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Final Day - Friday - for May Cross Country Trail Ride
Today is the final day of the May ride here in Eminence, MO. Mike and I ate breakfast after feeding our two horses. We saddled 'em up and left the 60 acre campground with some neighbors here at the ride. Three ladies from the Paw Paw, IL area wanted to see the waterfall. We took them up through the state park to the tie rail for the waterfall overlook. Two of the girls were riding non gaited horses and since they all wanted to go back to camp,
we left them there and rode on over to Doc's Mountain.
We DID NOT ride up the front way through the steep rocky trail. We came in the back from the state park, across Hwy 19 and then up. We then rode them across the two gorgeous scenic overlooks and down the road to Tom Akers Road and back to camp. What a perfect day! Back in camp in time for lunch, too.
Mike caught a 3+ pound largemouth bass yesterday. He has gone back into the river for another. I'm going to finish this post and start packing the camper up for the next leg of our spring journey. We are off to Texas tomorrow.
I am grateful; we have had perfect weather for the entire week of this ride!
we left them there and rode on over to Doc's Mountain.
We DID NOT ride up the front way through the steep rocky trail. We came in the back from the state park, across Hwy 19 and then up. We then rode them across the two gorgeous scenic overlooks and down the road to Tom Akers Road and back to camp. What a perfect day! Back in camp in time for lunch, too.
Mike caught a 3+ pound largemouth bass yesterday. He has gone back into the river for another. I'm going to finish this post and start packing the camper up for the next leg of our spring journey. We are off to Texas tomorrow.
I am grateful; we have had perfect weather for the entire week of this ride!
The Queen is at Cross Country Trail Ride - Thursday
The queen has been on a horse all week. The queen supposes that there are Asshats everywhere, even Eminence, Missouri. The queen is grateful they are few and far between.
1. When I am queen, we will cut fingers off of litterbugs. Should have a pretty quick effect.
2. Merge does NOT mean yield. Merge has to do with the accelerator, yield with the brake. Duhhh.
3. Horses have the right of way. Let me repeat - HORSES HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY. If you are dumb enough to hit a horse, the rider or driver gets as much as your insurance company can pay and then they get everything you have. And they deserve it. I'll bet you can imagine what the queens punishment will be?
4. The queens gratitude is sent to the weather god; the week has been stunning.
5. The queen has a message for everyone - If you cut off your nose, you are spiting your own face. Surely most of you are smarter than that. People look stupid without noses, especially if they cut them off themselves.
6. If your mother didn't teach you etiquette, go online, get a book or take a class. Normally, curtesy is free and is one of the most valuable lasting ways to make a fine impression on someone.
Enough - enjoy Friday - by my decree.
1. When I am queen, we will cut fingers off of litterbugs. Should have a pretty quick effect.
2. Merge does NOT mean yield. Merge has to do with the accelerator, yield with the brake. Duhhh.
3. Horses have the right of way. Let me repeat - HORSES HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY. If you are dumb enough to hit a horse, the rider or driver gets as much as your insurance company can pay and then they get everything you have. And they deserve it. I'll bet you can imagine what the queens punishment will be?
4. The queens gratitude is sent to the weather god; the week has been stunning.
5. The queen has a message for everyone - If you cut off your nose, you are spiting your own face. Surely most of you are smarter than that. People look stupid without noses, especially if they cut them off themselves.
6. If your mother didn't teach you etiquette, go online, get a book or take a class. Normally, curtesy is free and is one of the most valuable lasting ways to make a fine impression on someone.
Enough - enjoy Friday - by my decree.
Wednesday at Cross Country Trail Ride
I'm glad I'm not a horse. Ours worked hard today. We planned to check out the cave up near Seldom Seen Bluff. Lunch was being served out on the trail up on Jerktail Road and as the two destinations are both up North of the campground, we decided to do both. And we did...Mike says that we were so far North, he could see the arch in St. Louis. I think I saw Sara Palin. We really did ride a long way today.
Rode up through the Fox Pen and out the back of the Fox Pen top past Suttons Creek and up to the Jerktail Road. After a good lunch and fabulous homemade apple and cherry turnovers, we headed for the caves. We were riding trails we'd never been on. Seldom Seen Bluff is (amazingly) a bit hard to get to, but wow is it stunning. I'm going to try to find a picture. I left my camera in the camper today. Duh...
We're not completely sure which of the two awesome bluffs we saw today is "Seldom Seen", but they were both maybe 200 feet high and twice or thrice as wide. Then there was the 200 foot bluff we rode along the edge of.
Looking down was really neat; then I thought of the old horse truism, where you look, your horse will go. So - I quit looking. The Jack's Fork and the Current river are both fast, clean, clear rivers. They are beautiful and equally dangerous. They are both clear where shallow, green where deeper and black where REALLY deep. This trip has been Jade's first experience with flowing water. She has only tried to lay down once; not too bad for a baby. She is only four.
The cave hollow cave was fun - we had water shoes and flash lights this time. We walked to the point where we'd have had to crawl and decided that was far enough. Maybe next time we'll bring ropes too.
More than six hours in the saddle; many hills climbed and wonders we'll not forget. Good times!
Rode up through the Fox Pen and out the back of the Fox Pen top past Suttons Creek and up to the Jerktail Road. After a good lunch and fabulous homemade apple and cherry turnovers, we headed for the caves. We were riding trails we'd never been on. Seldom Seen Bluff is (amazingly) a bit hard to get to, but wow is it stunning. I'm going to try to find a picture. I left my camera in the camper today. Duh...
We're not completely sure which of the two awesome bluffs we saw today is "Seldom Seen", but they were both maybe 200 feet high and twice or thrice as wide. Then there was the 200 foot bluff we rode along the edge of.
Looking down was really neat; then I thought of the old horse truism, where you look, your horse will go. So - I quit looking. The Jack's Fork and the Current river are both fast, clean, clear rivers. They are beautiful and equally dangerous. They are both clear where shallow, green where deeper and black where REALLY deep. This trip has been Jade's first experience with flowing water. She has only tried to lay down once; not too bad for a baby. She is only four.
The cave hollow cave was fun - we had water shoes and flash lights this time. We walked to the point where we'd have had to crawl and decided that was far enough. Maybe next time we'll bring ropes too.
More than six hours in the saddle; many hills climbed and wonders we'll not forget. Good times!
Tuesday at CCTR
Since we darn near rode the hair off our horses on Monday, we were nice to them on Tuesday. Only a couple hour ride. We took Jade and Foo Foo across the Jack's Fork River at the CCTR ford just North of the campground and rode through the bottom land for awhile. Then we rode them up Bluebird hill and back down a gravel road back to the edge of the river. We rode mostly nice 2 track trails along the edge of the river to the Bald Knob Crossing or ford. This gave us lots more bottom riding and brought us up to the road at about the Fox Pen. Back to camp in time for lunch.
We found a nice pair of Ariat waterproof cowboy/work boots for Mike. I bought some cooking equipment for Denise Bingamon and found a pair of insulated boots for me on sale. The blacksmith here at Eminence sharpened all of our knives. I LOVE sharp knives!
BBQ ribs, ham, turkey or nacho bake with all the fixins' for supper. No wonder I'm gaining weight. Wednesday we are going to ride up to the cave. It's been several years since we found their location. Should be fun.
We watched an Elvis impersonator tonight. He was quite good. Tired again.
We found a nice pair of Ariat waterproof cowboy/work boots for Mike. I bought some cooking equipment for Denise Bingamon and found a pair of insulated boots for me on sale. The blacksmith here at Eminence sharpened all of our knives. I LOVE sharp knives!
BBQ ribs, ham, turkey or nacho bake with all the fixins' for supper. No wonder I'm gaining weight. Wednesday we are going to ride up to the cave. It's been several years since we found their location. Should be fun.
We watched an Elvis impersonator tonight. He was quite good. Tired again.
Monday at Cross Country Trail Ride
Just another magic Monday. Today was a long ride day. We crossed the Current river a couple times and ate lunch on the trail at the Broadfoot lunch stop. Lots of hill climbing and narrow trails for the equine girls. We rode through a long trail that followed creeks today. This meant alot of riding in the valleys. It was awesome to be in such a stunning place, in the quiet of nature. I didn't try to identify the bird song; wish I knew more.
Lunch was a wonderful big old charred hot dog with fried onions and peppers, Mexican corn, fried taters and oh my God bread pudding with apples and hard sauce. I drank a pond water mix of lemonade and iced tea. Mike had a hamburger which they were grilling right there w/ the dogs. Yummy doesn't begin to do justice.
We took a trail to 2 rivers (we thought). Turned out to lead to a ford that we felt was too deep. So we just turned around and rode back about a mile and a half. Such is trail riding. Twas a grand day.
5.5 hours in the saddle today. We are bushed.
Lunch was a wonderful big old charred hot dog with fried onions and peppers, Mexican corn, fried taters and oh my God bread pudding with apples and hard sauce. I drank a pond water mix of lemonade and iced tea. Mike had a hamburger which they were grilling right there w/ the dogs. Yummy doesn't begin to do justice.
We took a trail to 2 rivers (we thought). Turned out to lead to a ford that we felt was too deep. So we just turned around and rode back about a mile and a half. Such is trail riding. Twas a grand day.
5.5 hours in the saddle today. We are bushed.
Sunday at Cross Country Trail Ride
When confronted with a wide array of food, what is the normal human
response? Yes, I know, try it all. . I just love having as much grapefruit
as I want. Such luxury. The rest of the breakfast...well it IS food and
it IS breakfast. I had french toast sticks. Mikey ate biscuits & gravy,
strawberry shortcake and scrambled eggs w/ bacon and sausage. He
got really full. It's not like we haven't been here before. Still we both
took WAY too much breakfast and lunch. By supper time
we managed our minds better.
Mike gets his 10 year buckle this year; it is 11 for me.
We rode up the second trail up after the fox pen and then along the fox
pen road. Then we came down along the West side through the fox pen.
We were out about 3 hours. This year we are here at the right time
to see lots of Eastern Box turtles. They are busy thinking about laying
eggs. There are lots and lots of chameleons. Mike (who is fishing every
afternoon) says there are lots of water moccasins in the river.
I'll bet they are thinking similar thoughts to the turtles.
I am amazed by the quantity and variety of butterflies. I'll try to think of
the different wildflowers I've seen blooming, coreopsis, wild mustard, wild
phlox, red flower called shooting star?, monarda, the wonderful columbine,
trillium, wild foxglove, tradescantia (wandering jew?), raspberries and
wild roses. There are more...I cannot name. This has been an early
spring and I'm sure that is why there is so much wildlife to see this
week.
Tomorrow we are hoping to cross the rivers, either the Jacks Fork or
the Current. They are not flooding for the first time in maybe 3 years.
Mike had a nice bass on his line this afternoon; problem was, he was
fly fishing with a 50 year old pole. It broke and the fish was not seen
again. Maybe tomorrow.
response? Yes, I know, try it all. . I just love having as much grapefruit
as I want. Such luxury. The rest of the breakfast...well it IS food and
it IS breakfast. I had french toast sticks. Mikey ate biscuits & gravy,
strawberry shortcake and scrambled eggs w/ bacon and sausage. He
got really full. It's not like we haven't been here before. Still we both
took WAY too much breakfast and lunch. By supper time
we managed our minds better.
Mike gets his 10 year buckle this year; it is 11 for me.
We rode up the second trail up after the fox pen and then along the fox
pen road. Then we came down along the West side through the fox pen.
We were out about 3 hours. This year we are here at the right time
to see lots of Eastern Box turtles. They are busy thinking about laying
eggs. There are lots and lots of chameleons. Mike (who is fishing every
afternoon) says there are lots of water moccasins in the river.
I'll bet they are thinking similar thoughts to the turtles.
I am amazed by the quantity and variety of butterflies. I'll try to think of
the different wildflowers I've seen blooming, coreopsis, wild mustard, wild
phlox, red flower called shooting star?, monarda, the wonderful columbine,
trillium, wild foxglove, tradescantia (wandering jew?), raspberries and
wild roses. There are more...I cannot name. This has been an early
spring and I'm sure that is why there is so much wildlife to see this
week.
Tomorrow we are hoping to cross the rivers, either the Jacks Fork or
the Current. They are not flooding for the first time in maybe 3 years.
Mike had a nice bass on his line this afternoon; problem was, he was
fly fishing with a 50 year old pole. It broke and the fish was not seen
again. Maybe tomorrow.
Springtime Breakfast When Camping
Boy do I love springtime food. I love, love, love morel mushrooms,
asparagus and even baby potatoes. Cross Country Trail Ride
doesn't begin to serve the meals that are included in the price
until Sunday breakfast.
I'll just give you a rundown of our Saturday breakfast.
12 yellow morel mushrooms (washed in salt water to get rid of bugs.)
12 fat stalks of asparagus, fresh picked.
6 little bitty new taters.
1/2 of a sweet onion, chopped.
4 slices apple smoked bacon.
4 great big farm fresh (organic if that is all you can get,) eggs.
1. Poke the taters w/ a fork and microwave them for 4 minutes.
2. Wash asparagus, break tough stems off and chop into 3/4" pieces.
3. Put bacon in cold cast iron skillet on low heat.
4. Slice taters; careful, they are hot.
5, Break eggs into bowl and beat 'em up.
6. Dry and chop mushrooms a bit.
7. Take bacon out of skillet when done to your liking.
8 Turn heat up a bit (to medium) and add onions to skillet, toss.
9. Add taters and leave 'em alone for a couple minutes, then turn.
10, After the potatoes have had a chance to brown on the other
side, take what is in the skillet out to a plate.
11. Add the asparagus to the pan with a TBSP of butter and olive oil.
Toss 'em around for a couple minutes. Then add the morels and
continue to cook for a couple more minutes. Take the vegetables
out of the skillet to a plate.
12. Add the eggs to the skillet. Lift edges to get omelet done. When
you think it might still be just a bit soft, add the asparagus and
morels back to the omelet and fold it over. Turn the heat off
and let it rest a minute while you get two plates out.
13. Cut the omelette in half and dish it up with the potatoes along side!
Enjoy!
This meal took us clear through until supper time! It was yummy.
asparagus and even baby potatoes. Cross Country Trail Ride
doesn't begin to serve the meals that are included in the price
until Sunday breakfast.
I'll just give you a rundown of our Saturday breakfast.
12 yellow morel mushrooms (washed in salt water to get rid of bugs.)
12 fat stalks of asparagus, fresh picked.
6 little bitty new taters.
1/2 of a sweet onion, chopped.
4 slices apple smoked bacon.
4 great big farm fresh (organic if that is all you can get,) eggs.
1. Poke the taters w/ a fork and microwave them for 4 minutes.
2. Wash asparagus, break tough stems off and chop into 3/4" pieces.
3. Put bacon in cold cast iron skillet on low heat.
4. Slice taters; careful, they are hot.
5, Break eggs into bowl and beat 'em up.
6. Dry and chop mushrooms a bit.
7. Take bacon out of skillet when done to your liking.
8 Turn heat up a bit (to medium) and add onions to skillet, toss.
9. Add taters and leave 'em alone for a couple minutes, then turn.
10, After the potatoes have had a chance to brown on the other
side, take what is in the skillet out to a plate.
11. Add the asparagus to the pan with a TBSP of butter and olive oil.
Toss 'em around for a couple minutes. Then add the morels and
continue to cook for a couple more minutes. Take the vegetables
out of the skillet to a plate.
12. Add the eggs to the skillet. Lift edges to get omelet done. When
you think it might still be just a bit soft, add the asparagus and
morels back to the omelet and fold it over. Turn the heat off
and let it rest a minute while you get two plates out.
13. Cut the omelette in half and dish it up with the potatoes along side!
Enjoy!
This meal took us clear through until supper time! It was yummy.
Saturday at Cross Country Trail Ride
As we arrived late on Friday, Saturday was pretty much a setup day.
We needed to find a level site, unpack and hook up to electric and
water. The trail ride doesn't officially start until Sunday, so I was the
chief cook today also.
Zipper got his night time stand set up Friday night; we did not want
him sleeping in our quarters. He DOES shred wood. We keep a small
stand in the little mid-tack so that he has his "own room". The big
perch is under the canopy on our "front porch".
We did buy a load of split firewood from Wheels. Wheels is a fixture
at CCTR. He sells wood and is a pretty amazing fellow. Anyhow, we
have our woodpile for the week. I asked Mike about kindling...he
said that he had a container of charcoal starter fluid and that was
all the kindling he needed. My dad called it Indian fire water. I'm
pretty sure that that is insulting to dad, Indians and everybody, but
it is still what he called charcoal starter fluid.
We did go for a ride today. Took Foo Foo and Jade up the Scenic
Overlook trail, it is very steep and rocky. Jade thinks she took a
nine hour ride and ended up in Hell! If I was not riding her, it would
be cute. She stops part way down hills as if to say, "I can't do it mom;
can't go any farther; I will die if I take another step!" Of course she
keeps going and does not die. As soon as I figure out my own camera
I will post pics from the overlook and the waterfall in the state area.
We took the waterfall trail down to the road. This was about a 2 and a
half hour ride.
The state of Missouri and or the feds are doing their damndest to make
problems for CCTR participants. I'm sure that they create problems
for Jim Smith also. The conservation or DNR folks have turned into
asshats in the last 10 to 15 years. Maybe it's a govmit thang. Sorry,
sorry, sorry for the grammer and spelling.
We needed to find a level site, unpack and hook up to electric and
water. The trail ride doesn't officially start until Sunday, so I was the
chief cook today also.
Zipper got his night time stand set up Friday night; we did not want
him sleeping in our quarters. He DOES shred wood. We keep a small
stand in the little mid-tack so that he has his "own room". The big
perch is under the canopy on our "front porch".
We did buy a load of split firewood from Wheels. Wheels is a fixture
at CCTR. He sells wood and is a pretty amazing fellow. Anyhow, we
have our woodpile for the week. I asked Mike about kindling...he
said that he had a container of charcoal starter fluid and that was
all the kindling he needed. My dad called it Indian fire water. I'm
pretty sure that that is insulting to dad, Indians and everybody, but
it is still what he called charcoal starter fluid.
We did go for a ride today. Took Foo Foo and Jade up the Scenic
Overlook trail, it is very steep and rocky. Jade thinks she took a
nine hour ride and ended up in Hell! If I was not riding her, it would
be cute. She stops part way down hills as if to say, "I can't do it mom;
can't go any farther; I will die if I take another step!" Of course she
keeps going and does not die. As soon as I figure out my own camera
I will post pics from the overlook and the waterfall in the state area.
We took the waterfall trail down to the road. This was about a 2 and a
half hour ride.
The state of Missouri and or the feds are doing their damndest to make
problems for CCTR participants. I'm sure that they create problems
for Jim Smith also. The conservation or DNR folks have turned into
asshats in the last 10 to 15 years. Maybe it's a govmit thang. Sorry,
sorry, sorry for the grammer and spelling.
Whoo Hoo - VACATION!
Boy howdy, a person leaves for a little vacation and the skies open.
Mike drove for the first 5 or 6 hours, to about 20 miles West of St. Louis.
He is listening to the newest Dan Brown book.
We stopped for diesel fuel and I took the wheel; it started to rain.
And it rained, and rained and rained. What's up with that? We got
into Eminence, Missouri about 9 pm last night. And, by the way, it
rained some more. Jade and Foo Foo were happy to be out of the
trailer and we were happy to NOT be moving!
More later!
When I Am Queen - Thursday
The Queen is not a particularly devout person. Spiritual, perhaps, but not devout as far as organized religions go.
The queen believes that often religion is used as a tool by the folks in power. The queen finds this particularly offensive.
The queen has a problem with the pronouncement - judge not, lest ye be judged. Yeah, so...go ahead and judge me. I expect that everyone with a brain makes judgements every day.
What to wear, eat, which way to drive to work, how we react to other people, etc. etc. etc. Of course as queen, I can and do make judgements.
I hereby decree that ANYONE who molests children, animals or those weaker shall leave the gene pool. I propose that they leave the gene pool by any convenient means, any caliber or gauge at all. Clothing or uniform shall not make any difference, nor collar color, nor shoe color. The queen also decrees that all who knowingly facilitate such abusive behavior suffer the same end.
The queen is quite certain that with six billion, eight hundred thirteen million people on earth, the loss of a few abusive sorts will not be missed.
The queen believes that often religion is used as a tool by the folks in power. The queen finds this particularly offensive.
The queen has a problem with the pronouncement - judge not, lest ye be judged. Yeah, so...go ahead and judge me. I expect that everyone with a brain makes judgements every day.
What to wear, eat, which way to drive to work, how we react to other people, etc. etc. etc. Of course as queen, I can and do make judgements.
I hereby decree that ANYONE who molests children, animals or those weaker shall leave the gene pool. I propose that they leave the gene pool by any convenient means, any caliber or gauge at all. Clothing or uniform shall not make any difference, nor collar color, nor shoe color. The queen also decrees that all who knowingly facilitate such abusive behavior suffer the same end.
The queen is quite certain that with six billion, eight hundred thirteen million people on earth, the loss of a few abusive sorts will not be missed.
Bio Link
I am Lisa. My hubby, the door guru and I work hard so that we can play harder. Much of what we call play is called work to others. Variety is the spice of life. We live pretty focused lives, but we try hard to grin as much as possible every day. Please join our grinfest here when you can!
