The Great Texas Horse Rescue
by Jen, First Farm Inn
Email Jen | Visit the First Farm Inn Website

At First Farm Inn Kentucky, in addition to allowing guests to ride our horses, we overnight horses traveling cross country.  In July, a Canadian family called at the last minute.  While the house was full, the barn and the paddocks weren't, so they brought two trailers and 11 horses back from Texas.

We didn't learn much of their story, but this mare and her foal tell a lot.  They go to Texas each year to rescue horses. They listen to a radio call-in show where people advertise things they don't want.

This chestnut mare of undetermined breed was advertised for $300.  When they saw her condition and that she was being kept with a stallion who was knocking her to the ground, they paid the money.  "Those whose horses are in the worst condition always want the most money," the mom said.

The previous "owners" said the mare was due to foal in September.  A few days later, this emaciated (perhaps 700 pound) bag of bones survived giving birth to a cute little chestnut filly with a big star on her forehead.  The baby had taken the nutrition from the mare and was in better shape than her mom, but it was time for the drive home.  

Because standing in a trailer to travel is so hard on horses, they usually aren't fed rich food that can cause an intestinal disturbance called "colic" which usually results in death.  While this poor mare -- at 200-300 pounds under weight -- needed as much nutrition as she could get, they couldn't risk her life by giving her rich food before or during transport.  Accustomed to next to nothing, they said she was gaining weight on high fiber rice bran soaked in water and grass hay.  

But, during the long trip from Texas to Cincinnati, she refused to drink anything.  Consequently, she had no milk for the baby.  Astute horse rescuers, the Canadian family brought goats' milk and a nipple bottle and tried to convince the baby to drink.  (At about 80 pounds, like other small animals, this foal could dehydrate and die without eating in 12-24 hours.)

When they arrived at our house, the mare and foal were placed in a big stall in our 140-year-old barn.

While they were unloading the other horses, I came thru the barn to check on my horses and saw the pitiful pair.  I filled a bucket and got the mare to drink several gallons of water.  They arrived with her bran mash and we added water to increase her fluid intake.  The baby drank one bottle of goats' milk and tried in vain to nurse her mom.  Then, they both laid flat out in total exhaustion and slept.

I called around to find more goats' milk -- it's sold condensed in cans at Kroger's and Walmart if you ever need it.  Found a local store that had some on hand (by this time it was nearing 9 p.m.).  They brought it back to me.   Knowing the baby wouldn't last thru the night without extra feedings and seeing how exhausted the family was, we sent them to dinner and a nearby hotel.  I'd offered to get up and feed the baby.

At 12:30 a.m., the baby eagerly downed the last bottle of warmed & diluted fresh goats' milk and sipped a little of the canned.  I added more water to the mom's bran mash and held it under her nose until she finished it.  She'd drunk several gallons of water.

At 6 a.m., I went out to the barn again with more heated, reconstituted canned goats' milk.  The foal refused to even think about drinking it.  I checked the mare.  She had milk.  The baby nursed aggressively. I fixed breakfast for a house full of guests to eat at 9.  At 10 a.m., the family returned, all of us nearly in tears that the mare was making milk and the baby would survive.  They were led back into the trailer to finish the trip to a new home where they would be cared for and trained by real horse people.  I went back to cleaning rooms.

First Farm Inn is an elegant, updated 1870s farmhouse bed & breakfast on 20 acres 20 minutes from Cincinnati. Ride a happy, healthy horse. Spacious rooms, queen beds, private baths, big homemade breakfasts, in-room massages, outdoor spa, fishing ponds, friendly pets, rocking chairs, porch swing, historic barns, gardens, grand piano and more. Midweek, multi-day discounts. Gift certificates. Girlfriend getaways.

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Williams, Arizona: A Four Season Vacation Destination
by William Job, Grand Living B&B
Email William | Visit the Grand Living B&B Website

Visit the Altraverse Arizona, USA Section

When you visit Williams, AZ, no matter what time of year, you'll always find something going on. Cool summers, a colorful fall and sunny, white winters make Williams, AZ a playground for all seasons.

In the summertime, the streets of Williams come alive with flying bullets and battle hymns each evening. Outlaws from the Cataract Creek Gang perform nightly on Route 66. The High Country Warbirds Air Display returns to the Valle-Grand Canyon Airport each June. The roar of motorcycles fills Williams in June during the  annuyal Rumble on 66.

Each year, Williams celebrates a Small Town Fourth of July: there's a parade and lots of activities around town. The annual Cowpunchers' Reunion Rodeo will bring working cowboys from all  over to compete in three days of action-packed rodeo events the last weekend in July. And the annual Cool Country Cruise-In returns Aug. 15-16.

Fall is an ideal time to be in Williams. All around, the changing colors of the leaves mark the end of summer.  Labor Day weekend in Williams turns into a cowboy lover's paradise, with western parade and a three-day Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association competition.  It's a big-time rodeo in a small town.

If you enjoy viewing  wildlife, a late afternoon drive along the Perkinsville Highway is a must. Deer and elk are abundant during this time of the day. In Winter, snow blankets the top of the Bill Williams Mountain, transforming Williams into a true winter wonderland.

The community Christmas Tree will be lit during an official lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. on Nov. 28. The Grand Canyon Railway is extending its Polar Express run every November.  Williams kick off its Mountain Village Holiday celebration - a true Festival of Lights celebration - when thousands of lights brighten our hamlet.  This annual winter festival includes a Parade of Lights down Route 66 on Dec. 6.

The elevation is 6,770 ft., and the population is nearly 3,000. The average summer high temperatures are in the low 80s, while most of Arizona simmers at over 100 degrees.

Downtown Williams is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Most of the buildings were constructed in the early 1900s. Williams is the headquarters of the Kaibab National Forest. Williams was the last  Route 66 town in America to be bypassed by the freeway system.

Williams is just an hour drive to the Grand Canyon, Walnut Canyon, San Francisco Peaks & Snow Bowl, Slide Rock State Park, & Oak Creek Canyon, Sedona, Verde Valley, Sunset Crdater & Wupatki National Monument & Grand Canyon IMAX Theater. And we're just ninety minutes from the Grand Canyon Caverns, Montezuma Castle, Meteor Crater, Jerome and Prescott.

We're also just a half-hour drive to Sycamore Canyon Wilderness Area, White Horse Lake, Dogtown Reservoir, Bill Williams Mountain. And just a ten-minute drive to Kaibab Lake, Grand Canyon Deer Farmm and a five-minute drive to Cataract Lake, Elephant Rocks Golf Course and Buckskinner Par.

Within Williams is the Historic Downtown, you'll find numerous restaurants, motels, souvenir and Indian jewelry shops located in  turn-of-the century buildings. The Historic Walking Tour Brochure is available at the city of Williams-Forest Service Visitor Center. There's also the Grand Canyon Railway Depot and Museum, an authentic "old west" entertainment held daily at 9:39 a.m. at the station prior to the train's departure.  The museum is filled with memorabilia on history of the train and depot, which was originally the Fray Marcos Hotel, one of the Harvey Houses at the turn-of-the-century.

If you're looking for accommodations in Williams, AZ, Grand Living Bed & Breakfast has so much to offer, any season is sure to be a stay you'll remember for a lifetime. It has six distinctive guest rooms and suites, all with private bath, fireplace, private entry, TV/DVD/VHS, wireless Internet, King/Queen sized-bed, jacuzzi, claw-foot tub/shower, desk, armchairs, wrap-around porch with rocking chairs and tables, gazebo and a beautiful landscaped garden. We hold Cooking classses, special events, tea parties,  and wedding receptions.

We serve full gourmet  breakfast at the beautiful great room.  For Reservations Call: 928-635-4171 or 1-800-210-5908 or visit our Website: http://www.grandlivingbnb.com or email us at: job@grandlivingbnb.com

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Visit Bonaire: Great for Diving Year-Round
by Louise Villanueva, Grand Living B&B
Email Louise | Visit the Happy Holiday Homes Website

Visit the Altraverse Netherlands Antilles Section

Where is Bonaire?

You'll find us at the southern edge of the Caribbean; just 50 miles north of the coast of Venezuela.

Bonaire is located not far from Aruba, and lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt.

What's life like on Bonaire?

We're known for our laid-back, tranquil life style and the easy way we make friends. You won't find crowds and rampant commercial development on our island, but you will discover a treasure of water, sun and natural beauty.

Our climate is very appealing, with an average temperature of 80 degrees. The sun shines EVERY day. We love our marine resources, and protecting them is the law on Bonaire.

You'll see the Dutch colonial influence in our homes and public buildings; it's part of our history. There's a complete selection of shops, boutiques, galleries, and dining spots.

Our largest (13,000 acres!) nature preserve is Washington-Slagbaai National Park, with hundreds of species of birds and wildlife, and is a wonderful way to learn about our flora and fauna.

Salt harvesting played a major role in the history of our island, when our early settlers sold Bonaire salt around the world. The flats are home to large numbers of flamingoes, as well as dozens of other bird species.

Beautiful and Bountiful Bonaire Water

Scuba Diving and Snorkeling: Bonaire ranks at the top of SCUBA destinations in the Caribbean. With one of the Caribbean's first marine parks, and a dedication to protection of our pristine reefs, we have preserved the marine environment as it was before the popularity of SCUBA.

Many first-time visitors are surprised at how easy diving is on Bonaire: with hundreds of shore diving sites, dive boats and scheduled excursions are rarely required.

Our water is clean, clear, and calm; absolutely perfect for underwater photography. With 365 days of good conditions annually, you don't have to worry about a specific "dive season".

Stay at Happy Holiday Homes and you'll never want to leave again. This lovely place has built their reputation through word of mouth and over the internet. Meticulously clean, well appointed, fully furnished cottages and apartments with 1,2 or 3 bedrooms. Their location near beaches, dive sites and town make it the ideal getaway for visitors who want something different.The oceanside is close by, with two beaches within easy walking distance. Comfort is the byword at Happy Holiday Homes and nothing has been spared to insure your stay is hassle free and enjoyable. Each unit has a separate living room with cable television, radio, the dining area and the kitchen comes fully equipped with refrigerator, gasrange, microwave, and a full set of utensils and dishes.

The apartments are Phone + Internet equipped! Outdoors, you'll relax in the peaceful beauty of your own private garden relaxing in the shade or on the sun terrace, where you can watch iguanas, parakeets and wild donkeys. The property is a family affair with management on the premises at all times. Attractively priced with rates starting at $65 p/night. Reservations + inquiries are welcome at http://www.happyholidayhomes.com.