Howdy Chuckwagon Friends

Not much to report of goings on today.  As we are headed to home sweet home tomorrow, so we got busy packing and tidying up camp.  We did get a surprise visitor that  stopped  by though.  Our friend Bob Norton from Calgary came out with his grand-kids for a quick visit.  It was very good to see him, and nothing has changed with Rick and his relationship……..they continue to tease and bug each other right from the get go.

Today I managed to get a few photos of Cody coming onto the track and also passing by on the back stretch.  He had a decent run of 1:17.71 to place him 16th on the day.  He was happier with how things went today.

So many people have told us that Cody sits up in the wagon box and drives like his great Uncle Dallas Dorchester.  I dug out some photos and found these.  Thought it was neat to compare.  The year was 1982  in Wainwright when Dallas was driving.

Well we were crossing our fingers and toes that the stars would align for another Strathmore win, but things didn’t work out  quite how we had hoped.  Coming off the 1 barrel, Rick guided the team around the top and then to the bottom.  Passing by the bottom barrel, the left wheeler leaned just slightly more than he should have, enough to feather the barrel and it floated to the ground.  A 5 second penalty.  Disappointment for us all on Team 23, but all said and done, we have some great races here in Strathmore.

A congrats goes out to the Gary Gorst Team on his first ever  Strathmore win with outriders Casey Knight and Kale Lajeunesse.

Our final recipients of our mini Chuckwagon giveaway were these cute kids.  They were pretty happy to get it.  We’re not quite sure if the little feller is going to share, as he’s got a pretty good hold on it.

Tomorrow we are off to the comfort of our own home for a few days as our next venue is in Dawson Creek, BC which starts on Wednesday, August 10 –  14th.  Looking forward to the good o’l Country Fair.

From the Travelin Trailer

Sue, with Rick and Team 23

P.S.  Usually your biggest trials come right before your biggest breakthroughs.  Keep pushing on!

Howdy Chuckwagon Friends

A very warm and enjoyable day  began, as this  morning there was an event to attend.  The crew tended to the barn chores, and I headed over to the  Kirk Sutherland camp, to help out with their daughter Misty’s Pace Kids Charity breakfast.  This pancake breakfast is in its 4th year now and all the proceeds go to children with special needs. Pacekids Society for Children with Special Needs is a registered, non-profit, charitable organization governed by a volunteer Board of Directors that consists of parents of Pacekids’ children, as well as other community members. Founded in 1994, Pacekids holds a Private ECS Operator License from Alberta Education, and offers a variety of programs through funding from Family Support for Children with Disabilities. Pacekids continuously emphasizes the importance of the special needs child and the family unit.  Pacekids Programs is family focused and strives for excellence in the therapy, education and family empowerment of children with special needs.

The breakfast was a success, as the barn crews were fed, prizes were given out, the kids loved the face painting by artist Emerson, and some money was raised for the Pace Kids Group.

The races were scheduled for 1 pm, so everyone headed back to their camps to prepare.  Cody was off the 2 barrel today.  He wasn’t so happy with his run as it was slower than he anticipated.  He was 29th with a 1:21.17.

Ricks hook today was Nickle (LL) Spin (RL) Trick (LW) Law (RW) with Ice and Stadium as the outriding horses being handled by Chad and Cole.  I unfortunately don’t get to see the infield barrel turn, so I listen for the horn, then Ricks whistle, and hope for the best as they come around the oval.  Today he was 4 abreast coming off the four barrel and that is how they raced the whole way around.  We place 17th with a 1:19.68.  That is pretty good considering he was  4 wide.  That is a huge accomplishment with that outfit. After the times were all calculated over the 3 days, we are sitting 3rd overall, with Gary Gorst leading the pack, and John Walters in behind for 2nd.

Today’s recipient of our Mini Chuckwagon Giveaway, was 103 years young, Ms. Sybil Wilson.  She was tickled pink to have it.  When word got to the barn that this happened, we thought it would be an honor for Rick to scoot over to meet her.

And meet her he did.  She was excited to make us aware that her Great, Great Granddaughter Paisley received the mini wagon 2 years ago here at the Strathmore Stampede.  How exciting is that?

I had to have one last hug with Spider-man as he is headed out on a mini vacation today.  It will be a couple of weeks before we see each other again at the last show in Rocky Mountain House.

Last day of racing starts 7 pm Tuesday evening.

From the Travelin Trailer

Sue, with Rick and Team 23

P.S.  The best classroom in the world, is at the feet of an elderly person.