SPRING BREAK TRAILRIDE
2011 – R3 RANCH, ALVORD, TEXAS
March 11 – 19, 2011
by Redhorse
The Valdez family; Brian, Misty & Megan, hosted the 2011 Spring
Break Trailride at their R3 Ranch in Alvord, TX. The Ranch borders the LBJ National Grasslands with unlimited access
to scenic and diversified trails!
Riders and friends
from Alvord, Ralls, Bertram, Ponder, Flower Mound, Haslett, Granger, Liberty
Hill, & Killeen, Texas and Durant, Oklahoma shared in the fun. It’s amazing how
things can change in a year; Misty and her family lived in Clovis, NM when we
enjoyed Spring Break 2010 at the Grasslands!
The trails have every kind of terrain and adventure you could want. “WRANGLER!” We rode through large Pine thickets. “WRANGLER!” There were also massive meadows of belly-high natural grasses. “WRANGLER!” Stock tanks were plentiful. “WRANGLER!” The dogs that joined us loved the ponds. “WRANGLER!”
Riders
ventured to the highest point in Wise County and located the Geological Survey
marker. Reconnaissance efforts by Misty & Hippy located and retrieved abandoned tents. 
Out of all the great foods everyone ate, a couple of new ones came out. Ed &
Sandy’s Jezebel Dip and Faux Home Grown Green Beans!
(See recipes below.)
The younger riding gang; much like the Younger Gang of the 1800’s, except for
killing & bank
robbing, had lots to keep them entertained.
When Austin Robertson wasn’t fine tuning or shooting his compound bow
with his Uncle Brian, he was catching catfish at the pond.
Austin also made a good hand helping Terry clean the Cowboy Wok.
Taylor Green and Megan share agriculture
interests
with raising pigs and it required lots of trips to the Ag barn.
When Megan, Hannah, Taylor and Austin got together, the Mule six-wheeler
made a loop on the ranch in near NASCAR times! As Austin says, “It just takes a
little dirt to have fun”.
The non-riding hours were spent playing Mexican Train dominos
(Austin had a good
saying for this game too: "It's a sad day when....", seems I've forgotten the
rest!), snacking, listening to Hannah entertain us with her guitar, watching
Megan & Hannah dancing to Wii, or eating. While Sheila Atkins was
providing an assortment of rules she created for Mexican Train,
her husband,
Carl provided an aluminum boat for the Ranch pond. Terry, Tim and Redhorse
actually played "Moon" dominos! For this player, it has been at least 10 years
since running into anyone that played & we did it with my new dominos; thanks
Bob!
If Ed & Sandy Moore are around, you
can bet there is going to be some casino gambling.
You can also
bet you’ll lose! We’re considering
putting the game camera
on him to see how he does it. (Brian
and Austin captured themselves and four does on the camera in the back pastures of the
R3 Ranch.)
Of course, there were several trips to
AGvantage Supply (click for
website); a trailriders one-stop shopping paradise in Decatur!
,
Home Depot, & Mays RV for trailer modifications on Tim & Maria Tomlinson’s
trailer; head architect was Terry Brock. In just a couple of days, they upgraded
the trailer from an overnighter to a vacation special!
Future rides discussed by the gang were Pole Canyon Ranch, Quitaque, TX,
Resumidero, Coyote, NM, and Broken
Arrow
Horse Camp, Custer, SD.
Special THANKS goes to Brian & Misty for sharing their hospitality & beautiful R3 Ranch with us!
“WRANGLER!”
PHOTO GALLERY |
Ed
& Sandy Jezebel Dip
18 oz. ea. Apricot, Pineapple & Apple preserves
5 oz. Prepared Horse Radish (in refrigerated section)
1 oz. Dry Mustard
Mix well in glass bowl. Serve over Philadelphia Crème Cheese. Chips or crackers.
First taste will be tart; mellows after refrigeration. It’s sooooooo yummy!
FAUX HOME GROWN GREEN BEANS
3 – 8 oz. can of Italian cut green
beans (Allens brand if you can find it)
1 C bacon bits, chopped ham, or
salt pork to desired taste
1 T butter
Drain water from can, rinse beans with tap water twice. Cook beans with water slowly until water is gone.
Thanks
Misty Valdez & Ann Brock.