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[RC] BSF 2009 Ride Story - Part 1 - April* version with pictures on my blog: http://www.enduranceriderblog.com Days leading up to our vacation were stressful and expensive. We took our truck in for an inspection and to look at why the brakes and steering were not working quite right. Friday afternoon, we picked up the truck, expecting it to be fixed, but Daniel still wasn't happy with it. We were scheduled to leave on Tuesday. Monday was Labor Day and nobody would be open. So Daniel worked on the truck Sunday and finally pronounced it ready. So we spent a great deal of the afternoon packing the camper and trailer. Tuesday, September 8 We finally loaded up the horses and got going around 11:30 AM. After a few leisurely stops, we arrived at the BSF camp ground around 4 PM. Daniel unloaded the panels and we spent a long time trying to arrange the panels in a suitable configuration so that both horses would be in the shade. We were not satisfied. We finally ended up with a nice arrangement. Serts' pen would have some shade in the afternoon. We could move the dividing panel to open up into one larger pen for both horses, so we decided that would work. We were both quite hungry, so I fired up the camp stove to boil some water. We keep freeze-dried entrees and vegetables in the camper. I chose Vegetable Lasagna, Green Beans and Corn for our dinner. After the water boiled, I poured 1 or 2 cups into each pouch and zipped them back up. I also prepared some Blueberry Cheesecake for dessert. Ten minutes later, I served up the meal.It was very yummy! The entire meal (including dessert) cost $20. A little pricey, but so good. Without the dessert, it was only $13 and we could have done without that. The dessert was more like cheesecake pudding in texture, but the taste was quite good. After visiting awhile with friends, we turned in for the night. Wednesday, September 9 We woke up leisurely and Daniel headed out to see what he could find going on. I got up a little slower, fussed over the horses and the cat and then hopped on Serts bareback and ponied Tanna for them to stretch their legs. I ended up near the ride management area and had a great time chatting with friends and meeting Tamra Schoech's new gelding, Rushcreek Rising. Finally, decided it was time for breakfast, so back to the camper for some pancakes for us and beet pulp for the horses. After breakfast, Daniel went back wandering and I pulled my running shoes on and headed out for a jog. I so enjoy getting on the trails. I use my iPod and Cardio Coach to motivate me. I tend to get lost in the solitude and was quite startled by a rider out for a look at the trails on horseback. She called several times to me, but I was in my own world and only saw her when I glanced back. I apologized profusely, glad the horse hadn't been startled. I turned the volume down a little and turned back to camp. Back at camp, Daniel showed up to help me set the shower up. We have a zodiac propane water heater. Daniel rigged up a tarp as a shower curtain. It stays in the trailer all the time, but folds out to make a nice shower stall. A bucket full of water to run through the pump and I was ready for a nice relaxing shower. Then I walked the horses some more and headed to the ride management area to hang out with those that were there. I had a great time listening to the stories, sharing some of my own and watching folks arrive. I finally decided I had to get ready for the next day, so went to get my registration packet and vet Tanna in. I spent the next couple hours packing my away vet check bag with hay, apples, carrots, water bottles, grain, granola bars, syringes, hand-held HRM, brushes, gall salve and all the other things on my check list. Daniel and I had another very nice meal made from our freeze-dried stash and headed back for the ride meeting. The vet cards at BSF are very nice. All the vet information is on one side and a map is on the back side. Very handy for a rider to have the map right there. There were around 60 riders for the Thursday ride. Split pretty evenly between the 50 mile and the 30 mile rides. 50 mile ride had 3 loops with 2 50 minute holds. Pulse criteria was 64. Start time at 7 AM. Back to the camper for last minute details, feed the horses, walk the horses, give Sib (the cat) her pill, and head to bed. 5 AM came early. to be continued... April Nashville, TN http://www.enduranceriderblog.com "Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go." TS Elliot =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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