This trail ride was a good one! Over 100 horses (probably closer to 200) took part. We met lots of friendly people, some were history handicapped but we set them straight. Got our photos taken, recruited some too.

Riding whip tree was amazing. Someone in 1854 stuck a switch they had been using as a riding whip into the wet ground. The result is a HUGE tree now, one of the largest black cottonwoods in Oregon. We rode over the Indian trail, it was very primitive and you needed a good responsive horse to get around the dense trees in some places and one that would not stumble on the large rocks at the base of a hill hidden under grasses and saplings.

Bill Alguire's wife was riding with a friend behind the column quite a distance away. When we got to the finish we learned she had gotten bucked off her mare due to yellowjackets. She was taken to the hospital with a concussion and a broken shoulder. I saw her yesterday at home. She is sore and it will be awhile before she is back in the saddle.

Otherwise the trail ride was one enjoyable event. We will try to do more of these but lets not have any more accidents!

Capt. Ahearn