Steak Ride 2007 Spanish Peaks

Dan & Alice, Wally, Dan P., RJ	Janice	Gallatin Saddle & Harness	Dubious Ride	Michael & Andrea from Monaco
Spanish Lake	PETA (People Eating Tasty Animals)	Members enjoying the meal	The chow line	Dan Porter (Chief cook & bottle washer)

Our yearly steak ride was a huge success with 46 reservations and only 5 no-shows. Thanks go to Dan Porter and Wally Becker, who hauled our club trailer there to the spot, set up tables and chairs, bought and brought the steaks from Lee and Dad’s, and cooked them to perfection using propane grills this year. Boy, those steaks were so huge it overflowed your plate. I could have made two meals from one steak, but then I’m considered stingy. Members rode all over the mountain from Spanish Lakes, DuBois Lake, Mirror Lake, Thompson Lake, 401 Trail, Little Hell Roaring, and a few like us who just wandered up four miles to the second new bridge and back. The eight members of the Saddle and Harness Club seemed to enjoy the event and we hope they will join us again. The day was gorgeous with a nice breeze which kept the bugs at bay for horse and rider. We began the feast at 3p - steak with a delicious variety of pot lucks members donated - to a day that ended about 5p. Dan Porter says, “Thanks go to Wally for also hauling the trailer back home, Jim A for saving the camp spot and helping to unload and setup, all of the grill volunteers, Janice, Dan M, and George Z for helping to load up the trailer at end of the day and especially everyone who attended and had a nice time. Be sure to buy your steaks at Lee and Dad’s IGA, Belgrade - they are D-licious.” It was a long day for those who rode far, but found it worth their while. I believe the club gets better every year. (editor)

The DuBois Lake Trail Group of 13 riders made a successful loop on one of the Saturday’s Steak Ride. The weather was great and the company was even better. DuBois Lake is pretty far up there, far enough to be considered “Nosebleed” country. This was evident with Janice’s nosebleed that started when she began to lead the group down the steepest, rockiest part. You really have to trust your horse when you are leaning forward, pinching the bridge of your nose for 15 minutes, and your face is covered with a rather bloody bandana so that you can not see.  RC was up to the task and never hurried or missed a step.  Susie and her horse, Daisy, successfully completed her first known series of water crossings. Bettye White brought along her fishing rod and was casting away when we departed from the lake.  Bettye, did you catch anything? She arrived back at the trailhead at 5p and a bit late for food, but if she got her fish she went home to cook it. Andrea and Michael Soheilly from Monaco added a European flare. Doc tolerated his BOA boot. To top it all off, we returned to some honking, delicious steaks and a visit with everyone at the end of the trail. Thanks to the chefs for some great grilling. (Janice C w/pictures)