Thursday 26th January – Ride ‘em cowboy!

Ever since arriving back in Texas in November I had wanted to book us onto a horse ride.  Where else in the States could be a better place to be a cowboy/girl?!  I used Trip Advisor to read some reviews to help me pick a ranch.  Near the town of Bandera seemed to be the place to go but there is a wide choice of establishment in the area.  I actually called yesterday morning and booked us in for a 2 hour ride this afternoon from 1pm.  The very friendly and helpful owner Eileen wasn’t taken aback when I asked if it was possible to drive a 30’ RV up to her premises.  This morning she rang to let us know she had opened a gate into a field so that we would have plenty of space to turn around – how thoughtful! I also described us as complete novices - Simon has never ridden a horse before and it has been about twenty years for me so I am not expecting to have retained any skills!

It was a one and a half hour drive across from South-East San Antonio to Juniper Hill Stables.  Once we were clear of the city the landscape changed immediately as we entered the very aptly named Hill Country:

We arrived at the stables slightly early and met Justin our guide.  We were the only two on the ride this afternoon – lucky us again winning a private tour!  Both of our horses were chestnut – Simon’s called Killian and mine called Pistol rather unnervingly, but I was assured that he was as calm as a horse can be and already had that name before arriving at Juniper Hill.   

Pistol having a pre-ride drink

Simon ready to roll on Killian

We filled in the appropriate paperwork – the usual thing about horses being unpredictable animals and that we take full responsibility for our death or injury, yada yada….  Then we were off into the hillside.  The scenery was perfect and just as I had expected.  Cacti, shrubs and dry land interspersed with creeks of clear flowing water around rocks.  I was placed at the back of our line of three, hence the number of pictures of Simon and Justin’s backs!   

Horrendous horse-riding selfie! (you're welcome)

Our view across the Hill Country

My view for the majority of the ride

Having a break in a creek

Justin was a very laid back and chatty guide.  He is not a native of Texas himself.  He and his wife moved here from Michigan (up North) for work.  Apart from a little trotting to catch up with the others after Pistol had grabbed a bite to eat en route we had a gentile walk through the Texan Countryside on a clear sunny blue sky day.  Just as I’d hoped.  We didn’t look as cool as Justin who was sporting a cowboy hat whilst we had on hard hats but we didn’t want to take any unnecessary chances.

We got extra time out as we’d arrived early so we really got our money’s worth and we met Eileen on our return to the stables.  She couldn’t have been more welcoming.  She took photos of us with our trusty steeds and gave us some treats to feed them to say thank you.   

That reminds me, I must give the stables a great review on Trip advisor!  On our way out we also saw a Roadrunner bird that Justin had hoped to point out on the ride:

Spot the difference..... one second apart, note tufty bit on head! (he wouldn't turn around for the camera though)

It does run exactly like the cartoon version, but we didn’t hear a single ‘Beep! Beep!’ out of the thing…. Or see any coyotes!

Eileen had also helped us out with a recommendation for where to stay tonight and we’d passed ‘Pioneer RV resort’ on the way through Bandera, right by the river.  It was only a 15 minute drive back there after our ride.  We were both walking slightly bow-legged but otherwise unmarred by our experience.  We checked in for the night and had our first BBQ for ages (no problem lighting that) featuring steak, potatoes and corn cobs, mmmmm.

Bandera itself is just so friendly.  We’d taken some tips on good bars from Justin and also from the guy who escorted us to our pitch, Jimmy Sunshine (I’m unsure whether he was born a sunshine…).  But, having been quite sociable recently we resisted the temptation to go out and spend more money, so had a night in!