Arkansas Trail Riding
Association
The Arkansas Trail
Rider's Association (ATRA) gathered on Friday, December 9
for its annual Christmas party. We had a grand time with good
food, great fellowship and a whole lot of fun. Walter and his
lovely bride came all the way from Center Ridge while Mike, Buddy
and Bret came from Pine Bluff. Sherry traveled from Vilonia, and
the rest of the gang made their way from places closer. The annual
gift exchange left everyone with a little something that they
didn’t have before. For example, those were really fine hot dog
cookers that Buddy walked away with. With gifts like that, it was
not clear why everyone was fighting over the “Gone Riding” artwork
or the hoof cast material!
For those who could not
be with us, we missed you, and we wish you a very Merry Christmas!
For those who don’t know us, come join us. Below are some recent
ride reports, and you can find more information on our website
www.arkansastrailridersassoc.com.
Lonesome D – New
Blaine, November 11 – 12, Butch Penney
It was not too hot or
too cold as twelve riders left Lonesome D following host Butch
Penney. The scenery was spectacular with beautiful colors.
Arkansas could not be prettier. Five riders stayed overnight,
visiting around a large bonfire and listening to the Razorback
game.
Sorghum Hollow –
Delaware, November 19 – 20, Jerry Strickland
Jerry Strickland hosted
twenty-seven riders who rode out of the Sorghum Hollow Camp on a
fine Saturday morning. The creeks were flowing and spirits were
high. Forty-five minutes down the trail, we had lost two, but the
others carried on and had lunch on a cliff overlooking the
valley. Several hours later, after a wonderful 15.5 mile ride,
three rough and tough riders rode out again for “a little more”
riding. A ‘little more’ turned out to be about 6 hours! Riders and
horses alike were exhausted and glad to see camp. Even so,
everyone had a great time.
Moccasin Gap – Dover,
December 10, Tina Taylor
Tina
Taylor hosted eight hardy ATRA souls on cold morning at Moccasin
Gap including Walter Red, Barb & Jerry Strickland, Noah Grady and
Tina, Charlie Box and a couple of other riders. One of the riders
had bought Charlie’s nice gray mare and wanted to do some riding
on her, and her friend had a horse that was acting up a little; so
they and Charlie rode ahead. A little way down the trail, Walter
had a great idea: to ride down to Mack's Pines and go in for hot
chocolate! Everyone agreed, and we beat a trail to Mack's. While
we were there, we decided we might as well eat lunch in the warm.
Noah treated us all to lunch. With our bellies full of hot
chocolate and hamburgers, we eased back on the trail. We rode the
far yellow trail and met up with a new ARTRA member, Shelli. She
had arrived a little late and missed us, and we were glad to have
her! The Moccasin Gap maps do not show all the trails and we were
temporarily misplaced a couple of times but had a great time.
There was a lot of water in the creeks and Moccasin Gap is a
beautiful place to ride.
