The Best of Our Trail Rides

In Memory of Mike Samuels, 11/18/2008 - 'nuff said!

See you on the Trail!

"Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond's glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there, I did not die." 

In Memory of Cody - Nov 2008 Don't mourn for me dear Sally, kind and true. I know that you will miss me As I will also think of you. We shared so many secrets; Those you whispered in my ear. I've kept those secrets for you Lest any one would hear. And in return you've kept me from being turned out in the cold. You've fed, watered, & loved me While we both grew old. But God has called & needs me; He says that it is time, I claim that sweet reward in a kinder, greener clime. He promises sweet clover, Clear water, rich and pure. I'll never have to suffer from pains humans can not cure. I'll be watching out for you when comes your judgement day and together towards the pearly gates, we again will ride away! Love and hugs, Diane

Dear Sally, I was so sorry to hear of Cody's passing. I remember how much a character he was and his Mr. I'm the man attitude. I know how much you will miss him, I don't look forward to the day I will have to make the decision to have Grit put to rest, he is like Cody, one of a kind. I'll keep you in my prayers, Love, Rosie Sal, I'm sorry for your sadness over losing Cody, but I am, thankful for the many wonderful years you shared with him. You are the mother every animal hopes for. God bless you and Johnny and all your creatures great and small. Love you, Gina Sally, our heartfelt sympathy on the loss of your beloved Cody. He was indeed your special boy. I remember many, many adventures with Cody. No horse could ever wish for a better two-legged friend than you were for Cody. {{{{{{{Sally}}}}}}}} <---us hugging you.  Hugs, Linda and the Boydman So sorry to hear of Cody's passing, Sally.  He will be missed by all.  Please know that he couldn't have asked for a better home than you provided for him. Becky

On Friday, Nov. 14, Cody was gently placed in the hands of God by Dr. Dawn Lindsey, a Vet at White Bluff Animal Hospital. She was very kind to Cody. Her procedures allowed him to pass in comfort. Cody had many episodes of founder/laminitis over the years and this latest one left him with rotation in the front right coffin bone, which is not reversible. He was very sore and could barely walk. Cody had no papers, but we believe he was around 25 years old. He had stiff joints over the years and recently had a tumor come up behind the right eye. Dr. Lindsey also suspected Cushing's disease.

True to his Appaloosa nature, Cody was grumpy, but a true and loyal friend. We rode many miles on the trails over the past 18 years. Cody had been retired for several years enjoying the good life at the Chigger Ranch. You wouldn't say Cody was agile. He was built like a kitchen table with straight legs on all four corners with a long body in the middle. He had a wonderful rhythmic walk that was very soothing, a rough choppy trot and a very odd looking canter. Cody enjoyed opening the latch on the stall doors for himself and the other horses. Years ago he tried to speed up feeding time by turning on the lights in the barn after dark. He was a character and had a very distinct personality. Cody was unique, and in my eyes, he was beautiful. I will never forget his loving heart, willing attitude and brave spirit.

Spring Ride - Shawnee National Forest - May 2 through the 7th, 2008

Food Organizing with this group is interesting, they certainly love to eat and their not bad cooks either! We had more food than we knew what to do with. When we do this again, we need to remember, more vegetables! Oops, shouldn't say that with so many BBQ lovers around. ;-)

David, Lisa and Eric - First day of riding. We all stayed at Bear Branch on Highway 145 in Eddyville, IL. We rode out the Yo-Sam trail and made our way to Petticoat Junction.	Lunch at Petticoat Junction
	The woods were breathtaking, the sights unbelieveable. I have only seen such things in pictures. And these pictures don't do it justice!
More Photos Coming!

We all brought Onions! ;-)

Buffalo River Trail Ride - October 2007 (click on this link for the newsletter)

Another year, another newsletter. We had fun, we got muddy. There was some riding, but not nearly enough. Well, there is always next year.

	We celebrated our fifth year anniversary - and David surprised me!	Jill and Rusty driving around the camp ground. This was Rusty's first time at the Buffalo and he is a trooper, except when Boyd got out the farrier tools!
Jill and Becky at Twin Falls on lunch break.	Roy Wooten and daughter Amy (above). Little David fishing for his supper in the new fishing hole (right).

LBL - Sept 2007

What a great place LBL is! This was our first time there and I hope not the last time. The trails are beautiful, the facilities were clean and very nicely organized.

Buffalo River Trail Ride - October 2006 (click on this link for the newsletter)

Hi Folks, What a great ride again this year! We love the Buffalo and our friends.

Mitchell, Colonel, and First Sergaent, their job is to keep the rest of us safe on the trail. YeeHaw!	Here is a couple completely owned by their dogs! Precious and Cowboy.	Becky on Lika and Kevin on Becky's horse.
	Becky with Pearl in her lap, that is Pearls favorite sweater.	Becky got her five year belt buckle along with Kevin and David Wade.
This is my view on the trail, Charlie is one of the best trail horses I have ever had the priveledge to ride.	Lunch break

Buffalo River Trail Ride - October 2005(click on this link for the newsletter.)

Lunch on the Trail with First Sergeant and the Colonel. Yummy, Sardines and Onions for lunch again!	Almost the whole gang, lined up in the water at Blue Rock.	Jill and Becky watching the "guys" set up camp.
My and my horse Dani at the Blue Hole, there were beautiful water falls this year.	My horse Dani has something she would like to say "Bring Hay!"	Sally and her Missouri Fox Trotter, Rusty.
Me and my husband, David, at lunch at the Blue Rock.	Roger and Buck discussing the days riding and where we might go next.	For those special potty breaks on the trail! Happy Riding, Everybody!

Buffalo River Trail Ride - October 2004 (click on this link for the newsletter.)

Aunt Sally and Pearl sitting around the camp fire.	Starting up the campfire! This is the center of the camping life, very important you get just the right kind of fire going.	Matt and Laurie look on as the guys build the fire. This was Laurie's first year.
Your's truly and her baby, Pearl, sitting around the campfire that very first night. This is usually my hardest part of the vacation to get through. Unwinding from work it hard work!	This is where it really gets interesting. There was flash flooding up the river and the water at the camp started rising, higher and higher and higher.	We got totally flooded out of our camp site and everybody in the lower camp sites had to move up and squish into the upper camp. It was cozy.
That is the barn that our horses were in only hours before. Everybody at camp pitched in and helped to move horses and campers. The water got so deep we had to ride horses in to get the last horses.	You can't get this gang down, they may be tired, but they are happy and determined to have a good time!	In spite of the hardship we all had so much fun, I know for me part of the magic is the company of my good friends.
Quite a number in our gang got their 10 year belt buckles. You know you spend an awful lot of money and energy getting those things, be proud!	There is the Dance Hall, anybody up for a jig?	The "Rats Nest" pulling out of the water down below!

Buffalo River Trail Ride - October 2001

We ride at the Buffalo River Trail Ride every year in October. There is a big bunch of us that live all over the country, and meet up there once a year. It has become an institution with us. Several of us have our 5 year belt buckles and quite a few are going to be getting their 10 year belt buckles, this coming October.

Sitting at the crossroads, taking a break. Riding during the day, we don't ride hard, but we like the out of the way places and we take our time. Its a belief that we must take time to "smell the roses". Enjoy Life while we are here.	The Mississippi Rough Riders at Nap Time.	We are not LOST. After this many years its hard to get lost, but they guys love to tell the newbies that they are.
	Twin Falls, or no, look its the Twins from Ohio!

Last Updated: 10 January 2009
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