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At the bottom was what would have been our trot-by. 
Instead there was a friendly volunteer with a trailer
for those who rider optioned and a water tank but no
vets.  She was with two riders who had pulled and they
were happy to hear I was last and no one was behind
me.  Sinatra took a good long drink and then we
started the unseemingly long trot on the hard packed
dirt road to camp.  We had to ride through the swarms
of Mormon cricket covering the road and I took
perverse pleasure in hoping Sinatra would squish many
of them as we went.  We had to ride past a farmhouse
with lush green pastures and Sinatra was very nervous
and anxious the entire time.  Alligators in the grass
maybe????
The trail diverted into the sage again and a hidden
little creek for another drink.  This was a nice
little section and it was good to be off the road
again.  Finally we caught up to the couple in front of
us again, Peter and Kari, two vets from the Redding
area if I remember correctly.   Their Mustang mare was
pretty tired and they were going to Rider Option so
were walking in the last 3 miles or so to the check. 
I SHOULD have gone on ahead but stayed with them, both
Sinatra and I finally glad for the company.
I reached camp again at 12:50, a full six hours and
then some since I had left.  WOW!  But, at least I was
nearly 30-miles done and I know the last 5 are all
flat, so how bad can the rest be right?  Went to the
trailer and pulled tack.  Let Sinatra eat a little as
I sponged him and then went to vet through.  He was
50/44 on his CRI and had all A?s except for a B on
muc. Membranes and Gut Sounds.  We went back to the
trailer and I tried to care for myself.  By this time,
the lack of sleep and fluids was really starting to
catch up to me.  I was dying for some protein but
could hardly eat.  I forced myself to eat half of my
turkey sandwich and drink 32 oz of water.  I had been
drinking half-Gatorade and half-water on the trail but
still felt dehydrated.  I tried to just rest and let
my stomach settle, by now I was feeling pretty sick. 
But my horse was fine so after our hold I was saddled
up and headed back out.  
The vet couple had both pulled at the lunch stop,
Rider Option, but I was excited to find out I was
heading out on the same loop as some of the top-ten on
the 75-mile ride that was being held in conjunction
with this.  I know all of these people, Mayeroff?s,
Dave Rabe, Nicole Woodson, so had a great time. 
Sinatra had pretty much just poked along for the first
half so I felt like I had a fresh horse under me as we
left camp.  He was so full of himself, that going down
a hill several miles out he proceeded to try to buck
me off because I was holding him back from the horses
in front of him that were already down the hill and
heading off.  I stayed with him (Yeah for me!) and got
him settled again but he was pulling hard to go and
loving the faster pace.  When we finally got to the
first water stop, all the horses drank well and ate
the hay that was set out for them.  The Mayeroff?s
left but I stayed behind to ride with Dave and Nicole,
who were going to go a little slower.  We had a great
time and set off on another big climb.
On Rides of March, we had ridden this same trail but
instead of making us go up and over the big microwave
hill, they kindly led us around.  Not so at the NASTR
ride (this is supposed to be a good conditioning ride
for Tevis, Hal Hall won and got BC on the 75).  Up and
up and up we went yet again.  It was so nice to be
riding with someone though and Dave and Nicole were
setting a great pace except for several long stops
since Nicole was starting to not feel so well either. 
We finally made it to the top and hiked down the
gently sloping other side, Sinatra was eating
everything in sight as we went.  Down to the bottom
and the next water stop, by now it is after 4 pm and
I?m pretty sure I?m not going to be able to make it. 
I have about 7 miles back to camp, a 15-minute hold,
and then 5 more miles to do in slightly less than 2
hours.  No big deal some might say, but I have a young
horse, in only his second season, and by this time I
was thoroughly TRASHED.

To be continued...

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