Bernice Ende

Bernice started on her third Long Ride in February 2008. This will be a 3,000 mile ride which will take her through Death Valley, Yuma, the Midwestern United States, and back home via the Dakotas, and Montana.

Greetings to all of you who follow the ride...We arrived in Prescott, AZ. late Sunday evening (April 7th,08) after a long 30 mile ride from Palace Station high in the Bradshaw Mountains. I came up from Maricopa where I had a wonderful visit with my Aunt Carolyn and her husband Joe. We rode north along power line roads and county dirt roads to

Rainbow Valley where I met and was "put up" by many generous families along that 7 day ride. The weather has been good if not a bit hot for these northerly girls. We camped at many interesting places, backyards, along canal ditches, an empty lot in Maricopa, and several campsites in the wide open spaces of the Sonora Desert. Have had more than one rattler shake a warning at me. Lost two horse shoes and one easy boot. Saw some of the most spectacular desert flowers one could see. Shook hands with, talked with, shared stories with many friendly, interested and curious people. Walked many miles, rode even more. Stopped In Crown King, AZ. for a week long visit with friends I had met on last years ride. Washed up in clean, ice cold clear running creeks, and fell asleep under brilliant stars dazzling my weary eyes. It has been a good ride. Now into about 7 weeks and 450 miles of this years 3000 mile ride. Claire likes her new accommodations on the back of Essie Pearl and Essie Pearl seems content to have the responsibility as Claire's riding horse. It is nothing to have Claire clambor up Essie's haunches to her seat on Essie's back. Honor and Essie Pearl are inseparable, even though there is a constant bickering that goes on between them like sisters. I must remember that we have only been together as a team for 3 months, even though it has been 24 hrs a day 7 days a week it will take many, many more months before we are a well oiled team that moves with unity.. I am proud of Essie Pearl and her Fjord nature is well suited for all that a horse must endure with traffic noise, packs of dogs, bicycles, 4-wheelers, trains, plastic bags clinging to fences you name it she will have to brave it and she does and does it well. She is strong, easy to keep weight on and provides a broad base for Claire to ride comfortably on. Honors load is greatly reduced which allows me to ride a bit more then I did on last years 5000 mile ride. She and I have developed a deep easy relationship. She humbles me with her show of affection towards me, her soft nuzzle that gently lets me know she needs something, or the quick response I get when I ask something of her. I think back on our beginning and how difficult it was for both of us, she was a gamble no doubt about it , and now look at her with enormous pride.

We will be here in Prescott until next week, the guest of Gary and Sharon DeLanoy who were kind enough to host our stay last year. This is not a "rest stop" however , there is much to do. Repairs to be made, errands to run and hopefully give many talks in the community. I am pleased to report that all of us are well. No one has any sores of any kind. I will re-shoe the horses, clean and oil tack, look at the next 100 miles of the route north to Flagstaff and get caught up with emails. I can't thank all of those who have been kind enough to stop and offer food or a place to camp or a hot shower or a cold drink of water or who have been the curious and interested and have stopped to share a story or to hear a story. I will say again, you have been the embellishment of the rides and I could not do these rides with out the help of many people. until next time