Week 1.
On the 25th of March we left our now empty house and headed south. Nic suddenly pointed out we had forgotten Hooligan. We headed to Quail Hollow Ranch (Hooligans home) , if you look closely at the picture , under the tree you can see our green horse trailer and Hooligans huge arse wedged into it.
Click on image to enlarge.
Our first stop was at Santa Margarita Lake (about 200 miles south of Santa Cruz) , we arrived late (funny that as we also left late) , there was a great full moon and it still felt like daylight. As you may know , we have had to make use of AAA on previous trips ... we are pleased to report a new record , we called AAA after 18 hours on the road. Once AAA had gone we headed to the Lake and rode/run for 2 hours. The picture is taken in a meadow overlooking the lake. To the left of Hooligan you will see a mountain lion (it only looks like Finnigan to those not under the influence of drugs)
Click on image to enlarge.
Our next stop was in the mountains outside of Santa Barbara. Rancho del Oso was located next to a river in a valley in Los Padres National Forest , when we arrived the weather was in the mid 70s .... sound good ? .... we thaught so and we checked in for 4 days. We found a great place to stay (see below) overlooking the ranch .... then Nic brought Hooligan over from his paddock and he took a dump right next to where Ian was sitting.
Click on image to enlarge.
Hooligan spent most of his time at Rancho del Oso chatting up the local talent.
Click on image to enlarge.
The week before we arrived it had rained a lot. The guides told us that most of the best trails were closed as they were washed out and because the streams running down the mountain were tough to cross. They told us that it was a shame as the views from the top of the mountain were great. We listened to what they told us .... and went up anyway. It was 4 miles up the mountain (the guides were right about the streams .... we had to build our own causeway accross two of them). At the bottom there was a trail through meadows (picture below) which later turned into rocks and sand.
Click on image to enlarge.
Once we reached the top the views were great , we were higher than the other mountains in the area. We decided to take a different trail down , this was more gradual but was 7 miles long. When Finnigan heard this he decided he would jump down but he later changed his mind when he looked over the edge.
Click on image to enlarge.
Ian putting a brave face on the consequences of saying "I do" .... I remember saying love , honour and obey but there was nothing in there about picking up horse shit.
Click on image to enlarge.
On leaving Ranco del Oso we headed to Las Vegas. It was a long haul across the Mojave desert , we decided to stop off in Calico (just outside of Barstow). Nic found time along the way to take "artistic" pictures.
Click on image to enlarge.
We arrived at Calico just as the sun was going down, we went for a ride/run accross the adobe flats. We were told that if Hooligan escaped and ran east , it would be 100 miles before he came to a fence.
Click on image to enlarge.
Hooligan was not the only one to enjoy his run on the adobe flats. Ian was relieved that Hooligan and Sniff express their gratitude in different ways.
Click on image to enlarge.
