I swing out of my saddle. My legs and rear end feel like they’ve had had the flesh peeled right off of them.  The excruciating pain leaves me moving pretty slow.  It seems to take an eternity to be able to sit down on the cool grass.  Wow I must be a wuss I think.  Even with my aching body I feel an exhilaration like I’ve not ever felt before.

Looking at the other riders it appeared that they too had suffered this same fate.  Yet even with this new found pain there is a smile of contentment on all the tender foots faces.  As we stretch out and relax we realize the power of nature that is forgotten in the city.

My wild snorting beast is down at the stream drinking water with the other horse.  After the horses have a rest it’s time to get back on the trail.  Mounting my horse was as pain full as the dismount was and I cringe as I struggle into place.

My gray mare refreshed from her break was ready to go.  But with each step we took on the slow ride back I was reminded of the tremendous beating my back side was taking.  The chaffing of the in side of the legs were almost as bad.  I was certain I was going to be a raw piece of meat by the time we returned.  Looking back at the old cowboy who was our guide I saw a relaxed toughen real cowboy.  I wondered how it took him to toughen up.

Back at camp after a slow dismount and some slow stretches it was time to find some grub.  Funny by the time we sat down to a heaty meal the soreness had began to pass and each of us was looking forward to the next days adventure.  Perhaps it didn’t take that long to toughen us city folks up afterall.