extra time to do the unpacking and getting the Mules settled down for the night.
Our pace had been slow and steady and Mules are great foragers so they had chomped every bush or clump we passed.
After unpacking them and watering them I tied them to the rope line I ran between two trees and brushed them down looking for rub marks on their backs and checked their feet.
These were some wonderful animals and well trained and gentle. So unlike the tales you hear about them. I put a small bait of grain in their nose bags and started on my camp chores.
I was so tired I was tempted to just crawl into my bed roll but that wouldn’t cut it so I as the saying goes Cowboy’d up and built a small fire to heat some canned beans and tossed in some of the sausage jerky which I was surprised to see was still holding it’s on.
I really wanted some coffee but had to think about it but decided if I made some tonight and saved part of it I could heat it while getting ready for the day! Good idea!! Amazing how you can find an excuse to justify what you wanna do !
My bed roll was laid out with a ground cloth under and over it, the fire was dying down and so was I. But I needed to watch the stars a bit because it amazed me that some folks refused to even think there had to be other life out there because their holy book didn’t say so
It also never mentioned the Dinosaurs but we know they were here before us. I never understood narrow minded people. God made it all, the heavens and the earth and us. Why would he stop there?.
These thoughts were so deep I never finished them I guess because the sun is up! And the Mules are stomping around wanting water. Damn ! I looked at my wrist at the band of white skin and just laughed out loud!
First things first, Fire, heat coffee, water mules and tie them out to graze a bit. Then I fixed breakfast for Molly and me. I had a can of potatoes and chopped them up in the skillet and crumbled sausage jerky over them.
After it was hot I added a small can of diced tomatoes with some kind of peppers in it.
Toss in a couple of Biscuits’ from the ladies back at the ranch and I had a feast for us.
I didn’t share the cup of coffee with Molly. I’m so bad.
After cleaning up the dishes and putting out the fire I repacked the panniers and brought the mules in one at a time, brushed them and loaded them.
When Buck was saddled and camp cleaned, trash buried and another drink for all of us we were off day two in this phase our great adventure.
I kept an eye on Molly because she wasn’t a pup anymore but she seemed to be moving better then usual, maybe fresh air and exercise was good for her too.
According to my map we would be crossing some roads today, no big ones just county roads and such but every road was possibly a trouble spot and would need watching.
Around midday we did hit a forest service road that was going in our direction so I took it. Easier on the mules and we would make some time since it winded down the mountain taking the easy route.
We crossed several streams where the animals could water and rest a bit. So far so good! It was hard to believe the world had ended or at least in a sense. Because it was a beautiful day and was just so peaceful up here in the high country.
Another day was coming to an end so I looked for a camp site which wasn’t all that hard to find in this kind of country. This was hunting country and there were spots where hunters in times past had set up camp.
I stopped at the next place where a stream ran close to the road. I moved us off the road a ways just because. And following what was to become a normal routine for a long time We set up camp.
I was just as tired as the evening before so once the chores were done I ate some jerky, shared with Molly and rolled into the bedroll and went out like a light.
I did hear Molly grumble in the night and a mule stomped
Our pace had been slow and steady and Mules are great foragers so they had chomped every bush or clump we passed.
After unpacking them and watering them I tied them to the rope line I ran between two trees and brushed them down looking for rub marks on their backs and checked their feet.
These were some wonderful animals and well trained and gentle. So unlike the tales you hear about them. I put a small bait of grain in their nose bags and started on my camp chores.
I was so tired I was tempted to just crawl into my bed roll but that wouldn’t cut it so I as the saying goes Cowboy’d up and built a small fire to heat some canned beans and tossed in some of the sausage jerky which I was surprised to see was still holding it’s on.
I really wanted some coffee but had to think about it but decided if I made some tonight and saved part of it I could heat it while getting ready for the day! Good idea!! Amazing how you can find an excuse to justify what you wanna do !
My bed roll was laid out with a ground cloth under and over it, the fire was dying down and so was I. But I needed to watch the stars a bit because it amazed me that some folks refused to even think there had to be other life out there because their holy book didn’t say so
It also never mentioned the Dinosaurs but we know they were here before us. I never understood narrow minded people. God made it all, the heavens and the earth and us. Why would he stop there?.
These thoughts were so deep I never finished them I guess because the sun is up! And the Mules are stomping around wanting water. Damn ! I looked at my wrist at the band of white skin and just laughed out loud!
First things first, Fire, heat coffee, water mules and tie them out to graze a bit. Then I fixed breakfast for Molly and me. I had a can of potatoes and chopped them up in the skillet and crumbled sausage jerky over them.
After it was hot I added a small can of diced tomatoes with some kind of peppers in it.
Toss in a couple of Biscuits’ from the ladies back at the ranch and I had a feast for us.
I didn’t share the cup of coffee with Molly. I’m so bad.
After cleaning up the dishes and putting out the fire I repacked the panniers and brought the mules in one at a time, brushed them and loaded them.
When Buck was saddled and camp cleaned, trash buried and another drink for all of us we were off day two in this phase our great adventure.
I kept an eye on Molly because she wasn’t a pup anymore but she seemed to be moving better then usual, maybe fresh air and exercise was good for her too.
According to my map we would be crossing some roads today, no big ones just county roads and such but every road was possibly a trouble spot and would need watching.
Around midday we did hit a forest service road that was going in our direction so I took it. Easier on the mules and we would make some time since it winded down the mountain taking the easy route.
We crossed several streams where the animals could water and rest a bit. So far so good! It was hard to believe the world had ended or at least in a sense. Because it was a beautiful day and was just so peaceful up here in the high country.
Another day was coming to an end so I looked for a camp site which wasn’t all that hard to find in this kind of country. This was hunting country and there were spots where hunters in times past had set up camp.
I stopped at the next place where a stream ran close to the road. I moved us off the road a ways just because. And following what was to become a normal routine for a long time We set up camp.
I was just as tired as the evening before so once the chores were done I ate some jerky, shared with Molly and rolled into the bedroll and went out like a light.
I did hear Molly grumble in the night and a mule stomped
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