Pecos Memorial Day Weekend Camping and Work Projects with BCHM (3)

On Memorial Day several of us decided to go for a ride up to the Pecos River to check on the quality of the bridge that crosses the river and see if we needed to do any maintenance on it on a future work project weekend.

But first, we needed to assist a couple of riders with water crossing reluctant horses. Richard offered to work with another member's Arab mare to help her cross the creek, but it didn't go as planned.

In fact, it didn't go very well at all.

Thankfully no one was hurt, but the horse and rider were not able to join us on the ride because they weren't able to conquer their fears of crossing flowing water.

The next horse and rider were assisted by Sandy, who ended up getting knocked off her horse into the creek.
She was a good sport about the experience, even though she was soaked down to the skin.


Richard had better luck with this rider and her horse and after about 15 minutes was able to coax them into and then across the creek.



Standing in the creek to get the mare past her fears.



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After the water crossing, we continued up the mountain towards Jack's Creek Campground, but turned toward the Pecos River and the bridge instead.



We were riding towards Iron Gate Campground.




The beautiful Pecos River was flowing fast below us.

Sandy being silly and demonstrating how to cut down a tree. We may be here a while......

So exciting! Riding beside the Pecos River. I can see the bridge up ahead!

Riding over the Pecos River on a bridge that the BCHM helped build and maintain.

The beautiful Pecos River looking north.

Apache and I riding across the bridge with the Pecos River below us.

The Pecos River looking south.

We tied up the equines and checked out the bridge.

Richard in his element.

I can't get enough of the sound of flowing water. It's manna for my soul.

After creating a list of supplies needed to do maintenance on the bridge, and enjoying a little lunch break, we mounted back up again, and rode back the way we came.

On the way back, Richard ground tied the molly mule he had with him, so he could pick up some trash some litterbug left on the trail. Well, the mule didn't belong to him so he had no way of knowing that the mule had never been trained to ground tie. So when he dropped the lead rope, the mule took off running down the trail.

Thankfully, the mule didn't go far and she stopped before reaching the road, and got busy munching on some grass.

What a great weekend!!