The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-05-11
A N0MADIC
CALIFORNIAN
From San Francisco Bay to the
Upper Sierras.
An Aimless Journey on Horseback in Spring.
TINA, With R fections Social
and Equine.
Written for THE SUNDAY CALL.

H. is sDringtide here, in the valley OF the Ala.
II media, by the bay OF San Francisco. One
III springtime such as this after the rains were
past, 1 saddled Il mustang and rode east and
north, iar from the railroad and highways, luto
the foothills, then to the mountains. Even as l
write L remember the valleys OF Sunol and Liver
more, tie blue dome of Mount Diablo, the great
valley melting into gray, the green Islands in the
sea-llke San Joaquin, the sunny valleys OF So
lano. where the grape aud orange thrive the
wheat i1elds OF Suffer in the shadow Of The
buites, the journey toward the heights, hy
former mines and historic camps to the quartz
and hydraulic mines of Upper Placer, Nevada
and Sierra
When one first thinks of cutting loose from the
complexities of civilized existence and living a
sort OF nomadic life on horseback the thought is
strangely fascinating, full of dreams and ro-
nance. But The affair assumes different com
plexion when you realize that ones worldly goods
| and total wardrobe must be packed within the
limits OF pair OF saddle-bags. II eau be DONE
however, aud that way lies happiness
Gyen young, strong and sensible horse who
can be taught something new every day of his
life, the important thing Is to know how 10 lake
care o! him, after the most approved Californian
system. Years ago heard an old Spaniard who
knew, II any one ever did. how to get the posI-
tive best aud most out OF mustang affirm that
care need lie paid 10 only three things Tie
back, The stomach aud the feet of your horse.
O'NN'
your saddle never chafes, and keep him
carefully shod. When travelling in early
spring allow your horse to eat but little
oil wayslde grass, but as the grass gains
substance let him eat more, or indeed
as much as he can In your idle mornings. In Cal
nornIa, any time after April. the best times IN
travel are IN the early morning and the lare afr
elnoOE. Your horse must he fed with bav and
grain TWO hours or SO before you start Do not put
too blind confidence In the hostler hui 90 and
feel in tile Manager for yourself when Won first
get up. One who travels VIII sometimes have 10
night battle for his horse finding, perhaps that
grain has been nySterOusly Withheld as a prI-
vate speculation on the part OF the stable keeuer
Inc saddle should be Spanish, OF course, high in
front, easy Oh Inc horSe's back, leatler-wOr
plain ana strong, no useless weight any
where; The saddie-cloths may consist of bur
laps folded in six or eight thicknesses or
haif OF an old army blanket may be used Greot
care must be taken 10 avoid wrinkles and Knots
or sun places in the cloth. In the morning,
saddle half an hour before you start cinchin,,
loosely. When ready for the road, clnch closely
enough TO be safe, ride slowly for half an hour
1eclnch ,Ittie closer, ana push along liveller.
twenty miles or SO may be ridden, with care
about giving water, aud with occasional five
minute pauses Tor wayside chats or for studies of
the landscape. Every four or five miles or
oftener. the cinch should be loosened the
saddle reset. The saddle blankets lifted
ana Strengthened la About IL O'CLOCK, after
OR perhaps only twelve or fifteen miles II the
wiid-fower-sown slopes ana pleasant Woodlands
pauses, the lime for choosing the siesta arrives
Unless one is on treeiess plains where choice
tnefe Is literally none, this matter OF selection ia
pleasuraDle Indeed and Is full OF ardor and va
riety. WIN You rest on ii breezy hilton over
looking long hollows dotted with placid herds
slowly moving In the sunlight? Will Won ride
down into tiny glade Pickering with Shadows
Oh leaves, musical with hidden riyuefs and so
shut out of the world? viii you find a snni on
the grassy levels, deep with bee mnrmurs
warm with moving light, bright with dainty
blossoms: line by ways OF California
are full OF variety and In n single
days ride You may pass dozens of such places.
Having chosen, unsaddle your horse and snresd
the saddle-blankets In the sun TO dry uncoii the
RATA and tie your mustang to a conyenient hnsh
to rest Craze. Do not give him WAFER for hajf
an hour, and when he is led down TO the stream
or spring Qor there should always be water near
stopping place. pour cold water on his back
smoothing the hair down with the hand Then
leave him in the sunlight, with plenty Of rome
for an hour longer. and he will be freshened and
ready for the road again. Meanwhile n IL 10 ha
hoped that you, as thoughtful nomad have
found previously provided lunch i'm some
corner OF the saddle-bags, and, after its dIscns
sion, have assumed that horizontal posifion so
dear to the heart OF sage, bohemian aud philoso,
pher.
The art OF taking comfort In horseback travail
Ing consists chiefly In never Worrying ahonr The
future, nor INDUCING In any set plans II il besf
TO start every morning with only a penerai idaa
OF going about SO far, by whatever roads anpear
most suitable. III you wander off into some new
and wild mountain land, fifty miles from the
pace mat was nominally your Destination. ali
that Is required Is that the proyocation he s,ffi