Road trip

During one of our infrequent neighbor get-togethers last fall, Marsha announced that she and Phil would be moving. To Las Cruces, New Mexico! It is not that we saw each other that frequently, though they lived just down the road, but I was upset. I enjoyed their company when we did meet. I decided then and there that Diane, Barbara, Lucy and I should go visit once they were settled in their new house. Just up and back, with enough time for a tour of the house, and lunch out.

Of course, with holidays and all, then with some remodeling on the Las Cruces house, and with all of us being busy with our own lives, time was lapsing rapidly, so I decided we should set a date or we would never go. Today was the day.

Lucy volunteered to drive, and I made muffins, eggs and coffee for an on-the-road breakfast. We left Cochise at 7 for the 3 hour and 15 minutes drive (and one hour time change). There is really not a lot to look at between here and there, but today the poppies were in bloom everywhere along the way. Fields and fields of them. Spectacular, thanks to our wet winter. Obligatory picture at the rest stop.


Phil and Marsha's house is lovely, and has a breathtaking view of the patio right when you come into the door. Their situation is opposite of ours: we are on foothills facing east, they are on foothills facing west. I found that New Mexico had a different feel than Arizona, but it's difficult to put a finger on exactly why.


We had a lovely lunch in Old Mesilla, at La Posta, made another quick tour of the yard and left around 3 so that we would be home before dark. It was great seeing Phil and Marsha again, and next time I will take Dan as he missed out on lunch at one of our all-time favorite Mexican restaurants.

Lucky Pup Ranch Ride

To get a better feel for endurance riding I volunteered at a "local" (= 1 hour from the WD) ride. It was being held at the Lucky Pup Ranch, whose owner sold me my new saddle. Rather than being in the foothills of the Dragoon Mountains, where we are, this was in the foothills of the Rincons. The weather was absolutely perfect for the event.

I was given the opportunity to be a pulse-checker, of the horse that is, but declined because I am still slow at detecting a horse pulse and did not want to hold up any competitor. This was a 50 mile and a 25 mile ride, with a 15 mile fun ride thrown in for good measure.


So I was stationed in the outback, at a gate with a watertank and my job was to ensure the cows would not get out. I did have the opportunity to see the 50-milers leave and it was interesting to see the different horses, different tack, different ways of dress, and different attitudes toward the horses. Some people are out for the competition, others just to enjoy the scenery and have fun. After all, the motto of the AERC (American Endurance Ride Conference) is "the finish is to win".


There was only one snafu at my post, and thankfully I was not involved. A number of the 25-mile riders misread the flags and ended up at the watering hole at the same time as the 50-milers who came from the opposite direction. No harm done, everyone was soon on their way again. It was very nice sitting out there all alone in the quiet and watching the riders come over the horizon.


At lunch time, Heidi recalled me from my post as all the riders had passed by, and I spent the remaining time in base camp, watching the vet checks, the cooling down and the pulse taking. I think I can get the hang of that for next time.


In all, a fun experience. Everyone was very nice, and I got a better feel for what all the endurance riding is about. I was invited to participate in the next local event by Sonoita. They also have a 15 mile fun ride, and perhaps I will get up the nerve if I have enough time to work on Buggsy's and my conditioning.

Cindy and Bueno

Cindy is leaving tomorrow. Going back to Vermont for the summer. I will miss her. She has been a great riding companion, and under her tutelage I have become a better rider, though there is still much to be improved. She also opened a whole new world for me: endurance riding.


We went out for a final ride this afternoon. Cindy's horses have had some foot problems lately, and she has been riding Bueno a couple of times over the past couple of weeks. She loves Bueno, and they seem to get along great. Bueno is too smart for me, and is resentful of my wanting control (read: I am a lot less confident in the saddle than Cindy, who can, and does, put up with a lot more shenanigans from him). It is fun to see their good rapport, and I am sure that Bueno will miss Cindy too.