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[RC] Gator Run -- Bravo!!! And many thanks! - Patty Stedman
As a mini-break from matters of 30 vs. 60 minutes, just a quick note to thank Connie and Mike Caudill, Nancy and Jackie, and Otis, Doug and Laura and the gang of volunteers who ran the Gator Run I, II and III out of Tidewater Camp in Dunnellon, FL last weekend.
The ride was so well marked that a visually impaired person could get around without difficulty, and Mother Nature blessed us with a bunch of rain to fill huge puddles on each loop -- a blessing that was necessary since she also burdened us with temps in the low 80s and humidity so thick it could be cut with a knife. Not ideal for two shaggy Northeast horses of non-Arabian lineage hauled down from NY and PA.
Huge NE contingent was presence and we had a lovely time catching up and laughing and hanging out in camp.
Mary Coleman and Hawk's Neopolitan, my traveling companions, made it through all three days in high style, if not high velocity. And my own Ned got through Day One's 55 just fine, had a day of rest to scream and try to canter in his paddock when his companion left on Friday, then went Saturday, setting a blistering (for us) pace of 6.5 hours for the 50.
We had a wonderful, wonderful time and couldn't have asked for a better managed ride, a finer camp, more water on trail, or the company of finer friends, including my sweet lug of a horse. Thanks to all!
One littlebittymini glitch when our engine block decided to crack as we left camp on Sunday a.m. but Caudills came to the rescue, hauling us back to their place, providing us with electric and water and paddocks and phone and internet access as well as many laughs, a few juicy stories, and lots and lots of horse talk! We were hauled back north with the help of another endurance Ride Manager, Steve Cummings, then picked up by Mary's husband Charles in Atlanta. There are no friends better than endurance friends, even the ones you've just met! (And more thumbs up for US Rider who came through for us in spades.)
We are all home, safe and sound collectively, and hubby's wrecked truck is on its way as well, due for warranty work locally. I'm ready to paint it yellow and add a citrus air freshener to the rearview mirror, but hubby has more faith that it will haul again! ;-)
It's always something. But this cranky Yankee would like to thank all involved for what was a terrific ride, and a huge ADVENTURE for this non-mechanical woman's solo maiden voyage. I'm on a steep learning curve and I think I broke or mismanaged virtually every apparatus on the trailer, but I am already planning my next trip. Just not sure I'll be able to find another rider to join me. <chuckle>
--Patti Stedman (NE)
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