Those of you who have been following Dad and me on our Eagar, Az to Panguitch, Ut horse pack trip are probably wondering what has happened. Well here it is.

Our first four days were very tough, getting ourselves and the horses all trail broke and working together. We fought heavy winds, made route mistakes, and had our pack horses overloaded, before getting them fully legged-up. We made a grand total of 32 miles. However, on Day four, Friday, things started clicking. We only made 11 miles, but what a ride! We rode through some of the most beautiful riding country on God’s green earth! The horses were getting along well, and Dad and I rode side-by-side and talked all afternoon. This is how we had dreamed this trip would be. We found a beautiful campsite and staked out the horses. We spent the evening sitting around a campfire talking about things fathers and sons talk about around campfires. All was well.

Then disaster struck.

About 2:00am this morning, my trail buddy, Ranger, got caught up in his stake rope and panicked. Before I could free him he had broken his left front leg. There was nothing that could be done. I put him down.

To say I am heartbroken is an understatement. Ranger and I were friends. We had become a team on the trail. While I have bonded with a number of horses over my lifetime, Ranger is the only horse I have ever had that I felt bonded with me. While he had some quirks and goofy behaviors, I will remember them with affection. He was an unusual horse and I will miss him very much.

So, Dad and I are back in Eagar trying to decide whether to continue. I have Lizzy here, who made the ride last year. I brought her down to Eagar as a backup horse, not expecting to need her. She may need to step into Ranger’s shoes. Right now, however, my desires to make this trip are overshadowed by the passing of my friend, Ranger. It never pays to make important decisions while in an emotionally charged state. The visions of him struggling and my failure to be able to free him in time are still fresh in my mind. I am dealing with it, but it is tough. I lost a good friend. I had to put him down.

We will make our decision within the next couple of days. We’ll have to change our travel plans and itinerary if we continue. I’ll let everyone affected by the change in our plans know.

Thanks for all the comments of sympathy and support I have received today.

So long Ranger. Thanks for your friendship and service. See you in the next life.