We Arrive!

After passing through the various States, (Chaos, Entropy, and Delirium), we've finally all gathered safely in the greatest state, Rest & Relaxtion. Here's the scene shortly after arrival; it's Unbelievably Hot here, (about 105F) so tomorrow we'll go find a Very Cold River. Stay tuned:

Preparations are Mighty

Despite the Increasingly Vile Tropical Weather Outlook (otherwise known as #%?! Debby) we begin to prepare for vacation. Besides which, if Debby were to visit us here in the Great State of Confusion, it'd be best to have planned ahead.

So, the rafts have been inflated, washed, dried, deflated, rolled up, and put on the trailer. As has the tent, the kitchen box, and about eight million paddles, PFD's and lanterns, several coolers, the kitchen sink, and yes, that famous Partridge in the Pear Tree.

You'll see the Wild Man and Jake performing Random Acts of Preparedness, the big raft known as The Queen Mary, and the latest Graphic Representation of Doom below:

#?%! Debby

The Hurricane Hunters have found TS Debby, the earliest named tropical cyclone on record-we're ahead of 2005 by a week or so. At any rate, NHC should start issuing advisories at 1400, you'll recall the Cone of Doom and all that; the graphic again demonstrates the very precisely predicted landfall.

Stay tuned:

#$%! Swirly

The Post Horsie Camp Blues finally lifted and we went for a ride last night, to make sure we hadn't forgot how; Dolly the Donkey was particularly helpful, carrying off equipment, knocking over stuff, and generally being a pest. She did however bring Haley her helmet, which made up for a lot of sins. She looks quite nice in red cowboy hats too.

We're supposed to go on a whitewater trip next week. It's been planned for less than a year, but not by much, and of course involves several parties from different parts of the country meeting up at a certain time, in a certain place, to embark on a week of fun and frivolity in inflatables. Tents, lanterns, bears, you know the drill. Our river is in the East. There's very few places that the long prognosticated, and now official, Pre-Swirly can go without throwing a wrench into the works.

Certainly we've camped in terrible weather (including tropical) before, and well, we'll be inflated and have our PFD's and helmets, so that's not so bad. The thought of feeding a dozen teenagers for a week is actually significantly more anxiety provoking.

The included graphic is of the current dynamical models. Once the actual center of circulation establishes itself the computers will get a better idea of what may happen; once the Hurricane Hunters fly, we'll get some real answers. Right now, the trend is towards FL; in the morning, it'll be towards TX; actual landfall will be somewhere on the Gulf Coast, guaranteed!

And so, the bear watch begins.

And So It Ends

This morning started off with much grooming, cleaning, and liberal application of Sparkles, all in preparation for the Grand Finale Riding Demonstration, which turned out to be rather well attended. Apparently at some point Dolly the Donkey committed an infraction which resulted in her being placed in Time Out. She made the best of it by getting Sparkled too.

Groundwork and riding exercises were explained and the results demonstrated. Unlike Dolly, the attendees were pretty well behaved and caused no major incidents with their continuous applause and incessant picture taking; the weather cooperated by being overcast.

Following was the Reception, with obligatory desserts, a light buffet, and of course, eight million sodastream sodas. Horsie Camp crafts were displayed, along with the not quite finished Slideshow. The Kommandant and I got flowers!

Not a lot of pictures today, sorry; apparently the Wild Man and his companions are now headed this way, so it's time to go back to the grocery store, and of course check the cold water supply!

Field Trip

We did groundwork yesterday, but didn't ride, again for a variety of reasons; this time one of those reasons was rain!! It was a refreshing inch or so, just the right amount to green up the pastures without making mud in the riding areas. That's not as big a problem as could be here, as I don't keep the arena and round pen plowed and raked. As you've probably noticed, the Kommandant needs a hard surface to roll around on. We don't ride very hard here so it works out well.

Anyway, we went on a Field Trip to a fancy feed store which also has English tack and apparel. Haley got boots and riding pants; she's convinced they've taken the Bounce out of the Trot.

Bubbles got not just one, but two saddle pads to go with her Birthday Saddle (if you look closely at the second picture, you can just barely see the fuzzy white pad under the saddle-which is of course on top of the pink saddle blanket). Thank You sixty percent off Sale!

Day Five

We did a lot of spiffy stretching and massage exercises today; you'll have to wait for the video to see them, but the horsies really like it. Just a change from the usual round pen warm up, but also very instructive as its largely based on horse behavior (DUH again).

We continued the work over obstacles, and the usual Fluff and Buff afterwards. Once the Horsies are turned out, the girls dive into the pool until lunch is ready. After lunch is Craft Time, followed by cleaning stalls, visiting the non-participant equines, and doing the Chicken Chores.

Tomorrow we'll have an abbreviated ride and then we go on a Field Trip!

Gadget Recommendation: Sodastream

Admittedly, we are generally an easy sell when it comes to gadgets, but this is turning out to be something like the Single Weapon. It came about in part because of Horsie Camp, but will also be great for Deer Camp, picnics, rafting trips, and General Adventuring. it requires no electricity or batteries.

After the initial layout of about $100, soda becomes virtually free, and takes up minimal space. You'll want to get a supply of bottles (they can't be substituted), and a source of convienent cold water-the thing in the refrigerator door is great if you have one, or your well water if it's cold. (The carbonation is much improved by chilling the water, it's a chemistry thing.). The flavors are numerous and the one's that we've tried have been great, particularly the Root Beer. There are apparently new flavors coming available as well.

By our very unskillful calculations, a soda costs just about eight cents. The CO2 cylinders do require refilling, after about two hundred drinks. Handily, refill centers are places like Wally World and Target.

Day Four

Started off with An Occurence. The Brown Present Truck (UPS) arrived with a big box for Bubbles. You'll be able to see Dolly the Donkey help her open it on the DVD. It was a thrilling moment to see her new saddle appear from the depths. It fit horse and rider nicely, and apparently rode very well too. Happy Birthday Bubbles!

Today was Two Point (basically standing in the stirrups) while weaving, trotting over poles and an additional, one notch higher, cavaletti. The girls traded horses for the last few rounds; it's always good to ride different animals and try new tack. You'll probably be amused with the eclectic collection of tack in service this year.

Oh, the Swirly is now prognosticated for the very end of the week. This may actually become a Bear Watch.

A Lazy Day

After building pools, clearing bridle paths, making several flavors of sherbet, grilling a few dozen hamburgers, and partying round the clock, everyone is fed, bathed, and horizontal. Well, except me apparently.

Horsie Camp resumes bright and early!

Day Three

We took a day off yesterday for a variety of reasons, unfortunately, none of them were related to precipitation. All those inches of rain you've heard about happened someplace else. Horsie Camp was a bit technical today, weaving, trot poles, and cavaletti; I took only video, so you'll have to wait for the Full Feature Cinematic Production to see the events as they transpired.

In Other News:

The long awaited Return of The Wild Man has occurred; below you'll see him side by side (frontal view!) with his Best Bud here in the Great State of Confusion. Jake is a couple of years older; who'd of guessed? I was very glad to see them as they helped tow my disabled golf cart back from the garden - sure beat pushing it home!

For Those Who Just Can't Wait:

Here's the link to the Rough Draft of this years Slideshow; no tunes, minimal editing, just Straight Up Horsie Camp - Thanks Rapunzel!

Would somebody get some popcorn (or maybe carrots) for the peanut gallery please?


Horsie Camp 2012

Full-feature slideshow should be finished within the week; DVDs will be available on request

Day Two

A very good day, nothing so momentous as yesterday, however much was accomplished. The morning started off with groundwork in the round pen. The girls use a long whip to get the horses to 'move their feet'. This includes reversing direction, changing gaits (verbal commands are used as well), and varying speed. After a few minutes the horse considers you the Herd Leader and becomes very respectful-this is a DUH concept of course.

Over in the Arena, Rules of the Road (passing, maintaining safe spacing, maneuvering around other riders) was first up on the agenda. After the ensuing chaos settled somewhat, the poles were brought out and the weaving begun. This is harder than it sounds for some reason, but it took our equestriennes only a couple of passes to trot them with style.

Out on the trail, circling trees, figure eights around trees, and ducking of low hanging tree branches were the order of the day. Maybe we can get some of those branches cut, you know, in our spare time....

Awesome News!!!

It's Back! After an absence of two or more weeks, the Single Weapon (known more commonly as a Kitchen Aid stand mixer) has returned, now with new and improved motor and gears. There is Much Rejoicing!

Day One

After a first miserable, Hot, frustrating, maddening hour of fitting tack, switching out mounts, effecting repairs, adjusting wardrobes, and general chaos, Horsie Camp came together like a well oiled machine. Within minutes of entering the round pen, two Momentous Events occurred. Prepare yourself:

Haley pronounced she would get on Roxie. Then she did! Just like that, no special efforts requested or made. As if this were not a stellar enough event, she then pronounced that Roxie would Trot. And they did!!! (Thunderous Applause Please!)

About a year ago Haley had a fall, not particularly bad, no blood or broken bones, but she went from a horsie crazed maniac to being too fearful to sit on a horse. Weeks and months of patient work were to no avail, until today. It was entirely from within herself that this came about, and sadly, I wasn't there to get pictures-but don't worry, I was there to document successive achievements.

Following are various activities on the ground and mounted; events culminated with an independent trail ride. (Go ahead and jack your jaw back up, but count yourself lucky I can't figure out how to post video.)

Horsie Camp Prequel

Bubbles and the Kommandant did a little riding today, everyone comported themselves well. We are sticking to bareback for now in part because Bubbles misses her english saddle, but mostly because its Hot. (It's not yet Unbelievably Hot though, thank goodness).

The Wild Man helped with all the farm chores over the weekend and is now at sailing camp for a few days. Pictures will be rare apparently, he moves fast and always seems go be presenting his backside.

There's a Swirly in the works for late next week, go figure.

Swirly Season Starts!

Today is the first day of the Atlantic Hurricane Season, a big deal here on the Coast of the Great State of Confusion. Living at the astonishing elevation of forty feet makes it a bit less anxiety provoking however. Squallor by The Sea was a youthful sixty years old when it was swept away; reassuringly, Squallor on Higher Ground has stood now about 115 years. Surely it'll stand a few more, right?

Crunch Time

Well, it's maybe five days till Horsie Camp and all the Equines are sick or lame. Nothing truly awful, but it's far from certain anyone will be recovered in time. There are two alternates remaining, cross any available appendages please.

So here's the New Girl, her name is Candy. She's a Haflinger, which is a variety of small draft horse that originated in the Tyrolian region of Austria. They're generally very personable and level headed, capable of most any type of work (which they'll perform cheerfully) and are easy keepers. Candy was perfectly sound when she loaded this morning, not so when she got out. She has an old injury that she likely aggravated, hopefully she'll be recovered in a day or two.


Same for the others, nothing that would be a big deal except it all occurred within the last twenty four hours, go figure. Isn't that just how it always goes?

Here's a glamour shot, fresh out of the wash rack: