Hello, hello! <knocking> Is anyone out there?
The last few days have been crazy busy and I’ve neglected posting.
Ace’s eyelid is finally starting to look less traumatized. My vet told me to keep riding him, so that’s what I’m doing.
I decided to take Ned out for a happy little hack on the property on Thursday and he dumped me as adeptly as ever. One moment, we were trotting along (and yes, he was “up”). In the next moment he was backing up at Mach 2, and I neatly went over his shoulder. Thunk. Yes. I’m embarrassed.
Friday saw me meeting Carla, Nicole and Helen at Allegany State Park with Ace, and enjoying a lovely 11 mile ride, my favorite conditioning loop, up and around and back up and down Mount Irving. We did spy a bear in the distance but he was long gone by the time we passed the area where we spied him. (No complaints there.)
On Sunday night, Rachel joined us for dinner and to scheme over both the upcoming Canadian 100 and her new barn plans. Poor thing, she had her barn drawing all finished up, and Richard made all kinds of suggestions, which no doubt left her more confused than ever about exactly how to configure the barn. (He meant well.)
Monday morning saw us heading off to the Park early, delayed only by Ned getting stung IN the trailer, me debating whether or not to take him out (and whether he’d get back in), and deciding to hit the road. No thrashing or crashing to indicate any additional bees (and stings) in the trailer, but we did find a nice little hornet’s nest tucked up above the interior light. Before heading home, I contemplated the hornet-killing-capacity of various products I had on hand in the trailer, and ended up knocking the thing down and stomping on it vigorously. Then loaded the boys and snuck out before the escaping hornets could return to the interior of the trailer.
We joined Helen on her Appaloosa, Opi, who is theoretically “not fit” but who kept up very handily with Ace and Ned on our roughly 18 mile conditioning ride. It was ridiculously muggy and I was pleased about how both boys handled it.
I’m traveling for work for a couple of days but back home to at least do a couple of day rides at Allegany as our friend Jan is in town and it is therefore “Girls’ Weekend!”
We are still crewless for Canada but no worries. I told Rachel that anal-retentive me will have lists and lists and lots of our crew stuff pre-packed, and I’ve been promised that ride management will get our stuff out to the two away holds. (God bless the Ride Managers!)
More riding than hiking or biking the last several days, but I cleaned my house like a madwoman on Sunday, and think that counts as a workout! 🙂 Trying to eat healthfully and feeling good.