Star Valley, Wyoming

After eight years, Theron, who is Facebook friends with everyone, got an invitation from one of our young Jamaican missionaries to come horseback riding in Afton, Wyoming.  It was an invite we could not pass up.


Whitey Gardner, now a married guy, highway patrolman, father, etc., was one of our specially remembered missionaries.  He was an assistant to the president and just a wonderful missionary.  He now has two little boys and his parents have horses and a ranch in Star Valley, Wyoming.

On a bright Monday morning, we left Adrian's and traveled north.  After settling into a motel, Whitey took us hiking to Intermittent Springs.  Now this is a unique area.  The springs turn on every 15-18 minutes and run for about 15 minutes and then turn off.  It's quite a site to see no water flow and then all at once lots of water flow.  We had a milk can dinner with his family that night and a robust game of cornhole.

The next day, bright and early for us at 8, we went to the corrals, gathered up the horses, saddled them, trailered them, and drove about 20 miles up a canyon.  At the head of the canyon, we mounted up for a 3000 foot climb and a several hour ride.  I haven't been on a horse since I was 12 or 13.  My legs don't spread like that anymore and my body doesn't bounce like that anymore.  I was very grateful for the stopping time and the opportunity to walk a ways. 

 When you finish a days ride, you have to give the horses a treat and they want to eat and eat.  You would think they had worked all day long.

We rode to Balls Ridge, had a little lunch and then mounted to go home.  Well, some of us rode all the way, but not me.  After about 20 minutes in the downhill, I was seasick.  I guess the downward motion and back and forth made me queasy.  I walked 3.5 miles downhill and my horse had a good break and followed Whitey.

That night, we were both exhausted, dirty and bowlegged.  I hurt for several days.  A great trip, but my horse riding days are over.

This is the new Temple in Afton.