Don't be a Ghost Rider

Dear Ghost Rider,

  Well here goes, I know this post is going to make some folks mad but it needs to be said. I'm going to address horseback riding and camping. This can go for anywhere you ride not just Uwharrie. This is for all you "ghost riders"

   Folks at this point you are wondering what a ghost rider is. Well a ghost rider is someone who rides horses, pays very little if at all to ride and / or leaves a mess. This mess could be as simple as leaving horse manure in the parking lots for day rides or throwing your trash on trails , leaving your trash, hay and manure at a campsite when you leave. Why do you think this is ok?? These are the very same folks who complain  about the rules, trails closing or complain campsites are not to their liking. I mean really?
  Here's the deal, its up to everyone to save our trails. Its up to everyone to keep our campsites and trails open and clean.
  I went camping the other week in Uwharrie National Forest outside of Troy, NC. I was going to park in primitive camping. When I got there it was full!! I then took a chance to see if any sites would be open in Canebrake Horse Camp. Well I thought it would be full after seeing how full primitive was. Boy was I wrong. Now I know folks park in primitive for all kinds of different reasons. Just keep reading.. Canebrake to my surprise was about empty! I really didn't understand this. So I went and started asking questions. Why is Canebrake empty? Canebrake has everything you need. Full hookups, water for horses, bath houses and nice campsites. Then I realized why. It hit me like a slap in the face. Canebrake is not free and the host will make you follow the rules.
  Before you folks get fighting mad keep reading. You know what I'm saying is true. You can come up with a hundreds of reasons but you know this is true too.

Primitive camping at Uwharrie

   I got to say I'm guilty of this myself. Thinking I can park at Heathen Camp for free and do what I want too. Who cares. Well it hit me that weekend. I realized that this is not a good way to think.  Here is the thing, if you don't pay at Canebrake the state of NC doesn't know you ride there. They don't know you use the trails. What they do hear about is the trash, trash on the trails and no money coming in to help. They get calls about the host being a bad person and trash everywhere. Why keep the place open? Why put money into a place to fix trails? Fix camping? To even mow? Think about this because its an idea we all need to look into. Did you know 4wheelers put more money into Uwharrie? Well they do. 4Wheeler riders pay for a day pass or a yearly pass. That puts more money into Uwharrie. Horse riders do what? Pay to camp at Canebrake? Not if the place is empty. we don't have passes like that. But we need them. Did you know we could lose the right to ride at Uwharrie? We could if folks don't start doing their part. Now folks are sitting there going why should I pay to park in primitive? Well, Do you use the trails? Do you camp? Do you go to Canebrake to get water? To use the bath house? Why do you think you should not pay??
 
  There is a great group of folks working hard to save your trails and your right to ride. They are try to be your voice. They are the Back Country Horseman of Uwharrie but they need your help. You want better trails, better campsites, better marked trails? Well folks get out and help and pay. Its going to take us all. Because if all you do is camp at primitive and ride, and never clean up after your horse or your self you my friend are a " Ghost Rider"

You can pay fees at this box
in Canebrake. It even tells you
what to pay.

   Its time we all get involved with all our trails. See how we can help. Yes I'm even talking to myself.
Let's get the whole horseback riding world involved. Let's fill Canebrake, lets tell the ranger we are here to help do our part. Let's see if we can do a yearly pass or day pass. Until then go to Canebrake and get a pay envelope and pay for  primitive its not going to hurt you. Show them we are here. Show the rangers we can do just like the hikers, bikers, and 4wheelers. Let them hear your VOICE! This goes for anywhere you ride. We either use it or lose it. Its really that simple.

                           Sincerely,
      A fellow trailrider who is from this point on
             going to do their part.

Uwharrie BigFoot Ride

Uwharrie BigFoot Ride

                                                                   

What is the Uwharrie BigFoot Ride

Some of the original BigFoot Riders

The BigFoot Ride is the one time of year we fill up Uwharrie National forest with horse back riders looking for Bigfoot!
Really it's just a crazy reason to get together with good folks and ride horses. THIS IS NOT AN ORGANIZED RIDE. Never has it been. Its more like a meet and greet. You can ride with a group if you choose to do so and there will be lots of folks there to show you the trails. Or you can ride by yourself. It's your choice! Great time for first timers to com...e out and ride Uwharrie. Most the time big groups will leave out of Canebrake Horse Camp around 10am on Saturday morning. Also they will meet at the lunge pen for now on so the roads in Canebrake are not blocked.
Food, drinks, entertainment and camping are all on you. You can camp primitive at the Badin Lake Horse Camp (Heathen camp ) or at Canebrake overflow. You can also reserve a site at Canebrake Horse Camp. Canebrake has full hook ups​ and they also have bathhouses.


Tailgate of one of the BigFoot Riders. This is pretty cool.
 

How did this ride get started?

So 7 years ago me and my friends started this ride. It all started because some guy said he seen BigFoot in the Uwharrie National Forest. They had all kinds of ...people up there that weekend looking for him. And one person really not sure who posted "Let's go look for Bigfoot on horses" and we went up to Uwharrie on that cold Feb. Sunday, right around Valentine's Day . Some of us meeting for the first time. We rode and rode that day looking more for the TV crews than anything. It turned out to be a great ride with great friends. So we hope this keeps going. Meet up at Uwharrie , meet new and old friends and ride horses. That's what it's all about.


BigFoot showed up for the 2017 ride.

Where in Uwharrie is this ride at?

The Uwharrie BigFoot Ride is held really all over Uwharrie. Folks are free to ride and go as they please. One of the main places folks meet up is in Canebrake Horse Camp.

Overview

Canebrake Horse Camp lies in the Badin Lake Recreation Area, a hub for outdoor activities in central North Carolina's Uwharrie National Forest. The facility is a scenic and restful overnight spot with both single and double campsites and numerous amenities for equestrian camping, though it is not exclusive to visitors with horses.

Campers will delight in nearly 40 miles of forested horseback riding trails as well as hiking, off-road vehicle riding, mountain biking, swimming, fishing and boating opportunities in the area. The campground is open year-round.

Natural Features:

Bath House in Canebrake

Canebrake lies in a quiet forest of pine, oak and hickory near the shore of 5,000-acre Badin Lake.

Winter temperatures range from the low 30s to upper 50s, while summer brings temperatures in the upper 80s and 90s and high humidity. Weather is pleasant in spring and fall, with high temperatures in the 60s and 70s.

Recreation:

The equestrian trail system is extensive, with miles of forested paths wandering through forests, over hills and across streams. The trails can be accessed from Canebrake using the Home Trail, which skirts the campground. Trails range from easy to difficult, accommodating riders of every level.

Facilities:

This campground offers many conveniences for horse campers, including a horse washing station, hitching racks, tack tables, parking spots for horse trailers and direct access to trails.

Campsites are arranged around two loops. Each site is equipped with an electric hookup, picnic table, grill, campfire ring and lantern post, and many sites are shaded. The facility also provides drinking water, showers, flush toilets and a centrally-located dump station.

There are also two primitive camping areas. One is the Canebrake Overflow parking and Badin Lake Horse Camp, also known as the Heathen Camp.


Badin Lake Horse Camp (Heathen Camp)



One of the campsites at Canebrake Horse Camp



The Uwharrie BigFoot Ride is just a fun way to meet other horse folks and for people new to Uwharrie to come out and try out the trails. If someone gets lost there is always enough folks in the woods to help you find your way out.  The ride is in April. You can follow the Uwharrie BigFoot Ride page to see when the next ride will be. https://www.facebook.com/BigfootRide/. Hope to see you out on the trails!

My boy Sonny , me, my husband Dwayne and his horse Tucker.



Love Valley, NC

              Love Valley, Cowboy Capital Of North Carolina

                                                      By Leesa T Wright

  The cowboy capital of North Carolina is a real place. Its a real small old west style town built outside of Statesville, NC. Its a trail riders dream. A place where you can only ride your horse or walk on Main Street. Dusty streets, blacksmith shop, hitching rails, saloons, wooden sidewalks and even a general store.

  Back History

  Love Valley was founded by Andy and Ellenora Barker back in 1954. Andy had a dream of an old western town and Love Valley became his reality.

Andy and Ellenora wanted a place away from the busy city life of Charlotte, NC. So they moved their family into a one room shack and started working on a dream. Andy used his crew from JA Construction Company, he jointly owned with his father to help build the town. Andy being a Christian man, made the Love Valley Presbyterian Church his first building. Then he went to work on the Love Valley Arena, then after that he set out to build the rest of the town, he even built a post office. When Andy first starting building the town he built it around the arena. Then in 1963 he moved it to the location you see today on top of the hill over looking the arena.

A Look at today

 These days Love Valley's looks haven't changed a lot on Main Street. You can drive your car up to the main gate of town park and walk down the dusty street. Most would rather live that cowboy / cowgirl dream and ride their horse down the street to one of the saloons, Shelby's Place, Silver Spur Saloon or who could forget the Chicken Coop. You can even ride up to the General Store or Moonshine Gifts. Just tie your horse up at one of the many hitching post that line the streets. You can also ride down to the Love Valley Arena and see a show or rodeo. Lots of events are planned all through the year.

The Valley as some folks call it, is open all year round but some of the stores are closed till the weekends. As for staying at Love Valley, you have your choice of what to do. You can get a room at Miss Kitty's place, park your trailer in Jolly's field, or stay at one of the many campgrounds like Caruso Farms with trailer hook ups and water. One think to always remember , Love Valley is a horse riding town NOT a 5 star hotel. Lol!

Trails

 Love Valley has many miles of trails that loop around the town and surrounding areas. Trails go from easy to moderate. I would say use shoes or boots but you know your horse better than me. If you need a set of shoes for your horse or to replace a missing shoe you can always head over to Blacksmith Cove or go over to Caruso Farms and see Jake Boyd. Some of the trail names are  Tower Trail, Ice House Trail, Creek Trail, Pinto Bean Trail and the Ridge Trail and of course there is always riding in and around town. These trails are leased and maintained by the Love Valley Horseman Association. They work hard to keep the trails clean and clear for everyone. They always ask that if you pack it in then please pack it out. Please respect any trail you ride on. 

  Love Valley may not be for everyone but I like it and many others do too. Some folks even call it 'their home away from home". Lot's of folks just to meet up with friends. Me  myself started going to Love Valley when I was about 14 years old. Yes that was a long time ago. Lol! I guess I'm just hooked now. I love the people and the town. Andy had a great dream and I'm glad we getting to live it even if its only for a few days a year.

 There is a little something for everyone, from shows and rodeos at the arena, to ride on the many horse trails, find the rope swing or hangout with friends on the power lines or just go up town to Main Street sit on one of the benches and watch riders coming into town. If that's not enough for you you can always go into one of the saloons , play a game of pool, have a cold drink or dance the night away.

Yeah there is just something special about a man's dream becoming a reality.

Happy Trails y'all!!

Life Is Why

                                          Life is Why        By: Leesa T Wright 

                                                       

Me (left) Riding Sonny and Lynda (right)

   We all have a bucket list of rides we want to go to and places we want to ride at. This November I got to check one of those rides off my bucket list. My friends and I went to the 35th Annual American Heart Association Beach Ride in Myrtle Beach, SC.

The American Heart Association

  The American Heart Association is a national, voluntary health organization that was founded in 1924. Building healthier lives free of cardiovascular disease and stroke is the mission of the AHA by 20% while reducing deaths from cardiovascular diseases by 20% by 2020.

A beautiful picture I was lucky to take the morning of Veteran's Day

History of the Beach Ride

  Back in 1981 a man by the name of Jack Monroe started the "Ride-A-Thon" or Beach Ride as its called now. That first year there were only 20 riders. That number has now grown over 2,000 participants annually making the Beach Ride the largest trail ride in South Carolina. The Beach Ride has helped fund over $4 million of research and educational projects for the American Heart Association. Mr. Monroe's many years of leadership in the community and for the AHA is now recognized with the Jack Monroe Service Award. Thank you Mr. Jack Monroe for all your hard work.

Lynda Shackelford and her Morgan
horse Spirit.

About the Ride

  This is the only time folks can now ride on Myrtle Beach, SC anymore. The 35th Annual American Heart Association Beach Ride took place November 9-13th at Lakewood Camping Resort. The campground is oceanfront and opens up once a year to horses. The campground has full hook ups and even WiFi! Lol! You get to camp with your horse on your campsite. I would say must people need to get panels to put horses in because some sites do not have trees to high tie too. You can also ride from your campsite right out to the beach.

  This is a fun filled five day event. This year there was a poker run, a parade and costume contest, clinics on the beach, an obstacle challenge, food, vendors, karaoke, nighty entertainment, an auction and on Saturday there is the 20 mile beach ride and awards ceremony that night.

  Riders work hard all year to raise money to go to this ride. Riders must raise a minimum of $150 to attend. My friends and I did stuff like ask family, friends, businesses,  have a bake sale, sell things we make and I did pictures for donations. These are just a few ways to raise money. There are many, many more ways to raise money for this great cause and event.

 My Friends and I

Broke Ass Folks Saddle Club riding down the beach.

  My friends and I made a saddle club for this ride called Broke Ass Folks. Why the crazy name?? Well we are just like most people these days, broke, happy to ride horses but have big hearts willing to give and help when we can.

  In our group we had 3 Superstar Riders, Lynda Shackelford, Mike Stewart, and myself, Leesa Wright. Lynda and I rode in the parade with some of the other Superstar riders. ( Superstar riders are riders who have raised over $1000 in donations. )

From left: Amanda Helmick,
Ericka Tally and Anissa Anderson.

  We had two riders that rode in the poker run.

   Adam Crane and Lynda tried their hand at the obstacle challenge that was set up on the beach. And we all rode on the beach. I even went swimming when my colt Sonny got scared by a wave and unseated me. Sorry, there are no pictures of that. Lol!!

Dwayne Wright (my husband ) and Me

  We also had two very special riders with us. One was Christina Aldridge and her totally blind paint horse Tahoe. Tahoe was at the beach ride two years ago and at that time he had site in one eye. Now totally blind he puts all his faith and trust into his rider Christina. They are an amazing team to watch.

Me and Sonny after I went swimming!!

  And last but not least my husband Dwayne Wright, stroke survivor. Back in 2000 my husband had a stroke way too early in his life. He has worked hard to come this far. So this year was not just a bucket list ride for us. It was a way to say thank you and give back. Without  people like the 1277 riders this year raising money, $315,000 this year, my husband may not be here.

My husband, My life, My why, Dwayne
riding his horse Tucker

   Folks ask why donate?? My husband is why, but the best answer is Life, Life is why. So if you ever get the chance to go, GO! If you can't go, help by donating to a rider going. All this money goes to the American Heart Association. This was not just a ride or a bucket list ride, its a life changing ride. As for me and my friends we are already making plans to go next year. Please feel free to join us!!

For more information please contact

Sara Nelson, director

sara.nelson@heart.org

(843) 282-2911

www.ahabeachride.org

Robin Crane

Raven Rock

Crystal Thompson's beautiful mare April
playing in the water.

 

 

Riding at Raven Rock State Park

 

Leesa T Wright

 

Need a great place to do a little day riding? Raven Rock Bridle Trails are just the place for you. Located outside of Fuquay Varina and Lillington, NC.

 

Make sure you use the address 1550 River Road, Fuquay Varina, NC 27526 to get to the bridle trail parking lot.

 

Parking lot is a big gravel area. Trucks and trailers have no problem getting in, parking or leaving.

There is a restroom but its a vault toilet, so be sure and bring water on hot days.

 

Restroom located in the parking lot.

My daughter Boo and her step dad's horse named Tucker
hanging out at the waterhole.

Trails are broke up into two 4 mile loops. Both loop around and start and stop in the parking lot. Trails are clean and well maintained. So if you pack it in please pack it out.  If it has rained within a few days of the day you plan to ride be sure and check with the park to make sure the trails are open. They do close after heavy rain and bad storms. This keeps the trails from eroding await.

Crystal Thompson and her mare April coming down the trail
steps to the waterhole.

Trails are easy to moderate. Trails can be a little rocky at times. Most horses have no problems barefoot or shoed.  

 

Crystal Polfliet and her horse Sterling on the
trail heading to a land bridge.

There are land bridges, water crossings and even a set of steps horses must cross along the trails. Most horses have no problems with these things.

So if you need a good place to day ride, head out to Raven Rock. Beautiful well maintained trails and not to mention the great people you see out on the trails. I found the trails to be a great place to work a young horse. They get to see and do new things.

Happy Trails Folks!!

Happy Trails from Handsome Sonny Boy and Me. Photo taken at Rock Raven State Park.