MULE TRAIN NOMADS: A message from the WILDERNESS

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You can "get away from it all"... here's a family that did!

Our mules-and the contents of the packs they carry-are our family's only "worldly goods". And we live this way because we choose to . . . not because we must.

My husband Gene and I met in the autumn of 1974, while we were both employed at Grand Canyon National Park. He guided mule trips to Phantom Ranch . . . while I worked in the curio shop. Our shared love for riding and packing soon drew us together, and we were married in January 1975. For our honeymoon, we took a 700-mile horseback journey through the wilds of Arizona.

That adventure helped us to decide upon the type of lifestyle we wanted for ourselves. So-when Gene and I returned from the trip-we sold what few goods we owned . . . and bought five mules and a goat. Since that day the Arizona wilderness has been our only home.

MULE TRAIN LIVIN'

We ride two of the mules and pack the other three. Our "string" of beasts allows us to carry enough supplies to stay in the back country for two or three months at a time. Mules were the logical choice for our purposes, because they're stronger and more sure-footed than horses . . . and they have more stamina. The stubborn critters can go for two to three days, if necessary, without water. And they don't need to be shod.

It's our practice to get an early start on "riding days" and travel until we find an appealing camp-with water, grazing areas, and firewood-for the night. If we come across an especially nice spot, we may enjoy it for a few days (in order to give the mules, and ourselves, a rest) before moving on to the next site. You see . . . it really doesn't matter whether we travel 5 or 25 miles-or simply spend our time around a camp-because each day is enjoyed for itself.

For the most part, we try to stay in wilderness areas that have no roads and no human dwellings . . . where the only possible way for us to get around is to hike or ride. (This is quite easy in Arizona, since only a small percentage of the state is privately owned . . . the majority being national forests and reservations.) It's not at all unusual for us to go for weeks-or even months-at a time without seeing another soul!

We carry only as much equipment as we need: two Dutch ovens (one of 10 inches and another of 12 inches in diameter), a small tent, our bedrolls, a change of clothing, a large steel pot that's used to heat water, mending equipment for our saddles and pack bags, and enough food to last for eight to twelve weeks.

Our diet is generally made up of beans, rolled oats, brown rice, potatoes, eggs, honey, raisins, cheese, peanut butter, alfalfa sprouts, wheat, and corn. (We have a grinder which we use to make flour and cornmeal.)

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