Escapees November-December 2023

camping chair chat

September/October Cover We always enjoy the clear layout and informative articles in Escapees Magazine, and the current September/October issue is no exception. However, we are concerned about the cover, which shows an RV perched over a double yellow line on a public high way, and hope that appropriate safety measures were taken for the photo shoot. A note in the “On the Cover” description would have been reassuring. Mike and Donna Lane #167844

Most of the Grand Canyon mules are from farms in Tennessee and Wyoming and are saddle-broke when purchased. They range from about 900 to 1,800 pounds. They are trained and tested for the jobs of packing supplies or being mounts for tourists on the mule rides. There are about 200 mules at the Grand Canyon, but not all are used for mule rides. Some are needed for packing supplies in and out of the canyon. A staff of wranglers cares for and feeds the mules, and acts as guides for the riders year round. During the winter, weather permitting, the tourist rides continue, but the mules wear special shoes with grippers that prevent sliding on ice or snow. The mules selected for tourist rides are fi ttedwith special, hand-crafted saddles that feature a high cantle and a larger horn than most saddles—features that help even inexperienced or novice riders achieve a more comfortable ride, especially when descending the trails of the canyon. If all this sounds like a fun adventure for you, be aware that the mule trips are very popular and there is often a waiting list of a year or more for the rim and inner canyon rides, so plan far in advance. Currently, the inner canyon/Phantom Ranch ride is so popular that a lottery has been established to choose riders. However, if you are among the lucky ones to venture into the Grand Canyon or along its rim aboard a mule, you will be amazed at not only the canyon’s beauty, but the ability and intelligence of your partner mule! Dr. Stephenie Slahor, Guest Contributor

To those who may have been concerned about the positioning of the truck and trailer on the cover of the September/October issue, below is clari fi ca tion from the contributor assuring us that the photo was staged with safety in mind. We would

never want to encourage RVers to drive in an unsafe manner or put other drivers in danger while staging a photo shoot. Editor Safety is always our fi rst priority and there were no other drivers or vehicles on the road coming in either direction. We use walkie talkies when driving and drive a second vehicle for our travels. I drove ahead and pulled completely off the road in a pull-off area and took the picture within seconds. No traf fi c was on the roadway and in no way was anyone’s safety put in jeopardy or any other drivers in danger or inconvenienced. Tarah Wisser #177268

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November/December 2023 ESCAPEES Magazine