Wednesday, November 6, 2024 – Another Ride to Broxton Bridge

Pix to come.

Hey Babe!
Another morning up with the alarm, chores and a few odds and ends, feeling tremendous relief at the election results, then saddled up Flash to check on the Red and White Trail. Today was just about GPSing distances, rather than trail cleanup, though there was a stalk or two I clipped along the way. Flash was in a considerably more sluggish mood today, and the predicted rain came in an hour early, so we ended up getting wet before we got back. Thank goodness for my slicker! There's more rain coming in, so tomorrow it's more likely to be a full rain suit and Wellies! So we did just over 10 miles, confirming the length, then I worked on my computer a bit doing some post-ride production. Then I figured I had better refill my water tanks before the camp got too crowded tomorrow, so I topped off my trailer and the horse buckets, then drove over to the stalls to refill it. While I was waiting, I decided to take a look at my radio, which had stopped working the other day. While I was fiddling with that, I checked the fuses, and there was one fuse that broke when I pulled it out. It was marked as Radio Amp, and I couldn't get it out without my needle-nose pliers, so I decided to wait until I drove back to the trailer. Then, after the tank was full, I went to start the truck and nothing. I mean, the lights came on, but the battery gave me nothing! I don't know if I shorted something out or what. Of course, that's when it started to spit with rain. I walked back and got my jump starter and little pliers and came back. I put the radio back in (which was now working) and replaced the fuse, and, using the jump starter, thankfully, it started! Whoo-hoo! I don't know what's going on with it, it might just be the batteries are due to be replaced, but I also think there's a power issue, considering my radio wasn't working. Oh, well, another think on my list to look at when I get back to Florida! Thank goodness for my BeatIt jump starter! Best $100 I ever spent! Was happy to get a great bump in my investments as a result of the election, and I have high hopes those will continue to grow (and maybe one of these days I'll actually starte spending some of it!), then finally settled down for the evening as more rain came pounding on the roof. Earplugs tonight, for sure! At least it's a warm rain. Anyway, time for shower and bed. Good night, my darlin'! Love you!

Tuesday, November 5, 2024 – Work Day to Broxton Bridge

Hiya Darlin'!
Whew, what busy, tiring day! Was up with the alarm at 7:30, got my chores and breakfast done just in time to head out with John on one of the side-by-sides, and we took a leisure, though wet trip around the trails they are evidently losing for the next ride in January, to see how much they have to make up. There was no windshield on the quad, so we ended up getting pretty wet in the 10 minutes it rained. Then got back to camp, saddled up Flash and headed out again, following John and Becky to a point on the Black and Gold trail where we separated. They were putting out some signs and clearing a section of trail, and sent me off to clear another section of trail. And what clearing it needed! Nothing heavy duty, just tons of some long-stemmed frilly thing that bends down into the middle of the trail, especially with the weight of the rain on it. I couldn't do much from Flash, so I ended up having to walk a good couple of miles (at least it felt that way!), trimming with my (well, Jo's) folding loppers. It was a much bigger job than I figured. When I finished the first section and it ended in an open field, I figured that was the end of it, but on the other side of the field, it started all over again! I was exhausted from walking and bending over and snapping my loppers and alternating between dragging Flash and keeping him from running into me or running off. At one point a critter scrambled in the bushed and Flash started to bolt, but thankfully there was a muddy creek he didn't want to go over again, so he stopped right away, thank goodness! Once we finally came to the end of it, I mounted up and let my patient horse pick his own speed, and he took off like a bat out of hell. We managed over 9 mph on the next mile, and over 8 on another one after that. He was ready to go! Made it back to camp and rinse him off, though I could barely make it to the host by the stalls, I was so tired. Finally got a chance to sit down and relax a bit, have some juice and grapes and gather myself, before going off to dinner with Becky and John and one of Cheryl's other volunteers to Hampton, where I had a great margarita and Mexican meal. Got back around 7:30, watched the pilot of a TV series, and a little election coverage, being that it's election day. Since I quit watching news after the last election, I won't be staying up late for this one, since it seems what happens overnight might change everything. Anyway, heading for desperately needed shower and bed! Good night, sweetheart! Love you!

Monday, November 4, 2024 – Travel Day to Broxton Bridge

Pix to come.

Hey Sweetie!
Woke up to the alarm, which I set just to make sure I didn't sleep too late, finished packing, stopped at their conveniently located RV dump, and was on the road before 10:00. Had an uneventful drive down to our next stop, Broxton Bridge, to help with their endurance ride this weekend. Owner Jerry met me in his truck and took me to where I'm supposed to be staying in their primitive area, and I had my choice of spots. Found the perfect one that lets me point to the SW, with the trailer in shade and the front wide open for my solar panel and two great trees for a highline. Got set up in no time, the horses well-settled before I headed out again to find some hay. The nearest place ended up being a feed store, G&G Milling, about 20 minutes away, where I got coastal for $11 bale. Can't believe how the prices are going up! They were very heavy bales for their size though, and I got enough for this week, and to have a full load when I drive to Florida. Once I off-loaded some bales and covered the rest with my tarp to keep them dry from the incoming rain in the forecast, I drove over to one of the empty sites and filled up my water tank in the truck, then transferred to the trailer all that it could hold. Most of the campers will be in electric sites, but I don't mind being in a primitive spot, especially when it gets crowded. I even got a password for the guest wifi, so now, FINALLY, I'm enjoying live streaming! I finished off Terra Nova (they only had one season, unfortunately), and a rom-com just for fun. Met with Becky, who helps with the trails here, and made a plan for tomorrow. Now I'm heading to shower and bed, got an early morning tomorrow! Good night, babe! Love you!

Sunday, November 3, 2024 – Laundry, Packing and Housework

Hi Babe!
Woke up pretty confused this morning! My Kindle on my phone was telling my one time, my phone was telling me another time, and when I looked at my computer, it was telling me a third, different time! I had forgotten all about the changing of the clocks last night, and because of the poor cell signal here, it was taking awhile for things to get caught up, and they still haven't. I think my computer reverted to Central Time or something, though it's saying Eastern, Who knows, hopefully it will all straighten out at the next stop. Anyway, I ended up getting up much later than usual, even with the time change, and the place was almost empty by the time I fed the horses, except for a group of kids that were camping overnight, and they were gone a bit later. I only had to do one load of laundry, not surprising considering the short week, and I did a little more deep cleaning in the bedroom and some regular housekeeping, plus getting some stuff packed up for our departure tomorrow. Found a dead mouse in the back of the kitchen cupboard, proof my pesticide efforts are working, though I found it by the smell. I figured that would happen, but a dead mouse is better than a live one, so I cleaned that up and hope I won't find a lot more. Glad I could reach it easily! Was afraid they might end up between walls or something. So now it's getting dark by 5:30, so I fed the horses before then, and the long evening stretched out in front of me. Watched a long, boring movie with Liam Neeson, which killed a few hours, and I'm planning on getting to bed fairly early, now that the days start earlier, I need to revise my body clock (she says for the umpteenth time!) Whatever, I'm making my tea and getting ready for bed soon. Good night, darlin'! Love you!

Saturday, November 2, 2024 – Great Ride with Melissa and Marsha

Pix to come.

Hey Darlin'!
Slept late, back to my late night/late morning schedule lately. After chores and breakfast, I did some housekeeping, found out where a bunch of stinkbugs were hiding (in the front cupboard of the bedroom), and got ride of them. Read for awhile, then at 1:30, got Flash ready to ride. I'd made arrangements to ride with Melissa, whom I met at Sandhills, and she brought her friend Marsha, who was also at Sandhills, and we headed out on the trail just after 2:00. They were both riding TN Walkers, but Flash took the lead and was his best speedy self despite the long, fast ride we took yesterday. He is in super great condition right now! We did about 12 miles at a nice pace, with quite a bit of cantering. We took the yellow trail and it was just lovely. Their two horses were getting pretty tired by about halfway through, but of course, Flash started moving faster once we turned south toward camp, so we were out front quite a bit. Love that horse! Melissa brought me a couple of bales of hay, so now I'm a lot less worried about finding hay my first day out at Broxton next week, I have a little reprieve, thank goodness. Got back just after 5:00, they packed up and said their good-byes, I made a nice Alfredo dinner and settled down to a rather pointless movie. While the trails are lovely and definitely worth riding, and the price and options for camping are very nice, I've been very frustrated here by the poor cell phone signal, it really has made the stay here less than perfect.. Heading to shower and bed shortly! Good night, sweetheart! Love you!

Friday, November 1, 2024 – Fabulous 15.6 Mile Ride on Flash

Hiya Sweetie!
Another beautiful warm day here in the Manchester Forest. I delayed going out on my ride because I thought some folks I met at the last ride were coming out today, but we had a little miscommunication, they were talking about tomorrow. Though it was a big warmer starting later, it's always cooler in the woods, so I didn't mind starting my ride late. Flash and I got out about 1:45, and after a week off, he was raring to go! We averaged 5.9 mph, with a couple miles in the 8-9 mph range! We did the entire 15.6 mile ride is about 2:40 minutes. The trails here are nice a sandy, but not all flat, we had some really nice sections of the forest today, though there are a couple of sections that are really ugly, tree farm/clear cut/slash and burn ugly, but the nice sections made up for it. Gave him a nice rinse off when we got back, then settled down to a couple of DVR movies. Ready for shower and bed for sure! Good night, babe! Love you!

Thursday, October 31, 2024 – Shopping Day

Hey Babe!
A beautiful morning, did some odds and ends, then headed into Manning, the nearest town, to do some shopping. Ace Hardware first for several rubber washers and bushings for little odd jobs around the trailer, then horse feed and propane at Tractor Supply, where I considered getting a couple extra bales of hay, but at $12.50 a bale again, it seemed like a lot, and I wasn't desperate. Finished off at Walmart for fuel and some grocery items. Got back to camp around 4:00, got everything put away. I discovered that my phone isn't working, at least the phone calling part of it. I tried rebooting it a couple of times, but that didn't help. Unfortunately, there isn't a Verizon store in this small town, so I'm going to have to wait until I can find one. Oddly, my texting and most everything else works, I've been doing some texting, though I don't know if that's my live streaming issue. I should have check it but forgot about it. I did some emailing using the Taco Bell wifi before going into Walmart, so there isn't anything pressing at the moment. I'm looking forward to getting back to a place in Florida where I can sort all these little problems out! Did a couple of minor repairs before settling down to dinner and a couple of movies, thank goodness I have my DVR full of movies! Doing a lot of reading this week, anyway! Good night, my darlin'! Love you!

Wednesday, October 30, 2024 – Laundry and a Ride on Apollo

Hiya Darlin'!
No drizzle this morning, but it was quite foggy for awhile. It seemed like it was going to clear up, so I did a couple of loads of laundry and got them out hanging, and a bit of vacuuming while the generator was on, before I saddled up Apollo for a nice six mile ride. Apparently there are some trail restrictions during hunting season, but it didn't affect our ride today. Apollo was moving along much better than usual, I think he might finally be getting bored with hanging around on a highline, or maybe he was just feeling better today. We averaged over 3 mph, and Lola didn't run out ahead of us most of the time, she stayed right by or behind us, not lagging, just staying with us. It was a beautiful, cloudless day, a bit warm, but cooler in the woods, so very comfortable. We crossed a stream twice, the first time Lola couldn't get down to it, but the second time, she luxuriated in it to cool off. The trails here are nice, sandy but mostly firm, but I had to hang onto the saddle horn most of the ride, because Apollo was jumping and jiving at nothing that I could see, except for a dead possum on the edge of the trail not too far out of camp. He may be an old guy, but he sure can step sideways like a cutting horse! I managed to stay on every time, but I was being extra cautious, since this was unusual behavior for him. I can't believe it's been eleven years since the last time we were here, though it made all the trails seem new. I didn't have much of a memory of them, in any event. Anyway, it was a lovely ride, we did a nice six mile loop. After giving him a rinse and hanging him back on the highline, I got my dry laundry down and settled down for the evening. Watched another PVR movie, as my cell signal hasn't changed, The Mothman Prophesies, which I'm pretty sure I'd never seen before. Not much of a Richard Gere fan, but he did a nice job, and it was a compelling story. Well, that's all the news that fit to print! Good night, sweetheart! Love you!

Tuesday, October 29, 2024 – Cleaning and Computer Day

Hey Sweetie,
Woke up to a gray day with sporatic drizzle, so not the nice weather I needed to do laundry today, or to ride, so I started the day by doing some housekeeping, which included putting out some Borax for the insects and Havoc for the mice. I hadn't intended to do any deep cleaning, but when I looked under the refrigerator to put in my pesticides where I had deep-cleaned before, I discovered the vermin had been in there again, and had eaten through all the foam insulation I had put in around the plumbing. So I had to clean that up, plus a little regular housework as well. After that, I ended up spending most of the day working on trail maps, both for Broxton Bridge and Biltmore. I hadn't gotten around to doing the west side of the Biltmore trails, and that took quite a bit of time to sort out, then I just managed to download the .pdf files for the Broxton trails and worked on those for awhile, but they got really confusing. Lots of sections that go both ways, and some illegible arrows that I can't make heads or tail of. Plus, according the Becky, who's been doing these trails for many years, the map is very different on a couple of the trails, so I'm probably wasting my time until I get out there anyway. I wasn't even able to email the Biltmore trails to the folks over there, the cell signal is so bad. I don't understand it, I'm getting two solid bars, but I can't do anything except some browsing on the internet. I've gotten email in, but I can't seem to send any out, and streaming is out of the question. Grrr! I had been hoping for a relaxing week, but not have a good cell signal is more than a little frustrating. I did manage to watch a movie off my PVR, but it's definitely going to be a week of lots of reading! Anyway, that was my day, pretty mundane. Hoping to get laundry and a short ride on Apollo tomorrow, but who knows? Love being flexible! Good night, babe! Love you!

Monday, October 28, 2024 – Travel Day to Mill Creek County Park, Pinewood, SC

Pix to come.

Hiya Babe!
Let myself sleep in a bit this morning since it was such a short drive to Mill Creek. Didn't take long to pack up since I did most of it yesterday, and I was heading out of camp just after 10:00. Once I got to Gasline Road, though, I had a little problem. Patsy had told me that if I turned right, the way I came in, the hill was very slippery and someone had jack-knifed their trailer there Saturday night after the rain. It was possible that it was dry enough by now, but there's no place to go if it wasn't. She had suggested turning left and circling back by the lake. So I started to turn left, but that was actually going up a little hill and making a sharp corner, and there was a big tree on the corner, and the sand berm was built up on the high side. So about halfway around, the trailer was dragging really badly in the berm, so I had to back up and swing a whole lot wider, which meant I was way over on the berm on the right side in order to make the left, and I was still dragging, but at least I made it. Then I had another left turn on Mountain Rd., and I had to drive my truck halfway over the next berm in front of me in order to avoid the sign on the corner! Not sure if I wasn't better off trying the other way, but I was committed by then! The rest of the drive was uneventful, thank goodness! I made one stop at a Post Office to drop off my completed ballot, and some of the back roads were a bit rough, but I arrived right around 12:30. I had to take a walk to reconnoiter between the primitive sites and the electric sites, though most of the former seemed to be on pretty unlevel ground. I was almost tempted to take an electric site, but finally decided on a site next to the bathhouse with a couple of HUGE trees for the horses' highline. Managed to get mostly set up by just after 2:00, though I had to do some reconfiguring when the highline dropped down too low. The circumference of one of the trees has to be close to 10 feet, I really had to jury-rig my feed bag rings to make it work. Bad news is, the cell coverage is still really bad. Despite getting two bars on my phone, I can't even come close to live streaming, and I'm barely able to get on the internet. Disappointing! I was really hoping for a reprieve from that after all the frustration at Sandhills last night, but I guess I'll be doing a lot of reading this week! Of course, I still have movies on my old satellite PVR if I'm desperate. Anyway, horses are happily munching away just outside my door, and it's a beautiful night with a fantastic forecast for the entire week. It's hunting season, and some of the trails are closed, but I'm planning on giving Flash a rest for a few days anyway, though a short ride on Apollo may be in order, for Lola's sake as well. Looking forward to a good night sleep! Good night, darlin'! Love you!