Hi Babe!
Another warm night and hot day, unseasonably so, really. Called your sister today, meant to do it yesterday but the morning got away from me. She’s doing well, was actually in a physical therapy session when I called, so it was short and sweet. Got out on the trail fairly early to try to avoid the heat, happy there was a nice breeze, which helped tremendously. I did some hair scraping off Apollo before I saddled him, his winter coat is coming out big-time, but I’m sure he’s a lot more comfortable as a result. We went for just about four miles, just a bit over an hour, just to give him some exercise and to check out a couple of trails closer to camp, though at first he fought hard against leaving camp, so we had “words.” He finally saw things my way. It seems I’ve done all the horse trails, now I’m on to the so-called hiking trails, though evidently, it’s up to the landowner (i.e. SFWMD) to determine which trails are hiking and which are horse. Hoping I can convince James to let them all be both, which seems more practical. I kept seeing markers for a blue trail, though there had never been a blue trail on the map that I can find, but it seems it’s a connector for the white trail from a small campground. Anyway, it’s on the map now! I spent most of the afternoon on the computer trying to create the final version of the trails on Google Earth, as well as to see which trails I need to confirm for sure. Still a lot of work to do, both on the ground and on the computer, but at least I’m a little more organized and making progress. I also downloaded an interesting program called Relive, which takes your GPS information and makes a video out of it, and matches it with whatever pictures you tak along the way. That could be very useful if I can figure out how to match up my digital camera photos rather than my phone. You know how hard it is to take pix from my phone when I’m on Flash, I don’t have enough hands! Finally settled down for the evening to a couple of episodes of the latest series. I ran the AC for awhile, which was wonderful, experimenting with closing all the windows to see if it would help. Maybe a little, but of course it started getting warm once I turned the AC off. Supposed to have a cold front come through overnight, hopefully it will be a bit cooler tomorrow. Anyway, time for shower and bed! Good night, darlin’! Love you!
Archives for 2022
Friday, March 18, 2022 – Happy Birthday, My Love!
Happy 88th Birthday, my darling!
As always, you were in my thoughts today, even more so because it’s your birthday today. A little busy today, first with a 15 mile ride on Flash, once again seeking new and old trails to be marked and/or recovered, though I have to speak with James at the SFWMD to figure out which will be which. It was a hot day again today, maybe not record temps, but pretty close. Flash and I did a lot of gaiting and cantering, especially toward the end, because I had made arrangements to have lunch with brother Glenn and Dena and we were pushing it on time. We managed to get back to camp just before 1:00, so I was only a couple of minutes late for our 1:15 lunch date at a Mexican restaurant in Indiantown. Brother Jeff joined us as well, so it was a good opportunity to spend time with the family, and to toast your birthday. Glenn’s been looking at investment real estate for a week now, finally found something he’s put an offer on, looks like he’ll get it if the inspection goes well. Afterward, I stopped at the Post office for my new grill and went shopping at the IGA and Dollar General. My old grill had some parts that were completely wearing out, and they quit making those Sidekicks and I couldn’t get parts, or they were so ridiculously expensive it didn’t make any sense to fix it. Fortunately, I found another one exactly the same, with a different name, Flame King, and Amazon had one in their warehouse that had apparently been returned so it was considered “used, like new” with supposedly only damaged packaging, for a nice discounted price, so I ordered that earlier this week and it came in today. Once I got back to camp and got my groceries put away, I put it all together and put it up, a perfect fit and it looks great! Well worth the price. I’ve been using the grill a lot, so it’s nice to start fresh with a new one, since the old one had so much wear on it. Settled down for the evening with some more binge TV, another hot night so I’ve been getting to bed pretty late just to let it cool down. I got the big fan out of the back of the trailer and put it in my bedroom, so hopefully that will help to cool it down in there before bedtime. Not liking this heat too much, but it doesn’t look like it’s going to end any time soon. Time to start thinking about heading north! Except I have so much to do here, I’m not sure when that will be. Anyway, time for a cool shower and bed! Good night, my love, Happy Birthday!
Thursday, March 17, 2022 – Happy St. Patty’s Day!
Hi Babe!
Other than being St. Patty’s Day, not much happened today. After chores I did some much needed housework, then some computer work including preparing and sending my Equity contract for the summer season, then cleaned a couple of stalls that needed a touch up from last weekend. Kind of relaxed a bit during the afternoon, then settled down in the evening to watch more of my binge TV. All in all, a rather mundane day! Don’t get too many of those, so I’ll take it! Getting hotter every day, so I’ve been getting to bed later, having to wait until it cools down to be comfortable. So I’m off to my shower and bed here shortly. Love you, sweetie! Good night!
Wednesday, March 16, 2022 – Another 14 Mile Recon Ride
Hi Sweetie!
Had a good night sleep, though when I was taking my shower last night, I ran out of water and power to run the water pump at just about the same time, so I barely had time to rinse off before I was done! So first thing this morning, while the beautiful mist enveloped the campground, I filled up the water tank and took another quick shower just to get off any soap residue I might have missed. Had a brief meeting with James and the new Land Manager named Blaine, hopefully this new crew will be able to work together and we’ll be able to get some things done more smoothly here. Planned a nice recon ride that turned out to be very enlightening, found some nice firebreaks, some other trails I need to learn whether or not we can use them, found one that should have been a trail but hasn’t been mowed it a very long time, and another that looked like a trail from Google Earth but was nearly impassable, including having to go around a fence. Very interesting! Flash and I did a very quick pace because it was due to rain, but it missed us almost all day until just at feeding time, naturally, so I got a little wet. I helped Laura with her RV batteries, she didn’t think they were charging properly and when I asked her when the last time she checked it, she admitted she never had, so we worked on getting access to them (they’re in a very tough position), until we could top them off. They didn’t really look bad at all, only two cells out of the six really needed anything, but we got it all back together again. Don’t know if it will help, but it was worth a try. I figured while I had all the equipment out I’d check mine, too, and I’m glad I did because I had several cells that were low, though not critically. Lola found a new cooling off spot, laying on the hay under the gooseneck! She can’t usually get in there, but I opened it to do the batteries and she climbed up as if it were made for her. I put the screen room back up because the flies were starting to be bothersome, and since I’m evidently going to be here a few more weeks at least. Stuffed myself with my Uncle Mick’s leftovers for dinner, watched a few more episodes on Prime, now I’m headed to shower and bed. Good night, darlin’! Love you!
Tuesday, March 15, 2022 – Relaxing Day
Hey Darlin’!
Slept late and drank lots of water in order to alleviate any hangover symptoms I was bound to have after imbibing too much last night, so I didn’t get up until almost 10:30 (still getting used to the time change!) Mike came by to say good-bye when he was pulling out, then I mostly read the rest of the afternoon, occasionally slipping into a little nap. Settled down in the evening to a new series on Prime, The Man in the High Castle, the start of a new binge-watching event. An uneventful day, which is just what I needed! Heading in for shower and bed, so good night, babe! Love you!
Sunday, March 13, 2022 – Ride to Pick Up Markers and Uncle Mick’s for Ribs
Hey Sweetie!
Lost an hour of sleep due to daylight savings time going into effect last night, so didn’t get up till a bit later, not surprisingly. After chores and breakfast, I saddled up Flash and before long, we were headed out with Mike to pick up markers. Rosie joined us for a bit, then peeled off to meet up with her boyfriend. My neighbor Sonia took Apollo out for a ride as well, which she did yesterday during the Poker ride, I’m happy to see him getting his exercise! It took a little while, but Flash and Mike’s big Tennessee Walker managed to find an equal pace, so it was a pretty enjoyable ride, though I’m getting a bit tired of doing the same trail over and over. I hope to do something a bit different tomorrow! Jamie’s group went around in the opposite direction, so by the time we got to the water stop, we didn’t have many markers to pick up, though there were several strays. Got back to camp around 3:30, then Mike and I drove into Jupiter for ribs at Uncle Mick’s, which I’ve been dying to have for a long time, was glad we finally did it. Lots of leftovers for another meal as well. Then we took a little scenic drive over to the beach and up to the lighthouse, plus a quick stop at Public and the IGA before getting back to camp around 8:00, which was just getting dark now. Got the horses fed, then settled down for the evening. Tired from losing that sleep and a busy day, but I’m heading off to shower and bed now! Good night, my darlin’! Love you!
Saturday, March 12, 2022 – Poker Run Day
Hi Darlin’!
What a lovely day! It started out early, of course, if you can call 7:00 early, and I went around and checked newcomers in, and did everything I could to get organized before the ride was to begin. We were trying to get out as early as possible because the forecast has such dire predictions of high winds and a storm coming through and as it turned out, only the very last riders got a little wet on the last 100 yard stretch, but everyone else managed to make it in before the rain arrived. I volunteered Mike to help me with the water stop/dealer #3 position, so we headed out there around 9:45, arriving in plenty of time before the first riders. Used a trough that Anita had brought, and got my instructions on how to mark the cards, and headed out to our stop. Lola came with us, and of course, kept us entertained with her ball fetching until the first horses came through, then it was pretty busy most of the rest of the time until the last horses came through. Everything seemed to go smoothly, though one guy, Charlie, wasn’t feeling up to finishing the ride, so he rode back with us in the truck while his horse got ponied by another one of the gals in his group, affectionately known as Charlie’s Angels. We headed back to camp, had a great lunch, passed out awards, and miraculously, Petra won a hay tote I’ve been pining for since I saw one in the OTL raffle, and she knew I really wanted one, and she had won one at the OTL, so she promptly handed it over to me, presumably for services rendered (I marked the trails, a job she evidently hates!), and it was even in my most sought after color, forest green! So it was a great outcome for me! Good things come to those who wait, I guess! Anyway, James was there, and made a presentation, and really got the club on board to help with some of the changes out here, so I think we’re really making progress. After all the hoopla, I sat around with some of the folks behind me for a good part of the afternoon, then after feeding and blanketing the horses (it’s supposed to get down to 44 degrees tonight!) went back to their campfire. Mike joined us, and eventually I did my Snowy River to a very appreciative crowd. We kept chatting until about 9:30 when we finally ran out of wood for the fire, and it was getting quite cool (very refreshing after weeks of unseasonably hot weather!), so we all said good night and went back to our respective trailers. Made myself a cup of Sleepytime tea, and I’ll soon be taking my shower (I smell like smoke, the one downside of sitting by a campfire) and heading to bed, though at the moment I have the generator on and my electric fireplace burning just for fun. What the heck, you only live once! Good night, babe! Love you!
Friday, March 11, 2022 – More Trail Marking With Laura and Mike
Hi Babe.
Had a little trouble getting to sleep last night, but woke up early before my alarm was set to go off, then it didn’t for some reason, so I was glad I woke up! There’s something strange going on with the cell phone network around here, everybody’s phone seems to not be working properly, including mine. This morning my weather program was telling me the date was July 28 for some weird reason! Nevertheless, I got up early and started the day by going around checking in some of the equestrian campers. I’ve made a list of everyone that’s supposed to be coming in and I’m making sure to match up horses and owners and stalls and paddocks, and making sure everyone makes an extra effort to clean up all the manure, even in all the paddocks that started out dirty, and it seems everyone is cooperating. People seem grateful that things are getting more organized here, thank goodness. After that, then breakfast, Laura and Mike and I rode the Poker Run trail again, and I got more markers from Petra so I got it fixed up more the way I like it now. Flash behaved himself pretty well, though he was determined not to let Laura’s horse get too far in front, which required the occasional flat out gallop, which was fun! Got back by 11:30, and Laura started to pack up to leave today, while Mike decided to extend his permit until Tuesday. Mostly relaxed in the afternoon, other than walking around a few times to update my camper records. Got caught in a downpour, ended up slipping on the mud when I jumped a puddle and fell onto my right knee, which thankfully recovered pretty will after awhile. Guess last year’s surgery really did the trick! Finally settled down for the evening to some soup and a Reese Witherspoon movie, now it’s time for shower and bed. Early morning tomorrow again, though not too early, and a forecast of rain in the afternoon with much needed cooler temps as well. So I’m off! Good night, sweetie! Love you!
Thursday, March 10, 2022 – Trail Marking and Dinner
Hi Sweetie!
Had a good night sleep, did my chores, then got on the trail just after 9:00 to mark the Poker Run trail for Saturday’s ride. It was supposed to be really hot and I wanted to get it done early enough to miss the worst of the heat. I went by Mike’s to see if he wanted to come with me, but he was busy shoeing his horse so he couldn’t come. Jiggs and Ted were packing up and getting ready to leave, they weren’t able to get their refrigerator fixed so they’re just using ice and coolers, no fun! It didn’t take me too long, maybe 2:15 hours get the 9.5 miles marked. I only had one back of markers so they were few and far between, but at least the intersections are marked. Several of the organizers are coming in tomorrow to mark the trails again anyway, so I’m sure they’ll add some to make it easier. Flash was raring to go, so we kept up a good pace. Once we got back, I did one more little repair on the trailer. I noticed that the panel on the front part of the trailer had slipped down below the roofline, which it’s done before, though I’ve sealed it a number of times to keep the water out. I managed to get it back into place using a putty knife, though I don’t know how long that will last. Driving through all those cow pastures during the Cracker Ride really jiggled a lot of stuff loose, I’ll probably be tightening stuff for weeks to come! Then I relaxed during the afternoon, Mike and Laura both came by and we mostly chatted until dinnertime. We started getting a lot of horse people in, and Steve gave me a list of the equestrian campers, so I went around and got everyone’s stall numbers so I can hopefully keep track of who’s not cleaning their stalls and take appropriate action. Finally I took an early shower, and Mike and Laura and I all went down to the country club grille for dinner, I had a very nice salmon fillet and we had a very enjoyable evening, though the mosquitoes got a bit thick for a little while there. Got back to camp around 8:30, watched a little TV, now I’m ready for bed, later than I hoped because I have to get up fairly early tomorrow morning to get the rest of the stall numbers from people, and the three of us will probably take a ride in the morning, though probably not on the Poker Run trail, I’ve seen enough of that trail already! Anyway, the day is done! Good night, darlin’! Love you!
Wednesday, March 9, 2022 – Work Day
Hey Darlin’!
Busy day today, and got a lot done, too! After breakfast, I started out working on the gooseneck hitch. I had picked up my mail at the post office yesterday, one of which was a package with the new rubber ring that goes around the gooseneck for the extra cushion-y ride. After reading the instructions on replacing it, it was clear that I had over-tightened the old one which contributed to its failure, but the rubber was pretty old anyway, so it won’t hurt to replace it. It took some finagling to get it done, and it was too heavy to do on my own, so eventually I asked Ted for help, then Steve came by, so with so many hands the job got done in short order. I had originally tried to separate the pieces manually, but it was too stuck, so I moved all the hay bales out of the way and hitched the truck up, and when I raised the trailer, it soon came apart like it was supposed to. The rest was pretty easy after that. Then I got a call from Jeff saying he was on the way, so I walked down to the gate to open it for him, and passed Mike from Indiana, whom I had met on the Cracker Trail, and was parked next to the Barn 2, though I didn’t have time to talk with him just then. I let Jeff in and we got busy pretty quick, and even Laura came by to give us a hand to get the bulging panel pretty much back into place. Not perfect, but a whole lot better than it was! That took awhile, but we got it done! Then he helped me put a rubber piece on where my extension ladder goes, one of the bottom ones got ripped off when I scraped along a gate during the Cracker Ride. And somewhere else during the day I took my sledge and knocked my pull-out stairs back into place, apparently they got scraped on something somewhere and when you opened it, the place where the step rest got out of place so it was floppy, so I beat that back and now it works fine. So we all got a lot done! We sat around and had a beer, and Mike walked down, too, so it was quite the gathering. Glad we got so much done, very grateful for brother Jeff’s help, feeling like I can relax a bit now! There’s always something, but the biggest jobs aren’t hanging over me any more, so I’m glad about that. Finally it was feeding time, and everyone went their separate ways, and I settled down for the evening. Off to shower and bed! Good night, babe! Love you!