Cowboy Song

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Redmond wasn't anything to shout about but it gave us a comfortable bed and a good dinner.  Very sadly, this morning one of our group decided that the trip wasnt for them so we are now a band of 12.  If you are reading this Dave:  I completely understand your decision but we are going to miss you!!!

We have been quietly notifying the rest of the group that someone has decided to leave and the typical, and touching, response has been "ooh, is there a room spare?"

Today we saddled up and headed out into cowboy country.  In pretty much every Western I have ever watched there is a scene where a small wagon train trundles through a broad river valley dotted with fir trees while an Indian war party forms up on a rocky escarpement in the distance.  We rode that valley.

It remains chuffing hot - today it was nudging 40 again.  The group are starting to wise up and various additional water carrying devices have been procured.  I am normally solar powered and happy in the heat but I found the 70 miles a bit of a slog.

We're are staying in Mitchell, OR.  This must be as close to the authentic cowboy town experience as we are going to get; our group has probably doubled the population.  Tonight we will visit the cat house for a bit of R&R, drink some hard liquor, start a fight at the poker table and get shot by the sheriff.







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