Butch made it home last week, in time for us to attend the 100th anniversary of the Sidney Rodeo on Veteran's night! By the time he received his dispatch mid-day Monday the 7th, he was already behind schedule. He picked up a load in Omaha & delivered to Hillsborough, OR on the 8th - on time! Once he was back in the pacific northwest, it was no surprise when the next dispatch took him to southern, CA.
This morning, he had fueled, picked up a coffee & as he returned to Traveler, stopped to take the above photo! It's literally never - that you only see one truck at a fuel island! Especially in CA where there are so few truck stops. Today was the day.
11:36 a.m. on the way to Fowler, CA
Decent traffic conditions also hardly ever exist in the state. No matter the time of day, when a wreck happens, any schedule you may hope to achieve is tossed out the window. Instead of being early, Butch was 20-minutes late.
Traveler at Maxco Supply 12:34 p.m.
Thankfully, it wasn't long until Traveler was backed up to the dock & the unloading had begun. The delivery was for 32 lb. Hydro Guard medium. A roll is 23,357 ft. & 3,827 lbs. The load delivered was 44,000 lbs.
This is the first time Traveler has pulled a Jacko trailer with the company logo on the side. Rumor has it - Traveler will be sporting the Jacko logo before long... Sad, since the Blake Scott Logo gets so many compliments.
Butch said it was impossible to get a picture that accurately shows the size of this building! Huge, spotless & well managed.
2:27 p.m. North bound Hwy 99 ~
Just two-hours later, he was already on his way to tomorrow's load just outside Stockton, CA. (Traveler slowed down to admire his image in the mirror! :-) From there he'll be heading back up to Tacoma, WA.
Butch's Highest Mileage Day to date~
Earlier this week, on his way to OR, Butch set another personal daily mileage record at 745-miles in 10:27. He can only drive legally for eleven hours per day & had stretched those hours right to the wire. With the trailer loaded at 18,000 lbs., climbing the passes didn't slow Traveler down! :-)
Patriotism!
We look forward every year to the Sidney Rodeo. Many were concerned such a long-running event would be cancelled due to Covid. Wrong! The Rodeo Committee & Sponsors took the reins & moved forward! We enjoyed another evening of world-class Rodeo!
Sidney Rodeo~
I had to buy the limited edition t-shirt. It will hopefully be the last time - this particular logo will be used. The second year in a row - the weather cooperated with a perfect - blissfully cool - late July evening.
As were were walking around the stock pens - a group of riders - Rodeo Royalty came up the path. I asked the last rider, the breeding of her horse. I've never been one to let a good horse pass me by! Teigan, (Who I later realized was Queen.) was gracious enough to pull up & talk horse with me. An accomplished young horsewoman & incredible rider. I watched her through the evening, wrangling the loose stock out of the arena without missing a beat.
Opening Ceremony~
It's incredible to see the number of horses & riders that participate. Sidney is a small town, with the struggles all mid-west small towns have, survival. The Rodeo contributes to the economy, as the only large event in this area.
Bronc riding~
There was a super turnout of cowboys in all the events! With so many Rodeo's across the country cancelled, the cowboys are looking for venues to gain points in the standings. There were several champion cowboys in most of the events. Bull riding started off the evening & a second round of riders, for the finale. The only disappointment - for me anyway - was the barrel racing. I think there were only four riders.
Amazingly, two of the bucking horses went down with their riders! Then, to the shock of all watching, one of the pickup horses went down! Neither horses or riders were hurt - but not something you want to see.
Every person in the stands rose to their feet as the American Flags entered the arena. Even those unable to stand - were assisted to their feet. No taking a knee here! (A disgusting practice I never thought I'd see in my lifetime.) The announcer mentioned maybe we should be sending a couple of the pickup men to Portland & give the rioters a taste of the Cowboy Way! That comment received resounding applause.
Sunset~
I found a few of the cowboy's horses tied, waiting. I couldn't help myself, but went up to my favorite & gave him some itches, under his jaw. How badly I wanted to mount up & ride off into that sunset - toward WA & Farah of course :-)
So very nice to have some normalcy in our ever changing world...
After our ride last Monday, the rain came & trails were closed :-( This rain was a nice normal rain - it reminded me of a rainy WA day. No lightening, thunder, or sideways rain. Just the moisture the farmers were praying for.
When I walked into Farah's stall, she guided me outside & introduced me to the horse on the far side of her paddock. He's a very nice handsome, young, dark bay QH. A friendly fellow & much calmer than the crazy Arab she still manages to ignore.
Farah's new fashion statement~
After the hoards of buzzing bugs that attacked us at Lake of Three Fires & seeing what some of the riders in that area use - I ordered a crocheted fly veil for Farah. I'm going to see if I can find a pattern & try making one just for fun. It's been years since I've done any crocheting at all - my hands & fingers are a bit stiffer these days.
Down the trail at Waubonsie
I'd heard rumors that the campground at Waubonsie fills up during the week of the Sidney Rodeo - & it's this week! But when I pulled in, there was only one group of people, without horses, drinking beer. I know it was beer, because they left the empties in the box, in a bag, on the table. They did this - when the dumpster was only maybe ten-steps away.
Big Trees here too come down~
This tree took some work to cut through - there are a few places that need work & BCH is hoping to get some of it done. Here - DNR is totally against civilians using power tools in the woods.
Heading down~
It was so very muggy & so very humid that Farah would stop after galloping up some of the climbs. She was covered with a thin sheen of sweat within minutes. Funny though - the bugs weren't nearly as bad as they have been.
Another tree covering the trail~
This one, riders have been getting around for some time. We took a trail we normally don't & that's where it was. Instead of going back into camp after our first loops, we just stayed out in the shade finding what trails we could for a couple more miles. On many, the Stinging Nettles are so tall that they are taking over. This would be easy to fix if we could go in with weed whackers...
I think the flowers above are Butterweed. They have a yellow center & fit the description. They were beautiful & bright on a sunny bright day!
Back~
Once back at the trailer, I dismounted to find these weird green things stuck all over Farah's chest, neck & upper legs. They were almost boomerang shaped, green & maybe 1/2 inch long. Almost like Velcro - both sides of the tiny things covered with little hooks - but they didn't hurt. After I washed her down, she rolled, grazed a while, then came over to stand by me where I was sitting in the door of the tack room. She cocked a hind leg & we both enjoyed or quiet time together. I'm already looking forward to Fall!
