A dozen trail riding clubs have begun their annual trek to the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo.

In many ways they are preserving history.

"What they want to do is just kind of keep the tradition going of trail rides and just ... roughing it! " said Teri Shelton, planner for the Greater Randolph Area Trail Riders.

The riders had stopped to rest near a cemetery on FM 482.

Riding in one of these rides can sound romantic at times, but at times it is not easy.

"Its amazing! That they're out in the rain and the sleet and its cold and they're on the trail for seven days. That's a long time, " Shelton said.

This trail ride is much more than preserving the ways of the Old West. It's about giving back to the community -- both young and old.

"We just came back from visiting three nursing homes. That's one of the most satisfying things that this club does. Visiting with each of those people. Sharing with them, and then they open up about their horse experiences and so on and so forth," said Assistant Trail Boss Ken Lightle.

"The little kids in San Marcos who come up and just want to touch a horse," said Lightle, "There's a lot of people like that on this ride. They want to give back their dreams to the little ones."

After a quick lunch and some time to water their horses, the riders went back on the trail to share those dreams again.