CHAPTER VII
Fourth of July Meadow to Mammoth Lakes

We had much to celebrate that Fourth. Our 'vacation' was spent in a long, green, meadow, with a deep creek meandering by, that was surrounded by massive, white, granite monoliths reminiscent of Easter Island statues.

Of course, we had chores to take care of. Shoeing, doctoring, repairs, were unending tasks. Bernice fired up her scrub board "washing machine." I had found this rub-a-dub model in the back room of a hardware store, and surprised her with it as a present. Nothing was too good for my little woman. Yes Sir!

Once the girls had a load of wash strung out from rock to bush, to tent, to pannier, they decided to amuse themselves by going riding. Without bothering with saddle and bridle, they would select a grazing horse, unbuckle the hobbles, and lay on his neck. Their unlucky choice, not caring for the weight on his head, would raise it, the girls would be lifted up to slide down onto his back, and away they would go.

My two rodeo princesses rode frontwards, backwards, standing, laying, and would jump from the back of one horse, to another. Whenever a hobbled horse is released from his shackles, he usually takes a few jumps to make sure his front feet aren't still fastened together. This "crow hopping" tickled the girls so much that I had to place Skookum off limits before they tangled with something serious.

As the previous day had been all uphill, I finally talked Bernadette and Colette into letting the horses have a rest too, and joining BJ, James, and myself floating down the creek on our air mattresses. Bernice was also invited to this party a bit later when we all helped her wash the clothes she was wearing—while still in them.

It took her awhile to enjoy the ice cold water, but she was a good sport enough to climb out and bake a dessert in her reflector oven, another of conveniences I has spoiled her with.

It really was a day to remember, I lay on my back in the sun, appropriately watching an eagle floating on the breeze, free, as we were, at home in a wilderness. I, for one, didn't miss for a moment being part of the crowd, just fifteen miles away as that eagle could fly.