2010 SPRING BREAK LBJ GRASSLANDS

2010 SPRING BREAK LBJ GRASSLANDS TRAILRIDE

March 11 - 19, 2010

by Redhorse

The annual gathering at the LBJ National Grasslands at Decatur, Texas started March 11 through 19, 2010, for the “Burn the Bitch” Bunch (a.k.a. ‘put another log on the fire’). This fun riding group was made up of Terry, Ann, Hannah, Aaron, Keira, & Kyler Taylor; Tim & Maria Tomlinson; Rob, Marci, Cole, Emma & Avery Nisely; Mark “Hippy” Morton; Karen & Don Jackson, Karen's Mom and sister Rhonda Bennett; Sheila & Carl Atkins and this writer. Several folks visited our camp; Beverly & Paula Kerlee, Jason Webb, Tandy Adams, Bob Kimberlin, Betty Straten, Nancy Carter and her Kansas trail buddies, Weldon Taylor, Gene Huckaby, Alice Morgan, Byrd and Leslie Ollson.

Considering the weeks of rains and record setting snows prior to the ride, the trails were in remarkably good condition. Thanks goes to the National Forest Service Rangers, NATRC and TADRA folks for clearing, trimming and widening the trails. They were great!

As usual, Hippy provided mammoth stacks of firewood for the campout! Everyone speculated there would be lots of wood still stacked after the ride. WRONG. Hippy even brought out another needed pickup load. Never under estimate the wisdom of Hippy!

The schedule when the “Burn the Bitch” Bunch gets together for a week of riding is a simple one. EAT-RIDE-EAT-RIDE and repeat. Everyone brings makings then what’s needed, funds are pooled, shoppers head to the nearest grocery, and the menus are created. Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig would flip out! Having great cooks like Ann, Terry & Tim help formulate meals never even considered by professional chefs! Fried pickles, peppers (yes, Marci, they are hot!) Cowboy Italian Balls (or is that Italian Cowboy Balls?), Hashbrowns con Queso, Pork Chop Fajitas, Cowgirl Lasagna & Beer Can Chicken were just a few of the meals!

The annual Poker Run was held on Wednesday. Everybody put $5 in the pot, and we drew our first card just prior to riding out of camp. The first break was a tack repair, and the second card was drawn. The third card was drawn at a "Pink or Blue" bush break. The fourth card was drawn at the final gate before returning to camp. After all poker players secured their animals and pressing chores, the last Five Card Stud card was dealt. Aaron Brock won the pot with three jacks! There were a few substitute prizes and Rob Nisely won the Mount Rushmore coozie; replacing the one his bride Marci accidentally threw in the campfire!

Tid-Bits on camping with the “Burn the Bitch” Bunch: When water starts running low in a rig, there is always the horse tank to get a good shampoo! Amazing how that horse saliva makes your hair shine! For the younger set, “Don’t get in the mud” translates into “Don’t get in the mud past your earlobes”. The shorter the dog, the higher the mud line was proven by Chloe’. If campers show up and want to take over your camp, just let Tim crank up his International Harvester Industrial General Dynamics Boeing Power Supply; without muffler. The 10-second rule applies when you drop your food on any campground; at home you return to the 3-second rule.

Part of the “BTB” Bunch were hiding out in Arizona riding the Tombstone area, smoking cigars and having drinks with Doc Holliday at the Saloon. We will be getting together in the summer for some more outlaw riding in New Mexico.

Check out the fun we had in the pictures below. Be sure to open the pictures and read the captions! (left click to enlarge; right click to copy):