Day 1: Left my house 11:00 am and rode 14 miles out to somewhere on Jack Rabbit Lane . Traffic and noise was terrible on Hwy 30. What a relief to get to the back roads. Hot weather. Talked to several on the way out: Paul Atkinson(gave advise), Dwight Rabe(gave directions to Hearne via back roads), a homeless man and numerous well wishers. Popey's Chicken mngr at Shell station on Boonville & Hwy 6 provided break and water for Cheat. Brent picked me up and spent night back at the house.
Day 2: 21+ miles from somewhere on Jack Rabbit lane to Hearne. Weather started out cool and later hot. Very peaceful quiet ride until Hearne. Some have a difficult time there with complete sentences. Lance Leftwitch picked me up and spent night back at the house.
Day 3: 12 miles covered from Hearne to Cobb Ranch(now suffering from a more sophisticated name.."Riverbend Ranch"). Gary Sinquifield rode with me this day. After a few minutes of instruction on Cheat, I turned him over to Gary (he's a big 'o boy ya know) and I rode Henery(newly acquired back up). Gary did not seem to have as much confidence in 'ol Cheat as I and I can't say I've ever seen someone ride that many miles with two hands on the saddle. Once close enough to Cobb Ranch I turn over trail boss duties to Gary and we cut through Cobb ranch fully trusting the trail instincts of Mr Sinquifield. We stop at the gravel pit tanks to water horses. Henery proceeds to try a horse swimming technique that is averted by the line I still hold in my hand. We saddle up and on to Branchville. Have an excellent meal at Branchville courtesy of Gary & Lisa Cobb. Janice also came up to check on her hubby. Spend night back in college station.
Day 4: Discover lost gloves from previous day. Also discover lost wallet from previous day. I back track everything and by end of day have both of them back in procession. Found wallet at gravel pit tank. Fell in water from previous day and some animal pulled it out of water and drug it several feet from edge of water onto dry ground. Strange but true. Was one of those "you ain'ta gonna believe this but...."
Day 5: Back in saddle. 12 miles from Branchville to somewhere on FM 2027 north. James Garner rode with me this day. Peaceful and not so peaceful. I tell James he'd better wear spurs on Henery to help him along. James climbs on and Henery decides immediately he don't want no spur rider. I encourage James to hang on...... bad advise. James pics himself and pride up, takes off spurs and has a pleasant day on Henery from then on. Late in day I borrow spurs James had and discover James left something contagious on them. Cheat decides he don't do spurs either. Nuff said. Had a splendid day with my son. Spend night in Cobb's barn.
Day 6: 12 miles to Cedar Grove on FM 2027. By myself. Weather is cool and pleasant day riding. Have my wallet, gloves and no spurs. Great ride. Eat lunch at Methodist Church built in 1850. Historical marker that has some history. (Texas Handbook Online) Cobb picks me up and I spend night back in my bed. Cheat has pulled one shoe off so it's off to the shoe doctor Monday morning. Will be back on trail Tues.......... if Janice says so. Until Next Time Saddle Bum Bob