Hi Sweetie!
Had a good night sleep, then immediately started in on laundry, it was a gorgeous day to hang stuff outside, and start work on my computer. I had all the followup work from the Workshop to do, you know, Thank You notes, Certificates etc. I’m very glad I uploaded the videos last week, though, because the cell phone signal is very iffy here, I have to put the phone up in the bedroom on the west side in order to get a decent enough signal to do anything, even Netflix, but it’s tricky. I also had a couple of months worth of bookkeeping to do, though I hadn’t realized I was that far behind. Anyway, it took be pretty much all day to do that, so riding was not in the cards today, which is fine, it’s good to let the horses rest. I put Apollo out on his anchor and Flash was loose for awhile, at least while my neighbor was out riding, but when he got back I hooked Flash back up to the highline. In the afternoon, his horse, named Lucy, broke her line and came trotting back towards me, then seemed to head towards the woods until she hit the treeline, at which point she stopped to graze. I managed to get close enough to put a lead rope on her when her owner showed up and took her home. I was in the middle of grilling one of my last Zweigler’s white hots on the grill, so I had to turn that off to rescue her, or it would have burnt to a crisp. Wouldn’t want to do that with such a valuable commodity! (you have to be from western NY to understand that!) Anyway, finally settled down for a quiet evening, glad to be on Central time, where it gets dark around 7:00, much more to my liking, though that will change when the clocks change in a few weeks. Had a great, long shower, going to be on fresh sheets, looking forward to it! Good night, babe! Love you!

Hi Babe,
Happy to say I had a great night sleep last night, at least eight full hours with only one short wake up around 4:00, but went right back to sleep. I needed it! So I woke up refreshed, got up and gave the horses their feedbags and fed Lola, then saddled up Flash and ponied Apollo over to the vet’s next door. We waited around for a bit, but the horses were happy to eat the grass, so no worries. They finally came out the back door and did their thing, it seems the Doc has someone in training so most of the conversation was directed at her rather than me, but it didn’t take long. What took a long time was them getting the paperwork done on Global Vet Link for my EECVI. They had to call to get an exception because my mailing address is now Florida, and they were saying it had to be a Florida vet issuing the certification. Really? If I need a certificate to get into Florida, how am I supposed to get a Florida vet to issue it? Anyway, the issue was resolved after awhile, and eventually I was able to ride back and finish packing up and loading. I managed to get out right around 11:00, later than I had hoped but still okay. I didn’t follow my GPS because it wanted me to go across country, which I knew had some narrow roads, so I followed 64 all the way to I-65 and took that most of the way. Then I made a mistake, because it was trying to get me down a narrow road, and I opted out, going on another road, which ended up being a mistake. It took awhile to fix, and before I finished, my phone died and I ended up having to ask for directions, but no one seemed to be able to give me anything definitive. I kept going to where I thought I needed to go, and voila! Suddenly I was passing a sign for a turn to Owl Creek, which I recognized, but miles from where people were telling me to go. Never ask the locals for directions, that seems to be the best advice. I had forgotten it was two miles on narrow gravel road to get to it, but fortunately, I didn’t meet anyone on the road. Anyway, I finally made it, then I had another problem. When I tried to back into the spot I had decided I wanted to take, my tires started slipping and I couldn’t move. The ground looked pretty dry, but not dry enough for my weight, I guess, even after I took the horses out of the trailer. So I had to unhook, then come in sideways and re-hook, which allowed me to move again. I did some more reconnoitering because I didn’t really like that spot anyway (it meant I was facing the bathrooms), so I finally settled on a spot just behind the bathrooms, but facing the horses. The water is very nearby, I used two trees instead of the provided highlines, and finally got the horses on those, fed and watered, all tanks and even Lola’s swimming pool filled up with water, at which point it was 5:00! I was supposed to get here just after 2:00, but with all those other complications, things just got a bit out of hand. Anyway, I managed to get out my chairs and my barbecue grill, and since I hadn’t had anything except a couple of protein bars to eat today, I grilled up a piece of chicken and the last ear of corn I had from Michigan, then settled down for the evening. There is one other camper here, much to my surprise, but I haven’t met them yet (or it could be just a him, I only saw one horse). He came back from a ride just as I was settling in, I’m sure I’ll meet him tomorrow. Watched a movie, now I’m ready for shower and bed. I got hot and sweaty today, temps in the low 80’s, but it’s supposed to get down to 60 overnight, so I’m hoping for another good night sleep, especially after this tiring day! Good night, darlin’! Love you!

Hi Darlin’,
Had a terrible night sleep, couldn’t doze off for the life of me last night! I tried everything, nothing worked. It was probably past 2:30 when I finally slept, but the alarm was set for 7:30, so it wasn’t much sleep. Don’t know why! Anyway, finally got up and finished off the packing, got the horses loaded in the I was just dropping the trailer back down onto the hitch ball when the old guy that’s a volunteer here came by, so I was temporarily delayed, though not for too long, fortunately. I still managed to get moving and left the dump around 9:15. It’s such a straight shot today, what with I-65 being about a mile from the park, then straight down to I-24 in TN. We made one stop at a Marathon just before crossing out of KY to pick up fuel. I thought it was a bargain price at $3.14 considering they were getting $3.45 at the Flying J across the street, but much to my surprise, it actually turned out to be a bit cheaper in TN, as low as $2.99! KY must have added some gas tax or something, because they ALWAYS used to be cheaper than in TN, but not anymore! Anyway, I made such good time, and with the time change, I ended up arriving at the vet’s office at around 1:30 local time. I parked where I was told, next door, then walked over to see if they could put the horses up in their multi-acre pasture, and though it took nearly half an hour, the answer was no, darn it! So I had to walk back over and rig up a picket line between a chain link fence and an electrical post (I can’t call it a highline because it’s too darn low for that!), and managed to get the horses settled in. I didn’t have a lot of water in my tank, I had considered putting some in this morning but didn’t want to take the time, so naturally, Apollo knocked over the water bucket and I didn’t have enough to refill it. Fortunately, there was a water spigot right next to the cement pad that I had parked on, and even though the water was apparently turned off, there was a tiny trickle, so I hooked up to it and ran a hose to the water bucket, and left it for a couple of hours, which was enough to fill the bucket about half way. I’m keeping it on overnight just so they don’t run out, though they’ve both had a good drink now. Anyway, once I got them settled, I watched am movie, now I’m headed to shower and bed (I have just enough in my trailer tank for that), even though it’s only 9:30 local time. I need the zzzzz’s! Good night, sweetie! Love you!

Hi Sweetie,
Had a good night sleep, and a pretty lazy day today. I didn’t feel at all achy after yesterday’s ride, which was wonderful, but I also didn’t have too much energy today. After feeding the horses, I hung around the campfire with the group as they all peeled off to pack up and leave, and by noon, the place was mostly empty again, except for a couple more that left not too long after. I packed up the few things I had taken out, which wasn’t much, since I had too much of a slope outside my door to put down the rug and the chairs like I usually do, so it was really just hoses and tack and the winter blankets. It’s only getting down into the mid 50’s tonight, so I’ve put their light blankets on, even that’s probably overkill, but I’m still hoping they won’t grow much of a winter coat. I forgot to mention yesterday how proud I was of Flash, how he jumped right into a strange trailer with a very high step, only hesitating once before climbing in. He has come such a long way in the last couple of years and is such a brilliant horse now, so much fun to be around! Anyway, it was a pretty relaxing day overall, so I’m glad I mostly rested, since the next couple of days are going to be busy. I’m off to bed early, because I want to get a fairly early start tomorrow morning. Good night, baby! Love you!

Hi Babe,
Had a great night sleep, even though it rained all night, and continued on throughout the day. Whereas yesterday I put the AC on for a few minutes, today I had to put the fireplace on whenever I was running the generator to warm it up. I put a rain blanket on Flash in the morning because he seemed to be shivering, and by afternoon, as the temps dropped, I put Apollo’s rain blanket on as well. As the temperature kept dropping, but dinnertime, I switched those over for their heavy winter blankets because it didn’t seem like the rain blankets were doing enough. Crazy! Supposed to warm up a bit tomorrow, though. It was a great day for me to get caught up, though, I spent a good part of the day editing and uploading videos from the workshop and generally getting caught up on computer work. Just waiting for all the accurate name information to do the certificates, though. Watched some TV after I got all that done, now I’ve settled down for the night, putting the furnace on to warm it up in here while I shower and before I go to bed. Definitely wearing a wool cap in bed tonight! Well, that just about covers today’s activities, hoping it will be nice enough to ride tomorrow. I took a walk around this morning and found a sign indicating one of the trails is closed due to logging, so I have to work out a ride that doesn’t include that one. Anyway, time to go. Good night, sweetie! Love you!

Hi Sweetie,
Went to be pretty early and slept well, thank goodness! Got up before my alarm, did my chores, then after breakfast started packing what little I had to do before leaving. That didn’t take long. Then I went out to the pasture where the horses were, and Apollo walked away, but came back for a peppermint, so I was able to grab him. Flash must have sensed that he was going to be restricted on a highline again shortly, so he spent about five minutes just running around the pasture like a mad horse! He looked gorgeous doing it though! Once Apollo was moved out of the paddock, he came over and I quickly got him haltered up and loaded, with Apollo right behind. No trouble getting in and out of this place, and my journey was almost entirely on freeways, so it was an easy drive. Got off at the exit for Henryville and there was a gas station there that had easy access, so I decided to top offer now rather than later. Since I have enough supplies, I’m hoping I don’t have to go out at all this week, so the next leg to Tennessee can be straightforward, since it will be a long drive. Had to stop at the forest office first before going to the horse camp, and was pleasantly surprised to see that it was paved all the way to the horse camp! I thought it would be gravel, but it was tarmac all the way! They also have a dump here, so this has turned out to be a great spot. This would be perfect as an overnight spot for travelers as well, as it’s only a few minutes off the freeway, a lot closer than Deam Lake, which has been my usual overnight spot in this area. Other than a very old guy coming over to make sure I paid (before I had even determined my site!), it was an uneventful load it. All of the sites have the usual Midwest hitching posts, but I ran the highline between a couple of trees nearby. I’m not quite level and I lifted the truck off the trailer but otherwise haven’t disconnected, hoping I won’t have to do anything by drive out of here when I’m ready. Meanwhile, rain moved in during the evening and we had quite a lot of it, and the temps cooled down. I was ready for that! Relaxed a bit during the afternoon, then I went out to feed the horses and play Frisbee with Lola. Suddenly, at one point, she dropped the Frisbee and made a beeline for the door. I thought maybe it was thunder, but then I went to pick up the Frisbee and instantly was stung by half a dozen ground bees! It happened so fast, and they kept coming. Got stung a few more times before I was able to retreat inside, but a few followed us and I got stung a couple more times. Good thing I’m not allergic to bees! I quickly dowsed every spot with bleach (and unfortunately got some on one of the nice polo shirts you used to wear, that I was wearing, so that one’s garbage now), then took a couple of antihistamine capsules. It didn’t take long for that to work, and before I knew it, I was out like a light! Had to force myself up to take my shower, now I’m off to bed. Good night, darlin’! Love you!

Hi Darlin’,
Well, evidently, one day isn’t enough of a recovery, or maybe it’s just because Joyce is so generous, but I’ve decided to stay an extra day. I slept until 10:00 again this morning, ridiculous! But I do feel a lot better. It’s funny, with my earplugs in I can’t hear a thing, not the nearby railroad train, not the traffic, nothing, EXCEPT when one of the donkeys start braying, and that just cuts through those decibels like nobody’s business! Not loudly, but just enough of that sound to pierce my consciousness and wake me up. It was time, though! Got up and did my few chores, then got busy on the computer trying to set my schedule. It took me a lot longer than I thought, though everyone I called did get back to me. It seems most of the places that require reservations are, in fact, too booked for me to get into, so I had to resort to places that are first come, first served, knowing that I can get there early in the week and find a good spot. After I got most of my schedule set through December, I finally called the vet in Morrison about my health certificate appointment, only to learn they won’t have a vet available at all that week, so I’m going to have to cut Clark Forest short and get to TN in time for that. I had to shift everything up a week, and decided another stop at Mingo Trails was warranted, also because it’s FCFS and not reserved, and I don’t really want to travel nearly 400 miles in a day, so I’m breaking it in half.. I think I’ve got it worked out now, though, fingers crossed! If anybody’s interested, I’ll be updating my schedule page shortly with what I’ve worked out, subject to change, of course! I had some book orders come in while I was in Vegas, so I got those out in the mail, then had one of my propane tanks become empty, so I decided to fill up my two empty ones at Tractor Supply and get in a quick Walmart stop tonight, since they are both literally only three minutes down the road. Might be possible to not unhook at the next stop, but we’ll see. Getting to bed as early as I can tonight, there’s rain coming in during the early afternoon, so I’m hoping to be done setting up by then. So, on that note, good night, babe! Love you!

Hi Babe,
It took me until well past 11:00 to wind down last night, then I slept through until 10:00 this morning, though I stayed in be another hour and read just because my body felt like it was aching. It wasn’t long before I decided to stay an extra day, just because I still felt so tired. I emptied the bags, did laundry all day, read some, watched a little TV, went out to dinner with Trish, then crashed again in the evening. I’m hoping I have enough energy to do some housework and packing tomorrow (not that there’s much to pack here), and there’s a weather front coming in overnight so it’s going to rain and then cool down, which will be nice since it was over 90 degrees today again. Rain is one of the reasons I want to stay another day, although it’s supposed to rain on Tuesday, too, so I may be driving in the rain. My travel plans have completely changed again, the Skymont endurance ride has been canceled, and as I started to look for what camps I want to go to and to make up a schedule, it seems a lot of camps I want to go to are too booked for me, so I have some scrambling to do! So the morning will be phone calls as well, while I try to figure out what to do. Too tired to worry about it tonight, though! Still feeling tired, so I’m heading for my shower and bed early. Good night, sweetie! Love you!

Hi Sweetie,
What a terrible night! I don’t know if it was because the iced tea I drank with dinner was caffeinated or because I late later than usual, but I just couldn’t seem to get to sleep. I know I got some, but it was very intermittent, never for long, and never very deep. I ended up getting up an hour before my alarm was set to go off, just out of frustration. I left the packing until this morning, so I wanted to make sure I had plenty of time. Took my shower and got everything packed up, took everything down to the truck by 6:30, grab a bagel for later, then headed out to the car rental dropoff. Things went so smoothly there I was at the airport by 7:15, though my plane wasn’t boarding until nearly 9:00. Everything went smoothly, flight left on time, and this time I was able to actually get a protein meal (meat on a croissant, some fruit, and something that tasted like rice pudding, but it looked more like couscous than rice). Satisfying, though, and that’s all that mattered. Arrived in Chicago almost on time. I was thinking, I’ve flown in or out of practically every major airport in the country, but have never been in Chicago O’Hare. Mostly because I’ve always intentionally avoided it because of unpredictable weather, but now that I’ve been here, I have a whole bunch more reasons. For starters, it’s HUGE! There’s no people movers between one wing to the American terminal and the next, so it was a VERY long walk from gate to gate, even though my departure date was at the beginning of a hall, which was a tiny reprieve. The gate had changed from the time I landed to the time I got to the L wing, but I managed to get there and get somewhat comfortable. Within 15 minutes, I got another text saying the flight was delayed by over 90 minutes. Not a cloud in the sky, so not weather related, turns out they had an absent pilot, and had to wait for them to fly in another one from Indianapolis to take over the flight! How nuts is that? They don’t have pilots in Chicago, really? Of course, with Chicago traffic, who knows, it might be faster that way anyway. So now my ride in Indy, which has already been changed from Joyce to Trish, is going to have to pick my up after 8:00 instead of the more convenient 6:50 as I had originally planned. Grrr! I’m too tired for this today! I can’t wait to get home, I need some sleep! So the plane finally landed after 8:10, I made to long walk to the baggage claim area. As soon as the belt started moving, I texted Trish that the bags were coming out and I’d only be a few minutes, because usually priority bags come out first. Of course, nothing has been usual about this flight, so even though one bag came out right away, the other one turned out to be almost the last bag to come out. Too exhausted for words! Finally loaded up in Trish’s truck, got back to the stables, and crashed in the trailer. Ate the bagel I took this morning from the hotel and went to bed. That’s it! I’m done today! Good night, darlin’! Love you!