Hiya Babe!
Almost time! Spent the day packing and going over list after list to make sure I had everything. First, I packed everything I could think of, then pulled out my personal list and filled in the blanks. Then I went to the list the outfitter suggested and did the same. Finally went to my Amazon recent orders list, to make sure that everything I bought for the trip over the last few months was also packed. I sure hope I have everything after all that! If not, well, I'll just have to make do! I even made a list of the stuff I'll need to pick up at the grocery store once I get to Cody, very happy there's an Albertson's practically next door. I'm getting very excited! Once I had the bulk of that packed, I finished organized the trail markers, glad that job was done. Watched a few Havens, have quail eggs on toast for dinner and generally tried to relax the rest of the afternoon. We have to leave at about 6:30 in the morning to get to the airport on time, so I'm planning an early evening. Love you, sweetie! Good night!

Hi Sweetie,
Was up before the roosters started crowing this morning, in the park while it was still dark. I took the time to print a replacement sign for the one that fell out of the back of the Gator, and arrived early enough to get it out and to check on another trail I was concerned about, but the park guy assigned to take me out there was very upset about having to help me, so I was barely able to get the sign up, and certainly wasn't able to check the trail I wanted to check, and only after he yelled at me and threatened me for no reason, just because I was trying to do a good job. Not a great start to the day. It went downhill a bit from there, when a couple of calls came in with people getting lost, not because it wasn't marked, but because they missed seeing them. I'm not sure how I'm supposed to react to people that ignore markers, or turn when there are no markers telling them to turn, and generally not paying attention. It seems I could put up 8000 ribbons, and because a person doesn't see three of them and misses a turn it's somehow my fault. Frustrating to say the least. So that's my rant, feeling underappreciated and pitiful. Anyway, we started out on our first round of retrieving markers around 10:30 a.m. for about two hours, then had to wait around until the last 50's were well on the trail, heading out around 4:00 and finishing about three hours later. Still a few short sections left, but I've already said I'm not helping tomorrow, I have a full day getting ready for my Yellowstone trip, sorting and packing everything I need. Regardless, I spent the evening sorting through the ribbons, but couldn't do as much as I wanted because not all the markers made it back to the farm. Feeling exhausted, wish I felt a little more satisfied and fulfilled with the work, but I guess at least I was able to catch up with some friends today. Desperately need a shower and to get to bed soon! Good night, darlin'! Love you!

Hiya Babe!
What a long and tiring day! Woke up early, Richard and I were on the trail before 9:30 to finish up marking the few trails in Horseshoe Bend park while waiting for the signs, which we finally got around 10:45. We went straight up to Frenchtown Preserve to finish marking, but the trails were difficult for the UTV to navigate, and there were a lot of trees that came down in the storm, so it was very slow going. We worked our butts off trying to get it all done, and managed to just finish up by suppertime at 6:00. We did the riders meeting at 6:45, and I finally got back to the trailer by about 7:30, totally exhausted. Barely have enough energy to write this post! Since I have to be back over there by about 6:15 a.m., I'm taking my shower and getting to bed very soon! Whew! What a day! Love you, darlin'! Good night!

Hiya Sweetie,
Had another busy day, finishing off putting out ribbons on the private properties we’re using. Flash was great, as usual! I also finished making the maps so that’s done. We had a terrible thunderstorm come in late in the afternoon, which I’m afraid has played havok with all the markers I put up since Monday, so I’m going to have to check on them all tomorrow. I’ve also been informed that we can put ribbons up in the state park tomorrow, which means the only thing left will be the preserve on the north end of the course. I had hoped to give Flash a day off, but doesn’t look like he’s going to get one after all! Hoping I’ll have for all of that tomorrow! Did a few odd jobs around the trailer, washed the black sheepskin saddle cover I’m going to take with me, and sewed an elastic band on my new saddle cover pad so that I can hook it around the horn, which will hopefully keep it from sliding around. Between those two items, plus my gel pad, I expect I’ll have a very comfortable seat no matter what kind of saddle they put me on in Yellowstone! I’m slowly collecting everything I need, I just hope I can remember to pack it all. That will be Sunday’s chore! I’m just chugging along, though it would be nice to have a day off, I’m thinking my flight on Monday may be my first chance to rest, but cross country travel is never that relaxing, even in first class! Anyway, my day is nearly done, heading to bed soon! Good night, baby! Love you!

Hiya Darlin',
Spent the day doing a few odds and ends. I worked on the trail map, determining where we need arrows and extra markers, then dragged down my pressure washer and cleaned out the tank in the truck. It had some growth in the bottom I wanted to get rid of. Pulled a few weeds, did a little research on my computer, then settled down early. Trying to pace myself, crunch time is coming soon! Made a plan for the next few days, it's going to be busy! Heading to bed soon. Love you, sweetie! Good night!

Hiya Babe,
Had a lot more variety in my day today, just doing some chores around the farm to earn my keep! Did my usual chores, then did some other stuff for Meg. Fixed her trundle bed, weeded her herb garden, got her electric push mower working and mowed her little raised bed garden, and generally kept busy most of the day. Then around 3:30 her friend Al came out with his tractor and the three of us went out to clear the trails around her hay fields, which we'll be using as trail during the upcoming Horseshoe Bend Boogie endurance ride. We were busy for a good three hours, getting back just in time for a Zoom meeting with the organizers of the revived Ocean to Lake (rebranded to the more accurate Lake to Ocean) greenway ride. Seems they're making good progress toward making it happen, which would be a good thing, it was always a great ride. That took over an hour, so by now, I'm just about ready for bed! Good night, my darlin'! Love you!

Hey Babe,
Woke up even before my early alarm, but had a good night sleep so I was pretty refreshed. All this physical labor is reminding me just how sedentary I've been for the last few months! Amanda gave me some tiny quail eggs this morning, it took six just to cover a piece of toast, but they were delicious! I managed to get my chores and breakfast done, then even had some spare time to move the trailer before Richard arrived. He was running a little late, but it worked out fine, I was able to get settled and start a second load of laundry before he was ready for me to join him. We worked until nearly noon, but had to stop using the mower when the belt broke. He went to have lunch, I had a quick bowl of cereal, then went out to the pasture and managed to get all my posts in before he came and got me. We worked some more, felling a tree that was hanging way over the trail, plus more mowing with a different mower. He had trouble starting it, even tried jumping it and charging it, but I finally came back and got my little BeatIt jumper, and that worked like a charm! We did a lot more mowing and trimming, so overall, we got a lot of work done this weekend. Tomorrow he's back to his desk job, so I'm hoping to either take a day off, take a ride, or do some more trimming around the property, depending on how I feel. I've been going nonstop and could use a break, but I don't know how much I'll enjoy it when I'm staring at all this work that needs doing. After Richard dropped me off at the end of the day, I managed to finish getting up my portable fence and moving the horses over, so at least the two major jobs I needed doing to finally be settled in got finished. It was 7:00 by the time that happened. Had dinner and watch a Haven (and did I mention I did two loads of laundry in between moving the trailer?), and now I'm ready for a nice shower and another good night sleep. Good night, my darlin'! Love you!

Hiya Darlin',
Set my alarm to get up early, since there was a lot to be done today, though I didn't get a lot of what was on my list finished. We had a meeting with Richard the trail crew guy from the conservation foundation, and spent about two hours confirming which trails we are going to use, those in which direction is still to be confirmed. Then Richard and I went over and picked up the equipment we needed and headed out on the trails on a Gator towing a DR Field mower. We worked from about 11:00 to 6:30, with just one short break, so now I'm pretty tired! I was too tired to put up my portable fence and move the horses, or move the trailer, or do any of those things that need doing. The truck is still attached to the trailer and I'm on a bit of a hill, so I'm not level either! I'm assuming that Richard will be back to work on Monday, so I'll be able to get settled then. Not too worried, right now the trails for the Horseshoe Bend Boogie are the priority! Looking forward to a good night sleep, though, this is the most tired I've felt in a long time. Heading to bed shortly! Good night, sweetheart! Love you!

Hey Sweetie,
Got up bright and early, packed up and was out of camp by 8:30, only a few folks up and around by the time I left. Took a slightly longer but mostly highway route by going through Lowville to I-81, but there was a lot of construction along the way, so many slowdowns. I changed my route a few times because Google maps was trying to send me down tiny roads, and once up to a railroad bridge where the clearance was more than a foot shorter than I could get through, so that lengthened it, too. It mostly flew by, though, because I've finally gotten the knack for downloading Kindle audio books, so I listened to a story most of the day. Couldn't believe I had to pay $4.50 a gallon for diesel at Flying J in PA, and that was with a five cent discount! It was more than a dollar cheaper once I got to NJ, but I couldn't wait that long. I guess since that's been my only expense these days, I can't complain too much. Arrived at Meg's just after 3:30, not too far off my original estimate of 3:00-3:15. No one was around, though, so I waited a bit for the horses to get their sea legs back, and finally put them out in a pasture temporarily. Meg arrived from a ride, and we made some plans for tomorrow, but I'm too bushed to do much today! I did managed to dump my black water and hook up to electric, though I think she wants me to move a bit more out of the way, but we'll see tomorrow. Lola is enjoying not having to be tied up, and the horses are munching on a pasture full of nice green grass. I'll just have to watch to make sure too much of it doesn't make them sick, but considering they've been eating grass cut just a week or so ago, I'm not too worried. Had a quick cereal dinner, watched another couple of Havens, won't be long out of bed tonight! Feeling pretty tired after my early start and not being able to get to sleep last night. Looking forward to a quiet night here tonight (except for maybe the roosters in the morning)! Good night, babe! Love you!

Hi Babe,
Well, today was one of those days where the dark side of humanity really comes out. When I got up this morning and was out doing my horse chores, Beth came out and started yelling at me about how inconsiderate I am having my horses on a highline because they get in the way of people trying to get to the horse manure bin. Well, no one but she has complained about it in the two plus weeks I've been here, because I've explained that one of my horses (Apollo) had gotten hurt in one of these stalls and I preferred to keep them on a highline. Yes, I understand it's against the rules, but generally we horse people are pretty forgiving when we know people are just trying to do what they think is best for their horses, and are tolerant of the many things that may entail, but that was not the case with her. I remained calm and tried to point this out to her, but she kept railing on. I finally said that if it bothered her so much, I would keep my horses in their stalls. I thought that would be the end of it. Then I saw that the ladies next to me were packing up, and since I had noticed evidence that someone had previously highlined their horses over there, I decided to pack up and move over there, thus getting out of everyone's way and still be able to highline my horses in a quiet spot that wouldn't bother anyone. So I spent the next three hours packing up and moving over, taking down the highline and putting it back up again in a quiet spot next to me, hooking up, moving and unhooking again. A lot of work. At 1:00 I finally stopped to eat breakfast. I no sooner got my breakfast started when a ranger came to my door. He demanded to see my permits and read me the riot act about the highline, which looked no different than a clothesline at this point, because I hadn't moved the horses over and there was no evidence horses had ever been there, so I knew he came gunning specifically for me, and I knew why. I explained that one of the locals had told me they didn't really enforce the permits, but that I was leaving on Monday anyway, but he insisted I had to move immediately. He eventually backed off and said I could move tomorrow, considering how late in the day it already was, and how long it would take me to pack up, again. After he left, and I went over to check on the horses, Beth had returned from her ride and asked me if I had been riding, and I informed her that, no, I had spent the last three hours moving my trailer. She asked where did I move it, and I told her where, and that I had done it to get out of her way, but that apparently wasn't enough, because the authorities had kicked me out and I was leaving in the morning. Then she curiously said she'd been out riding and that did I think it was her fault. I said, I don't know, did you? and she went silent. That was all the confirmation I needed, though I didn't even need that, there was no question about it. So my day, and my weekend was pretty ruined. I was really looking forward to a couple more days of nice riding, as the weather had cooled down nicely and it's going to be a beautiful weekend, but not, instead, I'm going to be driving straight to New Jersey tomorrow. I was even more disappointed, because the couple that was parked in this spot last week, and whom I had a lot of fun with, came around and ended up parking in the site I just left, and I was looking forward to spending more time with them. Interestingly, she overheard that conversation with Beth, and agreed that she displayed all of the characteristics of a guilty person. Anyway, that episode is over and I'm ready to pack it in here. Really disappointed, but am not going to let it fester. Anyway, Karen picked up my order at Tractor Supply in Watertown and I drove over to her place to pick it up, so at least I'm set with horse food for awhile. Binge-watched a few more Havens, soon to bed as I expect to get up extra early tomorrow so I can get to Meg's and get settled in down there. Good night, darlin', love you!