October 4th was an amazing day on Blue Point, just west of Excelsior. Thank you, Fran Cole, for organizing this fun ride, and for loaning me your sweet horse Grace, who was amazing, and very patient. Over twenty contestants and almost as many volunteers rode across the historic hydraulic diggings down to the salmon spawning beds at the Yuba River. We answered tricky questions and there was even a brief talent show. I rode as the Phantom of the Grand Ole Opry, and we raised some good money for the Bear Yuba Land Trust. Hopefully 2016 will be the year we can permanently protect this amazing property.