There I was, sitting at the campfire last Saturday night. We had had two great days of riding, with some of our best friends. The trails were great and the forest was ablaze with color. We had just finished a great meal. Pat Philen was playing his guitar and singing. Soon the entire group was singing along. I asked the group, "Does it get any better than this?"
We were in Prattville with the trailer loaded when Hallee got out of school on Thursday and arrived at Hope Country Campgrounds, adjacent to the Hollins Wildlife Management Area, near Goodwater, AL, just in time to set up camp before dark. We have always liked Hope Country Camp and were pleased to find that Dock Hope has made a number of improvements since our last visit.
The camp is set up along a pretty little year round stream. The first campsites are in the woods that back up to the stream. There are plenty of places to picket horses in the trees, with additional places across the stream. More campsites have been added across the driveway from the wooded sites. The new campsites are well designed to pull through without having to back into them. There are 32 campsites with 30 amp electric hook-ups and room for hundreds of primitive campers.
When you camp at Hope Country you can expect to see Dock or his son Luke at your campsite at least once a day, just to check and see if you have any problems or need anything. If you aren't friends when you get there, you will be before you leave. He has a neighbor that also rides through the camp a couple of times a day partly as security and partly to be of help if anyone needs it.
There is no fee for dayriders. Just park, go ride and have a good time. If you camp, the electric sites are $10 per night and primitive is $5 per night. Dock took a red plastic tool box and cut a slot in one end to deposit your camping fees, on the honor system. It is attached to a pole in the center of camp.
Gun hunting is allowed in the WMA for 16 days this year. If you can't find the dates online, give Dock a call and he'll tell you whether or not hunting will be allowed when you plan to ride and camp there. Dock is a workaholic and hard to catch at home or in his office, but you can always reach him on his cell phone: 888-237-2971. He does not have email or a website.
We passed Katrin Klemm and her friends Robert Beam and Mr. Barrett on the dirt road not far from camp. As soon as we came through the gate to the campgrounds, we could see a number of trailers already parked. Craig Bradley, Beth Hart, Dawn & John Ringer and Toni Prater had parked across from the wooded sites and formed a central dining and campfire area for our group. They already had a nice campfire going. Toni walked out to the driveway to tell us where they wanted us to park. We actually parked in front of several of their rigs, instead of parallel to them. Our trailer door opened almost directly in front of the common area. I was flattered that they were so considerate. Then I realized that they wanted our trailer to act as a wind break! Oh well, it’s nice to be useful.
As soon as we parked everybody came to the trailer to see what they could do to help us. Dawn and Lane started working on supper while Toni helped Hallee and me unload the horses and set up a rope corral for them. By the time we had our camp set up supper was ready. We had a hearty homemade soup that was perfect for the cooler night and fresh cormbread hot from the oven. Lane makes the best cornbread in the world.
As we sat around the campfire after dinner, we could hear coyotes from several directions. It sounded like a lot of them and they seemed to be just outside the ring of light from the campfire. I understand why the farmers hate them, but having them in the background just adds something to a campfire.
We woke to find that we had had our first frost on Thursday night. Toni, Hallee and I had decided the night before to ride out early for a half day ride. Craig, Dawn & John went out on an all day exploration ride. It was a little windy but the sun was shinning and the sky was a brilliant clear blue. It was past the peak of color and the trees were shedding, so we rode through the forest on a beautiful carpet of yellow, red and orange leaves.
The only thing I don’t like at Hollins is that the trails are not marked. I don’t understand all the red tape, but Dock is going through the proper channels to get permission to mark the trails. Thankfully, we have found that it is easy to learn our way around. The trails are mostly forest service roads with additional single track trails through mostly hardwood trees. We started exploring some new trails and ended up at the start of the trail going to Rebecca Mountain. We had planned on going over the mountain on Saturday, but we were there, so why not ride it both days? The view from the top is really spectacular. We got back to camp about noon.
While we were out riding, Pat & Doanan Philen and Carol & W.W. Smith had arrived and set up their camps near our common area. After our lunch break Carol, Pat, Doanan and Beth joined Toni, Hallee and me for another ride. Carol lead and set a fast pace. Another great ride.
Mischelle Park arrived just in time for supper. Friday night is traditionally Pot Luck. But the only luck you need is to have the will power not to overeat. I can’t remember what all we had but everybody contributed and the table was covered with food. I do remember that there were 4 pies for dessert. After one bite, Lane told everybody that the nuts were bad and not to eat any of Katrin’s pecan pie. She even took the leftover pie to our trailer and I never saw it again. If Katrin brings pecan pie to our next campout, I think we’ll have to hide it from Lane if we want any!
I know they were not still hungry, but kids always think you just have to roast marshmallows on the campfire after dinner. So Hallee and Doanan got out the marshmallows and long forks and before long all the adults took a turn too. Another great day.
Saturday morning was a little warmer and we could tell that we’d soon be shedding our jackets on the trail. Hallee and I had planned a 3-hour ride with Craig, but before we got saddled, Michele and Laura pulled in. I told Craig to ride on out and I’d help them get set up and Hallee and I would ride with them.
We old-timers get set in our ways, but I think we've gotten a bit stagnant and jaded about this wonderful hobby. Michele is a new member of ATR and new to trail riding as well. As we exchanged emails during the week preceding our weekend, her anticipation and enthusiasm were contagious.
Most of us started out camping primitive, so it was no problem when Michele said they'd be camping in a tent because she has a small bumper pull trailer. And there was no reason to think anymore about the trailer, until they drove in on Saturday morning. As they got close enough for us to see the 'decorations' I was not sure what to think. After the initial shock at seeing the trailer, my only thought was that these young ladies were going to be fun. I know my descriptions would be lacking, so just look at the photos.
I had already seen that there was only one horse in their trailer. Lane had said she was not going to ride that morning because she needed to run to the grocery store, so I asked Michele if she'd like to ride Little Man. She said she had never ridden a gaited horse. When she first looked at him, she said that she was worried that she was too big for him. She was not much bigger than Hallee and a whole lot smaller than me so I assured her that he was up to the job.
Dawn saw us getting Little Man for Michele and offered to let Laura ride John's racking horse Hutch, so that all of us would be on gaited horses. We go the horses saddled and stirrups adjusted and soon hit the trail. As soon as we got to level ground at the top of the hill leading out of camp, we hit a nice slow gait and I heard Michele say, "Oh My God". She couldn't believe how smooth the ride was. Another Peruvian Grin! Laura was also very happy with her ride on Hutch. I think these ladies may be looking for gaited horses in the near future.
Y’all will just have to excuse me while I brag on my granddaughter. I don't think I'm over estimating when I say that I'm sure Hallee has over 2000 trail miles in the saddle on her own horse, not counting the years she rode double with us. She has a good sense of direction, is very observant and constantly amazes me with her memory of trails. Hallee is also very safety conscious and has wonderful trail etiquette. I know that my vision limitations have made her more aware of safety and the need to know the trails, but it goes beyond that. Over the years she has evolved into a wonderful trail guide.
Ok, back to our weekend. When we rode out on Saturday morning Hallee took the lead and even when we were exploring SHE KNEW WHERE SHE WAS. When I asked who wanted to go over the mountain, Michelle and Laura were the first to speak up. So Hallee set out for Rebecca Mountain. I think Michelle realized how BIG Little Man was by the time we got to the top and he hadn’t even started to tire. We had planned to go back to camp at lunchtime so Lane could ride with us in the afternoon. Pat Philen also wanted to get back in time to watch the Alabama football game. He really roughs it in his motor home.
When we got back to camp W.W. was at the grill cooking hotdogs. We had a chance to really visit with Michele and Laura and get the ‘story’ on the decorations on the trailer. Seems very late the night before as they were packing their truck, they were lamenting over the fact that the trailer needed a paint job but they hadn’t been able to find a body shop that was interested in the job. So they decided to just decorate it themselves and have fun! I thought it was funny and told Hallee to stay away from the shoe polish and not get any ideas!
After lunch, and a short nap, we got ready to ride out. Hallee led again with Lane, Beth, Dawn, John and me following. It was a short two hour ride, but very nice. When we got back, Michele and Laura were pulling out. I was very disappointed as I was looking forward to sitting around the campfire getting to know them better. I enjoyed their company and hope they’ll join us again soon.
As usual, Saturday night is ‘bring your own steak night’ and we got the grill going as soon as we took care of the horses. There were lots of side dishes, salads and hot bread to go with the meat. After everyone had finished eating Lane and Carol went to our trailer. In just a moment, we heard Lane calling for us all to come to our trailer and for Dawn to bring her camera. When we got over there, Lane was down on her knees with a lighter and told Doanan to get down there with her. She was kneeling in front of a cake on the ground!
That morning while we went riding, Lane and Carol had gone into Goodwater to the grocery store to look for a cake and candle for Doanan, who celebrated his 14th birthday on Sunday. When they went to get the cake out of the trailer, Lane had taken off the clear plastic top and put the candles on the cake. She handed it out the door to Carol, and when Carol turned to carry it to the campfire, the round cardboard piece under the cake slid off the plastic bottom of the cake container.
Even thought most of the cake was still on the cardboard, the layers were no longer stacked properly and Lane was afraid it would fall apart when they tried to pick it up. So she lit the candles were it lay and we sang Happy Birthday to Doanan as he blew them out down on his knees. They salvaged about 2/3 of the cake and served it with ice cream back at the campfire.
I know it won’t be the most memorable, but Doanan will certainly NEVER forget the cake he got from his trail friends for this 14th birthday!
We had another campfire of course and Pat brought out his guitar. It was a special treat to have our new friend Mary sing for us. Before long all of us were singing too. We were having so much fun we stayed up past 10pm.
I don't know if it was because we stayed up late Saturday night or because the air just felt like rain, but nobody seemed very energetic on Sunday morning. We had coffee and sweet rolls and sat around the fire. When we felt the first raindrop, everybody rushed to pack up to go home.
It was a very special weekend. Lane & Hallee, old friends, new friends, good riding, good weather, fantastic food, all at a wonderful campground.
Does it get any better? Only if we could have had ALL our riding buddies and the rest of our family. We can dream of that!
Until next time ..... Don’t just ride ..... G L I D E.
Harold, Lane & Hallee
P.S.
RIGHT TO RIDE LEGISLATION IS STALLED:
"Right-To-Ride Livestock on Federal Lands Act of 2005" has stalled in the Senate because of low support from the horse world. The American Horse Council, led by the American Quarter Horse Association, have launched a campaign to GET ANYONE WHO RIDES, especially if they already ride in national parks or wilderness areas-or think they might someday-to get on the bandwagon to send off an already prepared letter of support. Some details. . .
Last March, Rep. George Radanovich (R-CA) introduced the "Right-To-Ride Livestock on Federal Lands Act of 2005" into the US House of Representatives, and a month later Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) introduced an identical bill into the US Senate. But nothing has happened since March, when the bill was referred to half a dozen committees. This is due partly because congressmen and their staffs are disappointed by the low level of support their efforts have received from the horse world.
The easiest way to contact your senator or representative is to click on
which takes you to an AQHA Action Alert. Once there, you enter your zip code, fill in your name and address for verification as a constituent, and a prepared letter of support goes to the congressional representatives you designate. Of course, if you'd prefer to write your own letter, this link also provides the bill's complete text.
The bill says in part "The Secretary of the Interior shall provide for the management of National Park System lands to preserve and facilitate the continued use and access of pack and saddle stock animals on such lands, including wilderness areas, national monuments, and other specifically designated areas, where there is a historical tradition of such use. As a general rule, all trails, routes and areas used by pack and saddle stock shall remain open and accessible for such use."
Please forward this message to any horse association or outdoor organization that supports hiking and riding trails. This is a vital letter of support that cements equestrian rights on a national level, and safeguards riding on public lands for the future.