Trail Ride

in Arizona desert January 31st

That's Kay and Joe ahead of me on Reno and Teddy and Bobbie being led... then you see my James... well his ears anyway... and Paul on Coconino behind me... This is about the most perfect day for a ride God has ever created! There had been rains for a few days before, so no dust! And the desert plants were all alive and happy! It was a cool 65 to 70 degrees and very light breezes, picking up in the afternoon when we were hot and tired and welcoming them. The New River Trail is about 10 miles north of Phoenix, just west of I-17 and east of Lake Pleasant. It goes about a mile, then splits looping to the east or west for about a mile and a half, then another mile and a half back again, to that first mile that you retrace back to the trailhead. It's a moderate/ difficult rated trail with many steep washes to cross and a few narrow cliff edges to navigate. The cholla cactus is thick and best to have boots and chaps to avoid, and as my good old James discovered, requires pliers to pull out! The views are breath taking and the plant and wildlife abundant. With a nice break for a picnic lunch and frequent stops to take pictures or adjust saddlebags....it took us about 6 to 7 hours to complete trail.

Here's a pic of Joe grazing Teddy and Bobbie at our lunch stop.. a cattle watering hole with nice green grass.

The horses enjoyed the break as we had our picnic lunch they grazed... James managed to scratch up my saddle a bit on the trees... but what can ya do...

Paul, Kay and Joe enjoy a feast Kay brought along for us all to enjoy!

Paul and Joe wait patiently for us ladies to catch up.

And we are still taking pictures of the lovely watering hole and trees....

Lee, Paul, and Joe wait as Kay grabs another pic and we check out the view.

Paul provided excellent desert plant and wildlife information for our Montana friends.

Look at that view! And it is such a gorgeous day! Joe finds a toothpick... no shortage of that special Arizona desert toothpicks here!

Late in the day, the shadows are getting long, the cactus is backlit and beautiful. My saddlebags are slipping and my James backs into jumping cholla! Paul to the rescue with pliers to yank the thorns out and for his heroic efforts gets stepped on and kicked...

It was a nice ride! A good trail and maybe will do it again someday! Thanks to my buddies Paul, Kay and Joe and our faithful steeds Coconino, Reno, Teddie, Bobbie and James for bringing us home safe! One last picture of me and James following the trail home in the Arizona desert that I love...

Happy Trails!

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