Kanopolis Weather Roulette CTR

I had a wonderful time.  Jordon too I think LOL.  I pulled in on Friday, just after Shari & Robin; and Brenda & Virginia.  I got a spot way out in the back forty where no one else was, so thankfully, some closer had canceled and I took their spot.  I am so very thankful I got that spot!  Hindsight says I should have asked what would be a camping spot near the other Nebraskans but I registered late so I didn't.  It was so windy I didn't even try to put up my handy-dandy canopy, but I really didn't need it.  I just went and bugged everyone else and sat in their trailers LOL.

Got Jordan checked in and then settled for the night.  Ride briefing was at 7ish  and we got nice maps (I sure could use a map reading class, but I am learning).  Slept well and wasn't cold so I didn't even turn on my little electric blanket!  Nice and cozy in my Excursion with all the windows covered.  I put Jordan's heavy duty winter blanket with a neck piece on Friday night.  That wind was really cold!  

Got up at 5:30am and said "am I really have fun getting up at O'dark thirty at 29* and 30mph winds to go riding?????   Yup, I am...so out the truck I went to feed Miss Jordan her morning grain and hay.  She was looking good, did her poop and pee thing just fine :-)  I know, TMI, <hehe>.  Ate my bar and drank my juice (just like every day) and got my tack ready to go.  

Shari & Robin graciously agreed to have me tag along with them for the days ride, but I almost was going to ride with two other novices when I remembered the last time I decided not to ride with them (2 years ago) and rode with someone else and did the thighmaster at Indian Cave twice (we weren't supposed to do it at ALL that day), I decided too be wise and stick with those two veterans :-)  I wore 3 layers of pants and 4 layers of shirts/jackets and heavy winter gloves so except for my face, I wasn't cold.   

We were supposed to open a gate as an novice obstacle, and I just passed on it.  Earlier I tried to open a gate just for fun and Jordan wouldn't even get close to it!  That is really something we need to work on!!!  The canyons were beautiful with either red dirt or golden yellow and so fun to climb up and down.  We did some great water crossings all of which Jordan did without any problem.  We even stood about 20 ft. from devil cows while Shari opened a gate and Jordan just looked at them :-)  I did have a unplanned dismount on Saturday.  There are deep ruts going down the canyons from all the riders on the trails that are upto 3 feet deep!  Jordan and I got off kilter and I was trying to get her on a safer path and my saddle started slipping!  I was trying to get it back up when Jordan jigged as I jagged and...dddoooowwwwnnn i slid off in slow motion down into one of the 3 ft. deep ruts!  My boot came off and like a dope I kept holding the reins, so Jordan was trying to get in and out of the ruts and almost stepped on me a few times.  I'm yelling at her and then went DUH!  let go of the reins dummy!  Then she could move herself away from me and I could get up.  I was all flustered and was not making sense.  Everyone was trying to help me and I wasn't thinking straight.  I finally found a big rock and finally got Jordan to stand still after I calmed down and I got back on and off we went.  So grateful to Robin and Shari for all their support!!!

Sunday a very nice 1st time B rider (which was just Sunday ride)   who rode a Rocky Mountain Horse, so Jordan & I hooked up with them and kind of either stayed a little behind Shari and Robin or even better, we stayed alittle ahead.  I really had to keep track of my time and map since I was with a newbie (even newer then me) so we could stay on track.  I was really, really glad that Shari & Robin were behind us to bail me out when I turned the wrong way on the trail!  Sunday turned out to be a beautiful day and I was over dressed but didn't take the time to pull off layers til we got back to camp.  I was sweating, soooo different then Sat.