Lady Boss-Trail Adventures

Duel Lake & Lake Michigan - Gould City, MI

This is the location where you can ride to Lake Michigan, canter on the beach, and camp next to the lake. The GPS coordinates for this campground are: 46.0203234, -85.6485819. The camping is dispersed rustic camping, in a large open space next to the lake, first come first served. It is open to the public year-round, but the roads to camp are not plowed in the winter. When we arrive there were only a few other campers parked, so we decided to seize the opportunity to setup camp right next to the beach with our trailers on the outside of the circle with our horses in the middle, and we left the view of the lake visible from the large fire pit so we could enjoy the view during our campfire. This is rustic camping with the only amenity of a pit toilet, but beware it is full and doesn't get pumped out so I would not rely on using it. We all set up portable corrals for our horses near our trailers.

In the afternoon Kelly Gribbell arrived and we all got saddled and ready to go on a ride to Lake Michigan. The trails to get there were mostly gravel 2-track roads. My horse is only shod on the front, and he didn't love walking on this gravel path. I wish I would have had pads on and shod all four. We rode about 2 miles out to the beach, and then we were able to ride 2+ miles down the beach. We stayed on the beach until we reached the river outlet. At the river we jumped back on the trail that was about 4 miles back to camp for a round trip ride of 8 miles. Ultimately the trail makes a large loop around Duel Lake. If I went back, I would have loved to turn around when we reached the river and rode the beach again to double up the amount of time on the beach and spend less time on the trail.

Our trail guide Kelly was extremely helpful at pointing out the sink holes to make sure we rode in a single file line to avoid the muck. She also mentioned that we should avoid the sandbar in the lake because your horse will sink. I was very grateful that she rode with us to show us the ropes and where the trail was because I would have been nervous without her guidance out there. We all rode through the water to avoid a section on the beach, but once we cleared the edge of the peninsula we paused to take some group photos and then confirmed that everyone in our group was comfortable if we cantered the beach, and then we all took off cantering down the beach riding in a picturesque landscape with the wind in our hair and amazing horses carrying us across the beautiful beach sand.

Our whole group was amazed at this experience. We smiled, we laughed, and I think it's safe to say that some of us even shed happy tears. To add to the experience there was a bald eagle that flew over us right after we entered the beach, and then we saw it perched in a tree when we rode down the beach. We also saw a family of swans swimming in the water that took off flying. Our beach experience was straight out of a fairytale.

Cantering on the beach? Ferry boat ride? Riding on an island? Where was this trip?!?

Here is a quick overview of our most recent trip, but I will share more details soon.

A group of horsewomen and I left on Thursday, September 24, 2026 and drove from Wisconsin to Duel Lake in Gould City, MI to layover for a night. This is where we camped next to the lake (Duel Lake) and rode to our first Great Lake (Lake Michigan). We got to ride over 2 miles on the beach. Special thank you to Kelly Gribbell who met us at camp and was our trail guide to show us the way to the lake.

On Friday morning we packed up and drove to De Tour Village, MI where we got on the ferry boat for a 5 minute ferry ride to Drummond Island. Once on the island we had about a 40 minute drive across the island to our dispersed camping area for the next 2 nights. From this campsite we were able to ride the trails on the island and end at Lake Huron (our second Great Lake). On Sunday morning we packed up camp and headed out for our 6+ hour drive home. Special thank you to Amanda Fairchild who lives on the island and hosted this event for Upper Peninsula Trail Horse Association. She helped us find a campsite, and guided us on our trail ride. We couldn't have done it without her guidance.

I will do separate posts about the two different locations we rode to talk about the camping, trails, ferry ride, and information we learned along the way.

🇺🇸 Ride for Heroes - Iola Car Show Grounds- Iola, WI
September 11-13, 2026

Last weekend Casper and I attended the Ride for Heroes organized trail ride hosted by the Wolf River Riders to promote and financially support emergency services in the Iola area, and Tunnels to Towers. This ride has been running since 2022, and although it wasn't my first time riding this ride, it was my first time ever camping at an organized trail ride. Casper was a champ, and we had an amazing time.

I arrived Friday after work and got set up just in time to participate in Bingo! A few members from our riding club won prizes. After bingo we saddled up to ride the glow ride that was set up through camp and out on part of the green trail. On Friday and Saturday evening there were bands, and on Sunday there was Cowboy Church and gospel in the barn. A taco truck, coffee trailer, and concessions were available for purchase for breakfast, lunch and dinner including a pancake, eggs, ham and sausage breakfast, and BBQ pork, beans, coleslaw and corn on the cob supper. There were various vendors to shop including Mama Z's where we shopped her selection of tack and clothing. Mouthy Mare Bitworks was another vendor who offered $35 mini bit fitting sessions. She came directly to my campsite, discussed the anatomy of Casper's head, face, and mouth. We discussed how he could use a Chiro adjustment, she showed me how to massage some of his tension spots, and she measured his mouth, adjusted my bridal, and suggested which bit I should purchase. Susan is extremely knowledgeable and I really enjoyed learning ways to help my horse.

The campground has various sized campsites, and on the north end there are sites with electric hookups available. There are pit toilets, or porta potties throughout the grounds, and a shower house near the barn. They deliver water to your campsites throughout the day. Manure is to be spread out over your campsite at the end of the weekend to act as fertilizer for the hay field. We were not by the electric sites, but rather in the south part of the campground and our sites were very large and spacious.

There were 3 loops of trails to ride Blue (8.6 miles), Red (6.5 miles) and Green (3.2 miles). This year they offered an orange cart trail for anyone that wanted to drive their horses instead of riding. On Saturday we did the Blue trail, and Sunday we did the Red and Green trails. The trails had varying terrain including single track through the woods, trails along the roads, along fields, near cow pastures, through peoples yards and up their driveway, and through the car show grounds. There is lunch offered out on the horse trail where all three trails intersect. This is a great location for them to access to setup and provide the lunch, but beware that it is not at a halfway point, it is very close to camp if you are concluding your ride after 1 loop. Overall we had a wonderful weekend spent with great horses, and reconnecting with old friends and some new friends.

Thank you to the committee, the volunteers, the land owners, the vendors and everyone that helps make this event amazing for all of the riders.

I have a lot of new followers, so I thought it was a good time to share and remind everyone that I am a Troxel Helmets brand ambassador. If you wear a helmet, I see you! 🤠 I didn't always wear a helmet, but after hearing multiple stories of helmets saving lives, or situations that would have experienced a better outcome if they had been wearing a helmet, it convinced me to wear a helmet again. Equestrians that protect their brain really make me happy. 🤗.

If it is time to upgrade your helmet because it is getting old, replace your helmet because of a fall, or simply get a helmet to start protecting your brain please check out my link: https://www.troxelhelmets.com?sca_ref=9763794.BaGMNPO3p584K2

Use code: EMILYS10 for a discount.

Here are links to our helmets from this photo:
Angie- https://www.troxelhelmets.com/products/cheyenne
Emily- https://www.troxelhelmets.com/products/spirit-with-mips-technology-multi-directional-impact-protection-system

🧭🗺️📍🏇Competitive Mounted Orienteering

Last May I met a lady during one of my camping trips that told me about Competitive Mounted Orienteering (CMO). Ever since that day I have been wanting to try it and I finally got the opportunity to do so this weekend.

The sport:
CMO is essentially a scavenger hunt on horseback. The goal is to locate as many "plates" as possible, and in the fastest time. Plates are literally paper plates hidden off the trail with a code written on them to confirm you found them. At the starting line you receive a map with locations circled. For each circled area you are provided two landmark clues to look for and a compass bearing for each landmark. Once you locate the two landmarks you will use the compass bearing to find the location of the plate. The clues are located along the trail, but the plates will be located off the trail so one of your riders will ride off trail to find the plate. The plate can be on the back of a tree or object, or they can be on the ground buried in the grass, or they can be a "sky plate" hung up in a tree. When you locate the plate there will be letters written on it that you need to write down to turn in at the finish line to prove you found the correct location. You can compete solo or as a team, and can choose between a short course (about 5 plates) or a long course (about 10 plates). The team that locates the most plates in the fastest time wins! You and your horse can earn points through NACMO National Association for Competitive Mounted Orienteering.

The event:
MN/WI Competitive Mounted Orienteering hosted this event on Labor Day weekend at Eau Galle Equestrian Trails - Highland Ridge Equestrian Campground in Spring Valley, WI. The whole campground was reserved Friday-Sunday for this event, and we sure packed the place. On Friday night there was a Poker Run for fun. Saturday morning we had a riders meeting at 9:00am and then we drew cards to find out our order. If you were a newbie like us they had a box full of compasses to borrow, and they did a short practice to show us how to use the compass and locate a plate. Teams rode out of camp to start the course every ten minutes beginning at 10:00. Saturday evening we had a pot luck meal and the awards were announced. There was a sign up sheet for time slots on Sunday. Once all riders were done on Sunday the winners were announced. Those of us that chose to stay another night opted to order pizza from a local establishment and enjoyed dinner together before we started another campfire.

The community:
When we arrived my campsite neighbors were so welcoming. They helped direct me as I backed into the campsite, then guided Casper as I unloaded to make sure he didn't bump into their trailer. The wife offered to hold Casper while he hand grazed while the two gentleman took my cords and worked to get my electricity hooked up. I was able to setup Caspers corral and get him settled so quick and smooth with everyone's generous help. I instantly felt like part of their community. Thank you Amy, Bryce, and Roland for your assistance. Throughout the weekend many members offered to pickup supplies from town when they were running to get something. When it was time to ride, John, a gentleman that has been competing for many years rode with us for the first half of our competition on Saturday to show us the ropes and guide us to make sure we had a good first experience. The camaraderie and banter between this group quickly showed how amazing everyone at this event was. The event hosts were so nice and inclusive, we played Spinners (a domino game) with most of them throughout the weekend. I felt so welcome and included, and I couldn't ask for a better group of people to spend the weekend with.

The results:
Angie and I named our team "Lady Bosses". We competed in the long course on Saturday. We found 6 plates (1 by ourselves and 5 with John), and came in 9th place out of 9 teams. 😆. On Sunday we decided to do the short course, and we were able to locate all 4 plates. We took 3rd place! We won't mention the fact that there were only 3 teams in that division! 🤣. Despite taking last place both days, we really enjoyed the time riding our horses, scavenger hunting, land navigation, camping and spending time with friends and great people. If you enjoy all of these things then I highly recommend trying out a CMO competition sometime. There are still a few events coming up this fall for you to try your hand at CMO!

Cowboy Church

On May 6, 2026 I attended cowboy church at my friend Niki's farm in Pittsfield, WI. Niki and her husband Dominic graciously opened their farm to offer Cowboy Church the first Wednesday of the month starting in May and running through October. The worship service was held in their indoor riding arena. Dominic led the worship, Niki shared her moving story, and they chose various country songs that aligned with the message. They even incorporated their yearling into the message about patience. After the service, there was a pot luck and campfire. I met some new people, and I am looking forward to attending monthly. All are welcome regardless of your religious affiliation. Thank you Dominic and Niki for inviting me! You can find out more on their Facebook event:
https://www.facebook.com/share/17mxaCctK4/

When I'm not trail riding, I really enjoy running. All winter I have been diligently training for my first full marathon, and last weekend I completed it! It was an adventure that resulted in running the last 6 miles in the pouring rain, but I persevered and completed the race! I was drenched, cold, but so very proud of myself!

Sorry I have been quiet on here this spring. I have been sneaking in a few trail riding adventures, but haven't had time to share them yet because I've been busy focusing on the race. Now that the race is behind me, I will start sharing all the stories of my adventures!