I have been comparing our journey of
life with the different journeys we take. It seems that every
journey or trip that we take is full of different experiences. Some
of these experiences are pleasant and enjoyable others are troubles
and difficulties to overcome, but the whole experience works for our
good and for our growth and development.
A Pack Trip With the Robinsons
My cousin Marion Robinson and his three
sons came to see me. Marion explained that he had been serving on
missions for the church some years and that now that he was home he
was hungry to go on a good long trip horseback into the remote parts
of the Sierra Madre Mountains. He wanted me to go and take them on
such a trip. I told them that I would be glad to go with them and help
them have a good trip. I invited them into the house to make plans for
the trip.
I suggested that we leave next Monday to
come back on Saturday. I told them that I had plenty of horses and
mules up to the ranch in Corrales. Carl and Jay said that they wanted
to take their own horses and that they would load them in their own 4
wheel drive pickups and take them up as far as the ranch. I would
supply the pack mules and the rest of the riding animals for Marion,
Lee and I. We sat down and made out a detailed check list giving them
the list of what they were to take and I kept the list of the tents
Camp equipment food and everything we would need on the camp. I
reminded them to each take their own sleeping bags and personal items
and the equipment for each of their own horse.
I got every thing ready on Saturday and
loaded every thing but what had to go in the last minute. Monday
Morning I got up early and finished packing checking everything off on
the check list so as not to forget anything. It is really frustrating
to get into a remote camp and find out that we had forgotten something
important like matches or Toilet Paper.
When the Robinsons came in their two big
pickups they had the horses loaded and the saddles tied on the sides
of the railings. I said goodbye to my wife and family and we drove
off. I was driving our Volkswagen Van that seemed little and
inadequate by comparison. I thought however that they would realize
why I used the Volkswagen Van before the trip was over.
We traveled fast until we came to the
dirt road. From then on they stopped frequently to see how their
horses were riding. Across the flat the grass was fresh and green and
about 5 inches tall. As we climbed up the grade we saw signs of the
recent rain. All the way to the ranch the streams were running clear
water and everything was beautiful this time of year.
We arrived at the ranch and unloaded the
horses. While Carl and Jay were rounding up the horses and mules I
organized all of the stuff we were to put on the Packs. When the
animals went into the corral we went to get the ones we would use. I
roped a good Sorrel horse named Fito for Marion to ride and he put on
his bridle and led him out of the corral. Next I chose Naoma's Overo
Stallion for Lee to ride so he would be well mounted. I roped my
little black mule for me to ride because I liked to ride in comfort
and security. I indicated for Carl and Jay to rope two young pack
mules I decided that it would be a good time to give these young mules
some work. We had raised them and broke them to ride and pack. I then
roped our old black faithful Pack mule that we had used for many years
and knew his steady and faithful qualities.
We got all saddled up and the Aparejos on
the Pack mules and cinched them down tight. The new mules each had a
Tapojo (Blindfold) secured over their eyes just as a precaution. The
pack boxes were balanced in pairs and we slung a pair on each mule one
on each side tied with a special little rope that went over and under
and around the boxes and tied on the top in a square knot. Then came a
sleeping bag on top of each of four boxes and two tightly rolled
rubber foam sleeping pads on the other two boxes. The tents, ground
sheets, Kitchen fly and the other little bags and stuff were balanced
in the middle of each pack. Each pack was covered with a heavy canvas
pack cover and secured tightly with a pack rope. The pack rope was
cinched down tight with a Diamond hitch. Usually we didn't have to
move the pack or rope until the end of the days journey. The final
touch was to slip the ax and the shovel under the rope on top of the
pack with the handle pointing back so it would not catch on any limbs
or brush.
We pulled the Tapojos up onto the
foreheads of the new mules leaving them there for future use. They
looked around with a sighing snort and we mounted up. I led off with
the old pack mule and Carl was leading the big brown mule and Jay was
leading the big black Macho. We went out the south gate of the pasture
and climbed our way up the long ridge traveling west toward the
continental divide. The animals all settled down to a steady pace and
we were well on our way. We were about half way up the ridge when I
heard a loud grunt and squeal and looked around to see the big black
Macho bucking swiftly down our back trail. I saw the pack turn and
come off scattering boxes and stuff down the trail. Marion told Jay to
go get his mule that he shouldn't have let him go. Jay protested that
he jerked so suddenly that he didn't know what had happened. He jumped
his horse into a run taking down his rope as he ran. Jay found the
mule stopped with the Aparejo under his belly sweating and breathing
hard. He was glad for Jay to loosen the Aparejo and straighten it up
out from under his legs.
We gathered up the boxes and stuff and
found that all of the eggs were broken. We dumped them out and through
away the cardboard egg cartons and wiped off the rest of the stuff as
good as we could. Broken eggs can make a slimy mess. I cinched the
Aparejo down tight and repacked the pack and tied it as tight as I
could with the help of Carl on the other side. Carl is big heavy
strong boy and that pack was tight. The Aparejo is built so that it
distributes the pressure and weight around the barrel of the mules
body so it is comfortable for him.
We traveled on and turned south along the
Continental divide until we went through the gate to the Whetten
Ranch. We took the road that goes on to the Mesilla. It was late
afternoon and it began to rain a slow drizzly rain. We put on our
Ponchos without stopping and road on until we came to the gate of the
Mesilla. The darkness was deepening as we went through the gate and
went on until we came to a little high meadow near the Gavilan
river.
I announced that here was camp and we all
dismounted and began to unpack I put up a kitchen fly as soon as I
could and we piled all of the camp under it. While the boys were
hobbling their horses I put a bell on Fito and turned all of our mules
and horses loose to feed. I gave Jay a bell for his horse so he could
find him easier in the morning. I went over to the base of big Pine
Tree and began to dig under the trash to find some dry pine needles. I
stumbled over a pitch pine log in the dark and with the ax soon had
plenty of pitch pine wood and easily got the fire going brightly. I
put on the Herb Tea and heated up some canned soup and beans and soon
the world had changed into a nice camp and a good supper. We finished
our supper sitting around the fire drinking Herb Tea and munching
frosted doughnuts.
After supper I put up my little tent and
made my good bed. The Robinsons stacked the saddles and the camp gear
against the tree under the Kitchen fly and cleared enough space to
roll out their sleeping bags They declined my offer of some tents and
said that they would be fine under the fly. They all got busy blowing
up their air mattresses and I could still hear them blowing after I
was relaxing in my bed. We started using covered rubber foam pads to
sleep on because we didn't like to have to blow the Air Mattresses up
again about two in the morning. I had brought two foam pads so they
would balance on the packs one on each side.
The next morning breakfast consisted of
more soup and beans because we had lost all of our eggs back on the
trail. By the time I got the dishes done and the Kitchen boxes
repacked they were coming with the horses. I could hear Fito's bell
all night so I knew that he and the stallion and the mules were near
by. They found Carl's and Jay's horses back at the gate. By the time
the sun began to show through the eastern trees we were riding past
the Verde Ranch. The people were busy milking the cows in the corral
and the cows and calves filled the air with their loud calling for
their own. I love to hear the high pitched Moooooo!!!!of the cows and
the answering lower pitched Maaaa!!!!! Of the calves.
We crossed the River at the Amarillas and
left the large meadow of yellow flowers shining in the sun as we
continued up the road past the Salmon Ranch From their the road cuts
up over a hill avoiding a big bend in the river. From there on to the
Colorado is a wide open river valley with Pine and Oak trees
everywhere making the road a beautiful winding way among the trees as
it follows the meandering of the stream. Suddenly our dreamy ride was
interrupted by the pounding of hoofs and the Brown mule Carl was
leading ran past me at full speed. She was holding her head to the
side so as to not step on the lead rope that was dragging. Then Carl
came by taking down his rope as he ran. He soon overtook the fleeing
mule and roped her and pulled her to a stop. She was breathing heavily
but her pack was still perfectly in place. I think she broke and ran
trying to get away from the pack on her back but no matter how fast
she ran the pack stayed right with her. I think she learned that it
did no good to try to run away.
At the Colorado I asked them all to wait
with the packs while I went over to Guero's store to buy some eggs to
replace the ones we had lost. I also bought some Sardines and Soda
Crackers for our lunch later in the day.
We turned west out of the Colorado and
climbed up to the foot of the high fire tower on the top of Bull peak.
From there we turned south into the trail the ran along the high long
ridge that parallels the Chuhuichupa River Basin on the west. This is
the main horse trail from Chuhuichupa to the Colorado. We traveled
along this high ridge awed by the magnificent view. In every direction
there were canyon after canyon and high mountain after high mountain
until they disappeared into the hazy distance.
As the day turned to afternoon we came to
a little narrow saddle that the trail dipped through. There on one
side was a little trickle of water running from a little spring in the
side hill. We all got off and gratefully drank of the cold clear water
and sat down in the shade of a big tree to eat our Sardines and
crackers. It is amazing how good Sardines and crackers taste in such a
setting.
The sun was hanging low in the west by
the time we came to the little Tobacco trail that turns down off the
main trail on the ridge. We turned off and began to descend on the
steep switchback trail that went down and down and back and forth
providing a footing for the animals on the steep hillside. As we
descended the sun sank quickly and disappeared behind the high
mountain to the west. We came into view of the river and saw that it
was a raging torrent flooding out of it's banks. If we continued on
our trail we would have to go two miles down stream crossing and
re-crossing that flooding river of swift brown water. We decided to
turn and find our way along the steep side-hill and drop into the
Tobacco Ranch where we wanted to camp. We turned along the side hill
and soon found that it was very rough and covered with trees and brush
making it difficult to find a way through for our pack mules. Slowly
we picked our way along and finally we dismounted and led our animals
along the treacherous slope. It was full dark when we finally came
down to a beautiful level camp site that I recognized near the Tobacco
Cabin.
We were all weary but very thankful as we
unpacked and unsaddled our animals and prepared them to go down river
to feed on the green grass. I got out some dry wood and Pitch Pine
that I knew they always kept in the corner of the little cabin and
soon the fire and smell of food cheered up the whole camp. I have
noticed that as soon as the fire is going The camp turns into a warm
friendly place. After supper I put up the kitchen fly and pitched my
little tent to one side of the camp. I made my bed with both of the
rubber foam pads since all of the others had their Air Mattresses.
Marion and the boys cleared a place under the kitchen fly and rolled
out there sleeping bags and began to blow up their Air Mattresses. Our
prayers had been mostly of gratitude that night but I prayed for my
wife and family whom I missed at this time of night in the distant
mountains. We were lulled to sleep by the rushing sound of the river
as it swirled around the bend about fifty yards from our comfortable
camp.
I had slept soundly but some time after
midnight I was awakened suddenly by the sound of stomping on the
smooth ground. A loud cry of Mulaaaa!!! echoed into the night and as
the stomping came nearer a big bottom came crashing down on my tent
and sat on me pinning me to my bed. I remember that I was not at all
alarmed but waited calmly until with disgusted mutterings the body got
up and moved away. I realized that Lee had been sleep walking again
and even though my tent pole was broken I turned over and went back to
sleep.
The next morning as I was crawling out of
my broken tent when Jay called out loudly, "Uncle Keith did you hear
those mules that came into camp last night". "I sure did". I answered.
"And one of them came and broke down my tent and sat on me. I'll bet
you can't find any mule tracks here in Camp", I challenged him.
I proceeded to set up a food cupboard
with the pack boxes stacked on top of the other against a tree and
stored the food with a tarp over it. I set up the two aluminum grills
with their removable legs driven into the ground. I leveled them up
with some water on the grills. I took the shovel and put some good oak
coals under them and they were ready to cook breakfast on. I stirred
up some eggs with chopped ham and grated cheese and poured them on one
of the hot grills. After a few moments I cut it into squares and
turned them over to brown a little on the other side. I put the
scrambled egg squares on a serving platter and began to cook the hot
cakes.
Marion asked the blessing on the food and
we all got an even start on the food for breakfast. After breakfast we
decided to saddle up and ride around the country to enjoy the peace
and the beauty of this place. We left the three pack mules in the
little horse pasture that Yagui and Johnnie Vance had made and used
when they lived here taking care of their cattle. We rode down the
river trail west until we came to the bend in the river. We heard a
rush of wings and looked up to see a little bunch of wild Turkey
sailing from the cliff above us across the river to land at the foot
of the mountain on the other side. We could hear their cackling noise
as they landed and began feeding up the hill. Jay exclaimed that he
would like to have his new rifle here right now.
At the bank of the river where the trail
goes down into the river crossing they hesitated and waited for me to
go ahead down into the river. My little mule did not hesitate but
waded into the current even lowering the muzzle to drink as she walked
along. I raised my feet up to keep them from getting wet as the water
rose up over her belly.
As we climbed out the other side I
pointed out a big rock platform that we used to leave our clothes on
while we swam in the deep pool in the bend of the river. We could come
out of the pool onto the rock without getting our feet dirty. There
were some nice places to dive from into the pool also. Anthony always
found a high place to jump from into the deep water of the pool.
We climbed up onto the ridge that
separates the Toro Canyon from the river and crossed over to where we
dropped down the steep Switchback trail into the Toro canyon. We went
up the canyon following the road that comes down the Toro Canyon into
the Chuhuichipa River below where the two streams meet. I pointed out
the beautiful trout stream that runs in the Toro canyon where many
explorer groups spent days fishing along it.
We rode past the big corral and up to the
Toro Cabin where Tacho Flores was sitting on the shady porch of the
cabin. He was a middle sized bow legged man with a shock of black wavy
hair and a flowing black mustache. He called a greeting and invited us
to get down and come in. I introduced Marion and his boys as my
cousins. He asked us what we were doing and how we had come in. He
said that he came in yesterday evening and had not seen our truck
tracks any place along the road. We explained that we had come in
horseback from Pacheco through the Colorado along the high ridge
trail. We told him how we had encountered the river in flood and had
to go along the side hill to the Tobacco where we were camped. Today
we were just riding around to see the country. He nodded his head and
said we were welcome and hoped we would come often. We chatted awhile
and he asked about my family and some of the others of former trips.
As we left he asked us to watch out for a black white faced cow with a
young calf. He said that he had not seen her for a few days and wanted
to find her and bring her in to protect the calf. We assured him we
would tell him if we happened to see her.
We continued on to where the Toro canyon
forks and where the trail climbs out to the east. We climbed steadily
following the winding trail until we came up into the saddle where the
road comes through from El Norte to drop into the canyon below. As we
started down the other side two Does and three Fawns trotted across in
front of us. The white tails were up giving us a show of five white
rumps complete with the very white fan of there tails.
We descended easily following the old
logging road down to the river. We came into the rather open place
where the Banderas Creek runs into the Chuhuichupa River. I felt the
urge to fish up the Banderas as I had done before with great success
but time would not permit We turned down river following the road
until it ended and turned into a trail that led up over a cliffed up
stretch of river.
Soon we were back in camp. As we passed
the little cabin we saw that the little white peaches on the little
old peach tree in the garden were ripe and a few had already fallen
from the tree. We all dismounted and went in and ate a few of the
sweet tasty little peaches. After taking care of the horses for the
night I took my little fishing rod and reel and with the pocket of my
fish bag full of worms I went down stream to fish in some of my
favorite holes and ripples. It was the right time of day and the water
had not quite cleared up from the flood of Yesterday so I was soon
pulling out some very nice trout. In what seemed a very short time I
had over a dozen good sized trout. I measured the biggest one on the
scale of my fish bag and it was a full thirteen inches long with a
heavy under-slung jaw. That evening our supper menu included fresh
Trout fried in butter. I had to use both grills because they would not
all fit on one grill. We had enjoyed a pleasant day and I was content.
I thought it best to wait until morning to plan another days ride.
The next morning we rode down river to
the beautiful area where the river canyon widens out just below where
the Toro canyon runs in. From this wide area we turned west and
followed the trail that climbs up the long ridge to the Bald Mesa. We
turned North along the high rim where we could see the whole river
basin to where it turns west at the foot of the high mountain of Bull
Peak. I commented to Marion and the boys that tomorrow before noon we
would be riding just to the right of that far peak.
The trail that we followed down was steep
and covered with beautiful young pine trees growing close together.
Their long straight trunks seem to be stretching their few limbs high
in the sky in competition with each other to find the light of the
sun. We soon were down into the river canyon and followed the road
back up river to where we took our trail to the Tobacco.
The next morning we packed up early and
went up the river trail to where the trail climbs out up to the ridge.
We climbed to greet the sun as it came over the high ridge. We paused
at the top where we met the main trail to look back over the country
where we had spent two days and three nights.
I made a mental map of where we had been
complete with the beautiful scenes of the country we had ridden
through. We tied the lead ropes of the pack mules to the pack ropes
and let the old black mule lead out along the trail. He set a fast
pace for us to follow for he was rested and eager to get back to the
ranch and his home pasture. All our mounts seemed to know we were
going home so we made very good time. We didn't even stop at the
Colorado and Jay had to hurry to have the gate open before we arrived
to let us all through. We arrived just after noon and transferred our
loads to the waiting vehicles. We were soon on our way down through
the country toward home. We got home just a little before dark but I
just got out and closed the door of the van saying that I would unpack
in the morning. The best part of any journey is coming back home safe
and sound to my wife and family and yes to a good hot shower, a good
supper and to stretch out in m my own bed. I believe that the best
part of the journey of life will be when we come to our heavenly home
to greet our family and loved ones again.
A Trip with Marion and Family
Marion and Maurine came down and talked
with Naoma and me about a trip with their family. They said that most
of their family were coming down for a family reunion and wanted to go
to the mountains and camp in some pretty place for their reunion.
Naoma and I suggested that Cave Valley would be a beautiful and
interesting place to go for their camp. We suggested also that we
could go with them and provide our horses and mules to take them on
trail rides from our ranch down the river to Cave Valley and back
again. We made plans to go with them and help them with their camp
with our camping equipment for cooking etc. Jaydean one of their
daughters was bringing tents for all of them since she had them from a
camp that she had supervised.
Naoma and I loaded all of our equipment
and made up a nice soft bed in the back of our van. I had made the
seats so that they would lay down and make a flat bed area in all of
the back of the van. We found it quite comfortable to sleep in when on
camp. We checked everything on our check list as we loaded it and were
ready to go. Monday morning early we loaded up the last minute Herbs
for the Tea and the ingredients for Hot Cakes etc. as our contribution
to the food of the camp.
We went up to Juarez to Marion and
Maurine's home. They had bought the old Enos Wood home and fixed it
up. The sky was over cast and it was beginning to sprinkle a little as
they finished loading everything and everybody into the pickups.
When we drove through the lane in
Cuauhtemoc there were large puddles of water along the road and the
water was running down the side of the road. Naoma and I were in the
lead as we crossed the flat we could hardly see where the road should
be because it was a big river of water about six inches deep running
down the road all the way until we crossed the wash that comes out of
the Alamito Ranch It was running water but not so deep that we could
not cross it.
The water had diminished to little
streams as we climbed up along the grade. We traveled on the Willy
road which was solid terrain most of the way so we went along crossing
puddles and streams of water on the road all the way to the river. We
were thankful for the new bridge across the river because the river
was flooding and we could not have crossed it without the bridge.
At the clay hill at the little town of
Cave Valley we went around through a man's door yard to avoid trying
to get up the slippery rutted hill. We finally arrived at the special
camp site on the clear stream of spring water down near where the
trail goes up to the Olla Cave. It was still raining a little so we
set up camp in the rain I put up a Kitchen Fly over near the
protection of the overhanging cliff tying it to four trees and
stretching it tight and slanting it down away from the kitchen area. I
put on my poncho and began my search for dry wood or pitch pine with
which to make a fire. Every thing was soggy and wet for it had been
raining for a couple of days. All of the Robinson family were busy
putting up their tents and trying to make them secure. Some of the
children were crying and miserable having to stay in the trucks until
the first tent was up.
Naoma and I parked our van on a little
level place near the Kitchen and our camp bed was snug and dry inside
the Van. I finally got a fire going and I put a lot of wet wood on it
to dry it out so it could burn. I made a stack of wood to one side
under the tarp out of the rain for future use and so that it could
begin to dry out. Naoma and I got out our camp chairs and placed them
under the kitchen fly in front of the fire. We were soon joined by
people bringing their chairs and others standing out of the rain
around the fire.
Marion and I prepared supper as best we
could around the crowded fire with plenty of suggestions and comments
from the daughters. I marveled at the difference in Marion's attitude
toward his grandchildren as compared with his stern treatment of his
boys that I had observed on camps when they were young explorers. Then
they would get a good spat if they passed between him and the fire
while we were sitting around the campfire.
It rained most of the night and was still
overcast and threatening the next morning. Most of the tents had
leaked a lot of water and most of the beds were wet. We could hear the
mothers telling their children to not come back in the tent with their
muddy shoes. It sounded to Naoma and me like most of them had spent a
wet miserable night We had slept very well in our warm dry bed in the
van and had even enjoyed the sound of the rain on the roof of the van.
We could really feel empathy with our fellow campers because there is
nothing quite so miserable on camp as a leaky tent and a wet bed. I
put two big pots of Herb Tea on to steep and stirred up a big kettle
of Hot Cake dough. JayDean was preparing scrambled eggs, bacon and ham
for breakfast and soon everyone was eating stacks of Hot Cakes covered
with butter and syrup and scrambled eggs with bacon and ham. JayDean
opened some gallon bottles of Orange Drink and milk. The rain had
stopped so we didn't have to huddle under the Kitchen fly to eat.
After a good breakfast some of the
bedding was brought out to spread over the chairs to dry by the fire.
It seemed that we might be able to go to the Ranch in Pacheco and ride
the Horses and Mules down the river with one group and with the ones
that had not ridden down we would ride back to the ranch up the river.
We were about ready to start up to the ranch when it started raining
again. It was a good steady rain that under other conditions would
gladden the heart in our dry area. We abandoned the plan for the ride
and found cover out of the rain. Marion, his boys and I sat around the
fire drinking Herb Tea and munching cookies.
That evening a council was called and
they all decided to pack up and go home if the rainy weather continued
in the morning. The next morning the sky was very dark and even though
it was not raining we knew that it soon would be. We ate a hurried
breakfast and they packed the wet bedding and tents to be dried at
home. It began to rain as we were driving up the pretty little canyon
where we had wanted to spend a pleasant two or three days. We were in
rain off and on all of the way home. When we got down onto the flat
the road was very washed. The water had taken all of the dirt off
leaving the rocks and deep ruts that had to be avoided. At home Naoma
and I recounted our adventures to our family and realized that we had
actually enjoyed our trip and seeing the wonderful rains of that
particular rainy season.
In the journey of life we encounter many
rainy days and many troubles and difficulties but we must realize that
all things work for our good and that this world is a perfect place
for our development and growth. Everything is designed to give us
earthly experience and help us learn to enjoy each experience. For
each of us our earthly experience is different but it is designed so
that we can reach our greatest potential especially if we follow the
Lord's plan of happiness and prepare our lives by keeping His
commandments.