Can't believe a week has flown by. Wonder if the rest of the trip will go that way?
So far, good traveling. Monday and Wednesday were particularly hard with strong winds and wind gusts of 30 mph. Today - same thing, except stronger gusts.. You just have to pay attention and drive slow. My fuel consumption has dropped from around high 13 to about 10 right now.. Mostly due to the wind.
Buddy is traveling fine.. What is going in, is going out.. in mass quantities.
Charlie is happy, we are in an enclosed area so I took him off his leash for awhile (with permission).
So far, all 3 of us are getting along fine except for when I have to load Buddy and he wants to stay where he is..
We are all still speaking to each other.
Had a great time riding at the Grasslands with Jonni and Bill. Stayed 2 nights at a very nice Bed and Barn.
Today, I'm outside of Amarillo, headed to the Springer, New Mexico area. I'll stay there a bit, then on to Farmington, New Mexico for my next competition.
Let's see what challenges this wind brings me..
For those interested in the Techy stuff like how far I go on each leg, how often I stop and my mpg etc.. I'll post that later this week.
Check out the fish.. see if you can see which one is the new one.. Probably need fed too.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Sunday, April 3, 2011
In Texas..
Just completed the Tarrant Ranch CTR this evening. Had a good weekend riding with old friends (Alice) and new friends.. Barbie, Candy, Linda, and Christa.. Saw lots of people I "talk" to on different chat groups and some I hadn't seen for years. Saw 2 of my fellow Appaloosa Distance Riders, Bill and Julie..
I had a nice and uneventful trip coming from Pryor, Oklahoma. Had rain for about a couple of hours then, nice sunshine.. I must have gone the long way as 325 miles took me 9 hours, with stops.
Buddy didn't travel well. He had not eaten or drank in in Ok. Worried about his new roommates, there trying to eat him, I guess.
When I unloaded him at the ride site Thursday afternoon, he hadn't pooped in the trailer at all. For those non horse people reading this, that's a sign that a horse is stressed. It's never good to take a stressed, dehydrated horse out and ask them to do hard work. Never a happy ending there.
So pulling out all I have learned on taking care of Endurance and CTR horses, I dived in and got him
re hydrated and much happier. We had all day Friday to make sure he felt well, and I asked my friends on different distance horse related "chat lists" if they thought I should "follow my gut" and compete at the lower stress level. Most people agreed with my gut too.. Funny how that works.
So he went slower and shorter (miles per hour and total mileage). He was tired on Saturday (it was really HOT) and today he was so perky, he was pulling on me to get back to camp. We finished, but didn't get any ribbons, however, he didn't lose any points for being unsound (lame) and no metabolic issues.. Hooray.
Now I'm making plans to go to an area of Texas called the LBJ Grasslands to meet up with my friend Jonni and ride there with her on Tuesday.. I'm hoping the weather cooperates and the high winds die down, it's supposed to storm and have high winds tomorrow. I know they need the rain here, so let's hope it's just showers.
Then off to New Mexico.
Disclaimer: I will admit to a major anxiety attack and wanting to have my head examined on the Tuesday before I left.. But- so far, I'm having a great time and don't plan to go home anytime soon..
Feed the fish!
I had a nice and uneventful trip coming from Pryor, Oklahoma. Had rain for about a couple of hours then, nice sunshine.. I must have gone the long way as 325 miles took me 9 hours, with stops.
Buddy didn't travel well. He had not eaten or drank in in Ok. Worried about his new roommates, there trying to eat him, I guess.
When I unloaded him at the ride site Thursday afternoon, he hadn't pooped in the trailer at all. For those non horse people reading this, that's a sign that a horse is stressed. It's never good to take a stressed, dehydrated horse out and ask them to do hard work. Never a happy ending there.
So pulling out all I have learned on taking care of Endurance and CTR horses, I dived in and got him
re hydrated and much happier. We had all day Friday to make sure he felt well, and I asked my friends on different distance horse related "chat lists" if they thought I should "follow my gut" and compete at the lower stress level. Most people agreed with my gut too.. Funny how that works.
So he went slower and shorter (miles per hour and total mileage). He was tired on Saturday (it was really HOT) and today he was so perky, he was pulling on me to get back to camp. We finished, but didn't get any ribbons, however, he didn't lose any points for being unsound (lame) and no metabolic issues.. Hooray.
Now I'm making plans to go to an area of Texas called the LBJ Grasslands to meet up with my friend Jonni and ride there with her on Tuesday.. I'm hoping the weather cooperates and the high winds die down, it's supposed to storm and have high winds tomorrow. I know they need the rain here, so let's hope it's just showers.
Then off to New Mexico.
Disclaimer: I will admit to a major anxiety attack and wanting to have my head examined on the Tuesday before I left.. But- so far, I'm having a great time and don't plan to go home anytime soon..
Feed the fish!
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
On the Trail
Finally, I made it out of my drive way, trailer in tow, dog in the back seat and horse in the trailer. Unfortunately, the inside of my living quarters looks like a episode of "Hoarders".
I had an uneventful drive, which is always nice
I'm in Pryor, Oklahoma which is almost exactly 300 miles from my house. I'm staying with an Endurance Riding friend.. Buddy is learning about "new friends". He was exposed to 2 goats and a miniture pig upon arrival. After he unloaded from the trailer, he got lots of exercise trembling, snorting and spinning in circles. He is in a stall now and can't seem to keep his eyes off of his "new friends". It's because he thinks they will eat him.
Lexi, Rich and I went for Mexican food tonight. Pretty yummy stuff. I was quite the party pooper, as as soon as we got back I went and fed Buddy, walked Charlie and said I was going to the trailer, I've been sorting and arranging things and making the bed. Can't anyone find an easier way to put on sheets on a bed in the nose of a gooseneck?
Tomorrow, I head into Texas to the Tarrant Ranch Ride site. But we go to breakfast first.. First things first.. and part of seeing the country is seeing it from the inside of local eating establishments I always say.
Hey wasn't I going to lose 30 pounds while I'm on this adventure? Hmmmm
Night all, don't forget to feed the fish...
I had an uneventful drive, which is always nice
I'm in Pryor, Oklahoma which is almost exactly 300 miles from my house. I'm staying with an Endurance Riding friend.. Buddy is learning about "new friends". He was exposed to 2 goats and a miniture pig upon arrival. After he unloaded from the trailer, he got lots of exercise trembling, snorting and spinning in circles. He is in a stall now and can't seem to keep his eyes off of his "new friends". It's because he thinks they will eat him.
Lexi, Rich and I went for Mexican food tonight. Pretty yummy stuff. I was quite the party pooper, as as soon as we got back I went and fed Buddy, walked Charlie and said I was going to the trailer, I've been sorting and arranging things and making the bed. Can't anyone find an easier way to put on sheets on a bed in the nose of a gooseneck?
Tomorrow, I head into Texas to the Tarrant Ranch Ride site. But we go to breakfast first.. First things first.. and part of seeing the country is seeing it from the inside of local eating establishments I always say.
Hey wasn't I going to lose 30 pounds while I'm on this adventure? Hmmmm
Night all, don't forget to feed the fish...
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Less than 1 week to blast off!
Wow, time flies while you procrastinate. I have less than a week until I leave. Still making progress in getting ready.
Seems like yesterday, my emotions changed from feeling stressed and overwhelmed to being excited and looking forward to finishing all the packing and prep work and hitting the road.
I've gotten the trailer and truck worked on and ready to go. Lowell added some storage drawers in my kitchen cabinets which will really help with storage. Betty helped me clean the bathroom. She made the shower shine, it hasn't been that clean since I bought it. (should I admit that?)
Granddaughter Lena came over and spent the day on Saturday. She wanted to ride Rebel and tell him goodbye. We rode around the neighborhood until the thunder made us stop.
Sunday, I met Lisa and Diane and we rode on a glorious early spring day enjoying the trails at Rudolph Bennett, south of Moberly, Mo. The trails are all weather and sustainable, great to ride there any time of the year. I took Rebel with me and Lisa took him back to the barn she boards at. So Buddy came home all alone.
I was pretty sad watching Buddy look for his friends, horses are such herd animals.. He whinnied and looked everywhere he could for them. Then he came over to me and wanted me to scratch him. Hopefully he will figure out that Charlie and I will be his herd for right now. As long as he thinks I'm the boss mare we'll do fine.
I have my first stop planned out. I'm staying overnight in Pryor, Oklahoma with Alexis Jones. She is an OCER member and an Endurance riding friend.
A new adventure has been added, I am going to Fairbanks, Alaska in July. Sue Flag is going to judge a NATRC ride and I'm going to go with her. I'll be able to compete a horse offered to me by the ride manager Laurie Knutilla. We plan to spend 2 weeks up there. That will be a huge blast!
I couldn't do this trip without all of the support and offers of places to stay, or horses to ride. My NATRC friends and Endurance friends are such good folks and kind and generous friends. Thanks guys.. you all keep me going!
Next time I post, let's see how far I've gotten on the packing.. anyone want to lay any bets?
By the way, I've updated my map, for those of you who want to follow the trip visually.
Seems like yesterday, my emotions changed from feeling stressed and overwhelmed to being excited and looking forward to finishing all the packing and prep work and hitting the road.
I've gotten the trailer and truck worked on and ready to go. Lowell added some storage drawers in my kitchen cabinets which will really help with storage. Betty helped me clean the bathroom. She made the shower shine, it hasn't been that clean since I bought it. (should I admit that?)
Granddaughter Lena came over and spent the day on Saturday. She wanted to ride Rebel and tell him goodbye. We rode around the neighborhood until the thunder made us stop.
Sunday, I met Lisa and Diane and we rode on a glorious early spring day enjoying the trails at Rudolph Bennett, south of Moberly, Mo. The trails are all weather and sustainable, great to ride there any time of the year. I took Rebel with me and Lisa took him back to the barn she boards at. So Buddy came home all alone.
I was pretty sad watching Buddy look for his friends, horses are such herd animals.. He whinnied and looked everywhere he could for them. Then he came over to me and wanted me to scratch him. Hopefully he will figure out that Charlie and I will be his herd for right now. As long as he thinks I'm the boss mare we'll do fine.
I have my first stop planned out. I'm staying overnight in Pryor, Oklahoma with Alexis Jones. She is an OCER member and an Endurance riding friend.
A new adventure has been added, I am going to Fairbanks, Alaska in July. Sue Flag is going to judge a NATRC ride and I'm going to go with her. I'll be able to compete a horse offered to me by the ride manager Laurie Knutilla. We plan to spend 2 weeks up there. That will be a huge blast!
I couldn't do this trip without all of the support and offers of places to stay, or horses to ride. My NATRC friends and Endurance friends are such good folks and kind and generous friends. Thanks guys.. you all keep me going!
Next time I post, let's see how far I've gotten on the packing.. anyone want to lay any bets?
By the way, I've updated my map, for those of you who want to follow the trip visually.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Counting down.. 2 weeks and counting
I have 2 weeks before I leave on the "Great Adventure". My plans currently are to leave on March 29th or 30th to go to a NATRC ride in Bullard, Texas. From there, on to visit a friend in Miami, New Mexico before going on to the next NATRC ride in Farmington, New Mexico.
Bullard is about 640 miles from my house. I want to drive about 6 -7 hours a day, so will look for an overnight spot.
I plan to start out for New Mexico on Monday after the Texas ride. I'm going to Susie Jones' home which is near Miami, New Mexico. That leg is about 700 miles, so another overnight location will need to be nailed down. From Susie's, I'll go on to the Farmington, New Mexico area for the NATRC ride. That's a short haul, around 350 miles. So no overnight stop on that leg.
I was able to ride Buddy for the first time on Saturday. Only got 6 miles in, but really wanted to see how I would do with hooking up the trailer, loading and unloading the horse and tacking up. All of that went well, considering my wrist is still healing.
Right now, I'm filled with a mixture of emotions, excited to leave, worried I won't be prepared in time (I'm a hell of a procrastinator), thinking of all the bad things that could happen, but then so looking forward to riding in new places and visiting friends and family. I have an Uncle, Aunt and cousins in Portland, Oregon who I'd like to see when I go to the ride in Washington.
So far, I'm planning on competing in Texas, New Mexico, Northern and Southern California and Washington. There is a NATRC ride near Fairbanks, Alaska, perhaps I could find someone to loan me a trusty mount? I've looked up how far that ride is from Auburn, California and it's 3600 miles one way. That helped me make up my mind about loading up Charlie and Buddy and heading north to Alaska.. (Which isn't gonna happen).
Today was a busy day, getting my trailer back from the repair shop, I had preventative maintenance and only 1 repair done. Lowell and I got the water lines un-winterized and Lowell began installing some slide out drawers to improve my storage in the kitchen area.
Thursday is a day set aside for major trailer interior cleaning, then repacking and restocking. I know everyday from now on will be completely focused on getting ready to go and telling friends and family "see you", it's not good bye, it's just "see ya later"
On that note.. I'll believe I'll close and "see ya later" Don't forget to feed my fish..
Bullard is about 640 miles from my house. I want to drive about 6 -7 hours a day, so will look for an overnight spot.
I plan to start out for New Mexico on Monday after the Texas ride. I'm going to Susie Jones' home which is near Miami, New Mexico. That leg is about 700 miles, so another overnight location will need to be nailed down. From Susie's, I'll go on to the Farmington, New Mexico area for the NATRC ride. That's a short haul, around 350 miles. So no overnight stop on that leg.
I was able to ride Buddy for the first time on Saturday. Only got 6 miles in, but really wanted to see how I would do with hooking up the trailer, loading and unloading the horse and tacking up. All of that went well, considering my wrist is still healing.
Right now, I'm filled with a mixture of emotions, excited to leave, worried I won't be prepared in time (I'm a hell of a procrastinator), thinking of all the bad things that could happen, but then so looking forward to riding in new places and visiting friends and family. I have an Uncle, Aunt and cousins in Portland, Oregon who I'd like to see when I go to the ride in Washington.
So far, I'm planning on competing in Texas, New Mexico, Northern and Southern California and Washington. There is a NATRC ride near Fairbanks, Alaska, perhaps I could find someone to loan me a trusty mount? I've looked up how far that ride is from Auburn, California and it's 3600 miles one way. That helped me make up my mind about loading up Charlie and Buddy and heading north to Alaska.. (Which isn't gonna happen).
Today was a busy day, getting my trailer back from the repair shop, I had preventative maintenance and only 1 repair done. Lowell and I got the water lines un-winterized and Lowell began installing some slide out drawers to improve my storage in the kitchen area.
Thursday is a day set aside for major trailer interior cleaning, then repacking and restocking. I know everyday from now on will be completely focused on getting ready to go and telling friends and family "see you", it's not good bye, it's just "see ya later"
On that note.. I'll believe I'll close and "see ya later" Don't forget to feed my fish..
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Back on Track
I am back on track and making plans to "make tracks".
But first, after writing a few posts, I have come to realize not everyone who reads this actually knows who I am. So I guess a small "back story" is called for. So here it is
Who am I? A 50ish, single woman who has had horses (mostly Appaloosas) since her early 20's. I was spoiled as a child and shared a pony with my Sister for a few years. I got my first horse (an Appaloosa) as a college graduation present from my first husband. I had this horse for 28 years.. he outlasted 2 husbands and numerous boyfriends. It was hard to lose him, when he had been the only constant in my life.
Since then I've had four other horses. Right now I'm down to two; Buddy, who is a gaited Appaloosa and Rebel, a BLM Mustang who has been a mount for the granddaughters. Buddy will be the horse I am taking with me to California.
Currently, I'm single, not due to choice, but due to circumstance, my second husband was a great guy who wasn't "into" horses, but who supported my addiction. He was killed in an accident when a Semi Truck hit another car and pushed that car into the path of my husband's car. That happened going on 14 years ago. I guess I could have remarried, but I sure haven't found anyone who has really "fit the bill". I think as I get older I get much pickier. Being single has certainly made it easier to decide to pick up and go to California.
Why go to California? It's funny, but that is really a question people ask me with a funny tone in their voice.. Kind of like I'm crazy for wanting to "go out there". I've been to California on several occasions, once on a family vacation (just think of the National Lampoon's Family Vacation movie, except add in a side trip to Haight Ashbury to "look at the Hippies" ). Other occasions have been for vacation, a work meeting, and distance riding conventions. I have gone to attempt the Tevis and on another occasion to "coach" 3 NATRC riders when they attempted the Tevis.
Each and every time, I get to California, especially the San Francisco/ Sacramento/Auburn area, I feel like "I need to be here". It's just a feeling, I can't explain. So I'm going to go and see how long that feeling lasts.
What will I do when I get there? Ride horses, compete in NATRC competitions, maybe some Endurance rides and visit friends. I'm hauling out in my goose neck horse trailer that has a good sized living quarters, so I'll just live in the trailer. I am so blessed to have several friends who have agreed to "take me in". As the kids say.. I'm 'couch surfing". I'm just bringing my couch with me.
Who is going with me? It's just going to be me, Buddy and Charlie. Buddy is a 16 year old gaited Appaloosa, who was given to me by my niece, since he was so spoiled she was not comfortable riding him.
He is really fun to ride, and I offer him back to my niece on a regular basis, now that I have him"broke".
But he is a tank.. a BIG horse 16 hands and weighs a bunch.. he has never found anything he doesn't like to eat. My sister said when she had him they used to call him Hoover.. since he ate everything in sight.
Charlie is a 12 year old Sharpei mix. He is one of those "one person" dogs who seems to tolerate most people, but really isn't interested in anyone other than me. He's not one to go up and wag his tail and lick your face. Being a Sharpei mix, he is fierce looking, but harmless. He is also heartbroken when he doesn't get to go with me. I know he would miss me, and he's getting so old.. so he's going too.
Who is going to take care of your place? I am blessed to have my late husband's older (not oldest sister) and her husband offer to stay here and take care of things. Luckily, they have a flexible living situation, so they are ok with the open ended nature of my plans to return home.
Any more questions?
By the way.. on my Google Map I added in the new rides I plan to attend on the way out.
But first, after writing a few posts, I have come to realize not everyone who reads this actually knows who I am. So I guess a small "back story" is called for. So here it is
Who am I? A 50ish, single woman who has had horses (mostly Appaloosas) since her early 20's. I was spoiled as a child and shared a pony with my Sister for a few years. I got my first horse (an Appaloosa) as a college graduation present from my first husband. I had this horse for 28 years.. he outlasted 2 husbands and numerous boyfriends. It was hard to lose him, when he had been the only constant in my life.
Since then I've had four other horses. Right now I'm down to two; Buddy, who is a gaited Appaloosa and Rebel, a BLM Mustang who has been a mount for the granddaughters. Buddy will be the horse I am taking with me to California.
Currently, I'm single, not due to choice, but due to circumstance, my second husband was a great guy who wasn't "into" horses, but who supported my addiction. He was killed in an accident when a Semi Truck hit another car and pushed that car into the path of my husband's car. That happened going on 14 years ago. I guess I could have remarried, but I sure haven't found anyone who has really "fit the bill". I think as I get older I get much pickier. Being single has certainly made it easier to decide to pick up and go to California.
Why go to California? It's funny, but that is really a question people ask me with a funny tone in their voice.. Kind of like I'm crazy for wanting to "go out there". I've been to California on several occasions, once on a family vacation (just think of the National Lampoon's Family Vacation movie, except add in a side trip to Haight Ashbury to "look at the Hippies" ). Other occasions have been for vacation, a work meeting, and distance riding conventions. I have gone to attempt the Tevis and on another occasion to "coach" 3 NATRC riders when they attempted the Tevis.
Each and every time, I get to California, especially the San Francisco/ Sacramento/Auburn area, I feel like "I need to be here". It's just a feeling, I can't explain. So I'm going to go and see how long that feeling lasts.
What will I do when I get there? Ride horses, compete in NATRC competitions, maybe some Endurance rides and visit friends. I'm hauling out in my goose neck horse trailer that has a good sized living quarters, so I'll just live in the trailer. I am so blessed to have several friends who have agreed to "take me in". As the kids say.. I'm 'couch surfing". I'm just bringing my couch with me.
Who is going with me? It's just going to be me, Buddy and Charlie. Buddy is a 16 year old gaited Appaloosa, who was given to me by my niece, since he was so spoiled she was not comfortable riding him.
He is really fun to ride, and I offer him back to my niece on a regular basis, now that I have him"broke".
But he is a tank.. a BIG horse 16 hands and weighs a bunch.. he has never found anything he doesn't like to eat. My sister said when she had him they used to call him Hoover.. since he ate everything in sight.
Charlie is a 12 year old Sharpei mix. He is one of those "one person" dogs who seems to tolerate most people, but really isn't interested in anyone other than me. He's not one to go up and wag his tail and lick your face. Being a Sharpei mix, he is fierce looking, but harmless. He is also heartbroken when he doesn't get to go with me. I know he would miss me, and he's getting so old.. so he's going too.
Who is going to take care of your place? I am blessed to have my late husband's older (not oldest sister) and her husband offer to stay here and take care of things. Luckily, they have a flexible living situation, so they are ok with the open ended nature of my plans to return home.
Any more questions?
By the way.. on my Google Map I added in the new rides I plan to attend on the way out.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Kinda Bummed -- Trip is postponed
Well, I haven't blogged for way too long. I've been unhappy about not being able to leave on my trip when I planned. I broke my wrist slipping and falling on ice the Saturday before Christmas.
I had planned on leaving here the 25th or so of February. Now I have a Doctor's appointment on Feb. 22 and I was told not to lift anything heavy (over 5 pounds) until I saw the Dr,. so I'm doing as much preparation work as I can.
The main issue is my broken wrist, and the need to be careful and to let it heal. Besides, it's not working very well. My hope was unrealistic to say the least, I had hoped that the cast would come off and I'd be at 100%. Just call me Pollyanna.
The weather is also not cooperating. We have had snow on the ground for weeks. Last week I was snow bound for 6 days, still have snow on the ground with ice underneath.. 17 1/2 inches of snow, plus another 2 -3 on Friday night. I need to get my truck into the shop for some work as well as the trailer, there is no way to get the truck and trailer out of the snow, so all that will have to wait until the spring thaw. (Much less hook it up)
So my plans have changed, I revised my Google map tonight..sadly so. I'll miss the ride in Texas and Arizona..
Hopefully, I'll be able to hit the road by the end of March. Not sure, everything is pretty much up in the air.
Next post will be the story behind the story.. why I'm choosing to leave a perfectly good house to live in a horse trailer in California.
I had planned on leaving here the 25th or so of February. Now I have a Doctor's appointment on Feb. 22 and I was told not to lift anything heavy (over 5 pounds) until I saw the Dr,. so I'm doing as much preparation work as I can.
The main issue is my broken wrist, and the need to be careful and to let it heal. Besides, it's not working very well. My hope was unrealistic to say the least, I had hoped that the cast would come off and I'd be at 100%. Just call me Pollyanna.
The weather is also not cooperating. We have had snow on the ground for weeks. Last week I was snow bound for 6 days, still have snow on the ground with ice underneath.. 17 1/2 inches of snow, plus another 2 -3 on Friday night. I need to get my truck into the shop for some work as well as the trailer, there is no way to get the truck and trailer out of the snow, so all that will have to wait until the spring thaw. (Much less hook it up)
So my plans have changed, I revised my Google map tonight..sadly so. I'll miss the ride in Texas and Arizona..
Hopefully, I'll be able to hit the road by the end of March. Not sure, everything is pretty much up in the air.
Next post will be the story behind the story.. why I'm choosing to leave a perfectly good house to live in a horse trailer in California.
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