We've really covered some ground. We had to ride over the coastal range, across the valley to the Sierra.

My mare is due to foal any day.

We are camped waiting for the snow to melt. Snow level was at 3,000 feet but is quickly rising. We will ride the John Muir Trail which is high as 13,500 feet in some parts. It may be August before we can get through. We will spend the time writing and working on our gear. We'll also be training our horses and mule.

We are in "redneck" country now... Most of the cowboys won't give us the time of day. We ride different horses and wear helmets. The "old boys" are the most open but we seem to intimidate the "young dudes". We have met a few packers who were helpful to us.

There isn't much work for us here. We are below Yosemite by the town of Courcse Gold. All the ranchers use Mexican illegals since they work cheap. We're low on money and have been eating wild plants and mushrooms. I caught a rabbit with my bare hands. Gretchen loves that kind of stuff. The chickens have started to lay. I don't have a rifle any more. We left it in Hopeland because we had to ride through Golden Gate Park.

No foal yet.. I hate the waiting. We are camping on a leased pasture and we're not sure how long we can stay. I want to train the foal before we leave this area. We have a three day ride to the National Forest along roads.

That should be a challenge with a new foal.

Update 03/02/00

Travels are light as our new foal, "DotCom" is learning the tricks-of-the-trade. At one month old we are already getting attached to her.

We are taking advantage of wild edible plants in the lower elevation by drying to add to our food supply. The nice weather lets us dry food and spend time writing on teh computer, thanks to the solar panels. The horses are looking great and are getting plenty of feed in the lush meadows. We are migrating deeper into the wilderness at higher elevations. the High Sierra still has several feet of snow...

Update: 5/30/00

We are migrating to the high ground and leaving the browning foothills behind. Grass is just starting in the high country. We are traveling slowly by Yosemite Park in the Sierra National Forest, waiting for the snow to melt on the crest. Our time is spent writing and working on our gear. We lightened our load by 100 pounds for easier traveling in the High Sierra's treacherous trails.

DotCom, our new foal, is doing great. At just seven weeks old she leads with finger light pressure, ties and ponies with a slack lead. She crosses high creaks and rivers with confidence. She is good in traffic and doesn't fear school busses, cattle trucks or motorcycles. This is a step beyond what is considered imprinting. This early training will generate a good mind that will lessen chances of injury for a rider, and the traveling will produce exceptional bone mass.