Beschreibung
Jones, Johnny (1994). Following the bells – Traveling high Sierra Wilderness Trails. 106 Seiten. ISBN 978-0964005808
Mules and horses were a part of Johnny Jones‘ life since early childhood. Long before he entered high school, he started following the long ears riding a mower and rake cutting alfalfa on the family farm. In the 60-plus years that followed, Jones, who sometimes was called „Jackass Johnny“ in school, became widely known as one of the leading High Sierra guides and packers, a respected mule judge and breeder of world champion performance and racing mules. Johnny died July 25, 1993 as the writing phase of this book was getting well under way. Based on a series of tape-recorded interviews conducted over a span of nearly three years, this is his story about his beloved Sierra and the years when the bells of a mule train or grazing livestock were his favorite music. I wish to express my deep appreciation to his family for its support and encouragement and the use of family photographs. Most helpful were several of Johnny’s friends, especially Wayne Tex of Bishop. Wayne was 12 years old in 1953, when Johnny first established his own independent pack station at Mugler Meadow. Wayne started working for Johnny that year and stayed until Johnny sold out. Wayne provided important photos and accounts of experiences he shared with Johnny. Bob Barrett of Hornitos, Yosemite packer, poet, teacher and author, also helped to keep me straight on horsemanship and the back country. Western Outdoor Artist Keith Soward was most generous, drawing the cover art and the winter roundup. Cat Denning of Coarsegold also offered artwork and Mike Jones of Ponderosa Printing provided layout advice and desktop publishing services. Yosemite Park Historian Jim Snyder, a veteran trail builder, gave welcome historical and editorial advice. Two good friends, Earlene Ward, editor of the Sierra Star, and Mary Snyder of Bass Lake performed valuable service in proof reading the manuscript, and the Coarsegold Historical Society provided photos and information from its interviews with Johnny. I am indebted to all of you. Dwight H. Barnes January, 1994.
