The Trail Ride

Saturday morning I was in the garden working up ground for potato planting.  Even though it wasn't hot, I was in need of a break.  I had pulled up seven rows and was ready for some water to drink.  Off in the distance I heard the sound of music - not the 'boom-boom' music you often hear while waiting at red lights, but Cajun french music and country music mixed in for good measure.  I ran inside and got Tricia and we sat out on the front porch to see what was going on and before long we could see a long line of people on horseback and horse-drawn carriages and wagons - a Trail Ride!  Most of the wagons had American flags flapping in the breeze.


Patriotic trail riders

I later looked online and saw that this was the Grand Marais trail ride that was going on March 9 - 10th.  I wish I could have been able to take pictures that would begin to show you how many people and horses were involved.  I should have counted them.  They all stopped in front of the house while waiting on an escort to cross a busy highway.

There were all types of homemade wagons and all different kinds of horses with riders, young and old.


This wagon had a pexiglass cab to protect the driver from the elements

Some of the wagons had a deck on the back with a barbecue pit grilling lunch for the day.  This one was smoking and no doubt making the guys on horseback right behind it very hungry.  No wonder they were following closely.

Trail Ride Barbecue

Although the revelers occupied most of the road, traffic could still pass by them.  They were very organized and had the Sheriff's Department stop traffic when they crossed a main road and had a gentleman on horseback with a neon orange flag escorting vehicles passing the trail ride in order to make sure people were safe.  

Vehicles passing the trail ride

Among the wagons, stage-coach looking things, and other 'vehicles', there was an Amish-style horse and buggy that looked pretty cool.  


Amish-styled carriage

Acting as caboose of the trail ride (appropriately) was the restroom - Guys and Gals port-a-potties, and it looks like there is a line to get into one of them!  Must take some practice to learn to use the restroom on a sloshing, bouncing, moving trailer...

Modern Style cowboy restroom

Ride 'em Cowboy!