Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Caleb Zwahlen, Tour guide, .
11/01/2025
I love this picture captured of me and Little Joe. I have developed a relationship with this mule like I never thought possible and through our relationship he has taught me so much. I got him almost a year ago, and catching him and loading him into the trailer was no easy feat—he was wild. Many people told me I was crazy for taking him in, and some even suggested his best use would be as bear bait. It’s easy to give up on animals or people and send them down the road when they don’t meet our expectations or hurt us. I am guilty of this.
Last month, I almost traded him in for another horse, but I’ve always believed in him and felt like I should give him a little more time felt like he deserved another chance. Despite the challenges—he’s bucked me off, ruined saddles, and taken off like a wild cheetah into the wilderness, scattering everything in his path, he has hurt me. He’s made me angry and he has let me down but I refused to give up on him.
For a while, I tried to make him into something he wasn’t, labeling him a pack mule. But once I let go of my expectations and showed him grace, I realized he was born to be a riding mule. With hardly any training, just building trust, I got on him—and he was incredible. Now, we’re out on trail rides, running full speed ba****ck, and enjoying joyrides in the mountains I even guided a trail ride with him.
Little Joe has taught me that everyone has potential. The strongest, most special relationships are built through hardships, and we should never stop loving each other or give up when people/animals do us wrong. John 13:34 says, “Love each other as I have loved you.” I’ve been hurt, called a failure, and had my heart broken. But it’s the people who believe in you and love you unconditionally that help you through.
Let’s try to be those people who love like Jesus—unconditionally, even when it’s hard.
