Kyle Evans Memorial Trail Ride Part One




Have you ever wondered
 how on earth 
did American settlers
ever survive the trip
across the wild, unknown,
under-explored, vastly diverse lands...





fighting off diseases, 
treacherous weather conditions,
wild animals...

Those that survived the trip
were certain to be
intelligent,
healthy,
strong,
resilient,
determined, 
and faithful!


I, myself, think about their
sacrifices all the time!

When the cold winds are howling around
our house on a cold stormy night...

when it rains 4 inches just after we planted
the garden...

when it doesn't rain for four weeks
after we planted the garden...

HOW ON EARTH DID THEY DO IT??

It was survival of the fittest!

and
Those that survived
were gifted 
with
land more precious than gold,
heavenly blue skies,
and
wild flowers that could 
have been planted by angels!





130 years ago settlers were coming
from every corner of the world
to claim a piece of freedom 
in America...

and they came across the  
 Dakota Territory...


 


in wagons and on 
horseback...





This weekend I brought my camera
to the second annual 
"Kyle Evans Memorial Trail Ride"

When I arrived, all of these
thoughts of the settlers of South Dakota
came raging through my head
like a herd of native buffalo!!

As a hundred or more SUV's,
pickups, trailers, semi's, etc.
gathered in the field
west of Wessington Springs
I was overwhelmed by the giant
show of support for the event!

In memory of a true 
South Dakota Hero,
this event is meant to keep the cowboy
spirit alive and well!

And this Friday morning
as hundreds of Cowboys and Cowgirls
mounted their wagons and horses,
you could almost hear the buttons
popping off of Kyle's shirt up in Heaven!!





Every participant I visited with
had a unique story to tell
and was glad to be there
honoring the memory of a 
man that loved the land, his horse,
his God and a good cowboy song!









They traveled here from all over the United States...

this Cowboy told me this will be his 
98th Trail Ride!!





The horses were so beautiful...

Oh, the eyes of these magnificent animals,
be still my heart!!



The event brings out the animal lovers...
young and old
from dogs to donkeys!

Of course it wouldn't be 
a real trail ride
without a real
hound dog!




This little cowpoke 
will be a real pistol
when he's ready to let
go of his mama's hand!!




The Klein family had their 
own wagon!
Can you imagine 12 miles with 4 kids
and no DVD players?




These ranch families are teaching 
the next generation some valuable lessons!

What a great experience for them!!






I didn't see any texting and driving
on this trail ride!






And what a blessing
for well-mannered horses!!



What a great experience this 
trail ride is!

It was a joy to see the hills that I grew up by 
in a new light...

trail-side, as I watched the riders
slowly pass by,
I was a pioneer in a new territory...

before cell phones,
before computers,
before the first automobiles,




what would these brave pioneers
say about our wasteful existence today??

our fast pace,
our un-civilized ways,
and our 
ignorance?




As I walked back to my car
I thought about the lonely
existence of those pioneers on the prairie,
and their will and determination.

I counted my blessings
and said a prayer for Kyle 
and finished the most 
beautiful walk I've had in a long time!

I was beaming with Prairie Pride!!




Thanks to the participants that allowed
me to take their picture and share on our blog!
Thank you to the organizers
of the
Kyle Evans Memorial Trail Ride

I highly recommend anyone to experience
it for themselves,
and if you would like more information
about the event to 
contact us at:
sallfarm@gmail.com
we would be happy to help get you in the saddle!!





If you see a photo you would like,
don't hesitate to contact me!
sallfarm@gmail.com

Have a great week!!
Lisa

Comments

TexWisGirl said…
what a great event! looks like everyone was well-prepared and enjoyed it, too!
barb said…
Great pictures...you captured the heart of the event perfectly. Thanks for sharing.
Country Gal said…
Fantastic post , photos and event . That would be fun to go to ! I put it all down to faith , guts and shear determination to survive the pioneer days ! Have a wonderful day !
Candy C. said…
What a great post Lisa!! Sure looks like everyone was having a good time!! :)
Michelle said…
This looks like a perfect event to me! Almost like a walk back in time.
Andee said…
Oh how fun. When I was younger we got to see a trail ride in Wyoming. It was amazing to see all the covered wagons, horses and families that were participating. I wish I was there to see this first hand. Your pictures are amazing!
Tricia said…
What a memorable event! I can't imagine how difficult life must have been long ago. Great photos :)
These are great photos! It really makes you wonder how the pioneers did survive in those days.
Anonymous said…
What a great event! You have a great looking post today. Thank you for sharing!
Jill Harrison said…
great story and great images! thank you for taking me along for the ride!
I often think of our forebears in Australia, who also came and opened up the land, including my family who were early pioneers. What hardships they would have endured - and how we reap the benefits now.
Love those purple flowers in the grasses. Lovely.
Have a wonderful week. I am linking up to you through Mosaic Monday.
What fun and great images~

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