27 June 2021 – A horse named Bob was the bright point in an otherwise dreary day. At about 5:45 this morning I woke up for no particular reason so I went to watch the sunrise over New Mexico. To my disappointment, it was extremely overcast and rain was headed our way. So, I went back to bed for a little while. When I got up again it was raining pretty well. I refused to let a cool, 55 degree, rainy day ruin the day for me. I got up and got motivated. I worked for a few hours and had something to eat. Then, I left on my day’s adventures.

My plans for the day included some horseback riding and hiking in Kit Carson National Forest. I dressed warmly and I was glad I had brought my hiking boots and some warm clothing because I needed it. When I got to the stables and met the trail guide who would be taking me into the hills, I was really starting to think I should back out and just go back to bed. I love the rain, but I don’t like the cold and I am not a fan of mud. There was mud and muddy puddles everywhere. Then, I remembered why I was here – adventure, new things, putting myself out there and just living my life.

The trail guide and I chatted while I filled out paperwork. He was asking where I was from and I told him about my adventures to find myself and my joy again. He found me a long rain slicker to where and a cowboy hat. I was thankful but I still was thinking this was craziness.

We went to saddle the horses and get ready for the ride. It was still raining and it was cold. I still wasn’t sure if this was my best idea. My trail guide and I were walking back to the stable and he was pointing out all of the beautiful horses along the way. Each horse had either an Apache or Navajo name. Names like Manuelito, Barboncito, Kit Carson, Ganado Mucho, Cochise, Mangas Coloradas, Geronimo, and Victorio. I asked the guide which one I would be riding. The trail guide pointed out a large black horse and said he is one of the best for the steep, slippery hills we were going to be traveling so that was the one I would be riding today.

After being introduced to all of the other horses I was very excited to know what the name of my horse was. Since I am on this spiritual journey or joy and hope, I was hoping for a name that provided that for me. My trail guide looked at me with a smirk and he said, “That is a horse named Bob.” At first I looked at him funny because I thought he was joking but he said that was really the horse’s name. The guide asked if I was disappointed but I wasn’t at all. I told the guide that the name could not be more perfect, it is a name that represents joy and hope in my life.

We had a good ride in the rain and the cold. We rode for about three hours and went to the top of the highest hills in the Kit Carson National Forest. The horses were pretty well behaved except when we saw a herd of elk. His horse backed up and a horse named Bob went toward the elk. He ignored my direction and he kept going closer and closer to the elk. Then the elk took off. Thankfully, because I was wondering what would happen next. When we got back to the stables, I was not only wet and cold but muddy. Thanks to the horses trotting and taking us through the brush I was covered in mud from head to toe. Fortunately the rain slicker had kept my shirt clean. I just took off my jeans, my socks and my shoes right there on the porch and changed. That’s twice in a week I changed my clothes outside.

Once I got back to my hotel, I showered and curled up in a ball under the covers and spent the next few hours trying to warm up. Despite everything, I had a great day. Hope and Joy are essential to a happy life. I am finding them slowly and surely. Today I found them in a horse named Bob.