There are still cattle herds spread out through the hills, but not as it was in years past. Meandering through the different washes and cuts in the rock can give a person a whole new outlook on his 9 to 5 life. For some of us, to have this at your beck and call is the way to live. As we topped a ridge, a small herd of white-tail deer hit the run, followed close behind by Bill's dog. Stranger bellowed and barked as long as she had the deer in sight.
Deer are pretty quick up here, even in the rocks.
Bill didn't like for Stranger to get too far out, as there are mountain lions in these rocks. Stranger tied up with one some time back and was lucky to get out in one piece, so the riders help keep an eye out for him while we're riding. Stranger's latest rendezvous was with a couple of coyotes, which called for 25 stitches. For three or four hours, Bill led the group on a ride that most people only dream of. The beauty of the Catalina Mountains is something that I'm happy to have experienced in my lifetime, and Bill was always more than willing to share the panoramic views as well as his expertise, with me and all the others.