Al-Andalus Day 1: El Rocío

Saturday March 29 2008

Today's 60-km ride finished in El Rocío, one of the Raven's favorite places so far.

There were horses everywhere in the sand streets beneath the old church - endurance horses, carriage horses, riding horses, riding ponies, even wild horses roaming the edge of the wetlands lake by the town.

A Raven at Tierras Al-Andalus

Saturday March 29 2008

The 8-day ride across Andalucia, Spain, begins today!

On the way to the start of the ride, the Raven greets his friend Paco again - they met last year at a ride in New Zealand, and meets his new friend and fan Jose Manuel Soto. Jose is a famous flamenco singer and television star from Andalucia, and the creator of this ride. That's Jose on the left, Paco on the right. The Raven is famous himself, of course, so he's happy to make Jose's acquaintance and is looking forward to hearing him sing.

It's a beautiful setting for a horse ride across Spain, and the Raven is ready to report... and party with the Andalusians, and riders from around the world.

Spain-Bound

Thursday March 27 2008

The Raven is quite excited - he has come to Spain, to help photograph and write about the III Raid Kaliber Tierras de Al-Andalus - an 8-day endurance ride across Andalucia, Spain.

We arrived in Madrid (via Amsterdam, via Minneapolis, via Boise), grabbed a taxi to the train station, and then hopped on a train to Seville, which is close to where the ride will begin in Dos Hermanas on Saturday. The next day we took a taxi to Dos Hermanas, and the Raven had time for a quick stroll through a little park and a rest in an olive tree.

The Raven's Spanish friend Paco is looking forward to seeing him - the Raven brings him good luck. Paco will be riding his stallion Ibor in the ride.

The Raven visited Spain last year - and got to ride in Catalonia, but it is his first visit to Andalucia - he's looking forward to it!

Raven Clone

Saturday March 1 2008

It was pretty darn traumatic when Raven I disappeared in Melbourne in April 2007.
(See Nevermore
http://forevermoretheraven.blogspot.com/2007/04/nevermore.html
and Raven Postscript
http://forevermoretheraven.blogspot.com/2007/05/raven-postscript.html).

Perhaps it was not traumatic for the Raven - he's probably somewhere he's meant to be right now. But meanwhile, a Raven II was found just in time to continue the horse travel adventures, and now Raven II wants to make sure that if he disappears somewhere, another Raven will carry on.

He found this Raven clone on ebay. He put in a bid and won, and got the package in the mail.

He opened it up to find... Raven III! They are hanging out together, scheming on how to stockpile more Raven clones, just in case.

Back 'Home' to Oreana

Tuesday February 26 2008

The Raven was sad to leave Jose and Rhett in Arizona, but they are getting well and are getting good care, and he's got more horses to take care of in Oreana.

Diego was happiest to see the return of the Raven and gave him one big love bite on the beak. Diego introduced the Raven to Kazam, their first time to meet.

While Diego dozed, the Raven hopped on his back for a quick ride.

Although the Raven is home wherever he is, he's glad to be back in lovely Oreana.

Eastern Mojave Scenic Ride

Monday February 18 2008

The Raven went to the 3-day Eastern Mojave Scenic Ride. He was quite excited. We left Scottsdale in the rain (more rain!), and arrived at ridecamp near Baker, CA, in the Mojave National Preserve, 6 hours later.

It's 1.6 million acres of desert, mountain ranges, cinder cones and dry river beds.

The horse we were supposed to ride couldn't come at the last minute, but another friend Ann offered us her extra horse Razzy.

We rode Day 1, 50 miles, on Razzy, through magnificent Joshua tree forests, (those things HURT!), cactus gardens (where the Raven and I were glad we were not bucked off), historic tin cans and the rusted frame of an ancient Chevy, and past old gold and silver mines.

We finished our ride (that made 1000 miles for Razzy!), and the Raven gave Razzy a thank-you carrot.

Since the Raven hadn't done an endurance ride since September, he got a little sore and needed a few pick-me-ups afterwards.

The Raven was thrilled to meet some of his Aussie fans - Skip (the 'Roo) and Cackles (the Kookaburra) , and 5 Aussie endurance riders, , Becca, Jay, Jane, Lela, and Kim. The Raven hopes to see these gals again at the Quilty - Australia's famous 100-mile endurance ride - in Queensland, Australia, in September!

Ravenous

Tuesday February 5 2008

The Raven II's been taking his Horse Care Job very seriously here in Arizona. He checks on Jose and Rhett to make sure they are getting better.


He gives lots of get well kisses (Jose loves them).

When he's not nursing horses, he's enjoying the nature around the desert. Just like the other birds around here - hawks and flickers and phainopeplas and owls - he can sit on top of the cactus without getting hurt.

He likes the barrel cactus

and the saguaro

and the cholla

and the baby cactus

and the agave.

He found a bird nest, wondering if he might fit inside.

He likes Sebby the dog

and the garden sculpture.

He's gearing up for the 3-day Eastern Mojave Scenic ride February 16-18, although he hasn't ridden in a long time and will probably be sore (but he'll still be happy). He's looking forward to meeting some visiting Aussies there, including Jay Randle, one of his biggest fans!