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SADDLING SOUTH

Hi Friends,
 
I have one story each, for two of our favorite families, for donations, for different needs, in Baja California Sur. Here are the stories, and my link to donate via Paypal.  Just let me know when you donate, which story or family is most near and dear to your heart!
 
If you would like a tax-deductible receipt, you can send a check to a fund called Commitmen, and the president of that organization, Andy Schouten, will funnel the amount south to its destination, and he will send you a letter for your taxes. 
 
Dario’s Light – Many of you stepped up to help Dario when vision-wise he suffered a setback earlier this year. A badly carried-out procedure to reduce an eye-growth left him almost blind for several months. However, he is on the path to recovery! A vision-focused NGO in Santa Barbara CA was the sponsor for Dario’s film, La Recua, at it’s world premier in April. When we discovered that coincidence … Dario had just been diagnosed by a specialist and told that he would need a cornea replacement! 
 
As our luck would have it, SEE International stepped in and generously covered the estimated $10,000 dollars for hospital, doctor, operation, and cost of cornea. Violá. It’s been a month, the operation has been a success, and Dario’s vision is improving in his right eye. He will able to watch himself on the big screen by the time La Recua has a live theater debut in La Paz at the end of this year!
 
However, the follow-up consultations every month, plus travel and medications, are on the horizon for the family. Now that Dario has better sight he will soon be able to make leather products for sale again in order to help the family… but extra is needed… so we are hoping to gather another $2500 toward his medical and travel needs between now and December. 
 
To thank SEE International, the film team from La Recua and I are helping make a short film about Dario’s Dilemma! SEE is covering production costs, and we are donating some of our time and travel expenses to make the promotional video clip. Working title: Dario’s Light. We’ll of course share this successful story with all of you as soon as it is out in the world. 
 _________________________________________________________________________________________
 Rain in the Sierra San Francisco!  Well… we’re hoping anyway.  We’re hoping Chema Arce’s ranch on Mesa San Esteban will catch the edge of an aguacero so his cattle can drink water again! Even just a bit will help them out. Otherwise every other day they have to ask their herd of 30+ cows and young steers to walk 2 hours round trip down a steep trail to the corral in the canyon to drink water from a pipe that has been run 8 miles from the spring, so they can survive. Then, back up again to where there is a little bit of feed for them on the mesa. That’s how the family survives too. Nary, Chema’s youngest son, packs 60 gallons on a half dozen donkeys every two days when he runs the cattle down the mountain, so the family of 5 have water to drink, cook and clean.  (plus a bit for the calves in the corral)
 
The beautiful old stone corral on the mesa has been there for over 300 years, attesting to its age-old tinajas or natural water-holding tanks in a deep bed-rock canyon. That’s why Chema built his home there. Then he and sons built up a dam, 20 feet high, so that the canyon can be a huge water catchment. One good summer rain can fill it and last them more than a year! Looks like tomorrow’s rain (according to internet) July 30th, might be the god-send they need. But internet is fickle. 
 
The droughts in BCS of 2020/’21 encouraged a writer and a photographer from National Geographic to cover the hardships that many of Baja’s outback ranchers are experiencing south of the 28th parallel. The photogenic Arce families at the SW edge of the SF range have made it into the annals of Nat Geo’s gorgeous articles! Click here, to read the article. You might need to sign in with an email address, but it seems to be just a formality with no repercussions. 
 
So, pray for rain. It’s bone dry now, but a good old-fashioned thunderstorm could turn that waiting tinaja into a raging waterfall. Meanwhile, the Nat Geo article spurred enough donation money a month ago to buy feed for the cattle, keep them alive, give them the needed strength to make the trek to their temporary water-source, and allow the cows to nurse their calves again. Chema and family send heartfelt thanks to those friends who are helping them survive this dilemma. We’re hoping to gather $1000 dollars to keep his herd and Ricardo’s herd healthy for another month. And rain is on the horizon. 
 
Send Donations to Trudi’s Paypal account and note for whom you are donating (no tax receipt available).  Or send a check to Commitment and specify which of the two families you are supporting: Chema Arce or Dario Higuera (tax deductible). 
Mil Gracias! 
 
 Trudi Angell  - Producer / Co-Director of La Recua
Awards: 2020 - Environmental Stewardship Award for cultural history. 
2015 - Pioneer of Cultural Tourism in Baja California Sur
www.Bell-MareProductions.com
Facebook for La Recua Movie     @larecuamovie    Trailer
all rights reserved•use with permission•copyright 2021

SaddlingSouth.com    
Reservation Form - Mule Pack Trips in Baja!


Cell US. 707 888-2065 summers ; cel  México 613 100-8438   
(dial 011 52  as prefix if using a US cell or land line to dial the Mexican cel)
Buen Día!

You are in my contacts list for emails, and so, occasionally I send you and update related to something that we have discussed in the past.

Saddling South Tours 2020 - It was a very mellow '20/'21 season with just three small trips with three small groups and a few day rides at Rancho La Joya and Rancho Viejo. (Rancho La Joya de San Telmo has now been turned over to its owners for the summer ... more updates about its next-season status another time)

On April 1st the department of History and Anthropology opened up the Sierra San Francisco to rock art visitation, which has thankfully helped a few of the local ranch families recoup their economy. 

"21/"22 - We are already getting interest from folks for Fall '21 and into '22. I'll update the Saddling South website later this summer - but be sure to send me a note if you are thinking of a multi-day trip for the coming season. I can often plan a trip based on your best dates!

Film - Thanks Again to all of La Recua donors and supporters who were invited to a private screening and zoom Q&A in January - and who then wrote such lovely comments! I'm keeping those comments in a special file and sharing as "Praise for La Recua".

We had the good fortune to be accepted for our World Premiere at the Santa Barbara (CA) International Film Festival in April, and then, to receive a Gold Remi Award at Worldfest Houston the same month! See the announcement posted on "May the 4th" on the La Recua FB page. 

This summer and fall we expect to share more news about festivals ... and ... we'll be doing more online showings for special groups. I'll be sending a separate email to our donors/supporters email list requesting their input about who to invite for more screenings. If you are not on that list and you are interested in hosting a private screening, please let me know. 

Trajectory - Here's how it goes for films these days: You have a finished film, and people want to see it, but first it has to go to festivals. Festivals want films that are not public nor for sale. Then, because the new paradigm is hybrid sales / and virtual (mostly) ... we can begin to do our own marketing and also sell some rights to distributors. So once we get through a year of festivals, conferences and private screenings ... then we can set up a platform for folks to access/view/buy La Recua. And if things go well, a major distributor may want to obtain screening rights to our film. It's certainly a longer process than I ever imagined!

Meanwhile a note about Darío and his vision. Many of you stepped up last December to assist Darío with a simple eye operation for "carnosidad" or eye growth. Unfortunately his situation took a turn for worse and now he is about to receive a replacement cornea. A synchronicity happened when we found out that an organization called SEE International had been the sponsor of La Recua film in the Santa Barbara film festival. Their amazing staff are now in touch with a specialist in La Paz to help Darío toward better vision. We'll soon update on FB. If you would like to help them continue the good work please Donate to their organization - and mention Darío.

On FB check out some new photos, clips and interviews. Darío is getting good at Zoom conferencing!

Looking Forward to a Good Season for 2021/2022. 

Saludos, Safe Travels and hope to see you soon on a trail in Baja California Sur!
Trudi Angell  - Producer / Co-Director of La Recua
Awards: 2020 - Environmental Stewardship Award for cultural history. 
2015 - Pioneer of Cultural Tourism in Baja California Sur
www.Bell-MareProductions.com
Facebook for La Recua Movie     @larecuamovie    Trailer
all rights reserved•use with permission•copyright 2021
SaddlingSouth.com    
Reservation Form - Mule Pack Trips in Baja!


cell US. 707 888-2065 summers ; cel México 613 100-8438 year-round 

(dial 011 52  as prefix if calling the Mexican cell from outside Mexico)

Picture
​Trudi Angell 
tourloreto@aol.com 
Mexican cells - 613 100-8438 or 615 104-7967
House phone with answering machine 135-0557
.
​Please call or email about any months you want a ride.

Spring 2020 – Rock Art & Trails
Feliz Año Nuevo!  All the Mules and Burros will be happy this trail riding season: plenty of good greens and streams out in the back-country.
Newly-posted on the SaddlingSouth.com web site are two routes set up specially for you. Trips with 2 or 3 or 4 camping nights, to visit the World Heritage rock art in Santa Teresa Canyon, or right here in our Loreto backyard… learn the lore of El Camino Real between San Javier and Comondú a gorgeous ride, and close to home. Please contact Trudi at tourloreto@aol.com

Trudi Angell  US cell 707 888-2065
SaddlingSouth.com  &  Facebook for La Recua / Dario's Dream
Reservation Form - Sign Me Up !


cel 613 100-8438 ; home phone Loreto - 613 135-0557 leave message

Trails gone down in the past:

​Hello Friends - We are one short week away from moving 20 mules and donkeys to Comondú to begin our 200 mile ride down the peninsula to La Paz. La Recua. Please click on the blue links below and follow our documentary story. A Facebook page is set up to follow us from now through production. Please share this email with your amigos too!  Muchas Gracias, 
 
NEW PROJECTS, NEW HORIZONS - A DOCUMENTARY FILM IN PROGRESS -
HISTORY ON THE HOOF!
WAYS TO BE INVOLVED - 
PLEASE HELP US GET ON DOWN THE TRAIL

DONATE AND JOIN THE CLUB
TRUDI IS ON THE PATH OF FILMING AND FOLLOWING THE LOST HISTORIES OF FADING TRAILS
JOIN OUR "ACHON" GROUP AND SUPPORT THE EFFORTS OF CAPTURING OLD SOULS ON FILM -
MUCHAS GRACIAS FROM THE TREASURES OF THE SIERRAS - OUR ORIGINAL CALIFORNIO FAMILIES
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​don Ramon Talamantes of Loreto, trail-boss
and Dario Higuera's mentor - age 97 in 2018
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doña Tomasa Romero of Rancho La Altagracia remembers Mari-ita a famous
​burro-packing falluquera (peddler) ​
An Overnight Ride & Multi-Day Rides -  Join Vaqueros on a filming trip!  Come ride with Dario Higuera,
Trudi, and the Film Crew. Here are available dates:
* Saturday, March 24th p.m, to Sunday mid day. Camping and help move our mules to Comondu.  
$295 (no filming, well, maybe just a little bit) *Need to know by Tuesday.
Monday, March 26th to Thursday the 29th  - 4 days of backcountry roadless riding and filming La Recua.  
1 or 2 spaces available. $795 (can be shortened by a day)
Trudi Angell 
tourloreto@aol.com 
Mexican cels - 613 100-8438 or 615 104-7967
House phone with answering machine 135-0557
.

Picture
5 hours or 3 hours? - that is the question. We have 2 day-rides going out on February 24th and 25th. The all day ride leaves Rancho Nuevo at 10 a.m on the 24th, and goes to 2 ranches, travels an hour and a half on an old original section of El Camino Real (where only footsteps can go), and then for coffee at Rancho El Horno, before riding on in to San Javier. That's a full day trip for $99, lunch included. On Feb. 25th the mules need to get back to Bule's ranch. The San Javier Desert Trail this day is just 3 hours of riding and a ranch visit along the way. That's a half day for $59. Hope to hear from you and see you soon! (Mules are out to pasture from Feb 16 to 21 - spring break for the long-eared Corral Crew!) 135-0557 or tourloreto@aol.com (Trudi might take a while to answer, she'll be in the rock art canyons from the 18th to 21st)
Two Short Multi-Day Mule Rides Coming Up. 

February 19-21 come ride with Trudi and Jewel, Che and Chema, and friends in the area just north of San Javier. 2 nights camping, 3 days riding. Ranch visits; an alternate Goat cheese experience; El Camino Real travel; history; fun. $450 Breakfasts and dinners included. BYOLunch. 2 or 3 spaces available. Need own transport to trail head at Bule's Mules - Rancho Nuevo. 

Feb. 22-25 a short coastal route, Agua Verde and south. 4 riding days 3 nights camping. Beach camp, canyon camp, ranch camp. Alejo or a member of his family will guide the ride. Breakfasts and dinners included. BYOLunch. 3-4 spaces available. $595. Own transport to trail head in Agua Verde needed. 

Contact Trudi by February 16th. tourloreto@aol.com,  135-0557 hm, 613 100-8438 cell. Sometimes I'm away without signal, best to email or leave message on home phone.

Mule Rides in December!  The next 10 days… from the 6th to the 15th…. We’ll have 5 mules available at Bule’s or Rancho Viejo for day rides, goat cheese and ranch culture tours.
There is a new departure for a short Canyon Rock Art ride Dec. 18-21 at a special rate of $595 per person for the 4 day trip. (you drive or ride share on 17th to San Ignacio/San Francisco de la Sierra) Return to Loreto a.m. December 22nd .  Contact Trudi at tourloreto@aol.com or  613 100-8438 for more details.
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GRAB YOUR SOMBRERO and join us for a glimpse of traditional ranch life little changed since early Spanish settlement!  Let experienced guides take you into the spectacular mountains of OLD CALIFORNIA. Riding through colorful cactus garden valleys and into lush palm springs you’ll meet some of the wonderful local folks of the remote ranches of Baja.
Visit the renowned World Heritage Rock Art sites and famous roadless ranches, near the village of San Ignacio in the heart of the peninsula.
Since 1988 we’ve been running great trips for small groups in the outback desert - unique journeys into the heart of the sierra and its historical ranch culture. For nearly 300 years the only way to travel these mountains had been on horseback. It’s still the best!
Saddling South Dates:
YearDateLengthPriceDescription
2017November 20 - 245 days$900San Gregorio Ranch and Art
 December 10 - 189 days$1,700Painted Caves
 December 10 - 145 days$900Canyon Rock Art
2018January 10 - 189 days$1,700Painted Caves
 January 10 - 145 days$900Canyon Rock Art
 February 10 - 189 days$1,700Painted Caves
 February 10 - 145 days$900Canyon Rock Art
 February 19 - 257 days$1,350Art's 85th Birthday Coastal Ride
 March 7 - 159 days$1,700Painted Caves of Baja
 March 9 - 135 days$900Canyon Rock Art
 April 23 to May 19 days$1,800Painted Caves, all meals included
 April 23 - 275 days$1,000Canyon Rock Art, all meals included


Summer months - contact us for private tours.
CONTACT US
SADDLING SOUTH
P.O. Box 827
Calistoga, CA 94515

Contact Trudi in Mexico 011 52 1 613 100-8438 or 011 52 1 615 104-7967 I might answer in Spanish and switch to English!
TourLoreto at aol . com is my personal email 
Home phone in Mexico, with answering machine : 011 52 613 135-0557
To contact us regarding trip availability or any questions you may have, please enter your information and your questions below. Please note we no longer send brochures as the web content has much more detail and information. Send us a note... or If you are ready to make a reservation, please click here to complete our reservation form.

BCStories – And Bell Mare Productions (that would be Trudi) ask you to join us for an evening of premier video viewing from 6:30 to 8 pm. on Friday, Dec. 8th at the Loreto Bay Community Center.

BCStories are highlights of cultural and natural history shorts produced by Erik Stevens and by other artists. Erik’s artful eye and editing is both magical and meaningful as he shares amazing shots superbly rendered into short-film-stories. Other young Mexican artists are local documentalists with interest in the cultural history and conservation realm in Baja. Erik will be present to discuss highlights of the productions. Trudi will describe an historic documentary film, Dario’s Dream, and Antigua California Heritage Appreciation. Donations of three-figure-peso bills (or two-figure dollar bills)will be requested to support the documentary film, and other Cultural History Causes.

Trudi Angell      tourloreto@aol.com      SaddlingSouth.com      Reservation Form - Sign Me Up !
Mexican cels - 613 100-8438 or 615 104-7967       if dialing from a US phone - 011 52 1   before the number
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    • Cecilia Fischer
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  • Community News
    • Soar
    • Eco-Alianza
    • Ocean 71 Foundation
    • Ramon's Families
  • Puerto Escondido
  • Discover Baja
  • Update your info!