Kosydor Adventures

You just never know what you might find in the big forest.  Sunday afternoon, October 18,  we discovered a trail along a bluff just a few minutes ride from Hayes Canyon Horse Campground.  The trail signs said #493.  Andrea and I had not ridden this trail before and decided to see where it went.  We ended up high on a ridge overlooking a valley and came across this sign.

The trees have begun their fall colors transformation.  The trail riding should get more scenic as winter approaches.

Last weekend found us riding the East side of Hayes Canyon along Hayes Creek and we happened upon this sign along the trail.  My horse named “Whiskey” even had to stop and take a look at this spot.

Whiskey stood still long enough along a very beautiful spot in the trail.  This trail winded along a waterfall type of creek with large boulders and jagged mossy covered rocks.  The water was rushing down the creek and it was so nice that I even stopped to mark this spot on the trail with my GPS.

Snickers and Andrea……I used to ride this horse and really like him.  I kind of claim to own this horse.  This was the first time Andrea rode long legged Snickers and I just knew she would fall in love with him.  Snickers is an awesome trail horse.

I started horseback riding the Lusk Creek Wilderness area around 23 years ago.  This area is one of those hidden jewels located in northern Pope County near Eddyville, IL situated deep in the Shawnee National Forest.  I always seem to go back there, almost like some old Indian Spirit is calling me back.  The area is known for its sheer rock walls that rise to 100 feet above the creek in places. One area at a hairpin turn in the creek is named Indian Kitchen because of evidence that humans used this areas thousands of years ago. The cliffs at Indian Kitchen are particularly impressive and one of the most scenic, breath-taking spots in the Lusk Creek Nature Preserve area. The trail leading from the parking area to Indian Kitchen is 3.5 miles long round trip, and is almost entirely flat until the final 1/4 mile as you descend into the canyon. There are numerous other very cool spots and is best enjoyed from the back of a good horse.  Check out the pictures and you decide.  Secret Canyon is another area that must be visited.  Take your favorite riding buddies with you when you go.  Our favorite horse campgrounds nearby are the Hayes Canyon Campground and Bear Branch Horse Resort.  You can even find a great steak restaurant close by and hang out at the Shawnee Lounge on weekends to sing some karaoke in downtown Eddyville.

Here is a couple of my favorite riding buddies!  We stopped at the tie-up spot in Secret Canyon for some lunch and exploring fun of the nearby cave and its cave paintings.

Modern Day Cave Painting above.

The trail boss and myself enjoying our favorite lunch rock at Secret Canyon.

Wildfire has two blue eyes and has been in the family for many years.  We raised him from a baby. He is a registered American Paint Horse.  He loves to ride Indian Kitchen Natural Area.  His ancestors no doubt roamed the area in the distant past.

We came upon this really big rock on the trail that screamed photo session.  We all had to pose on the rock for a photo or two.

Andrea and Zachary on Paco.  This horse is a quarter horse and was saved from the slaughter house by Andrea.  She nursed this horse back to health and Paco has become one of her favorites.  Paco will run the barrels, chase a cow and is an excellent sure footed trail horse.  We call this type of horse bomb-proof due to the fact that Zachary is sitting on the back of him and not even a bomb will spook this horse.

Katy is aboard Snickers.  This horse is a registered American Quarter Horse and is the newest addition to our collection of family pets.  Snickers was bred and raised by a good friend of the family, Joe Dixon of Pomona, IL.  Andrea was the first person to touch Snickers when he was foaled and she named him on the spot.  It took several years of bugging Joe and lots of money to get this one bought from Joe.  We trained Snickers with some help of our horse trainer friend, Barry Harris of Highland, IL.  This is another one of those bomb-proof horses or Katy would NOT be aboard him.  Snickers is over 16 hands and is quite tall for a quarter horse.  One of my favorites here. I will be aboard Snickers on my next trip out west trail riding in Colorado or the Bitteroot Wilderness Area in Idaho.

Andrea and Paco.  A picture is worth a thousand words.  Background is Secret Canyon rock formations and cave.

Relaxing at Jackson Hole on a perfect Sunday afternoon after a hard days ride.