Home from the "Wild Pink Yonder" ..

Sorry everyone for not posting during the ride.. Power helps to keep the computer charged and there was not power at most of the places we camped for the night. BUT, the ride was a success and I didn't have any saddle sores! Just a few bruises from moving panels and heavy oak plank gates so that our horses didn't escape during the night. I was lucky enough to have Kelli come and spend 13 days with me, she brought Darcy's holiday trailer, so I had showers and a good bed to sleep in. :)  Although the back seat of the truck was comfy for the first 3 days in The Crowsnest Pass. After I left some of the windows open for fresh air during the night. And after Kelli headed for home I think I spent a couple more nights in the truck and then Cheryl, one of the other Long Riders offered me the extra bed in her LQ's trailer. The nights were getting colder and colder, so we at least had the furnace.

I am glad that I made the decision to do the ride this year! It was awesome, no rain during our rides and some really beautiful country to ride through. We had some late nights, closed down the Community Centre and the Saloon in Longview. Were asked to be quiet in the camp ground as others where sleeping, so we moved the party to our holiday trailer!! The towns were wonderful to us, treated us like royalty and fed us like kings.. Some of the towns were pretty PINK.  I got to tour the pinkest of them, as I was picked to help judge for the "Pinkest Little Town in the West". This is still a secret until all the monies raised has been turned in by each Town. Then the final decision will be made in Oct.

Ok, now I am going to try and remember all the places and things that are memorible to me. Am going to add a few pictures too.

This was one of the mountains that we saw during our ride in the Crowsnest Pass.. Off to the right is what they called the Seven Sisters. This was my first time in the mountains and it was awesome. Scary at times but we didn't fall off any cliffs and to tell the truth, I always rode on the upside of the trails. :) Just for my piece of mind. LOL This was Day 1 of our trail ride with Joe Trotz, Mantracker's sidekick for a couple of episodes. He was great to ride with but he sure likes those long rides, 5 hours (18 km) for first ride in the mountains, everyone was played out when we got back. It was alot of up & down, steep trails and crossing creeks, which was very refreshing!!

 This was one of the banners that was hanging at the legion in Coleman. They had a wonderful supper of steak, baked potatoes, salads, buns and desserts for us.

 Hedi and Joe riding out front. We shared the trails with quads, motobikes and mountain bikers. The horses didn't seem to mind and no one fell over the edge. :)  This was the day that we rode with Amber Marshall (Amy Fleming from Heartland) and her Mom. Very nice people..

 This was one of the trails that we rode down and was steep. But beautiful scenery.

 Day 2

Another day in the mountains with Joe Trotz and Pete. It was Pete's land that we were riding on, so he came along to guide us. He was riding with sore ribs, know how he felt. :) This was a 6.5 hr (24 km) ride. Nice trails through the trees until we got above the treeline and then the view was great. Saw alot of the stuff that was left behind from the coal mines.

Joe took this picture of me with the mountains in the background. I like it!!

Just another view of Blairmore from the foothills.

At the watering hole.. Everyone drink up, it maybe awhile before we find another one.

Staf, Joe Trotz and Pete, our guides for Day 2.

Dustin, the Daley's grandson, did the 2 days with us, but hiked the whole thing.

 Day 3

Stopping for water.. 6 hrs. (28 km) This was a ride on a gravel road winding down from Hillcrest to a gravel pit were we had left our rigs. Loaded up there and headed to Castle River Rodeo Grounds for the night.

This was the 3rd day of riding. Chilly and sprinkled abit but no continuious rain. This is Darwin ponying Rio as my knees were so darn sore that I could hardly walk or stay in the saddle. I did ride more than half the trail.  Then I rode in the Daley's wagon the rest of the way to the gravel pit where our rigs were parked.

 Picture that I took when Kelli and I drove back from Pincher Creek. I could live down here and ride in the foothills everyday. :)

This is our campfire that we had on the gravel by the creek. I sure wish that we had a creek running through our place, it is so peaceful and the water was so clear, but COLD! We stayed up pretty late this night and enjoyed the laughs and drinks. 

This is the creek that we camped by on the McLean Ranch. This was the place were they filmed parts of "Unforgiven" with Clint Eastwood. Kelli has some other pictures and will post them when I get them..

After Day One of the Ride..

Well, don't know where to start?  The trip down was uneventful, except that my water tank sprung aleak and drained in the Valleyview Tim Hortons parking lot. Ernie, Ryan, Wanda and I got it fixed, strapped back in and filled. It is still dripping but will do. Got to Blairmore put Rio is his pen,watered,fed and settled for the night. Up early to get ready for the parade down the Mainstreet of Blairmore and then off on our first ride in the MOUNTAINS! Amber Marshall and her Mom rode with us and our guide for the day was Joe Trots, Yes, Mantrackers Terry Grant's sidekick for one episode and then 2 episodes so far with the new fellow.. I am not a Mantrack fan so don't know the fellows name.. This was a very scenic and LONG ride, up and down, Rio must of thought why am I here, this is too much work. But we made it back in one piece! Hopefully the pictures will follow.

First Day on the Road, Good and not So Good..

Well, we left High Level yesterday  (Aug. 10) at 10:30, made Grimshaw for 2:00, farrier showed up at 2:30, made shoes for Rio and put them on.. Left Grimshaw at 6:00 pm, stoppped in Valleyview to fuel up and a Timmies stop. Discovered that the rough road to Valleyview shook my water tank loose and broke the plastic fitting, as a result lost all my water in the Timmies parking lot mixed with a little horse urine and poop. :) Was hoping that they won't call Hazmat. LOL

Here is one of Rio's new shoes. He already had 3 on before I remembered to take pictures.

Here is them nailed on with the blue goop between the sole and pad. Rio wasn't too sure if he liked them or not, but after walking around for a while he decided that they would be ok.. :)

Back out to the horse trailer this morning to see what we need to do to fix the water tank and secure it better. Think we have it figured out. Now just to get it done and back on the road in the morning. Need to stop at Canadian Tire and buy some ratchet straps. Bought a poop fork and a bucket for hauling it away. Rio is in sad need of a bath. It poured rain at Carvel Corner during the night. He rolled in the mud, must have felt good. So I guess a good brushing is in order.

Going to have supper with Trent, Sarah and the kids at their campsite.

Hope tomorrow goes smoother and I get to Coleman in the daylight. Talk to you tomorrow night or the next night. 

Night Before We Leave!

Well I think that we are ready to go. Trailer packed, water tank full, fuel tank full, bed made in truck, suitcases are sitting by the door. Been a long day.. Had to take Rio up to the vet for his final check up and he is good to go! It is going to be awesome once we are on the road. Just have to stop and get his new shoes on. Hope he likes them. :)
Here is my truck and trailer, all hooked up and ready to go..

Here is my bed for the next few days, until Kelli meets us with the camper and the SHOWER!!

Kase wanted to know how I was sleeping in my truck.. So Kase this picture is for you. Gramma has her own bed, don't have to share with Grandpa, 3 dogs and some nights grandchildren, right Kase?

And not sure if I should show this one, but can the cooler and bathroom be in the same room? This is the only room that I have left. Port-a-potty and cooler with all the tack, feed and supplies for Rio. :)



Well that is it for tonight. Will post again tomorrow or maybe not, it might be real late by the time we get to Alberta Beach, get settled and into bed. Will get some pictures of Rio's new shoes though. Nighty-nite..

22 Days on the Trail to a Cure...

I am starting this blog to let you all know what we are up to on our 22 day Ride for a cure.. It is a ride for Breast Cancer that was started by a lady, Jane Hurl that was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006.. This will be the 3 year for the ride and I decided to do it myself when I heard that another cousin was diagnosed in Feb. It seems that it may run in the family and I do not want my daughter, granddaughters, family members, friends and other acquaintances to be be told that they have this dreaded disease.

So Rio and I are leaving High Level on the 10th of Aug. We have to stop along the way as Rio needs to get some shoes :) so that he can make the whole trip without sore hooves. I will be spending that night in Stony Plain with family and Rio will be staying out at Alberta Beach.. Then on Thursday, we will make our trek down the QEll to The Crowsnest Pass where we will ride in the mountains for a couple of days.. First mountain ride and I am excited!! And other exciting news is that Amber Marshall (Amy Fleming) from Heartland (horsey people know this TV show) will be riding with us also for a couple of days.. Hope she will let me have a picture taken with her.!! :)

I am going to try and post on here each day to let you all know where we are and what we have been doing.. It seems that the plans are all very exciting and we will be having a real good time all along the way.. Will start posting on the 10th and if I figure out how to post pictures there will be a few of them also.. See you all later.