My Yellowstone Odyessy

Chapter 13

12 I ride an Old Paint

August 25

We got our ass's going in record time no breakfast or my precious coffee, and rolled north to Canyon village, our ride was scheduled for 10:30 we made it with 10 minutes to spare, a perfect way to begin a horseback ride, cold, hungry, no coffee, OUTFUCKING STANDING! Well, At least I've ridden a horse a time or two, back when I was 13, dad had a friend who owned horses sometimes he would take me with him when he visited the guy and I got to ride a horse I even got instruction from a real working cowboy. Terry on the other hand, has never been on a horse, this should be interesting. We paid up and were put on very large horses who turned out to be fairly docile, there were around twelve of us for this ride.

I did a little maneuvering and was able to get behind Terry so I could keep an eye on him, we stood around while the horses snorted and tried to snatch grass from the ground, eventually the guide decided we were ready so off we went, a line of riders plodding along a well worn trail.

This was certainly beautiful country to ride in, I got a couple pictures right off the bat, I think I saw Terry also try and take a couple as well. Oh the smell of sweaty horse blankets, horses farting, horses stopping to pee, horses pooping, inane chatter from other riders, such is a trail ride. Our constant plodding offered me an opportunity to think, and thinking is what I did, mostly about Terry and I. I kept asking myself if this relationship could work, God! I really loved the guy, he was growing on me every day, but he lived in Utah, I lived in Wyoming, and come next spring, I would be living even farther away in Laramie when I started college. That's another thing, I was going to be attending a four year institution, only returning home during the summer and breaks, Terry was only going to be attending a two year trade school. Was our love, Hell! Was my love strong enough to survive that? Finally the big one…Sex! I wanted to make love to him in the worst way, but it all came down to the crux of my fears, I wanted to go to college and make my parents proud, what if something happened, what if that "something" screwed my chances of ever going to college.

This was what I feared the most, why I live under a self imposed ban…Fear! Fear of f*****g up my future, a kid could do it, Condoms, the pill, not enough, Murphy's law rules here, "If anything can go wrong, it WILL go wrong!" but Goddamn! How long will he stick around if I keep refusing him? I suppose that could be a test in itself, If he stays, he's serious; he's thinking long term, something few guys are capable of. Another heart to heart? Would he be truthful? Would he truly understand why I simply can't afford to take any chances, my future is more important than a few minutes of pleasure, God! I wish I knew what to do.

I had moved up a little closer to Terry on his right "Hey lover, whatcha doin'? "Trying to keep from falling off this damn horse." "Sit up straighter, press your knees into the saddle and don't let the horse get the upper hand." "Easy for you to say baby, you know how to ride," "Not that well, I could just as easily be thrown." "Leave me alone." Poor Terry, going on a horseback ride was my idea; I didn't realize he was so miserable. About an hour later we stopped and took a break in a beautiful little valley we had been doing a lot of climbing on twisty trails, and the horses were due for a break as well, I moved up next to Terry and said, "Keep his head up baby show him you're the boss." Terry muttered something and struggled with his reins as the horse moved around.

Break over, we resumed our trek slowly working our way back home, I got a picture of Terry slumped over his saddle, and struggling with his horse. We passed through stands of Aspen and Lodgepole Pine, and on one occasion spotted a small heard of Elk moving up to higher elevation. Eventually we arrived back at the stable and Terry's torment was over, however I should talk, I think I strained a leg muscle trying to keep my leg in the stirrup, and my butt was sore as hell. Afterwards, we rode over to the cafeteria at Canyon Lodge for a belated breakfast, Once we sat down I smiled at Terry and said, "you did just fine lover, you didn't fall off or let the horse run away," Terry glared at my and continued eating.