New Mexico Military Institute Trail Ride 2013 (NMMI)

Jim Lowe Alumni Director at NMMI.

I was invited to go on the NMMI by fellow Black Iron Gang members Bill Hartman and Walt Lowe. They needed someone to help shuttle supplies to this annual event. The perks were it would not cost me anything, I got to bring a horse to ride the trails and to cook for the pre-ride folks before the kitchen staff arrived. I have over 150 photos and I will not be able to post all of them sorry. But I will give you some of what happened. We arrived Saturday afternoon in the Quemodo Lake area in the Apache National Forest. Inside this Forest or bordering it is the host ranch El Capo, Buzzy Eastling and his family were gracious hosts. Sunday morning Walt and I fixed breakfast, lunch and super for about 10 folks. Monday the tents arrived and we spent most of the day assembling the camp structures which were the mess hall, entertainment tent and two shower tents. Bill Walt Jim Lowe his wife Joy (no relation to Walt) and I started to assemble the shower tents. We had to bring all the plumbing parts, water tanks, propane water heaters, all the water lines, faucets etc.. to make a great shower. We even had artificial grass on the ground to walk on instead of dirt in the showers and some horse trailer mats to stand on while showering.

Dish washing serving area                           Sam at hand wash area

Folks gathering for lunch                            Garcia's crew setting up the tents

I Walt and Bill finally got to ride together on the first trail ride, it was a great ride we packed sack lunches from the dining hall. We had a wrangler and he was the beer/soda/water packer. We rode out about 2 hours from camp and stopped for lunch under some trees, then back to camp we came for a night of getting to know people and join everyone in the entertainment tent (snacks, beer, wine, soda and water). Then supper under the big dining hall tent. They had a small band play, I went to bed as the rest partied.

The three Amigo's

Lunch under the shade trees

The beer horse

The band.

On the Thursday trail ride they wanted a hot lunch on the trail. So Walt and I packed up his pickup with food Dutch ovens coolers stands everything we needed.

We served them pulled pork sandwiches with coleslaw and fresh backed individual pies (apple, cherry, strawberry). We served nearly 50 people on the trail.

Cooking on the trail                        Getting ready to serve

 

Handing out water                           These pies were a hit.

 Terry Brown and his wife Susan

We met some really good people and made some wonderful new friends.

 

Sam and Clarinda Shook                            Jim Lowe

 Joy Lowe

                                                    Deborah Moncrief

There was an award ceremony at the last super. Both Bill and Walt got really nice praise for all the work they did and were recolonized with plaques of appreciation for all the did. I also was awarded a thank you gift from the General, I was shocked as I was a last minute deal and was not expecting any recognition.

Bill and Walt receiving their award

In closing I just want to say thank you Bill and Walt for inviting me along on this great adventure. I enjoyed being there and helping you out. I also made some great new friends, and you are all welcome to my fire anytime. Happy Trails until we do it again.

PS. If this goes crazy it looked nice before I posted it. All in line with captions in the right place etc.. LOL