Up Coming Events:
Moonraker/Mojave Drive September 25th 2010
We will head out around 8:30 am, stop for lunch along the way and
return about 3 pm.
You can bring your mount or your wagon. Non members of ETI will be
required to pay the single event membership of $10.
Releases of liability will be available at the sign in desk.
See you there. This is a great ride. You are welcome on
Friday and spend the night in your rig.
Death Valley 100 mile drive.
November 3-12, 2010
Starting at Wades
monument (30 miles north of Baker) to Furnace Creek.
6 campsites in 10
days. Application available on the newsletter page.
ETI CORRAL 14 WESTERN WAGONS
NOTES AND NEWS
I’m sure that by now you have
heard there will no longer be an ETI Magazine in print. You can
access it on line but to those of us that have dial up it is a
challenge and only less than half our membership even has a
computer! I’m sure our corral will survive this change even
though I think the magazine helped us to all keep in touch.
So with this in mind and the fact
that I so enjoy doing a write up about our events I am proposing
to do a write up whenever we have an event and mail it out when
I have something else to mail to the membership. This way it
will not cost the membership extra in postage but they will be
able to hear about past events and what is going on with
everyone even though not in as timely a manner as when we had
the magazine. If you do not want me to pursue this type of
communication let me know since I am working for you as a member
of Corral 14.
H.K. HOLLAND MEMORIAL RIDGECREST
DRIVE /RIDE – the weekend of April 9th
and 10 was our first drive/ride of the New Year and what a
success it was. The Ridgecrest members pulled together and
hosted a truly memorable wagon train. Rigs started arriving on
Friday afternoon and by evening all of us early birds were
treated to a wonderful dinner of home made chili and tempting
deserts. Carl and Donna Everett, who hosted the ride were ready
with pop up tents and tables and were so gracious in getting
everyone settled for the night. Horses, wagons and rigs were
everywhere. We were thrilled to welcome a second generation
teamster – Gil Pauley to this wagon train, driving his team of
horse and mule. The Barstow Corral was also well represented
with 5 riders joining us. The next morning dawned with the
welcoming Ridgecrest weather – wind. But the wagons, carts and a
number of horseback riders, not to be daunted by a little
breeze, pulled out on time to experience the wonders of
Ridgecrest driving. The wagons were Carl Everett, Norm
Noftsier, Ron Remy, Gil Pauley, Chet St. Clair, Melanie Brooker,
Mara Wada and Lee Worsham. Our stop for lunch proved to be a
challenge since the wind was trying to take anything set down
and send it to Mojave. After lunch we circled around the BLM
wild horse and burro facility. It just makes one want to open
the gate and let them out but we kept ourselves in check – this
time. Returning to the ranch and after a little rest we started
seeing the pot luck dishes coming out and oh boy did we have a
great dinner. Carl and Donna provided the beef and chicken and
everyone ate until the word founder was mentioned by quite a few
of us. Then time for the band and enjoying the great music they
provided. H.K. Holland was very well known in Ridgecrest and
among the long time wagon members. More information can be found
about his history in the booklet “Wagons Ho” about our corral
that was printed by the 49ers. Those who new him felt he would
have approved of this grand time in his name. Sunday dawned
with the same weather- wind and this time added clouds. Gil
Pauley and Carl showed how tough they were when they went out
driving on Sunday morning. This was a wagon train to remember
and it was wonderful to see all of our familiar friends and
faces after a long winter.
LONE PINE TO BISHOP WAGON TRAIN –
MAY 17-22ND. This was another year of fun and
challenges. Every year we get a few more wrinkles ironed out on
this drive and this year was no exception. Norm and I went up
Friday and made contact with the local water company which made
it possible for us to have water at the Arena behind the museum.
No more long hoses to man to water our stock. The
Lone Pine Film Museum once again welcomed us as did the town of
Lone Pine. After 2 days to buy whatever we forgot the 8 wagons
and assorted outriders pulled out of the museum camp on Monday
morning. Wagons included Carl Everett, Norm, Mara Wada, Gil
Pauley, Doc Colvin, Maggie and Al Chinn. We were not even out of
the campsite when we got word someone had been thrown. Stopping
the train and CHP from holding traffic we waited for word of
what should be done. Carolyn Horton had a difference of opinion
with her mare and they had parted company but other than a few
bruises Carolyn said she was o.k. and she cowboyed up and we
continued our train. We were all surprised at the wonderful
campsite Carl had spotted for us to use the first night out.
This meant NO MORE DRY LAKE camping and were we all thrilled!
It’s a lovely camp with a great view. The support crew of Ken
Gallinger and Phil Weeks had camp all ready for us and continued
to do an outstanding job thru the remainder of the Drive.
Tuesday afternoon we were happy to see River Camp come into
sight and looked forward to a relaxing lay over day at the Owens
River. Some of us floated down the river or slept or just did
nothing. The stock all seemed to appreciate the rest and the
wind was even absent for a change. Thursday morning we were just
finishing breakfast when a big Angus bull decided we were in his
territory and we should leave NOW. The horses and mules were
heads and ears up and snorting when they sighted him and then to
hear his low rumble really set them off. Two horses belonging to
Joe Pauley and his son Gil broke their tethers and took off.
Riders went out hot on their heels but could not get close to
the two runaways. Then the trucks went out to see what they
could do. The roundup proved to be senseless when the two went
up on almost shear cinder slide and over the mountain. Joe and
Gil stayed as the rest of us headed out with the hope the
runaways would come back to camp and the left behind mule but
that did not work. After contacting everyone that they could
think of, an old friend of Joe’s that lives up in the area was
able to corral the two rascals a week later. Sure glad it all
turned out o.k. The remainder of the drive was uneventful and
once again we were welcomed into the Mann Ranch pack station
which provided pens and parking. If you missed this ride this
year be sure to put it on your must do list for next year.
UPCOMING EVENTS – Flyers included.
Please pay attention if you have a membership renewal included
in your packet. We need to keep them up. Gloria Lemos Leight
recovered her runaway mule after a few weeks. The mule took up
with a herd of mustangs but after numerous trips the mule
decided home was better. After one such trip out to recover the
mule Gloria hiked back to her truck to find the mule standing
next to it. Smart Mule! Sick call – Carolyn Horton is recovering
from surgery on a broken hand. Norm is preparing for yet another
surgery on his shoulder. Ron Remy and Irene Sylvester are ready
to run a marathon after great recoveries from their knee
surgeries. Hope you are all having a great summer – hope to see
you in the fall. Until then Happy Trails Mary Jo Steele –
Secretary Corral 14 Western Wagons.
|
President and Wagon Master Norm Noftsier
normswagons@qnet.com
661-270-1161Vice President Larry
Wilburn
glmotomule@antelecom.net
Secretary Mary Jo Steele-Noftsier
mojo14@qnet.com
661-270-1161
Treasurer Sue Alcott 760-662-6102
suealcott6@verizon.net
We invite you to join us: Family
annual membership $50
Single annual membership $35
Annual Insurance $10 per person with a maximum of $30.
Call for an application |