To load the trailer with the horses and ask the dogs to mount up in the back of the truck.

Within two hours we would be at the trailhead.

The wilderness in Montana belongs to all of us.

Buckeye the trusted gelding, crossed every creek or plowed across trails with downed trees.

Rio the Weimaraner took the lead as Riley the Labrador danced back and forth into the forest with his bear bell swinging.

Patchie the Kelpie always following right under Buckeye’s tail, as if worried we would leave her behind.

All day in the mountains of Montana. That’s how I spent most weekends. Adventures with friends and a couple of moose. Until one by one they got old and left me peacefully.

Finding another trusted trail horse has been difficult, along with dogs that can be trusted with other people, or other dogs, or even just a horse in the wilderness.

Now, I too am old. All day is too long to be in the saddle.

At the time I thought it was nothing. Now I know, it was everything.