Monday, April 30, 2018

Horse Drive



Next weekend will be in Maybell, CO for a family gathering. The excuse is the annual Sombrero Horse Drive, aka, sneering at dudes with too much disposable income.


Much of our extended family history centers around Maybell, CO and Moffat County. My late father was born down the road in Sunbeam, and his home of record when he was drafted was Skull Creek, CO. He was living outside Maybell when he died in his sleep, age 64.

Plan to take off later in the week. The Ute Indian tribe plan a blessing ceremony in the Sand Wash Basin NNE of Maybell where large herds of feral horses roam.  My sister wants to attend. Starts at 0530 Sunday morning.  Yikes!  Since their forefathers and ours were busy killing each other some 100+ years ago, it may be a surreal experience. They may, or may not, hold a ceremony in the Maybell Park.

We will go out to the old homestead and visit the family cemetery.

 A wildfire burned it last fall and the carefully torn down cabin was lost. The fire missed the cemetery area. 

The hillside dugout was completely gutted as was the old outhouse.


Whenever I pass the Rabbit Ears headed west on US 40 and into the Yampa River basin, I start to feel at home like no other place I’ve ever been. And I’ve been everywhere.


For an idea of the area, go to the link and start the video.


Depending on several factors, weather, roads, mud, commitments, etc. may take a day or two and drive via Irish Canyon to an area in Wyoming called Adobe Town in the Red Desert. This may be my best weather window to see the area.

My sister likes to beat on me about “over thinking”.  In truth I like my maps, plans, check lists and attention to the 6 P’s principal. Let me echo her recent Facebook posting.


Next week is a sit down with my current employer. Several changes have occurred or are forecasted. My route co-driver for the past three years quit. Fed up with problems being ignored. Depending on how the sit down goes, I may join him.


There will probably be a post or two before the trip, or not. Seem to have caught Old AFSarge’s AWOL muse.

13 comments:

LL said...

It sounds like a grand outing. I hope that you'll refrain from reenacting the defeat of the Utes or they'll refrain from scalping all of the pale faces there at the ghost dance. There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unaltered to see how you have changed.

Old NFO said...

Enjoy the time with family, and that video is impressive!

Well Seasoned Fool said...

When I was a wee tyke but old enough to understand "grown up" talk I listened to old timers who fought the Utes. Made me realize I was lucky my forebears, between the Indians and the unpleasantness between the states, lived long enough to reproduce.

Well Seasoned Fool said...

It is country you can stay lost for months.

LL said...

When the Americans killed off the buffalo, it was the beginning of the end for them. Sure, there were subsequent wars and farm houses were raided, but between firewater, the demise of the buffalo, barbed wire, the arrival of the iron horse with LOTS of pilgrims and European disease that made its way to the Americas, they were well and truly screwed. It became a matter of time and attrition.

Well Seasoned Fool said...

All very true. Here is the "but". Authors like Frank Joseph have written about advanced civilizations in North America that rose and fell. The inheritors of these civilizations let the lessons be lost and preferred to be subsistence tribes with no center. When they were confronted with organized and cohesive interlopers they couldn't get their shit together, IMO.

drjim said...

Took a bit of googling the maps, but yeah...I'd say that's really "out in the sticks.

Well Seasoned Fool said...

My sister was using a map program this morning showing Maybell to Adobe Town as 104 miles, 3 hrs 22 min projected driving time.

Coffeypot said...

Being a youngun of the era of western movies and books, I would love to travel and see all that you lived. From my brief travels through CO and neighboring states, I love the scenery. Enjoy the family and visit all you can while you still can.

Well Seasoned Fool said...

Every year I know some in attendance won't be with us next year. Each year the younger generation increases. Now have great grand nieces and nephews.

Momma Fargo said...


Fun! It has been years since I have been to Maybell. Got introduced to it in college. I might have been a little trashed most of the visit.

Momma Fargo said...

Enjoy your family time! Yeehaw! Should be fun had by all.

Well Seasoned Fool said...

Being trashed in Maybell isn't unusual.