Git on My Camel Named Clyde, and Ride . . .

His name was Ty, not Clyde. But when I saw him standing in the lot with two other camels and a sign saying "Camel Rides," I knew I had to take advantage of the opportunity. Hubby Ron looked at me like I'd lost my mind. So did Ron's two brothers and their wives.

Will I be sorry if I don't? I asked myself. I mean, how often will I have the opportunity to ride a CAMEL? It's not like when I was a child waiting in line with the other neighborhood kids to ride Mr. Pony Man's pony, get my picture taken, beg my mom to fork over a few dollars. This was a real, honest-to-goodness, live CAMEL!

Ron and me riding Ty

Five minutes later I mounted Ty and sat in front of his one hump. Hubby climbed on behind the hump. Before we started, I "talked" to Ty. His ears perked up. He turned his head around to get a better look at me. I remembered what my animal communicator friend Karen Wrigley wrote about a wise camel she once met. (Karen's book, Beyond Woofs and Whinnies, will be published and available for purchase in two or three months. I read the first proof book. It's really good. Be sure to get a copy.)

Of course, we weren't allowed to ride unassisted, even though I never doubted that Ty would behave himself. Chris, one of the attendants, led Ty around a ring for a ride no longer than the ones Mr. Pony Man used to give. And I loved it! It wasn't exactly comfortable, but if we'd had time I'd have gone around again. And then I'd have traded places with Ron and gone around a third time!

Chris leading Ty

After dismounting, I stroked Ty's neck and the thick hair on top of his head. I got the impression he enjoyed it, liked having a customer tell him how special he was, liked that a tourist cared about him. And I did care about him. I still do.

Ron dismounting. You can't see me; I'm talking to Ty.

So are you wondering where I was when I met Ty? My husband, his brothers and sisters-in-law and I were vacationing in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, for a week. We'd heard about the musical performance "The Miracle," which depicts Christ's life, crucifixion and resurrection. Live camels and a donkey were part of this incredible performance. My favorite camel was, of course, Ty.