Hey Sweetie,
Got to bed a bit late, but had a good night sleep. While I spent the morning waiting for the trailer repair guy to show up, as was promised to me yesterday, I did some odd jobs. I took all the TOG signs and pulled them apart, then restapled them in a way that will allow us to reuse the stake and sheet protector by just slipping in new signs. Ended up with 36 signs like that. It wasn't as easy as it sounds, though, because first I had to fix my hammer stapler, which jammed up on me last time I used it, and it took some doing to figure out how to unjam it (Youtube is my friend!), and even with instructions, it proved to be a bit more difficult until I mastered the technique. It continued to jam for quite awhile after every couple of staples, but it finally seemed to settle down and I was able to get the last bunch done with less trouble. Rick showed up just as I was finishing, so I enlisted him to help me replace the firehose on the pumphouse so that we could refill tanks more easily for FITS in a couple of weeks. Not that I needed his help, but he looked like he needed something to do, so he moved his truck over and I stood on it. That was about it. After awhile, I headed back over to Val's to meet with Chelle so we could drive around the property on a UTV and figure out exactly what signs we needed and how many. Got back to camp after 5:00, fixed my dinner, did my evening chores as usual, yada yada yada, and I'll be ready for bed shortly! Good night, my darlin'! Love you!
Archives for February 2025
Monday, February 17, 2025 – Computer and FITS Meeting
Hiya Darlin',
After a couple hours of housekeeping, I spent most of the day working on my Yellowstone Adventure plans, booking a hotel room for both before and after the pack trip. I've decided to stay on for a few days after the pack trip so that I can toodle around all the spots that are the tourist attractions that I won't see on the pack trip, just to cover all my bases. I remember we went there once and drove around, stopped at Old Faithful but I can't remember if we stayed and actually watched the geyser go off. I've been doing a lot of reading and research on the area, and there's a lot more to see, so I want to try to do as much as I can. I remember how we hated how commercial it was, and that was 30+ years ago! I can only imagine that it's even worse now, but what the heck, I don't imagine I'll ever go back again, and it's a bucket list item, so I might as well do it up right! Not much left on my bucket list these days! We already did just about everything we ever wanted to do! Anyway, in the afternoon I went to a meeting over at Val's to do more FITS planning, didn't get back until nearly 6:00, so it was all about feeding horses, having dinner and doing my usual routine. Back to bed soon! Good night, baby! Love you!
Sunday, February 16, 2025 – Rainy Rest and Laundry Day
Hi Babe,
Had a good night sleep, laid in for a bit, did my chores, did a bunch of loads of laundry, worked on some stuff for the upcoming FITS ride, but otherwise took the day off. We had rain midday, and it kind of put me out of the mood to do housework, so I'll just have to get myself psyched up to do it tomorrow. The computer work took most of the day, then I settled down to my usual evening routine. Just have my tea to drink and my Spanish lesson to do, and I'm off the bed! Good night, sweetie! Love you!
Saturday, February 15, 2025 – Double Ride Day
Hiya Sweetie,
Woke up to an early alarm again, had Flash loaded up and ready to go by a little after 8:00. We headed down to Tidewater, arriving just at 8:30 as the LD's were leaving in the Gator Run Ride. The plan today was to once again accompany Jo and Nikki and hopefully be a calming influence on her. By the time we checked in, vetted (I was astonished that Flash did his trot out just fine!) and saddled up, it was nearly 10:00 when we hit the trail. We didn't get very far before Jo decided Nikki was misbehaving and got down to walk her on a lead. That went on for a couple of miles. We finally hit water, and Jo was trying to figure out how to get around it when I kind of got a little frustrated and told her to just get on her damn horse. I pointed out that the only lesson Nikki had learned so far was that all she had to do was jig a little, and Jo would get down and she wouldn't have to carry her anymore. What can I say, everyone once in awhile, a little butt-kicking is in order. Well, she got back on, and lo and behold, actually made it through the puddle following Flash. She would have occasional periods where she would be fine, but then jig some more, but toward the end, she was about as settle as she could be. I could tell she just wanted to go faster, but Jo isn't ready for that yet, and doesn't think Nikki is either. Anyway, by the end of nine miles, Flash was so frustrated with the slow pace that I decided to do the same loop again and let him go as much as he wanted. He has been very patient over the last two days, but he got pretty bunched up toward the end. I let him eat for a minute, got myself a bottle of water, then we headed out on the trail at 1:05. I asked the timer to mark it, even though the intro rides don't time themselves, I was just curious. So Flash and I headed out the second time, and this time we went like gangbusters. He gaited and cantered for over five miles, then slowed down a little bit, but not for long. It was a beautiful day but it was starting to get warm but with a nice breeze, so I didn't mind. Then when we were about a couple of miles until the end, a woman on an Arab came cantering up behind us, and Flash took off like a rocket! He was NOT going to let that Arab pass! I didn't realize he still had so much gas in his tank, but he gave it everything, right up into a gallop, all the way back to camp! We ended up with a time of 1:20 for that second 9.5 miles, so I was very happy with him for that. I unsaddled him and cooled him off, and after a couple of tries, managed to get him pulsed down to 60, took him through the vetting where he got almost all A's again (a B on his gait, but he did his impulsion test perfectly again, yay!) and we got out completion, though I'll only get credit for the 10 miles and not the almost 20 that we actually did. Not worried about the credit though, this was all about HIM getting to do what he wanted for a change. I hung around and chatted for awhile before heading back camp, got him settled down (and when I looked awhile later, he was laying down, not surprisingly!), as I did likewise. Dinner, TV, hot tub, shower, tea and cookie, and I'm ready for bed! Good night, my darlin'! Love you!
Friday, February 14, 2025 – Busy Valentine’s Day
Hey Darlin',
After a good night sleep and having to get up with the early alarm, I went to an appointment with a dermatologist for a skin tag removal, which took no time at all, then got back to camp by 10:30. Jo had asked me to have Flash ride along with her new horse Nikki, so she arrived shortly thereafter, and we got saddled up and eventually hit the trail, though we did a lot of schooling before that. Jo did a lot of walking, and Nikki misbehaved a lot more than Jo expected, so it turned into a pretty long day. We came back after about 3.5 miles, waited a bit, then went out again. Flash was unbelievably patient, which really surprised me, but it seems he getting used to the teacher role that has been thrust upon him. Nikki wanted to do more than walk, but Jo was insistent that was all we were going to do today, which is fine, since teaching Off Track Thoroughbreds to walk truly is a challenge! She improved a bit, though not as much as we both would have liked, but obviously, it's a long slow process that Jo is just at the beginning of. I'm rather glad those crazy days with my horses are over! Once we got back the second time, I put Flash away and after Jo left, headed over to Willards for a prime rib dinner, tonight's Valentine's day special. I haven't had prime rib (or much beef at all) since the Red Rock Ride last June, so I figured I was entitled to splurge. Nice not to have to clean the kitchen! Got back at six, fed the horses, and settled down for the evening with a full stomach. Watched a little TV, and won't be long out of bed! Good night, babe! Love you!
Thursday, February 13, 2025 – Rest Day
Hiya Babe,
Had a decent night sleep, got up to do chores and breakfast, then went back up to bed to read and doze for awhile. Finally came downstairs again, and spent the entire day in forced rest mode, reading and watching a movie. I woke up with so many aches and pains, all due to being over-tired, that I knew I just had to have a day when I did nothing, and so I did! By the time I got done with my hot tub and shower, pretty much all of the aches were gone, so mission accomplished! I have a couple of busy days ahead, so I'm glad I took the day off, but it was hard, because I really need to do some housekeeping, but it's just going to have to wait until Sunday, when it's supposed to rain and I can stay inside guilt-free. Heading to bed shortly, after tea and shortbread! Good night, sweetie! Love you!
Wednesday, February 12, 2025 – Nice Ride at Shangrila
Hey Sweetie,
Had a decent night sleep, but still not enough to be a hundred percent. I had arranged to meet Sherra at Shangrila for another buddy ride with Blake, this time heading over to the Land Bridge that crosses over I-75. There are some nice single track trails here, with a lot of shade. There are several parallel trails so we didn't have to take the same linear trail back and forth, and we were trying to vary the terrain as much as we could for Blake's benefit. He was feeling a little claustrophobic on some of the deep trails, and would get a little excited and want to power through them instead of picking through them at first, but by the time we got to the end of the ride, he had settled down nicely. Sherra was worried about how he would react to all the traffic going by underneath us, but with Flash pretty much ignoring it, we crossed straight over. On the way back, we took some pix and stood there for awhile just to get everyone settled down, and finally got back to the trailhead after about three hours. It was a nice ride, a beautiful day, almost a bit too warm, but the horses got a nice rinse off before loading them into our respective trailers. I got back to camp around 3:00 and settled down. My weariness is still there deep down, and it reappeared in spades by the time I got Flash put away and settled in for the evening. Tomorrow, I'm taking the day off! I don't plan on doing anything physical tomorrow, my aching bones need some rest! Good night, my darlin'! Love you!
Tuesday, February 11, 2025 – Another Exhausting Day
Hiya Darlin',
Finally got a decent night sleep and woke up a bit more refreshed, but after another long day, I'm back to feeling exhausted again. The day started early, with a 9:00 dentist appointment to get fitted for a crown on a broken molar, followed by a trip to Tractor Supply for propane and horse feed, only to be disappointed that the Dunnellon store didn't have the Balancer I needed, despite the fact that a couple of weeks ago I was assured they would be getting another shipment in, which meant I had to drive to Williston to get some. I got fuel and went shopping at Walmart for my usual bi-monthly shopping trip, the headed north the Williston to get the rest of the horse feed I needed. From there, I drove up to Watermelon Pond to flag the spot where I want the safety sign post to go in, which will save me a trip with Rick, as I'm hoping he'll finish putting the last few posts in. Next was Bailey Mine Trailhead, where I did the same thing. Finally got back to camp late in the afternoon, feeling like I needed a nap, but then got involved with a camper to help them understand the value of Avenza trail app. Not long afterward I headed down to Willards for a Taste of Goethe debrief, learned that we set an attendance record of 240 people, with 50 of them registering the same day. All things considered, I think it went pretty well, with just a few glitches to be expected with unprecedented numbers like that, and the notes from each of the board members mostly focused on the same issues, so we're all on the same page. Didn't get back until about 9:00, took my hot tub and shower, now I'm having tea and am ready for bed soon! Another early start tomorrow! Good night, baby! Love you!
Monday, February 10, 2025 – No Rest For The Weary
Hey Babe,
Despite being dog-tired last night, I woke up just after 2:00 and couldn't get back to sleep until after 4:00, three aspirins and two melatonins later. Woke up tired at 8:45, got up and did chores, and after breakfast, decided there were a couple of jobs I could do without too much exertion. I put together the safety sign posts that we needed, then decided to drive the tractor and put the two closest ones out, since the awl is still on the tractor and it requires no real energy on my part to install them. They were both on the north side of the Black Prong area, Then I drove the tractor down to where a tree had been reported down, which was down on the southern side of the Black Prong area, so it was a pretty good hau.. Fortunately it was a fairly small pine, so, having taken my little chainsaw with me, I didn't have any trouble getting it and a couple of other limbs out of the way. I got back to camp after 4:00 feeling exhausted again. I really need a day off, but don't see one in sight! Settled down for the evening, was very grateful for my hot tub when the time came, now it's just finishing up my tea and heading to bed, early, because I have another alarm-early morning tomorrow. Good night, sweetie! Love you!
Sunday, February 9, 2025 – Sign and Marker Retrieval
Hi Sweetie,
Woke up in the middle of the night and had a hard time getting back to sleep, which, considering how tired I was going to bed, rather surprised me. I got up about dawn and took care of my chores, started a load of laundry, helped a horse camper look at possible next campgrounds, then headed out and picked up Art, another volunteer, and we went down to Apex to grab the UTV and clear out the signs. It took us just under three hours to do, but at least now it's done! Got back to camp and crashed a bit in the afternoon, watched a movie, backed some shortbread cookies, and am heading to hot tub and shower shortly. I've been adjusting my recipe a bit and today's were a bit better, so I'm headed in the right direction. Anyway, I'm still feeling very tired and my bones are a bit achy, but hopefully with a good night sleep tonight, I'll be ready to tackle the week, which is starting to look pretty busy. Love you, darlin'! Good night!