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The QuickSilver riders had gathered for a potluck pre-ride and although we were 
running late, there was plenty of shared food and some good vino waiting for 
us.  The night was lively and the rain held off during the ride meeting, saving 
itself for 2 a.m. (when I awoke to hear hail dinging the top of our aluminum 
trailer ? not to self: put in insulation).  Somewhere around 4 a.m. it started 
again and by 4:15 a.m. we were pulling on tights and sweatshirts, unfortunately 
waking up my bedmate and crew Katie in the process, and gathering underneath 
our popup awning for some frosted mini wheats.  Whether to start or not was a 
big question and we decided to do the ?normal? stuff so we could make the call 
at the last possible moment.  As luck would have it, by 5:30 a.m. the rain 
broke and the sky lightened enough to encourage us to tack up and attempt the 
journey, and journey it was.  The mud was pretty treacherous and made for some 
slow going initially (I think the 25 milers were in it all day).  The good news 
is it allowed us some breathtaking moments - and a few tense ones as well.  
This ride in the middle of a traditional summer is probably extremely hot and 
tough but the beautiful winding river leading us up to the cool mountains (some 
with misty tops), gave Kim, Dick and I an exceptional sense of aw.

Being blessed with a daughter who?s also started her endurance career (one 25 
miler under her belt) made the vet checks something to definitely look forward 
to.  The first vet check was just beyond the river and we stopped to let our 
boys relax and drink in the middle of it (ankle high) for a few minutes before 
walking in.  Katie was ready with mashes and water for the horses and lovingly 
waited on us riders, refilling our water pouches and making sure we too took 
our elytes.  I heard at the lunch stop that Doug and Barbara has arrived a 
minute or two after we?d left so our Crew Director was quite busy throughout 
the day.  Heading back out, the road was flat, wide and with good footing and 
we made time on our long striding steeds.  Crossing the river again, we began 
to climb in earnest and found ourselves walking to the top of the mountain 
looking over at the craggy decent that we would take primarily on foot.   I was 
impressed by how willing our boys were to listen to our unspoken words and 
allow us to slowly pick our way down.  Of course Kim had to have ?a few words? 
with Lucky for him to stand still while she attempted to get her 5?2? frame 
onto his 16 h body.  We were passed by a number of riders at that point but 
didn?t mind, our three horses are bound for their first attempt at Tevis and 
moving out quickly for a top 10 placing was not the goal this day.

We finished up the ride after a nice hour hold at lunch by covering some wide, 
well traveled country ranch roads (all dirt but very nice for trotting along), 
slowing to a walk when we came to the pavement for the final climb back to 
camp.  Just when the horses could see camp (and hear the activity), we veered 
left to once again cover the muddy trail that all the riders (25?s and 50?s) 
were to use both out and back.  On the final turn to camp, I was heavy on the 
reins and deep in my seat trying to keep my energetic boy just to a walk.  We 
crossed the finish line in high spirits and happy to have completed the journey 
with healthy and happy horses.

Overall my appreciation for getting a completion goes out to Ruthie and Ron 
because through all the challenges (mud bath areas that Calistoga would die for 
and the porta potties getting lost), they never lost their positive attitude. 
The trail was very well marked (a blue branch on a fir tree??), and had been 
freshly groomed prior to the rain, including the streams!  And for the vet 
checks, NEVER having to wait for a P&R person or for a vet was really 
delightful.  Thanks Ya?ll

Oh, and the best part of the ride for me?  Well I must say it happened when I 
pulled the tack off my ?lovely? somewhat still white horse in his portable 
corral and watched him promptly drop to the ground to be covered in mud.  Why 
would this be my favorite part?  Tally always tells me how he feels after a 
ride, and when he feels good, he rolls and rolls and rolls ? grunting and 
sighing, and doing it again when he flips to the other side.  The whole camp 
probably heard him.  Of course all this wouldn?t be complete without sharing 
with you the expression on Melissa Ribley?s face when we brought him in for the 
final vet check (all A?s).  All she said before checking him out was ?now did 
you have fun today?!!  I almost tripped and fell while trotting him out I was 
laughing so hard!!

Anyway, hope everyone made it home safely!  See you next year!!


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