The Secret of the Saunter

“Do you know the origin of that word, ‘saunter?’ It’s a beautiful word. Away back in the Middle Ages, people used to go on pilgrimages to the Holy Land, and when people in the villages through which they passed asked where they were going, they would reply, ‘A la sainte terre,’ ‘To the Holy Land.’ And so they became known as sainte-terre-ers or saunterers. Now these mountains are our Holy Land, and we ought to saunter through them reverently, not ‘hike’ through them.

Now, whether the derivation of saunter Muir gave me is scientific or fanciful, is there not in it another parable? There are people who “hike” through life. They measure life in terms of money and amusement; they rush along the trail of life feverishly seeking to make a dollar or gratify an appetite. How much better to “saunter” along this trail of life, to measure it in terms of beauty and love and friendship! How much finer to take time to know and understand the men and women along the way, to stop a while and let the beauty of the sunset possess the soul, to listen to what the trees are saying and the songs of the birds, and to gather the fragrant little flowers that bloom all along the trail of life for those who have eyes to see!”

This “secret of the saunterer” that Albert Palmer reveals is something that we can all take to heart this summer. Our time here this session is already halfway over, but we can still savor every moment that remains. One of the best ways to saunter through camp is on the back of a horse!

The barn was leading trail rides today, and it was a beautiful sunny day to enjoy camp’s natural beauty. Miles S. was eager to get out on the trail, and had Buck all tacked up and ready. Jack W. was bringing Chester out to join them, and I asked if he had ever ridden him before. “It’s been a while, but I think I have,” he said. “I’ve probably ridden all the horses in camp by now, but I’ve ridden Pharaoh the most.” Elissa showed him how to lead Chester out of the stall and get him ready for the trail ride. Jack had just returned from a 3-day climbing trip, so he was probably looking forward to sitting back and enjoying a leisurely ride.

Jonathan D. was also at the barn, getting ready to ride Chance and practice his seated trot. He earned his Warrior in horseback last year, which is the highest level in the progressions. I asked if he had a favorite horse and he shrugged, struggling to pick just one. “I guess Stewey because I ride him a lot. But also Cinnamon, because his coloring looks like someone sprinkled powdered sugar on him.” Jonathan’s personality is mellow and even-keeled, but he prefers to ride horses that are more spirited. “I like them to have a little bit of a spark and personality,” he explained. “I can’t wait to return as a counselor soon. I’m 15, so it’s only 3 years away,” he added. We would be lucky to have Jonathan on staff!

Alex F. would also be riding in the ring with Jonathan, and was working on his Warrior progression. He was at the barn the period earlier doing ground progression work, and would be practicing his canter during this period. “I like working in the ring more than trail riding, because I like to work on my progressions,” he said. Alex rides western and english at home, and enjoys just being around the horses.