Tuesday 10 August 2010

After 40 Years, I Got Back In The Saddle

This morning, after a break of about 40 years, I rode a horse.

The owner of the ranch that I stayed at last night has a sister who runs a horse-riding ranch, so early this morning I swopped my H-D horsepower for one horsepower....




















This is Marshall who was my guide as we rode across the Badlands....




















Despite having a slight fear of horses (I was pushed against a wall by one as a child), I enjoyed today. It was just too good an opportunity to miss. The ranch was right there! Marshall was a great guide – he made me laugh telling me he was home-schooled in the loneliness of the Badlands and people used to worry what this would mean to his socialising skills. As I told him, it didn’t do him any harm, because he didn’t stop talking during the entire ride! I liked Marshall as he was very down-to-earth and said it like it was!

So, just a short ride on my bike today of 100 miles. There wasn’t much to see, but I did see this in a field and bizzarely, there wasn’t anything there to explain why. It just sat there in a field, all on its own....

7 comments:

Tim France said...

A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse!

I have to say, you look quite at home up there.

But will your bum ache tomorrow?

Eve said...

I thought you were kidding about riding the horse!! Good for you Gary! Love the dino...I'm pretty sure there are a lot of dino bones in the Badlands.

Unknown said...

Gary:

You look right at home on that horse, but you are missing the cowboy hat. Imagine doing your cross country tour on a horse, back in the 1800's, you would need a wagon train full of supplies.

bob
Wet Coast Scootin

redlegsrides said...

Good job Gary, all you needed was a cowboy hat! But then, where to pack it?

Jackie, the Wife xx said...

Good Morning MD: Are you ready for another fun-filled day of touring.?. I absolutely love the pic of my cute and charming Hubby on a horse..!!.. hehehe ... I just love it - the dinosaur in the field must have been such a surprise to come upon. 65 million years ago, dinosaurs roamed that part of the Country in herds. Maybe you will get lucky and find a bone. Wouldn't that be fun... A bit of memorabilia to bring home in a few months.  Keep safe. Kz, J xoxo

Gary France said...

Tim – I didn’t feel at home on it at first, but I soon got used to it. My bum didn’t ache, but we were only riding for about 90 minutes.

Eve – No, not kidding!

Bob – I felt I did need a cowboy hat as well. I thought about how it must have been back in the late 1800’s as the settlers moved west/ Pretty darn hard I imagine, especially when you consider there were no roads.

Charlie / Regleg / Dom – Indeed, that wopuld have been a problem!

Jackie – I am glad you liked the picture of me on the horse! I am not sure I would have room in my saddlebags for many dinosaurous bones! Kz.

Chris said...

Good pic of you on the horse!