Strolling Amok

It took awhile for all the riders to pass by.

There are few things nicer than shade in Arizona.

Basically, the Community Center parking lot fills with long trailers, horses, riders, relatives, and assorted gawkers.

I think I just found my new mascot for my Aurora e-bike!

I’m shooting the people who are shooting the people. Video interview.

I should threaten my kids that I might wear this getup to their homes this summer.

Dude! This is more my speed for Western clothing, though he still lacks the bunny slippers.

Well, it is the Desert Caballeros Ride, though up close, the hat looked like a tourist trap refugee.

This horse looks unusually smart, and I asked its rider if that was likely to be a problem. “Yeah, hard to say. This is his first go here, so we’ll see,” he joked.

They’re posing for someone else’s camera. I just took advantage of it.

I liked this horse’s proportions. He just looked like the ride would be no problem. Seen it, done it.

Looks like a mannequin here, but this beauty had a sales brochure coat.

This is the horse I liked the proportions of.

This horse was impatient to get going. Its rider felt honored to be the flag carrier this year.

A crowd gathers in front of a small street stage, off-camera left.

After some announcements, man at center receives an award for something like his 55th ride!

And it begins! – without sirens.

Wickenburg Maintenance Dept has this thing down pat. A street sweeper respectfully waits until the last rider hits the end of the main drag, and then it’s Mario Andretti vying for the lead at the Indy 500. Boom! Poop gone. Tourists can resume not watching where they’re stepping.