I don't get out and do as much backpacking as I'd like to. I doubt that most of us do. The real problem is that when I do get out I'm really not in the kind of shape I need to be to carry a 40 plus pound backpack over even a few miles of steep hillside trails. The last few times I've been out it's become increasingly apparent that I really need to lighten my load, but I really like bringing all my stuff so I knew I had to do something different. I can't justify buying all new gear to save a few pounds so I needed a complete "Paradigm Shift" in the way I approached my whole outlook on backpacking. I needed change the way I think about the weight I carry on the trail. I needed to do something really radical. But what?

I figured I'd start with some scientific research on how our historical counterparts carried all the weight they had when they were out exploring. If I found anything good, I'd try and see how I could improved on their methods with modern technology. I started by researching the old Spanish explorers that roamed around the Ozarks looking for silver and gold and what I found out astounded me... First, the old Spaniards took more stuff than me, and second, they didn't carry any of it. They had an amazing method for carrying all their gear. I realized that with just a few minor adjustments in my routine, I too could take all my gear and more with me... and I too wouldn't need to carry a single pound of it. All I needed was.... A Donkey to carry all my stuff.

I knew that selling my wife, Jackie, on the idea that I needed a donkey was going to be tough so I started doing some more scientific research on donkeys. I quickly learned that Donkeys were pretty cheap to keep, so I figured I could try and use that to my advantage. I kept researching and found that donkeys come in different sizes. I figured I didn't need a big donkey, I needed a little one, in fact, I figured the smaller the better. The trails here in the Ozarks can get pretty narrow, and I still wanted to go off trail. That would be hard with a horse, a mule, or even a big donkey. No, I figured I needed a little donkey, so I started scientifically researching that. I learned about a breed of donkeys that came to America from Cicely, they're called "Miniature Donkeys" now but they're really just small donkeys, not bred down like miniature horses.

On the breeders websites I visited next I learned that miniature donkeys are incredibly friendly, make great pack animals and can carry around 60-80 pounds, and that "You'll love them so much you'll want more than one." I also learned that miniature donkeys need to be shorter than 36 inches at the shoulder to be considered a real certifiable "Registered Miniature Donkey" and if they were even a little taller than that, they didn't fetch near as much money. That was another point I could use on Jackie... I'd tell her, "We can probably get a good deal because real certifiable miniature donkeys can cost thousands of dollars". I was looking at some pictures of them on the web and when I really-really looked at the first one I knew I hit the jackpot, these little critters are CUTE!! I immediately devised a plan.

Jackie loves critters, but she has her own taste in what critters she loves, so I had to be ready when she said, "You don't want a donkey, what you really want is a horse". I told her, "No, I want to walk the trails, not ride, and here, look at this picture of a miniature donkey with a pack saddle and panniers loaded with gear, is that little guy cute or what? And you know, my birthday's not long off."

A little black gelding named "Sabastian" at the first breeder we visited caught Jackie's eye. I was looking at a shy little yearling when she pointed him out to me. "Go over and get to know him. He's a good looking little guy. He's a two year old and ready to start training to carry a pack right now." I went over and took Sabastian's lead rope and started walking. He followed me, though he was a little hesitant, he must of figured I was okay. I figured I could charm the little guy, given enough time. Still, I kind of liked the little shy yearling I'd been looking at but I still had to convince Jackie to get a donkey, so I knew I needed to be flexible. I figured if she liked Sabastian that's who we'd end up with.

By the time my birthday rolled around Jackie told me "You don't want just one donkey. What you really want is a pair of miniature donkeys. You know, just one will get pretty lonely and I need a donkey too when I want to go hiking with you." So we ended up with a pair. Right now they're named "Sabastian", and "Jet". I'll let you know how it goes....

Kindest Regards,

--
Bill Stephenson