Volume 30, Issue 10 Page 1 Gree ngs Mid Valley Members It's hard to believe that we find ourselves in the middle of October already. You can feel it in the air as cooler temperatures start creeping in, and the shortening days become increasingly evident. Why, just a few days ago we even had some significant rain that le many streets in Ripon significantly flooded. As fall inexorably progresses toward winter, the backcountry is s ll largely accessible. Those opportuni es will decrease, however, as colder temperatures and, hopefully, abundant precipita on start to lock the high country away for the winter. While I certainly don't eschew the creature comforts of modern living, I've o en wondered what it would be like to spend the winter in solitude in the high country. No car noise, no phones, no noisy neighbors etc. Can you just imagine the experience of it all? Of course one would want to do this with a warm & comfortable cabin, an abundant food supply and plenty of firewood on hand! The Donner party went through a similar experience, and it wasn't so nice for them. A man who DID do this was named Orland Bart Bartholomew, who was a stream and snow surveyor for the Southern California Edison Company. He and a work friend worked up just such an adventure in the late 1920's. They planned to ski the backbone of the Sierra Nevada from Co onwood Lakes in the Lone Pine la tude, to Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite Na onal Park, roughly following today's John Muir Trail. Keeping with their pre-trip planning, the men made strategic food stashes, when the weather was good, along their planned route. A big change of plans occurred though at the last minute when the friend, feeling obliga ons at home, decided to back out of making the trip. Bart remained determined, and decided to make the trip alone. He began his journey th on December 25, 1928 and completed it in April 1929. His adventurous trip included the first winter ascent of Mt Whitney, solo or otherwise. It's quite a story, and is recorded in a book called 'High Odyssey' by Gene Rose. The price is about twenty dollars I found two ISBN numbers on Amazon, not sure what the difference is. They are: By Michael King ISBN-10: 0831071087 and ISBN-13: 978-0831071080. Get the book. When you are suffering from the coming winter cabin fever, pick it up and read it. You won't be disappointed. Speaking of winter, it's not too late to start planning for the annual Columbia Christmas Parade, hosted by Mid Valley Unit. Always held on the second Sunday of December, this is not only a me for celebra on and fun, but an opportunity to help children who find themselves in unfortunate circumstances. Spectators and parade par cipants alike are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy or toys to the Mid Valley Unit parade registra on area on parade day. A local agency will collect them and distribute them to children that have li le Christmas joy in their lives. Knowing that you made a kid's Christmas a li le be er, there is no be er joy. Start planning to come and join your fellow Mid Valley members on a crisp December morning. It's ALWAYS a good me! Finally folks, please help Backcountry Horsemen (BCH) stay strong by keeping your Mid Valley Unit membership ac ve and current. There is strength in numbers and every membership adds to that strength. Whether you ride or not, your membership helps BCH maintain trails and keep them open for our children, and theirs, and theirs... We were blessed with such a magnificent gi of nature, we want it preserved for all future genera ons as well. Help us accomplish that mission. Happy Halloween everyone, but don't get spooked!
Volume 30, Issue 10 Nomina on of Directors It's that me of year when we have to nominate directors to serve on the Mid Valley Board of Directors. Seven directors are elected each year and serve two year terms. Any member in good standing can serve, they are expected to a end monthly mee ngs and take an ac ve part in promo ng and furthering Mid Valley ac vi es. If you have a desire to be one of the fourteen directors, don't be shy, just give me a call! Directors will be elected at the Winter Roundup! Dennis M Serpa, Nomina ng Commi ee Chair 209-531-5175 Editorial Team Sue Flagg, Carol Jo Hargreaves, Vicki Morales and Kathy Zumbrunn subject line of your email message and send to mvmonthly@gmail.com. The editor reserves the right to accept, reject or hold over late submissions. Happy Halloween! It's been very quiet this month. Barbara Savery was riding a friend's horse when she decided she would be wise to bail. She landed on a gate and ended up with 3 cracked ribs, so she is very sore. Sorry, Barbara, hope you will have a quick recovery! Now for me, the Sunshine girl. I did something to my back and am using a walker to get around. Please keep me in your thoughts along with Barbara. Well, that's all. If you know of anyone that could use some sunshine, please let me know #209-402-7252 or email me at boopoopidu@aol.com. PAGE 2
Volume 30, Issue 10 Shrimp Gumbo with Andouille Sausage Submi ed by Stephanie Sto 1 lb. med. shrimp in shell salt & pepper 2 t. chopped fresh thyme 6 garlic cloves, minced 4 T. olive oil 1 ½ c. diced onion 1 c. diced bell pepper red or green 4 T. flour 1 T. tomato paste 1 t. paprika ½ c. diced celery 1 c. tomatoes, fresh or canned 6 oz. smoked andouille sausage in 1-in.-thick slices 6 c. chicken broth 1 T. file powder ¼ t. cayenne 2 c. chopped okra (op onal) ½ c. chopped scallions for garnish Direc ons: 1. Peel and devein shrimp, season shrimp with salt and pepper, thyme, and ½ t. garlic. Cover and refrigerate. 2. Make the gumbo base: in a Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onion, bell pepper and celery and cook briskly, s rring frequently, un l lightly browned, about 8 minutes. Sprinkle in flour and s r to combine. Con nue cooking for about 5 minutes, s rring, un l the vegetable mixture is well browned. Add tomato paste, paprika, cayenne and remaining garlic. Cook for 1 minute, s rring well, then add diced tomato and andouille sausage and cook for about 2 minutes. Season mixture generously with salt and pepper. 3. S r in chicken broth and reduce heat to medium. With a wooden spoon, scrape bo om of pot to incorporate any browned bits. Simmer for about 25 minutes, un l gumbo base thickens somewhat. Taste and adjust salt. 4. Add shrimp and cook for 2 minutes more. Turn off heat. S r in file powder. Serve immediately, sprinkled with scallions, along with steamed rice or cornbread, if desired. This was enjoyed at our Kennedy Meadows General Mee ng potluck. I heard comments about how delicious it was so I bugged Stephanie for the recipe. Sadly, some of us are allergic to shellfish. Those of you that aren't, enjoy! (Vicki Morales) PAGE 3
Volume 30, Issue 10 Cabin In The Forest Outside Twain Harte Horse pens available Dennise Ann Davis PO Box 1625 Twain Harte 209-541-9678 www.airbnb.com www.vrbo.com You can obtain a CPR/AED/FirstAid cer ficate for a two-year period, online, that costs less than $20. In this CPR and First-Aid cer fica on course you will learn how to perform CPR, use First-Aid effec vely, and how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). It takes about 30 minutes to complete the course and take a test. You only need to obtain a 70% grade on the test. You can keep taking the test un l you get a 70% score. It is not a very tough test. It is provided by the Na onal CPR Founda on. Just go to: Na onalcprfounda on.com. Wa nt to go ca m p i n g, b u t n o ca m pfi re p e r m i t? Online a campfire permit is easy to get and print. Just go to h p://www.preventwildfireca.org/campfire-permit/ Please visit the Mid Valley Unit website (bchcmidvalley.org) to view photos from this year s many ac vi es. PAGE 4
Volume 30, Issue 10 Taking Orders By Jerrie Ann Thomas I'm taking orders again. I have included a list of items & colors for you to choose from. Please call or text your th order by Sunday the 28 of October to Jerrie Ann at 209-985-4502. 1. Henley (long sleeve): $22 plus screen prin ng Black, White, Navy, or Dark Gray 2. Sweatshirt (crewneck): $20 plus screen prin ng Black, Cherry Red, Dark Chocolate, Forest, Navy, Maroon & Indigo Blue, Ash Gray & Violet 3. Sweatshirt (hoodie): $25 plus screen prin ng Black, Cherry Red, Dark Chocolate, Forest, Navy, Maroon & Indigo Blue, Ash Gray & Violet 4. Sweatshirt (zipper hoodie): $30 plus screen prin ng Black, Dark Chocolate, Forest, Navy, Maroon, Royal Blue & Ash Gray 5. T-Shirts: $10 plus screen prin ng Ash Gray, Daisy, Sand, Maroon, Pink, Orchid, Jade Dome, Light Blue, Navy, Lime, Forest & Dark Heather Sizes: small, medium, large, & X-large Addi onal cost for 2X & 3X Screen prin ng color is determined by the color of the ar cle. Thank You By Julia Heller I'm not quite sure where to start with this memoir, but I do know that thank you should be in it, so I guess we will start there. Thank you to Back Country Horsemen of America for being a service organiza on to preserve our na onal forests for genera ons to come. Your hard work and determina on have not gone unno ced by me, a very grateful millennial, I think that is my genera onal era. Thank you to Backcountry Horsemen of California, Mid Valley Unit. I cannot ar culate the amount of gra tude I feel for you, all of you. Sponsoring a college pack team sounded fun and exci ng, it was a way to incorporate young people into the organiza on. Li le did any of you know how thoroughly my life was changed forever when I walked in to a board mee ng asking for a sponsorship to go to Bishop Mule Days to compete in the World Championship. I was 18 and never in my life had I ridden a horse. That didn't stop any of you from teaching me how to pack, no small feat I assure you. Li le did any of you know that semester I failed out of college. I was devastated and forlorn. I felt like a failure and I was ready to give up. Yet I made Anna Baglione a promise (and then the whole unit) that I was going to compete at Bishop Mule Days, and so I did. Let me tell you, it was the best decision I ever made. While I only understood compe on packing at the me, it was the start of a long journey. The Modesto Junior College Pack Team lost the tle Reserve World Champion tle by two points and an unfair call in the steer dressing compe on. Yes, we are s ll upset about it. However, that loss created memories, adrenaline rushes, mentorships, and friendships that will last me un l the day I die. So, thank you Carl Perry, Doug Dollarhide, and Dave Moser for teaching me how to pack and making me run laps when I didn't want to. A er compe ng I wanted to know more about the organiza on that sponsored me, so I joined. Anna then invited me to the 2013 Christmas Party where, somehow, I was a floor nomina on to be on the board of directors for Mid Valley Unit. Somehow, I became a board member. I s ll remember my first official mee ng. I had no idea what I was doing and it was apparent to everyone else in the room as well. Con nued on page 6 PAGE 5
Volume 30, Issue 10 I thank you all for your pa ence. It took me a LONG me to come up to speed and understand the basics. The next year we started training for Bishop Mule Days again with three of the four original team members. We were out for the tle, and no one would stop us. When we got to Bishop that year I knew a lot more names and faces, and we came to win. I s ll couldn't believe we were the first all women team to win and take first in all four compe ons. Not to men on the fact that my right hand was broken, and I had only had the cast taken off two weeks before the compe on. It was a wild ride, but we sincerely were in it to win it. A er winning I went back into a cast for six months and waited, wishing I could have been packing that summer. My me finally came the following summer. I was hired by Rock Creek Pack Sta on as a camp cook. I was nervous and filled with trepida on. I s ll didn't know how to ride that well. My next thank you goes out to Mary Beth Baglione and Carlena Kellogg. There were a lot of tears and frustra on as I learned to mount and ride. When I started at Rock Creek, I felt very underqualified. I s ll struggled to mount and always needed a block. It was apparent I didn't know what I was doing, except for the fact that I could throw a lash rope over a mule and catch it underneath almost every me. Carl and Doug sure taught me how to pack all right. The summer was a lot of grunt work and earning my place. I s ll didn't know a lot which was frustra ng. I was a World Champion for goodness sake!.. As I realized I had much to learn about riding and packing, I took a summer job at a Camp Menzies in Arnold as a horseback riding instructor. I figured to master the basics I should teach the basics. So, I yelled heels down, toes up a lot. My boss was Kendra Brennan, or Brown now for those of you who live in Sonora. A real Rodeo Queen, let me tell you. I don't know how she dealt with me for three months because I pestered her with questions incessantly to gain a greater understanding of horses and riding. She had her work cut out for her because I still struggled to mount that entire summer and was stuck with my mounting block. By the end of the summer, my grasp of horses was much greater than when I started. Now a full year later my horse experience has finally caught up with my packing experience. As many of you know, life can take some very unexpected turns. Due to circumstances out of my control, I had to leave the California Maritime Academy which would have been my last semester as a college student. The night I found out, I was devastated. I wanted to start my career and get on with life, or so I thought. The next morning I was thinking to myself - What would I do? Where would I go? I looked over at my belt and saw my World Champion belt buckle and I thought, why don't I pack? So, I started calling pack stations. Sure enough, in 10 minutes I had a job and I was starting four days later. I couldn't believe i!. So now I'm hired on at Leavitt Meadows Pack Station, about 30 minutes down the road from Kennedy Meadows for point of reference. I can now mount either side of a horse with ease. It has been rewarding and grueling work, but actually being able to pack and be out in God's country every single day is something I wouldn't trade the world for. So, thank you for transforming my life in ways I couldn't imagine at 18. Thank you for investing time, money, effort, and words of wisdom into this young packer. Thank you for giving me an opportunity to carry on and share the principles of packing with everyone I meet. And thank you for investing in young people, because whether or not you see it, it has made a difference at pack stations up and down the Sierra Nevada. I am and will continue to be eternally grateful for everything this organization has done for me. It takes a village to raise a child. Well, that child was me, and the village was the Backcountry Horsemen. PAGE 6
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Volume 30, Issue 10 Mid Valley Unit Fall Colors Social Ride Chris ne Kaplan Loca on changed to Red Hills BLM Area Saturday, November 3, 2018 Park in and ride from the main trail head parking lot on Red Hills Road. Arrive early for Morning Coffee and Breakfast Pastry provided by the Mid Valley Unit! Riders need to be horseback and ready to ride out with the group at 10:00 AM. Es mated length of ride me is 2 ½ to 3 hours. Start riding at home now, to get your horse legged up and of a mind to ride with a group. Shod horses recommended. Pot Luck Chips & Dip social in the parking lot a er the ride. Bring your favorites to share! Group ride led by Chris ne Kaplan. Not a member? No problem! You can join on the spot! RSVP & ques ons - email Chris ne newsle erwestern&gmail.com or call (cell)925-683-7959 Please note, not much cell service at Red Hills, but there is lots of riding! SADDLE FOR SALE Beau ful, hand-built John Fallis saddle, 15-1/2 seat, full 1/4 tree, $1,000. I bought this saddle secondhand about seven years ago. John Fallis tells me it sold for $2,054 when he built it in 2002. Call or text Jan, 209-890-9605 PAGE 8
Volume 30, Issue 10 Mid Valley Fund Raiser David Rumsey Make sure to purchase your gun raffle ckets soon before they run out. There are only 1,000 ckets being sold and they're going fast! The purchase price is $10.00 per cket and you do not need to be present to win. The winning cket will be drawn at our Winter Roundup in January. If you do win, you may win a Henry Golden Boy rifle in 22, 22 mag, or 17 HMR. If you do not like the Golden Boy, you may choose to use the $600.00 Bass Pro gi cer ficate to apply to whatever you would like to purchase. For cket info, please call David Rumsey at 209-993-8146. Columbia Christmas Parade December 9, 2018 Riders: This parade is always a fun social me! If you would like to ride in it this year, please contact Jody Rumsey for details and informa on. jodyrumsey@yahoo.com or 209-743-8205 The Mid Valley Winter Roundup is just around the corner. th The date is January 5, 2019 at the Don and Laurel Rumsey ranch in Sonora. L and M Blodge Catering will be preparing their Famous Ribs and Chicken. Everyone last year was stuffing themselves and just couldn't stop ea ng the entrees. This will be our annual mee ng. We will elect officers for the coming two years. We hope to have a recap of the MJC 2018 World Champion Mule Days Intercollegiate team. Also, last minute ckets will be available for our Golden Boy gun raffle. The drawing will be held that night. Please mark your calendars and try to a end the event. More details will follow on the next newsle er. Dutch Oven Dessert Cooks Needed Jody Rumsey Come support Sonora FFA students and family by cooking a Dutch oven dessert on November 14 at Wildcat Ranch at the corner of Wards Ferry and Tuolumne Roads (gate is on Wards Ferry Road), Sonora. Need to be there by 4 pm to start cooking. If you cook, you will receive a free dinner. Great opportunity to let others know what Mid Valley Backcountry Horsemen is about. Please let David Rumsey know if you want to cook. 209-993-8146 PAGE 9
Volume 30, Issue 10 Pacific Crest PAGE 10
Volume 30, Issue 10 Submi ed by Bob Magee November 2018 3) Lyons Lake Ride Lyons Lake Road & Hwy 108 Contact: Chris ne Kaplan 209 847 5253 13) Mid Valley Unit Board Mee ng, 6:30PM Perko's, 2120 Pa erson Road, Riverbank Contact: Michael King 209 606 8323 - mickngig@sbcglobal.net 14) Dutch Oven Desserts @ FFA Sonora South Corner of Tuolumne Rd and Wards Ferry Rd, Sonora Descrip on: Contact: David Rumsey 209-532-2681 davidsrumsey@yahoo.com 18) Gateway Park Ride Tuolumne Blvd & S. 7th St., Modesto Descrip on: Contact: Carlena Kellogg 209-505-0122 ladyroughrider1@yahoo.com December 2018 9) Columbia Parade Columbia State Historic Park Contact: Doug Dollarhide - 209 838 7630 - bootsandspur@a.net 11) Mid Valley Unit Board Mee ng, 6:30PM Perko's, 2120 Pa erson Road, Riverbank Contact: Michael King 209 606 8323 - mickngig@sbcglobal.net January 2019 1) Ride and Feast @ Red Hills Red Hills Trailhead, Red Hills Road Bring your horse to ride, a chair to sit on, and some sort of dish to share with others. It is a good event to try your Dutch Oven cooking skills. BCHA has developed rela onships with various organiza ons for you Equisure, Inc. for Excess Personal Liability Insurance AirMedCare Network, for medical transport by Air John Deere, for discounts up to $2500 Have Saddle will Travel - Discounts To learn more about these offers go to: h ps://bcha.site-ym.com/page/benefits 2018 OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS President, Michael King**, Educa on Chair, State Board Delegate 209-606-8329 mickngig@sbcglobal.net Vice President, Jim Westmoreland*, Membership Chair, Peoria Flat Project Chair 209-815-3125 jimwestmorelandsem@gmail.com Secretary, Carol Jo Hargreaves, Columbia Christmas Parade, Newsle er 209-823-3538 or 209-988-5831 cjohargreaves@gmail.com Treasurer, Vicki Morales*, Newsle er, Rides 209-577-1594 vickimorales@sbcglobal.net Past President, Dennis Serpa*, Volunteer Service Projects 209-848-4017 or 209-531-5175 dmserpa@velociter.net Mary Beth Baglione**, State Board Delegate 209-838-1566 baglionemb@gmail.com Carlena Kellogg*, Adver sing, Website Advisor 209-505-0122 ladyroughrider1@yahoo.com Bob Magee**, Email-Only Newsle er, Public Lands Liaison, Unit Calendar 209-838-3609 SANBOBS1@live.com John Marshall**, State Board Delegate 209-968-3826 Dave Moser**, Saw Program, Stanislaus Wilderness Volunteers 209-668-8511 davemoser53@hotmail.com Carl Perry**, Spring Campout, Volunteer Service Projects, Winter Round Up 209-632-9100 haylo pigeon@aol.com David Rumsey*, Spring Campout, Winter Round Up 209-532-2681 davidsrumsey@yahoo.com Jody Rumsey*, Parade Chair 209-532-2681 jodyrumsey@yahoo.com Stephanie Sto **, Facebook, General Mee ngs 209-402-4417 HorseBiz66@yahoo.com Vicki Whisler*, Dutch Oven Group 209-480-0566 vickiwhisler@sbcglobal.net 2018 COMMITTEE CHAIRS Columbia Christmas Parade Cathy and Doug Dollarhide 209-838-7630 bootsandspur@a.net Insurance Lloyd Erlandson, BCHC State President 209-761-3942 Lloyd.erlandson0@gmail.com Newsle er Kathy Zumbrunn 209-765-4923 runningzranch@gmail.com Photographers Dan Dunckel, Kathy Zumbrunn Dan: 209-785-4011 dunckel@caltel.com Kathy: 209-765-4923 runningzranch@gmail.com Rides and Sales Jerrie Thomas 209-985-4502 jerriethomas1234@yahoo.com Sunshine Katherine Reeves 209-402-7252 boopoopidu@aol.com Tuolumne River Clean-Up John Marshall 209-968-3826 Youth Horse Camp Karen Lopes 209-756-5534 kdlcowgirl66@gmail.com Webmaster Ted Pack 209-883-4192 Tedpack@fire2wire.com PAGE 11
Trail Books $10 (209) 985-4502 or jerriethomas1234@yahoo.com