Sunday, June 12, 2011

Back at It

Dazzby has pretty much had three weeks off.  I did ride her for about 1/2 hour last Sunday, but on Tue. her back appeared sore again so that was all we did all week.

Friday night I checked her back/hindquarters again and got no reaction. Yeah!

So, today we went out for an ambling trail ride.  Our home trails, are somewhat passable again.  Yeah!

Unfortunately there have been people riding these trails before they were reallly dry enough so some of the major thoroughfares are a little chewed up.  But we were able to go and take a nice slow ride for about two hours and we were happy.  Yeah!

Michelle was riding her young horse Twister.  He doesn't have much experience out on wooded trails, so it was a really good chance to get him going and let him learn to step over logs, etc.  Yes, we need to do some trail maintenance, as there are quite a few trees down throughout.

Twister did really well, so he may be able to get his first real ridecamp experience in two weeks at the Renegade Rendezvous.  If things go well Michelle and a friend will be doing the trail ride.  Hopefully Dazzby will be back in action on the LD.  I do have a back up plan.  If Dazz isn't 100+% I may go grab Cartman and join Michelle on the trail ride. Either way I definately need to get East of the mountains, as it is currently raining again!!!!

Saturday, June 4, 2011

First Show!

And you probably thought I was talking about a horse show, huh?  Nope, today I went to the Rods and Reels Car Show in Skamokawa, Wa.

For a little background, in the summer or 2003 Todd and I were cruising around in Longview, Wa hunting for bargains at garage sales.  We were just leaving another bust sale when Todd spotted a large blue tarp, covering up something big in a weed patch.  "Look!"  he exclaims and points to the blue tarp, "a '67!" 

Todd and I both love 1967 Chevelle Malibus.  We had a two at the time, but as far as Todd was concerned, you just can't have too many Malibus. 

I knew what was coming next, he slows the car down in front of the house with the blue tarped car, "I wonder if they want to sell it?"

I don't think I rolled my eyes, but its a definate possibility, "Probably not honey, but go ask if you want to."  I figured this would be a quick diversion, then we could get on our way to the next sale.

Well, here is what was beneath the tarp.




This car came with the name Annabelle. We promised to bring her by to show the man who sold us the car, when we had her restored.  Todd did that a few weeks ago.  They'd been wondering what had happened to the yellow car.

Here is Annabelle today, at her first car show.


Unfortunately, we were beat by another '67 Chevelle, a beautiful dark blue SS 396 car.



We spent the morning admiring all the cars and trucks.  At this show everbody that enters a car gets a ballot with  all the different classes listed and we all get to vote for which cars we like the best in each group.  I think this is an excellent way to judge the show. It gave us something to do all morning and we could walk off some of the tastey and huge breakfast the ladies at the Skamokawa Methodist Church were serving for a fundraiser.


Here are my personal favorites from the show.

I loved the Rat Rods, I want one!






Todd picked our best in show car, this beautiful red 1950's Chevy truck with ghost flames.


The Studebaker Avanti had candy red paint that absolutely glowed!



A man checking out the Avanti told us that its the car that put the Studebaker company into bankruptcy.  A shame, perhaps it was just too odd for mainstream America.  But what an interesting and ornate car!

Here's another Studebaker . If I could chop the top on this and paint it black, I'd call it a dream car.



Another of  my picks.  This army jeep was way cool!!!  It had a place for everything, canteens, helmet holders, a rifle holder right on the hood, a huge machine gun.  What's not to love about this awesome utilitarian vehicle?  I'm guessing the 'ride' might not be quite as cushy as those big Bel Aires and Impalas, but really I loved this one, plus its topless :)





We saw some unusual vehicles too. A little Nash Metropolitan that had been converted into a mini-truck.  Somehow I didn't get a picture of that one.

Some really LOW cars.  Wow. I think this one won the award for being the lowest.  Since its in the grass, they got both a plaque, a weed sprayer, and two gallons of weed spray from Tractor Supply Store.


More cool cars!

















It was a  good time!

Thursday, June 2, 2011

While we wait.

If it wasn't for EHV-1 I might be packing up stuff and getting ready to go to Klickitat Trek.  Sigh.

I would be a little nervous after Dazzby's last ride and the pull for lameness.

As it is, I have spent the majority of this week kind of sulking around, I'm pretty sure that's due to the wretched weather we have been experiencing here in Western Wa.  Perusing the internet and some of my favorite blogs, it appears we are not alone in our weather misery. 

My parents actually experienced a tornado last week, so I guess I really shouldn't be complaining too much!  Mom and Tad are fine, and had no damage to their place, but my grandmother's neighborhood in town was torn up a bit.

Monday I went to Cathlamet to see Cartman.  He has been at Shawn's for about 6 weeks and is really coming along nicely.  Shawn has him so responsive and light in the bridle I almost can't believe it.  He also has the nicest little QH style "whoa".  I love it.  I could never have gotten him this far along by myself and I'm really glad to have indulged myself by having a professional do some more training with him.

Last summer, and even last fall when I did get to ride Cartman his canter was reminiscent of a giant brown giraffe.  Lumbering, shall we say?  Monday I could really see improvement and the beginning of some self-carriage.  I was on cloud nine all day after my ride, I CAN'T WAIT for the trails to dry out so I can get him home and out on the trail!

So, while I wait for my next ride I am pondering and planning.  I really want to try a 50.  After Mt. Adams I wasn't sore like I had been after Milwaukee.  I think I can do it.  I'm kinda nervous about my horse now though.  I definately won't be doing a 50 at the Renegade Rendezvous Ride in the end of June.  I hear its a pretty difficult ride, compared to some of our other rides.  So, if Dazzby does well at Renegade I will be looking for the perfect ride to attempt our next goal.