Packing clinic scheduled by the Crab Creek Riders

The Crab Creek Riders, along with the Backcountry Horsemen of Washington, enjoy getting away from civilization and pack into the backcountry. Both organizations are, therefore, interested in helping to maintain the trails they use when traveling in the mountains. Many of the CCR members are also members of the BCHW organization.

From Donna Caraway, President of the Crab Creek Riders:

The Crab Creek Riders is having a Packing Clinic for beginners at Bill Bailey's arena on Monday, April 1, starting at 6:30 p. m.

Chuck Jackson, Al Willis and Ray Gabert will be teaching how to properly put a pack saddle on a horse. They will be explaining about the importance of weighing the panniers and having even weight distribution on the horse.

Leading a pack horse correctly from another horse is also going to be taught. We have several club members who would like to know the basics of packing with horses, so it should be a fun evening.

This event is not open to the general public as this is a club event, but you may contact Donna Caraway, 750-0318 if you are interested in joining the club and thus attend the clinic.

Dennis note: Great idea for a training session. I know the instruction will be well used during future outings. Only one caution comes to mind: Beware of going to Bill's ranch on April 1.

Plant a row for the hungry; seeds still available

Don't forget Jeni Roberts and her seeds at the Moses Lake Food Bank. This woman still has vegetable and herb seeds looking for a home.

Here's what Jeni says about the program, "The idea is to actually plant a row of vegetables and bring the ripe vegetables to the food bank, But sharing some of the garden produce with a neighbor or family member is also acceptable."

Many Columbia Basin gardeners donate their excess produce to the food bank anyway, but here is an effort to tempt other gardeners to do the same, by offering free seeds.

Grant County history

The Grant County Historical Society has compiled several volumes of Grant County history. The books are available for purchase at the Historical Society Museum gift shop in Ephrata.

I bought the series in 2009 and secured permission to relay some of the history through this column. Memories of Grant County, compiled from taped interviews by the Grant County Historical Society.

Today we continue the story of Wilson Creek by Cris Mordhorst, recorded Feb. 10, 1976:

Gordon Nicks asked me to talk about the early days of Wilson Creek and the Mordhorst family when we came. We were poor people when we came and still are, for that matter, but a lot better off than then for I didn't have a suit like this.

Anyway I told him I thought perhaps we should go back a little farther because my wife and her sister came out on an immigrant train in 1901. So he asked if I would say something about the immigrant train coming to Wilson Creek in 190l.

I'd like for my wife and her sister to stand if you will. They are the only ones here who came on this train. I have a picture here of the people, and most of them came on this train. They came from Jackson County, Minnesota.

They weren't 11 Swedes, but it does make me think of the story of George Rosenberg used to like to tell because they were Swedes and his mother thought there was no one like Swedes. He used to tell the story about Minneapolis and St. Paul, the twin cities, and he always told it to torment his mother.

I've changed my mind a lot in the years, but I know my Dad used to bother me a lot by telling me that we, Swedes, were just as good as other people as long as we behaved ourselves. At that time, I thought the Swedish people were superior, but now I think God made us all. I think we'll all have a place in Heaven, just so we accept Christ.

Wilson Creek area history

The Rev. David H. Crawford compiled and published a history of families in and surrounding Wilson Creek titled, "Family Memories of Wilson Creek Area." The book was printed in 1978, which was the 75th anniversary of the town. David's son, John Crawford, has given permission for those memories to be a part of this column.

Today we continue the story of The Lindblad family by Frank Lindblad:

As a family, the Lindblads were inclined to be scholarly, persuaded by their parents who strongly recommended "getting a good education." Being first born Americans this goal was especially appreciated and diligently worked for by the children. Otto served on the school board. The first language spoken was Swedish and soon the American tongue of English was learned by all of the family.

Their earliest school house was a homestead shack which was used for a year until 1903, when a new school house was built. They felt fortunate to have only one mile to walk to school. When they were ready for high school, the parents rented a house in town for them and they went home weekends. Living five miles from town and depending on horses for transportation, would have meant an hour's trip each way.

The Lindblads had good, kind neighbors and made many nice friends. There were neighborhood gatherings with big dinners, the young children playing games, the older ones dancing and the parents visiting. Basketball was a popular sport in the district. Fourth of July and other celebrations were held at some farm home or in town.

Everyone prospered for many years. However, the dry years came and soon Wilson Creek area became a dust bowl. Crops newly planted blew out. Tumble weeds piled up along the fences. Each year as the farmer hopefully seeded the land the wind took over.

Many farmers gave up and left. Others struggled hoping to keep the land. As time went on, rainfall again increased, new methods of farming were learned, prices of wheat came up and the farmers began to prosper again!