Pix to come!

Hiya Sweetie!
Well, it finally happened! Coming out of camp this morning, I got stuck in the sand. Apparently yesterday, the DNR guy used his tractor to “grade” the road, but ultimately it just churned it up and made it softer. I almost made it through, fishtailing like crazy, but on the final 500 feet before the turnoff onto a better road, the slight upward grade was just enough to bog me down. I went at it at 20 mph, which had been working up until then, but that final little hill did me in. Fortunately, the DNR guy Mike came along on his tractor (he said he’d be there at 6:00 but arrived about 6:20 to where I was, but he strapped me up and pulled me out in the matter of a couple of minutes, thank goodness! I still managed to get to the next camp by just after 7:00, so I wasn’t delayed hardly at all. Good thing I left camp early! There was a crowd at the new camp cheering me in, happy that I made it. I’ve made a lot of friends here, I must say. Fortunately, the spot next to the well on the other side of the camp host was still open, so I pulled into that, since the plan is to stay here until after the holiday before moving on. I plan on doing nothing for two days, then nothing but cleaning for two days! I actually had a dream where I slept until 12:30 pm, which tells you something! Anyway, got back to Dubonnet on the bus, got Flash ready to go, and was once again out around 8:35. Flash was in a good mood today, quite happy to move along at a good pace even without company. Passed a couple of groups, as always, but was a bit disappointed that the information I got at the riders meeting last night wasn’t exactly accurate. We were told that nearly the whole ride was single-track through the woods, with only about a mile of gravel/dirt road, but, using my definition of a road (anything that a motor vehicle habitually uses), it was more like ten miles of that. As such, I kept thinking the single-track would appear any minute, and finally gave up and put his boots on after about three miles of road. I hit 12.6 miles before we finally did get back into the woods, and even then it was still a forest road, which eventually narrowed down to a single-track for the last three miles or so. I would have managed the ride differently had I known. In any event, once we did hit the last few miles of single-track, Flash was still raring to go, gaiting at every opportunity (without my asking), but then slowing down to a mince step every time we had to go downhill. Not sure what that was all about, but it did get us into camp by 12:20, so we made good time. My GPS said a bit under 17 miles, but that’s consistent with just about every ride. I don’t know if their maps have it wrong or my GPS is just running short, but even when I download it onto Google Earth it says 17 miles. We made good time, that’s all I know! I got Flash settled in, and after some food and drink he laid down for awhile. He sure knows how to relax! I unhooked the truck, got out my solar panel and my comfy gravity chairs, and read and dozed for awhile in the afternoon. The riders meeting was early, at 6:00, so we could do another awards ceremony, lots of fun stories and thank you’s. At the very end, one of the ladies thanked me for my performance the other night, which was very kind and thoughtful, and a lot of other people chimed in and agreed at that point. Very nice. I was particularly moved when Jeff mentioned the list of those that have spent the entire month together on both crossings, all old hands, and then he included me in that elite group, very special. After all that, I got Flash squared away for the night, filled up all my water tanks while the group generator was there, put all my tack away, now I’m more than ready for shower and bed. The bus is leaving at 6:00 tomorrow, but I won’t be moving my rig. I’m getting a ride back with Sammy and Suzie, so I’m going to have to leave here by 6:30 in order to not keep them waiting at the water, so I’m still having to get up early, so early to bed again tonight! Love you, babe! Good night!

Hi Darlin’!
Had a good night sleep, slept late and laid in even long, finally crawled out of bed around nine, got my chores done. Did a bunch of stuff with getting the contacts I collected yesterday organized, sold a couple more books, then around 3:00, I took Flash down to the river for a swim, though it wasn’t really deep enough to actually swim. It was deep enough to come up to his shoulders, though, so he got a good soaking. He enjoyed, especially once he realized we were just there for fun, not to cross or do anything else. Gail H. took some great pix, I’ll post some of them. Then I took Lola down and she fetched and swam for awhile as well. Then Suzy came down with her two horses and was enjoying a nice cool river bath when some folks in a bright red canoe came along and the horses kind of freaked out. She managed to calm them down, and the canoe actually beached right in front of us before they realized they were in the wrong place. Gave the horses a chance to settle down, then ANOTHER canoe came along and things got really crazy. Since the horses were spinning, I ended up having to grab one of the leads to prevent them from getting really tangled, and after a bit they settled down again. After she left, Lola and I played a bit more, then came back to camp and started packing up. Back on the road again tomorrow, next stop, Dubonnet! Went to the riders meeting, finished packing and hooking up, now back to my shower and bed routine! Good night, sweetie! Love you!

Hey Darlin’,
Didn’t sleep as well as I had hoped, so a little logy today. Read for a bit in the morning, then attended the MTRA quarterly board meeting, which unexpectedly resulted in the sale of a few more books. On my last case of books! Did some packing up since we’re moving again in the morning. The next ride is supposed to be more than 30 miles due to a detour around a swamp which previously was part of the trail, but the landowner died and his son won’t give permission for us to cross, so it’s an extra four miles to go around. Further the forecast is calling for a high chance of rain for the greater part of the day. The MTRA is offering to let it be an “option” day, meaning if you don’t want to ride it, you’re still entitled to a trophy, but I really don’t want to opt out of a 30 mile leg just because it’s a few of miles longer. Besides, Flash is about as conditioned as he’s ever going to get, so I don’t foresee a problem with us making it. And I’ve got my rain suit and my slicker, and it will be cooler so heat won’t be a factor, which are all plusses. Still, it will be a long day. The next day’s ride to Scheck’s is apparently a lot shorter. The map says 20 but it’s rumored as closer to 17, so that will be an easier day. Then we have another layover day. Anyway, rain did come in during the afternoon, just a few waves with breaks in between, which I suspect is what it will be like tomorrow, hopefully not big downpours, although we did have a couple of short ones of those today. Laid up in bed reading and occasionally dozing, trying to store up some sleep. Had a couple of nice lamb chops for dinner, went to the riders meeting at 7:00, now straigth to shower and bed! Good night, sweetheart! Love you!

Hey Darlin’!
What a luxury to have a day off! Slept late, stayed in bed late (relatively!), though I did take some ibuprofen this morning. I haven’t actually taken any since last week, but I was feeling a bit stiff today, and I had a few things I wanted to do, so I indulged. After my regular chores and breakfast, I did some saddle cleaning. I noticed yesterday when I changed the stirrups out that under the straps it was pretty dirty, so I cleaned and conditioned that area. I also took off the lambskin cover and mended that in several placed that had ripped, and even put back the tie straps that have been torn for ages! Did a load of laundry and hung that out to dry as well. Jeff B. came by to see if I was going on the bus tour this afternoon (hitting the Amish shop and a bunch of other local stores) and discussed parking at the next stop, Four-Mile. Drove up to the well and topped off my water tank, refilling the RV afterwards. Did a tiny bit of housework, got just about everything ready to go for tomorrow, then mostly read for most of the afternoon. Drove into town to the famous Ma Deeters for a meal, was able to bring Lola along and sit outside on the patio, perfect weather! I had Wild Game Sausage pasta, which was very nice, with enough leftovers for another meal. Got back to camp, went to the riders meeting, did the Snowy River upon request for this group, which seemed very appreciative, now I’m ready for shower and bed! Good night, sweetie! Love you!

Hey Sweetie,
I did indeed get back on my ride schedule, I woke up juast after 5:00, fully rested! I laid in, though, and read, and occasionally drifted off again, luxuriating while putting some deposits in my sleep bank. Finally got going around 8:00, did my usual chores, then spent some time packing up as much as I could, refilling all my water tanks, helping some neighbors do the same, packed up all my tack and gear for tomorrow, and generally got all prepped up. Jeff B. has arranged for a special trip for us on a nearby river paddle boat that tours the river, just $10 a person, a minimum of 20 people. Many more than that raised their hands when he mentioned it last night, so it would have been a nice way to spend an hour this afternoon on the water, except that when we got there (me in my truck and everyone else on the bus), it turned out the boat had a transmission problem and wouldn’t be able to take us, darn it! Well, the rest of them loaded back up on the bus and went into Oscoda, evidently to happy hour someplace (I’ll get the story tomorrow), and I headed over to Sandy and Bill Wirley’s for dinner. I wasn’t sure I would have time to go, but after the boat got cancelled, I had plenty of time. A quick stop at Walmart to top off my gas tank, then a very nice dinner and chat at Wirley’s, then back to camp in time to hook up and attend the riders meeting, now I’m ready for my shower and bed, nice and early. Jeff B plugged my book again, and I sold a bunch of copies, I’m down to my very last case of books! Whoo-hoo! Not sure if I’m going to get a reprint of the same book or make some changes. We’ll see. Anyway, good night, baby! Love you!

Hi Sweetie,
A good night sleep, a lazy rainy day in camp, the usual chores, and read the greater part of the day. Had a few folks arrive early, didn’t envy them setting up in the rain, including two couples from Iowa, newbies that I chatted with for awhile. Only went out once around 3:00 to get my email and do my Spanish lesson and a few other internet chores, then straight back to camp. Watched a movie with dinner, then visited with the neighbors for awhile. Back home, shower and off to bed! Good night, baby! Love you!

Hiya Babe,
Laid in a bit this morning to read, then got chores and breakfast done, then eventually drove out to the Lumbermen’s Memorial, where I can get two bars of service, to call the Tractor Supply to see if they got the back of feed in that I needed, and they had, so I drove down there, stopping first at the Walmart to pick up a couple of things I forgot yesterday, then to Tractor Supply, then I stopped in Oscoda to do a little computer work, mostly downloading pix people from the ride had sent me, and answering correspondence before finally heading back to camp. Socialized with the neighbors a bit, Sam G’s wife arrived, and Sam C left this afternoon, then had dinner, watched a movie off the Dish DVR which I reconstituted since it’s the only TV I can get out here, now I’m falling asleep in my chair, so I figure it’s time for shower and bed! Time to make some more deposits in my sleep bank! Good night, my darlin’! Love you!

Hey Darlin’!
Didn’t get to be until about 11:00 last night, first time it hasn’t been in the 9:00 hour for awhile! Slept very well, though, not surprisingly, no ibuprofen this morning! Did chores and had breakfast, then drove over to East Tawas to do some much needed shopping. Got propane and some feed at Tractor Supply, but unfortunately, they didn’t have any Senior feed, and only getting one bag in tomorrow! What’s up with that? Anyway, she’s putting it aside for me, so I’ll have to make another trip tomorrow, unfortunately. Only found one source for hay nearby on Marketplace, so I ended up going to a feed store for it, paid $9.50/bale (vs. $5 for the ones I’d have to stay all day for, but it’s nice hay), then stopped for brunch and computer work at Augies on the Bay, a cute little restaurant right on the water. Their wifi was intermittent so it took a lot longer than I had planned, but I got it done! Getting internet will be a challenge for the next few days since there is NO signal at River Rd. Trail Camp, I have to go out of camp to find one. Next stop was Walmart for my big shop, then back to camp. Sam G helped me put the hay under the gooseneck for now, then I unloaded the groceries. As I was loading up the fridge I noticed a big chunk of ice in the back, so I spent another 20 minutes with a hair dryer melting that so it would make more room. Once that was done I made a drink and hung out with the two Sams for awhile, then fed Flash and put his blanket on, then spent the rest of the evening with the Sams until dark, which was nearly 10:00! I hate daylight savings! The conversation was stimulating, but eventually the cold weather wore us down (I even had on my warmest parka and still felt a bit chilly!), and I came home ready for bed. Not even going to take a shower tonight, it was too cold today to work up a sweat, so I just washed my face and called it a night! Good night, sweetheart! Love you!

Hiya Darlin’!
A beautiful night for sleeping, and spent the day mostly watching the new trailers come in. Got checked in with trail boss Gale, visited with a bunch of neighbors, sold a couple of books, got some insight into what’s in store for us, like the fact that there are three days that are over 25 miles, not just one, made some deviled eggs for a potluck supper tomorrow at Elk Hill, did as much packing as possible, and overall had a day that was both relaxing, anticipatory and informative. The bus leaves at 7:00, but I may try to leave a bit before that, just to get ahead of the crowd. Depends on how quick I can get out of here in the morning! That said, I’m heading for shower and bed now, long day tomorrow! Love you, baby! Good night!

Hey Babe!
Woke up before 7:00, got up and had breakfast and finished packing and was on the road by 8:30. A pretty straightforward drive, a stop at Lake Higgins State Park to buy a Michigan Recreation permit, a requirement of the Shore-to-Shore ride, which was right off the highway so it didn’t take long. One more stop to top off with fuel so I would have enough for all the stops along the way, then arrived at camp just after noon. Poor signage, so I had to stop at a fork in the road and walk into camp to see what was what. Met two guys named Sam who helped me scope out the best site, then went back to the truck and drove in, but not without incident. There is a sharp turn followed by a narrow gate, without enough room to straighten out a rig my size, and I ended up grazing a pine tree that took out me ladder, again. The screw that the welder put in the lock latch the other day was about the only thing that held, my ladders was bent to hell and both bottom rubber stoppers were a mess. I’m told this is the worst camp for getting in to, so I’m hoping the rest will be easier. The spot I picked, while it was easy to get into, was on a pretty steep slope, so I had to partially disconnect just to get some semblance of level, and that’s not even enough, so the blood will be rushing to my head while I sleep tonight. Evidently the exit will be easier than the entrance! Not long afterward, two other women showed up, Lori and Tracy, and we chatted for quite awhile. In fact, once I got Flash all settled in on his highline, and spent some time fixing my ladder, which required new screws and a lot of hammering, we all hung out, including the two Sams, for most of the rest of the day. Bad news, though, there’s a fire that started near Grayling, not long after I passed through there, that has shut down I-95 and is spreading like, well, wildfire, as they haven’t had any significant rain here in nearly a month. There’s a red flag warning for the entire state, and the fire seems to be very near one of the trail camps that we’re supposed to be going to on the second June ride, so it will be interesting to see how that all pans out. Overall, though, it was a very pleasant day, and I’m looking forward to meeting the rest of the folks tomorrow, assuming they can get here with the highway being closed due to the fire. Apparently, it’s a pretty small group, maybe thirty people on the first ride, way down from the scores, even hundreds they use to have. Just another example of not nurturing the younger generation and/or being proactive in bringing in riders from outside the area, a syndrome not unlike that of the OTL in Florida. Sigh… Anyway, it was a good day, Flash already seems a lot more rested and ready, just like I want him, but I’m going to give him one more day of rest just to make sure he’s fully recovered and ready for this next week. Crazily it’s almost 10:00 and it’s just finally gotten dark. I hate daylight savings! And you should have seen the red sun, obscured, I think, by the not-so-distant fire. Good news, though, is the wind is pushing it away from us, so we shouldn’t have any trouble here at camp. Hopefully they’ll get the fire under control overnight, especially since temps are going down to below 50 tonight. Finger crossed! Heading to shower and bed now, so good night, sweetheart! Love you !