The dreamy winter has come to an end. Now that the next leg of the expedition is lurking shortly ahead, we are anxiously preparing for what lies ahead. We have just returned from Arizona where we had built a ware house, and made a special point to study the mountains from Southern Oregon to Southern California. Every mountain range was above normal snow pack. We will have to wait until the snow melts and some grass starts growing in the high country before we set out on the trail. You have to be patient when dealing with Mother Nature.

Our snowy delay may be a blessing since we have done some major changes in our equipment and horses. We have purchased a new Peruvian mule named “The Face." She is a 5 year-old molly mule. She is a very affectionate and loving critter. She is green broke to ride and has never packed yet. We will need some time to get her ready for the adventure ahead. Since we are new to the mule world, we are taking our training slowly with patients and kindness so that our new member will give to us many years of faithful service.

We also purchased a 13 year old Peruvian Paso Gelding named “Rocky." He is a large strong horse and roan in color. He has tremendous termino and is a very proud and majestic horse with a touch of arrogance. He is replacing my bone -shaking Quarter horse “Little Wind." Rocky is out of shape and we are slowly working at building up his muscle and lung capacity for the high altitudes ahead. We purchased both the mule and the horse from LaFlamme Farms, A large and well-respected Peruvian Paso ranch in Selma, Oregon.

Little Wind and The Face will be packing for us and will carry about 160 pounds each. Little Wind has packed before in Montana 5 years ago but will need some refreshing before the expedition begins. Little Wind’s yearling Filly, “Belknap," is still with us and will be carrying a 40 pound pack. We breed our two mares to make money for the expedition and produce top quality horses. Belknap has turned out to be one of those “one in a thousand horses," and we are going to try to keep her. Valentines day was the day that we bred "Damesela de Ora" and we will be expecting a foal 3-14-99.

I have been designing a portable electric fence charger that is lighter and stronger than the solar powered chargers. We have been getting the extra gear for our new pack mule. It will cost about $700.00 to outfit the mule. It is time to drag out the maps and get a good idea of what lies ahead for us. I like to generalize the area in case we need to escape fire or need to bypass a destroyed trail. There are many changes that need to be done on the equipment and electronics.

We are now at the point of drying our meats. We save meat drying until last to keep it the freshest. The smell of drying hamburger is filling the room as I type this update. The dried hamburger reconstitutes very well and makes good taco’s/burrito’s, spaghetti, and casseroles. Combined with wild meat and fresh meat bought at the resorts, we get plenty. We are trying dried ground turkey to see what we can do with that. Another favorite of ours, dried tuna and salmon, will be dried and packed for the trail.

As the days lengthen and the continual Oregon rains start to subside, we will be busy fitting new gear and horses. The more that we can accomplish now, the more time we will have to enjoy Northern California’s Cascade and Sierra Nevada ranges! Our money spent on horses and gear is now at $8000.00. We have been fortunate to find work and shelter this year as we wintered out of the snowy cascades.

Dane poses outside the rented cabin

"The Face" - Peruvian mule at LaFlamme Farms


Dane riding "The Face"


"Rocky" - the new Peruvian Paso

Riding "Rocky" - bareback, no bridle

The folks next door