The Fast and the Furriest Food Drive

    I was hanging out in the bathroom at work when I noticed an article in the Backcountry Horsemen Association's (BCHA) newsletter about the Redwood Unit's annual Cowboy Canned Food Convoy coming up.  The BCHA is a non-profit organization dedicated to educate, advocate and maintain the use and enjoyment of horses in America's backcountry and wilderness...which we have a lot of in Northern California.  For the Canned Food Convoy, the group collects canned food donations which they pack into saddle bags on their horse or mules.  The group then rides through town to deliver their donations for the Food For People, Holiday Spirit Food & Fund Drive. 
     Visions of Autumn getting spooked by cars or skate boarders or even worse...the hippies with their Medusa dreadlocks snaking out of their heads trying to send her out cosmic vibrations...have kept me from joining the event.  But this year, I knew we were ready for anything...including patchouli. 
     I called my wing-girls, Cindy and Diane, and when Saturday rolled around we loaded our horses into the trailers in the rain and we unloaded them downtown under dry skies. I was unsure if the BCHA, which are a group of riders that are not the type to worry if the shirt they are wearing clashes with their saddle pads, was ready for the Margaret and Autumn bling extravaganza.  It took me a half hour to get Autumn, Syria and Tinker decorated in ribbons, flowers, garlands of leaves and bows for the ride. 

Cindy on Syria & Me on Autumn stopping traffic in the streets of Old Town



Diane & her little guy Tinker

     After the horses were decked out, we stuffed our saddle bags and baskets with food.  At high noon our group of a dozen riders on horses, mules and with some folks leading miniature horses and mules, set out through the Victorian streets of Old Town Eureka.  

The Backcountry Horsemen out of the woods and into the city!

Autumn and I were second to last to leave the dirt parking lot by the harbor. When we got to the curb Autumn stopped.  She eyed the transition from dirt to pavement and couldn't quite figure out what to do.  I had to call in the help of my husband, Casey, to assure her that it was safe.  Now, Autumn is not afraid to pull a horse from Snowy River move like sliding off the side of a mountain but this city curb thing was all new to her.  Casey guided her with the reins at which, point she rocked back on her hind legs and jumped off the curb.  It was pretty cute.  Syria took Autumn's lead and leaped off the curb too.  Cindy worried that maybe this was going to be a bit too much for Syria to handle.  We didn't have much time to worry because one of the little miniature horses decided we were going to slow.  He revved up his little engine and snatched up his lead rope to sling shot away from his owners to catch the lead horses.  Autumn and Syria watched the mini Mario Andretti in complete fascination as he ran laps around the bigger horses.  It took about ten minutes for fifteen of us to catch the little lug nut. 


We need your license and registration.

    As we continued down the street people came out of the shops to see the horses clip clopping down the street.  It was fun riding down the streets that held memories of the days before cars. 

Old Town Eureka Parade c.1925
( Lynette's Nor Cal History Blog)

We arrived at the warehouse and unloaded the donations.

Autumn supervising the handing off of the food.

Cindy adding her donations in front of Autumn-zilla

 

    Autumn, had a chance to work the camera which got her a spot in the Sunday Newspaper. 


Autumn Kardashian posing for the newspaper photographer

Autumn striking pose

   The ride was great.  The people were great.  The horses were great.  Best of all, it was all for a great cause.  I can't wait until next year.  In the meantime, Autumn and I are going to work on walking off curbs.


The Redwood Unit of the Backcountry Horsemen's Association at the
2013 Cowboy Canned Food Convoy
standing beside the Humboldt Bay Harbor 

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Copyright (c) 2013 Jacksonhillhorseygirl.com November 20, 2013