by Holly Beagle, Millville, PA

Reprinted from the September 1997 issue of Mules and More

ED and HOLLY BEAGLE with Daisy (the Yorkie) and mules, Ruby and Kate, in a Montana field of wild flowers

We recently returned from an 18-day vacation in Montana. We traveled with our two mules, Ruby and Kate, and our Yorkie, Daisy.

A friend, Brad Shultz, lives in Gardiner, MT, and he showed us "mule riders" some beautiful country. We rode in Yellowstone National Park and Gallatin National Forest. Our mules got to see moose and elk pretty close!

Brad, on his horse King and packing on old Otto, took us on many great trail rides. One day, we rode to the top of a snow-capped mountain. My husband, Ed made snowballs and threw them down the mountain. I fed the mules snow, which they ate like ice cream.

Brad topped off our vacation by taking us on a three-day pack trip to Hell's Roaring. We started off in Yellowstone, WY, and rode to Hell's Roaring to camp, then out by way of Gardiner, MT. Fourteen miles in, we camped with wildflowers as far as you could see!

Yellowstone still has the eerie black remains and smell of the fire that swept through in 1988 .... nine years ago, and the new growth of pines are only two feet high, and thick as a carpet Everyone should see such devastation of the forest land.

When riding we were always aware of the possibility of a grizzly behind each bend or boulder, but thankful one never surprised us. We would love to have seen one at a distance, though!

Had to cross the Yellowstone River on a swinging bridge 300 feet above the churning water. My dear Kate took the lead then, and the other two horses and Ruby followed with no problems.

My Kate is a good mule .... I'm very proud of her!

While at camp, we hobbled the mules and horses, and they grazed on the lush meadow grass. We packed in alfalfa cubes and corn for them, too.

The camp was near an old ranger's cabin with a shingle roof, built of huge pine logs, in the early 1900s. Nailed in the gable was an elk skull with a huge 6x7 rack. Another nailed on the back

gable not quite as big. Each brace from the roof to the walls had elk antlers hooked in them .... probably found treasures of other riders left behind to decorate this special place.

Windows and doors of the cabin were a check and board of barbed wire, hog ringed together to make "bear proof screen". Spike nails were driven through the window and door sash from the out, as another deterrent for bear.

Under the porch lived Yellow Bellied Marmots .... darkfaced, yellow-bellied, tail wagging, whistling animals the size of a huge coon. Daisy thought she would like to chase them, so I had

to keep a close eye on her!

Oh, what beautiful country! With mules in trailer, we got to see Old Faithful, YellowstonePark, Teton National Forest, Mammoth Hot Springs, Glacier National Park, Mount Rushmore, The Black Hills, site of the Little Bighorn Battlefield, and the Badlands. Our mules should be well educated.

We've got many good photos, a video that is priceless to us, and good times we will carry in our hearts always.

The mules traveled well, with breaks now and then, and sleepovers for them at rodeo grounds and overnight boarding stables.

Daisy rode every mile with me, with her neck stretched way out so she could see all the sights. She loves to ride mules as much as I do.

This was our third trip out west with our mules. Each time out has topped the time before. We are already planning our next trip.

Seeing the Country from the Back of a Mule

by Holly Beagle, Millville, PA