Sun June 24 via Fri July 6

Friday, July 6
Hi Everyone,
I'm so excited to finally have computer access.  We are in Walla Walla, WA, staying at cousin Linda, husband Doug, & at-home-son Adam's place.  Son Justin is grown and on his own.  A beautiful home, swimming pool, pasture for their two horses & Hank.  Linda and family are in Spokane for a baseball tournament Adam is playing in; depending on wins, may not be home until Saturday.  We actually arrived late yesterday afternoon, hot, dirty, and in desperate need of a shower.  I don't want to get ahead of myself, so I'm going to back up chronologically.  I hope this doesn't bore you.  I will probably put in a lot more detail then you care to read, but this is my only memoire of the trip.

Sunday, June 24 -- Norm and I, Eldy and Carol Swendsen following, on our way to Wagon Train:   After the water fiasco in Heppner.....I guess it's a sign of the times, economy wise.  We used to go anywhere and fill our 120 gallon horse trailer water tank for free.  Today, the gas station in Heppner sent us off to we're-not-sure-where for water as it would be too expensive for them to fill our tank.  Even after an offer to pay, they weren't interested.  So off we went and found water at the Museum Park.  It was a slow fill as the water flow as not very strong.  Those of you who know Norm won't be suprised--he took a wrench to the valve and increased the flow three fold.  (He did readjust it after our tanks were filled). 

We made it to first camp Wagon Train around 6:30 p.m.  Got settled in.  Put Hank on his new trailer high-line, the aluminum portable corral up, fed and watered, a beautiful night.  I was very pleased how calm and relaxed he was with the new surroundings, lots of rigs, new horse buddies high-lined beside him and all.

Hank checking out high-line and corral at Wagon Train second camp.

Note rock pile in lower right corner.

Met up with our friends from Redland (home before La Pine), Carl and Cindy Hemphill, and their friends Bob and Roberta.  Somehow conversation got around to trouble mounting our horses.  (I have to say I noticed several people, men included, climbing on logs, stumps, rocks and trailer fenders to get on their horses, so I'm not alone) Roberta is a pretty little short lady.  Her son bought her a portable mounting step.  It's only about 12" tall, a 6" round plastic plate on 3 aluminum folding legs.  You step into your stirrup on it, once seated, pull it up by it's sting, and attach it to your saddle horn for future use.  I'll try it tomorrow.  I actually think, if it were about 18" tall, it would work better for me. 

Reacquainted with veteran Wagon Train participant and veterinarian Linda ??? who drives a Haflinger team.  She was very excited about the step to help her get in her wagon. 

Monday, June 25 -- Train doesn't officially begin until dinner tonight.  More rigs showing up today, a total of 145 people expected.  Singles or groups of wagons going out to warm up their teams for first day out tomorrow.  Six of us (Norm and I, Eldy and Carol, their friends Joe and Diane Long) went out on about 1 1/2 hr ride.  Beautiful scenery.  Coming back into camp we saw a mule team wagon coming towards us.  We promptly dismounted and held the horses off to the side while the wagon passed.  You never want to be astride when your horse meets it's first covered wagon.  Hank watched and was fairly calm.  When it passed, Diane and I walked our horses to follow behind.  Although we couldn't keep up on foot, neither horse were concerned with the wagon at all.  Yea. 

Met with Jim Banks this morning and marked on our Forest Service map the route Judy and I will take out of last camp to Ukiah and on to the point the Walla Walla Ranger District  map begins. 

Met Sue Blackstock this afternoon.  She was only one of two who responded to postcards I sent out to past Wagon Train participants regarding joing the trek.  She, of course, was unable to go.  Enjoyed getting to know her, however.  Also met Bev ???.  Bev was a friend of Beryl Grilley, a very independent woman in her 90's when I met her on Train riding her buckskin.  She liked me because I also rode a buckskin (Easy).  Kept in touch through the years until she passed away around four years ago. 

Breakfast is at 6:30, and wagons roll at 8.  Our plan is to watch the wagons and the outriders leave, then head out the opposite direction for a casual ride.  We may meet the wagons the last 1/2 hr. or so coming in. 

Reluctantly, blanketed Hank tonight.  He's lives in La Pine, used to cold weather, but he has shelter and wind beak at home.  Out here he's more exposed to the elements.  So I put on his blanket and kissed him goodnight at 10:15 p.m.

Tuesday, June 26 -- Woke up to light rain and mud this morning.  Not too bad.  Only a handful of wagons went out, and 10 outriders.  I was not one of them.  Just didn't want to chance a cold before the Big Ride begins.  A very restful day.

Wednesday, June 27 --  Went out to feed Hank breakfast around 7:15 this morning.  Joe showed me one of our corral panels he had rescued Hank from.  Apparently 5 minutes earlier, even though he was high-lined to the trailer, Hank was able to get close enough to the panels to get into trouble.  He had been pawing at the fence because Joe's horses were being fed, slipped a leg through the top space weaving his foot back through the bottom space to the inside of the panel, wedging his shoulder to the panel.  He was thrashing, trying to free himself.  Thank God Joe was right there and managed to free him, threw him some hay, removed the bent and broken panel, and secured the remaining panels together.  No injuries, could have been horrible.  This all happened about 12 feet from the camper, but Norm and I hadn't heard a thing.

Today was camp moving day.  Beautiful weather.  I led Hank to the perimeter of the wagon staging area to watch.  He was such a good boy and just watched calmly as the wagons started rolling.  When the last one passed, we fell in behind, me walking, leading Hank for a few hundred feet.  Hank stayed calm---what a good boy.  Carol and Diane rode today. 

When we got our camps moved and set up, Eldy, Joe, Norm and I rode out to meet the wagons, again staying a ways in the woods as they passed.  All the horses were good at first.  Found Carol and Diane riding in.  Hank himself took us out on the road and fell in behind the two last outriders just behind the last wagon.  He just went along as sweet as could be.  Eventually taking him back up off the road, we all pulled ahead of the last couple wagons, then all our horses got jiggy.  Riding farther off road, we shortcut back to camp ahead of the train. 

Thursday, June 28 -- Gorgeous day again.  Joe and Diane, Carol and I rode out about 9:30 planning to catch up with the wagons at lunch and ride back with them to camp.  Unfortunately, although we had a map, we followed a road with hoof prints and wagon tracks, but because the terrain was hard with embedded rocks, we thought that was the reason the tracks no longer showed.  Long story short, we rode 7 hours on rocky terrain most of the time, never caught the wagons, so no lunch.  The 13 mile day turned into a 20 mile day for us, rocks and heavy gravel all the way.  I had put Hank's boots on before we left, the others put theirs on shortly thereafter.  Hank was ouchy on the rocks even with boots, but not lame.  When I put him in his corral, which is also rocky, he wouldn't even take a step.  Gave him Bute to ease the pain, and Carol, bless her heart, started tossing rocks out of Hank's corral, me joining her.  We'll see how he is in the morning.  May have a day off and I can get a good shower at the Wagon Train shower truck.
 
Bob and Judy Keller showed up at camp this evening, a day earlier then planned.  Was a great surprise to see them.  We hurried and cleaned out the horse trailer, moved the hay out and set up the cots for them. 

Camp fire was pretty entertaining for us tonight.  Think I'm not supposed to mention Norm's Honorable Mention by Wagon Train president, but since I'm not sure, I will  :)  Norm, riding Swendsen's rather round mare,Tenisha (sorry if the spelling is wrong), had a saddle slide episode right in front of the officers....Tenisha did an unexpected turn while Norm was adjusting the saddle from an earlier unexpected move....off he went.  They didn't see the second dump minutes later, but I brought it to their attention.  Eldy was laughing so hard I thought we'd have to take him to emergency to get his tickler removed.  Besides torn up fingers, a bruised back and possibly a bruised ego, Norm was fine.

Friday, June 29 --   Checked out Hank.  Much better today, but gave him the day off.  Judy and I drove to Ukiah to check our route and make sure gas and water would be available on Sunday.  We picked our camp spot, and through phone tag with the property owner, Karl Jensen, got permission to stay there the next night.

Last night at Train, camp breaks up after breakfast tomorrow.  Before dinner and last camp entertainment, friends joined us at our camp area. Eldy, played guitar and dedicated his version of "She'll Be Comin' 'Round the Mountain" to me.  Never realized "She'll Be Comin' 'Round the Mountain" could bring tears to your eyes.  Many well wishers for our trek at dinner. 

Eldy entertaining us at camp.

Tomorrow Norm and Bob are running to Pendleton to buy Judy and I certain GPS satellite units with walkie-talkies and you can see each others exact location in case one of us makes a wrong turn.

Last camp fire tonight, prime rib dinner, met the Pendleton Round-Up court and the Happy Canyon Days court, good entertainment of two brothers singing & playing guitars.  Got a good nights sleep.    

Saturday, June 30 --   Last morning of Wagon Train.  Bought 9 bales of left over certified weed free hay from Train.  Norm's fingers were so chewed up from his "special ride", Sam from Finley, WA, and Ty from Tri Cities, WA, helped load the hay on top of the trailer.  Norm and Bob then headed out to get our GPSs.  They ended up going not only to Pendleton, but to Hermiston and one other place with no luck.  The ones they wanted cost $500 each and would have to be ordered in.  So they did the next best thing, they went garage saleing.  In the meantime at camp, we had a thunder storm--no lightening but lots of rain--had to tarp the hay with hard rain and wind.  Got wet, but got the job done.  The guys brought food back and we just had a fun evening visiting and enjoying Norm's gourmet dinner of chili burgers. 

Sunday, July 1 --   The trek finally begins! ---although a late start.  Norm fixed us all a nice breakfast, and after final instructions, inspections, hugs and kisses, the guys headed home.

Judy and Bob Keller

I headed to water Hank at the pond at 11:20.  11:27 finally in the saddle.  Easy ride to first cattle guard.  Judy headed off in front across the guard and around the mountain.  This was no ordinary cattle guard!  They had not made a normal wire loop over a post, they wound, looped, and nailed that wire around the post in a horrible mess.  I had kept a pry bar with me just for this, but it was a pipe with no flat end to get under anything.  Judy was out of walkie-talkie range so couldn't call her to get a better tool.  I worked that thing, sweating and cussing as a sweet innocent woman would, for 30 minutes before trail angel Chris showed up in a pickup and helped.  On my way again with many thanks to Chris.  When I met up with Judy, put the hammer in my saddle bag also for a claw end pry. 

Three miles later hit Hwy 53 and headed to Ukiah.  Had put all four of Hank's boots on him this morning.  He walked out of one (as he had during the first ride) and bent the tensioner.  Couldn't get the back boots to fit the front feet, so had to take them all off.  Bad rocks, even off the side of the road.  Because of that, we didn't make it to planned camp spot.  5:30, camped just off the hwy. at FS Rd 5305, the entrance to Wolf Springs at the "6 miles to Ukiah" sign.  

Judy relaxing out of the sun outside of Ukiah

Old homestead corral and cattle shoot

Beautiful full moon

 Monday, July 2 --   Woke up to Elk calling off in the distance and wonderful wildflower/grasses fragrance stepping out of the trailer.  Gorgeous morning. 

Will shoe Hank tomorrow.  No farriers in Ukiah, so made some calls to Pendleton.  We're meeting Dan Baker in Pilot Rock, 38 miles N. of Ukiah, at 5:30 p.m. where he has some clients today.  Karl Jensen stopped by and we explained why we didn't make it to his field.  He was very nice and offered his lumber mill parking lot to camp in at Pilot Rock.  So, one day's ride and Hank (and I) have a riding day off already. 

This is all a learning experience---set up and break down.  When we load Hank, we move all the "loose stuff" (heater, potty, totes, lights, etc., etc.) into the tack room, flip my sleeping bag/blankets on top of Judy's cot, move my cot out, load Hank, flip my cot on top of Judy's, tie it all down, and off we go.  Let Hank smell that all that stuff was nothing alive or dangerous, and he loaded right up.  Good Boy. 

Gased up in Ukiah but decided to wait to get water in Pilot Rock.  No sense in hauling the extra weight until needed.  Had a salad at J & D Food Mart in Pilot Rock.  Owners Jerry and Denea (spelling ??) were very helpful getting us phone numbers of folks we could possibly stay with that night.  We really appreciated Karl's invitation, but hoped to find a softer place for Hank to rest. 

Got in touch with Paul Ellis from the Ellis Hunting Ranch just north of town.  They let us camp there and fill the water tank.  Paul Jr. is third generation at the homestead, Paul Sr. lives down the road. The ranch offers bird and game hunting with a large green lawn for many campers to set up.  We camped on the edge to keep the lawn clean from Hanks fertilizer donations and hay debris.  Pauls were working on remodeling an office area.  I picked up scrap lumber for them for thanks.  Paul Jr. is also finishing a big hanging cooler for game.  There's a steel post and boom with a winch to lift, clean game, and roll it into the cooler for cure and cut.  Very professional.  Norm would love the set up. 

Ellis Hunting Ranch

Notice Judy's floored sunshade for camp chairs.

Paul Jr's meat cooler/processing plant in progress.

Dan showed up right on time.  Very nice guy; nice of him to fit me in after a full day working in the hot sun.  Between him and the two Pauls, we gleaned more trail information confirming what we already had.

Tuesday, July 3 --   Hank kept me awake all night clanging the metal snap on the high line boom ring.  Judy thought it was her fault disturbing Hank by stirring so much with the horrible leg cramps she had all night.  Felt so bad for her. 

Got out of camp late again--11:20.  Had lots of clean up, trouble filling the water tank.  Hank walked right out, was a happy camper.  The wind was blowing incredibly hard this morning, but warm.  Not a day for a wide brimmed hat.  Even had to hold on to my baseball cap at times.  Thank goodness for stampede strings.  Nice ride outside of town, but through Pilot Rock had to coax Hank each step.  I've ridden him through neighborhoods with barking dogs, etc. before with no hesitation.  I think all these new sights and everything was just peeking his curiosity more than wanting to move out.  It was very tiring for me though.

Heading to Pilot Rock from the Ellis Ranch

Taking a little break in Pilot Rock

Heading out again to Indian Lake.

 

Found a host for the evening's camp about 5 1/2 miles out of town.  A very nice young man, Jeremy, who works for Corrections Dept. in Pendleton, and his sweet pup, P something (sorry Jeremy, can't remember).  Ran Jeremy's sun-warmed hose water into a little plastic tub we had before giving Hank the cooler water to drink.  The way we were parked, could stand on the far side of the trailer and take a sponge bath privately.  Felt VERY good.  Went to bed at 9:50 to the sound of coyotes cries....beautiful.

Jeremy's place

Wednesday, July 4 --   Happy Fourth!  Judy gave me a star spangled ties to wear today.  Will tie it on the saddle.
 
Had a good night's sleep last night---yea.  Slept in until 7:10.  Hank still rattled on his trailer high-line, but not as bad as night before.  Got camp pretty well packed up except the corral and my chair 8:30ish.  Judy headed 5 1/2 miles back to Pilot Rock to gas up and a couple of errands.  We were down less than 1/4 tank, but since so close to town, and with other errands, wanted to head out with a full tank. 

9:10---there went Judy.  Missed the driveway here.  9:20 here comes Judy.  Got the corral down, Hank saddled and headed on out Birch Creek Rd. towards Indian Lake around 10:40--a little earlier.  

Got less than a mile down the 2 lane road with hills on the left, alfalfa fields below us on the right, when a pick-up headed to Pilot Rock stopped to warn me a helicopter was landing in a field about 1/4 mile ahead.  I immediately dismounted, not wanting to get dumped by a spooked horse, and walked Hank forward to see what was happening.  I saw the tank truck in the field just off to our right so waited.  Here comes a helicopter low over the hill on our left coming towards us parallel to the road making his first pass just feet off the pavement spraying for weeds.  I gripped the lead line as tight as I could, but left a tiny bit of slack so Hank wouldn't feel my fear.  That heli flew low and passed us, came back and forth making his way up the hill, then cut up a gulley.  Hank never batted an eye.  Didn't pay a bit of attention---couldn't believe it.  So I just kept walking, leading him up the road.  The heli passed on our right also to land, re-load, and take off again.  We were far enough by at that point, got back on Hank. We could hear the heli behind us, but never saw it again.  Don't know if Hank's attitude would have been different had I been on him, but I was so amazed by him.  Another Good Boy.

Only rode about 4 miles or so before coming to sharp curves with no shoulder.  Scattered houses there with bushes growing out onto the road.  We would have to be out on the road on blind curves so found a field with an open gate next to a little red farm house.  Walkie-talkied Judy to come on up and pull in to load Hank for this bad stretch.  We hadn't yet learned the full routine of unloading the trailer portion.  We tied my cot on hers before we got the stall divider free.  So we untied, unloaded my cot, loaded Hank, closed the divider, reloaded my cot and got all tied down.  Once we got beyond the curves, we decided to keep driving while I ate my lunch.  By the time I finished, we were about at Indian Lake, so went ahead and pulled into camp and chatted with Camp Host "Uncle Mike" Reed and his sweet Rottweiller, Jennifer.  They host the camp and go home to outside of Meecham Monday & Tuesdays.  Jennifer was laying on her special rug which took about half of the top of the big picnic table.  Camping is $10/night, so asked if there were good spots on up the road out of camp.  He directed us to a nice spot 3 miles up, but then said we could stay at the lake, no charge.  He said he'd tell his bosses (Umatilla Indian Tribe) he gave a comp night.  It's so beautiful here -- NO BUGS!   People had complained to the tribe about bats in the area, so they asked Mike to get rid of them.  He said "OK, but they're what's keeping the mosquitos gone."  The tribe had him build three bat condos instead.  

Judy peeking around trailer at Indian Lake Camp.

Hank waiting for his highline to be set up.

                                                             Large beautiful lake

Hank had lots of company today.  We got camp set up about 3:00.  Judy and I set up the high-line (gopher goes down the hole, around the tree, back down the hole), but couldn't get the come-along line out.  I did push over the black thing and tried to flip the other thingy, but couldn't get it.  Walked over to a group day camping and asked if anyone knew how to release it.  A nice young man, Ryan, came over to help.  After a couple tries, he got it.  You really have to have strong fingers to do it.  So, finally got Hank settled on the high-line.  A little later, 12 year old Mary from Ryan's group came over with her Dad.  She loves horses and wanted to pet Hank.  Put Mary up bareback and Judy took her picture.  Judy said she'd e-mail it to her.  Judy went over to the group with Mary to show family the picture on her camera.  Then Mary brought 5 or 6 little cousins over to meet Hank.  Their Mother said they couldn't set him, just pet.  Judy took a group picture of that.  As all this was going on, Dad took our bucket to the faucet down the way and filled Hank's water tub (Thank you, Dad).  Mary explained to the cousins that Judy would e-mail them the pictures if they gave her addresses---so they all came back with addresses.  Very cute.  

Hey, Larry Pearce, I'm sitting here around 7 pm writing this at the lake and all these fish keep coming up for their dinner.  Uncle Mike said they're trout, catfish and red-sided suckers. 

Hank is very quiet and content on the high-line.  Judy and I should get better sleep with no clanging tonight.