ARRIVAL
July 18, 2011
Here we are in Virginia City
The ride’s all over, it’s such a pity
Over the last eight weeks we’ve crossed 2,000 miles
Let’s recount some highlights that brought us such big smiles
It all started out with a Patee House dinner
For XP vets and many a beginner
We went through Kansas to the state of Nebraska
So many miles from Dave’s home in Alaska
Remember the downpours that soaked us good
When the waterlogged heavens dumped all that they could
Some riders thought riding in rain was shoddy
So they bailed and said, “Crew, please pour me a hot toddy”
Next was the threat of a huge storm in Oak
In the shelter we huddled hoping we wouldn’t croak
The lightning was loud, was God playing a game?
But we were spared from a tornado that never came
Momentum was stymied when the trail was blocked
By too many gates, especially when locked
How many gates does it take to make us go crazy?
Only a few when we ride with a partner that’s lazy
The Aussies bought Arabs at Rush Creek Ranch
Of course, buying a horse means taking a chance
Charlie spotted one, saying, “I’ve got dibs”
Which unfortunately led to his two broken ribs
We thought jokes by Peter would never stop
Some were funny; none were a flop
To match his wit would be quit a feat
There’s one thing we learned – don’t mess with Pete
Yes, the Aussies made this an international contingent
They took our taunts without getting indignant
Without them the ride wouldn’t have been the same
When anything went wrong we had them to blame
Ride meetings were held at the end of each day
We wondered at night what vague things Dave would say
Like “Ride far then turn at the llama that’s dead”
Becky asked Marcie, “What was that that he said?”
In Melbeeta we found the All Around Store
They had ice cream and truck parts and so much more
We tasted the bull fries and ate candy and toffee
It was great till they put engine oil in our coffee
Joe’s trailer had photos of his horse and his face
Who else could boast with so much grace?
Steve Bosco strummed, was that tune Tom Dooley?
And did you like the poems by, ahem, yours truly?
At Esterbrook meadow the flowers stretched far
Indian paintbrush, wild iris and pink shooting star
Places like this are extremely sublime
May their beauty remain for a long, long time
At Sweetwater bog brave Jeff waded in
But the water was high; it was up to his chin
The crossing was blocked, the ride once again cheated
Dave blew his top and shouted “expletive deleted”
Suddenly the ride was like Pamplona, Spain
All was calm till like a freight train
Something tore through camp with horns afull
The horses freaked out at the running of the bull
When we got to Fort Bridger we were led to weep
It was flooded with water that was three feet deep
This was the ride’s theme, as the waters would flow
We were surrounded by way too much H2O
At Ibapah some had nothing to do
They needed some action to not feel blue
So Steve, Tom and others said, “Lets stop our gabbin’’
And they went and built a sexy log cabin
At Shellbourne we rode loops and after doing our duty
We could appreciate this of the valley’s stark beauty:
Afternoon showers and sunsets of red
And a blanket of stars when we went to bed
There were certainly hassles along the way
Power washing our rigs and needing weed free hay
Though we did our best, some things must stay mute
Following rules is a royal pain in the petoot
Near Austin the Freightliner high sided and blocked
Highway 50 for hours as everyone gawked
Gary said, “Chris, I’m so sorry it broke
But gee, my good friend, can’t you take a joke?”
At Cold Springs nirvana the Duck finally found
Lots of liquor, a pool table and steaks by the pound
Cricket said at the bar ‘’’ made of fine wooden stock
“Just for you here’s a hickory daiquiri, Doc”
Rumors flew daily about riders and crew
But we never quite knew which ones were true
And did people gossip? It don’t take a genie
Do bears shit in the woods; does the Pope wear a beanie?
There were times when we felt we were riders of old
Those young skinning orphans, so wild and bold
But all you XPer’s are hot riders too
This group could have taught them a thing or two
Eventually we came to the Chinaman’s Trail
We were now so close to the ride’s Holy Grail
The price of the adventure, we many times paid it
And now we’ve arrived; we finally made it
We had the wedding of Janis and Gary the Pegg
Did he bend a knee to propose or did he just beg?
And Dave was the minister, who would’ve thunk?
Did he get ordained in a church when totally drunk?
Now, on every ride someone performs many wonders
Assisting us all through our many blunders
This man banged up his rig and endured so much pain
Can we now all say thanks to dear cowboy Duane?
In this town we have reached the final gate
Thanks, Dave and Annie for a ride so great
And there’s one thing we know that we cannot hide
Making friends was by far the best part of the ride