TRAIL TALES
| HIGH KNOB CAMPGROUND/SHAWNEE NATIONAL FOREST We just returned from a wonderful month in the Shawnee National Forest area of Southern Illinois. Hop had to come home for a couple of weeks to work so I had to fend for myself, tough job but I managed. For those of you not familiar with the area it is truly break-taking with very scenic views, challenging trails and wonderful people. The weather was perfect with temperatures in the 60's and 70's with little rain. There are several horse camps in the area and just over 160 miles of River to River trails available to ride and over 66 miles of trails out of that one camp. Our Fox Trotter gelding Hute did us proud, he went everywhere we asked him to go, up and down very steep hills, through water and woods etc. He was very sure footed and lots of fun to ride. Our Rocky Mountain mare also did well, she was not as careful at first as Hute but we worked with her and she did a great job for us, after all she is a Rocky Mountain horse right! Our horses were used to being ridden for several hours at a time but not in the difficult terrain that is common to that area. High Knob is a great campground with over 60 permanent campers, 60 plus day camping sites and everything in between. You can rent stalls, temporary corrals or use a picket line. They have a camper for rent that sleeps 4 very comfortably with bath and kitchen or a basic bunkhouse with cots. They have a community bath house so anyone with a rig that would like to utilize those facilities they are available, they also have a dump station for campers. They had a horse show while we were there, a memorial ride for a fellow rider of the past, a great Halloween party, hay rides with chili and hot dogs for all. There was a week long Mule event with over 60 rigs, tons of riding, a clinic on packing mules, pot luck and DJ for the group to enjoy. I learned a lot about mules and their owners! The camp is decorated like an old western town with a jail, boarding house, livery stable, mine shaft, cemetery, church, bank, saloon, post office, laundry and gun shop (probably forgetting something). The town was built by the permanent campers who all pitched in and built great store fronts, painted etc. They had a contest to see who did the best job with a full years camping paid for the winners. We had no problem finding folks to ride with or a campfire to sit by at night. We met a young local gal who has lived in the area all of her life. She was an awesome trail guide along with being lots of fun and very helpful with anything we needed done in camp. I also met a great group of “mature” women who were there for a week and had been campers for over 30 years. They knew all of the old trails, new trails and everything in between taking me to some of the most beautiful areas I have seen. I was so glad to have met everyone I did, they were just wonderful with lots of horse and riding stories and just a wonderful common bond shared by all. There is a lot of history in the area, old cemeteries to explore and many different trails to enjoy. There are rocks, caves, water falls, etc etc. I know we have met a lot of new friends that we will have for some time now, can't wait to return in the spring. We highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for some fun and adventure on horseback. Nancy & Hop |
| Michigan Shore to Shore Trail Ride Forty five years a go, a small group of avid horseman made the trek across the state of Michigan from the shore of Lake Michigan to the shore of Lake Huron. The group was known as the MTRA or Michigan Trail Riders Association. The trail has some 240 miles of adventure that still is enjoyed by hundreds of people today. They ride a variety of horse breeds with one of the most popular being our beloved Missouri Fox Trotter. The trail starts from Empire on the shore of Lake Michigan and travels to 10 different camps across the state of Michigan and ending in Oscoda on the shore of Lake Huron taking 9 days to traverse. The camps are in about 18-28 mile intervals. This is a very diverse trail as it winds its way across the state of Michigan. We start the trail at the Lake Michigan in the historical town of Empire and follow the winding terrain as it finds its way along old railroad grades, back roads, single tracks and two tracks. From sand to rocks, from flats to steep hills, swamps to rivers, the shore to shore has little of it all. The abundant wildlife abounds, deer, bear, bobcat, badger, and eagles are just a few creatures you might see. The trail takes you through jack pine stands where you could hear the endangered songbird the Kirtlands Warbler or a eagle diving for fish on the mighty Ausable river as one of your trail days is spent traveling along its shoreline over little bridges and rolling small creeks. You might also stop for a break at a ice cream shop or restaurant along your journey that has picket lines set up for the riders. Each day starts with packing your trailer up, tying your horse and leaving your tack and whatever you will need for the days ride behind in the care of others. Then you or your rig jumper move your rig to the next camp and return to your horse on the MTRA bus. The ride begins on a relaxing quiet morning just doing wonders for the soul and the camaraderie is unequalled from people from all across the country that travel here to enjoy this one of a kind trail. Everyone is very friendly and will help with any problem that might arise. Typically the days ride is about 3-6 hours depending on your steed and how you want to travel. If your on a Fox Trotter then you can reduce your time and ride comfortable, there are quite a few on this ride. You can do your own thing, either traveling by yourself or in a group. Each camp has a water well run by a generator that the trail boss from the MTRA supplies and you can fill your tanks or buckets. The second June ride is my favorite as it has two weeks. We ride two days and then get a layover rest day. It makes it easier on your horse and for those of us with aging bones and you have a day to check out the local attractions. The MTRA also have a Blossom ride in May, a first June ride which is nine days straight, a September straight ride also and a fall Color Ride in October. The north and south trails are used on the spring and fall rides and they include about another 240 miles of different trails. You must be a MTRA member 30 days prior to ride and sign up for the ride 30 days prior. If you have any questions you can go to the website www.mtra.org the NEWBIE section is awesome to answer most questions, or email or call the secretary for anything not there. raynechris@gmail.com or by phone 989-473-3205. Chuck Fanslow |
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TRAIL TALES
TRAIL TALES
