This year's ride started with a bar-b-cue supper prepared by our friends Orlando & Louise Ojeda. They worked all afternoon preparing some great food. Mrs. Roma Dobson & Mrs. Ute Reeves provided additional side dishes as well as desserts. Jim Winstead & Nancy provided us with a couple of homemade pound cakes to go with some fresh strawberries picked that afternoon by Mrs. Beth, Jim, and myself. With all of that food, no one went to bed hungry.

9am Saturday morning found 11 wagons & 3 outriders heading out for a full day's ride. First break was down by the river. As we were pulling out, Cole Jackson demonstrated a quick way to dismount from a horse. Other than scaring his grandmother, no one was any worse for the wear. We'd had a cool, cloudy morning, ideal for the animals as well as teamsters. I had hoped the county would have graded the roads, but no such luck. Lunch break was right at noon, with Bill finding a great spot. After lunch, we learned to be careful what you wish for. As the afternoon heated up, we turned onto a freshly graded road. Dust & heat really made us all appreciate the ungraded roads. Just about to afternoon break Cole once again provided some excitement, or rather, his horse did. Deciding to just quit and lie down with Cole. I still believe somehow Cole did this just to ride in the wagon. After a nice break at the Jenkins Hunt Club, a tired dusty crew began heading home, arriving back before 4pm.

Several folks were heading out, so Nancy & Donna got busy getting hamburgers & hot dogs cooking. Baked beans, chips, & a strawberry trifle rounded out the evening meal. Otis & Rebecca, as well as Robert, had to pull out before supper, but G.W. & Marie, Jimmy & Mary Beth, as well as Pat & Tom and their grandson took time to eat and visit before heading out. After supper several people headed to the local sale barn, while therest headed to the field for a bonfire & roasted marshmallows.

Sunday morning we lost two more wagons with Ronald & Mary as well as Wayne & Pauline having to head out due to illness. With the addition of Henry & Beth, and Tom & Ute and their grandson, we were back to six wagons & two outriders, but Kirby & Donna decided to ride instead of drive, so five wagons and four outriders set out.

Due to dust and expected high temperatures, we cut a few miles off the route. Even with a cool lunch break by the river, it was really warm and dusty, so we took a little extra time at our stop. Seems no one was in a hurry to head out, but finally we loaded up and made our way back homeward, arriving around 3:30pm.Tom & Ute, as well as Henry & Beth headed on out, but Jim, Bill, Kirby & Donna, and Rick & Connie stayed for a quick supper of leftover bar-b-cue, and of course, more strawberries. Seems twenty five pounds of strawberries goes a long, long way. By 6pmeveryone had headed home, and another Low Country Ride was history.

Once again I'd like to thank Orlando & Louise, Jim, Henry & Beth, Donna & Kirby, Connie, Mrs. Roma, Mrs Ute, and Karen & Melody for their help and vittles. Last but not least Nancy, she really puts up with a lot from me, and only now and then has a Hall spell. This year she even took vacation to ride with me, but somehow we never did get to ride together. Maybe next year...

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