You could WIN A FREE HORSEBACK RIDING VACATION IN 2010!

You could win a Wyoming horseback riding adventure vacation for two in 2010 from Blue Sky Sage Horseback Adventures, including great saddle horses to ride across the wide open spaces Wyoming is known for, fantastic food prepared by a genuine camp cook, lodging in Jackson, Wyo., before and after the ride week and more!  CLICK HERE TO ENTER!
See official rules link for complete details. Enter before March 1!

Happy New Year 2010 and Thank You!

We can't express our gratitude enough to our loyal customers for their new and return business; the local companies who keep us on the road and supplied all year long; our friends and family for their support. Though 2009 was a tough year on many fronts, we are very blessed with the gifts of friendship, love and never-ending help from many, many wonderful people all over the country. From all the Wade family and on behalf of Blue Sky Sage Horseback Adventures, may 2010 bring enlightenment, enrichment and fulfillment to all of you.

Blue Sky Sage Late Fall 2009, Newsletter

Highlights include:
*HUGE SAVINGS when you make early horseback riding vacation reservations for 2010
*New "SPECIALS" rides at REDUCED RATES
*Photos from the 2009 Horse Vacation season

Taking Time Off Isn't Lazy

I just read this enlightening article in my November/December issue of "Via": AAA Traveler's Companion magazine, which I receive as a benefit of AAA Membership. Titled "One nation in need of a vacation: Taking Time Off Isn't Lazy. It's Essential" by Steve Rushin. He almost scolds us as Americans to not feel guilty about taking time off from anything and everything; in fact he emphasizes that we need to become "duty-free."

One of the more funny (but true) fact that Rushin brings to light is that "In England . . . leisure and pleasure rhyme. In the United States, leisure rhymes with seizure."

A light, quick read that reaffirms our belief that what we offer to our guests here in Wyoming is very valuable.

Autumn Colors, Wyoming-Style

Fall is almost behind us; there is a big snowstorm across much of Wyoming as I write this entry. Here at the ranch on the Green River, it is very cold and windy, which makes me long for those beautiful days of September color and warm sunshine.

This photo was from the last ride of the season, heading up toward the forest. It was a little chilly that day but no one was deterred, as the aspens were beautiful and the sky was Wyoming blue.

Camp Cuisine . . .

Food is a big part of the Blue Sky Sage horseback experience and I just had to show you this fabulous photo of daughter Emily, who was our hors de'ouevres and dinner chef this season, with the lovely meal she prepared for the "Wild Wyoming Women" group of ladies. This is typical of the evening dinner; marinated buffalo kabobs, fresh vegetable salad, olive oil seasoned potatoes, french baguette bread and though it's not in the photo, a dutch oven baked dessert of apple crisp. Mmmmmm . . .

The Wild Wyoming Women was the very first all-women group of gals that we hosted, and were the inspiration for the most popular rides we conduct each year, the Girls Ride Out! All Women Horseback Vacations. Four of the original eight of us are still riding together and though some haven't been able to come every year, we have a new gal who comes regularly now and we are always inviting someone new to join us as people rotate through. This year there were five of us and as always it was good therapy for all.

From left: Emily, Phyllis, Ellen, Joanne; standing are Bobbi and Nancy

Summer is Riding by us fast!

Being out on the fringes of wilderness, the connectivity to the internet is hit and miss at best, so I pen this as I wash a last load of clothes at the Clean Wash in Pinedale, Wyoming. The accountant's office and the grocery store are ahead of me yet. It's always a relief to get the prep work for the next ride completed and get back to camp!

Mike and Outlaw in a patch of Sego lilies, which have been very abundant this year; it's rare to see such a huge field of blooms in one place like this.

The summer has been absolutely beautiful, much cooler and wetter than we've had in many, many years in Wyoming. Word is that our 8-year drought is finally broken, which is welcome news for everyone, in spite of the challenges that the rains and winds brought to everyone who works outdoors for a living here. Hay is being baled all around the Green River valley now and our suppliers have another beautiful crop of native grass bales for our horses. It seems that we feed hay most of the year, starting with the winter feeding about mid-December through mid-April and then at camp from mid-June through September. There are always a few horses out on pasture on "r&r" during the summer and there is good grass at the home ranch year 'round that they can get to, but we spend a lot of time and money on "packaged product!" At any rate, the horses look wonderful, slick, shiny, fit and hardened by the good work they are doing for our guests every week. Mike keeps their feet in shape with natural balance "wild horse" hoof trimming and a few get shoes; a little honey to treat the horse bites and little wounds, days off for mental and physical rest, quality feed and good horsemanship practices keep the cavvy in top condition.

So far we have conducted five week-long rides and one weekend trip since starting with guests on June 22. There are four scheduled rides left and a few openings available on all. I hope we can get a couple more folks to join Mike's horsemanship clinic week August 26-September 1, as it is a unique opportunity for people who want to be better students of the horse to get actual hands-on experience with our good horses under Mike's tutelage. It's better than sitting in the audience at an arena and watching the clinician have all the fun!

Our long time friends and guests Leonard and Alyce Peterson of California joined us again in July for their sixth trip. Leonard is usually behind the camera, but I was able to get this great shot of him on Buckwheat as we rode near the Sweetwater Gap area.

We continue with rides starting again on Sunday, August 16, with seven ladies who all sound ready to ride and see some country. The saddle horses are fit, the cook is practiced and we are rested up for another active week. More later from the Little Sandy River, Sublette County, Wyoming!