A little sore but HAPPY...

FINALLY!!! After 5 years hiatus (since my introduction to 'The Cancer'), we finally got to go to an overnight trail ride.The occasion was our annual St.Jude Benefit Ride.Last time we attended that was 3 years ago for just a few hours in the morning, since i could not handle our usual July heat which brings me to the fortunate circumstance that we could actually go this year and stay.

At this time of year we usually boil with temps around the upper 90's or even triple digits with very high humidity which makes it feel even worse.This year we got a lucky break.forecast since last week was unseasonably cool temperatures,so we decided to risk it. It took us most of the week to load everything on the bus , get the tack sorted out and cleaned up .we didn't get to put shoes on our horses but that was OK, the trails are mainly in the woods or sandy.

At the last minute the bus had some kind of air conditioner trouble and we almost didn't get to go,but hubster fixed it.

Well, Thursday afternoon we had a line of thunderstorms run through and after that the temps really started to come down.We got out there early Friday morning and secured a very nice camp site.

After setting up camp i just could not wait any longer, my stepdaughter and i saddled up our horses and rode around the 60 acres campsite and adjacent farm grounds (trails didn't open till next morning).

(F)Red (the mule), Vandal, Charley

As soon as i slid my butt into the saddle i felt like a new person. My,do i miss my riding!!

Early saturday morning we saddled up our horses (hubster rides the mule) and off we went.

We ended up wayyyy on top of the mountain at Davis's Farm.When you get there they have hand squeezed lemonade( as much as you want) and home made cookies(as many as you want) and a view for miles around.

The trails where beautiful and the weather perfect:low 80's ,low humidity, light breeze,little white clouds here and there, just perfect.

Brandie on Charley and John on Fred

After a couple hours lunch break at the camp we where off again.

The trail we took was one of the most beautiful rides i had in a long ,long time. All in the woods , big old trees, along and partially in a super clear creek.Unfortunately the camera was sitting forgotten and lonely at the camp, bugger!!

If i could do this on a regular basis i would not need to take that stupid depression medication.

We got back late that afternoon, build a nice camp fire and cooked us some really good cowboy stew, sat by the fire for awhile and went to bed .

We decided next morning not to go out again but give our sore behinds and the horses a break. We cooked us up a nice breakfast,broke camp and went home.All in all it was a great weekend(the best time I've had in a looong time).We weren't as sore as we thought we would be and I made hubster promise that we'll do this again soon.

As soon as i get the bus unloaded, washed clothes,put everything back where it belongs I'll be getting back to spinning again.I've got some polwarth/merino-corriedale carded up that i need to dye.Probably first thing tomorrow morning, i'll post pics of the outcome.There are several 2 oz batts.I'll spin some and offer some in the shop.

Speedy's first vacation (warning:lots of pics)

We went to our favorite camping spot on the Tennessee River Thursday for a long weekend of relaxation.We took the four wheeler and the boat (yes , we are rednecks and proud of it!)
Of course we had to take Speedy along, can't leave the baby home alone!
Oh, by the way, Speedy is now "Tyson" like in ..."we do chicken right."
Sorry, we do have a rather dark kind of humor.

Anywho, we got there Thursday afternoon, set up camp:


Yes, that is a school bus! We bought it three years ago and converted it into an RV, they are called Skoolies. It's a work in progress but this is what it looks like right now:

front (kitchenette):


back: table, bed :

there is still lots to be done(curtains,shelves,small bathroom,paint outside) but its usable for right now.

So, we settled down for some relaxing... until the family found out. All of a sudden we had a camp full of people.
As all good parents would, we fed them , entertained them and after awhile we where alone again.

We went fishing , John got lucky and caught a BIG catfish:


going to release the poor thing:




then we sat by the fire for a spell:



next day we went beach combing a little:

napped a lot, ate a lot(always tastes better grilled on an open fire).

enjoyed a beautiful sunset:


Next couple of days was a little rainy, not all the time but several showers a day with breaks of sunshine in between, so we never got to use the boat. You definitely do not want to be caught on the river in bad weather!
All in all it was a good weekend but I'm also glad to be back home.