20 minute read
by Ellen May with Cathy Rochon
Distance Riding on Al Khamsa horses
Through Annie's Ears — The Great Adventure Episode Five: 2017
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by Ellen May, with Cathy Rochon
Introduction:
This is Episode Five of a story of an amazing feat: A journey that took more than six years from start to finish and covered more than twenty-five thousand miles. Ellen May started with a dream, an indomitable spirit and a curiosity about all the places she’d never seen. Her dream, first conceived somewhere around the summer of 2012, was to ride in all of the lower forty-eight states on the same horse. Her partner for this remarkable journey has been a little red chestnut Al Khamsa Arabian mare whose willingness to go places and do things is no less remarkable than Ellen’s own. “Annie” or more formally Sabiaana (Masada Sabar x Masada Adriaana) was born on Ellen’s farm in 2006 from a breeding recommended by Walter Schimanski. Ellen has done all of Annie’s training herself and they have become a team to be reckoned with. Episode One was in two installments in Vol. 30 No. 1 and No. 2. Episode Two was in Vol. 30 No. 3. Episode Three was in Vol. 30 No. 4. Episode Four was in our first digital issue, Vol. 31 No. 1. The rest of Ellen and Annie's Journey will appear in our next issues! This feature is “mostly” in Ellen’s own words, in diary format, much like Lady Anne Blunt’s travels. We join Ellen and Annie at the beginning of their "2017” trip in the Midwest ……… >
2017
July 15, 2017: The itinerary is set for our upcoming “Great Lakes Ride-About” (#39-42 on our 48-state journey). Leaving in one month. Much gratitude to those offering camping, layovers and trail riding suggestions. Send me a P.M. if you are interested in joining us along the way!
Aug 15-16: Ft Scott, KS (friend’s)
Aug 17-18: Smithville Lake, MO (near KC)
Aug 19-20: Libertyville, IA (friend’s)
Aug 21-22: Volga River, IA (Solar eclipse anyone??)
Aug 23-24: Mystery Cave, Forestville, MN
Aug 25-26: Zumbro Bottoms, MN
Aug 27-29: Wildcat Mt/Kickapoo, WI (End of the Trail)
Aug 30-31: Waupaca, WI (friend’s)
Sept 1-3: Sagola, UP of MI (Getaway Stables)
Sept 4-5: Wetmore, UP of MI (Kenbuck Resort)
Sept 6-7: Mackinaw City, MI (riding Mackinac Island 9/7)
Sept 8-9: Beulah, MI (Turtle Lake)
Sept 10-12: Wayland, MI (friend’s)
Sept 13-17: Tipp City, OH (Al Khamsa Arabian convention)
Sept 18-19: Brown County State Park, IN
Sept 20-21: Somewhere East of St. Louis, IL
Sept 22-23: Union, MO (friend’s)
Sept 24: Springfield, MO (friend’s)
Sept 25: HOME! (if all goes well
August 1, 2017: Two weeks until Annie and I head for the Great Lakes. Trailer is all clean and shiny outside and ready to start packing. Also have new tires on front of truck, new rear tires on trailer, oil changed and new rear brakes. Woot woot! Kansas
August 15, 2017: Made it to our first stop at Rachel Martin’s near Ft. Scott KS. Her littlest one said she wanted to ride Annie and moments later, emerged with boots pulled on wrong feet and ready to go. Can’t say no to that. Missouri
August 17, 2017: Set up camp at Smithville Lake North of Kansas City. Will ride tomorrow. Nice place. Campground has over 100 sites... and we have it to ourselves. Ranger lady said she misses horses and is coming by later for a little equine therapy. So is a local gal from Horse Trails and Camping Across America (HTCAA) Facebook group. Managed to get a selfie of all three of us. Annie and Ziggy are out grazing. Ziggy [Ellen’s famous and well-traveled guinea pig] is in his porta-pen under a picnic table.
Had a really enjoyable visit with the women, Julie, who lives near Smithville Lake and belongs to HTCAA. What an ambassador she was for the group, for the friendly people of Missouri and for horse people everywhere. She even brought a welcome basket of homemade goodies.
Morning ride postponed while Annie catches up on her beauty rest. She spent the night in a stall within view and apparently laid down for a while (they named this area Clay County for a reason) but I suspect not having other horses around to stand watch overnight caused her to not sleep deeply. She often takes a morning nap and is eating and pooping just fine, but I wasn’t expecting her to plop down right next to the trailer during her morning grazing. Other horse campers are expected to be here tonight.
August 18, 2017: Crow Creek Campground, Smithville Lake, Missouri. Annie and I took a nice ride out the orange trail along the lake and back the white trail for a little over eight mostly-wooded miles. Footing was excellent except a few rocky climbs and muddy creek crossings but not too much for my barefoot mare. Nice big campground with grass and trees, equestrian sites with electric.
The Planned Route for Ride-About 2017
There’s water nearby at the 20-stall barn.
Smithville Lake, Missouri.
August 20, 2017: Ziggy made a new friend today. A rabbit. His name is Butterscotch and he is very soft. They enjoyed some watermelon together.
August 21, 2017: Have enjoyed a few days in Southern Iowa. Annie got to reconnect with her childhood friend Kadi. They were born within a few weeks of each other and grew up together. Kadi is a beautiful mare out of Masada Diora, a mare I used to own who is now with Don Austin. I am so glad she is so loved by Lisa DeMitchell.
“Life’s nothing but a change of plans”
August 21, 2017: Mose Allison (or at least I think that’s a line from one of his songs). I had planned to head north today to ride at La Riviere Park in Wisconsin during the eclipse (which was already a change of plans because trails at Volga River are closed due to flooding). However, there are major storms between here and there and more storms likely through the night without shelter for Annie. Probably wouldn’t be able to see the eclipse anyway due to heavy cloud cover. So I think I will go to a horse camp here in Southern Iowa to ride along the Des Moines River during the eclipse and go north tomorrow.
How I spent the Solar Eclipse:
Plan A - Ride Volga River, IA — Trails closed due to flooding.
Plan B - Ride Pairie du Chien, WI — Severe Storms prevented travel.
Plan C - Ride Des Moines River, IA — See Plan D.
Plan D – Take Lisa DeMitchell’s mare in to vet have eye lid sewn back on.
It was kind of interesting going in and out of the vet clinic watching it become eerily dark outside across the corn fields and then return to watch sutures in progress.
I did ride briefly along Des Moines River this evening but super slick muddy trails and approaching rain kept it to a short ride only. At least I rode.
PS. Lisa’s mare will recover just fine. Iowa
August 22, 2017: Iowa: Ride About state #39.
After numerous changes in plans and running a friend’s mare to the vet with an emergency, I drove to River Valley Lodge and Camp in Farmington for a brief evening ride. Nice campground, covered stalls, super friendly host and the nicest bathhouse I have encountered in my travels. There’s many miles of trails along the Des Moines River and into the Shimek forest but I didn’t get far before slick mud, light rain and failing light caused me to head back to camp.
Wisconsin
August 23, 2017: Ride About - State #40 Wisconsin:
La Riviere park near Prairie du Chien. Arrived yesterday afternoon and was welcomed by two members of the HTCAA group, Heidi and Anne. Took an evening ride around the Red Rock trail. Shared dinner and some laughs, got some sleep, and headed out again this morning along the Billy Goat and Indian trails joined by their friend Joy. Those gals are some tough riders! I wimped out from the additional rides today as Annie’s back is sore and my knees are threatening to revolt. Nice campground run by volunteers and funded through donations. Cell signal spotty.
August 29, 2017: I’m alive! I’ve been without cell phone signal for nearly a week but have had some wonderful trail rides in remote areas of Minnesota and Wisconsin. Just got settled in for a few nights and am back on the grid at this beautiful private farm in central Wisconsin. Annie is happily grazing on green grass under an apple tree in the pasture.
August 30, 2017: After leaving La Riviere in southern Wisconsin, we meandered north alongside the magnificent upper Mississippi River and crossed over into Minnesota arriving at this beautiful campground called Zumbro Bottoms. I understand that normally this place is crowded with horse trailers, especially on the weekends, but it was rainy and we had the place almost to ourselves. I think I may finally be getting the hang of this horse camping. I had Ziggy and Annie and myself situated and set up within minutes. More photos from the trail will be posted soon.
Zumbro River campsite, Minnesota.
Minnesota
August 30, 2017: Ride About - State #41 Minnesota.
I managed to sneak in a 2 hour ride between persistent rainfall at Zumbro Bottoms campground, along the Zumbro River on the Rail Bed Trail, then up, up, up to West Scenic trail and back down. Lovely. Lots more nice trails I didn’t cover. Footing was mostly good but “greasy” (regional term for slick mud) on steep inclines so I dismounted and Annie and I hiked up some heavily rutted rocky sections side by side. As usual, she was a real trooper.·
From Minnesota, we came back across the Mississippi to Wis
La Riviere Park near Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.
consin to an area referred to as “driftless” because the glaciers
missed it as they moved through many million years ago. The Kickapoo River cuts its way through steep hills and picturesque valleys. Really lovely area. We stayed at End of the Trail, a very cozy little campground that had a grassy paddock for Annie, a shower house in what was the milk processing room of the dairy barn and a charming outhouse (if an outhouse can be called charming). Annie in her paddock near Kickapoo River, Wisconsin.
Riding the Kickapoo Valley Reserve, Wisconsin. Joined a mom, daughter, daughter-in-law for a gorgeous ride along the Kickapoo River, across fields of wildflowers and through pristine forests. Beautiful place to ride.
August 31, 2017: Traded my saddle for a paddle yesterday and kayaked Crystal River near Waupaca, WI with my hosts Deb and Jon. Will be back on the trail later today.
September 1, 2017: A ride in Hartman State Park, Waupaca, WI. Took a nice easy ride through this lovely nearby park yesterday with Deb. That’s three “pins” in my map for Wisconsin. Had a wonderful time here, I am stocked up with squeaky cheese and
Two more Zumbro River photos. Above: Annie joins the picnic.
headed for Michigan later.
Hartman State Park, Wisconsin.
September 2, 2017: Hall’s Lake, Wisconsin. Last minute detour delayed our arrival in Michigan until this afternoon. Spent last night camping in far Northern Wisconsin. Lona Fende and I rode this morning and got caught in a downpour on the way back to camp. Once the rain let up, we came on to her farm in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Annie is warm and dry now inside her barn with me in my trailer just outside. Michigan
September 4, 2017: Ride About: State #42 Michigan.
Enjoyed a ride yesterday with Lona across fields of wildflowers and along fern-lined trails in a forest near Sagola, Michigan. Had a wonderful and relaxing visit and appreciate the friendly hospitality here at Getaway Stables. What a nice introduction to the UP! Headed on to Kenbuck Resort this morning and kayaking. Pictured Rocks this afternoon.
September 4, 2017: Lake Superior.
September 6, 2017: Back in the land of cell signal after 3 days in the Hiawatha National Forest. Kayaked near Pictured Rocks (too rough to go to that shoreline on Monday but another lovely place nearby) and rode Annie through the Pine Martin Run yesterday. Lots of photos to post once I get stopped for the night. Will also check FB Messenger then. Tomorrow... Mackinac Island!!
September 6, 2017: Kayaked to Grand Island across from Pictured Rocks since waves and wind on Lake Superior were rough on Monday evening. A beautiful shoreline and a grand adventure nevertheless! Was grateful for my capable kayak guide, a young man named Jared, who is finishing up his degree in Enviromental Engineering.
September 6, 2017: Pine Martin Run, Hiawatha National Forest, UP of Michigan. Annie and I enjoyed a long ride through this enchanted forest yesterday. Well-marked trails, good footing, some fun hills, picturesque lakes, fern-floored hardwood forests, stands of pines and wild grass meadows. Nice place to stay nearby at Kenbuck Resort. Above: Aniie taking it all in on the ferry to Mackinaw Island. Below: Riding along the main drag on Mackinaw Island, a Bucket List experience.
September 7, 2017: Rode Mackinac (pronounced Mackinaw) Island this morning with my new Yooper friend, Lona Lots of photos to sort through and post but first it’s time for a little horsey fun. I mean a seriously LITTLE horse! This dwarf mini is at the barn where Annie and I are staying near Mackinaw (also pronounced Mackinaw) City. I think this is the smallest I’ve ever seen! September 8, 2017: Bucket List: Ride Mackinac Island X
Took a ferry across to the island yesterday with Lona. Our horses remained calm even through the chaos of unloading into major tourist mayhem with carriages, wagons, bicycles and people everywhere. Charming little town and harbor. We rode the circumference 8-mile loop, stopped for lunch back in town and then rode up to the Grand Hotel before catching the last ferry back. What an amazing experience!
September 8, 2017: All set up for two nights at Turtle Lake Campground near Beulah, MI. Trail ride in the morning, fun horsey show the afternoon and kayaking in the evening. I’m gonna
need a vacation from my vacation!
Turtle Lake, Michigan.
September 10, 2017: Saturday, Part 1
Started a very full day with a trail ride in the morning. Buddied up with my campsite neighbor Marena for a pleasant ride along the lake and through the woods, me on Annie and her on her big draft ponying her Tennessee Walking Horse.
September 10, 2017: Saturday, Part 2
There was a fun show being held here at the campground, all speed events, so I figured we might as well participate. Got third in Poles and 6th in “Out and Back” (think that’s what it was called) in the Novice division. Lots of entries, although admittedly I was competing against little kids and other adult rookies. Good thing we weren’t judged on cuteness. Also ran in Barrels and a pattern called Bowtie, and think we did pretty good, but didn’t stick around to find out because I wanted to kayak before it got too late.
Best part of this event was the KIDS. There were 22 children under the age of 12 who rode in the beginning flag ceremony during the national anthem.
September 10, 2017: Saturday, Part 3.
What a fine way to end the day with a paddle around the lake. It was “free boat weekend” here so I couldn’t resist getting out on the water.
Will be packing up and heading south later this morning to see Karen Heintzelman and Annie’s daddy, Masada Sabar along with a number of her little half-siblings at her farm.
September 10, 2017: Our run yesterday in the “Bowtie” speed event. I think Annie had no idea why I was asking her to ‘open up’ inside an arena. Not super fast but very cooperative for a first timer. Don’t know how we placed but it was fun, and that was the whole idea.
September 11, 2017: Made it to Karen’s south of Grand Rapids, MI yesterday. We went to visit her nearby neighbor and friend, Sue Karsies, to see her herd and especially these two colts, ANNIE’S LITTLE BROTHERS (from different mothers):
They are mostly Babson blood with a little *Turfa and have their daddy’s sweet mellow temperament. Either would make a super stallion and/or family horse. Any takers? Although the chestnut is probably technically more correct and refined, I was partial to the black with his goofball personality.
Today we are going riding with some of Karen’s friends and soon I hope to post some pics of Annie’s sire, the fabulous Masada Sabar, and his other babies. Annie is among her extended family here.
September 12, 2017: Karen sure has some good friends and fun riding buddies. [Group photo, featured on p. 48.] I was treated to a beautiful trail ride at Yankee Springs followed by a picnic and then a bonfire into the night yesterday and we’re gonna do it again today! Yes, we are all on Arabians and most were ridden bare back with only a halter. A few are still quite green but all were well-behaved
September 13, 2017: Cheers to Ziggy! Yesterday evening, a friend of Karen’s came by who is an international cavey (pronounced Kay-Vee) judge. He literally is flown around the world to judge guinea pig shows. He evaluated Ziggy and commented numerous times on his outstanding head and body structure and extreme coat. He clarified for me that he is a Silky, not a Peruvian type, as I had thought. He seemed quite impressed with him, said whoever I got him from didn’t know what they had, and noted he just recently awarded Best in Show at a very large event to a male guinea pig much like him.
September 13, 2017: Saw Annie’s little sister Odessa and brother Sudan, both sired by Masada Sabar. Sar Barou Sudana, Sudan’s dam was an extremely beautiful mare with an ethereal quality. She is gone now but left us this exceptional young stallion (now 2) with Karen. He’s one to watch!
Ohio
September 14, 2017: Made it to Pam Studebaker and Deb Switzer’s in Ohio yesterday afternoon. Enjoyed one more ride with Karen and the Michigan gals at Yankee Springs on Tuesday. Sure had fun there but now it’s time for the Al Khamsa convention!
September 16, 2017: Al Khamsa Arabian Convention. The horses: we were treated to a tour at the farm of David Myers. Gorgeous group of horses presented. Two gray/white stallions and a dark gray filly were a few of my favorites. Someone with a memory and mind for pedigrees may be able to supply names.
September 16, 2017: Al Khamsa Arabian Convention. The weekend started Thursday evening with a private tour of the exquisitely beautiful home and gardens of Pam’s cousin, Barbara. She is an avid and adventuresome world traveler with a keen photographic eye. She gave us all signed copies of her book, “Escapades”.
September 18, 2017: Following the Farm Tour horses at Saglawiyat Arabians, Julia Kernaghan and I slipped off for a ride through Sycamore State Park. Julia rode the sweet little Babson/ Sirecho mare, Du Fadl Charm, who is frothing at the mouth from
eating white clover. I’m really glad we got to ride together!
Ellen and Annie and Julia Kernaghan and Du Fadl Charm.
It’s been another fantastic Al Khamsa Convention, thanks to the hard work of Pam and many other volunteers. Next year it will be north of Dallas in late September. Mark your calendars and plan to attend!
Annie and I will be loading up and leaving here later this morning heading in the general direction of home. As per usual, we will be stopping and trail riding all along our route and visiting friends Sarah Sanders near St. Louis and Linda Mcfaul near Springfield MO. Next stop; Brown County State Park in Indiana! Indiana
September 20, 2017: Ride along with us through Brown County State Park in Indiana (near Bloomington). We had a lovely campsite for two nights, tucked off in a secluded corner overlooking a creek. Took a ride on Tuesday but got into an area that was torn up by a severe storm earlier this summer as we started to climb up one of the high ridges. It was slick anyway from rain the night before so decided to go back and ride in the valley. It was good to be back in some pretty forested hills for a while. I’ve seen enough corn and soybean fields to last me. Illinois
We have stopped for two nights east of St Louis. It’s a private farm/layover facility which I selected so Annie could enjoy grazing in a nice big grassy paddock. Will go on a ride tomorrow at a nearby park that has horse trails.
September 22, 2017: We’ve had a nice break here at Sommers Gate Farm, about 75 miles east of St. Louis. Annie has thoroughly enjoyed the grassy paddock and a rest from both trailering and riding. It’s very peaceful here. Nice place to layover if you are passing through on I-70.
We will be headed on to see Sarah Sanders at the Riding Center in Freeburg IL later this morning. Tomorrow we will cross the Mississippi will all go ride at Greensfelder Park, where they have a cross country jumping course. Hope to get some pics of that! I’ll camp there overnight before leaving for Springfield MO on Sunday morning to visit Linda and Monica Mcfaul. Missouri
September 23, 2017: Ride About: The final ride for this trip was certainly a good one! Sarah Sanders came to Greensfelder Park with her friend and student Tara. First we rode up to a lovely overlook which reminded me I’m getting close to home. It’s the far eastern boundary of the Ozark Mountains. Then we rode down into a valley dotted with jumps along the trail. Sarah gave me some very useful pointers and lots of encouragement. Annie was game to try anything but, at my choosing, we stuck to the smaller ones.
Also, in a small world coincidence, the gal camping in the site next to me knows her and happens to also be riding a desertbred (Saudi bloodlines) Arabian.
September 24, 2017: Had a wonderful suite for the night. Go ahead, be jealous, it’s THAT nice. Was expecting to stay contentedly in my living quarters as I usually do but when Linda and Monica prepared and offered me THIS for the night, well then, I just HAD to say YES! Annie is very happy too in her grassy paddock overlooked by my balcony. What a special treat for our last night on the road!
September 25, 2017: The whole gang showed up to welcome Annie back. My pal Alice is on her way over with a bottle of wine and some meat for the grill. It’s good to be home.
What a wonderful, wonderful trip. Heartfelt thanks to the
Davenport Arabian Horse Conservancy
Ask us about the Davenport Arabian Horse as Homer Davenport knew it in the desert, and as we still know it..
Secretary Jeanne Craver 709 Brackett Lane. Winchester IL 62694, mowarda@gmail.com www.DavenportHorses.org
Our campsite in Brown County State Park, Indiana.
many friends, old and new, who made it so.
Have you visited our website?
Only a few copies are still available of the essential reference book, HEIRLOOM EGYPTIAN ARABIAN HORSES, 1840-2000 by John W. Fippen. Hardcover, 592 pages, with over 400 archival black/white photographs. Please visit the website for excerpts and ordering information.
