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| Cracker Trail riders forge a small stream, and horses pause to take a sip. PROVIDED PHOTO |
They won't arrive on Florida's east coast until Friday, Feb. 20, as they retrace the cattle drives of the 19th Century.
The event is, of course, the annual Cracker Trail Ride, which takes its name not from Saltines, but the bull whips cowboys used in the old days to drive cattle.
Here are photos sent by smart phone to the Bradenton Herald by trail boss Suzanne Park, and some of the other riders. All were sent from horse back. They give a sense of the fun and adventure, as well as some of the natural Florida beauty along the trail.
http://www.bradenton.com/2015/02/14/5636370/cracker-trail-riders-to-head-cross.html
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| Riders get a view of new crops being readied under plastic. PROVIDED PHOTO |
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| A portion of the Cracker Trail takes riders along state highways. PROVIDED PHOTO |
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| Cracker Trail Ride is a family friendly event. PROVIDED PHOTO |
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| Horse seems to be smiling for the camera. PROVIDED PHOTO |
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| Togetherness on the trail. PROVIDED PHOTO |
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| Riders are happy when they reach open country. PROVIDED PHOTO |
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| Trail boss Suzanne Park. PROVIDED PHOTO |
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| Riders meet old friends and meet new ones. PROVIDED PHOTO |
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| Riders take over the road shoulder. PROVIDED PHOTO |
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| It is possible to kick back on horseback. PROVIDED PHOTO |
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| Open country. PROVIDED PHOTO |
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| Mule-drawn covered wagon. PROVIDED PHOTO |
fantastic photos, thanks
ReplyDeleteThe Florida Cracker Trail, for me, is reminiscent of Patrick Smith's book, A Land Remembered. My Grandmother, born in Manatee County, Florida in 1886, was a member of a farm family. My father, born in North Florida, in 1914, rounded up his family's cows everyday, over 2500 acres, to dip them every two weeks, (by law) because of the tick epidemic, in the late 1920's My Great Grandfather was a Florida Pioneer (owning land prior to Florida becoming a state) in the 1840's. It is a great privilege to also be recognized as a Florida Pioneer, because of my family owning a Florida homestead in the 1820's.
ReplyDeleteThese great riders are definitely emphasizing and reliving what our ancestors did in making Florida a memory and a great state! Thank you riders, for reliving our State's history!!
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