another 1840's trail ride

[buckskin billy]

a few weeks ago i got invited to go on a 40 mile  pre 1840's horse ride. all our gear was period correct.  we rode across a portion of the commanche national grass lands (prairie) crossing the arkansas river to arrive at  Bent's fort near la hunta colorado. the ride was 3 days long and i spent 6 days at the fort. it was a trip of a life time.
the weather outside is nasty here and i figured i would pass the time in showing yall some of my adventure. hope all enjoy



me and amigo



our group


snoozing in the saddle



me and my saddle pard kraig praying there is water in our canteens



first nights camp and we realize most of our food got left 



they were every wheres



making repairs to my buckskin pants



day two and we are riding high in the saddle



lunch amongst the tumble weeds



amigo and spirit making sure i dont run off



it dont get any better than this



end of a awesome day on the prairie

[buckskin billy]

on the third day we discovered the horse i was riding was getting saddle sore. so i rode the big pack mule big henry the rest of the way. this added alot of flavor to this trip

me on big henry



we had to cross a major highway,  we are over looking it



crossing the arkansas river









my saddle pard kraig and his horse spirit coming out of the river



me and henry coming out of the river



me and kraig on the other side

[buckskin billy]

once on the other side of the river we had a rendezvous at bents fort. after spending 3 days on the prairie it was good to get there

riding into rendezvous



first stop, the whiskey tent where else. enjoying a refreshing cup of taos lightning and telling nothing but the truth



me and kraig relaxing after a long hard ride



worn out



defending the fort



fire at will



hero's of the fort



kraig explaining the rules of checkers to me



scallywags in the alley behind the fort



trade goods



powder magazine



jim beckswroth's rifle. it had been converted to percussion



we got to stay in the trappers quarters one night. after sleeping on the ground for more than a week this was the best night sleep i ever had



my humble camp, the rest of the time



even though i dont smoke i had to have one, a clay pipe with a reed stem

[Blair]

buckskin billy,

Excellent imaging!
Thank you so much for sharing.
My best,
Blair

[rbertalotto]

ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!

Is this a thing regular folks can get involved with?  Rent a horse?

This needs to be on my Bucket List....Thanks for sharing!

[Major 2]

Billy, I can relate....when I were might younger, sprier I made several treks...
FT. Leavenworth to Riley , once ....wrote about in the Shootist ...

Did one from La Grange Tenn. to Newton course I was wearing blue,  and another in Virginia.
Then there was to one from Uvalde to Del Rio ...

Perhaps we can share truths at the convention in March

[seamus49]

when I grow up i want to do that. 

[pony express]

Wow, I'd love to do something like that someday. Haven't rode in 10 years at least, and never did ride much. I'd probably get saddle sore before the horse did!

Don't have any 1840's kit, though. Closest I got is standard CAS wear, Wah Maker Skully etc.

[Kraig]

Wow, I'd love to do something like that someday. Haven't rode in 10 years at least, and never did ride much. I'd probably get saddle sore before the horse did!

Don't have any 1840's kit, though. Closest I got is standard CAS wear, Wah Maker Skully etc.

[Kraig]

We are members of a mountain man group . The American Mountain Men. We do quite a few of these rides and camps a year as we can. All of our gear is pre 1840 and mostly 1820 -30. We use our own stock for the rides and always have a great time!

Wow, I'd love to do something like that someday. Haven't rode in 10 years at least, and never did ride much. I'd probably get saddle sore before the horse did!

Don't have any 1840's kit, though. Closest I got is standard CAS wear, Wah Maker Skully etc.

[Tsalagidave]

Billy, that looked like a fantastic trip with great pards. Thanks for sharing the pictures.  I wished I was there.

-Dave

[buckskin billy]

thanks yall. Bent's fort is always having something going on. check out their link below

http://www.nps.gov/beol/index.htm

[Willie Dixon]

this is what dreams, and hopefully eventually memories are made of!  What an amazing trip!

my gal and I, once we get our horses all trained up (about three years minimum there) are planning a trip from Kingman, Az to Prescott, Az all via horseback on the old trails.  Luckily, it seems most of the highways either follow or stay close to those trails so we'll have plenty of stops.

talk about additional inspiration for the trip!  Looks like a ton of fun.  merry Christmas all!

[FiremanBrad]

That looks just like my kind of fun!!!

[Rolling45-70]

Hi Buckskin Billy,

thx for sharing

dreams come true....

regards
Klaus