Tuesday, September 3, 2024 – Long and Tiring Travel Day to Bandy Creek, Big South Fork

Hiya Darlin',
Got up just after 7:00 and finished the packing. There wasn't much, but I had a lot of cleanup in the stalls, and then I stopped at the dump to clear my black and gray water tanks, so it was after 9:15 before we finally hit the road. It was less than 270 miles, so I figured about 5+ hours, but I guess I didn't take into account how much of it was on twisty, windy roads that were very low speed limits, so by the time I got to Jamestown, TN, it was 3:30 already. I had to stop at Tractor Supply for horse feed and Walmart for groceries, it was well after 5:00 by the time I got to camp. Weird thing is, although we're technically on Central Time, the ride and the park work on Eastern time, so the hour I thought I would gain isn't really going to happen. Other than being long and twisty and windy, the drive wasn't too bad. Organizer Ken met me at the site to make sure I got in the right place, since everyone coming in after me will line up the same way. I put up a good sized paddock for the boys, but didn't take them out of the trailer until after I went and got water, which is fortunately not, too far away, but I didn't have enough in my trailer tank, and I haven't put any in my truck tank since I pressure washed it. I got their tubs filled with water and the trailer as well, then finally brought them out. A long day in the trailer for them! They didn't seem any worse for the wear, though, just thirsty. Of course they rolled, then settled down to munching. I met the co-managers of the ride, and then the trail gal came along as well, so with all the chatting, I ended up being very late with their dinner. I was a bit worried about the fence charger, it didn't seem to be working, I thought maybe the battery needed charging, then I couldn't find the charger. I looked EVERYWHERE before I finally found it in the dog drawer. Don't know why I put it there, but it was clearly marked "fence charger", so I plugged it in. Funny thing was, the green light stayed on, which I'm assuming means it's fully charged, but when I take it off the electric charger, it doesn't work. I checked everything I could, so the only thing left is either the battery really is dead, or it got damaged when the horses ran over the fence the other morning. I've decided to leave the inverter on all night to see if that charges the battery, although I checked it with my multi-meter and their does seem to be some charge in it, maybe just not enough. I may need a new battery. We'll see in the morning! Good news! Kathy told me Sue's missing dog Pete has been spotted, so she's heading back down to get him. Hope he's okay! Meanwhile, I'm taking a shower and heading to bed asap, April wants to start putting up ribbons at 8:00E/7:00C, so I have to get up before the crack of dawn! Already looking forward to a nap tomorrow afternoon! Good night, sweetheart! Love you!