Just Riding Around

 

Note RDS

So whadya do on a Monday mid-afternoon? Go for a ride around Hill County, of course. Don't be shy, drive down 171 and slow down through Bynum, there's not much there to be honest. Then scream into Malone, which used to be a prosperous German town with a railroad station, until it wasn't. Still, it's got several saloons which I haven't tried out, maybe later. 

Next stop? Hubbard, aka Slap Out, because their general store was always slap out of goods. It's that way today, with a semi-derelict "high street" and relics of quondam prosperity, as in a few beautiful houses. Also, bear in mind, a small Anglican church where the Sacrament's reserved and the doors are open.

Hubbard's got a pool too, which looks awesome, and a war memorial in the form of a chopper. Stop, get out, and pay respect. After that, head to Irene. There's not much there and it's hard to tell where the farm ends and the town begins.

Dark Star

Fall back, mission accomplished, to the Compound, and wonder at the sheer demonic evil which has stripped these little towns of their prosperity. Keen-eyed readers will note that hideous windmills are lurching to the south east of this. Imagine the landfill. But you know what they say, gotta destroy the land to save the land. Big drinks all 'round.

Oh, did you hear about all of these Texan Democrat politicians who're about to be arrested for sheer, brazen malfeasance?

Cheers,

LSP 

Move the Horse

I hate trailers

My "time to move the horse" deadline fell on Monday, so we made several more attempts to load JB on the trailer, but it was no use. It was going to be a cold day in hell before she climbed aboard. That left several options; tranq the horse, ride her to her new home, or lead the beast with the help of a handy F 150. The tranquilizer route didn't seem wise and we didn't have any anyway. Riding seemed attractive, but JB wasn't used to being ridden on roads and who wants to risk being thrown under a truck hurtling down 171 as your horse bolts away to perdition. I reckoned there was an 85% chance that everything would be OK but think, that still leaves a solid 15% of not OK, with each percentile being a potential death point. That left leading her, which we did.

Maw of Hell

I walked her for the first 7 or 8 miles down dirt roads and some fairly deserted blacktop. After a bit of exhausting pulling, rearing, and acting up, she went docile. Thank goodness, probably wouldn't have made it otherwise. We picked up a German Shepherd who seemed to enjoy herding the horse. Most definitely a help.

Herding

The next 8 mile stretch, from Bynum to Malone, was along busy 171. JB didn't seem remotely spooked by the roaring trucks, which surprised me, and there it was, pickup, LSP, horse, dog, in procession down 171, in the blazing sun. At around the 13 mile point we stopped and I decided to climb onto the tailgate and lead from the truck. JB was fine with that once she got used to the idea, and trotted along at a respectable 5 or 6 mph.

None of this would have happened if you'd got on the trailer

After a pitstop at Malone's filling station, "What y'all doin'? Puttin' gas in th'horse?" "No, no, she's got plenty of that already." Har! Har! be safe." "God bless." we pushed through the last 5 miles or so to our destination. I was tired, the horse was tired, the dog was tired and the pickup moved along sedately, though I wasn't on it as JB had decided she wouldn't move unless I walked along with her. 


It was just getting dark as we arrived at the pasture, all safe and accounted for, though my sense of humour was beginning to dim. 


Moral of the story? Train your horse to load or face The Trek. It may be "character building" but... 


Cheers,


LSP