Sunday, May 18, 2014

Tour, Week 7 (The Horse)

It has been a great week, with wonderful encounters and some exceptional store visits. But I'm tired, so instead of details, I'm afraid I'm going to tell you a little story about a horse.

Yes, a horse.

I don't think my parents knew much about horses. Or mules. But one backpacking vacation they rented us one of each to hike in some of the camping equipment. We kids were all for that. It seemed so extravagant!

I don't remember a lot of details about this backpacking trip, other than that the pack animals seemed really slow hiking in. There was the novelty of taking turns riding, but that wore off quickly because it seemed worse than hiking. It felt slower than walking. And it was uncomfortable. The swaying side to side. The being jostled about. Plus, it was scary being up on a horse. It seemed so big.

What is most vivid in my memory about this trip was nearing the end of the hike back out. We were a couple of miles from home base when those lumbering beasts came to life. Especially the horse. My dad tried to control it, but the closer we got, the harder that was, until, in the end, the horse just took off with pots and pans clanging as it galloped home.

I tell you this little story because tonight, I feel like that horse.

7 comments:

Mark said...

And I feel like the mule...!

Yusa said...

Hahahaha ! It must be nice to go home! Tell us more about the tour soon! And about the second half not to rush you guys or anything but recover quick because the other half of us are just as excited to see you!

--Yusa

Jessica said...

Man, that story about the horse said so much more about your trip than a story about the trip would have. (Here's a "swear to howdy" for you: "I need to go see a man about a horse" is Georgian male for "I need to powder my nose" -- which makes me giggle any time I think too much about horses.)

Hope you guys get to run on home soon.

Alyse said...

I am so glad I got to meet you this week. Thanks for coming. I hope you have a safe journey home and a restful week.

Kylie said...

It sounds like you are ready to be home. You have been gone for a month now right? Or a little over a month? Well anyways that is still an insane amount of time. If I were you at this point I would have wanted to have been home a long time ago. I can never last to long away from home. I miss everyone to much.

I hope you guys enjoy your last little bit of the trip!

Have a great week everyone!

Kylie

Gabrielle said...

I'd be ready to go home if I'd been gone for a month. That would be hard to be away from home for that long.

Hope you enjoy the rest of your trip!


Gabrielle

Ryan said...

I've now completed about 600 miles of the 800-mile Arizona Trail and I figure I'll reach the end in less than two weeks.... and I'm kind of feeling like that horse too. =)

-- Ryan