Riders included Chuck Manning from Region 4, Elizabeth Sauls,Teresa Ingram, Jerry Berges, Janis Janes, and Jack Tarver from Portales New Mexico. I have ridden with Jack many times at Pole Canyon when the Panhandle Trail Riders would have their Memorial Day Ride. We had fun sharing stories about following Floyd Starkey who does not believe in riding a trail. Floyd would also start out with about 15 people but by the time we picked our way down sunset ridge going off the back side he would have about 3 riders with him but that is another rabbit hole.
Ed and Sandy Moore and their son Nate and his family came up from Ralls Texas to visit so we went into town to have dinner. Well to our surprise the Caprock Cafe was closed because homecoming was that night and the town closed up to head to game. It is Texas and football Friday night lights. The Valley Patriots won 90-54 against the Lubbock Titans. We settled for the new Dads barbecue road side stand right outside the park. Not a bad place to eat. The ribs were good and the ice tea was wonderful.
Love those red bluffs
mule country for sure
The widow maker. This brings back a lot of memories of Megan and
her horse Carrot Top. Old Carrot Top liked to walk right on the edge
and dirt would be falling down with every step
Jim Brantley from Midland and his mustang also a new TETRA member
Elizabeth
Jerry and his new horse Rusty. This was Rusty first trip out and
and boy is he a good one! Rooster and me would follow him any where
Everything bits pokes or stings in this part of Texas
Chuck Manning
her horse Carrot Top. Old Carrot Top liked to walk right on the edge
and dirt would be falling down with every step
Drenda Wiggins from Midland Texas our new TETRA member
and boy is he a good one! Rooster and me would follow him any where
9:30 Saturday morning, we started down the trail with 6 riders. The weather was wonderful and the sun light hitting the red rocks was beautiful. We did the lower loop all the way over to the dead end by fern cave. On our way out we picked up two riders Dreeane and Jim both from the Midland area. Jim and Drenda both joined TETRA… Welcome to the group! They were staying over at Pole Canyon but came over to ride with our group. Jim has a beautiful mustang that led the gang down the famous Widow Maker. The park as done some work on that part of the trail so it is not as fun as it used to be (for a mule rider).
Jack and Jerry
Chuck and Elizabeth
That evening, we had a great dinner - brisket and all the fixings, and whiskey barrel cake for dessert. Some of the trail riders went over to the theater in the park to listen to the The Red River War. We had a great campfire at Elizabeths trailer Jerry brought out the guitar and him Janis had us all sining around the fire. The Comanche Moon was full and bright, I think we even had some coyotes singing harmony with us.
Sunday morning, Chuck, Janis, Jerry, Jack and me all went out for about a 3 hour ride before we had to get back to the real world. We started up the hill to Honey Flats when we ran into a heard of about 15 buffalo blocking the trail and no way around so I was the first to call calf rope and we turned around and did the mesa loop.
If you have not been to Caprock Canyon State Park, I do not know what you are waiting on. The trails are great and you can not get a better view of those red bluffs. Book your spot and go support the Texas State Parks.
You can not go to this area with out visiting Turkey
Texas the home of Bob Wills King of Texas Swing
Texas the home of Bob Wills King of Texas Swing
