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Bob had originally planned to ride the 30 miles to Elkins in one go, but changed his mind , and split it into two days ride.
Lonny picked him up at 7 am and took him back to the Town Hall, where he had coffee with about six people, including Melvin. He had a great talk with them, putting the world to rights, and then set off again.
The countryside is very sparse now, just about enough grass for grazing, but very dry. There is hardly any traffic, but the road is very wide, which makes an easy ride. When he was talking in the Town Hall, he was told about a deserted bar at the end of his ride, where he could sleep under cover for the night. Sure enough there was his "des res", but not an ounce of booze in sight ! Later Lonny arrived with hay and 50 galls of water for the boys, and wouldn't take any payment for it. Lonny you have been a blessing .......thank you so much.
The horses were fed and watered and tied up to a billboard for the night, and Bob adjourned to his home on the concrete floor..........and yet another yummy freeze dried meal. He didn't have a good night's sleep, as the weather was freezing, and he got up at daybreak to discover the rats had been busy, and pinched all his fruit, as well as his bar of soap !
After he had sorted the horses and had coffee, he set off for the remainder of the ride to Elkins. The weather was quite pleasant that day, and as he rode towards the home of Rick and Connie Ford where he was staying for the night, Rick turned up in his pickup. Connie works as a school teacher, and Rick works at the Fairground at Roswell, where Bob is staying later.
Bob had a very pleaseant evening, and had dinner and chatted. Connie kindly did his washing for him, and when he told them about the rats the night before, produced another bar of soap for him. Thank God for that, or we would have had one smelly rider ! The horses were corralled for the night, with grain and hay, which Rick wouldn't take payment for. People are so kind in this great country. Thank you very much, Rick and Connie, for all your kindness. Bob slept in Rick's den for the night.
Friday, 14 November 2008
Elida,New Mexico
Bob was up at the crack of dawn, and left at 6 am as he had a ride of 26 miles to Elida. He rode through the back streets of Elida, which were very quiet at that time of the morning, and then out onto the main road. The ditches are a lot worse now, very uneven, and practically unrideable, so once again he rides on the side of the road. The weather is typical of this time of the year......cloudy,cold and windy..........sounds like England.
When he was about 9 miles from Elida, who should pull up in a car, but Lonny, who'd arranged to look after him there. As there is no water anywhere now on the ride, Lonny arranged for some to be brought out for the horses...........and who should turn up half an hour later, but Melvin from the local police to water our trusty steeds !
As Bob rode into town at about 3.30, there was Melvin again, waiting to show him the corral for the horses, which had been loaned from someone. There was hay and water for Cody and Tigers, and they were settled for the night. Our friendly policeman then took Bob to the Town Hall where he met Sandra Monks, his original contact for the town, who had brought in the hay for the hoeses........and, needless to say, would not take payment for it. Thank you very much, Sandra, for arranging everything.
Bob had a bed for the night with a couple who were related to Bob Crosby, the 7 times world Rodeo champion, and he slept in an Adobe Cottage, which he said was really great ........had everything he needed. Later, Lonny brought him over a home cooked Steak dinner (from Lonny's own cattle), and he had a Peach tart made by Lonny's wife. Thank you to the couple who put Bob up for the night, and special thanks to Lonny and Melvin, who really put themselves out for him. It was much appreciated.
I know Bob really enjoyed his stay with the people of Elida, who he said were really great. Thank you for looking after my boys again.
When he was about 9 miles from Elida, who should pull up in a car, but Lonny, who'd arranged to look after him there. As there is no water anywhere now on the ride, Lonny arranged for some to be brought out for the horses...........and who should turn up half an hour later, but Melvin from the local police to water our trusty steeds !
As Bob rode into town at about 3.30, there was Melvin again, waiting to show him the corral for the horses, which had been loaned from someone. There was hay and water for Cody and Tigers, and they were settled for the night. Our friendly policeman then took Bob to the Town Hall where he met Sandra Monks, his original contact for the town, who had brought in the hay for the hoeses........and, needless to say, would not take payment for it. Thank you very much, Sandra, for arranging everything.
Bob had a bed for the night with a couple who were related to Bob Crosby, the 7 times world Rodeo champion, and he slept in an Adobe Cottage, which he said was really great ........had everything he needed. Later, Lonny brought him over a home cooked Steak dinner (from Lonny's own cattle), and he had a Peach tart made by Lonny's wife. Thank you to the couple who put Bob up for the night, and special thanks to Lonny and Melvin, who really put themselves out for him. It was much appreciated.
I know Bob really enjoyed his stay with the people of Elida, who he said were really great. Thank you for looking after my boys again.
Sunday, 9 November 2008
Portales, New Mexico
Another early start, and up at the crack of dawn to get the horses fed, cleaned and packed. Today, Cody was the ride horse, and Bob left Clovis at 7.00am. The journey today was just over 18 miles, and the weather was sunny with not much wind in the morning, but picking up as the day went on.
The ditches were pretty well unrideable, and the road was very busy, so the journey was a lot slower , although both horses are rock solid in traffic, which is brilliant.
He arrived at the Portales Fairground about 2pm, and the horses were stalled, with hay. The man who opened the Fairground up for him, kindly went and got more hay, as Bob was staying for a further night, and there were only two bales there. He refused to take payment for the hay, and would not take the money Bob offered him as a tip and for his petrol. Thank you so much for helping Bob out. Our rider has got the luxury of a heated barn for the night, and is sleeping on a table again !!!!!!!
Whilst Bob was riding there, a car stopped and three very excited ladies got out, and were jumping up and down. One of them ran up to him and said "Are you Bob Jones from England?" When Bob said he was, she said "We can't believe we've bumped into you, as we saw you on television."...........They then took masses of photos with each lady in turn posing with Bob and the horses.
A bit further on, another car stopped, and two men got out to talk with him. It turned out one of them was Gordon Morgan, who was the candidate for the House of Representatives in the Elections that have just finished. He was heading off to Las Vegas with his friend for a holiday. He was thrilled to find out what Bob was doing, and when they finished talking, gave Bob his card (he lives in Florida), and said, "when you are next in Florida, come and stay with me."
When we spoke last night (8 Nov), Bob was slumming it in a Pizza Restaurant........don't tell me you're getting sick of steak ! He's resting over in Portales for 9 November, and will be back on the road to Elida on 10 November.
Thank you to Charlene Hardin, at the Fairground for organising Bob's stopover there.
The ditches were pretty well unrideable, and the road was very busy, so the journey was a lot slower , although both horses are rock solid in traffic, which is brilliant.
He arrived at the Portales Fairground about 2pm, and the horses were stalled, with hay. The man who opened the Fairground up for him, kindly went and got more hay, as Bob was staying for a further night, and there were only two bales there. He refused to take payment for the hay, and would not take the money Bob offered him as a tip and for his petrol. Thank you so much for helping Bob out. Our rider has got the luxury of a heated barn for the night, and is sleeping on a table again !!!!!!!
Whilst Bob was riding there, a car stopped and three very excited ladies got out, and were jumping up and down. One of them ran up to him and said "Are you Bob Jones from England?" When Bob said he was, she said "We can't believe we've bumped into you, as we saw you on television."...........They then took masses of photos with each lady in turn posing with Bob and the horses.
A bit further on, another car stopped, and two men got out to talk with him. It turned out one of them was Gordon Morgan, who was the candidate for the House of Representatives in the Elections that have just finished. He was heading off to Las Vegas with his friend for a holiday. He was thrilled to find out what Bob was doing, and when they finished talking, gave Bob his card (he lives in Florida), and said, "when you are next in Florida, come and stay with me."
When we spoke last night (8 Nov), Bob was slumming it in a Pizza Restaurant........don't tell me you're getting sick of steak ! He's resting over in Portales for 9 November, and will be back on the road to Elida on 10 November.
Thank you to Charlene Hardin, at the Fairground for organising Bob's stopover there.
Clovis, New Mexico
South of the Border, down Mexico Way.......... Well, not quite, but will New Mexico do ! Another State, but we're coming to the end.
Bob had a wonderful evening with Earl on 6 November, and set off for Clovis early morning, as usual . He reckoned the ride was ok, but weather very cold first thing in the morning, and windy, which seems to be the norm for this time of the year. The ditches were not good for riding, so most of the trip was alongside the road, on the hard shoulder. For a lot of the journey, the road ran alongside the railway line, and Bob reckoned that must have been the busiest track going, as there were constant trains passing through, all blowing their horns at the crossings. He said it was driving him mad, and he didn't know how the people who live near the rail tracks put up with the non stop noise. The journey was about 20.5 miles, and he arrived in Clovis late afternoon.
Bob was staying at the Fairground there, and the horses were fed and corralled. Bob slept under the grandstand in the little yellow tent, and when I spoke to him, was at K-Bob's Steak House........I guess having a steak for a change !
Thanks to Sue Ferrell at the Fairground for organising his stay, and getting hay in for the horses.
Bob had a wonderful evening with Earl on 6 November, and set off for Clovis early morning, as usual . He reckoned the ride was ok, but weather very cold first thing in the morning, and windy, which seems to be the norm for this time of the year. The ditches were not good for riding, so most of the trip was alongside the road, on the hard shoulder. For a lot of the journey, the road ran alongside the railway line, and Bob reckoned that must have been the busiest track going, as there were constant trains passing through, all blowing their horns at the crossings. He said it was driving him mad, and he didn't know how the people who live near the rail tracks put up with the non stop noise. The journey was about 20.5 miles, and he arrived in Clovis late afternoon.
Bob was staying at the Fairground there, and the horses were fed and corralled. Bob slept under the grandstand in the little yellow tent, and when I spoke to him, was at K-Bob's Steak House........I guess having a steak for a change !
Thanks to Sue Ferrell at the Fairground for organising his stay, and getting hay in for the horses.
Saturday, 8 November 2008
On Another Subject
Just back fleetingly in Bristol
My father passed away peacefully yesterday afternoon, with my brother and me by his side. Just want to say thank you to all the people who have been e-mailing me with their prayers and messages of support.
I will be away most of next week sorting things out, but keep watching the blog, as I will do catch up asap.
My father passed away peacefully yesterday afternoon, with my brother and me by his side. Just want to say thank you to all the people who have been e-mailing me with their prayers and messages of support.
I will be away most of next week sorting things out, but keep watching the blog, as I will do catch up asap.
Thursday, 6 November 2008
Bovina, Texas
Bob's last day in Texas for a while, and he had a very pleasant day's riding.......the weather was cool, in the 60's but very sunny. In fact he had to take his jacket off at one stage. Tigers was number one horse today, and the journey was 14 miles long.
Bob arrived at the Town and Country Vet Clinic at about 3 in the afternoon. Unfortunately, Brett Whitten the vet is away until Monday, but his father, Earl, kindly came over to show Bob where the hay and grain was for the horses, and also the corral. He opened up the barn , which has heating and a bathroom, so Bob will be fine for the night. He refused payment for the horses' feed, and offered to take Bob if he needed any shopping doing. Earl is coming back over later to take Bob back to his home for a meal.
Thank you for all your generosity and help, Earl, and also Brett for allowing Bob to stay over at the Vet's Clinic.
New Mexico here we come!
Bob arrived at the Town and Country Vet Clinic at about 3 in the afternoon. Unfortunately, Brett Whitten the vet is away until Monday, but his father, Earl, kindly came over to show Bob where the hay and grain was for the horses, and also the corral. He opened up the barn , which has heating and a bathroom, so Bob will be fine for the night. He refused payment for the horses' feed, and offered to take Bob if he needed any shopping doing. Earl is coming back over later to take Bob back to his home for a meal.
Thank you for all your generosity and help, Earl, and also Brett for allowing Bob to stay over at the Vet's Clinic.
New Mexico here we come!
Heading for Friona and Bovina, Texas
Cody seems to have recovered well from his latest mishap, and is all for heading out for adventure again. The person who sorted him out at The Boy's Ranch was called John David Vaughan, and he doctored Cody's wounds, and also provided grain for them, when Bob had to turn back that day. We do appreciate everything you did, John, and it was nice to know that Cody was fit enough to carry on with the ride.
On 5 November, our rider had a journey of 24 miles to Friona. He rode through the streets of Hereford (pronounced Herford), as he set off very early, and it was quiet. A snippet of history......... some of the streets in this town are paved with bricks, and this was done after the Great Depression, in order to give people work. However, they are not very easy to ride on , and Bob said the horses were skidding all over the place on them. He was riding Cody, and his lameness has totally disappeared. The weather was very cold first thing, but warmed up as the day went on. However, he was again riding into a brisk south-west wind, which was quite unpleaseant. He arrived at the Friona Vet's Clinic by early evening, which was just outside of town. The horses were stabled at the clinic, and food was waiting for them. Gary Cash the Vet, took Bob into town for a meal which he insisted on paying for, and picked him up later and brought him back to the Clinic. Unfortunately, he had to go out of town the following morning so was unable to spend any more time with Bob. Bob slept in the Clinic, so he was warm and dry. Our thanks to Gary for looking after him and the boys.
On 6 November, Bob will be spending his last day in Texas for the time being, and will be riding into New Mexico when he hits Clovis.
As usual, we have been thrilled with the kindness and help he has received from everyone. Thank you to the good people of Texas. We'll be riding back into your State on 24 November, all being well.
Happy riding, and keep safe,Bob and the "boys".
On 5 November, our rider had a journey of 24 miles to Friona. He rode through the streets of Hereford (pronounced Herford), as he set off very early, and it was quiet. A snippet of history......... some of the streets in this town are paved with bricks, and this was done after the Great Depression, in order to give people work. However, they are not very easy to ride on , and Bob said the horses were skidding all over the place on them. He was riding Cody, and his lameness has totally disappeared. The weather was very cold first thing, but warmed up as the day went on. However, he was again riding into a brisk south-west wind, which was quite unpleaseant. He arrived at the Friona Vet's Clinic by early evening, which was just outside of town. The horses were stabled at the clinic, and food was waiting for them. Gary Cash the Vet, took Bob into town for a meal which he insisted on paying for, and picked him up later and brought him back to the Clinic. Unfortunately, he had to go out of town the following morning so was unable to spend any more time with Bob. Bob slept in the Clinic, so he was warm and dry. Our thanks to Gary for looking after him and the boys.
On 6 November, Bob will be spending his last day in Texas for the time being, and will be riding into New Mexico when he hits Clovis.
As usual, we have been thrilled with the kindness and help he has received from everyone. Thank you to the good people of Texas. We'll be riding back into your State on 24 November, all being well.
Happy riding, and keep safe,Bob and the "boys".
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