Pix to come

Hiya Sweetie,
Well, the good news is, I made it! It was just an exhaustingly long day. Since it was only 170 miles, I wasn't too worried about getting an early start, but I was up and moving by 8:00 anyway. After breakfast, I hooked up the trailer and pulled it forward to slightly higher ground, then ran it up onto the jiffy jack so I could adjust the brakes on the trailer. When I tested the emergency slide on the brake controller, it didn't feel like anything happened, so I decided to adjust them. The first wheel I looked at was really weird, and it got me a little worried. That's because there were wires coming out of the adjustment hole! I know it didn't used to be like that, so evidently, the last time I had the brakes done, the guy did some kind of jury rig to wire it up! No idea. Anyway, I couldn't very well use by brake tool with wires sticking out, so I moved on the other three. All of them were pretty loose, so I tightened them just right. Glad I did, though they still didn't exactly stop the tires, but I could feel a little bit more drag, which is all I think I can hope for at this point. I've been so worried about going down Black Mountain on my way out, I've been feeling a lot more stressed than usual. After that, I loaded up the horses, took down the fence, and then proceeded to clean their corral area, which was pretty difficult because there was so much manure, and the grass was so long it made it nearly impossible to pick up. I did the best I could, though I did scatter some just because it was too hard in the grass. That was exhausting, and took me nearly half an hour. I finally got on the road about 10:45, and leaving the Biltmore Estate grounds just after 11:00. The miles on I-40 on the way to Black Mountain were nerve-racking, I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. When I finally got there, I was super careful about not letting my speed get up, only hitting my brakes intermittently, and generally being as cautious as possible. Thank goodness, I made it down to the bottom with no issues. I was so relieved!! After reading up on how my trailer is really too much weight for my truck, I'm paranoid, but we made it, all is well. The rest of the drive was uneventful, though Google maps took me through a lot more small towns than I would have liked, hit every dang light on the way. Once I got here, though, another problem. The site I had reserved, #7, said it was 65' long, so I figured I had plenty of room. Only problem is, the back 20' is the only level part of it, the rest is on a serious downhill grade! No way was I going to fit in there! I called the office and a very nice lady there helped me find another site. At first she was trying to get me in a First come, First served site, but both of them are too small, so she finally found two more that were available for the full two weeks, and I picked 28, which was just barely long enough, but the highline posts were on higher ground than 27, where they were way down below and soaking wet from the rain. They had even put rubber stall mats down there to try to make it more appealing, but I was having none of that. At one point while I was looking at it, I slipped and fell, landing in a position that bent my bad knee completely back against my thigh, so now I have ice on it. Anyway, it took awhile, but I finally got the highline up and the horses out, and got myself backed into the site properly. I just barely fit, but it's kind of tucked away, so as long as nobody with a really long trailer comes around the corner and needs the extra room, I should be okay. There's a bypass anyway, so this little loop only has these two sites, so hopefully it will be quiet. Well, the cicadas are out so it's noisy as heck right now, but I think they shut up at night, don't they? Anyway, finally settled in, started a load of laundry, delighted to see an excellent cell phone signal so I can start loading up my pix from last week, and I won't have to fight for streaming. Odd that at the Biltmore, where we were right next to a major city, I had a terrible signal, and now, out here in the boonies, I have a good one. Bizarre. Bad news is that there isn't water at every site like I thought there would be, so I had to fill up my tanks at the wash rack (the rest seem to be spigots without threads, sigh), but at least I won't have any trouble filling up my truck tank. I started a load of laundry, I'm in need of fresh sheets, but that's the extent of my energy! Anyway, enough chit-chat, we're here, we're safe, we're tired, we're going to bed! Good night, my darlin'! Love you!

Hi Darlin',
Had a good night sleep, got to sleep in a bit later as my first job this morning was as a crossing guard at 8:30, so I had plenty of time to get ready. I worked on my own for most of it, and it was quite a busy intersection, but it worked out well. Another woman joined me at 11:00, though my shift went to 11:30, but the second person on her shift didn't show up until almost 12:30, so I stuck around to help. I finally broke away to get lunch, and the coordinator didn't have a second job for me, so I ended up just going back to my trailer and reading for the afternoon. Felt like I wasn't earning my keep! Finally went up to the main tent for a planned 6:00 dinner, but turned out it was at the vet check area (which made a lot more sense), so I went over there and grabbed dinner. Hung out for a while, and learned that the 75 milers were moving so well that they may not even bother to put out the glow sticks, so I may not have the job of retrieving them as planned tomorrow! I managed to get it cleared through the proper authority that I could stay the extra night, even if I don't have glow sticks to pick up, for which I'm very glad. I hate traveling on Sundays, and my reservation at Canebrake doesn't start until Monday, so I don't know what I would have done if I had to leave tomorrow! Well, it fits. I was the first one here and will be the last one to leave, typical for me. After that, I came back to the trailer, managed to watch a couple of Northern Exposures, and won't be long out of bed! Good night, sweetheart! Love you!

Hiya Sweetie,
Didn't sleep very well last night, but finally managed to get a few hours in before the alarm went off. Got off to a speedy start, whisked through breakfast and chores, and was at my volunteer spotting station ten minutes ahead of schedule. Horses didn't start coming through until nearly half an hour later, but Pat and I were ready! Our two+ hour shift flew by! Then I checked the USPS tracking and discovered my package did arrive today, so I took a run over to the Enka Post Office and picked it up. Got back in plenty of time to start my 11:00 shift of spotting at the big bridge, had a new partner, and we chatted the that three hour shift away in a breeze as well! Meanwhile, I managed to find Meineke shop that would have time to look at my brakes and/or universal joints to see if there's anything seriously wrong, and all they found was a little glazing on the brake pads. We do some research and discovered that my truck is actually rated for A LOT less weight for towing than I thought, which explains a lot. I'm always careful, but now I'm going to be even more careful! I've intentionally not done a lot of mountain driving with this trailer because of the weight, and that was a good decision, and one I'll be to continue to do, at least until I get a bigger truck. Apparently, most of the trucks built after 2020 have a tow rating of 30K lbs. or more, so I may have to seriously look at upgrading, as much as I love my current truck! Either that or a smaller trailer, which I REALLY don't want to do! I only have one mountain to go down on the way to my next stop, but then I have to figure out how to get to NY without getting too steep. Another challenge! Anyway, after I got back from that trip, I changed a couple of fuses in the truck (my power outlets went again), then went up to the riders' meeting and a volunteer dinner, which was so late, I don't know how I'm going to sleep tonight! Anyway, a quick shower and Spanish lesson, and I'll be off to bed again. Good night, babe! Love you!

Pix to come

Hey Sweetie!
Woke up with my early alarm, got busy with breakfast and finished packing up, got everything done and was at the dump well in plenty of time, and out of the campground by just after 8:30, on time or early according to my estimates. Made good time and would have made it to by 12:30 if it wasn't for stupid Google maps! This had to be one of the worst bit of directions I have ever seen. It literally had my destination on a stretch of the interstate, where I was supposed to stop and walk the rest of the way! How ridiculous! I had to go to the next exit and turn around, so I ignored the phone and just followed the signs (what a novel idea!) Anyway, I arrived and told them I was "on the list" and they found me and let me through. Turns out I'm the first one here! A gal named Melissa came by when she saw me filling my tank at the spigot, and was kind enough to direct me to the right spot to camp. It entailed going over a very narrow bridge, probably only ten feet wide, and with my eight foot wide trailer, it was a tight squeeze! I got settled in, put up a nice big paddock for the horses, though I'm a bit worried because it's all nice fresh, long spring grass, which I would normally only let them on for a couple of hours to avoid any digestive problems, but I don't really have any choice, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they'll be alright. Once I got them settled in and the trailer opened up (though I left the windows closed because it's been raining off and on here for a few hours), I took a ride into town, first to a Home Depot to turn in my old battery to get a refund on the core, then to Tractor Supply to fill up the three empty propane tanks I've used up, another stop at the ABC and a Speedway to fill up on fuel in the truck, and finally back to camp, arriving around 6:00. Fed the horses and settled down for the night, though I did play with Lola for awhile, she seems very happy to be running around, though I will have to put her on a leash once people show up tomorrow. Amazingly, I'm still on my own here, I thought other volunteers would be showing up today, but I'm all by my lonesome, thoroughly enjoying the peace and quiet, which I know won't last long! This place is completely overrun by Canadian geese and their babies, there are goslings all over the place. Good thing Lola doesn't like to chase things, or they would be in trouble! Anyway, had a quiet evening, looking forward to another early night and a wonderful ride tomorrow! Good night, babe! Love you!

Hiya Darlin’,
Got up bright and early so I could be at the auto repair shop before they opened at 8:00, only to discover a sign on their door saying they wouldn’t be opening until 11:00! Tried calling a couple of other shops with no luck, headed back to camp hoping I would be able to get this job done today. I went down again and arrived at 10:45, they were open, but were so slammed with work there was no way they could fit me in. I called several more shops, and finally found one in nearby Bennettsville called Dr. Alex, who said he might be able to do it. I headed over there, and he was a bit hesitant because we didn’t know whether we could get a seal or use the old one, and didn’t want to do shoddy work, but he finally gave it a shot. Remarkably, he was done in barely half an hour! I couldn’t believe how fast I was able to get out of there. Thank goodness, I was really worried about that! And all he charged me for was an hour of labor $80, so I was very happy about that. Got back to camp and spent the rest of the day packing, though now I could do it at leisurely pace rather than the rushed way I thought I would be doing it. Glad it all worked out! I topped off my fuel and managed to get air in all but one tire that needed it (the nozzle didn’t fit right), but I think it will be okay. Settled down for my usual evening, watched a great movie, Money Monster, with George Clooney and Julia Roberts, directed by Jodie Foster. Great edge of your seat thriller! Getting to be early, I want an early start tomorrow, just in case. Good night, my love!

Hi Babe,
Took awhile to get to sleep, like it so often does when I have a rest day, laid in for a bit as well, but finally got in gear, dressing in riding clothes, as I was planning on taking Flash out on what they call "Nuke's Trail" here, but the best laid plans, as they say. I decided to do a pre-trip check on my truck, found the tires were about 10 lbs. low so I started to fill them up, and, of course, that stupid little compressor did one tire then quit. I had to wait an hour for it to work again, even though it didn't even feel hot. I managed to get a second tire done, but gave up after that, since another issue arose that will make me have to go out tomorrow and I'll just stop somewhere and have someone with a real air compressor fill them up. I checked my oil, and water and belts and brake fluid, like I usually do, then started the truck up to check the transmission fluid. After I pulled out the dipstick, I heard a clanking sound, and when I went to put the dipstick back, I discovered the tube that it goes into had broken and fallen to the ground! I spent about two hours messing with it, trying to JB Weld it together, using a variety of different methods, none of which worked, until I finally gave up. I did some research and discovered this wasn't uncommon. I also discovered it was a relatively easy fix, but still not something I wanted to try out here, because once I took it apart I wouldn't be able to drive it anywhere if I couldn't finish the job for some reason. No one had the part in stock, but Autozone in Cheraw said they could get it for me by tomorrow at 4:30, so I ordered it, figuring at least I would have the part. I'm hoping the repair shop where I got my tire will have time to do it early Monday morning, since I absolutely, positively have to leave here on Tuesday. I can also refill Lola's prescription for antibiotics, which we finished off today, along with the last of the leftover hot dogs, thank goodness. By this time is was too late to consider going riding, so I settled in to read for a few hours, did a little bit of packing, had dinner and a rather depressing movie ironically called Better Days, which was SO not what I thought it would be. Patsy coming by in the morning to ride, so I'm heading to bed early. Good night, my darlin'! Love you!