Hiya Babe,
A bit more sleep last night, then spent the day doing a lot of final packing and prep work for my departure tomorrow. I borrowed Linda's old Jeep for a run into town, with a quick stop at Lowe's to pick up a couple of circuit breakers in the hope that I can solve the ongoing power shutoff problem I've having, then onto Walmart for a prescription for altitude sickness medication and a few other last minute things, then onto the post office, which had three out of four of my Amazon packages, but they missed delivery this morning, but they let me pick them up. Got a new phone wallet, some waterproofing spray for my shoes, and a raised dog cot to get Lola's bed off the ground in the stall that she'll be staying in. I'm sure it will still get dirty, since she loves to scruff it up and it will undoubtedly end up on the floor numerous times, but at least it will be softer than the ground. Moved most of my perishables into Linda's motor home refrigerator and freezer, and got as much packed as I can. I'm loving the new carryon bag I bought, the only thing left to fit into it is my laptop, and I've already cleared the way for that, so it should be easy to finish in the morning. I tried to replace the circuit breaker, but neither one fit! I never realized there were so many different widths and types. That solution will just have to wait until I get back! I feel pretty ready, though I'm not thrilled at how early I have to get up tomorrow. I have to leave here by 6:30 to drop off the trailer at Cummins when they open at 7:30, and my flight starts boarding at 9:38, and Chattanooga is a small airport, so I should be fine. Linda is coming with me to drive my truck back, sorry I have to get her out of bed so early! I put Lola in the stall so she can spend the night there and get used to it, she's not liking it too much, especially since it's so dang hot out, and the forecast is just as bad all week! Hopefully she'll adjust okay, like she did at Joyce's, though there won't be as much human company for her here. Anyway, heading to bed nice and early so I can get up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed in the dark morning! Good night, sweetie! Love you!

Hey Sweetie,
Had a terrible night's sleep, was awake until almost 4:00, blaming it on one too many diet drinks with aspartame, which always seem to affect me sleep cycle. Still, was up by nine, and got started with my day doing laundry and more packing, bookkeeping and bill-paying so everything is taken care of while I'm gone. Will have some running around to do tomorrow, but Linda has once again graciously offered her Jeep for me to drive so I don't have to unhook my camper. Tried to solve the electric problem, I'm on a 15 amp circuit, which is just not enough to run my AC without shutting off every few minutes, but the one breaker I had had the wrong configuration and wouldn't fit. I'll get one when I'm out tomorrow so that future visits won't experience the same issues. Moved more stuff away from the generator into the back of the camper in hopes that it will be easier to get to, a hot and dirty job. Got into the 90's again today, so having to fuss with my AC was not helpful. Anyway, we got through the day, and things are cooling off a bit better at night, though still unseasonably warm, but hopefully not too bad for Lola in the barn next week, which I'm a bit concerned about, but can't really do much about! Be off to shower and bed soon, since the shortage of sleep last night is starting to catch up with me. Good night, my darlin'! Love you!

Hi Babe,
Last night when I checked the forecast, it said a 10-15% chance of rain, dimishing as the day wore on. Got up with my alarm, had breakfast, and was just about to head out to start packing up outside when the monsoon hit. Was absolutely soaked through by the time I got everything done. Don't know if I can save my hay or not, I had several bales in the back of the truck, though they were mostly covered until I had to take the tarp off (and drain the water without drenching the hay!). Just before heading out, I changed my clothes, including all my underwear (I was THAT wet!) to do one last job, and got wet enough to have to change my shorts again. Grrr! It was just after 10:00 by the time I hit the road, and it was STILL drizzling! Maps took me on dicey backroads to the freeway (several hairpin turns and under a railroad trestle), but once I got on I-64 the rest was uneventful. I hadn't unhooked all week, so I needed to find a fuel stop, and was lucky enough to find a Buc-cee's in just the right location. Even though they're by far the cheapest, I still had to pay $5.69/gal for diesel! Most expensive fill-up I ever had, $168, and I started with almost a quarter tank! Sure wish this kerfuffle in the mideast would get resolved so the oil prices can start to come down! Fortunately, the stock market went up, though, after having come down the last few days. Happy to see that! The sky started to clear right about the time I finished fueling, so the rest of the trip went smoothly, and I was ahead of schedule until I hit Knoxville, at which point I got stuck in a half hour slowdown. Finally made it to Linda's, just squeaking in before my estimated time of 4:00-4:30 expired. Didn't take too long to set up, though I had to finagle with the electrics a few times before it quit popping the breaker on me. Settled down for a quiet evening, other than Lola barking at me in her usual way, probably because we didn't get a walk in today. Hoping to sleep in later tomorrow, before getting busy with my packing. Can't believe I leave in a few days! Very excited! Heading to shower and bed, so good night, sweetie! Love you!

Hiya Sweetie,
Woke up several times during the night to rain, eventually put in my earplugs to mitigate the interruption in my sleep. It rained off and on most of the day, so I made it a rain day, doing the bare minimum in chores and packing, and mostly reading and bingeing on Leverage episodes. I did discover that there was a sewer drain on this site, so I took a little time to open it and clear it out. Don't know if they closed it for a reason, but it seems to be clear, so I'm going to use it rather than try to get into their tight dump station over in the regular campground, where the turn is so tight I'll either end up tearing up the grass or turning into a ditch, neither of which is an ideal situation! Got a few things packed, but I intend to get up early and try to get out of here by 10:00. It's only about 300 miles, mostly on freeway, so I should make it in about six hours or less. Would you believe, I also started to do some research on my NEXT vacation! Since the only thing left on my OLD bucket list is to see the aurora borealis, I found a trip in Sweden that combines riding on Icelandic horses, driving a reindeer sleigh, visiting an ice hotel, maybe even mushing a dogsled, and taking a sauna by a river, all while looking for the northern lights during one of their peak times, in March! Yes, it means I will freeze my butt off, but it's only a week long trip, and I would really like to do it. It will count towards both the lights and my riding in Europe, so check two off! But first, I need to concentrate on Peru, so I'll revisit this later. I may have to add a couple more days, flights are not very convenient and will take some more exploring. Settled down for my usual evening, heading to shower and bed shortly! Good night, my darlin'! Love you!

Hey Darlin',
Another hot day today, but the breeze kept it okay during the morning, so I took Apollo out for a ride, just under four miles. Tried to make the loop on Snyder Hollow, but got stuck at the bottom, which, when I overlaid it with my last trip here, I apparently had the same exact problem trying to find where the trail went! Then I went at it from the other direction, and got partially around. Could have gone farther except Apollo seemed to be struggling a bit today. There were a lot of stones on the beginning of the trail, and I didn't want to go too far with him, so I turned him around and headed back to camp along the manicured lawn rather than the rough trail. Spent some time in the afternoon finalizing my Hop On Hop Off bus schedule in Lima for next week (I can't believe it's getting so close!), then settled down for the rest of the day. Took Lola for a walk once the sun got behind the trees, just too dang hot to do anything outside by mid-afternoon! Otherwise a pretty quiet day. Good night, babe! Love you!

Hi Babe!
Had a good night sleep, nice and quiet here, didn't even need earplugs for a change! After morning chores and breakfast, I saddled up Flash and headed out on trail, beginning with Big Beech, then Lakeview, then a bunch of smaller loops, and finishing off with Possum Ridge Loop back to camp. Even ran into a guy mowing the trail, and he wasn't the least bit phased by it. Was VERY glad I listened to my inner voice and put his breast collar on, the trails were much more hilly than I imagined! I should probably have put his boots on, it was a lock rockier than I expect, but I was afraid they would irritate the scab on his ankle, which he managed to completely rub off anyway. I treated it when we got back, and since I doubt I'll be able to ride him again before I leave for Peru, it should heal well over the next few weeks. He was brilliant, as always! Such poise and determination this horse has! Never flinched, even in the face of all those rocks. There were several deep mudholes as well, didn't bother him a bit. Man, I love this horse! Thoroughly enjoyed the day! Gave him a nice rinse off when I got back, and he ate and rested the rest of the afternoon. After dinner, I took Lola for another long walk, this time I remembered to measure it, and we covered over a mile and a half just walking around the other campground and back. Settled down for the rest of the evening, though I had a major spill and had to wash my clothes and the recliner cover. Glad I have electric and water! Headed to bed soon, so good night, sweetie! Love you!

Hiya Sweetie,
A good night sleep, woke up to my alarm, got busy with packing, and was on the road well ahead of schedule, arriving at Taylorsville around 12:45 after an uneventful drive. Only a couple of other campers here, none with horses. Though they have hitching rails, I had already asked about putting up a paddock and was told it was allowed, so I put in a pretty good sized paddock around the hitching rail and up into the grass. Got that all set up with water and hay before getting the horses out of the trailer, where they promptly settled down. Took about an hour or so to get completely set up, as usual. Starlink setup was a breeze! I'm so much happier now, no struggling for an internet signal or live streaming, and the compass app on my phone makes it so easy to align the Starlink. Not much of a cell signal here, so I'm sure I would have been struggling otherwise! Settled down for a quiet afternoon, and just as the sun was going down, took Lola for a nice long walk. Looking forward to a long overdue ride tomorrow! Good night, my darlin'! Love you!

Hey Darlin',
Woke up to a much cooler morning, it felt wonderful after all this heat! I w as really hoping to get a ride in today, but Joyce made plans to go see a mule she was thinking about buying (and by end of day, she had!), and I thought Shawn still wanted to go, but she made other plans as well, so I missed my chance to ride today. As a result, I spent the day doing laundry and a little bit of packing (not that I have much to pack!), plus a quick drive over to Walmart, Tractor Supply, and into town to fill up with fuel (even with a nickel a gallon discount, it was $5.95/gal!!), then mostly having another lazy day. Looking forward to getting back to a trailhead where I can ride, though it's supposed to be getting hot again tomorrow, especially south of here where I am headed. I swear, next year I'm staying much farther north until much later in the year! My horses are getting quite the vacation lately! Had a relaxing evening, be off to my shower and bed soon. Good night, baby! Love you!

Hiya Babe,
Another day just like yesterday, did nothing but walk Lola and tend to the horses before reading and watching TV. So hot again, at least until it rained late in the day and finally cooled things off a bit. Supposed to be cooler during the day tomorrow, really looking forward to that! Otherwise, a mundane and boring day. Guess I have to have a few of those every once in a while! Good night, sweetheart! Love you!

Hey Sweetie,
Finally had a good night sleep, slept through the whole night, and woke up refreshed. It was so hot today, though, that I never got the urge to go anywhere, not even to a horse event at the 4H fairgrounds just down the road where Joyce and some of her boarders were participating. I spent the day doing as little as possible, except I did do a little housework just so I can claim to have done something today! Mostly read, watched TV and otherwise hung out. Walked Lola a couple of times, but the heat was hard on her, too. Be in bed soon! Good night, darlin'! Love you!