Mule Days was hard hit this year, first with the economy and fuel prices, then with the EHV-1 outbreak. Difficult choices were made all around and it was definitely a different Mule Days. Precautions were taken to keep stock separate, volunteers were trained on bio-security, and some ingenuity was employeed to keep all the shows full and entertaining. The weather decided to throw some spice into the mix - giving us wind, hail, sun, storm.... oh, and a little more wind. But you know what? It was a heck of a good time.
It is hard to have anything but a good time when you are camped in a place like this. Mule Days tends to be RV world although there are plenty of tents sprinkled around. Every day you walk out and are greeted with this amazing skyline.
Evenings were spent around camp after riding with a few select beverages of choice...
While mornings had their own hot beverage ritual. We took the Holiday Rambler out for it's shakedown stay and it performed masterfully. Photos to come in a future post. I almost hate to pull it to the resort and rent it out - it is so nice and comfy and roomy. Kinda spoils one for anything less.
I've been volunteering at Mule Days for about 6 years now... and that replaced working behind the scenes with the pack animals for the pack station I worked for. Mule Days has always been a highlight of my year - a chance to reconnect with people, a chance to be around horses, mules and other people who love them, a chance to shop western vendors for 5 glorious days... a chance to celebrate the versatility and athleticism of the mule.
This year for the first time I patrolled on a bike - only once - but not having my own horse at the fairgrounds definitely took a bit of the fun away from the riding. I enjoyed riding the horses and mules of the people who brought their animals but there is nothing like having your own trusty steed. Our saddle club requested that if animals were brought to Mule Days this year they be quarantined for three weeks before returning. A reasonable request, but one I was unable to work out - so I didn't bring my mustang. I brought my Schwinn.
The weather... oh my gosh the weather! Amazing winds, cool temperatures and even a storm on Sunday. Hail about the size of a blueberry while we were riding. Bundling up in May like it was mid-winter. EZ-ups and un-secured tents rolling around the camps. Everything had to be anchored down like you can't believe. Weather like that doesn't deter the packing crowd, though.... they just pull on another layer of Carhart and keep doin' what they were doin'.
Fashion and function are approached individually, although there are some common threads...
You don't often see this combo although these feet belong to a person I've seen bucking the normal riding attire for over twenty years. You won't find me in this ensemble - I'm far too conservative and always wear long pants and boots to ride in.
We don't have mules and I love being around mules - their sweet faces, beautiful eyes and expressive ears. Their mournful braying.
There's nothing like a mule. And Mule Days brings together the most amazing mules... from long-legged, fine-boned mules to stout, draft mules.
Boots and spurs and Wranglers are the fashion of Mule Days... and hats. All kinds of variations on the "uniform".... an almost infinite ability to individualize the same basic elements.
And to individualize your horse or mule's attire as well...
There's no shortage of tack.
Chinks are another way to personalize the cowboy / cowgirl attire and these were brand new and very pink!
All my favorite things - silver, fringe, leather, silk, and straw...
And priceless photo opps.
And that is what the horse thinks of all this fuss over mules...
Until next year.
8th picture is the best. Yeeeha.
Posted by: Haris Tahic | June 03, 2011 at 02:34 AM