Circle Trail Riders complete 47th annual summer ride

On Friday, June 28, the Circle Trail Riders Inc. prepared to make history yet one more time with their annual summer ride.

Brent and Jenna Helseth and children played host and offered their ranch southwest of Sheyenne as the base camp. It was a bit off the beaten track, but it was accommodating with panel pens for horses, fresh rural water and wide open spaces to bed down and call home for the next three days. Perhaps the finest accommodation was an above ground, prairie-style swimming tubThe kids, all geared up in their swimming togs, trotted down the cow path to the tub and splished and splashed to their hearts' content.

There were a passel of kids on this ride. They shared horses on the trail and in camp and played water ball after the rains. Much fun happened and new friends were made.

Flickertail gophers statuesque on their mounds wondering, "what the heck" as they greeted the riders at the last turn into camp before scurrying down to the safety of their tunnels.

The next thing to catch your eye would be a huge green army tent standing tightly at attention. It was put up by Gene Kaul with the help of Dennis Hegland and Holly Christopherson. Hear tell, it only took them 2·1/2 hours. It proved to be a huge, safe refuge from the rain. It was the trail riders' USO, PX and MESS all in one.

A single row of trees marked a boundary behind the tent, and close to the tent was a hollow tree that turned out to be the home of some busy swallows. They didn't seem to mind the closeness and hub-bub going on around them, as they just kept busy with their thing coming and going and feeding their family. The tree next to the swallows' home, donned a nest of leaves and twigs complete with baby hawks. We might have disturbed their privacy, but ole Mother Nature was at work and the proud parents came and went tending their young. We went about our business and they theirs.

At 12:30 p.m., after a rain shower that delayed the ride, -three covered wagons were ready to hit the trail. The teams included 100-year-old Ervin Longnecker and his team Bud and Beauty; Cory Jorgensen and his team Waylin and Willie; and Bill Ziegler and his team Babe and Betsy. A single drive, John Topp and his high stepping horse Smokey, were ready to roll as well.

The total of riders and passengers, counting Jake dog, numbered 33. An ATV, driven by Bob Longnecker, followed along just in case of an emergency. Heaven forbid.

Gravel roads and prairie trails found us putting near 12 miles behind us Friday under overcast skies with a brisk cool breeze. Ole Sol came out late afternoon. A lunch and rest-stop found us in the yard of the old Augustana Church. It was a good time and place for taking pictures and being thankful. We were back in camp near 4:30 p.m. with a good day put in, and the wonder of how tomorrow will treat us .

On Saturday morning, grey clouds were above camp, some going this way and some going that way. Windy, then calm. The dark clouds loomed, then with a switch in the wind, came a drenching rain. The horses stood with their ears laid back and butts toward the wind and rain. The rain was cold and coming down in buckets for the better part of an hour, leaving the camp in a carpet of water. The riders weathered the storm unscathed, but had thoughts of no ride happening due to the rain.

Host Brent Helseth and president Dale Rosenberg took an ATV to check out trail conditions, and came back with "It's a go!" They had mapped out a safe trail.

The clock said 12:30 p.m. and the spirits were high and faces were smiling. The riders, numbering 68now (including Jake-dog) were off like a dirty shirt in a cool breeze. We ventured out under an overcast sky and into pastures of cattle, seeing a herd of handsome black angus bulls that lumbered around and watched us pass by. There were Black Eyed Susan wildflowers standing tall here and there seeming to be peering at us as we invaded their private domain.

Wagons and riders parted company at one point. Horseback riders went on a pasture adventure, up and down hills and coulees and boggy terrain. The wagons did the Circle-T thing and leisurely made it back to camp by 4 p.m. The horse backers made it back shortly after- all safe, well and done for day two. The sun had come out, the humidity almost unbearable and the breeze next to none.All went about their business of necessary chores. First and foremost taking care of their horses.

Here's a little Saturday story to share. It's about Jake-dog. He came across camp Carrying a bone that was almost too big for his mouth. He toted it all over camp and on most of Saturday's ride. At some point, he must have come to the conclusion the whole effort wasn't worth it, and dropped it somewhere along the trail.

Soon it was time for the Circle Trail Riders famous Saturday night potluck. All essentials and utensils were set up in the army tent. The feed bag was on. Appetites were satisfied. No more backbone rubbing the stomach.

Next came the drawing for camp prizes finding the winners to be: Broc Helseth- rainbow roping reins; Bailey Jacobson- camp chair; Treyton Kaul- curry brush; Cade Helseth- pillow; Grayson Sykora- nylon halter; hoof pick, roping reins; soft cooler Cindy Allen- camp chair; Dianne Goebel- outdoor thermometer; Jermone Risovi- groom brush; Sheryl Longnecker- hoof pick; Sheryl Longnecker- saddle blanket; Rynna Jorgensen- cotton lead; Joie Helseth- outdoor blanket and can cooler; Dianne Goebel- blanket roll; Ervin Longnecker flex tub; Jay Cudworth- rope halter plus lead. Things are tapering off. Following prize drawings, President Dale Rosenberg presented a well-earned teamsters license and a C. T.R. 40th history book to newcomer Mary Shrode of Annandale, Minn. Mary is a for-sure horse lover, rider, harnesser and teamster. She got some good horse sense coaching as she helped Ervin Longnecker with his team. Mary came with members Bob and Sheryl Longnecker from Mound, Minn.

Also welcomed back for the second time around were members Jim Brown and Cindy Allen Longnecker from Eagle, Idaho.

Verbal thank yous were extended to our hosts and all who came and participated wholeheartedly on our 47th annual summer ride.

Saturday was not yet over as riders congregated here and there, sitting outside by campers and trailers in the heavy humid air, shooting the breeze and wiping sweat from their brows. The skies had cleared, fireflies were using their blinkers and looking up, we saw a star lit sky. There was lightning off in the distance and a low rumble of thunder. We'd swat a couple mosquitos or moths - sit back and sigh. Relaxed at last. Ain't life grand?

Sun was up full and bright on Sunday June 30. Day three. No rain to delay today. No hurry and scurry. All wagons and passengers and horse backers, 33 to be exact, left camp for a short trek around the area that was getting more familiar all the time. Back in camp by 2 p.m., all took a short break. A lunch was shared, then it was hustle and bustle doing what had to be done to be ready to head for home and back to the norm.

Do you suppose the flicker tails, swallows and hawks will miss us? Will Jake-dog go find that prized bone? Till next time.