Had planned on riding today, but ended up having to run out to do some shopping and other errands and chores and ran out of time.
Archives for 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011 – Work Day
June 23, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Spent the day on the computer trying to make arrangements for our various requirements in July in upstate New York, and doing chores around the house. Otherwise a rare ordinary day.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011 – Ride Day at Cedarville SP
June 22, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Slept late again, which was much needed, then had breakfast and headed out on the trail. I’ve read good things on the internet about the trails here, so our expectations were high, and I have to say, we weren’t disappointed! The trails are mostly dirt with a few pebbled areas, numerous bridges and boardwalks over streams and muddy areas, excellent trail markings, and my Trailsource map was accurate, though there are a number of unmarked trails and roads that go off the marked trails (fodder for another day’s ride, though that day may be on future trip here). We took the Orange Trail counter clockwise to the White Trail loop, then a short bit up the Blue trail back to the Orange and back to the camp. Did some nice jogging, trying to continue to improve our horses’ conditioning. Loved, loved, loved the trails, really enjoyed the day. This place is a well-kept secret that deserves more notice!Monday, June 20, 2011 – Rest Day
June 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Slept late, napped in the afternoon, did little today except get registered for the week, the result of a lengthy and (at last) positive conversation with the local manager, who had to clear it with HIS boss before agreeing to honor the senior discount, at least for the weekdays. Everything else was a mundane day, just what we needed to recharge our batteries. Looking forward to a ride tomorrow!
Sunday, June 19, 2011 – Travel Day to Cedarville State Forest
June 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Up bright and early, got out in a flash this morning, anxious to get back into a shady forest before the temps get too high. Had to stop at a Walmart in Clinton, MD to get a prescription filled, did a little shopping, had lunch at the McDonalds there, then went shopping at the Safeway up the street. Stopped once for gas in the generator tanks, then finally got into the park around 4:00. Contrary to what I had been told on the phone the week before, which was that reservations weren’t necessary because the equestrian campground was empty, the woman ranger that found us about to drive past the closed ranger station said the campgrounds are kept locked unless they’re expecting someone, once again compounding the feeling of being a criminal until proven otherwise. Anyway, she was nice enough to open up and get us registered, though I only paid for one night because she didn’t want to honor Hubby’s senior rate, and their normal charge was a bit higher than we had expected, particularly since they don’t really have any amenities here. No electric, and the only outlet for water was at the dump station (which was brown, despite assurances it was potable), and from the bath house, which required every hose we had to reach. No horse facilities, we just highlined them on a couple of trees. The place was empty, though it doesn’t take a genius to figure out why. Have read in a few places on the internet that the trails here are good, so we’re looking forward to checking those out soon. Hoping a converation with the head honcho tomorrow will yield a suitable discount, all things considered.Saturday, June 18, 2011 – Travel Day back to Maryland
June 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment
This time our town car showed up on time, having been arranged through the concierge at the Embassy, and we made it in plenty of time. Didn’t need a meal after our breakfast at the hotel, just got a cup of coffee before flying back to National. Good to be out of the heat, though it was starting to warm up a bit here, too. Picked up the dogs (our sitter had already fallen in love with them, she seemed inordinately sad to see them go), arrived back and visited with the horses, who had obviously enjoyed the big field they had been running around in, but we could tell they were starting to get bored and were looking to get back on the road too. Unpacked everything and went to be early, looking to get out of here as early as possible. Strange thing about Maryland so far, everyone seems to have the attitude that everyone’s out to take something from you, so you get a feeling of guilty until proven innocent. We keep feeling like we have to prove we’re good people, not that we’re out to take advantage of anyone. Frankly, we’re looking forward to heading north, but that’s not going to happen for another week. More work scheduled here for now!
Friday, June 17, 2011 – Work and Play Day
June 18, 2011 By Leave a Comment
The morning was spent working with our client, then in the afternoon we took a walk to a nearby shopping area, where I bought and sent a birthday card to my brother. We wandered through a couple of clothing stores but found nothing of interest, then headed back to the hotel, where we once again headed down to the pool and spa area for a bit, grateful for the opportunity to relax, despite the heat. It’s been really windy since we’ve been here, too, reminding me of Colorado last year when the wind just never seemed to quit! Job done, looking forward to getting back on the road.
Thursday, June 16, 2011 – Work Day
June 17, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Spent the day working with our clients, a full-day seminar that is to be completed tomorrow. Also too another hot tub, well worth the effort after a long day on my feet!
Wednesday, June 15, 2011 – Rest Day
June 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment
After all of the stress of the last week, we were relieved to have a day off. We hung out at the pool and hot tub for a while, then got a shuttle to a nearby grocery store and picked up groceries for the duration. Napped a bit in the afternoon, then walked over to Bombay Pizza for a meal, an odd but wonderful thin/nan crusted concoctions with all the Indian flavors sitting on top. Combined with an order of sweet potato fries, we enjoyed it immensely, and still took half the pizza back with us for later. A very relaxing day.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011 – Travel Day to Houston
June 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Woke to the alarm again, packed up, grabbed coffee to go, dropped the dogs off at just after 10:00, no problem with traffic, made it to National Airport in plenty of time. Grabbed a quick breakfast at the Dunkin Donuts in the main hall of the airport before heading through security. No metal detectors here, everyone goes through the scanner of gets patted down. In fact, even after going through the scanner the woman started to pat me down around my thigh area. As I was wearing a dress, I quickly started to lift my dress, offering to show her everything she needed to see (which I prefer to being physically searched anyway) and she immediately stopped and let me pass. It’s getting ridiculous really, that we are all treated like criminals, and they waste all our resources NOT profiling those who are out to kill us. Anyway, that’s another rant. The flight was uneventful, though when we arrived, the town car I had arranged failed to show up, and when I called them they claimed they though the order was for 7:30, even though the internet confirmation clearly stated 4:30. We grabbed a minivan cab instead, and made it to the Embassy Suites hotel downtown in less than half an hour. Got settled in, ordered Chinese food to be delivered, anticipating a good night sleep. Temperatures over 100 degrees here!