Holiday Cheer! Ramona Trails Association Annual Christmas Caroling Ride & Hike
By Tiffany Watkins

A family enjoys the festivities at last years Ride & Hike. Photos by Della Stevens

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way.

This is just one of the songs that horseback riders, bicyclists and hikers will be singing at the Ramona Trails Association Annual Christmas Caroling Ride and Hike at 2 p.m. Sunday,

Dec. 17.

"There are no rehearsals, but be sure to bring your best singing voices," Arvie Degenfelder, administrative assistant for the Ramona Trails Association said. All non-motorized participants are encouraged to gather at the staging area on the dirt roads of "The Acres" on Vermont Street, between Rotanzi and Kalbaugh, which is between Mike's Liquor and Sears.

"The Christmas Caroling Ride and Hike is like an unwrapped Christmas package," said Degenfelder. "You don't know who will show up."

In years past, participants have brought beautifully decorated carriages, llamas packed with presents, and dogs and horses dressed in holiday attire.

Arvie Degenfelder, Administrative Assistant for the Ramona Trails Association.

Riders and hikers will not be lost for words because each participant will be given a song sheet. The Christmas song lineup consists of "Jingle Bells," "Winter Wonderland" and "First Nowell," just to name a few.

According to Degenfelder, participants only need to bring themselves and their holiday spirit. She encourages people to dress up in holiday attire, which can be as simple as putting tinsel on your cowboy hat or as extravagant as dressing up as Santa Claus or his elves.

Hilaire Williams, Ramona Trails Association member, said the event is special because it gets the horse community together and brings back the caroling tradition of the holiday. She added that it would be best to wear good shoes and to bring a jacket or sweater in case it gets cold.

"This event is like turning back the clock to a slower time," Degenfelder said. The riders and hikers will be singing along as they tour through a residential area that is all on dirt roads.

The Ramona Trails Association will award a first and second place prize for the best holiday-dressed participants.

"It's a little bit social," Degenfelder said. After the ride and hike, which will last a couple of hours, the group will meet back at the staging area for cookies and hot drinks.

Guests are also welcome to bring goodies to share, but it's not mandatory. For more information on the Ramona Trails Annual Christmas Caroling Ride and Hike, contact Arvie or her husband, John Degenfelder, who is the chairperson of the Ramona Trails Association at 760-789-1716.