For the 2nd year in a row, I joined a wagon train that crossed central Tennessee from Decaturville over
to Columbia to attend the Columbia Mule Day celebration. This was the 15th year for this group of friends to make the approximately 130 mile trip.
(Note: This is NOT the "official" Mule Day wagon train!)
My log for this year reads very similar to last year with a few rainy days and some of those truly spectacular days that can only occur in early April.
The group consisted of from 14 to 17 wagons each day with from 15 to 25 outriders, depending on the weather. Sunday with this group is a layover
day and it just so happened that it was Easter Sunday this year. The weather cooperated and everyone relaxed, attended church services, and just
had fun. A couple of us jumped into my truck and ran up to Loretta Lynn's ranch for breakfast and to do some visiting. During the afternoon, there
was an Easter egg hunt for the youngsters and the cornhole boards were kept busy. Later there was a fish fry and a group meal with everyone contributing.
We pulled into Columbia on Thursday around noon after 6 days of crossing several Tennessee mountains on dirt and gravel logging roads which had almost no vehicular
traffic. Along the way, we were fortunate enough to spend our evenings at several places where the owners went out of their way to be accommodating. (With over
30 horse trailers and travel trailers, etc. to park each night, finding places to camp is one of the toughest jobs for the organizers.) We moved our trailers
up each morning and a school bus had been scheduled to meet us at each stop and take everyone back to the camp from the previous night so we could harness up
and enjoy a leisurely day driving to our next destination.
Just like last year, a few days of the ride were overcast and rainy and presented some challenging conditions for your photographer. I tried to capture as many
of the activities as I could, but it seems that I was always hearing about things that had happened while I wasn't in the area. However, I think I was able to
get enough good shots to make a nice presentation. I especially want to say thanks to Jimmy Taylor and Ruthie, Jimmy Gilbert, JC Mitchell, and Steve and
Christina for putting up with me in their wagon for parts of the trip. To repeat what I said last year, this was some of the best riding, the best scenery and
the best company of any wagon trip I get to go on each year.
Click the links below to see photos from this event!
|
Thumbnail Photos |
<---- OR ----> |
Slideshows * |
|---|---|---|
|
|
* Click the link above and the slideshow will begin. |
A DVD that contains a slideshow of all of the photos displayed for this event is available for $40 plus $5 for shipping.
A calendar with selected photos from the wagon train is also available for $25 plus $5 for shipping.
Individual photos can also be purchased! Contact us or click here for more information about ordering.
Conleys Horse Photos.com - Home Page