We'll Start With My Awesome Vacation

OK, here is my first attempt at blogging!

Last week, I spent 7 days in Tennesee with one of my best friends at a dude ranch in the Smoky Mountains. We slept in a really cool 1800's style hotel, and rode horses every day. We ate family style in a dining room just down from our rooms, and the food was EXCELLENT!!! In fact, even with all the exercise, I didn't lose a single pound : ( My horse's name was Jewel, and my friend Michelle's horse was Zeus. Both of them had a tendency to walk and trot fast, so we had to keep reining them back so as not to pass others on the trail. Unfortunately, the wranglers have to keep the horses in a certain order on the trails, and Michelle was almost always 1st behind the lead wrangler, while I was always near the end. The views were awesome, although the trails were steep and narrow, so picture taking opportunities were quite limited. I did get some good ones on our overnight ride, so when I figure out how to get them up I'll post them.

One of the best things about the whole vacation (aside from zero responsibilities!) was waking up, looking out from the front porch, and seeing the horses out in the pastures right in the front yard! Every morning, Michelle and I would walk to breakfast and think, we get to do this all week!

Besides the trail rides, we also did team penning, where 3 people at a time would go into a corral of cows, and try to chase one into a pen in the center. It was fun, although the horses know what they are doing and we didn't have to work too hard. There were 2 wranglers who helped separate the cow (the hardest part), and one person would chase it while the other 2 would block it from returning to the herd.

We also all got the opportunity to do one cattle drive during the week. This was where we either brought the cows up from the pasture or returned them after the penning events. The cattle drive was one of the most fun events, because we actually got to use our horses to herd the cows, and we weren't just following a guide along a path mindlessly.

Aside from riding, there were a couple of activities where we could get wet, which was especially appreciated since it was STINKING HOT! There was a pool, sort of small and only 5 feet deep, so no diving, but a lovely alternative to showers in the middle of the day between activities. (They were experiencing a severe drought, so we were asked to limit water consumption.) We also went tubing down the river that runs past the ranch, which was fun even though the river was really low and we got stuck on lots of rocks. The last full day, we were scheduled to go white water rafting, but they were unable to release enough water from the dam to make a good run, so we went out in "duckies" instead. These are sort of a cross between a kayak and an outrigger canoe. They have two inflatable pontoons with a plain canvas bottom between where you sit, and you steer with a double paddled oar. Most people rode in single duckies, but my friend and I foolishly decided to try a double - with the water so low, the double got stuck on rocks much more than the singles. Argh!

The afternoon of the last day, we got to go on an advanced ride, meaning we got to gallop up the mountain instead of just plodding along at a walk. There were tryouts in the morning, and even though about 15 people tried out, only 5 of us got to go. We were having a great time until we came to a yellow jacket nest, and all the horses running by stirred them up. I got stung 3 times, and the rider behind me 4 or 5 times. Unfortunately, she was allergic to yellow jackets, so we had to head back down after that so she could get her medicine. (She's fine, btw.) I think we did get to do most of the ride, and it was the downhill part that was cut short. It was "terrifyingly exhilarating" as Michelle said.

Friday night they held a square dance, which was pretty fun. The wranglers all have to show up and participate, so for the first time I can ever remember, there were more men than women! I have some good pictures of that too.

We made some good friends with the other guests, and hopefully we'll keep in touch. First was a couple from Florida who live very close to my father, so I might actually get to meet up with them again! The others were a family of 4 from Sussex, England, and we had so much fun on the overnight and the rafting trip with them. We also taught them a new card game and they taught us some!

When Sunday came and we had to say goodbye, I was very sad. I could have stayed another week and not been bored!

OK, so here is my first post. When I figure out the pictures, I'll add them!

Here is my first post

I am finally starting a blog, after years of enjoying my sister's. I make no promises how this will turn out, or how interesting it will be. Wish me luck!