Hi Sweetie,
Had a pretty good night sleep, woke up a couple of times, finally had to read a bit around 5:00, but then fell asleep again. Had a bit of rain come in, and it got worse after I got up, but I managed to get the horses fed between showers. After breakfast I went into town, first going to Scott’s Body Shop for an estimate on the truck damage from the limb that fell on the hood at Jeff’s, then on to Tractor Supply for horse feed, medicated shampoo (Apollo’s got a case of rain rot) and antibiotic spray. Though they had a propane tank in their gated area, they aren’t selling it yet, so I had to go to an Amoco station across town to get some, but they were pretty fair, even though it was by weight they did deduct for what was in the tank, unlike some places. Finally off to Walmart for my big shopping day, it’s been awhile since I’ve gotten groceries. They were having a clearance sale on some weird bourbon, cream, ginger stuff that I persuaded myself to get for a change, turned out to be awfully nice, so it won’t last long! Got back to camp and treated Apollo’s rain rot, put everything away, did a few odd chores. I’m happy to report that despite all the rain, and it coming from seemingly the right direction, there were NO LEAKS around my bedroom window, so I’m hoping I finally solved the problem. There’s more rain forecast later in the week, so I’ll hold off stating that as a definitive until it’s had a few more rounds of rain, but fingers crossed, I think I may have finally solved the problem. Had a nice grilled chicken dinner, than took a walk around camp to visit with two ladies staying at the bottom of the hill for awhile. Got back to discover it was well after 9:00! I really don’t like this late daylight for some reason, it just seems too light for bed, yet it’s time for shower and bed already. I’m still going to watch a one hour TV program, just to wind down, but then it will definitely be time to go. Good night, my darlin’! Love you!
Archives for 2021
Monday, July 12, 2021 – Travel Day Back to Hungerford
Hi Darlin’,
Woke up a couple of times during the night, ended up reading until I fell asleep again, then woke up late at 8:30. No worries, I only have to travel about three hours today, so I wasn’t worried about the time. Got everything packed up, coffee made and hit the road around 10:30, arrived safe and sound around 1:30. Filled up both tanks with water, the trailer and the truck, at the water spigot, then drove around to find my perfect spot. That turned out to be #22, right on a corner. Easy access, no tight turns or trees in the way, a pretty big spot, and my patio and bedroom window will look right onto the horses highline. Got everything set up by about 4:00, just taking my time, so happy to hear my phone chirping away as I received messages, texts, emails, voicemails, everything I’ve been missing for weeks and months now! I’m hoping to get a lot of work done in the next few days now that I have internet again! It’s still a bit slow, but I think that’s because it seems I have a broken wire on the antenna of my cell phone booster, that will be job one tomorrow. Meanwhile, I’ve just settled down, enjoyed the care package leftovers of ribs and sides from Sandy so it was an easy dinner, watched a little TV, and generally relaxing after a very busy couple of weeks! Looking forward to getting a little rest while I work solely on my computer for awhile. There’s rain in the forecast for tomorrow, and a couple of other days later this week, that will be a great incentive to get my computer work done! Meanwhile, it won’t be long before shower and bed tonight! Good night, babe! Love you!
Sunday, July 11, 2021 – Final Ride at River Road, Sandy Finally Takes Her Horse Home
Hi Baby,
Had another good night sleep, spent the morning doing chores, then finally decided to work on the leaky bedroom window. I was happy to discover that once I removed the hole covers (only one was a real problem, thank goodness), it was an easy job to remove the entire window sash and every that was attached to it in one go. Then I tightened up the top screws, which I’m hoping will be the solution to the problem. If it still leaks after this, the only other thing I can think of is to replace the entire window. If I do that, I think I’ll change it out to an emergency-type window like I have on the other side, purely because I’ll be able to leave it open when it rains and get more fresh are through here. It’s been so cold and rainy this week it’s feeling a bit stuffy in here because I haven’t been able to open the windows. Even on the nice days, it’s only warm for a few hours before a chill sets in again. I’d rather have it warm than fresh at the moment! The point is, at least I’ve got that done, as much as I can, fingers crossed it solves the problem! I also did a few more odd jobs while I was waiting for Sandy and Bill, who showed up right at 11:00. Got the horses saddled, though I had to re-rig my spare Western saddle again, still not sure I’m doing it right, but it served the purpose for today. We went just over 10 miles, and three hours. We headed west of the Michigan Hiking and Riding trail until we got a few roads down, then headed south on the road until we hit the ORV trail, then east again until we got to the entrance to the camp. It went a lot slower than yesterday, we really didn’t do any cantering or fast gaiting, though Bill got a lot of canters in on Apollo, who wouldn’t let our two gaited horses out of his sight, naturally! Got back about 3:00, Sandy loaded up her mare, she got all of her stuff as well as some things I gave her, and they headed off about 4:00, leaving me on my own again. I did some packing up, then just enjoyed the peace and quiet. Settled down for the evening, and once again, am ready for my shower and bed, looking forward to getting back to Hungerford tomorrow, where I’ll FINALLY be able to get back on the internet and get some work done! Good night, sweetie! Love you!
Saturday, July 10, 2021 – Second Ride at River Road
Hi Sweetheart,
Had a good night sleep, but had set my alarm early to make sure I was ready to go when Sandy got here. We had agreed between 9 and 10:00, though I had emphasized that earlier was better, so I was all set and ready to go by just after 9:00. By 10:00 I had Flash all saddled and ready to go. By 10:25, still no sign of Sandy, and since I don’t have any cell service, I didn’t know if that meant she was late or not coming at all, I set out on my own. You know how much patience I developed with you over the years, how much waiting I had to do with you just with everyday living and I know you won’t begrudge me saying that since you’ve been gone, I’ve let that slip a bit. I’m sorry (not really), but life is too short, and I’m really not interested in wasting any more of it waiting for other people who don’t respect MY time. So Flash and I set off to find what I believed (and later found out I was wrong) the Shore-to-Shore trail. We went out the same way as yesterday, but turned on the first trail (well, really a sandy road) and headed west. It was wide and sandy, and it wasn’t long before we started running into ATV’s, dirt bikes and side-by-sides (who didn’t know about yielding to horses, so I had to educate a few people today). Eventually I saw that this was primarily designated for those machines, but I still thought it was a multi-use trail. Eventually, I got bored with it, though, and finally found a side trail that I realized was actually considered a forest road. Double track, but mostly grass and not very much used, actually quite nice. By now, because of the late start, my plan for a 15-mile ride was out the window, and frankly, this forest is rather boring, I headed back to camp, and because Flash was pretty randy today, we did a couple miles of galloping, cantering and fast-gaiting, arriving at about 12:30 and at 9.66 miles. Sandy was there riding her horse around the campground, she said she arrived around 10:30, so she obviously just missed me. Probably good that she had a chance to ride on her own, though, her mare is still pretty inconsistent with her gait and we haven’t really found a happy medium that’s comfortable for us both yet. I still wanted to make the 1:00 demonstration at the Lumbermen’s Memorial (my agenda today was to ride in the morning and spend the afternoon there), so I grabbed a sandwich and headed out. I didn’t want to rush Sandy, but she managed to be ready by the time I left, and we arrived just as the demonstration was starting. It lasted about 40 minutes, with ax-throwing, log carving, and log rolling, among other things, after which Sandy left and Lola and I proceeded to walk the grounds. There’s a Discovery Trail through the forest that was nice, and another trail along the cliff overlooking the AuSable River that was lovely. Several outbuildings were very educational, and there’s a beautiful bronze statue of a typical logging crew. That took us up to the 3:00 demonstration, so Lola and I went to see it again just for fun. There was a smaller crowd so they cut it down to just 30 minutes. Then I spent a few minutes on my computer since I had a signal there and then headed back to camp, changed my pants, then headed down to Sandy and Bill’s for a nice rib dinner with them and another couple of friends. It was a great meal and we had lively conversation, then I left a bit after 8:00, knowing I had horses to feed before it got dark. Accomplished that, but it took till almost 9:30, very little time to “settle down” for the evening, just enough time to write in my diary, take a shower and go to bed! Whew! What a day! And another busy one scheduled for tomorrow! Good night, darlin’! Love you!
Friday, July 9, 2021 – First Ride at River Road
Hi Darlin’!
Had my best night sleep in a long time! No earplugs, no rain, no restless Lola, and I was asleep by around ten and slept straight through to seven! Yoohoo! I even stayed in bed to read awhile, because it was so cold out, and the furnace even clicked on for a short while this morning, even though I had it set way low. I had to pull out the winter quilt, though, my other two blankets weren’t enough the night before. Anyway, that got me off to a good start this morning. I cranked up the generator (using the BeatIt, of course!), and started my first load of laundry. It was a nice sunny day for a change and I haven’t done laundry for awhile, so I got right on it. Three loads later, I had everything up on the line when Sandy showed up. We chatted for a while, then got busy saddling the horses for our first ride out here. Though I had made us a GPS route, somehow I got off on the wrong trail, and before I figured it out, we were way off in the opposite direction, but it didn’t matter, I was going to explore this side anyway. We traversed through a lot of pine trees with a lot of markings on them, so it didn’t really have the feel of a wild forest, more like a tree farm, but it was not a bad ride. Lots of trees had fallen so we had a lot of diversions, but nothing serious. We rode almost four miles to we got to a busy road, and since Lola was with us, I didn’t want to attempt crossing it so we headed back. Footing was fine, there was one wide utility easement where Sandy wanted to canter, so we did that (and some galloping, too!), for a lot further than Flash usually goes. I think he might just be showing off for the mare! When we got back to camp we let them all graze for awhile while I took my laundry off the line. After Sandy left I drove down to the Monument parking lot to check my emails and take care of a little business, a slow signal but at least I got one bar of 4G for a change. Got back to camp and settled down for the evening. I told Sandy I was leaving on Monday and to bring her trailer so she can take her horse home. It just doesn’t make sense for me to stay here when I can’t get cell service, and there aren’t that many trails, although, oddly, after I downloaded my GPS information, it seems we weren’t actually on the Shore-to-Shore trail after all, or else their maps are REALLY off. I think maybe we were on more of a hiking trail. I’ll figure it out tomorrow, now that I have a reference point. But considering how far away from everything I am, especially Sandy, and we can’t do all the things we were going to do, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of point to staying here. I’ll head back to Hungerford, where I know there are lots of trails, I now know where to park to get a good cell signal, plus I’ve arranged for my truck to be fixed (the body work after the limb fell on the hood at Jeff’s, plus a few other odd scratches and dents I’m hoping to get done as well), and I’m only 15 minutes to everything in town, instead of forty like I am now. Sandy can always come over and join me whenever she wants, it’s only about 2 ½ hours away. Anyway, I’ve watched a movie, and now I’m going to shower and get to bed early again, it did me so much good last night, I’m hoping to repeat the experience! Good night, babe! Love you!
Thursday, July 8, 2021 – Hay and Oil Change Day
Hi Babe!
Another rain and cold night, and I’m sorry to say that my window leak was actually worse! I think by tightening the bottom, which is all I could reach, the top may have opened up a bit, and there was more leakage than ever (though not that bad, I easily dried it up with a towel), but it means I have to take apart the whole shade and maybe even the window frame itself to reach it. Fortunately it’s not going to rain for a few days, so hopefully I’ll have time to get to it before it does. After chores and breakfast, I went down to the Lumbermen’s Monument to try to get some work done, but got such a lousy signal I came back and got my cell phone signal booster, which helped a tiny bit, but not too much. I did manage to get in touch with a body shop in Big Rapids that is well-rated, and their backlog is only about a week, so my plan now is to head down there, probably on Monday, back to Hungerford, where I know if I park a few space farther up the hill I’ll be able to get a decent cell phone signal. Actually, way up on top there were a few spaces with a lot more open area, which would be good for my solar panel, so my only challenge is water, which really isn’t a challenge since all I have to do is fill up the 110 gallon tank in the back of the truck and refill my trailer and the horse buckets as needed. I’ll be down to two horses then, so it should be a lot easier. I also struggled to find some hay, one guy really had an attitude problem, even though he was the closest, but I didn’t want to deal with him after one conversation. Found another one about 45 minutes away, and scheduled to meet him at 5:00. Finally did all I could stand to do and got back to camp, where I proceed to change the oil and filter and do a lube job on the truck. I knew it was due, and coming across the state the other day finally made my “oil change” light come on, so I picked up what I needed shopping yesterday, and since it finally stopped raining, and the ground miraculously wasn’t very wet a short time later, I went ahead and got that done. It had been a long time since I lubed it, too, so I got down the grease gun and got that done, too. I even checked the fluid in the rear axle, something I’ve never done on this truck, and I’m happy to say it was just fine! Just as I was finishing up that job, Sandy arrived, to tell me she had arranged to pick up hay a bit closer than the one I had arranged, so it wasn’t long before we headed out to that one, while I messaged the other one to cancel. It’s so frustrating not having a cell signal here, having to drive miles to the Monument to get a half-assed signal while sitting uncomfortably in my truck. It turned out to be nice hay, though, bales three weeks ago (well, except a couple of bales that looked like leftovers from last year, but still good), with about 20% alfalfa and the rest nice grass. Didn’t really need the alfalfa, but the horses will like it, for sure! Sandy went home from there, I got back to camp and stored all the hay, fed the horses early then settled down for the evening, watching a movie on DVR. I’ve already taken my shower and I’m ready for bed, even though it’s still a bit light outside, crazy! I debated putting the blankets on the horses because it’s going down to 50 degrees tonight, but I figured since it was going to be dry they could handle it. If it was raining, I would have done it, like last night. Supposed to be warm and sunny tomorrow, so I’m probably going to do some laundry in the morning, as well as trying to fix that window problem, then Sandy’s coming over after a doctor’s appointment, and we plan to ride after she gets here. So another busy day tomorrow. Sure could use a day or two off! Maybe next week! Anyway, headed to bed shortly, so I’ll say good night, sweetie! Love you!
Wednesday, July 7, 2021 – Rainy Runaround Day
Hi Sweetie!
Well, we had a bit of a change in weather, like crazy! Last night I had both paddle fans and both floor fans on trying to get it cool enough to sleep, then the rain moved in, and by this afternoon, I was running the furnace to warm it up in here! Whew! It rained off and on all night, and was happy to find the there was only a small bit of water around the bedroom window, so I may have solved most of that problem. I tightened the screws again, so maybe I’ve fixed it now. It was a cold and rainy day, so I made it a productive one. After chores and breakfast I headed off to East Tawas, first to the Tractor Supply to get three of the propane tanks filled (with all the rain, I’m not getting much solar energy so I’m using more propane, of course!), then to Walmart, where I sat in the parking lot for a bit doing some computer work, since I have no signal at camp. Then I did my shopping, then headed back to camp to print out a letter and label for a book order I got. Though the nearest post office is a long way away, I managed to talk to the folks at the Lumbermen’s Monument just up the road, and they agreed to let me put it in their mail, so once the package was prepared, that’s what I did. Then I drove out to South Branch where we had camped in 2013, because I couldn’t remember it, and thought maybe it was a better facility and cell phone signal than where I am right now. Turns out it’s not. In fact, I couldn’t even find where we got water from when we were there, though when I got back I looked it up, but I swear, I couldn’t find the spigot we used last time. Plus it’s another $15/night (half price for Golden Access), whereas where I am now is free, so I see no reason to move over there. There’s a decent signal at the Monument, so at least I don’t have to drive too many miles now. They don’t really have any horse facilities over there either, we evidently just highlined the horses on trees last time, at least they have some posts here. A lot of running around, but got my shopping and propane, which was the most important thing. It had rained on and off all afternoon, and the forecast is for more of the same tomorrow, cold and wet, so I’m thinking I’ll call a couple of body shops to see if they can do an estimate for me, I have to make arrangements to get this done, but everything is so far behind, I don’t know how long it will take, that’s one of the things I need to find out. Finally settled down for the evening, got the grill out to do a hamburger, then watched a couple of movies while the generator was running and charging the batteries. I’m going to have to run the furnace for a bit before going to bed, it’s supposed to be getting down to 54 degrees tonight! I even put the blankets on the all the horses, they were shivering a bit this morning, I figured after all the hot weather they would need the extra protection. Headed off to my shower and bed, just another day on the road! Good night, darlin’! Love you!
Tuesday, July 6, 2021 – Travel Day to Sandy’s, Change of Plans
Hi Darlin’!
Finally had a decent night sleep, with earplugs, because we had an unexpected thunderstorm pop up right around bedtime, slept almost straight through to just after 7:00 when I got up and started getting ready to go. Sorry to report that despite resealing the bedroom window, there was still water along the edge of the window, so I tried one last thing, I tightened the screws that apparently hold it together and it place. I can’t think what else it might be, but some of them were a little loose, so maybe that’s the problem. I’ll know after the next storm! Didn’t take me too long to get everything done, headed out of camp right around 9:00. It was a straightforward and uneventful drive to Standish Milling where I was FINALLY able to pick up three bags of Balancer, then on to Sandy’s arriving about 12:15. She had gone out and hadn’t gotten back yet, but she showed up not long after. It didn’t take long to realize that it would be IMPOSSIBLE for me to get into her yard! They have a narrow driveway with ditches on either side, and the road is also very narrow with a big ditch on the other side, just no way I was going to be able to get in there! Fortunately, I was able to reach live people at the National Forest office, and arranged to have the gate unlocked at the River Road Trail Camp, which is one of the stops on the Shore-to-Shore Ride across the state of Michigan, and they managed to get out here very quickly! We arrived just after 2:30 (Sandy was leading the way), and it didn’t take too long to get set up with two of us doing it. We brought her mare with me because her yard still isn’t quite ready for her, and if I’m not there, she doesn’t have a riding partner anyway. This is quite a large camp, though isn’t generally open, and is one of those that has water IF you have a 5000 watt generator to plug into the pump to make it work. Not quite sure why they don’t have one of those solar pumps like at Hungerford, that would make a lot more sense. Anyway, doesn’t matter, I put my generator on there and got everything filled up, the trailer, the horses’ buckets, the truck tank, Lola’s pool, and even her automatic water bowl, so hopefully I won’t have to do it again, unless I stay here longer. Unfortunately, I have almost no cell phone signal again, even worst than at Hungerford where at least I could drive up to the top of the campground or walk over to a picnic table a couple of sites away and get a signal. Here, almost nothing. I’ve managed to get a text or two on occasion when 3G pops in momentarily, but it’s very sporadic. Oh, well, that’s been the story of the summer, practically everywhere I’ve gone I’ve had no signal. I have to do some shopping tomorrow, I’m going to have to take my computer along and get caught up, I’m so far behind on so many things right now. Anyway, Sandy left about 4:00, it’s been uncomfortably hot again today, but there’s a cold front moving in overnight that’s going to drop the temps about 25 degrees, be nice not to sweat for awhile. I have no real map of this place, Sandy said she might know where to get one, hopefully she’ll have one tomorrow. Well, it’s after 9:00, still plenty of daylight but the mosquitoes are starting to come out, so I’m heading in for my shower and bed! Good night, babe! Love you!
Monday, July 5, 2021 – Final Ride on Apollo at Hungerford
Hi Babe!
Well, after sleeping so late yesterday and not doing much during the day, I couldn’t get to sleep even though I still felt tired when I went to bed. It was a fitful night at best. And I didn’t even have any wine last night, you know how sometimes that wakes me up in the middle of the night, but that wasn’t it either. Oddly, a large group of riders headed out of camp at about 11:20 p.m., and didn’t come back until almost 1:30 in the morning! I guess it was a true midnight ride! It certainly wasn’t a full moon ride, I don’t think there was a moon at all last night, it seemed pitch dark to me! Not something I’d want to do, but hey, it takes all kinds to make a world! Fortunately, I woke up at 7:30 and made myself get up even though I felt tired, I just have to have a normal day to see if I can get back on track! After chores and breakfast, I saddled up Apollo for a short ride, just to finish off a couple of trails that I had missed during the week, very straightforward ones that amounted to just over five miles. In a way, I made it sort of an homage to you, my love, since it was Apollo I rode here when we were here last together, it seemed fitting to have my last ride here on Apollo again. Once we got back I let him graze awhile, and Flash for a bit, too, while I started to pack up for our departure tomorrow. I spaced it out throughout the day, not that there was that much to do, but tried to relax and read in between, just to space the chores out. Got everything done that I can get done, the truck is lined up but not hooked up because there’s a little slope and I don’t want to be leaning on my head overnight. I’m going to watch a movie tonight, something I haven’t done for awhile, hoping it will help get me back into my normal cycle. I ate early, though, sausage on the grill, salad, and some macaroni and cheese. Trying to get rid of all the junk food in the house, though I’m happy to say that I’m down about six pounds from where I was before Loretta Lynn’s, surprising considering how much food I ate while I was there! At least I’m headed in the right direction! Anyway, I’m settling down for the evening, it was another hot day but it’s starting to cool down now, a short shower came through before, nothing serious. So good night, sweetie! Love you!
Sunday, July 4, 2021 – Happy Independence Day!
Hi Sweetie!
I’ve been having a bit of trouble sleeping lately, though I’m not sure why, maybe just the change of activities and meal time or something, I don’t know, but I decided to take a couple of acetaminophen PM last night, and did knock me out pretty good. I did wake up long enough to say good-bye to Trish at 7:00, she was packed and all ready to go. Afterwards, I came back to bed, fell right back to sleep, and the next time I looked at the clock it was 11:37! I can’t believe I slept that long! I think I had better only take one of those pills instead of two, they REALLY knocked me out! And I can’t believe Apollo didn’t make a fuss about breakfast being so late, he usually tends to get vocal when he’s hungry, but I didn’t hear a thing. Once I did get up, I didn’t do much, felt too groggy for most of the day, but it was nice to just sit and read all day. It was so hot by mid-afternoon that any movement evoked a sweat anyway, so sitting still was the best option. By 7:00 the temps started coming down a bit, so I ended up sealing the bedroom window, now that it’s had a few days to dry out inside, hopefully, and leaking is one thing I can’t delay repairs on! Hopefully I did it well enough to prevent any further drips around the edge. I put most of the hoses away as well, so I won’t have too much to do tomorrow. Maybe I’ll even get that last ride on Apollo in if I feel more rested tomorrow. Anyway, didn’t do much so there’s not much to report. Off to shower and bed shortly! Good night, my darlin’! Love you!