Rain rain rain. A week ago we weathered our first flood with moderate success. There's a one-wet-night learning curve to a homemade rainfly like ours; we're over the curve. Hannah slept on a dry island, curled in a ball on horse blankets, hiding beneath the warmest Peruvian poncho this side of the Eastern Continental Divide. Thanks, Cara, for that birthday present. Harvey, as usual, slept high and dry - thanks to Hennessy Hammock.
To make camp conspicuously by a large highway on the lawn outside a burrito joint, to go nearly sleepless over nocturnal equine "affairs", to put on a smile and explain oneself to curious Hendersonville officers at dawn... these things don't always improve ones mood. Sometimes you need to meet a fellow hiking nerd. Sometimes you need to meet someone who can give you hope.
His name was Russ and the conversation was just so dog-gone positive, man, end quote. We can't wait to get his trail-care-package in a month. The meeting was at a thrift shop Macklemore would've liked. Harvey now wears the old, red gypsy vest your great uncle Shondor died in. Keep moving.
Tuesday, bright and crisp, continued with heavy doses of trail magic. Hannah added a kids swimming kickboard to her makeshift pad/saddle thing which proved quite comfortable; puppy got a bargain vaccine; Harvey scored that 2nd free bike we wrote about earlier, ergo Meadow now runs freely, unencumbered by instruments (think attractive beach slow-mo). Hannah is elated.
Humor break: Capital Puppishment is the sentence given all cute-dog owners.
The day ended well, when one of those fabled "trail angels" came our way. We stayed the night and the entire next day at his house just relaxing and organizing gear. Feels good to get rid of stuff. Our host and his friends tipped us off to a discount community dental clinic.
We spent the next two days grazing the clinic lawn, getting Hannah five fillings for the price of one. Meadow thinks the Dental office is her home. Between days at the dental clinic we slept at the house of a sweet hospitable family, who made a huge bonfire under the stars, and fed us the spiciest chicken that Hannah ever tasted. Campfire, new moon, give me a kiss and I'll play you a tune...
A week ago, family matters came up for Harvey and, knowing he would be gone for the weekend, we began seeking a hideaway farm for Hannah and Meadow. We searched most of the week but as Friday afternoon rolled around there was no pony hotel in sight. Hannah did meet a fellow equine enthusiast named Laura, who gave her a pair of lightweight stirrups for her makeshift pad/saddle thing. Travelling down the road as evening pressed, Hannah was dismayed when a mailbox she tried to ride past deftly knocked all of the gear from Meadow's back... right at the end of Meadowlark Lane! Google Maps it. This lane turned out to be a drive to a beautiful little horse farm that would be home for the next three days. Thanks, Lord, for that one.
Hannah spent two days oiling every piece of tack on the farm while watching the entire box set of Pete Ramey's hoofcare DVDs. In return she slept in a furnished tack room, Meadow slept in a stall, and they got to use the owner's round pen together to officially "join-up". It's about time, nine years due. (Join-up is a horse-training exercise designed to establish a leader/follower relationship with your horse. Here's a link to the join-up process, if you're curious. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Dx91mH2voo )
Harvey spent the weekend growing closer to relatives and making new dear friends. Family means a great deal to both of us. We thank you and miss you.
- FCF
Olive has been transformed... once the enemy of all strangers and fast-moving objects, once the bane of bikes, babies and bunnies; now the ambassador of the band and friend to all.
Meadow has become very talented at rolling on her back while tied to a tree, without getting tangled in her rope.
Babysitting your pumpkin... hope to return IT later...
ReplyDeleteGreat show, learned alot, TY so much.
Baby pumpkins heavier than they look...
Hey gang,
ReplyDeleteI just saw your blog. Ah, to be young, wild and free again...
But Meadow's feet show laminitis symptoms (dished wall, thin sole). I cringed a bit at the "fattening up for the trip statement." Don't panic, this trip may help her a lot. But you need to keep people from giving her treats (stick to grass, hay, salt for now) and you need to keep her booted during travel.
Call me, and we'll talk about it more.
Pete