Paradise Ridge Vanners

I can't do much more of this...

2012-02-02T19:22:00.000-05:00

Navarre is getting out EVERY DAY! I can't take the stress.
I have a guy coming to help me get some new fences set in concrete with wood, and electric fencing ASAP... My issue is time, working around the horses, and MONEY...

why is it the basic things still cost money?
Just joking... I've been saving up for some new fencing, but Navarre is kicking all my plans into high gear.

I need another solar charger for the woods, so I can run TWO lines of electric on it instead of just one bare line and three ribbon lines. I am also going to use some of my small locus trees as some of the fencing we shall see how it compared to the treated lumber all work out. But even with treated lumber and painted... I will run electric on it to keep him from pushing it over. He is so strong! and so hairy he doesn't feel the electric and the fencing is just a toy to him. So I think the appearance of Stallion fencing is going to be my only way to keep him in.

Oh well... so much for a relaxing weekend. More rain... more fencing... ?

LIFE!

February

2012-02-01T08:36:00.000-05:00

Can you believe we are in February and it's nearly 60 degrees outside, we are not even expected to go into freezing this week at night.

I saw my first FULL BLOOM Buttercup Sunday... yep still in January! This is fearful to me, I want so badly to shave my horses so they can be comfortable but as soon as I do, we are likely get another below zero day and I'll be in trouble / or worried about them all night.

I have a new tree to plant! An Orange Witch Hazel I have been wanting for years! I will soon have assistance clearing a section above the barn so I can see it when I am with the horses; but not have it within their reach. Witch Hazel ... while not productive as food, it has a skin soothing property after boiling the bark. One more thing I can mark off my list for Jerry and I to be 1/2 way ok on our own once we move to the estate. Next tree is the willow straight and weeping! all a must for allowing Sweet Pea to self medicate and allow Jerry and I willow tea for aliments!

New bamboo shoots have emerged...
Flowers are showing their stems; thankfully mine are not in bloom yet.
My winter Jasmine has been in bloom ALL winter, I am worried about it... as I have never seen one in bloom for over a month, then going to full leaf... this poor thing just keeps blooming!

Plans for making a new fence around the barn yard, and down the middle of the pasture have been put into effect...
So hopefully Navarre will not be escaping at all hours of the day and night. I am hoping to have new 2x6 fencing up by "real" spring so he will not get out, tie up, founder, and die on me. This is my worst fear at the moment! His safety is the weight on my shoulders.

No matter how much I cut his feed back he has to have hay... and my hay rations for the year are getting low. New Hay will not be in season till May... this is another worry! as I have never allowed myself to get so low, but I was planning on being on the road for most of the winter and didn't want to OVER load my storage barn, although I shall never cut it this close again, not matter trip or no trip!

OH well with 50% rain expected for the day... I shall put on the rain coat and go pound in some T post so I can expand the kids running range within the woods this year. No grass grows in our thick wooded areas so this will merely allow Navarre to pick a tree to shew and kill ? Winter firewood! oh well. What else are we to do but try to make our kids happier!

My love to the world.
Amber

Me?

2012-01-28T05:06:00.000-05:00

While I get back into the rhythm of life... I am getting a little better, meaning not SO depressed at my failure to achieve at least MORE of my bucket list ride than I did. I know I did the right thing, but doing the right thing is often harder on the heart and mind than doing what you want to do, or following what drives you. I think this is how we as a society have gotten SO out of whack when it comes to money, looks and physical things.

No... I am no better than everyone else! I'm am not saying as much, I am only saying this lack of achievement is no more or no less important than other goals people set for them selves. Some people focus on a certain car, home, dress, shoes etc... ALL of which are fine, but if for some reason you don't get there... I'm in that same boat! This is all I am saying.

But as I get back into the rhythm of my life, the horses are the one thing that are keeping me grounded with all the demands Navarre has put on me to check on him three times a day no matter what is going on. Sweet Pea has an abscess that has to be soaked daily, cleaned and dressed as well as I can.

If it weren't for the "kids" ...horses I would be in bed! But each day is getting a little better, and I am doing more research, on how I can use Sweet Pea getting her mind in the right frame of mind in case I can swing one more try next winter... But this is VERY penciled in, no ink being used at all.

I am cleaning house. Getting rid of everything I can!
I am doing taxes...
I am trying to figure out a new fence for the estate... as apparently Navarre is board with the room he has right now.
new goals, and new days ahead...

life goes on... as shall we all.
Amber.

EARLY mornings.

2012-01-27T04:57:00.000-05:00

Navarre is starting to ? be a PAIN!~

Yesterday as I was drinking my coffee, the phone rings. ( I LOVE MY NEIGHBORS) It was a little girl up the road... Navarre is in the pasture eating grass. Sweet Pea was where she belonged.

I rushed to get on clothes...
Another call, they had put him back in.,but the fence was a total loss. Truth be told! I was expecting it any day BUT didn't expect it to cause anyone else any concern. I had already collected my supplies to replace some of the fence, so tools, supplies and everything were sitting there waiting for me as I drove up for early morning 6:30am repairs.

This morning as I awoke at 3 am my gut was telling me to get up go on to the barn get the kids fed and check that fence once again.

I got there this morning and the GREY (the first gate) was wide open. Apparently never locked from when the farrier was there Wednesday!~ as I locked the gate, shining the light up to the barn I could see Navarre, but I could only hear Sweet Pea in the dark. So all was well there were where they were suppose to be. But the fence was grounded somewhere. I am all too sure they would have been out on pasture by 6 am and GONE by 6:30 had I waited as normal.

One of the worst things for me to do is to ignore what my mind, heart and gut are telling me. I have to listen... and in the last week it has paid off several times as Navarre has been determined to have grass. At one point I was worried I was going to have to call the vet as he was in so much pain he could hardly walk. But no hay, lots of oil and only ricebran pellets he was better the next day and playing like the baby he is the next.

Life with a mouth driven horse that can't have anything ... a pain! but I love him!

Trip notes about Navarre.

2012-01-15T19:22:00.000-05:00

Navarre did very well with what little time we were out. I could never do the trip I have in mind with Navarre during the summer. He pulled, stretched, and even took down my high line at one point. I had to climb an embankment to get the line high enough that he couldn't pull it down, PLUS I had them over a gravel drive with a slab of concrete so there was very little grass / greenery to be had but what little there was he was going to get to it even if he had to nimble down on his knees and squat his hind end. Only Jerry has seen this position with me, although I see it more often than I wish as Navarre twist his head sideways and puts his front feet beyond the fence line and eat what grass he can from UNDER and beyond the electric line.

It is close to how a new born colt eats but worse. A laugh but it is a sure sign of desperation! I can only imagine the situation with fresh grass to be had. So next winter I will try my little trek again, thanks to Navarre, his lack of respect to the slack in the line... and the over whelming urge to EAT all the time no matter what!

At the Vet's office Melanie summed him up perfectly... He is like weeny the poo with a honey pot. It is not her exact quote... but she is correct all the same. He has but ONE thing on his mind (considering he is cut) it is FOOD!

The issue with the travel is.. no matter how poisonous it is, or how dangerous the area, he is going to eat if he can get to it. While the kid is smart about tied up lines, doors, and problem solving... he is stupid when it comes to his stomach, as if he has NO OFF SWITCH! As with my mare... she will eat, stop, drink, digest, and start all over. Navarre is non stop! he could care less about water, even less about digesting anything. He would easily eat himself to death if allowed to do so. I can only hope your horse is smarter than mine when it comes to food!

National Apricot Day

2012-01-09T04:50:00.000-05:00

Yep! I am finding some days I had never imagined with this little task...

National Apricot Day

While I know this is a very good food for us, I have never had an apricot tree, never learned how to use those dried things in other foods, only to give them as treats to my birds.

Here are some ways to expand your food, knowledge, and palate.
apricot recipes

No tillage Week shared with Thank a Cow Week

2012-01-08T04:57:00.001-05:00

This entire week is called NO Tillage Week... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CROn0evdlvM This is a YouTube video of a no till set up! This is actually a good alternative for those of us who have little to no equipment! Take a look, it is easier than you think.

This is a full week as it is
also Thank a Cow Week!

You have to admit, we get LOTS of things from cows. Milk, cheese, beef, LEATHER, so unless your a vegan that never wears breathable shoes... You have a cow to thank! ha ha ha...

National Bean Day

2012-01-06T05:46:00.000-05:00

Yep you read it correctly!
Today is national bean day.

There is also a site for this day (and many others) bean day!

So make a pot of beans. Give a neighbor a gift of dried beans from your garden.

Bean have always been a part of my life, as they are cheap, easy, good source of protein and fiber. I grew up on beans and cornbread! What about you?

I always have beans, nuts (yep even the bird treats in my corner cabinet.

Do you keep beans on hand?

National Bird Day

2012-01-05T05:37:00.003-05:00

For those of you who know me, yes I have horses but I also have three birds I love dearly. I had no idea this day existed.

As I have chosen this year to be days to celebrate or think about this is a day for both wild birds and exotics. Too many birds are caged and not happy, Birds are the one animal I would NEVER suggest a parent get for their child. They are dirty! They are demanding, and they need LOTS of attention and a watchful eye to keep them healthy. This is way too much for a parent to put on a child if done correctly.

National Bird Day has its own web site and it is worth checking out!
http://www.nationalbirdday.com/index.php

All my birds have their wings, and have FREE time in the house.

I try to keep them as happy as possible. I also babysit other birds in separate rooms of the house when necessary.

What next?

2012-01-02T19:22:00.000-05:00

Yes I ask... What next? I've done all I can do and now after that one perfect day the ice collects, the snow falls and I am going no where.

The kids have extra hay for the night, I gave them extra rice bran for Navarre with rice oil and corn oil.. Corn oil burns hotter in a horse and I knew they would need the extra heat tonight. I gave SweetPea extra hay stretcher in her feed tonight and corn oil on top

I'm not going anywhere! I'm not leaving for the Trek!
I'm eager to get on the road, and I love riding in snow! Matter of fact I'm likely to walk up the mountain and take Sweet Pea out anyway, but I will NOT tow my kids in a metal box at the mercy of other crazy drivers and the luck of me not hitting ice going down a mountain. Yes I have a 4x4 and Yes I have brakes on my trailer, but really people how far is someone suppose to push it?

I can tell you exactly how far... How ever far I want! and how ever little I want! These are my kids and I am not now nor will I ever put them in any more danger than I do myself. So I would not consent to riding in a trailer on ice and will not expect my horses to...

I will leave as soon as I can! But at this point it appears to be Saturday morning ASAP!

I know everyone had one of two ideas about me...
She'll do it no matter only because she is in it so deep! or She'll never do it at all. NEITHER! I will have to compromise my goals with that of mother nature, with that of reality. I will not put myself or my horses in any more danger than the trip requires... and ice in a trailer is not required.

I have said from the start I am doing this for me and no one else.... I am doing it slowly... and I am doing it as safely as I can. Thus the only common sense thing is NOT to tow my horses on ice just to get to the other side of town and head into an area of higher elevations that is expected to get more than us... and ALWAYS DOES...

Yes I keep repeating myself... Yes it is because I am having to convince myself... because I am dying to leave! I was so ready to do this! So excited about everything ... there is nothing about this trip that doesn't excite me. Even camping in the snow, or even hunkering down and camping through a snow storm would be an adventure. But the one day I want to leave... ice and snow of all things... What luck I have! So yes I keep repeating myself. I am just so disappointed ...

ramble
ramble
as I pack away all my layers ...laid out for early morning dark room kind of dressing... it was all so perfect!
Life...
My Life...
My Luck!
? CRAP

What a forecast!

2012-01-02T05:44:00.000-05:00

While most hard and heavy horse people have been on me about not shaving Navarre's coat on the bottom half. I have to tell you... today and tomorrow are the EXACT reason I didn't.

It is dangerous for a horse to work very hard in the winter without stall protection at night. As they get hot and their coat retains their sweat it can freeze on their skin at night.
My horses will have no protection from weather on this trip! I can't expect to find a barn for them along the way we have to take care of ourselves... In doing so I shaved Navarre's top line over two months ago so it has grown back nice and thick but is not LONG like the rest of him.

I did not and do not plan on shaving his bottom line, as ... mountain weather like today is very typical.
Yesterday the forecast was almost 60 degrees! A beautiful day...
But this morning the wind chill is 22 and expected to plummet down to Zero and about ten below. My little boy will need all his long hair to protect himself, thus once again one more reason my little trek is going to be slow at a walks pace instead of a good trot or even a canter on occasion. The latter two will not happen in this weather. But no matter I am glad I followed my gut and did not shave him as I had been told to do on several occasions. Always listen to yourself before others IF you know your area... IF you know your animals...

Now I am not worried about rushing to the barn to blanket my little boy, BUT I am worried slightly about Sweet Pea... (She never gets a GOOD winter coat, typical saddlebred breeding) I'll let you know later.

Day to think about.

2012-01-01T05:29:00.001-05:00

While I put little blipps about each month on the blog last year I thought I would contribute Holiday / Celebration days this year.

SO ... Of course today is new years day! a clean start to yet another year of life.

day light is only 9hrs and 47 minutes today. going about 2 miles an hour I'll be lucky to get in my 10 miles for the day.

Navarre and his PPSM, EPSM which ever your vet uses...

2011-12-19T18:25:00.000-05:00

Considering all the riding we have been doing for this little ride, I am still worried about Navarre and how he is going to handle all the long walks each day with his loaded pack. see the ride blog if you want a visual! click here!

I am the one all a muck! My mind that is... I'm worried about the hay stretcher, as I have had to cut it back during our training rides as Navarre was starting to look a little more stiff. Sure enough sense I have cut him back ... only one week... he is now acting like a kid again running, bucking, and having fun like any kid should.

This long ride, and the PPSM is going to be a balancing act.

I have 12 days of feed ready for the ride, and while I have no more room in my dinning room to keep any more than that... I am also needing the ability to adjust the feed as I am going on down the road each day.

Hay stretcher... I am having to replace their hay with a stretcher in order to keep their gut moving along all night as they are tied on a high line. The issue is only with Navarre as it contains a little molasses in order to assist with the binding of the soy hulls, peanut hulls, alfalfa, and timothy. I've done all I can to keep the alfalfa down to a minimum, and the sugar is down on the list but it apparently affected him enough that I noticed!

Wish me luck, the oil I am carrying for Navarre is most of my weight! Well at this point it is HIS weight as he as had his full gear on.

My fears on this little ride.
Keeping Navarre healthy!
and not being hit by some idiot staring at us and running right into us!

Life is short ... I just don't want to loose Navarre because of someone else being stupid!

It is all coming together.

2011-12-18T18:14:00.000-05:00

Today was a very productive day.
I took THREE loads of gear to the barn for the ride.
front and back full each time.
I brought most of it home with me this afternoon as I am starting to get a little worried about how safe my gear is considering I am SOoooo close to leaving.

Between trips to the barn I took a ride out of Asheville trying to figure out the highway issues here for the horses. Met up with three state troopers and I think one more day on the road and I'll have it DONE.

I got the horses fully loaded with everything I am taking with us. Got photos and took them for a short little spin up the mountain just to make Navarre work hard with all that bulk! It is after all more bulk than it is weight. His feed is the heaviest of all things, the hay is just bulk... as are my sleeping bags that weight next to nothing.

I've lots of things for myself but in my space also packed emergency things for the horses.. My things are light enough I can throw them onto Navarre with out him even noticing! again... it more the bulk that gets attention... after all I have my extra layers on MY back in my little backpack I enjoy so much.

The thing doesn't flop up and down, shift weight in an emergency... or cause me any moving issues. It's just right.

Safety gear in... it is so bright it doesn't photo well except in shadow or at angle. It is VERY visible on Sweet Pea ... and helps on Navarre.

can't wait to get on the road for this trip instead of just work outs...

Hay...

2011-12-16T05:08:00.000-05:00

Little by little I get ready for my trip. But last weekend it was all about getting the hay to my barn, out of the neighbors barn so I could last another few weeks before I hit the road.

I have tried to get the kids off the hay and mostly on the hay stretcher. This is not working for Navarre, as his PPSM started to rear its ugly head and he was getting tighter and tighter. So I had to cut back on his hay stretcher and add a little more rice bran to keep him on the same amount of "feed" and put out two more flakes of hay.

This will increase the amount of hay I need each day at least in the start of this little trip, BUT I'll get it worked out so he is not in pain. If not! Well.... I'll have to cross that bridge when we come to it. As the exercise always helps his PPSM so much, and he will be walking all day, on a movable high line all night so hopefully it will all balance out in the end. We can only try.

So I pray for Navarre to be healthy!
and I pray he will have fun and not be sick!

A little more excitement each day.

2011-12-07T09:16:00.000-05:00

I can only hope the word is getting around. If it is not it is not from lack of my trying to share and get support!

I am encouraged a little as Navarre's pack came yesterday, and in working with it this morning it appears to have SO MUCH ROOM I could pack as much on him as I once did in a cross country trip in a little Geo Tracker! ( Those were funny days! and another story ) So now the issue is not how much I can pack on him, but how much I can lift over my head to get ON him! I started packing loose individual servings of feed, this quickly proved to be a disaster! I am not packing an entire days of feed, and my food as well in my reusable grocery bags.

I am sure for those whom are going to bring things too me, I am going to re-use feed bags as daily sizing then transfer into the grocery bags (due to their incredible handles) to put them inside of the side bags (panniers) on Navarre.

I am even hoping to get a flake of two of hay in each pannier to tighten it up and give to the horses on a cold cold night if no one else is going to be around.

Other wise... I am hoping to have a campfire or a visitor each night that might be able at some point to bring me flakes of hay when they come. BUT I can't count on it! Although I can wish.

My first night out camping in the freezing wet weather was a delight as Brenda, Chris, Lily, and Grace all came over, and Helen gave us a visit as well. Chris made a fire, they roasted marshmallows and made smores. It was just all so sweet, so pleasant, so perfect! I can only hope for such visits along the way to take up some of the dark time before going to bed.

After which I will lay in my sleeping bag and write of the days events, the people I have met, and prep for a post of the daily events. May not be posted here, as it would better fit on the ride blog or on the facebook update page but it will be posted some where!

Much love to the world...
Have a good day!

First night on trip.

2011-12-06T20:46:00.000-05:00

I just confirmed with a friend ... that I can stay with her our first night out on the road!

She is a short distance from the BRP... Blue Ridge Parkway ... so IF ... they allow me on the BRP this stop would allow me to double up the next day and get my short stretch of the BRP done in one day. This should help as the commity makes their decession of if they will even allow me on the road.

This is the deal!
Horses make a deep impression in the dirt, and thus, make a horrible impact on the land. The Blue Ridge Parkway is a Federally protected area (which I love... so) I went to get permission to use a short 15 mile stretch. In doing so ... making my case ... I informed them I not only will NOT be allowing my horses on the grass, I will have friends that are willing to pick up the poop left by my horses; thus leaving less of an "imprint" than cars as they drip oil driving down the road every day.

My only personal issue with the BRP is... if it is closed to cars I can't use it! If they allow me to, they said I would be allowed at any time.. BUT if it is closed for ice and snow my husband will not have the ability to walk the 15 miles to scoop poop! SO I'd have to go all the way around... stretching my little trip by 4 (yep FOUR ) days!

I can only hope they allow me usage.
I can only hope it is open!

Wish me luck!

December

2011-12-01T05:19:00.000-05:00

December; from the decem, Latin for "ten"

Oh the DREADED morning drive.

2011-11-30T04:46:00.000-05:00

I am worried about my drive this morning, as the wind is banging my storm doors as if they were open. The hallowing around my windows is of a horror movie and the drive to the barn last night was a winter wonder land.

If the snow at the barn last night was an inch thick... and I was there at dusk... there is no telling how bad it is up there now!

I am sure the road is ice as it was wet and getting no less as I drove home in the dark AFTER having a sit on my neighbors porch lit with Christmas lights that glistened and shown the beauty of the snow and frozen fog on every tree limb around the mountain.

Last night was BEAUTIFUL! but I am dreading the possible issues this morning.
OFF to check out the roads...
Much love to the world!

WOW... what a task

2011-11-23T09:47:00.000-05:00

It is funny! I think all the plans for this ride from Asheville to Nashville with my two "children" HORSES is more of a mental exhaustion than I EVER expected it to be.

Calling HP
Calling forest rangers
Making sure I am getting EVERYTHING for the horses as well as myself. (REI has got to love me by now)

I am about to start driving my route to make my final decisions.
I may even knock on a few doors as ask for help ahead of time just to see how things may work. Although you have to admit, people are going to be more likely to turn me away while I am in a car ... as apposed to when I am holding the led of two horses. You gotta laugh!

But once again I am hoping humanity will show a bright light and allow me a safe, short (meaning without issues) eventful trip.

I know my camping skills will be tested,
my patience with my horses, as I can only expect at some point they will get loose? You gotta have a plan.
I wonder more about my own body holding out, being able to do all I am going to ask of it! But ... if not I'll cut back my daily trek and "recalculate" as all the GPSs say!

Much love to the world...
Hope you get to read my riding blog .... click here! ...
if not I hope you are enjoying your own time with your animals etc...
Amber

life...

2011-11-19T10:39:00.000-05:00

"Life is not the years you live, but the LIFE in your years"... Abraham Lincoln

One one of the many quotes I love!

But my adventures as of late while NOT horse related always revolved around travel and animals.

I have to say with going to Ecuador if I ever wanted to jump on a band wagon it would be one to save the Amazon. The area not of my favorite in the world but the potential and the resources are at a minimum. the rain forest there needs a rest, needs to be protected and the people need life resources. As with any where else the area is in need of money and they give away things others will take advantage of. I can only pray a local gets the education, experience, and goes back to share it with his or her family, neighbors, and community. I am an outsider and can not do this for them. It needs to be one of them! BUT in reality they have little chance of doing so IF any.

I do not trust most organizations that say they will help, as they do not educate, they just insist on change, that their way is better, when in fact it may NOT be. It needs to be someone that can speak their language, live their life style, and SHARE ideas and education. I only wish I was such a person! I can not speak Spanish much less their language (of which I can't spell)

after a little rain...

SAVE the Amazon is all I can do! One more thing on my next life list!

Yes I have been away.

2011-11-18T18:35:00.000-05:00

I dare say... I do not put when I am going away... But that I have been away and try to have a post of two scheduled for while gone.

Thus I shall catch you up on my little adventure tomorrow! Not an adventure of horses, or animals other than we humans expanding our world and accepting things better than we know from those whom are more humble.

My view of Ecuador tomorrow!

Yep, Highlands and down to the Napo river, that runs as part the Amazon basin.

Swing...Snooze... SSSsssnnnnooooozzzeee

2011-11-13T04:11:00.000-05:00

got a hammock for the trip today! There will be times I just want to hang out without sitting on my ? toockus so a packing/ traveling hammock it is.

You have got to check this out... eno hammock company I sat in it watching the horses, then lay'd down and before I realized it I was asleep.

Yep anyone wants to get me ANY for Christmas ... the rain cover is what I want! I am so going to enjoy this thing!

Funny thing about horses.

2011-11-11T04:05:00.000-05:00

Jerry comes to the barn today and wonders why we have Navarre locked in the barn stall.

I never lock him up!

I had just fed both horses, and Sweet Pea will NOT defend her food in front of the kids! Lily, Grace and Brenda were at the barn as well. They have all see it, Sweet Pea will not defend her food till we all turn our backs, and are walking out of the barn yard. Then you hear a thud, and a grunt! she has kicked or bitten him.

When the kids are there she will only kindly nip at his face to get him out of her bowl. So we all got tired of him pushing her around and started locking him in the stall. Of course he quickly figured out how to open the 200lb door, so we had to adapt its lock system with each try. I think we have it about down pat, but he uses his brain I'm sure he'll figure out something!

a Quote

2011-11-09T05:04:00.000-05:00

"I am grateful for what I am and what I have.
I live in perpetual thanksgiving."
- Henry David Thoreau -

There is little riding going on at this time, as we (the vet and myself) are worried about Navarre not having poured pads in his front feet. I would rather allow him this time off than to cause him to have shin splints or pain in the future.

I have backed off my expected miles for my trip starting with only 10 miles for the first three days then working up to 15 etc... I will be doing 25 miles a day by the end of the trip!

Check out my plans at...
MY Ride Blog Only...

Much love to the world!

Amber

Life goes on.

2011-11-08T17:05:00.001-05:00

Life is a huge palette of paints.
You see your tiny little area, but rarely see the big picture.
We all look at the same things, but we each see them very differently. Therefore we react differently!

this is a snippit of a painting I once did... I figure this is my tiny little part of the world. I see it this way, but someone else may see it another. as example ...

When in fact...
The large picture eludes us all ...
Life is the big picture, but so many never see it.

This is so typical of life, people around us, and our futures....
What will you do today to see the big picture instead of only your tiny part of the world?

something about me.

2011-11-05T08:22:00.000-04:00

I have found I do my writing early in the morning before the sun comes up, or late at night when I should be asleep.

My mind runs amok ( as a child story teller would say) with imaginative things for my week, life, and my present day. Today is always my first thing to mind. Making it good, making it right (regardless of society) and making my day fit who I AM not who someone wants me to be.

Today is paperwork day...
but I have to do 6 horses, then mine.
I need the feed store to have all my supplies! ha ha ha
I need go to the banks before they close.
I need to relax at some point today

Then I will work on my route some more for the ride. This is a harder task than I ever imagined... BUT! it is what it is and needs to get done.

I also at some point need to find my panniers and get some on their way to me... so I can take off for the weekend and get get in some good camping to work out some kinks.

Help from Jerry!

2011-11-04T05:29:00.000-04:00

My life as of late has been .... more than FULL it has been scheduled to the minute.
I have two pay checks still in my pocket with no time to deposit.
I have several animals this weekend.
I have all rooms checking in today.
I am lucky to re-heat a cup of coffee from not having enough time to finish several times a day (same cup)

I am taking this weekend to.
Schedule out post for this and the RIDE BLOG
I am hoping to get another container , feed, supplements, and bags to take care of that winter emergency food bin.

But I was SO busy yesterday .. I had to get JERRY, yep! my husband to help out at the barn. He let in the water guy! YEP... after draining the water container... TWICE this year I bit the bullet and got them some water so I would no longer have this weight on me.

He DID! He never said a cross word, although he did call me and say he couldn't get them back in.

Discussion of what he had in his hand, how he was approaching them, and SLOWING down his breathing/heart beat were talked over.

NO eye contact,
a steady pace, that is not stalking in nature
HIDE a rope!
and love on them once you are next to them.

HE QUICKLY got them in!

THANK YOU Jerry! Thank you VERY much my love.

fast pace...

2011-11-01T18:46:00.000-04:00

I had a wonderful weekend with Tabatha!!~ I love it when she is here, hate it when she leaves, and can only plan another time for us to get together.

I have done very little on my trip plans.
I can not ride Navarre as much as I need as pads were not poured in his feet this time. my fault! I wasn't there for the farrier, so I can't expect him to read my mind. I am afraid the hard cold road will cause him to founder... rotating the coffin, and allowing the hoof to separate! it is common among wagon horses so I have to prevent instead of have him lame... and costing me more money in the long run.

Awaiting results of epm test on Navarre! (lucky me... one more issue with this horse)

Having water delivered for the water container hopefully Thursday.

Decks are up but no railings yet. I am contemplating something crazy! three decks, three different railings? we shall see.

Rocks are up against the mud wall for winter... DONE!

I have straw to put around water container as soon as it gets filled.

Need to work on routes...

Have several horse clients this week. WED ,and the WEEKEND...

Need to winter emergency food for my horses as soon as I can, we have after all already gotten our first sweet snow. Tabatha was here! Not even November, and it was spitting sleet, then turned into snow Saturday.

I need more hay for the barn as soon as I can. already on winter quantities...

ALL of this has to get done in the next week!

WISH me LUCK! or ... expect me to be gone for a while as I desperately need a vacation!

signing off as desperate!
Amber

November

2011-11-01T05:18:00.000-04:00

November: from the novem, Latin for "nine"

Life goes on.

2011-10-27T04:59:00.000-04:00

There are times I wish time could stand still.

When I am in complete darkness on the mountain barely able to see my footing on my walk to the barn, then a bright light falls at an angle down to what will be the horizon, as the sun comes up. A falling star. I wish I could share such times with everyone, but few are up at my time of the morning, few understand the distance from light the mountain is, and the incredible night views me have around here.

When I am driving down the road and someone is kind. Yep! In a car but the other person is acting like we were taught as children, to be kind to others and treat them the way you want to be treated. It is a rare action in today's world but there are times I witness such nice actions and wish everyone could experience it.

When I am on my horses and the world is at slow motion, the traffic is not a big deal to the horses, and the three of us are in the moment enjoying our walk taking in what ever is around us.

I can only hope today is going to be one of those days you wish time could stand still.

Otherwise, I'm on my second cup of coffee and getting to work early as the entire B&B needs to be turned over today, and be ready for a full house again tomorrow. Life doesn't stop! But I have those times I can remember when I need it to.

Much love to the world,
Amber

Listening or stubborn?

2011-10-26T19:53:00.000-04:00

Last night I was returning a saddle I borrowed from a friend; in doing so he felt I was building up this trip so I couldn't back out. (And was genuinely worried about my safety. )

He continually said I wasn't listening because I didn't change my mind about going on the trip. What he didn't realize is... I was listening, I was taking in every word he said, I was also thinking that is probably what my Paw Paw ( Maternal grandfather, and generally the ONLY man who could tell me what to do.) would have been saying to me. BUT as with everything else in my life that I didn't think Paw Paw would agree with, or he clearly told me he didn't agree with, AFTER I had done it he would tell me how proud he was of me.

I know my friend is worried about my safety.

I am doing all I can to protect myself, BUT I also have to have faith in humanity that people are mostly good, and will want to help me with basics. I can't go through life worried about every corner I turn. I never do when I am in another country,( although I listen to my gut ) why would I do it in my own country where I know for the most part people are good, loving, and giving people. Aren't we human? Aren't

This trip has been on my mind sense I was very young. I have always wanted to ride a horse on a LONG road trip. It started as a kid when the wagon train would come through Joelton on their ride of the trail of tears. When I was very young this occurred once a year, and I was always interested. Then it became a trip from Family to family, whom are no longer with us... and I no longer live in Joelton... SO it is still family to family, but now my house to my parents houses and old family home.

I was listening to my friend, but at some point I also have to listen to my own heart, wishes, desires, and NEEDS. I need to do this! I need to know I tried, I need to know I can. Why is it because I am not so fearful I am not willing to cancel this trip I am not all of a sudden listening to GOD? Why is it because it comes from inside of me it is not from our higher power? When did another persons judgement become MORE than mine instead of equal to mine. And being equal... I am the one that has to live with my choice.

I could be hurt, I could loose a horse, ANYTHING can happen. But it can all happen just the same as I am training each day for that ride. Life is going to happen! Question is Are Your Going to Live it? or are you going to allow others to tell you HOW to live it?

P.S. Horses got all their shots again today, paper work is good till May, and they look great! We are SET!

Planning... day one and two figured on paper...

2011-10-24T16:09:00.001-04:00

Now I have day one and two figured on paper.
Getting out of a place with mostly interstates, no straight roads... is not the easiest thing I have ever done.

I have maps,
Sign up pages... actually I've copied and pasted it below! please use this page or this link...
Sign Up to Help Page!

All to be posted SOON. They are scheduled to post on the 25th and 26th of this month. keep an eye out

What is so nice is I can easily have them posted here as well.
Life is getting busier and busier each day.

Here is todays post on the OTHER site... for those of you who are not used to going there yet!

This page is VERY important...

I can only hope that we...( Meaning Me, Navarre, and Sweet Pea) can find what we need, meet good people along the way and make new friends.

I am hoping that at some point, someone will have the gumption to join me on my ride, trailer their horse to where ever I am on the trip or just join me for the day. This was typical in early American life, but today people are too fast paced to enjoy a slow ride with only wind, hoof clacks, and snorts from an animal aware of its surroundings.

I open this page to ANYONE who wants to join me. I will attach it to other pages along the way. The other pages will be short distances I hope to achieve on a daily basis. I do plan to post the days ride and the next two or three days rides as well.

So HERE I am inviting the world to join me anywhere along the way. I do not expect you to bring a tent, sleep out in the freezing cold with me. (But a thermos might be nice ... just a joke I don't expect anything except kindness for my horses along the way.)

make a note here under comments...
OR email me
gypsyvanners@acelink.net
piratesmate@acelink.net

I will gladly respond to ANY, ALL , and both.
Amber.

ride yesterday.

2011-10-23T11:00:00.000-04:00

the map for the ride yesterday was posted on the new site.

link to the site is... NEW TRIP SITE ONLY

link to the page with the ride map.... is... MAP... While the map is yet another link IN that page... I extended the little ride into a 10 mile trip instead of only 5 miles as shown. We went up the mountain, met a few neighbors, were snapped by passengers in cars out looking at leaves.

It was so funny, they were hanging out of their cars as if they had never seen a horse. Passengers leaning over the driver to get a better shot. It was funny to see.

it is after all leaf season here!

While my incredible husband loves me, he trust me to do what ever I want and expects to like it! I can only say thank goodness we have similar taste.

Here are our new decks... THREE in all
Above are the 12x12 and the step down ... 8x8

Below is the higher 8x8 that you step down to the 12x12.

Just an enjoyable shot of the country side around here. I spent the day with the horses, Jerry spent the day on the bike.

New Blog for Ride only....

2011-10-21T05:39:00.001-04:00

I tried and tried to put this blog as too many things. It is not going to work!

As I sent someone the link to this blog I wanted to shoot myself in the foot. Why am I trying to kill myself putting too many things into one silly blog? Because that is really how life is, life is messy, full of crap you have to weed through to find what you want. Then when you get there half of us are too tired to care what it is.

SO...
If you want to start from the beginning... I have created... this blog for the trip. Amber Navarre and Sweet Pea simply click the link above and it will take you there. If you only want to copy and past, hopefully putting it in your favorites. start here... http://ambernavarresweetpea.blogspot.com/

The night was cold, and I should have been sleeping in my tent but instead I choose to sleep in my wonderful bed and snuggle with my husband all night. Oh how I am going to miss these warm nights! I am doing my best to get used to the weather, but joints and body aches are quickly catching up. I can now understand why far too many only lived a young life in earlier days.

It is hard to imagine someone in my family doing what I am going to be doing but without the good equipment I am going to be using. Mostly animal skins to keep them warm ? oh how the tiny wheels in my mind start to spin. I think I could have handled a life in Europe in the 1700's but not so much a pioneer woman as Wayne likes to call me.

The thoughts of this trip are daunting, but exciting.

Life... get off your "arce" and go live it.

no title...

2011-10-20T06:07:00.000-04:00

Yesterday got no better!
a 35 minute drive one way for shots and the place is closed? no notice, no warning on line. Just one more thing to waste my time on.

I had guest to check in at 6 or 6:30 I was going to get there by 4:30 but they got there at 3 and as I was rushing to work, the car broke down.

AAA would not help me till the third call. All three things very unusual.

Even Jerry asked... on a scale of 1- 10 how bad was today. Only a 7 because while it was a crappy day it wasn't a horrible day.

All is well and today is going to be great!

Much love to the world and here's to one bad day. Today is going to be great!

Human or Animal?

2011-10-19T12:03:00.002-04:00

It is one of those days...
A day when the animals know more than we humans.
Yesterday and today were very bad, a conflict of business practice with a company I had worked with, enjoyed the owners, and considered them friends ... considering we had discussed, wives, x's, children, bikes etc...

Today the conflict ended with? a sour note for both parties. A note I am not clear on, did not see coming, and ? have only one one idea of my wrong actions.

I take this anger and confusion to the barn, as this is where I normally breathe in nature, my horses, and beauty of fall sounds, colors, and energy.

I loved on my Mare, some simple strokes along her body lines, a gentle kiss on the jaw bone. I was calming down when she ran off, turned around ... ran back to me, did a 180 and kicked the snot out of me from two yards away.

She could have kicked me well across the barn yard, she could have kicked a leg, a rib, for all that my head... but she aimed at my rump and landed her kick with perfection. A nice large fleshy area of my body, so she would not kill me.

The point is... I am NOT a politically correct person! I WAS raised to be a proper little girl, and only learned my solid back bone from a prize winning manipulator that showed me how badly I needed to stand up for myself, as he pushed me to my limits. Of course the pain and the agony took me 10 years to develop the thick skin I have now. I play life more like an animal than I do a human. ? What you ask. Yep.

You do something to me, you confuse me, by sending me mixed signals and I'm going to ... stand up for myself and give you back what your sending me.

The difference comes in, when I lash out, and let someone know where I stand, where my line is. I'm done! I go on with my life, I go on with the relationship providing we both stay on our side of the line!

I'll go back to the barn, I'll go through the same routine as I always have and neither Sweet Pea or I will ever point a finger at the other with this mornings issues. Humans on the other hand sit in their agony, throw in their own emotional "crap" and make it all into a much larger situation that it is.

Animals play life fairly so each can survive as long as possible. Humans do not; they are out to kill who ever gets in their way no matter what it does to the rest of the world.

I'm not sure what happened to the world, society, and work ethics; but I like knowing where I stand with someone (or something) instead of reading between the lines, where most can NOT read it correctly.

the butterflies...

2011-10-17T05:54:00.000-04:00

I'm getting more anxious about my little trip. ( excited about Ecuador ,but anxious about Nashville? )

I'm getting more and more together in terms of roads, but I'm getting more and more worried about begging for water and people allowing me to camp in their yards.

I am sure I will feel better after I am on the road, Get a few people to say SURE no problem. etc....

I have no disillusionment this is going to be easy, I am sure at some point I will want to quit along the way. But I've got to get it done and not feel like I have failed at a simple task put on that to do list as a teenager. how can I encourage kids to do ANYTHING if I as an adult don't do the same?

this week is perfect for me to do some good practice with the tent etc... high in the low 50's and lows in the low 30's this week... I'll be sleeping outside.

Now as gross as it sounds... a toilet is my next real issue. ? oh what to do !

Any GOOD ideas from any real campers out there!

ER visit, due to horse. NOT ME!

2011-10-16T18:42:00.000-04:00

Not me, but even worse.....

My wonderful neighbor that loves Sweet Pea, but rides Navarre because he is the safer horse! got a taste of being a real horse woman today.

? We were out having fun, riding and seeing the mountain sides.

The day was PERFECT!

We put the horses in the trailer and went down the road. Crossed a side- less wooden bridge... * a big deal for both young rider and young horses.

Lily is SO good at this! She gives it no thought any more and Navarre just follows her signals...

We went up a gravel drive and followed the flags from a race earlier in the day back and around to the barn.

We were just about to meet up with David ... more people is always a good thing.

Horses love to stay together, I just wanted to make sure to allow Navarre and which ever horse David brought to smell each other and get it in their head who was going to be over whom so we could have an uneventful ride...

Sweet Lily ended up ? well OFF the horse on the ground in a moments notice... as it always happens. All I saw was Navarre's head all the way down, and her HIT the ground BOUNCING her poor little head HARD. I rushed off my horse over to her, ask her not to move, I was calling Mommy.

I called her mother, had her stay still till Brenda got there so WE could evaluate what we wanted to do.
NOW just note I would have called 911 BEFORE Brenda had I had ANY idea I need too.

Having said that! the "Judy" came out in me... Called Brenda, I really need you to come get Lily, she has had an accident, she is ok, but has ... landed and I am not moving her till you get here.

In the mean time I'm asking the poor thing a million questions,

Calling Brenda AGAIN... Have you left the house, bring ICE... swollen lip, bleeding,

Called David up the road, ask him to come help me. ? I am after all with someone else's child.
Brenda shows up, having been only down the road at the grocery store... frozen peas in hand... napkin... Such a wonderfully prepared mother.
Lily is ? fine gets up and walks to the car. ? I'm still worried but it does not appear anything is broken. I was worried about her shoulder etc...

FROM WHAT I HEAR..
They got home , and at some point Brenda could not find her teeth!
I'm in panic over the phone when I hear this... She's 11 it's adult teeth... I can't breathe waiting for the next thing out of Brenda's mouth.
Brenda takes her to the ER... Picture on FACEBOOK
Teeth are loose but will be ok. They were embedded in the lip!
LIP? THREE stitches, along with collecting SEVERAL horse stories from all the nurses and doctors in the ER, and pain medication for next few days.

From what we can figure... Navarre raised his head into hers and probably bucked
Last time Sweet Pea did that to me I had two black eyes and a knot on my head. But I've never seen teeth disappear like hers did!

NOW all to Lily's GOOD nature, she says she was never in any dire pain.
I am told she told the doctors she will get back on the horse.
?
OGM

Thank GOD I never had kids! I worry enough with every one else's!
Oh just look how good she looks on him!
They were so cute together!

all about today.

2011-10-12T18:18:00.001-04:00

cool weather has allowed me to get some good workout with Navarre. Lunging mostly but good all the same. Besides he needs to work up his back muscles for all the weight he will be carrying on the road.

TWO birds in the house... sitting...
and I need to go check on the neighbors cat.
Then back to the barn once again.

Much love to the world
Amber

Training

2011-10-09T14:58:00.000-04:00

Today's work out was a lunge secession for Navarre, while Sweet Pea was allowed to rest and eat lush grass in the pasture.

What is in a work out?
For me... it is lifting heavy objects over my head, squats, lunge the horses (works my arms more) not to mention just the basics of brushing an outside horse daily.

For the horses... if they are not ridden they are lunged ... A Basic training tool in the horse world, I do both flat ground and hill side depending on the time I have and how Navarre is responding for the day ( meaning how his muscles are working due to the PPSM)

Other wise the horses and I go out for at least a good 8 to 10 mile walk about on the local roads, always ending with the good one mile up hill 8% grade back to the barn.

In the process.

2011-10-09T07:59:00.002-04:00

This site has mostly been for my family and I staying in touch, it has evolved through the years and will now serve as daily grind of training two horses for the long walking trip to Nashville TN from Asheville.

I am going to do normal post but I have JUST this morning added a list of specific words, etc... that I will now add to certain post for the search engine for the blog. It may not work as well as I had hoped but I am at the mercy of the computer and I am ... well stupid when it comes to computers.

I hope to narrow down the search engine a little better this week. I can only hope this helps those whom have asked about the blog out of interest of following me on my trip to Nashville.

Much love to you all for being so encouraging...
and THANK you for reading this... it often seems as no one does...

Amber

time for blogging

2011-10-08T13:33:00.000-04:00

With working several jobs, riding at least one horse a day I find very little time to put my words on paper, or even electronic entry.

I am however taking off today from riding the horses as I am in the mountains with the guys...
You know that crazy group of K12 riders that has supported my life style for years now.... I have not shown up at one of these gathering sense Navarre was born, all my free time has been devoted to him, with all that is necessary to make my life easier in the years to come.

I do enjoy such a diverse group of people, I enjoy that with such a open group; as they do not see me as SOOOO out of the box that my life is unusual ill spent or wasted. These are men that take a risk whether it be speed, financial advancements, or career choices. It is nice to be inspired by such men.

Neighors are taking care of the horses this morning, and I will meet them tomorrow morning for a pleasure ride up the mountain by 8am.

Decks are well on their way, as I will soo have a gathering place for friends and family at the barn, clear or clean of horses and their deposits. All are welcome, just let me know if you are coming ha ha ha...

My time here today has been to read and catch up on ME TIME, something I have not had in a while. Yes I have been home ... yes that is nice , but it also is tiring as I have several stops to make when home. This is wonderful, as the trees are brightly colored over here and it is a visual taste of what is headed my way in only days I am sure.

Clean air, sun shine, a good book to finish, and a chatt from time to time. ( one guy low sided it... and needs new panels... not even his bike. I'll call a few dealers later! so he has an idea of what he is in for$$$$ ) simple things... I don't mind doing for someone that needs a piece of mind, so he can enjoy the rest of his stay! ...

Loving my day hope you are.

Amber

October

2011-10-01T05:17:00.000-04:00

October: from octo, Latin for "eight"

Navarre and grass

2011-09-29T19:44:00.000-04:00

I've said it a million times...
I've got a horse I can't allow to have grass.

I know my battles, and keeping Navarre locked in a stall has turned out to be almost impossible. I'm going to have to devise yet another style lock system. He has thus figured out two types and it is hard to keep him in.

so after unloading hay I had to let him out, and I had to drive from the mud lot through the gate to the pasture. I left it wide open, as I wanted to see him run! He didn't he assumed it was closed and went to the hay tub.

As soon as I hit the gate area he came running up behind me and SQUEEZED in between my trailer and the fence post. He was not about to miss 3 seconds of grass time. Sure enough he went straight to my little patch of clover took a huge mouth full. It was hanging from both sides of his mouth as I waved them out of the pasture back into the mud lot.

It was a sight to see, he was cute as a yearling, I wish I could let him eat as much as he wanted... but I cant afford the vet bills, seeing him in such pain, and I think he is starting to feel the difference himself. Otherwise he would be still testing that fence every chance he got.

While I'm at work!

2011-09-29T05:31:00.000-04:00

Lots of people on the Estate today!

three digging holes for deck footings, one burning brush from chemical kill.

One of them left the barn door open, after I hidden his fees/payments in the barn. Lesson Learned! don't do that again! horses went through their hay, feed bin open? etc... life!

Yesterday we unloaded over 60 bails of hay into the barn, it was the first day in two weeks the ground was dry enough to drive to the barn.

Pasture looks perfect, too bad only one horse only a few minutes a day can get on it.

I'll have to take more photos once the decks get started!

Sorry there have been no pictures lately... I am at the barn before sun up, and about dusk. my attention is care and working of horses, fences, feed, water and hay. Not photos.

4 am till 7 or past... is a little harder in the dark hours of fall and only getting shorter and darker each day!

Navarre and his PPSM

2011-09-28T05:19:00.000-04:00

While I didn't believe a horse with PPSM would degrade as quickly as I had been told, it is with every letter, every breath, every day VERY true.

We had worked up to over 40 miles on weekends 20 miles every other day 16 on a normal day. Having given Navarre and Sweet Pea a week off due to fungus... Navarre can barely do a 8 mile round trip.

It is amazing to me how this PPSM issue has greatly effected his physical abilities. Once in shape, a horse is solid; or so I had always been told, experienced, and lived by. No longer true with this horrible disease.

While I did not push him so hard that he tied up upon our return (thank goodness), I did pull my neck out of wack, right arm, and I am as achey as can be because I was holding back Sweet pea the entire time so we could walk home at Navarre's pace. She on the other hand was ready to run home in an easy sprint having such a short ride. Thus she walked home looking like a dressage horse jumping from hoof to hoof , with wonderful air time, as Navarre could hardly breath, and was dragging his feet.

My reason for bringing it up is Oct is leaf time around here, when most bikers are cruising for color, and the area makes its money from all the leaf watchers... So I have always known Oct will be a hard time for my training Navarre, BUT this is going to be VERY hard considering just one day off can set him back so far.

Wish me luck! as this sickly horse is the cornerstone of my trip! Sweet Pea is afraid of her own shadow and much too dangerous to do the trip with only her, and I refuse to use any other horse! much less leave Navarres medical attention to someone else for such a long time.

Oh I need a new plan!

Oh I need an assistant!

Oh how I desperately need someone to ride him, but far too many people are too afraid to ride alone.

Darn!

Amber

Saddles, Legs, and physical hurdles

2011-09-27T06:42:00.002-04:00

For those of you who know me, I've had leg issues most ... ( over 30 years) of my life.

I have one leg that is just not quite right. It functions more like I'm in my 80's than in my 40's. It will not hold my body weight when in a bend, and gives me enough issue when straight. really too many to get into, besides... what does it matter? it's a bum leg! We all have something that is an issue.

I can only imagine because of there being little muscle mass in that leg the hard western saddle I am using on my mare is pinching a nerve in that silly leg. I have started to use a sheep skin, doubled over for extra padding under my bum and under / down that leg. It makes my rides a little more bearable but not perfect as of yet.

I am at this point asking for hints, advise, and serious words on how I might deal with this physical issue a little better. We all know I'm not the only one with a bum leg riding a horse. So many ride that have no control over legs etc... I just need some ideas.

NO I can't get another saddle! not to mention $$$$$ but...

THIS is the saddle in question! no padding at all!

This one fits my little girl and her comfort, considering she is going to carry me over 300 miles is just as important as mine.... if not more!

packing

2011-09-26T05:41:00.000-04:00

Just so you know I have posted this before click here for pictures. , but it is often as exciting for me to pack for a trip than it is to wonder about a planed trip so far in advance

While yet months away, I am enjoying all my research on customs, attire, exotic foods I want to try... and how to order them, not to forget research on weather!

I have people in line for care of the animals, I have back ups on the horses, but need a back up for the birds.

It is incredible that I am working on two trips.
The Amazon ,and riding the horses to Nashville. Each as exciting as the other when I gathering information.

4 pair of pants,
3 long sleeve tops,
3 short sleeve tops
4 pair of socks
4 pair of under garments
my hiking boots
a hat
lots of sunscreen
tiny bottle of facial scrub
small bottle of facial lotion
tiny deodorant
toothbrush
tooth paste
insect repellent! 99% deet
reading glasses
ONE book to leave there
one nice hair comb (looks and brushing)

I will wear my black dress on the plane, good shoes, a scarf, and a nice blouse.
sun glasses

I have made a few changes from my previous post, as now I am using compression bags, and then putting the compression's into zip locks. even less room than before and I am putting it all in a carry on. I am leaving nothing to chance as they now charge so much for luggage I can do without the added expense as I don't spend that much on goodies the entire time I am gone.

Darn Air Companies!

compression bags are round so space between them is packed with all my other little goodies listed in the previous post. All I have to do is make sure it will fit BELOW the seat in front of me so I have everything I need ( including food) all in less than 3 oz packages, and nothing in soft forms, must be bars, or solid packing no jars of jelly etc....

2011-09-25T19:38:00.000-04:00

Sundays ride route.

it was a short ride on the road, then a ride around the mountain with little lilly... Then the same ride back home. It was almost too much for Navarre after a week off.

Bummer!

plans?

2011-09-25T07:32:00.000-04:00

I plan to ride back roads ponying Navarre... over to Sugar Hollow, then have a rider meet up with me so we can have a nice mid day ride, summons her ride... and I'll take the horses back home. It's only a plan but it the game for the day.

Water, Liters, Cups ...

2011-09-25T07:21:00.000-04:00

Yep I should have expected as much but I didn't ...

So many questions about liters and US measurements.

Just barely over 4 cups is equal to one liter... I'm likely not to need more than 2 cups of water for each meal so it will heat a little faster if protected, covered etc...

I will have plenty of fuel cells for what I need. Besides I can always have some dropped off ahead of me if I need more!.... provided more people say they wouldn't mind helping me out with things!

Water!
Water is still going to be my largest issue, keeping it from freezing at night, having enough for the horses, and the simple task of having to ask people for it. Water is just too heavy for me or the horses to be carrying too much of it.

I need 20 liters for each horse each time we stop and at least one liter for me twice a day.

perfect start to a Saturday!

2011-09-24T12:27:00.003-04:00

go up late...
got to the barn just after 8am.
Lilly and Brenda already there tending to the horses.

Got them brushed, picked, re-treated, they had already given them hay, I mixed their feed, brought all the horse stuff home to wash/ bleach; and headed to the feed store.

Yep! these trips never end, Vit E, for Navarre. more oil, more rice bran.
Stopped by the Mast General Store/ Asheville Who would have imagined the stove I have been looking for was here in town all the time...

I just scanned this, it is the box AND the contents of the box. My scanner is a standard scan so this is smaller than a piece of normal size computer paper! A must have, a life saver, and a weight off my shoulders!

I have to tell you about this stove I am taking on my trip! I mean really it has been a major concern for me! I did not want to put something explosive on my horses back or mine for that matter. I had read about this stove in a motorcycle magazine, and had been searching for it sense. I had googled, binged, and msned.... stoves for months and no luck finding it! I had emailed several of the magazine editors asking for assistance and again no help!

Esbit, Pocket Stove it is a stove small enough to fit in a jean pocket, with solid fuel cubes. While it is not a stove you would cook for a family on it is after all a very simple water boiling system which is all I need for my trip. I will be making my coffee/ instant each morning and possibly on an afternoon stop for lunch as I will ask for water and soak my dinner from lunch on so it will cook faster at my dinner/ late stop after settling horses, setting up my tent etc.. for the night.

While other stove appear to be smaller, they are more fragile, AND require a gas source that is larger then the bowl I will be using for my holding/cooking canister.

The solid fuel cells are packed not to get wet and will light with lighter ( i will not be carrying) match ( I will be carrying water proof matches and a flint piece) I will however need another piece of metal the same size for a solid surface just in case I have no perfect area for my stove. The other nice factor is the fuel cells burn for 15 minutes on high AND will boil one liter of water in 8 minutes... so very little is required/ necessary and this will be safer on my horses!

Please note if anyone has questions call me, email me! I LOVE this stove! Now I am starting to feel better about my survival!

Lots going on while horses rest

2011-09-23T05:08:00.002-04:00

While I get a few days off from riding, and somehow work as well; everything fell together nicely as the rain trickles down at a perfect pace it is still just warm enough to work and get things in order before fall and winter really set in.

There was a huge tree on the west side of my barn, the more I looked at it the more it had to go. It was a soft although somehow considered hard wood Poplar ... that with the first ice storm would have ended up on my barn. So as its base is about 5 feet across it split off into 4 other trees and all of them were a problem!

There are several still up hill from the barn, I hope to save my money again and have them trimmed / unbalanced to fall AWAY from my barn if and when they do. I also got a quote on the trees ABOVE my neighbors house... my property wraps around their house within 20 feet and I worry about it all winter as well.

I got the huge one around my barn taken down by a good tree climber/ surgeon ... good guy! Great prices! good at what he does! and does what he says hes going to! Call me if you need one! I recommend this guy! really!

I then had some quotes on the decks I've been planning for years... Besides I've got to at least get the footings done so I can plant those beautiful Japanese Maples I've been nursing all spring and summer!

Today I have to take down a fence, dig a hole for the fish pond, dig more holes for some grass I hope to get from a friend this month or next... , reset some t post around the barn ( thanks to a silly horse) and work some plumbing from the fish pond so I can eventually get over flow down to the garden! yep! I'm all about using everything I've got. Down to the fish poop!

horse tails and pest eating plants are ready to be put around the pond... hopefully two ponds but i'm dreaming now! One will do me today.

After all I only have a few hours to get these things done before I have to get back to work myself!

Oh well I'm sure you day will be more productive!
Love Amber.

back after a few hours. Fence down, another made more stable, fish pond in the ground, horses fed, rocks collected for dry creek for over flow from pond (for the moment! till I get my plumbing in for the garden only...4 acres away!) at any rate I'm home again covered in layer after layer of red clay, one jacket looks horrible, pants a new color and two shirts are ? well beyond donation status.

Gotta get the clay from under the nails and get to another job! But I enjoyed playing in the rain, and making mud pies around the new pond!

more later.

Ok now! you have to read this one!

2011-09-22T08:00:00.000-04:00

If you are a horse person at all.
If you have ever been out west and seen a grizzly bear.
If you ever thought your horse was a hero!
This is a blog post to read.

I am so much of each it gave me a headache and I had to re-post it!

Horse / Boy / Bear?

this connection above will take you to a blog I follow... but... hardly ever get this emotional over. it is a MUST read.

His hands...

2011-09-21T04:24:00.001-04:00

He asked me back into his shop as he always does, it's like the kitchen table at Nanny and Paw Paws!

Come look he says...
In a room full of dust, shavings, bowls all over the floor,(watch where you step) two fridges full of bowls started months ago, not dry enough to finish yet. Wine bottle stoppers, bracelets, and other trinkets ( hollow forms) all over the place.

I had never seen my dad actually work on something, piddle yes... finish in front of me no! I picked up a piece of wood, almost like a one inch dowel piece.

Here let me show you!... as he took it from my hand!

With grace he switches something around on this machine. Adding yet another piece of metal on the other end in no time. He pulls a tool like I would choose a paint brush, it wasn't quite as sharp as he wanted ... as he spins around turning on yet another machine and starts to sharpen them. He turns on the wood machine and it spins, faster and faster... I could not believe the graceful, smooth moves, back and forth till it appeared what ever form was in his mind. shavings, that got smaller and smaller as he worked. Paper, mesh, and other forms of sanders brushed over the piece of wood after all the carving. All creating even a smaller speck of dust in the air. Then a liquid... and the speed got faster again... OHHHHH a burn! a thumb nail no longer there, he wears them off all the time he said.

It was amazing to me to see him work!
He detached the thing, tapped the stopper on, and slid it into a plastic bag for me to give to a friend I would see later. It was still warm as I slid it into my back pocket!

It is incredible the work he can do. I have long admired the out comes of his labor, but had never seen it, had often wondered but didn't want to invite myself into his private world when working. I was overwhelmed with the exhibit of talent and grace... it alone was artful enough for film. Thank you daddy I enjoyed watching you work this past weekend.

He makes bowls that are for art... others that are for food, wine stoppers, door stoppers, and now bracelets that are beautiful!

I am so proud of him, his work, and the fact he is growing into his retirement; instead of it settling into him!

I'm ok one on one...

2011-09-20T04:11:00.000-04:00

I have found after getting out of the corporate world, after fighting the slow pace of being at home, living in a place with very few friends. I have lost my social skills.

Used to be I could do a public speech with no issues, tell me what you need to know about, I'll learn it and do it!
Today... I'm lucky to see people over breakfast, then when I check them in, so what little speech I give is on the history of 1847 Blake House Inn B&B . Where to go eat around Asheville, Where to hike, where to take your dogs, and where to go for fun.

I find I have lost my ability to cover a room of 100 people or more so easily as I once did. So even a group as my family can be over whelming at times.

I have no idea what Danny, Monica, Lain, Zach or any of their families are up to. I was more concerned of the health of the elder generations still with us. I've always been in that middle roll, that doesn't seem to change much. While I do travel like the younger crowd we don't travel in the same manner, my backpacking is of no interest to most of the family. While Florida has no appeal to me any longer either.

Distance, Time, Ages, and me not having children has only span the family that much further apart. Funny how no matter what... Nanny and Paw Paw pulled us all together, kept us firm like a house foundation. With them gone? I float with water while some are firm footings that never move, and other only dry stack corners.

Families...
Life...
Me?????

Well I went home for the night.

2011-09-19T16:10:00.000-04:00

Going "home" is ... hard.
Anytime I go; I try to hit more than one bird with what ever stone I throw.

Going home for catfish was no different.
I got my truck worked on.
I got some hay from Paradox Farms.
I got to see one friend only because he helped me with my hay!
I barely got to spend two minutes talking to my dad. but did finally get to see him make a few things! (i'll have to post again later! )

Because I have chosen a slower life style; dinner was overwhelming to me. So many people, so many things to catch up on. Zach, Lain, Danny and all their kids! my how they have grown! Aunt Gale, Aunt Sheri, Uncle Steve, Mother and Bill. Amanda, Luke, Betsy, Peter, Olivia Emma, and Henry... so many so little time

It was all so much I had to stop by mothers on the way out to get a breather and see how she was.

I also never eat that much... much less with that much grease, so dinner made me sick at my stomach.
Emma came over to sleep with me, we giggled till I fell asleep, then up before 4am... I almost left but it all caught up with me and I didn't leave till after 7 their time. Dropped off Emma... she had to show me how she can break into the house! ha ha ha..

It is amazing how being gone only a few short hours you see so much more with fresh eyes when you return.

Horses have ? fungus... rain rot? barn fungus etc... so many names same darn thing! So bad I can't ride them! horrible stuff but I caught it in time.

Yes I knew Sweet pea had it before I left, but Navarre's hair is so long already... I didn't feel it in the early stages on him, it was horrible when I got back! He as usual is the one I'm worried about. She will be fine, we all hate that MTG stuff! especially this time of year considering it smells like... bacon, smoked meat, or a barbecue! I'm worried about the bears that are always around the barn! Do not want them getting any ideas! I'll start using my home made concoction when I run out! I just wanted a head start considering this is time out of the saddle and time not getting them or me ready for the ride.

I am almost certain it is from borrowing someone else's saddle and pad.
So out for med Sunday... got two bottles which should last me a week for both horses..
Got new saddle pads as well.

I'm taking my old one to the car wash spraying it off then coming home putting bleach solution on it, and hoping to rotate it on my riding this winter. But now that crap is in my barn, in my barn yard and I'll be fighting it from now on. ? Horses? kids?

Now the weather is perfect and I can't ride! tiz life... isn't this the way it always happens.

I miss these days.

2011-09-16T04:09:00.004-04:00

I know I'm in my 40's and while I live only 5 hours away in a car, I rarely get home these days due to work and animal needs.

Tonight everyone is getting together at the "fish house" as we call it in Springfield TN. I can see all the cousins and their kids, the Aunts, Uncle,Sisters, Nieces and nephew, my mother and step father. Laughing, spatting, and taking it all in, telling stories, catching up on days past, present and future.

I wish I could be a fly on the wall.
I wish I could have some of that cat fish, and think of the days when it was everyone with Nanny and Paw Paw around the table.

I can only wish them fun
I can only WISH I was there~
These are the times I wish I was at home closer to the family, but... I am after all who I am. I am where I am and life changes daily.

My love goes out to the family.
Have fun.
Think of me ... a little at least!

Love Amber!
PS... lets see who is reading this!
I'll see you later!

Beauty in a ride.

2011-09-14T07:47:00.000-04:00

I only wish riding safely didn't require both hands, but with two horses and one being a little less controllable/safe! I am required to have both hands on the reins at all times.

If not I would be taking incredible photos of things I am lucky enough to see on a ride.
I was mentioning to my daddy how, I not only do I have to see what ever is around me, but I have to hear it before I can see it. Most cars are not so bad, but an easy coasting newer car with their higher hum is much harder to hear and can sneak up on me. Not only am I watching the road, but like a cyclist I am watching where their feet go next... all the glass, wire, and scrap metal in the ditches... I am having to watch for dogs, groundhogs, and rabbits each of these scare the horses, anything really!

But it is the things in nature I wish I could share, I wish I could get off, down and take pictures of so many things sharing what is really out there!

I found a Paw Paw Tree grove on one ride. A tree native to the area, long gotten rid of by most, but is a wondrous fruit that taste like banana cream. Why did so many settlers get rid of them? (like any fruit they attract insects and other animals). I am one of the few that went out of my way to plant four types last spring. We shall see if they survive as they are hard to transplant,but once they take hold will create a wonderful grove that is almost tropical in style. I was so excited to see some roadside. What a joy I would never have noticed in a car.

Incredible, beautiful flowers in the ditches! there are so many times I wish I could stop to see if they smell.

I enjoy on each ride, all the water we pass, cross, and often stop to drink.

The sounds differ crossing each bridge, some are more solid, some are more metal, some are creaky flex too much and I worry what the horses think. I never noticed if a bridge had side rails when I was in a car, I get excited if they do when on a horse.

Riding a horse can bring out the best in others...
One woman was headed straight, saw me... and immediately turned my way, passed me, parked and waiting for me to catch up! Where are you going? What are you doing? not in a way to be invasive but in a way that she WANTED to help me! She wanted to be a part of what ever I was doing. Had I been on my trip I would have welcomed any assistance.

One guy on a Harley, passed me and did the same thing! Can I get you something to drink, need to to get you a burger! ( NO WORRIES MOM... I'M NOT TAKING FOOD OR DRINK FROM STRANGERS) I always wanted to ride my horses on the road a long distance... he wanted to break a cross country record with several horses... Me I just want to ride!!!!!!

The point is life is beautiful,my rides are more beautiful than I imagined them to be! Houses are more appealing at my slow horse speed, you see cute things you would never notice in a car. Not to mention you sit higher on a horse and see a lot more for a longer time.

I am in love with the sound of my horses feet as they hit the pavement. It is incredible when they are unison, especially when SP is an extender and all leg, PN... WR Prince Navarre is short stocky little legs with no extension who almost has to trot to keep up with Sweet Pea's walk.

I ride out into the rising sun... I ride back into the setting sun... I am always in the light of the day, and the sun in my face is a welcome tingle to my nose, at this point I even welcome the crows feet that are making their new home deeper and deeper etching each day of riding more permanently into my face.

Every Day is a new day! But the beauty of my rides makes me want to ride that much more, emotionally this ride gets easier, it opens doors, it turns corners, and shows me new worlds.

Physically? I'm out of shape, and can only hope I can figure out some of my little issues. I have a doctors appointment Thursday to get more help. Remember we all age differently! I'm doing my best!

2011-09-13T19:47:00.000-04:00

While we all live at a fast pace! Where I live...as I have said before ... if you go the speed limit you are more likely to be hit than to hit someone, unless it is ME on my horses! the avid cycliest that train here year around, OR one of the locals who really does get around on a bike, a scooter, or by foot!

But I have noticed having done so many of these road rides I am now driving slower, getting lights flashing in my rearview mirror, and people honking their horns.

I am not doing this horse ride to proove anything!

I am not doing this horse ride to break a record ( I get asked this on the road when people stop me! Where are you going? WHY? is there a time record you are trying to break? ) I love their reactions when I say

I'm doing this for me, I've always wanted to do it and life is too short NOT to do what you love.

So once again this is a day of reflection, collection of more route info... and a day to just tell every five year old out there to never loose their imagination.

Adults are more worried about things... NOT BILLS, after all.... beyond basic food, water, electricity and BASIC shelter the rest is created by YOU. (YOU estimating what you will have instead of what you DO have)... but having what the "Jones's" have!

Who CARES! Have what you need, and do the things you LOVE! if you happen to get more than you need, great! share it! or use it for good.

It is not about the labels on your purse, clothes, or shoes!

It is about the things life can not take away from you.

For me? While I may SUCK at this ride, I may freeze my "arce" off, I will know that if I fail it was my own fault, if I do it and succeed (my own definition, not yours, not some strangers written dictionary! MY TERMS!) then guess what ... that means I die with even a larger smile on my face! after all what else are you going to take with you? I have found after having lost all four grandparents, their thoughts, their dreams, their travels and experiences are all still there in their last days, when often times nothing else is!

My terms...

I will not harm the health of my horses. their life on the road... as long as I am with them YES...

I will not harm my health. We all have our own issues!

We tend to be too relaxed in our lives, this is a way I can wake myself up and challenge myself mentally and physically.

At this point I have to say! If you all haven't noticed all ready! I am able to do this because I have a husband who only wants me to have personal balance, personal achievements, and will support me in anything that races through my mind that I set my teeth into! My love, my heart, my body all go out to Jerry D Finley, my cheerleader!

When was the last time you did something that pushed you to your limits?

Really ! I want to hear about it!

Even it if it was reading a specific novel that challenged you! A challenge is a challenge! what's yours?

The day after! 9/11... 9/12 Ten years ago!

2011-09-12T04:01:00.002-04:00

Wednesday, September 12, 2001, 12:00PM

Considering I live alone, considering I have no Television and no radio, I was wondering about how today would unfold...

I decided because it was the first cool night of the season and the air was pleasant to the skin, I would walk to work. As I was walking to work, I noticed funny little things. The first was the silence of the air, living so close to the momentarily famous Barksdale Airforce Base, I could hear the birds in a silence I was unaware existed. I noticed the freshly cut blades of grass. I noticed some dogs running loose only because I heard the rustle of leaves. I realized as I turned the corner and came face to face with a magnolia tree they have red seeds in the cones. I noticed how the squirles have stripped some of the new pine cones in preparation for winter. I noticed how the squirles were playing up and around and back down the trees. I noticed the side walk.

Some how the sidewalk appeared in my mind to be different. The way the trees have uprooted the foundation of the sidewalk and moved it considerably. Somehow it is the same as the day before but different than yesterday. Somehow it made me feel as through the earth moved yesterday. The trees are reaching for a firmer ground. The earth is shifting to prepare itself for what ever is ahead. The walk is harder, I was fumbling over earth and broken sidewalk that had never bothered me before. I was noticing all the new cracks, noticing nothing new and wondering about everything.

Our lives are different, our lives are the same. It all depends on how you look at it.

Don't get me wrong, I am enjoying this day, I am just more aware of my surroundings. You have to admit, it's a good thing to have a wake up call every once in a while.

I am fortunate, a friend who works for F.E.M.A. responded to an email I sent asking how to get my doctor involved in the volunteer process. said.. ""AT this time, the outpouring of sentiment has been such that, according to the Red Cross, we have more volunteers that we need at every level... There is a critical blood shortage through... And Yahoo is accepting donations online..." So once again Americans have pulled together and are making a considerable different in the outcome of what ever is to lye ahead.

My car is coming along nicely and will hopefully be ready by the end of the week. After I get it, I will enjoy the old gas mileage I used to get, not this fill up every 200 miles, that gets really old quick.

As you read this above...
I choose not to have all those outside sources in my life! I was at the height of my freedom as a single woman and enjoyed my own company, and that of my two HUGE dogs... Rex ( black great dane) and Deepak ( my sweet Rhodesian Ridgeback) I have to admit! Living in Shreveport was an experience, a culture shock, and a time in my life I shall never forget!

9/11 ten years ago.

2011-09-11T20:18:00.000-04:00

It is hard to believe, I was living in Sheveport LA on the day of. I remember the imediate rush of testosterone in the office I was in... The men... patiences, doctors, workers, I'm signing up! One Dr I worked closely with even had me contact a person at FEMA. Life went on, as well we could, then the rumor of the president being there just over the river on the base ...

As I read over this email I copied and pasted below! I didn't even remember any of the other stuff from that day! THAT is how the day un rolled!

It was that next day, when I walked to work my senses were heightened and I had to write an email to my family about it!

Back then I wrote blanket emails of my life, much as I do with my blogging now adays, I'll try to find a hard copy and re-post tomorrow if I can find it! If anyone in the family has it! feel free to send it again!

FOUND my 9-11 post! Thanks to my mother!

Sent: Tuesday, September 11, 2001 1:20:48 PM
Subject: serious day.
Well,
I started out the day thinking I would tell you how yesterday went. I
was one of the worst days I had experienced in Shreveport as of yet, but now
I know things in the world can get worse.

When everyone gets this we will all have more information, but have you
ever considered how arrogant we Americans are? To think, we thought,
nothing would happen, someone has issued and executed a very well thought
out plan. You know other countries are laughing, that we allowed someone to
force us into shutting down every airport in the country, and many of our
subway system. All the other countries are able to isolate the insodents...
they shut down an area and life goes on. Grant you, most other countries
are not our size.

Our communication abilities will probably be the next to go. after all ATT
has shut down all services in and out of New York as it is.

To have an American made land mark destroyed, no telling how many lives
lost. To have the pentagon, the white house and an airport in another state
all harmed to some extent. There is no telling what else could happen
today.

It is amazing how this has affected everyone. The patients are glued to the
television out in the waiting area, then their entire demeanor changes...
They are all angry or sad, basically depending on their sex. The women are
observed as walking down the hall with their head lower than normal. The
men are tight fisted and eager to voice their thoughts. We should... is the
most common phrase today. Someone will pay... is a close second place.

I have been fortunate to know my family is safe. I am fortunate to know I
am not in a large city today.

Wow!!!!! and I thought yesterday was bad. This is the biggest thing to
happen to Americans in years. Sadly enough it will more than likely only
wake us up as a country for a year or so. Look at OK city!

Can you imagine! the panic, the extent of energy beyond that of the
Oklahoma bombing, this is not a matter we Americans of my generation are
accustomed to being exposed to.

Exposure... the president just landed here with 3 fighters around. It was
said to be a wild tale, but was supposently just confirmed.... Now that's a
little too amazing to me if I am in a small coonass city with a confirmed
major air force fighting base and they have just brought the president here.
Now how exciting can that be. If it is true... I am amazed they took him
over, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi, that makes it a little far fetched
for me but that is what is being said. (I am sure other states are saying
the same thing he's here he's here, we all scream, We are the special ones
they all say. ) This we will only know as time tells. Oh yea just incase
it is history the time is 11:50am central time.
Ok so this is the rest of the story. this is the head quarters for the
airforce. This is a nuclear war site. Wow! I had no idea. If I can
visit base before I leave, I will have to do that. Wow that's sorta
interesting. ..

back to much lighter situations...
My day yesterday.

My company is not sure what to do with me, they do not want to lose me as an
employee so they figure they will ship me from office to office for the time
being. So I suppose this will be another adventure in itself but... Another
chapter in my book. I don't want to pay rent if I am not going to be home
except on the weekends. Why would I dare spend more money than I have too.
Besides I would need one major baby sitter down here.

My day only got better!

My neighbors I have yet to describe in full detail have in some form
effected me. Lilly and RC live on the other side of Noma. (the house
filled
with art. ) So they do not live on my street and I can barely see their
house
but.... man....

The house that effected my day yesterday...and the days before. The house
is two story, a family
of five lives down stairs and a family of four up stairs. They share
utilities... water, gas and electricity. Don't ask me why the landlord
left it that way. The two apartments are truly separate.

So anyway the upstairs family...
Kim, the mother.
BreAnna the four year old.
the baby, I can never remember her name, (I am just not a baby person)
and the husband, whom I could care less who or what he is.

Kim has no gas because the bills have not been paid, a collective problem.
BreAnna just had a birthday.

So Kim comes over with the baby,and BreAnna in tow, along with cup cake
pans, all the ingredience, towels, shampoo, and conditioner. Not to mention
the new shiner on her left eye.

Yea so she asked me if she could use my oven. They have no gas. She asked
me if she could take a bath and bathe the children. So, all of this sounds
fine, then she asked for leftovers, because the children had not eaten.
Understand, all the ovens and stoves are gas as well.

Ok so how am I suppose to refuse any of this... I can't let a child go
hungery.

So first things first, lets get the cupcakes going. To my amazement, Kim
knew what all to purchase but had no idea how to make cup cakes. So I
ended up making the cupcakes and icing only two thirds of them. They were
cute.... The first batch was strawberry, the second, chocolate. We put
white iceing on the pink and chocolate on the others. They were in cute
little barbie paperliners. But after doing this...She had to bathe the
kids, where I started preparing food. Then I (of all people) had to watch
the kids while she took a shower.

So I have gotten out food I had saved for just such an occassion, you know
one where you have no idea where your next paycheck is going to come from.
I got out 3 days worth of food, thinking I would eat myself. Well I put
together what I could for BreAnna and then a plate for Kim. While I am
cleaning the mess just about to make my plate I realize Kim is done and
wanting more. Well I suppose.... Please help yourself, she acted as though
she had not eaten in days. I am not used to this from her. She ate 2 and
1/2 servings, BreAnna only ate half a serving. She has lost weight but I
assumed she was trying to. Not that she apsolutely has to but...it's not a
bad thing.

So here I am in a day of history where just yesterday I was feeling like I
had a third world country living in the house across the street and then
today we get bombed like one.

Asking everyone at work how this day has affected them at this very moment
in time, I have gotten several responces... One simply put as fear. One
that of a concerned mother for her children and the welfare of her
grandchildren. Another a little more pratical... she knows it is not
effecting her personally, but it will effect her environment. She is glad
to be traveling in and out of the country in a short while, (going to
Germany) because the bombing has made that safer in general for a while.
Until Americans in general get lazy and think once again it's not going to
happen here.

Have a good day and I am glad to know my family is safe.
amber.

it makes me have night mares.

2011-09-10T04:58:00.001-04:00

I am loving a new facebook page that is all about horse people helping horse people in an emergency...

I have signed up for NC, and will make my place available to anyone in need during fire, storm (hurricanes) or other natural disasters.

I have also learned MUCH from this page and added a few things to my emergency list, such as paint! yep a spray can or FLORESCENT paint. While I use rope halters ONLY leather is good in a fire/ emergency as it will not melt into your horse as nylon will, cotton will go up in flames as well!

copied and pasted...WHEN marking horses for identification - don't use anythign plastic, nylon, or metal. Plastic and Nylon melt and burn. Metal will get hot and burn. Spray paint livestock using livestock marking paints- phone number and last name on both sides of each animal. Large enough to be read from a distance.
re- typed due to copy issues.
When marking horses for identification - don't use anything plastic, nylon, or metal. Plastic and Nylon will melt and burn. Metal will get hot and burn. Spray paint or use Livestock marking paint - phone number and last name on both sides of each horse. Large enough to be read from a distance. Evacuate early! lz

Estate... update.

2011-09-09T09:48:00.001-04:00

While I've made it public how silly I was when Jerry came to the barn with me a while back. almost a month now!

I was off my normal routine with him there and left the water running all night long. loosing at least 2000 gallons of water.

I have to say I've got about 1000 gallons in my little container again, so all is well! I am likely to take water over to the barn on weekends only to save more of my water for this winter. The more water I have the less likely it is to freeze!

onward we go!

RAIN

2011-09-08T06:24:00.001-04:00

Rain in the cold is going to be my worst enemy as far as my own ability to deal with the weather.

I enjoy, my horses enjoy riding in the snow, as the body creates a barrier and slowly gets adjusted to the melting and numbing of snow through my riding layers.

I am planning to take my love's motorcycle rain gear with me for such occasional I am just not sure how it will hold up to the rubbing of real leather, or the friction of the horses rubbing up against me from time to time. Sweet Pea has yet to stay off of me as a pack horse and Navarre is safer to ride as a road horse, so much more training in the future as always.

I believe Sweet Pea will either get better or loose her mind. This trip will make or break our relationship!

I can only hope it makes it stronger.

one of those days.

2011-09-07T06:34:00.001-04:00

Its days like today that even I think I'm a little crazy for doing this ride.

The pain is all over.
I knew it was going to be one of those days when the pain was so bad I could barely make it down the stairs first thing in the morning.
runs from my jaw up to my temples
down the back of my neck
my back
my hips down to my ankles.
fingers swollen, and hurting up to my wrist.

getting old SUCKS but letting it stop me from doing what I want... not going to happen.

we all have our aches and pains, I just have days like today when it gets away from me, and I feel like I've got the flu. The meds will catch up by tomorrow and I'll be a normal 40 something year old. While today I feel like I'm in my 90's

What a crock!

Hoping your day is better than this one. We all have them, we just don't all put it into words. ME I'm journaling everything good and bad about this ride. This is just another day in the books.

Toilet paper!

2011-09-06T04:16:00.001-04:00

Yep! I have a roll, but what of the shovel?
I need a light weight shovel, as there is no promise of my being able to tie up the horses, go into some place and SIT down to relieve myself.

I know it is a normal body function but no one speaks of it! You cant just GO where ever you want! Human waste is TOXIC, it contaminates grounds and one has to be respectful! So I need to find a shovel as I do not want to carry my waste with me.

One good book ... How to Shit in the Woods... sounds horrible, but a good, funny read! Jerry got it for me a year or so ago as I was going into Yellowstone with Daddy, and I dare not contaminate such a beautiful place! It worked, but so did the park system of having plenty of compost toilets around!

Oh well on with the list.
On with the issues I will see, or cause along my route.
Route? no answer yet! I'm going to have to drive each to choose!
So on in the car I go ASAP.

oh how we spoil ourselves.

2011-09-05T04:59:00.001-04:00

In preparation of my horse riding, camping trip to Nashville TN in the winter! I have to get not only my body, mind, and horses in shape but... I'm having to get my stomach and taste buds to deal with the changes ahead.

I know! Laugh all you want but I have had a french press for my coffee sense I left home on my own. Even my father knew its importance when he gave me a camping press for Christmas one year as I was camping off Sweet Pea years ago.

Having said that I've picked up my instant packs at the grocers and forcing myself to drink it black. For those who know me I always drink my coffee black, but when its bad coffee I drown it in cream. No cream on this trip! It would be frozen at night, or spoiled by the heat of the horse in the day and too much weight for the trip.

Oh how I have spoiled myself without realizing it! Coffee? who would have thought it was such a luxury?

NO don't mention Starbucks to me! I can't stand their normal coffee... taste burn to me, ALTHOUGH I crave their espresso. I remember the days of living alone in St Louis, stopping by and getting two or three shots of espresso on my way into work. THAT was pure luxury! That I would be likely to kill for on the trip this winter.... Wonder if they have a place for me to tie up the horses as I pass through Chattanooga or Knoxville... which ever it might be.

No still haven't made up my mind on a route... I know! I'm working on it!

much love to the world,
and Much love to my missing french pressed coffee this morning... uggg to the ( no names given) instant single servings I now carry!

Amber

Thoughts!

2011-09-04T00:48:00.000-04:00

OK, so I have a FEW things taken care of...

Now I have to worry about how much of my supplies I can get into my little two man tent in order to keep it dry and know its with me not where the horses are tearing into it, or someone else taking it as I sleep.

So I figure I can take one sleeping pad, use the horse pads as another layer leave the saddles on nose all night and I'll have to put the feed in small enough bags I can lift them up and down several times a day. I can't leave them on the saddle as I get it off and on. I am sure at some point I will unsaddle the horses during the day, allowing them a rest, a feed, and get them some water. So all of this has to come to play

Dad has suggested my sleeping bags be in river bags as well. One is down, one is synthetic... the synthetic can handle more moisture than the down, but if the down gets wet! I'm up a creek with out a paddle.

Any other ideas out there?

Any one have suggestions on tying up the horses? keeping them from running away? ANYTHING to allow me to sleep a little better instead of worrying every time I hear one from outside the tent?

FEED and weight, what to do?

2011-09-03T05:36:00.000-04:00

Wow! have you ever read the bag your feed comes in? While I make sure to read it more closely than most foods I purchase for myself... it is astonishing how much weight this is going to be on my trip.

Navarre can not eat complete feed, they are too high in sugar as most use molasses to bind the pellets together. Therefore I can't allow Sweet Pea to have any either as they tend to fight over each others feed no matter what I do to separate them. I can lock Navarre in his stall and sure enough Sweet Pea will have left something behind as she decides hay is more her taste. Then as I let him out they both rush to the others bowl to see what is there! Just like two kids that get a slightly different diet, the other is always better.

Navarre is an EASY keeper! Thank goodness! It is only his medical issues that make his feeding more difficult and demanding.

Sweet Pea is a HARD keeper! But she is food smart, as where Navarre is not. HE will eat himself to death. SHE will piddle around eat till she is full and go on to something else. She prefers hay over a large portion of feed.

Hay is going to be an issue on my trip!
With Navarre's medical issues I can't just accept hay from anyone! Such a quick change in diet is enough to throw him into a colic. So I am going to have to add a hay stretcher into their diet!

I do not like doing this, but at this point it appears to be my best option.
Hay = HEAT in the winter. so I will try to carry some alfalfa cubes as well, but they require being soaked in water and that alone creates another issue. Water is going to be a problem in the winter no matter how much I plan.

SO Heat! .... hay stretcher to keep their gut going, Alfalfa cubes to give them more heat, and OIL! YEP!

Right now my kids (horses) get rice bran oil every day...
Navarre gets one to two cups a day!
Sweet Pea gets only up to one cup a day!

I will replace 1/2 of their rice bran oil with corn oil! Why! two reasons... Rice bran is EXPENSIVE ... AND it is a cooler burning oil in their body! (so I only feed rice bran in summer to keep them from getting so hot) So the Corn oil will not only save me 2/3rds the cost but will also give the horses a better heat source at night! THIS heat is what I am after!

OIL= heat, gut protector, and sugar replacement in horses with PPSM.

Think about it! What is the second thing your vet does if your horse colics?
After checking for stomach for extra acid he puts oil down the stomach to move (hopefully) what ever is blocked in the intestines. a constant source of oil helps the horse NOT to colic so easily, for a horse like Navarre this is very important.

Sweet pea is on a low carb diet... the weight of 1/2 a scoop of her feed is +/- 2 lbs
Navarre is on a NO carb diet... the weight of 1/2 a scoop of his feed is +/- 2lbs
THEN you ADD the 6 ( yep SIX pounds) of hay stretcher for EACH horse that alone is 4+4+12

they get fed twice a day... 2 lbs each time is 4 lbs
then 6lbs of hay stretcher each is 12 lbs
total of 16lbs a DAY just for basic feeds! This is not including the extra they will need to keep up the demands of the walk OR for HEAT to make it through the night unprotected. ( yes I will pack rain coats for them but... that's it)
16lbs is not including the weight of all the oil that has to go on that food, OR the supplements that are required for Navarre and his medical issues.

I will break their feeds into thirds on the trip but that does nothing for the weight of the matter.

so I am figuring the oil will weigh at least two pounds if not just under. After weighing the supplements that weight 9 oz a day for just Navarre... Then oil on top of that ... I'm adding three pounds a day.

19lbs for ONLY one day!
5 days of feed is going to take up almost 100 lbs! That is a lot of feed, a lot of space! That is a lot of worry!

Not to mention keeping this feed from getting wet! Zip locks are great but they sweat like any other plastic when they get wet, hot, cold etc... I am figuring a river bag is going to be my outside layer!

IF anyone has a or several river bags I can borrow please contact me! I will need them for sure!

Weight.

2011-09-02T05:53:00.001-04:00

Today was a day where getting water to the barn was the first thing on my to do list. While waiting for gravity to fill the bathtub... I was getting together things to take on my next outing. Things I will eventually take on my trip but can learn to pack, and get the horses accustomed to all the weight.

Things I put in my pack today.

Feed, hay stretcher, OIL and supplements enough for four days... ( 12 bags of feed) with a cup of oil each for Navarre, and a 1/2 cup each for Sweet Pea. Body wipes, Facial wipes, facial creams, SUN SCREEN, P-Nutt butter, English muffins, and dried camp foods. I will soon add the bulky... my socks, my under garments, my sleep wear and an emergency change of clothes. ( only if I get wet in freezing temperatures will I change while on the trip.) Otherwise I'm will be bathing in deodorant... so you are forewarned! stay up wind if you come see me.

I have decided to take wipes to clean the bridal and only pack one. I will take some emergency repair parts for saddle, etc... but not much.

I did however learn I am going to have to carry a shoe hammer, and at least two a shoe full on nails in case one starts to clank on me again. I will also carry ONE front and back boot for each horse in case I completely loose a shoe. I can't have them wearing their feet down to nothing! I have them already for Sweet Pea but Navarre's size will be special order his feet are so large... I will get Stacy to help me with that!

Of course my emergency first aid kit is already at the barn, in the bags. But soon I will have to start adding a LOT of weight to get the horses more used to their new jobs...

I am making my plans a little tighter day by day...
Keep the suggestions coming!

September

2011-09-01T05:15:00.000-04:00

September: from septem, Latin for "seven"

Private Messages...

2011-08-31T05:41:00.000-04:00

Let me just put the record straight.

I know this is not the normal thing to want to do.
I also know it is NOT the ideal time of year to do it.
But I'm past my prime, and if it is going to get done, it needs to be as soon as possible; as my life gets no longer, and I've put it off long enough.

We all do things that make our choices worse ... this is one of those times.
EVERY choice in life we make has a consequence, this is my self created out come. WINTER...

Before everyone gets all bent out of shape, here are the facts!
Our ancestors did it!
We now have better gear for both animal and human to survive worse weather than will ever be experienced in the tiny region of the "STATES" that are up for discussion. Have you ever been out west? For all sake's last July I was still hiking in Snow! So lets put this into a realistic situation here...

I can't take off the ENTIRE month.. I still have to work... so there will be stops and re-starts... there will rest days for the horses (work days for me) they.. the horses.. will be in their comfortable little barn and paddock at home; getting the best of care, and sucking up attention from the neighbors kids as usual. We at the MOST will only be camping four nights a week. Come on... Almost anyone can do that with the right gear! This is not an act of courage it is merely a weight on my shoulders that must be removed, as I put it there I am the only one that can take it away... Thus I am not canceling this trip! I may for one reason or another have to delay a travel day, I may for some reason have to give the horses more rest than scheduled, but I need to be pushed to my limits! as long as it is to my limits, and not beyond my limits as I still have to work and be productive for my jobs that will await me at home.

The only real danger is the cold in terms of me... Not for the horses. Please... has anyone ever known me not to take care of my horses? I will have rain coats for the horses, and ONE quilt for Sweet Pea until we get out of the mountain range.

Navarre with ice hanging off him, and still all he wanted to do was play!
\

One of my horses is Perfectly made for such an adventure! The other will get oil, hay, feed , a quilted blanket and anything else she needs. Life goes on and so will this trip!

I do appreciate the concerns!
I do appreciate the cheers and the statements of how off the wall I am!
I do appreciate everything there is to know from anyone else that has done this or more!

Love to everyone even those who are worried out of their minds! Trust me If I need help I'll call someone!

2011-08-29T09:28:00.000-04:00

Ok, so I'm sure all you horse people are smarter than me, but this has never come up in conversation and I've never been told of it, so I am sharing with anyone who will listen.

So what I learned on my wired ride Saturday, I can actually control which way my horse freaks out!

Yes I said it! Call me crazy but it helps me figure out what is more dangerous, her freaking out into on coming traffic , into a mailbox ( metal with jagged edges), off a cliff (around here ? no guard rails most of the time) or my favorite... into a road sign.

All of these are only some of the larger visual issues I have to worry about when those motorcycles, dump trucks, or school buses are headed for me or better yet coming from behind me.

The control comes from ME choosing WHICH EYE Sweet Pea sees the moving item with.

Yes! If I am riding down the road and the noise is behind me... I'm constantly checking curbs, signs, mailboxes and anything else that can hurt me or my animals. So with NO issues I have a noise behind me I leg Sweet Pea to bend, push Navarre into the ditch BUT look at the moving thing behind me with her LEFT eye... not her right! With her left once she sees it; it never leaves her vision again, she can watch it pass her with no huge issues.

If she sees the moving "car" with her left eye she is going to RUN Jump what ever... right! away from it !

If she sees it with her Left eye... no matter what I do to control it she is going to jump left RUN forward and no telling what else as it comes up on her faster. Throwing her rear into on coming traffic, and trying to keep it in her site she will spin, turn and yank Navarre around uncontrollably till it is gone.

I find the support reign is very important when it comes to a car passing me near other objects like a sign, mailbox or ? drop off of sorts. Or the simple hole, glass bottle, old fencing you know all the standards we never see from a car, but all the hazards that could lame my horse in a minute.The support reign is more important to me,than the leg, because a leg would push her closer to the yellow line.

Normally its all BUT the kitchen sink.

2011-08-28T08:34:00.001-04:00

Most women pack everything but the kitchen sink, in my case I'm packing TWO.

With life, with packing, now with camping off the horses... I am always thinking of double duty for anything and everything I spend my money on. This time it is called the kitchen sink.

One of my major worries for this trip is water. I am going to be forced to ask people for water along the way. Having said that, what would I put water in, and it be small enough to carry on the back of a horse? Large enough to hold enough water ( horses drink at least 2 gallons of water a day, with exercise it will be more) The Kitchen Sink of course.

All ready I have started my serious research on products, bags, tents, rain gear... me and horses... etc...so
I was in REI ( Love that place!) and saw it a 20 liter kitchen sink for camping! I got one to try, because it is relatively light and folds down to about the size of a breakfast plate. My little boy is just VERY picky about his water and ? containers? He hates buckets; I think he hates hitting his head/ eyes drinking out of a bucket.

I rode to the cafe down the mountain today. Yes the one Wayne suggested to me on Facebook. It was only 8.8 miles (17.6 round trip) down the road but it was all I could do because of SEVERAL things...

Really it wasn't that bad, just a lot to take in.

My day started off normal enough, Navarre broke open a hornets nest, so he was bucking, kicking, throwing his head while I was getting stung and trying to stay on, handle Sweet Pea and get out of the curve. I was only 1/4 mile from the barn and it was a great wake up call! It's going to be one of those days a little voice in my head started to ramble... those days... a day... not today... yep today for sure!

Not 2 miles away from the barn that metal sound no horse person likes to hear! a shoe... a rear left but only in trot , so we're walking today. It got a little worse but I walked the rest of the way.

There were a few fits from Sweet Pea, it was just the three Harleys still in my lane buzzzzzing by us and as if we weren't there. This brought out the whites in her eyes that never went away. She was wired the rest of the day, yelling for a herd of horses within a mile of finding any down the road. She was difficult but it wasn't something anyone could blame her for. The good thing to remember as I mention all this buzzzing , is rarely are there Harleys on the road in January. Goldwings on occasion with all their electrical gear, butt warmers, hand warmers and plugs for anything else you can imagine; but no deep sounding glaring shinny monsters called a Harley.

Poor Sweet Pea I was making her life a little difficult today! I took away her lead mare status, and was riding Navarre as lead horse, this alone was enough to upset her beyond repair. But on my trip I will have to switch who is carrying the pack and who I ride from day to day so neither is worn out from the weight the pack animal will have to carry! It is different for a horse to carry an object that keeps no balance and packing it is an art I will have to learn.

Today was only proof that I STINK at packing an animal! I packed lunch for the horses, a 1/2 bail of hay, lead ropes, the sink for testing purposes, knife, etc... lots of tools ... today it was just STUFF, for weight, and practice. GOOD THING I'M Practicing this months ahead. I have a LOT not just a lot but a LLLLOOOOOTTTTT to learn.

Hay fell off, down the road only one more thing to add to the list. But the horses were perfect! Standing not 3 feet off the highway unpacking, re packing, I was concentrating so hard I never saw the guy walking up to me.
He asked if he could help, and I took him up on his offer. If you want to help you can keep that horse from eating grass! He's diabetic and I can't do both. The guys name was Zach, his wife's name was Amber and they had two little children, one in diapers. So after I got Sweet Pea settled again ( I was hoping) I offered to put his kids on Navarre. I said thank you so much, he stated that he didn't do anything! Oh yea as if someone watching your children as you repair something is nothing! You did me a HUGE favor... thanks so much.

As I was pulling off, a nice man and his grandson were walking down the road to us, each with a shirt full of apples. Oh Thank you but they can't have them! I know..it almost sounds abusive! but all too true! It sparked questions and then we exchanged stories as I stood in the middle of the road as cars passed us all quiet and slow. His three horses ran up to meet us ( wanting their share of the apples no doubt) as we just chatted. It was so nice, this is exactly what I love doing, meeting new people, each of these were helping and sharing. This is what life is about! In that respect is was a GREAT DAY!

People were amazing today! 99% of road travelers today were so nice, slowing down, waving, waking up the kids in the back seat, snapping pictures of us ( if ANYONE has a photo of us... can you send it to me Please!) . I actually had to flag a few of them to pass me etc... and today crossing a wooden bridge the cars in both directions actually WAITED for me!

I tied the horses up at the cafe, Sweet Pea called out the entire time I was there.

The ride home was hard, because I rode Sweet Pea! She was so wired it was exhausting, but Navarre needed to be on the curb / in the grass and I figured I could handle it. I did, but I don't want to have to do that all the time. I know these days will happen on the trip as well so may as well get it down pat as much as I can.

a perfect end to the day... was Jerry took me out to dinner at a new place~ Thanks to my lovely Step-Daughter Gypsy! Love you ! Thank you! it was PERFECT!

short version.
found fold able container for water.
hard days ride.

Next post.
I figured out some things with traffic and horses freaking! Stay Tuned! I'm happy to share what I have learned.

making a list? where do I start?

2011-08-27T06:31:00.001-04:00

1. I will need a tent. I have a small two man tent, but I need to water proof it again just to make sure I'm good.

2. I will need a good below freezing sleeping bag. Chris (no last names) ... has offered me one of his, I'll take my other for a pad, as I believe a pad is going to be too bulky for the horses as all the other supplies I will need.

3. I need a stove. Yep... I'll need warm water at night and first thing in the morning... I'll be forced to take instant dried foods for myself and ask for water along the way. I know of a motorcycle stove a mere 6 inches in size and perfect for heating water. No gas to carry only matches and bricks as fuel. This is the one thing that will make my life a little easier. If anyone has one that they are willing to share for this trip please contact me. Otherwise my dimes are being put back as I type.

4. I will take only one change of clothes no matter how many days at a time I am out. I will however take all the under garments I will need for daily changes and more.

So thus far, my weight will be under garments, sleeping clothes... (cant mess up someone else's sleeping bag) a stove, fuel bricks, two sleeping bags, tent, plastic for under tent, my dried food, TWO one litter stainless water containers, head lamp, flashlight, and yet another flashlight.

My issues with supplies will be
1. HAY! I think I'll start feeding the horses some hay stretcher, creating more of a custom complete feed instead of feeding him a 1/2 bail or more a day.

2. OIL for Navarre! this is heavy and he requires lots of it. over two cups a day!

3. Supplements for Navarre. He doesn't get real horse feed, and his health issues require added items. too many to list here.

4. Ropes to tie the horses up at night. I can not allow them to roam and I can't even allow Navarre to graze.

5. sliding links for tie

6. ONE hay bag but I need at least two flakes of hay a day ? THIS is going to be the main issue for Navarre. In old days this would not be an issue... as any tiny town would have a stable/ paddock and hay for travelers. Today with his medical conditions I can not having him changing his diet every 12 hours...

7. WATER is the other main issue for the Navarre. Sweet Pea will drink when she needs to ... Navarre will dehydrate with his condition all too easy. Yes I give him electrolytes to help him/force him to drink but even with that he is just a strange animal. Water too would have been available all up and down my travels in times past, but today I will have to ask for water for myself and my horses as I travel.

These are all just my basics ... having not done a dry run yet, but I'm working on it. Then we shall see how bad it is going to be.
Amber

Shoes

2011-08-26T06:08:00.000-04:00

I've been going through shoes on the horses like crazy!

It's not the normal ride for a horse ... being on pavement every day, but my Ferrier has been a GIFT.

His work is incredible!

His work ethic hard to come by these days! We had an appointment for today! instead of just not showing up like many do; or coming late and expecting me to understand? Stacy calls!

He calls to make sure I'm ok with the situation, that my horses are going to be ok till he can get there etc... His work is always his best, and if I were not happy with something he creates a relationship with his customers so I would be able to express my concerns and us talk about it!

Stacy and I were talking and will continue to experiment, and discuss things as we get closer to my ride.

I want... an extra pair of shoes... in the emergency trailer (I can hopefully get someone to drive if I need it! ) This way if I can't get him to come in an emergency I can at least trailer the horses to him and have most of the work done! IF not once past my no return point have someone else put them on if I have to.

I want something to help the horses with ice and snow! I can't have them do this much road work barefoot, so the cold metal will collect all sorts of issues... He is working on snow pads, or ice boots... he will give me more info at later date ( it was after all a short call.. I was working and he was working)

BUT he did bring up a GREAT idea for research!

One of the horses will have to be a "pack mule" as I have to take a tent, sleeping bag, food (for all of us) etc..

He brought up Panniers? I researched them and there are several on ebay as of today!

It is a thought! BUT I was going to ride in that western saddle? if for no other reason than safety! I would rather ride bareback pad but I think .... Husband and Mother might have a say about that one!

It is a thought! back to the drawing board!

Safety List.

2011-08-25T06:00:00.003-04:00

Safety is first thing on my mind!
SO as I have read, drooled over, and dreamed through this magazine for years. called YOUR HORSE One of the things that has ALWAYS caught my attention is their safety gear! A hack on the road is no big deal in the UK, lots do it, and it is not unusual for people to hack from farm to farm. They have Road Safety Test for riders... So they have some of the best gear I have ever seen!

I've ordered some! Equisafety check out their site! You will be impressed and if your not, I can't help you!

So I have ordered Polite gear in Pink and Yellow to throw over the horses, as well as a PLEASE SLOW DOWN vest for myself!

I ordered nose bands, ankle reflectors, so now I can use my ankle reflectors on myself instead of putting them on the horses. ( they make them for runners, but I've used them for riding for months now)

I already have RED LED lights for their tails that FLASH! I'll just need to get more batteries!
I have a miner lamp for my helmet, but again will need more batteries as well.
I need to refresh my flashlight, and pack my shaking light for emergencies.
I will be wearing my bright yellow motorcycle jacket on the ride for more safety, I do this most winters anyway so on we go...

Boots or snow pads for the horses shoes are all ready being discussed. Otherwise I'll be picking more than I want to.

I so often hear about people riding from place to place to fill that voice in their hearts, but I can't seem to find the daily grind of getting it prepared, or the ins and outs of the ride itself. So this has been added to my goals/ bucket list! Make a journal of this journey!

What you have to understand about me is... I over think everything! But when it comes to the safety, care, and needs of my horses they come first and I have to be prepared for the worst!

So here we go! I know I will over do it, BUT I am OPEN to ideas, proven examples, and suggestions from ANY horse person out there! I'm not a professional rider and this is not a professional job. Just a journal of my thoughts, worries, actions, and eventually my trip with its misery, grace, and pure adrenaline rushes of experiencing life, mother nature, and the relationship with my horses.

Ok.. tired of it!

2011-08-24T17:06:00.001-04:00

I made my first GOAL list just out of high school and within a short time I had almost everything marked off my list.

I then created another, again I quickly went through it except ONE thing from the previous list.

I have created a mere two more list, and at my age the name of the list has changed, yep... it is now called my bucket list.

All my years I have that ONE thing that keeps haunting me, I'm tired of it! I will not live in regret!

So... with all the strikes against me I've got to get it done.
I can't take a month off of work as needed for my trip.
I am not even sure if I can work it out to travel one full week at a time.
I have two horses to worry about, one having extreme issues with health, but if he can ... I can...

So this WINTER... YES Winter, I am going to start my travel on horse back from Asheville back to Joelton!

It will have to be winter... as this is slower time at all three of my jobs... is the only time of the year Navarre is allowed to graze on grass ( only a little). But we will make it work.

Winters here have been lighter as of late, although more wet as well, but ... my ancestors did it why can't I? We have allowed ourselves to be too soft! Life is not suppose to be SOOOO easy all the time, not that it is, but we do tend to make it harder than it has to be; by allowing the fast pace of social expectations into our lives. I enjoy the slow walk on horseback, and this may just be my best adventure yet. I'll keep you posted of my progress. ?

I am planning..
I am hoping
I am willing
I am ? crazy... but I've got to get this one thing OFF my list ... then I can go on with the rest of my items in peace! besides I'm getting a little old to allow this one to sit there

Life is too short!
I have always lived my life to the fullest, and this weight has got to go.
Planning is fun! doing this will ... Hurt! oh it is going to be SOOOOOO cold!

Any suggestions welcome!
Any Help welcome!

It's the little things

2011-08-22T19:38:00.000-04:00

I know I live in a strange place! Rarely does someone NOT drive on the wrong side of the road, as they straighten out a curve. Rarely does someone go the speed limit, and if you do! you're more likely to get hit from behind!

Life is fast, busy, and a pace I never knew it was going to be, but I live it! I hang on, I do my best, and I try to slow it down as much as possible where ever I can.

But tonight it was the simple act of several someones taking turns at a one lane bridge. (I cross this bridge 6 times a day as I go to and from the barn) Normally who ever hits their brakes first stops, while the on coming traffic barrels over the creek as fast as possible, more often than not with whom ever behind them stuck to their bumper as if lava rolling down the mountain at them.

Tonight it was the act of kindness of as each person stopped and allowed the next to go. I was the last one in line, but just seeing the act of kindness was a lift of my spirit. It was the simple act of each person treating the other as they wanted to be treated.

It is the simple things in life!
From a hand written note, a cold drink of water, down to the daily hum drum of stopping at a one lane bridge and allowing others the right to go instead of TAKING their turn for speed.

Update on to do list on day off.

2011-08-21T06:44:00.000-04:00

Well, I forgot to tell you what I did on my day off.

We got in over 40 bails of hay.
Got a flower area planted,
1/2 of the pasture bush hogged before the gravely broke down on me again.

Life is too funny! as soon as I get rolling something shuts me down quicker than I got started. But this happens to everyone and at some point in my life I will not be working with a machine my age and will be getting something else to assist me in my management of the estate...

In this economy... it will be a long time before anything changes!

Taking the good with the bad.

2011-08-20T16:40:00.000-04:00

Life has its way of weighing us down. Yesterday was one of those days for me. While my body was starting to catch up feeling almost normal, now my brain is absent; and I do mean absent....

My work day was stressful NOT because of anyone else but because I could not think straight, ending in personal torcher of sorts. I left the water at the barn running all night!

Not only is this costly ( not financially) but in EVERY other way... it will cost me time, muscle, and truly body aches as it will require me to leg press a water container of at least 60 gallons of water every other day... yep 60 gallons of water at 8lbs a gallon... only a mere 480lbs to move at least 5 feet; a little more than a body my size enjoys doing.

But as there is a higher power... no matter the name each group gives this energy/ creator/ and supporter of life... The heavens have just opened allowing me to replace a few hundred gallons of water, but not in any form allowing the make up of over 2,000 gallons I lost last night, as we enter the drier of seasons for our area.. I can only hope I can make it through till rain season in a few more months... only weeks away!

Things we put our selves through! Water! A VERY essential essence of life... and I threw it all away.

I am asked all the time.

2011-08-16T06:33:00.001-04:00

Click here to see where I rode yesterday...

6.3 miles, 15 min... trust me it takes longer than 15 minutes on a horse, and it would end up being only slightly over 12 miles as I have to go there and back... where ever I do ride.

I am always asked where I have ridden, the link above it from My barn... OLD view ... winter, no barn etc..
and over to a girl friends house that happens to have a nice size barn holding about 20+ horses.

We rode over, got water for Navarre, sprayed him off, dried him off, and re-saddled him and headed back home.

On the way home I stopped for a bit of water. Tied the horse to the Pump protector, got a candy bar two bottles of water and headed on our way...

Why would I tell you about the stop? Because just this morning, as my norm is to ask people what they did, what they plan to do... One mentioned they saw a horse at a gas station yesterday.

Yep! He was black and white I replied! Oh you know them!... the father said. It was my horse! We were out for our ride, and I stopped to get some water. On that road! You can do that? I had never seen that!

I laughed, he asked questions, it really was funny. But I had to get back to work and needed to get the kitchen cleaned.

in great need.

2011-08-15T16:58:00.000-04:00

While my ride yesterday gave me mental stamina ... my body is running out of gas. So as fate ... and a great boss.. I have Tuesday OFF.

Of course this means it is quickly filling up with things to do.
Call Mike, Get Hay before rain moves in...for the weekend ( I was starting to get worried about that one)
Take care of a package at the PO for Jerry .

just a few normal things that are hard to fit into my schedule as of late.

I'll let you know how it works out!

good start to a Monday.

2011-08-15T05:43:00.000-04:00

While Mondays are always gloom... my ride yesterday is carrying me through the dread... I've already lost my first cup of coffee, as I dropped it on the hard wood floors with in seconds of getting it.A beautiful hand made mug I enjoyed... its life was well served! A new mug and a new pot of coffee on the way.

It is dark outside, but the cool air bellows through the screens around my desk as I work. I am enjoying the silence, the crickets, and the hum of the fan in the next room. tap tap of the key board...

While I have a list a mile long to do today... it is starting out well enough, and I can only hope the same for the rest of the world- MINUS loosing that ever needed nectar of the gods...

Love amber.

A Rainy day

2011-08-14T06:42:00.000-04:00

While not yet 7am, the morning thus far has been wonderful. All the windows open, the breeze flows through the house and the sound of the rain is so relaxing it takes me back to times of travel.

Some of my best vacations have been in the rain.

The RAIN FORREST where water is almost constant, but I never imagined it being SO wet. With a raincoat and umbrella, I may as well have been standing in it naked.

Today, we need the rain, so I can not complain in any way... but of course I can only hope it is not so slick that Navarre and I can not go on our long ride for the week.

Yesterday we went on a short ride and he was feeling well enough that he wanted to gallop a little. We ... Sweet Pea, Navarre, myself and a neighbor were not sure about all the running he wanted to do. So we walked the entire ride.

I wanted to take him out and let him go. I can only hope it breaks long enough to do that!

If not... there are always other days to go play.

a break in the weather allowed me to open my raincoat to dry out some.

Athens in the pouring rain... thank goodness for motorcycle jackets, that keep you warm AND dry!

Bora Bora afternoon storm.

Engagements, Rings, Marriage?

2011-08-11T18:11:00.000-04:00

I rarely enter my husbands electronic world, but tonight on our short drive together we were discussing a post on one of his hang outs.

While my outside opinion is not asked for specifically I feel compelled to put in my two cents worth.

Described to me...
was a post that stated someone (no he didn't give me names) posted... he had just asked his girlfriend to marry him. ? no answer to the question was given to me! What was told to me was... she ? whom ever she is ... said the diamond was too small.

I gasped as Jerry said this.
I was also told, most of the guys on the site said... simply... dump her! etc... If the ring isn't enough what other things aren't going to be good enough over time.

I have a little different approach to the situation, and a doubt many women will be on my side after reading this one.

1. She is a real B...... or she has especially large B...s; not on her side on this one.

2. There are MANY issues with this situation.

a. He whom ever he is... doesn't have enough confidence in himself to tell her where to go OR not sure of his situation. If a man just reached out his hand this was like a slap in the face.
b. He didn't know her well enough to know what she wanted... a $30,000.00 top notch diamond that looks small or a 5,000 dollar piece of crap that is big, more to impress her girlfriends than a sparkle in her heart.
c. She doesn't know him well enough to know if he got her anything it would be high quality, or the best he could get at the time.

3. These two are not off to a good start, when did a ring start to signify everything and become more than a PRESENT of Faith towards marriage?

I am not sure what is going on is society today, I know a present of faith is just that.

Case in point, I have NEVER liked diamonds, my first mistake purchased me a marquee cut diamond to the best of his ability at the time. Did I tell him I hated diamonds? NO ... I accepted it with grace.

Jerry purchased me my one carat ruby... what I really wanted... and by the way can be way... more expensive than a diamond. So while some in SOCIETY look down on (my beautiful) ruby, he knew me well enough to know I didn't like the normal. This guy who ever you are should have know your girl well enough to know what she 1/2 way expected. If you got a reaction you were not ready for... you better take it at face value because nothing is going to change! That is who she is... The core of who she is ... is done! If you choose her! You asked for what ever you get.

This is how a bad marriage can start!
These two are not on the same page... and thinking of marriage... good luck!

Pictures

2011-08-11T05:58:00.002-04:00

It is funny how glancing over pictures can bring back such strong memories.

I was in Peru, where women were carrying baskets of corn on their heads. One put her basket down at the corner, next to the entrance of a store and I snapped a few photos as she was busy tending to other business.

I wish I could have tasted such diverse types of corn, and while I probably did, I had no knowledge of it.

I so enjoy the richness of other cultures. I can smell the market as I scroll through photos.

What makes you think back to a special time?

His and Mine.

2011-08-10T19:16:00.000-04:00

While my love is stressing over the negotiations for his new car, he figured I would come home tired but ready to talk about all of it.

Yeah Right!

My day at the B&B... was too funny for words.
My day was going along... Waiting for guest to check in as I made a bed upstairs, vacuumed the floors etc... of course in between getting drinks, covered berries, and special packages together for each arrival.

As I was checking in my second guest of the day... showing them their private entrance, when I saw a bellow of smoke come around the corner of the house, so I quickly shut their door as it was merging into their room? Give me a moment.... ALARMS, BELLS, WHISTLES, STROBE LIGHTS RED LIGHTS... all the workings of a fire alarm system...

So I QUICKLY walk to the kitchen... GUYS ... WHAT'S UP! Where's the fire? No fire... knocked over a fire extinguisher.... All this being yelled through a white cloud of ? something... The fire alarm was so loud I had to cover my ears, Trust me that stuff will choke you. I was coughing for hours, got a wet towel and made it outside AFTER checking on the guest again...

They were fine, I told them we were fine as well.

There are no words to describe the contents of a tiny two litter fire extinguisher. It covered my entire kitchen, My entire cleaning area even into the fridge/freezer room. THREE rooms!
The fire trucks made it to the building in no time! Nice to know... All those well built, cute young things got off, out, and came from around those trucks like... there was a fire somewhere. It's OK... no fire! They were nice, laughing at us, but nice all the same. They did get out their fans, blew the place out, deemed the structure safe and turned off the alarms.

As they packed up their fans, the aftermath was laughable... The entire kitchen EVERYTHING was white! Fine but thick coating of white ... my shoes, my clothes, the plates, the veggies on the counter. What a day! I collected everything I needed to make breakfast, washed a sink, washed everything I needed for prep, washed utensils, pots, pans, EVEN INSIDE the oven was coated... the guys that created the Christmas in August were all a flutter, cleaning my stove, oven, cabinets, moping floors; they did much more than I ever expected them to. They put me at ease.

CRAP I didn't check the pilots! great! I'll call Leslie!

The powder eventually made it into the welcome room, breakfast room, dinning room all because I was having to go back and forth into the kitchen a million times for things as guest were coming in, needing information, checking the IPad.. (it is my communication with my boss)

Thank goodness we have 10 eyes, 3 ovens, and LOTS of extras to make breakfast...
I had already set the dinning room for tomorrow, but had to dip those glasses, plates, utensils everything...

Just one more thing in my life we all get to laugh at! Have a belly full on me!
What a day!

Now everyone else can laugh too!

2011-08-09T10:22:00.002-04:00

I worked on a farm once that I enjoyed so much I vowed to use a few of the owners processes of management. This man had a tractor for every job, not an attachment to be changed for every issue. You could get a weeks worth of work done in two days because you didn't mess with the issues of parking, detaching and perfectly lining up to and attaching the next attachment.

Not until today did I realize I took this vision a little too far!
You gotta laugh at this one!

For a family of two... Who I claim to live below their means... We have so many vehicles it's not funny.

Get a load of this!
Ford Explorer (soon to convert into business vehicle only) ... used to haul motorcycles, pick up customers with issues, comfort driving long distances. But we hate the gas mileage, with a passion.
Ford F250... used to haul hay, manure, supplies and horses... not a vehicle we drive everyday.
Honda Insight... used as an everyday vehicle 12 years old and still getting over 50 miles to the gallon, who could afford to let that one go?

Business has Ducati 1098 and BMW K1200s both used for engineering purposes! ha ha ha...

Now the husband is adding the Mini as his everyday vehicle We are going to look like a family / auto lot!

BUT there all paid for... So who can come down on us?

The 250 is a diesel and low mileage... People try to buy it all the time! even though she's my only means of horse hauling and beat to H#!! I have men make offers all the time.
The Explorer is low mileage, as Jerry is a hermit communicating more though the written word than face to face. Somewhat due to his hearing loss, but ? not really he's always been that way. This vehicle will soon become very low mileage as it will be driven maybe once or twice a month when the mini comes along.
My car... Please ... I am constantly on the go, constantly going from one appointment to the next, this car was the best thing I ever purchased! Jerry hates it, but I enjoy it not only because it's fun to drive but... saves me so much at the pump.

I once followed my Aunt and Uncle from Nashville to Gatlinburg... In doing so, Steve filled up his SUV in Nashville, again when almost there! He was pumping his gas, I got out to stretch. He said your feet must be killing you, in that Flintstones of a car! Oh yeah I said ... but I haven't used 1/4 tank of gas... your filling up again! He didn't say another word about my car after the joke he was trying to pull on me turned out to back fired on him.

I have to laugh!

2011-08-09T09:57:00.002-04:00

more info tomorrow!

Life is just funny when you look at your own life from an outsiders point of view!

Monday Grind

2011-08-08T05:57:00.000-04:00

Yep... still with the two extra birds, the three extra horses, Pirates' Lair office work, and the B&B today.

I am however so lucky I'm not expected for breakfast this morning, only to turn over rooms, and check in guest today. I can't say it enough; my boss is a wonderful human. I wish all could treat people this way, if all people in charge were so aware of the needs of their workers, we could all enjoy our jobs and give it over 100% which is really what a boss wants any way.

I do have to say the only thing I really miss in my life is the time to engross myself in a book, but this is nothing for the piece of mind of caring for my horses the way they need as the cold harsh winters will be here soon and I will have stashed my working rewards for just such a day.

I do want to share... Husband is looking for a new, used car. I was saddened to come home Friday and see the same vehicle in the drive. He deserves a NEW car but our life dictates that we stay within our means and do as we promised each other long ago... not to put the other in dept ... just in-case something happened tomorrow.

Yes it sounds like we are doom and gloom people, but were not, we just are set in our ways so nothing changes our way of life... ( nothing that is with in our control I should say) Could you pay off EVERYTHING you owe out as a couple if heaven forbid tragedy struck your family tonight? Considering his life revolves around speed, and the ability of drivers around him; and my life revolves around the ability to communicate with a 1,000 lb animal. Life insurance helps but it would not be enough for the rest of a life (the way it is) if one of us were not here tomorrow. It's something else to think about on this typical dreaded Monday grind of a day... But one of the things most refuse to admit to themselves! but in my mind if you don't like the conversation as a couple, then think about it in terms of your children. Make sure your children are not going to be effected by such a life change as loosing a parent.

We are ok as a couple.... if I do say so myself. I love the fact we ground each other with reality instead of glamour and glitz... While we each support and even push the other to do what they want, we both exibit serious restraint on spending any money.... What else could a wife ask for. An Equal? When did that happen? ha ha ha...

Much love to you all!
Amber

lots on my to do list today...

2011-08-07T06:48:00.000-04:00

Two extra birds in my house.... I so enjoy them! I welcome the laughs from their mono log rattle morning and night. If you have never been around a talking bird it is such a laugh!

Three extra horses to tend to today... one needing medical attention four times a day. It is all about scheduling, and being back at the right place at the right time today!

I love the fact I can pull in a little extra money doing things I really enjoy.
Yep...
Bringing in horses, making sure water, feed, hay, medical needs are all met ... mucking, skipping, and stripping stalls is enjoyable to some of us. A psychological zone that pays me instead of me forking out money for a therapist is incredible.

Around here most barns have a wonderful view, and this place is no exception.

I enjoy what I do!
Thank goodness!

much love to you all.
Amber

Smart Pak... for a peaceful mind

2011-08-05T05:17:00.001-04:00

I finally spent the money! Yep!

I am starting to worry ... for those of you that know me ... I'm really about to freak out!

While Jerry has again planned an incredible vacation... One hotel so remote you have to kayac the amazon to get to and from the hotel. My sweet love is INCREDIBLE, but leaving a horse as sick as Navarre is about to get the best of me.

So SmartPak it is! Click Here to connect to their site.

You haven't heard of them? Well let me tell you what piece of mind this gives me. I just had custom packets made for Navarre! So now when I leave all I have to do is have a bag of his feed, and a packet (with his name on it from SmartPaks ) so no matter who helps me with my feedings I'm not freaking out!

I will have to explain more than one pack a day is dangerous, as smartpaks allow me to control the dosage before it is created... But this way I also get to visually see if he was fed, when I get back etc...

While YES it is expensive they allow me to control how often I get the packs as well. So I have a pack made for our trip this fall and I have a pack ready to be made for what ever we do this winter or early spring. We only travel in the off season! It's perfect for us, cheaper, and ... no kids!

I like how they will assist you with your needs, and they are a good source of information, description etc...
I wanted to copy and paste an example from their site but it would not allow it! sorry guys I tried.

They have educational tools, Vet conversations. While it is not where I get my info for Navarre's PPSM it is a good support site for getting things that are hard to find. XMPL... I got Vitamin E without selenium . I can get E but it always comes with selenium and you can really over do and harm a horse with too much of a good thing, but the E dosage needed to be increased so... I ordered a BUCKET of the stuff along with the packs!

more later!

Much love to you all.

Some times it's hard.

2011-08-03T20:04:00.000-04:00

Some times its just heart breaking when you go to the barn and RED is the color you see.

Yep!

Got there tonight and Navarre had fresh RED running down his hind leg. I can only assume in one of her typical mare fits Sweet Pea got good contact on Navarre, before he could get out of the way.

Had it been earlier in the day I would have called for some stitches but being almost 8pm his wound is not worth the emergency call. So I glued it back together and smothered it in dry cut... then with swat... all in pink! not the new clear stuff. I like to see how my coverage is working, so I shall do exactly that as the next few days pass.

One more thing at the barn. I have to say scars are not an issue on a white horse, the hair is already white so if it grows back it's not an issue at all.

For those of you who are not horse people, when a horse gets a deep scar it grows back as white! ? don't ask me why but it happens.

What is it that requires me to have a horse?

2011-08-02T05:10:00.000-04:00

I wish I could blame it on my maternal grandfather, whom of course fed my every whim, and encouraged me to do anything the boys did. As the only grandchild of that day I had a pony by the age of three. Of course he chased the pigs and had to find a new home by my age of 5. I will never forget that day! YEP! My father held me in his arms at the front porch as my paw paw helped the new owners load my best friend and take him away. I was crying, bawling more like it! I had to drive by his new house, new owner... Lisa everyday. It was heart breaking for years.

No matter the reason the issue is I am not a person with out a horse. I have had several, and if I didn't have one, I found one to ride. I miss friendships that surrounded horses, like Blaze! A beautiful horse of a friends, a friend I wish I still had on a daily basis but... she moved to a private school, got married, had children, and our lives drifted apart.

I tried for several years to go without a horse, but my heart ached, my mind froze, and my body went limp. Now I have TWO horses, both a present from my dear love, both whom get more attention than my sweet loving husband, but so do his motorcycles!

What is it about a horse?
The look?
It makes me tear up when I see a horse run with a passion, bucking, rearing, and enjoying the day. I can only imagine the thoughts, its joy of freedom, and its lust for life.

The smell?
Oh just to smell a horse, unlike other animals there is little of a horse I can not handle. While no one likes the ammonia of sitting horse pee.... this is the humans fault! as horses don't choose to burn their lungs any more than we do. But even the poop of a horse is bearable to me, the smell of their breath, the smell of their fur, and the way they make the air around them smell that much sweeter by just being what they are. A majestic animal that has the power to engulf me and carry me into another world all together.

The feel?
Oh the softest of feelings is the nose of a horse, The strongest is the rump of a horse, and the fact that they can access both is amazing. A horse can be a soft or as strong as is needed, is required of a rider, or sadly enough as tough as people make them.

While some think horses are stupid, not as smart as a dog! I beg to differ, and invite those non belivers to my barn. Where my horses back up! and get out of "my room" ( the feed/hay stall) on verbal command. They respond left/ right, over etc... all on a trail. They associate my verbal commands with that of my hands and legs and are learning to respond in accordance to the request. No different than a dog!

I believe it is the emotional pull of a horse that is the most additive to me. It is that "perfect" ride! The one where human and horse are one, I think it, they do it. It is that childhood dream of floating on a cloud, with the wind in your face,and the power beneath you so you don't fall.

Sweet Pea is slow to trust, Navarre is who he is no matter the situation.
Sweet Pea has never OPENED UP and just let it go, she is more protective of me, Navarre, and any other rider, but let her loose and she is as graceful as the wind, as fearsome as water with its silent strength, a delight to watch move when she is happy.

Navarre is level headed ... He is still too young for me to OPEN UP completely, but he has on his own in senseless chase of Sweet Pea as he has no real speed. But his power is so complete it is fearful! When he unleashes the strength in his hind end it is unreal, breath taking, and I am in awe... His mane catches in the wind and blows up into my face as I gracefully ride up and down on his every move. A mane so fairy tail like it makes the childhood dreams of floating on a cloud a reality!

Why do I go through so much for these horses? Where will you draw the line? I am asked these all the time. They are a part of my heart that no human can touch, they are as much of me as a child would be, and I am not a good human with out them. I will go through what I can, I will do all I can, and I will protect and assist these animals in every way I have possible to me. They are me! I see my faults in them, I see my pain in them, I see the good person I want to be in them, the mean "mare" I can be at times, and the silly gelding I am when I am in a good mood. We are a package!

Thank goodness I have a husband that has his passions as well. Otherwise this " love affair" with my horses would not be possible in my marriage.

Thank you honey! I do love you! and I'd love to have you ride with me, to the top of the mountain where the wild flowers blanket the landscape in beautiful colors of spring, or gazing down on the colors of fall. Life is beautiful and slow from the back of a horse.

What ever your passion I hope you enjoy it!

August

2011-08-01T05:14:00.000-04:00

August was originally called Sextilis, as the sixth month in the earlier calenders.

August: named after Augustus, the first Roman Emperor

didn't make the 20 mile mark...

2011-07-30T18:15:00.000-04:00

We got started late.
It was already getting warm by the time we left the barn.
We rode down Flat Top, Down Old Fort, and decided to make a pit stop at the Amish store and get a sandwich. made it to the house, went out some more... back, and then the barn... slow ride walked most of the way, but it was great!

It's funny and amazing... you see so much on the back of a horse. ( they see so much and spook over the silliest things, cracked open /tilted man hole covers, snakes warming on the edge of the road) The flowers were amazing, yes even all the things we call weeds are beautiful when on horse back.

I can tell you this... the white lines is slick with road shoes! On pavement, off to the curb, back on the road, back to the curb.... its a good practice for a lifted, good cross over!

The only really dangerous things that happen were the idiots in the red truck! ( who ever you were) that regardless that we ... meaning Mike, Me, and the horses were ON the ONE LANE BRIDGE, they decided they were going to cross it as well, going the opposite direction, regardless of the fact we were on it, and we had the right of way as we were on it first... ( horse against car) NC law states Horses, Bikes, have the right of way.... cars have a privilege NOT a RIGHT! big difference. So Sweet Pea did her normal rear, spinning on one hind leg and darting off the opposite direction. Navarre was fine! Looked at the people like idiots! Wish I could have... I was just hanging on!

Second dangerous thing that happened was NOT the fault of the wonderful dump truck driver... but the fact that he slowed down for us and his air brakes scarred the living life out of Sweet Pea. No big deal except it was next to an 8 foot drop off, a barbed wire fence, AND not to mention the road sign that could have cut my head off during her fit of insanity. But this is what horses do... and this is why I had her on the road ... she is getting better, but will never be a horse I ride the road alone! Navarre, her security blanket is a must!

Our / MY funny time was... when the mutt decided to attack Navarre! and Sweet Pea enjoyed chasing the dog, as it would a cat! She got that dog well off the road, and had it running! Second dog, was a stand off, Front Left Leg Raised and Dog with teeth showing the entire time. Each would lunge at the other... We played this game till Navarre was far enough ahead she didn't have to worry about protecting him. She darted up the road, caught up with Navarre in no time!

The heat is horrible for all this riding... we rode them to the house, sprayed them down, out three more miles, sprayed them down, back to the house, repeat... back to the barn... and repeat ... I could not have kept them riding had my friends not allowed us access to a hose! THANKS guys...

Hoping to do 20 miles today.

2011-07-30T07:52:00.000-04:00

Yep... as I sit here I wait for my partner in crime, as for the first time I am a little scared to be on the main road as much as I have planned for the day. Thank goodness for people who don't mind riding with someone.

I am taking out Sweet Pea ... He is taking out Navarre! This is will be a difficult day, as Navarre is Sweet Pea's security blanket and they will not be attached for the first time.

When I decide to really do my riding they will be attached and the sweet pea will do so much better than I expect today.

So ... Today is all about NOT reacting to anything, NOT holding my breath as I am passed by motorcycles and 18 wheelers. Today is going to be a day I will NOT have my coffee, I think my nerves will do me well enough.

Plan.
Barn, House, spray horses... two more backroads... spray horses, barn spray... feed and let them go!

I'll check in later! as I am sure if my Mother reads this it will cause a worry! Although I have done this to her so much in my life time I can only HOPE she is getting used to the ? ? ? unexpected, out of the box, "Amber" kind of things I do!

"That's an Amber thing" they say at home! They just think I'm really strange over there in NC.