Friday afternoon . . .
On our way down to the pond the crew and I encounter two familiar horses, the black mare and the curious young sorrel with the white face. Spike barks non-stop, of course. I take a few photos. Hmmm . . . Where’s the rest of the herd? Maybe they’re still at the pond and these two left early. I pull Spike away from the sorrel and we continue our walk. The pond comes into view and I see that no one’s there.
“C’mon, guys, let’s go back.”
We’re almost home when I spot the black and the young sorrel grazing up by the BLT. Now maybe we’ll see the rest of the herd. We hurry up the hill and approach the two horses. No others are around. Again Spike starts barking as the young sorrel comes toward us. What a pretty little filly she is!
She moves closer and closer. I talk reassuringly to Spike and he stops barking and even wags his tail slowly. As the filly steps within my reach, I attempt to touch her. This is too much for Spike. He goes ballistic and the filly trots back to the black who has been grazing disinterestedly nearby. “Okay. That’s enough. Let’s leave these two alone.”
We go back over to our campsite.
I put the crew in the pen with a bowl of fresh water. I’m extremely careful ever since Bob (Boswell’s owner) told me about the large coyote he saw crossing the lane not far from the BLT. I didn’t set up the pen until Spike snuck off the other day and scared me to tears. Bridget and I looked all over for him, finally spotting a white patch in the distance.
Without going into too many details, I became very upset and let Spike know it. He pouted until the next day, kept turning his back on me, playing his I’m-more-mad-at-you-than-you-are-at-me routine. In the morning I pulled him up into bed with Bridget and me. A few belly rubs and snuggles, and all was right again. Anyway . . .
Bridget and Spike are in the pen and I’m in my lounger by the campfire.
A horse whinnies. I jump up and run around to the other side of the PTV to see what’s going on. The black and the sorrel are trotting through the desert brush down toward the wash. They’re both whinnying excitedly, as if to say, “There they are! Hey, everybody! We’re back!”
A horse down in the wash whinnies happily in return.
This is followed by greetings from the others. “Where have you been? We missed you! I’m so happy to see you!” In a few moments all I hear are the horses’ deep, tender murmurings . . . a family reunited.
Saturday morning . . .
There seems to be more birdsong than usual. Must be the warm morning. The crew and I walk down toward the wash. Maybe we’ll see the herd. We find the area where they were reunited yesterday. It’s near the place I discovered them previously. This must be where they spend the night. Oh well, we missed them. Might as well go back, have a cup of coffee, feed the crew . . .
Bridget and Spike know the routine.
They are only too happy to go home for breakfast. As we round the last curve, the Perfect Tow Vehicle and the Best Little Trailer come into view. Oh my gosh, there they are! The horses! The herd is grazing in the brushy field next to our camp. I hurry the crew along to our door. Quickly I put out some kibble for them and secure them inside. Spikey’s not going to ruin this!
I work my way around the bushes, remembering to look for snakes as I go.
Oh, this is so exciting! I’m going to get some great photos. Maybe I’ll get one of the black stallion this time. Yep, they’re all here . . . . There’s the gray, the white, the one with the spots, the young sorrel, the buckskin . . . .
A foal! The buckskin mare has a foal!
What a beautiful sight! I start snapping photos. Apparently it’s breakfast time. The horses give me a look and go back to their grazing. I move among them, talking softly. At one point, the mare lets me know I’m getting too close to her baby and walks a few yards away, the foal scampering alongside. The foal finishes breakfast, goes potty, and looks me over before moving back closer to the mare. What a precious creature!
I hope you enjoy these photos as much as I did taking them. Notice how close the herd is to our camp![slideshow] This is what it’s all about. This is why I’m here.
rvsue
Ah, I love buckskins!
Aren’t they handsome!
your little slice of earth is quite heavenly.
sigh…..
I don’t know what I did to deserve this, but I’m not going to complain.
You are in such a wonderful spot. The horse pics were fantastic!
Once again I have The Bayfield Bunch http://www.thebayfieldbunch.com to thank for a wonderful boondocking site.
Wonderful ! not too often you will get to experience something like that. I’m thrilled for you ….. Great pictures…. Kelly
The pictures are great, and it looks like they are comfortable with you,Surprised Mom let you at close as she did, Your have evidently done something to gain their trust and they don not fear you.Now you will have to look for some corn horsey treats or a couple of bails of hay to keep them happy.Looks like you are having a great time. Be safe out there and by all means watch for snakes and coyotes too. Sam & Donna..
Sue, carrots are all I would give.. These are somebodies horses, doubt they are BLM but…and bad hay can kill a horse as they cannot regurgitate…called colic.
Chuck
I decided to play it safe and not give them anything. They seem happy without me butting in! The recent rain has caused some sprouting of green stuff.
They are All beautiful, and to have them so close. The little filly is adorable and you got a whole lot of great shots. A Very Good reason to be there!
It’s a great way to start the day!
They are so lovely! And the foal, well it brings back some fond memories of when I had horses – oh the babies were so cute. You are lucky to be camped in such a great location!
I wanted a horse since I was a little kid. Never did have one . . . that is, ’til now.
Now you have a whole HERD! All to yourself!
Great pictures and by the looks of things you should get to see at least one more foal.
I was wondering the same thing . . . the older roan, right?
By the way, welcome to my blog!
You are so lucky and I am soooo jealous. Beautiful pix. Only spotted one brand…a ‘T’ on the white mare, but they are sure in nice condition and the buckskin foal is gorgeous! Any others branded?
Enviously, Chuck
I saw the same brand on the black stallion. . . er, whatever I should be calling the big, black, male horse.
Hey, Chuck!
If you were to pick one, only one, which one would be your favorite?
Tough decision but, probably the black, followed closely by the blazefaced sorrel.
Okay, Chuck . . . I’ve been using the word “roan” incorrectly. What do you call a reddish-brown horse?
I know, you call it a reddish-brown horse! (I took out the word “roan” and replaced it with “sorrel.”)
the reddish brow is a chestnut,or sorrel in cowboy speak.A rkoan has white hair scattered thrift e brown.If it has black mane and tail
L, it is a bay
Thanks for all the great pictures, Sue. I am hoping to be out that way next winter/spring. You are such a great inspiration. Horses always seem very spiritual to me.
Hi, Kathy . . .
There is something about horses. I’m drawn to them, can’t resist. I saw some beauties on a ride near Wickenburg, painted horses in a corral.
Oh My Gosh! BEAUTIFUL!!! Heck I would stay there too… until the heat chased me out! AMAZING life you are living young lady!!! I am very happy for you! The photographs were great! What a treat! Thank you for sharing!
The rangers are going to chase me out before the heat does!
I felt a little down this morning,,, Than I read your blog,,, Thanks
Hi, John,
What a pleasure it is to hear my blog cheered you . . . I hope your weekend keeps getting better.
Thank you for the beautiful slide show !! Love the little baby. Must not be very old at all.
I’m wondering when the foal appeared. She wasn’t around when I last saw the herd.
Simply beautiful. We envy you.
Thanks, Royce.
Lovely photos and glad neither snakes or coyotes (or Spike) ruined your chance to get so close to them. They must trust you, being even the little colt and mom were closeby too. Nice to see that there is quite a bit of feed available there for them too.
I was surprised how accepting they were of my presence. Apparently they find enough forage.
Hey Sue, nice photos and friendly horses. I wonder if my burro would be compatible with them? 🙂
I have horses over in Colorado, but they’re retired – one’s 24 and the other’s 29!
Hmmmm…. You can’t play that “burro” trick on me . . . I read your blog!
LOL!!
Chinle! I didn’t realize you were an author until I was on your website today!!! ordred
“The Ghost Rock Cafe” for my kindle today and I love it… up to chapter 7 already!
I found out after I ordered it yhat you have published several more books! Hey Sue!!! Crank up your Kindle… Chinle’s books are GOOD! I know this won’t be the last Chinle book I read!
What a GREAT way to start your day. I had horses for years. Some of them are wise and know people much better than we know them. It is clear they know you are a loving soul. They make think Spike not so much. 🙂
You have had some fabulous sites. Some how I think you will wherever you go.
How long is it in this spot now? How long in the last one? I can’t keep track but would find it interesting to know. Love reading your blog.
Sherry
http://www.directionofourdreams.blogspot.com
I’ve been here about two weeks. I was at Darby camps twice, before and after going to Quartzsite, and both stays were longer than two weeks.
For Chinle – I had horses and burros for years. The horses snubbed the burros as though they weren’t “good enough”. A single burro needs one of his own kind or he’ll be so lonely. This is just my experience. Maybe other horses are more accepting.
I don’t think Chinle’s “burro” will feel lonely.
There’s a thought! I should get another burro – my two burros would equal Sue’s one Casita. And Sherry, you had no way of knowing this w/o reading my blog, but my burro is a little fiberglass camper. 🙂
That foal is beautiful. Nice eyeshadow it’s wearing 😉
And a pretty white star on her forehead.
Thanks Sue for taking time to do this beautiful slideshow.. What a fantastic sight it is, and then to be lucky enough to see up close.. The horses are wonderful- but the foal.. oh my, couldn’t you just give him a big hug… Yup.. that’s a sight to see.
You sure are a lucky one..Camping in the BLT and in that area is special.. Keep Spike and Bridget safe from those coyotes. Someone in our group of homes was walking their dog, the coyote grabbed it leash an all. Very sad.
Chuck and Geri forwarded this to us
Hi, Carol and Jim!
Oh, that’s a terrible story! I’ll keep the crew close to me. I’m glad you enjoyed the slideshow. Hope all is well with you both.
the ffoal is starting to she, may end up spotted, or black, if the other male is black.Buckskin is a recessive gene.
the black mare is in foal
It looks to my untrained eye that the reddish-brown horse is in foal (not the one with the blaze, the one in the photo showing the PTV and BLT in the background.)
all thats missing is the smell, the best part of horses,bury yor nose where the shoulder and in hale,good therapy
Where the neck meets the shoulder
The pictures of the horses and colt are beautiful! You were so lucky to see this. When are you leaving there and where you heading to? I’ve been bed bound most of this week and probably for a few more weeks to come. I fractured my spine bone in 3 places. Ouch!! Just have to stay still and heal… So reading your blog helps make my day. Take care. Careful of that Coyote and watch the snakes. Enjoy the horses. Hope your days are warm and wonderful. Sharon from Florida.
Sharon! What an awful situation for you! That must have hurt terribly. I hope you heal well and quickly, too. I’m sure you’re being smart and following your doctor’s orders.
I’ll probably leave Monday. Where am I going? I don’t know yet. I’ll do some more research tomorrow.
Rvsue,
everyday I dream of becoming a full time RVer… I found your site while searching for The life of a work camper. Now,,everyday I cant wait to see your post. it makes me smile, keeps my dream alive, and warms my heart. Stay safe and give the crew big hugs. Spike and Bridget are so cute. The pictures of the horses are so beautiful.
Kathie,
I’m happy to know I’m helping you keep your dream alive. Keep planning and moving toward your goal . . .
Beautiful pictures. What an exciting day for you guys!
Yeah, Francy, it was a treat to see the horses up close and especially the foal.
Beautiful! I love the pictures 🙂
Thank you for sharing! I enjoy readying your blog, hope to one day be is a similar situation.
Cherry B
Shreveport, La
Hello, Cherry! I’m pleased to hear you enjoy my blog. Best wishes making a life that suits you and makes you happy.
Hi, Pauline!
Sue, Your pictures are wonderful…You had a wonderful adventure, thank you for sharing. I always look forward to reading your post.
Thanks for letting me know.
Beautiful. Wish we were there! Thanks for sharing.
Sue – Wonderful pictures…thanks for sharing. Tracy and I were camping at Usery Mountain Park this weekend and saw our first rattlesnake of the season http://adventuresofa50yearold.blogspot.com/2012/03/snakesnake.html, so they are already out. Thought of you and the crew…please be careful out there and enjoy.
What part of Arizona is Usery Mountain Park? I looked at your blog but couldn’t figure out where it is . . . Probably obvious, but I didn’t see it.
Sue – It is in Mesa, Arizona.
Sue, The horse pictures are awesome! If I could have my pick of the bunch, it would be the Appaloosa :). So pretty. Thanks for sharing your wonderful adventures. Pat K
I like that one, too. A real poser, regal stance, noble head, all that good stuff.
Thank you so much for sharing this with all of us! I will replay this many, many, many times. What an experience! Beautiful photography too. Wow. The best blog post I have ever read. Period. I am so happy for you, and cannot wait to be on the road myself one day. Thank you for your kind reply to my last comment too. It helped, a lot.
Sincerely,
Debra
Love the site, but the slide shows do not work on my Android phone in the blog reader, just letting you know
Great Blog Sue! We read it every day. A few carrots dipped in molasses and you would have had the ponies eating out of your hand. (I suggest rubber gloves for the mess!) Looking forward to seeing where you end up for the hot summer months. We are in Oregon for the time being.
JndH