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4-3-12, Alamosa, CO - One of the true highlights of this trip is a chance to visit with America’s Farmers. This morning, as I was feeding and watering the horses, our host, Kelly Deacon, showed up with a delicious breakfast for Dave, the horses and I.  As I travel across rural America, time and time again I’ve witnessed this incredible hospitality. Those Farmer’s wives sure know how to cook!

Hmm, what wonderful kitchen creation lies beneath the foil?  For the horses, it was obvious, but Dave and I could only wonder what was to be?

Wow, poached eggs on toast, bacon and a fruit garnish!

After receiving this treat, the weather conditions outside really didn’t look that bad.  How cold is blowing snow from a stiff north wind and 30 degree temperatures when your belly is heated by a good meal and your heart warmed by the good people around you?

My advice to those that don’t see all the goodness around them - spread a little bit yourself. A smile, a greeting, a helping hand; all of these things are always returned ten fold.

It was a cold trek today, but the horses did well. They had a hard trek the day before with only a tie at the end of the day, In spite of that, they buckled down and gave it their all.

Around noon, I noticed that Bill was feeling a little off. Bill is a very sensitive horse and always does his best to please me.  After a long, first day trek and a night without all the rest he needed, he barely touched his morning oats.  When he left most of his noon day oats as well, I figured it out - he was nervous that he wasn’t living up to expectations. I pulled him out of the hitch and stuck him back on the trailer for the afternoon. Just a little bit of relaxation returned him to normal.  Tonight he attacked his feed with a vigor, took a couple of good rolls in the playpen and was ‘Good ‘Ol Bill’ once more! Bob and Doc are doing fine, so Bill gets one more day of rest.

There’s nothing like a big playpen, a pan of oats and a few flakes of alfalfa at the end of the day.

During our travels today, Dave and I met some very nice people, including a young lady that had a mule named Doc, and a guy that almost seemed upset that I wasn’t excepting donations to help fund the trip.

After putting in a 22 mile long day, we reached the wide right-of-way, south of Alamosa. Life is good!

Time for a little relaxation before dinner.