Another adventuresome day here at Root Ranch. More firsts happened for a few of our youth today! 🙂
Update from last night. We had delicious pizzas for dinner! Beth and Kate are amazing cooks and we get spoiled every day here! After dinner, we read, watched movies, and played cards. Just before dark, we headed to the camp where we have a campfire. Dave, Beth, Kate and Charlie all joined us for smores and story telling. Charlie was appalled that I blogged about his whiskey chicken story but it didn’t stop him from telling it for at least the third time while we’ve been here! Never gets old either!!! Charlie is very animated.
Everyone decided it was time for bed, excited by the thoughts of going horseback riding. Jocelyn’s Mom or Dad posted about the meteor shower that was suppose to happen last night. Sometime during the night someone was talking about it but they can’t remember doing so this morning. There’s more than one youth that talks in their sleep!!! Sometimes it gets pretty entertaining and funny! 🙂 You know who you are……I promised not to mention names. 😉
So much for sleeping in today! Hard to sleep in when you are used to waking up at the same time each day. The day began with a wonderful breakfast per usual. Charlie had horses saddled and ready to go. We knew beforehand that we would have to go in two groups. It was decided that the first groups ride would be the “short” ride! WHATEVER!!! Any longer and I would be DEAD!! Sorry to those who were with us on the “short” ride when I begged to turn around and come back. I was never so glad to see the ranch as I was today!!! I’m a whimp, what do you want. It’s been over 20 years since I was in the saddle and I weight alot more than I did back then. I’m sure Fuzzy was happy too! I have never been horseback riding on a wilderness trail. It’s scary!
The first group to go riding included:
Ashley riding Shorty
Beth riding Dude
Charlie riding Scout
Dale riding Cowboy
Ellen riding Fuzzy
Garrett riding Burbon
Jocelyn riding Link
Kate riding Ranger – the largest horse here! Kate nicknamed him Power Ranger! 🙂
Micah riding Lance
The second group included:
Ashley riding Shorty – the shortest horse here – hence the name
Bryan riding Dude
Charile riding Scout
David riding Cowboy
Garrett riding Burbon
Jocelyn riding Ranger
Jon riding Fuzzy
RJ riding Link
The first ride lasted about 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Needless to say I couldn’t walk due to my knees hurting when I got off the horse. Micah and Jocelyn helped me into the Lodge. I have been walking up and down the stairs doing laundry for the rest of the day hoping that I won’t be so sore tomorrow. Stop laughing – I can hope right!
The second ride lasted about 4 to 4 1/2 hours! I can’t even imagine!!!!! OUCH. Several of the youth came back with slightly sunburned faces. I think Ashley will glow in the dark tonight. She’s the worst but they knew the risk so…….live and learn.
Ashley and Micah had never been horseback riding before. This was fun to watch. The horses are really gentle and everyone had a wonderful time. Ashley was grinning from ear to ear all day! I figured after the 4 hour ride she wouldn’t be grinning anymore, but I was wrong! Micah liked it but would have enjoyed it more if he hadn’t over worked his bicep in his right arm yesterday. He will be slowing down for the remander of the time here even though he hates that thought!
After riding most of the day, everyone crashed in the Lodge waiting for dinner. Dinner was delicious per usual. Dave BBQed burgers outside with RJ’s help. We also had wonderful pasta salad, corn on the cob, chips and salsa with homemade guacamole. It was AWESOME! We then had banana splits for dessert.
It is pretty humid here tonight and was a very warm day! It may rain but Charlie doubts it!!!
I finally have something to blog about ‘quiet’ Bryan. RJ, Bryan, Garrett and David are currently taking pictures of the weirdest spider I have ever seen. It is yellow – almost lime colored! I think they killed it after taking its photo since it is most likely poison. Jon told them if they got bit on the finger we would just amputate and I told them they would still have to work!!! We are THAT mean!
I’m sure everyone will be going to bed early tonight. RJ tried to talk me into letting a few of the boys sleep in the Lodge. I told him NO. If I have to sleep in a tent, so don’t they. We are lucky enough that we have cots to sleep on! MOM – I’m borrowing your big cot for next year. Every time I turn over, I’m afraid I’m going to fall off!
Looking forward to another busy day tomorrow! Until then…..Goodnight!