Bye Bye Alberta Winter! Maybe…

It’s dawn, but it’s taking much longer to get bright outside this morning.  I’ve just finished trudging through five inches of new snow in the dark, feeding horses.  I don’t mind: if they’re content then I’m content.  I shoveled snow off the patio when I left the house, and twenty minutes later I shoveled it again.  I’m now back in the house with a hot coffee.  Standing at the window, I notice there is a little more light outside now, and between waves of falling and blowing snow, I can see the silhouettes of my horses.  Covered in snow, their muzzles are buried in their morning feed.  With the exception of his brown belly, my paint horse, Spud, has all but disappeared.  To think that only a day ago it was +11C!  Tomorrow’s high is forecast to be a balmy -20C.

Winter Wonderland

Although my equine family doesn’t seem at all concerned with the inclement January weather, my thoughts are turning to warmer climates.  In particular I’m thinking of a trip I took a few years ago, to Thermopolis, Wyoming.  The name Thermopolis itself suggests something warmer.

Riding in Wyoming

For one week we rode through a series of ranches surrounding the Thermopolis area.  The scenery was stunning, the days long and warm.  Each night we camped in a different spot and caterers served up some excellent meals.  The trip was the ‘Outlaw Trail Ride’.  Over 100 miles of riding covers the historical territory of Butch Cassidy and the Hole in the Wall Gang.  Local historians and ranchers met us on the trail to tell the stories of the outlaws and bandits that called the area home in the late 1800’s.

I was convinced by a friend of mine, JoAnne Meeker to join the ride.  JoAnne, a talented western photographer, had participated in the ride the previous year.  We met in Montana, and convoyed the next day to Cody, WY, where we took in the rodeo, the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, and camped for the night.  The following day we completed the drive to Thermopolis and met the ride organizers.

Horses on the picket line

Our ride took place in the fall, however as I sit here in the middle of our frigid Alberta winter, I am only seconds away from loading up the trailer and driving south – anywhere!  As I write this I have friends vacationing in Jamaica and Mexico.  Why am I here?  That’s a good question.  I’ve had my fill of beaches, but I dream of going on another vacation with my equine friends.  The dismal view out the window is providing a lot of encouragement!

Which horses to take?  Taking care of all five horses away from home would be more hassle and expense than it would be worth.  I would have to flip between Belle and Spud.  Belle is a great horse to take anywhere.  We have a solid partnership, and she’s been around and done enough that I trust her in any environment.  I don’t have to think about riding and training when I’m on her back – we can just enjoy what we’re doing.  Spud is also a good horse.  He’s young, full of energy, and the experience of a trip and riding different areas would do him good.  Maybe I’ll have to take them both.

Quite a view...

But where to go? I have been throwing darts at the map and investigating the areas.  Southern Utah looks like it sports some great trails and scenery.  It’s a 19 hour drive without stops.  That is certainly do-able in several days.  But not with the road conditions we have this weekend!  Let’s say though, that the roads were fine and I hit the highway today.   With stops and a couple overnights I would arrive on Tuesday.  Let’s look at the forecast for Escalante, Utah on Tuesday.  Hmmm….high of -2C?!?!?  What?  OK…since were already close, let’s get back on the highway and head further south to Texas.  Amarillo weather on Tuesday?  High of -5C.  Sigh…I’m not going to win.

Scott and Belle

As the winter progresses into spring, the weather down south will warm faster than it will here.  Although it would be impossible to head out today, with vet checks and paperwork to be done – not to mention treacherous highways – I can at least plan out a trip to take in the coming months.  Maybe March?  Now the gears are turning!  Anyone up for a road trip?  Destination suggestions?

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