Alabama walk and ride

When I was in college, I spent every weekend with my best friend, Trisha, at her parents' farm in Wellington, Colorado.

We rode horses and talked about our fabulous future horse lives.

That was more than thirty years ago.

Most of her big dreams came true.

Mine mostly did, too, although not in any of the ways expected.

There is one dream, however, that has so far eluded both of us: the goal of riding a horse in all fifty states.

I'd mostly forgotten about this, at least until it came up a year or two ago, during one of our occasional dinners.

Trisha's list is far more complete than mine. She might actually make it. I definitely will not. I'm fine with that, but also, I plan to go down fighting. When I visit a state I haven't ridden, I make an effort to find a horse.

Last week, I visited three states I haven't ridden in: Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. There wasn't time, money or, frankly, desire to rent a horse in all three of them, so I chose Alabama, mostly because it's the one I'm least likely to go back to.

It was surprisingly difficult to find a stable in the Mobile area that could accommodate us. In fact, it ended up being a choice of one. Fortunately, one was all we needed, so on Tuesday morning we got bright and early and drove to Lake Forest Stables in Daphne, Alabama.

Carol had decided not to ride, so there was only one horse - a cute bay gelding with one blue eye - saddled up when arrived.

Carol took pictures of Outlaw and I while I waited for the guide to tack up her horse.

I don't usually ride with tennis shoes and no helmet, but when I do, you can bet I'm in Alabama.

She never did. 

It turns out this was a walk and ride.

I rode. 

She walked.

It was kind of weird, but not in an unpleasant way.

We rode and walked for about an hour. 

The scenery was gorgeous, and the conversation flowed easily.

You never know what you're going to get when you book a rental ride. Sometimes you're galloping up a rocky hillside in New Mexico. Other times, it's this.

Not was I was expecting, but still a pleasant way to spend a morning.

And now I've added Alabama to my list.

Which will be the next state to go green? Your guess is as good as mine!