There are so many levels and experiences that give us pleasure! Some we work hard at and our reward is a promotion or financial gain. Others are spontaneous, great friends, loving family, or the interaction and comical quirks from our four legged friends.

My greatest pleasure and reward in my life came to me on horseback in the mountains. I have had many great rides, but my first sleep under the stars, beats them all by far! My mom and I took a trip to Alberta shortly after the packing trip. As we traveled I told her of my experience, didn’t realize I had been talking so…………………long till I saw Merritt. From early mornings, to jokes and songs around fires at night, good company, good food, packing up, setting up, to our Sunday morning drizzle, with the view of lopin leaves cupping a teaspoon of rain in each one across the mountain, is only a speck of what I seen, learned and experienced.

If you ever have thought “I wish I could”, but don’t know how, join Back Country Horsemen. There is always someone that will be your guiding light, your inspiration, and there is education with in and around both the Chapter level, as well as at the Provincial level. Upcoming events with the Aldergrove Chapter and others, are general meetings, fall rides, elections in October, November, annual Christmas parties, and more. Join as a family, a single, with or without a horse all year round.

Greetings,

 Just a quick update on viewing photos in the galleries. Right now, the latest and more recent photos can be viewed on "gallery2".  If you click on the word "slide show", the images will cycle through in a sequence. But to view each image at your own pace and be able to read any captions which help tell the story, click on the small photo you see. This opens up a field of small photos. Click on any of these and the photo gets big, and on the bottom you will see any written captions.

 Have fun!

Hugh

This interesting email thread tells the tale of our May Long Weekend Whitworth Camp Trail days...

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Not a suprise Jim...when we left u at the trail head and headed down the road there were already several substantial washouts across the road...sheryl even commented to me that she hoped u guys wouldnt get stranded cause it didnt look good alrady at 11am sunday...wouldnt u know it we also got a flat on the truck almost immediately after driving thru a washout about 20k down the road....we managed and got home ok....was a great success clearing trails and we really felt we accomplished something as a team with all involved....good food, company, refreshments and guitar playing...life is good...

peter and sheryl...

----- Original Message -----

From: Jim McCrae

To: 'P.J. (Peter) Thiessen' ; 'Jack Breaks' ; kellyallenatshaw.ca ; stolpsaddlesatshaw.ca ; rivergalsattelus.net ; pstokes_57athotmail.com ; jrddattelus.net ; dhmacattelus.net ; kettlesatshaw.ca ; 'Rose Schroeder' ; 'George Ralph'

Sent: Monday, May 19, 2008 7:11 AM

Subject: RE: Trails Day in the Skagit

We had a great time - and as you can see by the date on this email we came home early...

A dull grey sky threatened rain on the parade of horse and riders who arrived at Otter Park in Aldergrove at noon on Saturday, May 10. The event, a Horse and Rider Education Day, was co-hosted by the Aldergrove chapter and neighbouring Fraser Valley and Yarrow Chapters. We even had the pleasure of the participation of one rider who travelled all the way from Bowen Island to be here. Vivian Pearce arrived with Finn, her trusty Fjord steed.

To get an idea of all the fun activities that occurred, please read the list of 'thank-yous' written by  Mary Huntington, director of education, who also was much involved in the planning and running of this most successful event.

Susan Shumey, Vivian Harder and Gail Robinson for the initial brainstorming and planning session.

Vivian Harder for getting everyone on board and for all the great signage around Otter Park as well as assisting so many riders during the games sessions.  Also for lending her bridge and teeter totter that so many riders challenged themselves on.

Susan Shumey, who actually started this whole thing with her wish to reach out to both chapters for events. For her assistance in the initial organization of the Potluck, her assistance during the games sessions, and for all her help getting the information out to everyone in all 3 chapters.

Gail Robinson for her assistance at the games sessions and for stepping in at the very last minute to take over organizing the Potluck, the campfire and for keeping an eye on all our “stuff” at the Shelter.

Penny Rowley and Carleigh Paterson for bringing much of their personal equipment to equip the games stations as well as assisting riders at various stations. And a big thank you to Penny for running the Synchronized Musical Rides. It was exciting to watch!

To Hugh Martell, for gathering music for the Synchronized Musical Ride and for taking photos of the event.

To Jim McCrae for once again taking the time to give us such an informative and interesting talk and demonstration on Safe Highlining.  We’re very fortunate to have that kind of experience to tap into!

To Brian Harder and Dan MacDonald for leading the Group Rides and taking on the Leave No Trace at short notice and helping put up the high lines for all the horses that came!

To Tom and Liisa for bringing the pole and mounting block for two of the riding stations.

To everyone who performed possibly the quickest clean up ever of the field then later the shelter site and firepit.

It simply couldn’t have been done without everyone taking on bits of this big task. 

To view the photos taken, please click on the "Galleries"  button above and select " Galleries 2"

Thank you.

Hugh Martell