HAPPY NEW YEAR!There is a tradition that says whatever you do on New Years Day, you will do throughout the coming year.
With that in mind, Butch & I prepared for a symbolic mini-adventure. I loaded his saddlebags with people food (lunch), mule food (cookies), clothes (jacket), water (plastic bottle), 1st aid kit (multiuse tool & Stayfree feminine pad), symbolic sleeping bag (little bellypouch inside the saddlebags), and shelter. (Okay, it was a hat. I know that's stretchin it. But it was much sturdier and bigger and more waterproof than my regular hat, so we'll call it a "tent hat.") I had to work this afternoon and time was limited. So I figured we'd do the 3 1/2-mile loop and stop somewhere along the way for lunch. I'd tie Butch to a tree with grazing, eat lunch and pretend to snooze a bit under my tent hat.
He was almost all saddled when a barn buddy showed up and started tacking up her horse. This person usually rides alone, but I asked anyway if she'd like to join us and share lunch, and she said sure. The barn owner gave us another water bottle and off we went.
We found a nice spot up on the bike path to stop for lunch, next to a parking lot. We tied our mounts to rails. Butch was tied by his favorite munching tree, mesquite, and with plenty of ground cover bushes to graze on also. Friend and I shared a PB&J sandwich while we chatted about this and that. Butch got his cookies. As we were mounting back up, it suddenly dawned on me that if this was my symbolic adventure... a new friend was riding alongside. Part of the way, for one day.
Which is exactly what I hope will happen out there on the road! Friends new & old coming to ride along with, for an hour, a day, a week. I had forgotten to add that to my New Years Day mini-adventure. Somebody added it for me...
Wishing anyone out there reading this an amazing year 2012! I know last year was hard for a lot of folks - it was for me also in some ways, but I learned that happiness is truly an inside job, and I am so enjoying the present moment and having fun creating future ones. Hope you are too!
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI started reading your blog today, how uplifting! This is where I'm starting to read. This photo of you says it all, beautiful. Sorry, I'm new to blogging, I don't see your name, or where you're from. I heard about you through the Yahoo Recreationalequinedriving group, I think. Or was it the yahoo group vardoshavora?
I'm Fay Cotton, from Farnham Quebec Canada. I live on a small hobby farm, with 2 belgians, 3 Bouvier des Flandres dogs, 2 cats, 25 rare breed Chantecler chickens.
I'm retiring next year and plan to travel around with a wagon, pulled by my 2 belgians. This summer I will be making short trips in a camping wagon i'm building. Quite a few people have spoken to me about traveling on horse-back since I got brave enough to brag about what I'm only just planning. You can see some of the research I've cumulated, including alot of your research which is very complete and helpful, on Pinterest http://pinterest.com/faan/ You can also see my photos of belgians and wagon building etc, on Facebook = Fay Cotton with same photo as above.
A friend sent me a video of a Knight in shining armor who is crossing Canada in search of good deeds to do, here is the link, but its in French. http://youtu.be/kGzfmor_BYM He's very articulate, sincere and spiritual. Unfortunately, he doesn't blog.
Thank you so much for sharing your dream come true with us! I feel so lucky to know you're out there and that thanks to internet we can keep in touch. I agree with you: Photos photos photos are very important in a blog. Plan to write my own one day, maybe soon.
Take care! Say Hi to Butch for me and don't let him get away with TOO much...:)
Fay
Hello Fay - Thank you for the comments, you are too kind! Glad the info was of assistance as you plan your own adventures. That's why I post it... good to hear it's being used. I visited your Pintarest site. (I've never seen Pintarest before.) Wonderful links and enjoyed the pics of your team!
DeleteForgive me short post... very limited access on this stop. And thanks for alerting me that I had not put any info about myself on the blog, including first name - I forgot.
All the best of luck with your wagon plans - and most of all, wishing you a great time!
-katie cooper
somewhere in Texas