Waubonsie State Park!

I was looking forward to my first ride in Iowa!  Our days have been so full - working on the remodel of our new place.  We were both happy to have an excuse for a day off.  After picking up Farah, we drove south for about 40-min. to arrive at the park.

Sunshine day~

What a beautiful place it is! 

Waubonsie State Park

The Equestrian Area is separate from the people side & is pretty much a horseman's paradise.  Today was the Spooktacular Poker Ride, hosted by the Pony Express Riders of Iowa.  This group, coming up on their fifty-year anniversary - donates the proceeds of their rides to a variety of charities.  Well organized, it reminded me very much of a BCH ride.

Juanita, Gina & Connie

After becoming friends on Facebook - Juanita & I finally had the opportunity to ride together.  Gina joined us. The members of the Club were all friendly & the ride was very well organized.  We enjoyed meeting such a great group of people.

In the woods~

Even if the woodland forest of deciduous trees was just past it's prime, the colors were so strong & striking!  Such a change from the Evergreen Forest of the Pacific Northwest.

Trees!

I was a stranger in a strange land!  I must have asked 100 questions!  :-)  It's going to be so much fun to learn about all the trees & plants that are new to me!  I was so surprised & happy to see some that were familiar - like the Maidenhair Fern below!

Maidenhair Fern~

The Paw Paw Trees were really the most interesting so far.  Their striking yellow leaves, even though most had fallen, were easy to pick out.

Paw Paw Trees, with the larger leaves~

 I'm told that they taste like a combination of a banana & pear!   You need to be quick when the fruit ripens, to beat the wildlife to the sweet treat!  I can't wait!

Juanita & Connie

The day was just slightly overcast & the weather warm, but not hot, for late October.  I was surprised at the good sweat the horses worked up. This has been the longest I've not ridden Farah in years!

Farah enjoying the views~

She was still Farah - wanting to lead & her usual ornery self the first few miles, but more mellow that she has ever been.  One spook - at what I think was the only piece of cut log in the forest was almost a joke :-)  These are not easy trails - the hills are much shorter & steeper than what we're used to.  The footing though, is incredible.  Mostly a packed dirt surface with no rock.  No shoes needed here.

What we'd call a wetland in WA!

There was a beautiful pond area & small  creek running.

Rest Area!

Three different Rest Area's, complete with hitching posts & picnic tables were great!  Something I'd not ever seen in Western WA.

Coming back to camp~

This large grassy camp boasts corrals, hitching posts & plenty of parking!  Everyone parked wherever they wished.  Clean & green - it was obvious that even with heavy use, everyone loves & cares for this great park.

Asian Beetles

Farah & I did get an education regarding what I thought were ladybugs, before they started biting!  Even a heavy spray with repellent did little to keep them off!  Thankfully, there was a hose, so after washing the sweat off & giving Farah a fresh spray - they subsided.

Post ride~

 It was such fun to kick back & enjoy the late afternoon sunshine.  The Pony Express Riders had a super dinner with chili, cream of potato soup, rolls, deserts - yummy!  I spent some one-on-one time with my mare, while Butch went up with friends for the prize drawing.  We won a $50. gift certificate to Bronco Billy's tack store in Council Bluffs!

It took just about a week to finish off the hay from home, cutting it 50/50 with the hay here, which is high in alfalfa.  We've cut Farah's supplement in half - since she isn't being ridden as often.  Her weight has stayed about the same & her appetite hasn't diminished!  When I tacked her up & gradually tightened the cinch, I did not get her usual dirty look.  She seemed to have no problem with cinching - a departure that makes me wonder if the alfalfa has helped her digestion?

We headed back toward home just as the sun was setting to the west.  I'm enjoying the wide-open spaces & territorial views so much!  We're both enjoying the new friends we've met & all are so friendly & welcoming!  So much to write about & so little time!  :-)

GREAT ride!

Settling In~

Once the decision was made to tear everything out & re-do the house, the next two weeks were busy ones.  Butch stayed ahead of the flooring installer, moving furnace floor vents - all of them were out in the middle of the rooms.  He tore out leaking toilets, doors, cupboards & even a couple small pony walls in the master bath.  For a while, it looked like a war zone!

Besides all the work, we made several trips to Council Bluffs - to find what we needed.  We spent time shopping, purchasing & when necessary, ordering. Home Depot was our go-to place!  Courtney's flair for decorating was put to use, between the three of us, we made decisions on appliances, cabinets, etc.

Kelly's Carpet & Furniture~

 Jim at Kelly's was great to work with.  He'd helped me to pick the flooring long-distance.  It was fun to finally meet him in person.

Courtney never stopped - cleaning, scrubbing & helping her dad with the heavy stuff.  We did take one afternoon off to tour some of the surrounding countryside.  We ended up at what's become our favorite place - Tobey Jacks in Mineola.  It was super sad when Thursday rolled around...  The drive to Omaha was so short & easy - Courtney had to catch her flight back to Washington. :-(  It brought home to us - our kids & grandkids were no longer going to be close enough to visit :-(

Craft Room~

  One of the goals for the first week, was to get the flooring down in the far end of the house.  That would give us the space to move in things from the U-Haul, rather than rent another storage.  I realized how nice it was going to be to have a larger house with two more bedrooms!

Both the U-Hauls ~

The two of us unloaded the 22ft. truck & returned it on the 23rd to the dealer.  The 26-ft. truck that Butch & David had driven out was still there.

27th - Nika supervises - Flooring down, cupboards going in~

The flooring installer was nice enough to help with my railroad desk!  Drew was a super to work with.  Kelly's best installer & it was obvious why!  Once he'd finished - our next goal was to get two of our three storage spaces emptied before the end of the month.

What a job That was!  Again, just the two of us - Butch figured out amazing ways to help get the biggest & heaviest stuff loaded into the truck - then unloaded at the  house.  The weather throughout the move was great & stayed nice the entire time.

Evening view~

November first - we'd just finished loading the last of our things from the final storage space - when my phone rang.  Hearing my aunt's voice, I knew why she was calling...  My Mother had passed away...  Time stood still...

When I think of all the changes - in such a short amount of time...  

I'm thankful Mom knew we were safe, happy & settling in~

First Full Day~

The day warmed up quick!  I was anxious to see Farah's boarding stable.  It was only a few miles to the farm.  The drive was steep with a bit of a tilt to it.  Butch had his hands full with the truck, camper & trailer.  The parking was tighter than we'd anticipated.

Farah's new barn~

Farah was instantly excited when she unloaded!  With other horses in the barn & out in the pasture - she was checking everything out!  We put her in the round pen - deep with sand.  She took off bucking & running!  Next, a drop to the ground & roll!  We looked around - a very nice place - big stalls, well bedded, with auto-waters.  I'd reserved a stall - there were no outside runs available.  We decided to leave her out for a while, I wanted to see the house!

One of the three town water towers~

It was only a seven-mile drive to our new place!  I loved the corner of town where the house was located.  The neighborhood looked nice & quiet.  Walking in the front door though - I knew our work would be cut out for us...  We'd had the interior completely painted before our arrival.  Flooring installation was scheduled to begin tomorrow.

With street parking very limited, Butch wanted to get the Bronco unloaded & car-hauler returned asap.  We parked the truck & horse trailer where we thought they would be out of the way.  Once the Bronco was off - we hitched it up to the car-hauler & drove east out of town - to return it to the U-Haul dealer.

Trailer returned!

As we were returning to town, I got a call from a man who identified himself as a local police officer!  He asked if the Ford truck & trailer parked on the curve was ours?  Well... Yes!  He then asked where we were & how long it would take us to get back?  When we told him it would be minutes - he replied the school buses would be driving through on their way to the nearby elementary school!  He was worried they wouldn't be able to squeeze by :-)  

At home~

When we arrived - I had to ask how on earth he'd found my phone number?  As luck would have it - the painter we'd hired lives just up the street.  He'd seen the officer by our truck with those stand-out Washington State plates :-)  Disaster adverted :-)  Welcome to small town America!  :-)

Returning to check on Farah - we found her covered in flies!  She came running to us!  I sprayed her down & put her into her stall - she settled right in & checked out the water.  Back at the house, Butch parked the truck in the drive.  We'd already planned to live in the camper until the flooring was installed.  Let the remodel begin!

Iowa Bound! On the Road - Day 6 - We Arrive!

We were up just after dawn - with about 340-miles ahead of us to reach our goal!  Glenwood!  The horses had been quiet during the night.  The professional driver pulled in & was loading up just before us.  Here - the ground was covered with some type of thorny plant - poor Nika had gotten one in her paw.  I walked Farah - but there was nothing she wanted & I don't blame her!

Chamberlain Fairground~

The sun finally broke through the fog coming off the river & we welcomed the warmth.  After all our day's on the road, it still amazed me the way Farah was so willing to load up.  I think she could feel we were getting close now.

Our camp from the other direction~

We were quick getting to the motel in town.  Courtney was waiting & jumped in.  We didn't bother with breakfast - thinking we'd pick something up later.  It was time to make progress on the road.

Rest Area~

The wind was blowing, but we were making good time.  Somewhere along I-90 in South Dakota, Courtney exclaimed;  "What the heck is That?"  It looked like a giant bulls head...  I've since looked it up & sure enough that's what it was!

Bull's Head

From this point on - neither of us took photos.  We gave a huge shout of excitement when we finally crossed into Iowa!  At Sioux City, we started getting into traffic, heaviest of the entire trip.  I wasn't having fun & it wasn't easy to change lanes.  I tried to stay ahead of the game - making the turn south onto I-29.

The day turned gray - but the Sumac growing along the sides of the road were bright, almost neon shades of oranges & reds.  I called Mom to let her know we'd made it to Iowa!  It was one of the best - of the last conversations we shared.

Soon, we were nearing Glenwood.  We followed the directions of a Facebook friend - who'd invited us to her farm for our first night.  It was late afternoon when we pulled in - the sun had broken through the cloud cover.  We unloaded Farah into a near-by round-pen, where she had a good roll.  It was a relief to know the road-trip was behind us.  We enjoyed a Pizza, met new friends & watched the sun set.  By the time we went to the camper - we could see the lights from Omaha on the horizon.  Yes Grandma - you were right!  I was the one - who would return to Iowa!

Iowa Bound! On the Road - Day 5~

This would be our longest day...  450-miles.  It dawned with filtered sunshine - giving everything a golden glow.  Courtney & I walked Farah - letting her graze - while Butch loaded up.

New Grandstand & Sky-bridge~

The day off the road had done us all good.  Now we were past the mid-point in our trip & were counting down the miles.  A huge dark cloud hung overhead - but no rain fell.

The Pavilion~

Butch had promised us a stop at Wall Drug & we were looking forward to it.  Leaving Wyoming for South Dakota took us past one of my favorite towns, Spearfish.  It had grown tremendously since my last time through.  Soon - we were into the mountains, past Sturgis & traveling through the Black Hills.

We'd made a stop for fuel around noon.  It was an out-of-the way place & Farah wanted out.  There was a nice green lawn area off to the side.  I was holding her lead, she was happily grazing when suddenly - the sprinkler system - which I hadn't noticed - erupted into the air all round us!  I think we both must have left the ground by several feet.  Butch heard the commotion & saw a Sprinkler Company truck off to the far side.  The guy had set off the system, without regard as to our presence.  Now that Farah & I had our jolt for the day - it was time to be on our way!

At Wall Drug~

Our eldest daughter, still a kid at heart, had to ride the Jackalope!  :-)  We did finally get lunch, not the best of food & overpriced.  We toured through every area we could find, the old western art is really something to see - no photos allowed.

Courtney rides the Jackalope!

The day was the warmest of the trip - mid-80's.  We had parked in what shade we could find & returned to let Farah out to graze in an open area for quite a while.  If we wanted to get to Chamberlain - we had no further time to dally.

We drove & drove - moving east into the dusk.  Deer carcass littered the highway.  It seemed like we saw one at least every few miles.  That made me nervous - we passed a state highway employee with a flat bed trailer full of them.  Dusk, Deer, interstate - just not a good combination.  I did some praying...

A full Moon rose out of the east - huge - an incredible sight.  Courtney thought her Dad was getting tired, so we called.  He pulled over & she switched rigs.  For whatever reason I had my second wind, turned on some tunes & we drove on into the night.

Following Butch & Courtney~

It was a relief to take the exit & see the lights of Chamberlain on the far side of the Missouri River.  Courtney had already decided she wanted a room in town with a nice big shower :-)  We dropped her off at the motel & tried to follow the directions to the Fairground in the dark.  We found a gravel road, not a light in sight & ended up back in town.  Our second attempt, we stopped a car coming the opposite direction & he was kind enough to direct us to the turn - obscured by trees.

This Fairground was small - we pulled out our flashlights.  We'd seen a professional horse-hauler at the Sheridan Fairgrounds, he had three black & white paints.  His horses were already in three of the four corrals.  Rather than put Farah next to a strange horse, we found a pipe corral & parked both of our rigs right next to the gate.  We were tired, but had a snack in the camper before bed.  What a relief to be this far with only one more lap to go!  Tomorrow - Glenwood!

Iowa Bound! On the Road - Day 4 - A Day Off!

Butch & Farah ~

Uncle Keith was leaving on a hunting trip & invited us to an early breakfast out.  Butch & Courtney took him up on his invite.  I was tired & the luxury of sleeping in - sounded good to me.  That extra hour & having no rush to get on the road - felt wonderful.  By the time Butch & Courtney were back, I was sitting out with Nika & my tea, enjoying a beautiful, if overcast morning.

On the Pavilion~

We took Farah out on a walk-a-bout of the fairgrounds, then headed to town.  I can't possibly come to Sheridan without visiting my cousin Jackie's quilt shop!

The Quilters' Fix~

We brought along Jas - the rocking horse we'd purchased in Snohomish many years ago for the Grand-kids.  Most of them have had their photos taken on her :-)  It was time for her to find a new home - here in Sheridan - at the Quilters' Fix. 

Jas in her new colorful home!

We couldn't remember how many years it had been since Jackie & Courtney had seen each other!  Way too may - that's for sure.  Funny though - when it's family - in so many ways it seems like yesterday.  The two girls were yacking away in no time flat! We both bought fabric & I found another project I hope to find time for - some cold winter.

Jackie, Connie & Courtney

 After leaving Jackie's shop, we found a little restaurant for lunch, then did some shopping.  There's no place like Sheridan if you're a fan of the Western lifestyle.  I ended up with a new area rug for a house I hadn't even seen yet. :-)  Our final stop was King's Saddlery - always on my agenda.  This visit I was soon fixated on the Calvary saddles.  They had more than I realized, the rigging & design so similar to my Stonewall.

McClellan~

 Wouldn't it be amazing to know the history of these saddles?  Who rode in them, where they've been & what horses they were on?  Maybe even which battle?

Nice fenders & a really deep seat!

The artifact below was certainly interesting.  I think there's a good probability that this horse was in a battle!

Horses lower jaw with entrenched bullet.

I've preached for years now about saddles with deep seats & the Arabian show saddle below demonstrates that philosophy :-)  It was later in the afternoon by the time we returned to my Aunt & Uncle's home.

It was hard to say our goodbye's - but the distance wont' be quite so far - for us to visit.  Back at the Fairgrounds, it was so quite & the night so dark - easy to fall asleep.  Tomorrow - the next leg of our journey - destination - Chamberlain, SD.

Iowa Bound! On the Road - Day 3

We were really looking forward to our stop-over in Sheridan & had planned an extra day to unwind.  Home of my favorite Aunt & Uncle - it never takes much of an excuse to visit!  Our drive today would be the shortest of the entire trip - just under 300-miles.

Driving into the morning~

We had breakfast on the road - anxious to get to the Sheridan Fairgrounds - our plan was to arrive mid-afternoon.

Wyoming State Line!

It didn't seem like long until we were crossing the state line.  We'd left the snow behind & were thankful for the great driving weather.  Every time we stopped, Farah would get a fresh, cold carrot.  We offered water - sometimes she'd drink - other times not.  I didn't electrolyte her the entire trip.

At the rest area~

We stopped to stretch & give Farah more hay.  Courtney & I enjoyed watching what had become her daily routine.  In the mornings, munching away at her hay bag, hung from the back door & looking out at us from time to time.  When she needed a potty break - she would start moving from side to side & we'd call ahead & tell Butch to pull off.  After our lunch stop - she'd usually spend the afternoon facing front & looking out the side windows at the country.  By late afternoon, she would be as ready as the rest of us to be done for the day!

Our Camping spot~

We were the only ones at the Fairgrounds.  After checking in at the office - paying for the stall & purchasing shavings - we parked by a grassy strip.  Butch unloaded the two trees in large pots, I'd insisted on bringing. By the time we were done, it looked like we'd moved in! :-)

Beautiful historic buildings~

Talk about a gorgeous Fairgrounds!  Sitting up high on a hill, the new bleachers & sky bridge dominate the skyline.  Within in minutes Aunt Shirley & Uncle Keith pulled in!  Auntie always had Mom's knack for knowing when & where I was :-)

Another incredible building~

Farah met everyone, we settled her into a large stall.  We three squeezed into the car, it was only a few blocks to Auntie's house in town.  It was Great to have the opportunity to let-down & relax after  days of driving.

Auntie's beautiful Fall wall hanging~

If I haven't mentioned before how talented my Aunt is - I'll mention it again!  I tried to sneak the above wall-hanging into my purse - but it wouldn't fit :-(  We spend the rest of the afternoon catching up.  Uncle Keith took us all out to a wonderful dinner at one of the best places in town!  Just nine months before- on my way home from visiting Mom - I'd mentioned to my Aunt & Uncle that Butch & I were considering a move to Iowa.  Surreal~

Iowa Bound! On the Road - Day 2

Our next reservation was at the Gallatin Fairgrounds just outside Bozeman.  It would be a four-hundred mile day, with a mountain pass or two along the way :-)  By now - I was used to driving the U-Haul & the feel of the Bronco on the car hauler behind us.

Following Butch - with Farah~

It was much easier - to follow my husband on the road.  The U-Haul didn't have the ump of the diesel.  Butch often left us behind on the climbs.  The U-Haul rattled & rolled & sounded like it was beating itself to death - but we kept right on truckin'.  Courtney mentioned once, we'd lose weight just from the vibration alone!  :-)

Coeur d'Alene~

We were across the WA state line quickly & into Idaho.  The fog coming off the lake was just breathtaking!  Courtney took photos out the window & we were both open mouthed at nature's splendor.

Sun breaking through~

We had more than one mission on this day.  We were connecting up with Jim, who we'd met at the Back Country Horsemen Rendezvous in Ellensburg, earlier this year.  The Bitterroot Bench furniture booth was the hit of the vendor show.  We'd asked Jim to make us a custom entertainment center.  When I mentioned our upcoming move - Jim managed to get the piece done in time for us to pick it up on our way through Missoula.

Connie & Jim!

We were close to our scheduled time & Jim pulled in minutes after!  When he unwrapped the layers of padding - it was like Christmas!  Such fine craftsmanship & our first new piece of furniture in years - for our new home in Iowa!  It was fun catching up on BCH news - while Farah did some grazing along side the fence.  Great Harvest Bread caught our attention & after a Great lunch - we were back on the road.

Afternoon Rest Stop~

We'd lost some of our momentum in Missoula - the day seemed a long one.  The sun was setting when we found the fairgrounds.  Next - was finding the correct gate & our way to the horse barns.   The temperatures had dropped into the 20's - with snow on the ground.  The barn was large & cold.  Butch found the lights - I put Farah's heavy blanket on.  Since all the hookups were off for the winter & restrooms closed - Courtney called to find a room in town for the night.

We ended up at Bridge Pizza for dinner.   It was packed, loud & took forever for a waiter & eventually, our Pizza.  Food is food when you're hungry!  We dropped Courtney off & returned to the fairgrounds - where we parked just outside the barn doors.

Waking to sunshine, we loaded fast & picked up Courtney in town.  She brought hot breakfast for the road!  Next stop - Sheridan!