Mules and More Magazine

South Texas Trail Rides Make Annual Trek to San Antonio
Written by Sue Cole, Editor

“Keeping the Cowboy Tradition Alive” members of the South Texas Trail Riders (STTR) left Edroy, Texas (near Corpus Christi) promptly at 8 a.m. on Friday, January 30, their destination the 60th Annual Stock Show and Rodeo in San Antonio. A 5 a.m. cattle call woke teamsters, their passengers and outriders. Each morning either donuts or a full breakfast was provided by individual families or organizations along the 8-day marathon route. The 39 plus wagons taking part covered an average of 18 miles per day with the majority of the wagons being pulled by mules! The number of wagons registered this year was 42, topping the 2008 record of 29 wagons.
South Texas Trail Riders were not only making their annual trek to the stock show, they were celebrating their 50th anniversary. They were just one wagon train of the 11 headed to the Stock Show & Rodeo. An estimated 3,000 total participants, wind-whipped and dust-coated cowboys and cowgirls traveled into San Antonio either by wagon or riding a mule or horse. For several years the South Texas Trail Riders have been advertising in Mules and More, and my contact person has been Trail Boss George Camp of Corpus Christi. It was my pleasure to finally meet George at their lunch stop on Tuesday in Karnes City. We arrived just as they were finishing lunch and was able to visit briefly with participants and spectators before they got on their way to their evening stop in Falls City. As I stepped out of the car the first person I say was John Stewart of Columbia, Missouri….what a surprise for both of us. He and Glenn Sapp of Ashland, Missouri were making the trip with a team of mules and pulling a borrowed wagon from one of the STTR members. I also visited briefly with Bill Paynter of New Virginia, Iowa; Bill has been making this an annual event to escape the cold winter weather and also to enjoy the hospitality and friendship made while riding the trail.
We then waited for the wagon train to pull out and followed them up the two lane highway heading north. A flagman on horseback rides ahead of the train, carrying a flag, warning oncoming traffic of the approaching train. This seems to be a lonesome position, and one of great responsibility.
We checked the mileage as we passed the train, and it was exactly one mile long. Trail Boss Camp rides ahead of the lead wagon, and the wagons stay grouped closely together with the majority of the 160 outriders bringing up the rear, along with the STTR sound truck covered with different brands of advertisers. Along the route noon and evening meals are provided by various individuals and organizations, most of them at no charge to STTR participants. Usually meals can be purchased for a nominal fee by those not participating in the wagon train. A brochure is printed each year serving many functions of the organization; it introduced the court and officiating members, describes their itinerary of keeping the train on the route and on time, and includes a bit of trail ride history. The following is a bit of information taken from the brochure about the Trail Boss George Camp: George William Camp was born March 4, 1946 in Corpus Christi. He attended Del Mar College and Texas A&I University in Kingsville. From 1983 to present he has been an Independent Petroleum Landman, working for several companies in South Texas. He has been in the Oil & Gas business for 42 years. In 1963 George got his first horse, and started rodeoing. He entered in calf roping, team roping and hazed for steer wrestlers. He still loves rodeos and especially when he was hauling his granddaughter, Brittany Nichols to youth rodeos all over the state. In 1964 he became a member of the STTR when Jim Wright was Trail Boss. In 1965 he was appointed Lead Scout. In 1966 he was appointed Assistant Trail Boss; he was elected Trail Boss in 2000. He has served as STTR Vice President and President, and is an Advisory Board Member and a Life Member. This was his 46th year to ride from Corpus Christi to San Antonio.

	Every year on the STTR Trail Ride there are awards given in the following categories: Outstanding Male and Outstanding Female Rider, Youngest and Oldest Rider, Youth Rider, Outstanding Non-Rider, Outstanding Wagon, Longest Wagon Haulers, Longest Individual Hauler, Outstanding Scout, Hard Luck and Top Hand, and the “Honey Boy” Delano Memorial Wagon Award. The late Honey Boy DeLano, and his wife, Maxine of Corpus Christi have been supporters of STTR for many years. Honey Boy passed away in March 2008, and was greatly missed by those attending the ride this year. The day I met the train Maxine waved from a wagon as she passed by. After leaving the wagon train Tuesday afternoon we traveled back to Falls City where we were able to watch members of the Falls City Chamber of Commerce prepare the evening meal for the STTR.
The C of C has been feeding wagon train participants and guests for 50 years; the guys prepare the brisket, beans and sauce and the ladies of the organization do the rest. Arlene Jurgajtis is the C of C President, holding this position for the past 15 years. She mentioned not only do they provide train members with a free barbecue, but also provide a dance for the evening entertainment. Since my cousins, C of C members Ken and Ralph Bollman, were in charge of preparing the baked beans for the meal I spent some time in the outdoor cooking area (I have a way of avoiding kitchens where there are dishes, etc. to be done). The guys certainly had a system when it came to getting the brisket done to perfection. I spent some time visiting with Jimmy (James) Rogers who has been on the food committee for 10 years. They walked me through the entire process of the barbecue. Several guys arrive very early to get the fire going from the wood hauled in on a trailer; just a few of the big cookers were used for this ‘small’ group they would be feeding. The huge briskets were put on the grates and the fires were tended throughout the day. Once they were cooked to the satisfaction of the crew they were sliced, and taken to the kitchen for serving. Each person had a job assignment and the clean-up crew stepped in as the long day was over. Once the meat and beans were all carried away the cooking area was hosed down and the barbecue crew was finished for the day, and able to enjoy watching the hungry wagon train members devour the wonderful meal. As the train pulled into the city limits at exactly 4 p.m. the streets were lined with spectators to welcome them.
It was my privilege to visit and enjoy the great hospitality of both the South Texas Trail Riders, and the Falls City Chamber of Commerce members. Everyone certainly made my trip to the small city of Falls City (population 560) a trip I will never forget! If you are looking for a winter time get-away with your mule. I highly recommend joining the South Texas Trail Riders. I almost guarantee your first trip won’t be your last.