The Horseback America Expedition has taken a turn for the better. I decided to take on a new partner to share this wonderful trip. Karin, from the Santa Barbara area, had contacted me while I was riding through Burbank. She saw me on TV and asked if I needed any help promoting the trip. She had many good ideas and was excited about the Expedition. I mentioned that I was looking for a partner and she decided to give the trip a try.

We met in Simi Valley a few times and decided it would be best if I came to her place to rebuild the Expedition. We set up training grounds and it was a boot camp for Karin. She was training for the rigors of the trail and transforming her lifestyle to life on the road. Purchasing new gear, including two new horses was overwhelming. Karin already had a beautiful Thoroughbred but we needed another packhorse and I needed a riding horse since Valerosa had passed away in LA.

During the winter, we spent our time training horses, promoting the Expedition and making changes to the gear and the complicated system. New to the system is a camcorder, digital camera, Sony CD sound system, telescope, GPS, new computer software, brighter lights and cell phone. I added turn signals to the pack boxes and an auto horn on my saddle that I call the "saddle horn." We made a quicker, more organized system in packing. Putting the past far behind, I even changed the color of my riding clothes. I wear red and Karin wears green.

Karin and I are both riding big bay Thoroughbreds that are almost identical. They should be since they are half sisters. They were purchased from Old Bridge Farm in Lompoc, California. We're taking special care to make them a "touch-above" trail and town horse. Our new packhorse is a beautiful pinto. She didn't like the pack boxes at first but has adapted well to maneuvering around chaparral, trees and rocks. Hopefully, this young group of horses will carry us and our gear many miles ahead.

Karin never traveled through the mountains on horseback, so I thought it would be nice to go back to the High Sierra to let her experience one of the most beautiful places in the world. In turn, I got to ride back through the area I had ridden alone and the South Sierra I had missed. Only time will tell if it will all work out. Life on the trail is demanding and it takes a strong person and a super horse to persevere. The Expedition is better than ever and we are optimistic about the future and our travels.