Hey Babe!
Getting used to getting up earlier, was out and about by 7:30, a quick breakfast and packing up. I didn’t do hardly any last night, left it all until today, since my next stop was only about 60 miles away, though I took a longer route to avoid climbing mountains, so it took me about two hours, I found it with no trouble, and I chose a spot the looked a little slope-y but not too bad, set up the horses’ fence and got them out so they have a nice little paddock. There are plenty of trees to highline, but I decided the fence would give them more room and be easier to clean up. I had a long chat with a local legislator about all their big plans for the place, and met the president of the local Backcountry Horsemen chapter, then set about finishing my setup. Unfortunately, that little slope turned out to be pretty deceiving, and though I got the trailer almost level with three boards under the jack, the step out of the trailer, even to the top of my two-step mounting block, was too high to be comfortable. I didn’t want to risk it, so I ended up moving to a different spot that was close by but more level, though I left the horses where they were. Once I got settled in, I ran down to the post office to make sure they would accept the General Delivery package I have coming, which they will, then went to Tractor Supply to fill up with propane, only to discover they don’t have propane at this branch, darn it! The only other place in town I could find was a grocery store, but there’s only one person that knows how to do it, and they won’t be in until morning, so I had to skip that for now. Walmart was right next door, so I ran in and grabbed a few essentials before getting back to camp. I settled down for dinner, watched a great movie about Cornish folk singers, now I’m headed to shower and bed. Water may be a problem here, their only source are a couple of tanks, so I’m not sure how long I’m going to stay. I’m feeling a bit tired, and my back hurts for some reason, so I may take tomorrow off rather than ride (other than the trip to get propane, since I’m down to my last tank, and I’m in the shade so I don’t think I’ll gain much from my solar panel, even though I set it up), but we’ll wait and see how I feel. The remains of a tropical storm is supposed to come in tonight, and there’s rain forecast for the next two days, so I may just take it easy and rest up. I have a decent cell signal, so there’s some computer work I can do that will take some time, this is a good opportunity to do it. Anyway, I’m off to my shower and bed! Good night, sweetie! Love you!

Hi Sweetie,
Another good night sleep, with only a few campers left this morning, and most moved out by mid-day. A couple of the women went for a long ride, but Flash is still favoring a foot (though it’s much better now, just not quite there yet), and it was pertty cloudy, just not the greatest weather, so I decided not to ride today. I mostly read during the afternoon, but then one of the ladies, Janet, invited me to join her for dinner at the state park Lodge, so we went there meeting at 6:30. It’s been awhile since I had a nice restaurant meal, and this was a lovely piece of salmon, all very nice. Janet was picking my brain about traveling, it’s a desire she has, too, to just travel, but she’s got a house and a business, so it’s hard for her to get away. We had a nice conversation, though, and I expect I’ll see her again, and hopefully ride with her as well. She had a mule, so that would be interesting. Anyway, I got back around 8:00, fed Lola (I did the horses before I left), and settled down with a little ice cream and reading. I’ve been bingeing on James Herriott’s series All Creatures Great and Small, about a Yorkshire-based veterinarion in the 1930’s forward. You would have loved these books, there are so many references to things I’m sure you would have recognized from your childhood growing up in England, I can almost hear you laughing at some of the clever writing. I know I’d be asking you a lot of questions about some of this stuff, I’m just guessing at some of its meanings, and you could have filled me in! Sorry you didn’t get a chance to share this with me. Anyway, once again, I’m heading off for my shower and bed, early! Good night, sweetie! Love you!

Hey darlin!
Getting the hang of getting up earlier, I woke up around 7:00, though I stayed in bed a little longer. Heavy rain came in overnight, and though it stopped for a bit, a lot more rain came in through the day, so the ride was kind of a washout. There was only a 40 percent chance forecast, so I can understand why they didn’t postpone it until the rain date next week, but only about half the usual numbers showed up for this ride, and they all got wet. I didn’t ride because Flash still is still favoring one hind leg, and Apollo needs rest after two hard days of riding, and you know me, I’m a fair weather rider, so rain was not very appealing to me. Instead I helped the club (it’s a Backcountry Horsemen’s Chapter, you remember how great those groups were out west for improving horse camps!), by doing a few odd jobs for them, then later helping to serve, then after everyone was fed, those still remaining for the raffle were treated to my Snowy River again. I didn’t have a raffle ticket, but they ended up letting me have my choice of door prizes anyway, so I chose a nice teal halter and a green scoop. The old scoop was a little cracked, and of course, I’m using two feed cans, so that extra scoop will come in handy. I spent most of the afternoon hanging around over there, then finally came back to do some work. That battery jumper that we bought fell over and the casing where the screws went in cracked, and now it won’t take a charge, so I either need to get a replacement under warranty (doubtful), or buy another one. The trick, of course, is getting it delivered in time somewhere. Well, that’s another challenge for another day. Fed the horses, put a blanket on Flash, because it’s damp and there’s a breeze, and he takes a chill pretty easily, even though the temps aren’t supposed to get below 60, but I don’t want him to be uncomfortable. Settled down for the evening with a movie, and I’m heading for a shower and bed early again, to read for awhile. This schedule seems to be working for me, I’m actually waking up pretty rested these days. I may go for a ride tomorrow, but I’ll see how the horses and me feel in the morning. Good night, babe! Love you!

Hi Sweetheart!
No alarm this morning, but I still woke up around six, read a little, fell back to sleep, and got up around 7:30. Not in a big hurry, only have about an hour and fifteen minute drive to the next place. Had breakfast, got everything put away, had no trouble pulling out since now the ground is so dry, loaded up the horses, stopped at the dump, then headed south just before 10:00. While this place is in the state park, it’s not like an official campground, there’s no registration process. It’s more like a state forest, with an iron ranger where you put your money in, all $3 a day of it! There’s two water spigots here, with threads, as promised. There were a couple of cars and a livestock trailer here, and I soon discovered that a young couple runs horse rides out of here. There were hardly any level sites, and the few that were had highlines with cables on them already, the kind I don’t really like, but I found a nice spot with two trees where I could highline the horses with my own line. Unfortunately, it was on a slope, and even with three boards under the front jacks, I couldn’t get it anywhere near level, so I’m walking around like I’m at sea in rough waters! The nose is much lower than the back end, which at least made it very easy for the horses to unload! I arrived by 11:30, and was pretty well set up by 1:00, though I didn’t put the screen room up. The horses settled in nicely, but I’m afraid they don’t much like the hay I bought yesterday, and I can’t say I blame them, it smells rather musty. They loaded me in such a hurry I didn’t even have time to check it, and I’ve bought from him before, but I don’t remember it being this musty-smelling before. Oh, well, I’ll see if they get used to it (they’re spoiled from the last stuff that I got right out of the field!), and if they don’t, I’ve found a couple of other sources around here. Hate to waste it, but if they won’t eat it, what can I do? One other trailer with an older couple came in shortly after me, we chatted briefly, but then I spent the afternoon doing some overdue bookkeeping and opening the mail I got from the post office yesterday. I finished up around five, then I leashed up Lola (we’re on a busy road, so she’ll be tied up the whole time we’re here, except when we go riding), walked across the street to the lake, and we played swimming frisbee for awhile, which she enjoyed very much. Back to the trailer, took my shower early because it’s 10 degrees above normal here, in the 80’s, and I worked up quite a sweat setting up. Then dinner and a movie, now I’m off to bed early, as is (hopefully) becoming my habit. So good night, babe! Love you!

Hey Baby,
Got up at the crack of dawn to get this busy started. Once I got everyone fed and made sure the paddock fence was secure so the horses wouldn’t escape during my long day out, I packed up Lola and we hit the road. First stop was the post office in Altamont to collect my mail and put in my official change of address card, then over to City Hall to cast my early vote in the election, then up to the house to meet with the new owner and pick up the last two pieces of furniture and a couple of boxes of stuff I left behind from earlier this year. From there it was up to Sparta to drop off the loveseat, for which I FINALLY got a buyer, and who even paid me a lot extra to deliver, thank you very much! From there I headed up to Cookeville ast there were a couple of consignment shops, and I finally found one that would take the desk. I just hated the idea of giving it away, and they’re not sure they can sell it, but at least they’re willing to give it a try. Better than nothing! Back down to Morrison to pick up ten bales of hay, though I’m sorry to say they’re not as good as I remember them being, they smell a bit musty, especially compared to some of the better stuff I was getting in Indiana, but it will have to do. Then I headed to the Tractor Supply in Manchester to return a handle that I had bought some time ago and kept forgetting to take back, then Walmart where I filled up with fuel and picked up a few other essentials I needed, then back to Circle E, where I arrived right around 5:00. I loaded the hay into the front stall of the trailer, then finally sat down with a glass of wine for a few minutes to catch my breath! While the horses were eating their dinner, I broke down the chairs and outdoor carpet (I hadn’t bothered to put up the screen room this time), and put a few more things away, then cleaned up the paddock area as it grew dark. I must say, I like having the sunset around 6:00, so that it’s dark by the time my day ends. I didn’t much like going to bed while there was practically still daylight, even though it was nearly 10:00! I took a minute to try to put the spigot back on, it had come loose somehow when it was at the trailer place, but I only managed to get one screw in, it will take a bit more effort to fix it right. I noticed a little drip start on it, and now the pump is coming on more often, so I’m going to have to find that leak and fix it, too. I finally was able to settle down for the evening, but I’m going to bed early again, because I am knackered right now! So I’m off to do dishes, take my shower and head to bed, don’t think I’ll get too much reading in before I’m sound asleep. Good night, darlin’! Love you!

Hi Sweetie!
Well, a day’s true rest and a good night sleep put me in exactly the right frame of mind for all the work that needed doing today. After feeding the horses, I got down the pressure washer from the attic, and after breakfast, I proceeded to clean out the water tank in the back of the truck. There’s a place I’m thinking about going that has an unreliable water source, so I figured I better be prepared to fill the tank if I decide to go there. After that I put all my tack away and cleared up the back of the trailer, then after a short break, did a nice, thorough housecleaning job, in between did a couple of loads of laundry, prepared the Certificates for the students in the last workshop, had a little scare when I went out to get a big envelope from out of the back of the trailer and the horses were gone! It was windy again today, and I think the wind might have blown the tape off one of the posts and a bunch more followed. I hollered for them, but there was no response, so I hopped in the truck and looked all around for them, couldn’t find them, until I parked the truck back at the trailer then took a short walk to another trailhead and lo and behold, Apollo was standing under a tree and Flash was laying on the ground sound asleep. They were certainly within earshot, so evidently Apollo just didn’t want to be found, but once he saw me he walked right over, and I grabbed his halter and walked them both back to the paddock after fixing the tape. Glad they didn’t go far, just wish Apollo had answered me like he usually does! Anyway, I finished off a few more work items, then finally settled down to dinner and a movie. Now I’m off to my shower and bed. Good night, babe! Love you!

Hey Babe!
After a pretty good night sleep, I was up with the alarm for my last breakfast as part of the Circle E Fall Ride, so it will be back to cooking and washing dishes again after this! I felt pretty tired from the long ride yesterday, so I ended up not doing too much today. I figured I needed a true rest day to recharge my batteries, then tuck in tomorrow and get the housekeeping and a few repairs done, as well as a little computer work. I did a pretty good clean up of the paddock, but other than that, it was a lovely day of reading, watching TV and playing the occasional computer game. Heading to bed early, though, but tonight, I’m not setting the alarm! I’m curious what time my body will wake me up in the morning. With the days getting significantly shorter all the time, I figure I’m better off getting up early as well as as going to bed early, if I can just stick with it. I’ve already showered, so now I’m off! Good night, darlin’! Love you!

Hi Babe!
After a very cold night that led into a very cold morning, I decided it was too cold to ride, plus I had been putting off some followup work from the Workshop last week, so I took the day off to mostly work on the computer to get all that done. I needed the rest, though, I was tired from all the exercise from yesterday. Barely had enough energy to do up to the dining hall for meals, then a quick shower, one short hour of TV, and to bed with me! Good night, sweetie! Love you!

Hi Sweetie,
Got up early so that I could partake of the breakfast at the dining hall, which was quite nice, then spend most of the day working on various computer and email projects, trying to solve a bunch of issues. I managed to get a lot done, and though I had hoped to maybe take a ride with the afternoon group, I was still busy, and too tired,to go, so I just rested (if you can call computer work and phone calls resting!), until dinner, which was a nice meatloaf with all the fixings, then spent the evening watching a movie, then stsarted a new BBC series call The Moonstone. A rather mundane day, but at least I got all my laundry done, it’s nice to have electric and nearby water. Horses are quite happy in a large paddock I created with the electric fence, and all is right with the world right now! Just need to get some more rest to recover from all the recent activity! So off to bed! Love you, babe! Good night!

Hi Babe,
Had a good night sleep, to bed early last night and slept through to about 8:30, so I was feeling surprisingly refreshed this morning. I began by heading out to Publix to pick up a couple of things, and to fill up with fuel at the TA truck stop on the corner. I sat down for breakfast there as well, so I wouldn’t have to worry about doing dishes. I was on time and feeling pretty good, but unfortunately, that didn’t last. When I went to close the compartment underneath before hooking up the truck, I discovered not one, but TWO compartments doors were hanging down. One I didn’t even know was there, and when I tried to lock it, the lock was frozen solid. Then I tried the other one, which I remember I had tried to open previously but the lock was frozen on that one, too, so how they got it open I have no idea. It was still drizzling off and on, and the ground was soaking wet, so I got filthy trying to fix it. In the end, I was able to get one lock unstuck with pliers, channel locks and silicon spray, but the other was impossible, so I ended up just strapping it up with a zip tie, another job for me to do. Then I started looking around and discovered the spigot on the side had come off and was hanging 4 inches off of the side, and a piece of trip was coming off as well. More work for me to do!! But that will come later, for now I just got the compartments closed, hooked up, and drove to the boarding place to pick up the horses and Lola, where I arrived nearly two hours later than expected. They were fine with it, I just hate not being there when I promise to be. Anyway, I picked them up and we headed down to the Circle E guest ranch, arriving around 3:00. I made the mistake of stopping the truck instead of letting it run to cool down, and by the time I got registered, my truck wouldn’t start. That’s about the last thing I need now, to have problems with my truck! I figured it had just overheated from that long tough climb to get up here, remember that? I should have left it running. Anyway, I did other things waiting for it to cool, picked a new spot to camp on this side of the road to be closer to the activities and the dining hall, and started to put up the electric fence, which I didn’t realize I could do or I wouldn’t have paid for stalls, and by then, the owner was called and he was able to start the truck by pumping a little device to get more fuel into it. I guess there was some kind of air lock caused by the overheating, so I had him show me what he did so I’d know next time. So I finally started to pull the trailer around to the site, only to end up getting stuck, the ground having gotten very soft from all the rain, and there are no sites on gravel. I ended up having a backhoe help get me out, then I was able to line it up better and get in okay. I let the horses out on their anchors until I got settled in and the fence completed, then settled down for the evening. I’m very glad there is a good cell phone signal here, good enough for streaming, so I watched a movie, and I’ll be able to get some work done. I’m so far behind on so many things now, the unfortunately cost of taking time off for recreation! But it was worth it, this last trip to the Grand Canyon was fabulous! Nice and quiet here, looking forward to a good night sleep. Love you, darlin’! Good night!