountain regions from Hudson Bay to the Kalahari Desert. Her calling has been teaching and practicing primitive living skills (with passion) in the U.S. and Europe since 1991. She has lived in a Sami Village in Scandinavia and lived and studied in the deserts of New Mexico and Arizona. In 2001 she started the Living Wild School dedicated to sharing prehistoric skills and primitive living. www.lynxvilden.com
A horse woman for 25 years Lynx has worked with draft ponies and has trained her Appaloosa Mare “Karma” whom she will be riding. I am honored and humbled to have this opportunity to ride with Lynx in the beautiful country of France. There are so many to thank.
Our ride, beginning from the Ferme de Fonlucin in Les Eyzies de tayac will circle through the Dordogne region of southern France for a 3 week ride. We return the first week of April as Lynx will be teaching a class at Ferme de Fonluc. We then return to our horses and saddles April 7th for another 3 weeks of riding. We are taking only 2 horses using Tucker Saddles and Outfitters Supply full front and rear bags and will be on our own. I am providing the gear and expertise of long riding. Lynx the route and accommodations for the ride. The Les Eyzies de Tayac is located in a valley, famous for its pre-
historical remains. It is one of the main centers in the world for research in this field. Numerous interesting objects and ancient works of art have been discovered in this town and the surrounding areas. Many of these can be admired in the museum, or by visiting local caves.
I heart-felt thank-you to my sponsors Out Fitters Supply and Tuckers Saddle for making this ride possible. But also to Ferm de Fonluc for providing a magnificent horse for the ride and the private donators who have contributed so generously. I look forward to sharing with you the readers who follow my rides with the sights and experiences of a ride in France.

Bernice Ende - Lynx Vilden
Bernice Ende – Lynx Vilden

“We are so often caught up in the destination that we forget to appreciate the journey, especially the goodness of the people we meet on the way.”

A heartfelt thank you to all those who have helped this ride.

 
——-French
Je me souviens avoir rencontre Lynx il y a a peu pres 25ans au
Montana, bien avant d’avoir commence ma vie de randonnees de longue
distance.
Elle etait vetue de peaux de betes qu’elle tannait et cousait elle
meme avec du fil en boyau d’animal.Elle chassait les chiens de prairie
avec un arc si je me souviens bien.Je me demandais comment une femme
pouvait vivre une vie si primitive.
Elle est maintenant experte mondiale sur la vie primitive et leur civilization.
Elle l’a transforme en un art de vivre.
Le documentaire ” l’extreme Paleo ” publie en 2012 lui a permi de
faire connaitre son
mode de vie a travers toute l’europe.
Lynx a voyage explore et  a fait des recherches sur la nature et les
cultures traditionnelles du desert de l’artique des regions
montagneuses de la bay d’Hudson jusqu’au desert de Kalahari.
Ses connaissances sont apprises et pratiquees ( avec passion ) aux
etats unis et en Europe depuis 1991.
Elle a vecu dans un village Sami en Scandinavie ,elle a vecu et etudie
dans les deserts du nouveau mexique et d’ Arizona.
En 2001 elle crea l’ecole dediee a apprendre comment vivre en milieu
sauvage et inospitable.
Cavaliere experimentee depuis 25 ans Lynx a travaille avec des chevaux
de bas et a entraine sa jument appaloosa Karma qui fera partie de
notre randonnee.
Je suis honoree et humble d’avoir l’opportunite et la chance de
pouvoir faire ce periple dans ce beau pays qu’est la France.J’ai
tellement de gens a remercier…
Nous commencerons notre chevauchee a la Ferme de Fonlucin dans les
Eyzies de Tayac,Nous allons parcourir la Dordogne dans le sud de la
France pendant 3 semaines.Nous serons de retour la premiere d’avril
car Lynx doit donner des cours a la ferne de Fonlucin.
Le 7 avril nous rependrons notre randonnee pendant 3 semaines .Nous
aurons deux chevaux avec 2 selles Tucker et de quoi vivre stocke dans
2 sacs de selles un devant et un derriere ( rien d’autre est prevu ).
J’apporte L’equipement et mon experience;Lynx sa connaissance de
l’endroit et le logement.
Les Eyzies de Tayac se trouve dans une vallee reconnue pour ses
fouilles prehistoriques .C’est un des endroits les plus important dans
la recherche mondiale sur ce sujet.Beaucoup d’objets et  d’oeuvres
d’art ont ete decouverts dans ce village et ses environs .On peut
d’ailleurs les voir dans les muses et grottes des environs.
Je ne sais comment remercier mes ” sponsors “ainsi que les donneurs
prives qui me permettent de faire ce voyage ainsi que la ferne de
Fonlucin bien entendu .
J’ai hate de partager avec mes lecteurs qui s’interessent a mes
randonnees, mes experiences et  mes vues sur la France.
Nous voulons souvent arriver a une destination et nous oublions
d’apprecier le voyage ,principalement la bonte des gens que l’on
rencontre en chemin.
Encore merci de tout mon coeur a ceux qui me permettent de participer
a cette aventure extraordinaire.
 

Silver City, New Mexico – January 22nd, 2018 Pat Wolph residence

The Animas Valley

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I rest in contentment and a long slow sunset.
I rest in contentment and a long slow sunset.
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Long eared desert hare silently burst out from under mesquite brush as I ride north on long straight gravel roads. There are so many we are only momentarily startled as they go bounding off run, run, run leap – run, run, run grand jete’, quick, graceful animals. Canadian geese strung out in an enormously long straight V shape herald their journey north. The wind shoves more air down the throat and up the nose than the lungs know what to do with. The land makes you breath because there is so much space between you and over there with grass, water and shelter only if you are lucky enough to find it. A crow fly’s by. I shout “Where’s the water?” If you see birds your bound to find water.

Packing up, I love this part of my day, like a morning ritual I kneel down and run slip knots on my panniers.
Packing up, I love this part of my day, like a morning ritual I kneel down and run slip knots on my panniers.

I now know why these cowboys wear high-top cowboy boots and chaps because there is every kind of sticker known to human-kind here in the Southwest. They get down your boots, stick on your socks, pants, sweater sleeves, they bake into your skin and refuse to be shook off, stickers everywhere.

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A Cowboy Story

A young man dreamed of living the life of a cowboy. His eyes and heart beamed southward to the land of buckaroo’s, wranglers, flank riders, come along little dogie. Where roping and branding and wild cattle were real. A land where cowboy hats, cowboy boots and spurs were not out of place. And all the time he lived in Alaska a long, long way from “cowboy.” But he reached for his dream by learning the art of horseshoeing, by riding and training horses. He learned veterinary skills. And then one day at the ripe old age of 18 this young man saddled up his horse “Mr.” packed up two others, called his dog Traveler and headed for the U.S./Mexico border for the land of “cowboy.”

A long ride by any stretch of the imagination, an epic journey. One arduous year and he’d reached southern Alberta. Long days, sleepless nights. His ears froze his fingers and toes numbed by the cold, he rode. As the young man traveled he took on bronc’s and throw away horses no one wanted, trained them – made them good again, sold them and added more to his string to make money. He worked for ranchers training young colts, branding, roping and sorting cattle. He had a good hand with horses. Made a little money and moved on.

In the glorious state of Colorado he saw something that caught his eye, a pretty young rodeo gal who rode like nothing he’d ever seen. And she caught his eye and the adventure that rode in them. She gave him strength to go on. She believed in him.

With no support vehicle behind him nor in front, just his desire to be a cowboy and to find that place where he belonged, another year passed.

And now that Mexico border was in view and friends and family cheered him on and he knew he’d reached the place he so longed to be. The many miles and hardships behind him had bred cowboy into his bones. And he turned around and knelt down and asked that girl who believed in him, who’d caught his heart, if she’d marry him. And she said yes. And now that young man with the dream of becoming of cowboy works on one of the biggest ranches in New Mexico south of Animas.

But what he did not dream of, what he did not know when he set forth on his journey to be a cowboy was that he’d find so much more. That he would find love and happiness as a father and a husband. That an entire community would welcome and embrace him. That ropin and ridin and cowboy boots, spurs, good horses and cattle were but a small part of being a cowboy.

I first heard about this long rider in 2006 while crossing the United States on a 5000 mile ride. Someone handed me a newspaper clipping with a photo of a cowboy coming head on, riding one horse, packing another. A dog ran out front. Flanking him were 6 or 7 horses on leads. I thought, even as a very inexperience long rider at that time, “He’s nuts.”

Well I had the pleasure of meeting Jeremiah John Karsten, now 32, in Animas, New Mexico a week ago. I had dinner with him, his beautiful wife Joetta Rae and their three young daughters, Charlee Rae, 7 – Jemma Jo, 3 – Cora Kate 5 months.

I went away from our meeting thinking this man is my idea (maybe a romantic notion some might say) of a true cowboy. Tall, straight, lean, his attire careful, tidy. His boots, spurs and jeans seem to fit just right as did his colorful cowboy style scarf he wore around his neck. And of course the hat, not at all like mine, a real cowboy hat, with sweat and dirt worn into its years.

But that’s only the look. The important part of a true cowboy rides inside. Polite, soft spoken, yet not shy. Confident but with a measure of humility. He loves his trade, his wife, his family. He resounds in contentment for his life as a cowboy. Jeremiah left Alaska an 18 year old “greenhorn” now thirteen years later he’s probably on of the happiest men alive at least his smile and eyes and family showed it.

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Photos – From Douglas, Arizona to Silver City, New Mexico.

Equestrian Border Patrol stopping to visit. I had left my tent in Douglas in the livestock feed trough and the "BPer's" came to my rescue, went back and retrieved it.
Equestrian Border Patrol stopping to visit. I’d left my tent in Douglas, in the livestock feed trough, the “BPer’s” came to my rescue, went back and retrieved it.
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Came across this beautiful stone house, now abandoned and said, this is it I want to live here, it was lovely. Spent the night camped near by
Came across this beautiful stone house, now abandoned and said,”This is it, I want to live here.”, It was lovely. Spent the night camped near by. Just before entering the Coronado National Forest.
This rocking horse tied to the post with the sign "pony rides 25 cents" Water bottle near by. How odd.
This rocking horse tied to the post with the sign “pony rides 25 cents” Water bottle near by. How odd. Only a mile or so from the border fence line.
Stopping for afternoon lunch break.
Stopping for afternoon lunch break.
Animas, New Mexico had one of the finest mercantile stores I have ever come across. It had everything from food to lumber from horseshoes to propane. On the right is Starla Freeman her father started the store in 1976 from their home. To the right is Paula Johannes she does all the ordering.
Animas, New Mexico had one of the finest mercantile stores I have ever come across. It had everything from food to lumber from horseshoes to propane. On the right is Starla Freeman her father started the store in 1976 from their home. To the left is Paula Johannes she does all the ordering.
Cold south eastrely blew me into town. I made due with a old pig pen at Starlas, near the mercantile. I had hay, we were out of the wind and had food. Warm, safe and dry, I say, Thank you
A cold south easterly blew me into town. I made due with an old pig pen at Starlas, near the mercantile. I had hay, we were out of the wind and had food. Warm, safe and dry, I say, Thank you
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Stopped in Lordsburg for the night. Fairgrounds said NO CAMPING but there happened to be a horse motel nexted to it. I met a "Trail Angel" Nettie Rainer. She washed my very dirty clothes, let me shower and found me hay for the horses. Thank you Nettie.
Stopped in Lordsburg for the night. Fairgrounds said NO CAMPING but there happened to be a horse motel next to it where I met a “Trail Angel” Nettie Rainer. She washed my very dirty clothes, let me shower and found me hay for the horses – then her friend (from Animas) who took me to the grocery store. Thank you Nettie.
Again this may not look like much but it kept me dry when I woke to snow coming out of Lordsburg more cold winds with rain and snow this time. I considered myself lucky to have found this shack still standing from an old homestead. It had a stock tank and enough dry grass to keep the horses happy. A days ride from Silver City.
Again this may not look like much but it kept me dry when I woke to snow a days ride N.of Lordsburg, N.M. – more cold winds with rain and snow this time. I considered myself lucky to have found this shack still standing from an old homestead. It had a stock tank and enough dry grass to keep the horses happy. A days ride from Silver City.
It's rags to riches. From the photo above to Pat's lovely Casita where we are spending the week. Liska and Spirit have equally nice accommodations where I can watch them. I met Pat when Rosie and I came thur earlier. The nights are freezing but the New Mexico sun warms all beneath it.
It’s rags to riches. From the photo above to Pat’s lovely Casita where we are spending the week. Liska and Spirit have equally nice accommodations where I can watch them. I met Pat when Rosie and I came thur earlier.  An avid horsewoman and Back-country Horseman member. Pat’s 3 horses, all geldings, think my two fat Fjord mares are very amusing. The nights are freezing but the New Mexico sun warms all beneath it.

Ok all for now, am heading north to visit with my sister in the Albuquerque area and another friend Leslie Adler whom I met in 2006 on another ride in Madrid, New Mexico. Best to all who follow the rides, and of course many thanks for the Facebook page comments and interest.
Bernice

January 10th, 2018 Douglas, Arizona – Empresa Cojunita Subasta – Sonoran Livestock Market

Riding the United States/Mexico border fence line.

The United States/Mexico fence border near Palominas,AZ
The United States/Mexico fence border near Palominas, AZ.

Today I rode into Douglas, Arizona, mid- afternoon, a cool breeze in our face a warm sun on our right shoulders following the U.S./Mexico border fence from Palominas a 3 day ride. Horses needed water and the first building complex I came to is The Empresa Cojunita Subasta – livestock pens. Not one animal anywhere, very clean, no smell. Julio, the manager came out as I stepped down from my saddle. After I watered the horses we talked for a bit and Julio has been kind enough to furnish hay, water and pens for the night. Cattle are coming in from Mexico tomorrow. They will be purchased and shipped thru out the United States. Julio has been in the cattle business his whole life, he runs a very tidy stockyard here I must say.

It really has been quite the ride and I have been out less than two weeks.

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Spirit grabbing at a few bits of grass along the fence. This section was tall steel bars. There were many different kinds of fencing I was surprised.

I have a much different opinion about the border, about the wall, about the complicated mess that has evolved and the men and women whose job it is to secure the Mexico/U.S. Border. The country I have ridden, from Sonoita to Douglas is spectacular. It may be some of the most superb sweeping vista’s I have ever seen. The San Predro River Valley, Montezuma Pass, the San Rafael Valley and Patagonia Mountains are like nothing I have ever ridden through. I thought Eastern Montana or Saskatchewan were expansive but this has a quality all its own. Desert grasses and shrubs grow at low elevations. Forest of oak, pinyon pine and alligator juniper dominate most of the landscape. And then off in that elusive horizon jagged mountains outline the sky. And right smack thru this scene is a long black fence/wall slicing like some one had taken a big magic marker to the land.
A well maintained dirt road runs along the U.S. side with white and green pickup trucks patrolling back and forth in their designated sections. I have seen helicopters, a blimp with surveillance equipment, towers every so many miles with surveillance equipment and dozens of border patrols, BP’s as they call one another.

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Interesting signs on the fence, I never did find out what exactly they meant.
Interesting signs on the fence, I never did find out what exactly they meant.

The neigh-sayers said, “You’ll get shot riding down there.” Even I felt apprehensive after all I have heard about the Mexico border from the far reaches of our Montana border. And one must exercise caution it is a dangerous place at times and there are ruthless men running drugs etc. But with in all this I have found most of the people quite calm about the whole situation. The border patrols have been helpful, friendly and generous with time and questions I have. It’s not at all like our northern border. These mostly young men and women have given me a far better understanding of the situation than I once had and with it I think an appreciation that something does need to be done. It’s far more complicated than simply building a wall. Some are for it some say its not going to help until Mexico steps up and the economy is better, (as one on looker said,”when you get $10.00 a day in Mexico and $10.00 and hour in the U.S. , hell I’d risk it to.) and they no longer need or want to mass exodus. Until we Americans no longer need or want the drugs coming across the border the situation is not going to change as one patrol officer pointed out. These “BP”are men and women with families of their own working a very difficult, complicated situation down here as State Park Ranger Steve Mazur pointed out when he stopped in his truck for a chat. When I stopped at the Coronado National Memorial Visitor Center for information regarding road travel. Christopher Bentley the center’s manager also pointed out that it was safe to travel here that he hoped people would not stay away out of fear.

My Tucker Saddle and OutFitters Supply packs at the border with me.
My Tucker Saddle and OutFitters Supply packs at the border with me. Horse shoes by Roger Robinson at the Black Smith Shop.

So I say thank you to all of these men and women I have met over the course of this ride who serve our country in one way or another, I say thank you.

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As for me, I am loving the sunny, warm I hesitate to say “winter days” down here in Arizona and New Mexico but it is winter! I may never winter in Montana again!

Spirit and Liska are now back to work as we travel a 400 mile jaunt from Sonoita to Edgewood, New Mexico to see my sister. Rosie and Bella dog, her truck and trailer are back in Tennessee taking care of business. We, Spirit, Liska and I will meet up with her again at my sisters for more “Travels with Rosie.”

Photos from the last few days

These are the FOUR HORSEWOMEN FROM SONOITA! and they escorted me across a section of National Forest, I never would have found my way across. Thank you Ladies
These are the FOUR HORSEWOMEN OF SONOITA! – they escorted me across a section of National Forest, (just south of Sonoita) I never would have found my way across. Thank you Ladies! L to R. – Diane, Jeanie (responsible for this) Nancy and Gloria.
Next night out Corky Quiruga, manager of the Diamond C Ranch hosted my stay, Corky's dad worked on this ranch for 50 years now Corky has taken his Dads place. Corky said, "I don't have a job, I have a life."
Next night out Corky Quiruga, manager of the Diamond C Ranch hosted my stay, Corky’s dad worked on this ranch for 50 years now Corky has taken his Dads place. Corky said, “I don’t have a job, I have a life.” It was really a nice restful visit.
Parker Canyon Lake's winding road led me to Scott Kerr at Canyon Lake. He owns the store and I rode into hospitality. He said, " I saw you ride out of Sonoita and well you finally made it, welcome." He made the most delicious burritos I have ever eaten.
Parker Canyon Lake’s winding road led me to Scott Kerr at Canyon Lake. He owns the store just off the lake. I rode into hospitality. He said, ” I saw you ride out of Sonoita and well, you finally made it, welcome.” He made the most delicious burritos I have ever eaten. And Scott has been to Trego, Montana.
The next few photos are from The Coronado National Monument State Park
The next few photos are from The Coronado National Monument State Park.
Steve Mazur dashing young park ranger with a beautiful smile stopped to chat, the horses nearly ate him.
Steve Mazur, dashing young park ranger with a beautiful smile stopped to chat, the horses nearly ate him.
Stunning
Stunning
We camped here for the night, just getting started. Copper Canyon the horses had water AND green grass!
We camped here for the night, just getting started. Copper Canyon the horses had water AND green grass!
The next generation of Park Rangers!! the gal on teh R. gave me her lighter as mine was soaked when I spilled my tea on it.
The next generation of Park Rangers!! the gal on the R. gave me her lighter as mine was soaked when I spilled my tea on it.
Interesting Corral where I stopped for water and an afternoon break.
Interesting Corral where I stopped for water and an afternoon break.
And yes its break time for my girls when we stopped at Nancy Newmans lovely adobe home in the desert. Had a wonderful visit with a kindred spirit.
And yes its break time for my girls when we stopped at Nancy Newmans lovely adobe home in the desert. Had a wonderful visit with a kindred spirit. New friend indeed. Liska is having a grand new adventure everyday, its old hat stuff for Spirit girl.

Ok I think that’s it for now. I don’t think it’s to late to say, Happy New Year is it? Wishing you all the best.

Bernice