Howdy Friends
Yes, four weeks and counting until our first tour stop in Grande Prairie Alberta. Many things for me to do before we hit the road.
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Rick & Wendel Clark
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TSN Radio Crew
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5 AM Lineup
Back home, the snow, the rain and the cold this spring has made for such terrible mud in the barn yard. We had to remove the horses to higher ground and wait till the warmer weather appeared to dry things up in order to utilize the corrals. But you know, when obstacles arise, you always go above and beyond to conquer and go around them to keep on going.
Going to Hook
And keep on going we did. Throughout all the dumps of extra snow and moisture, we only had maybe 3 down days of training. We just made sure we donned our rubber boots, warm coveralls and toques……and things were good.
Snuggles
Nickle, our right leader is quite the horse, he likes people, but yet likes to nip sometimes when we are hooking, so you have to pay attention. And most of all he loves his rolled oats.
When the horses are in training, so is the driver. We hook the four horses to the rubber-tired chuckwagon and away they go around the track on the Ranch. Rick is getting his strength worked up while driving the outfit. Once in a while, he has a helper sit up on the seat and drive along with him. There are four lines going to each horse, so when there are two guys driving, they each take a set of lines and drive the team together. One drives the wheelers and the other drives the leaders. This only takes place during training.
The Tugs and the Singletree
Its been pretty hard to keep things clean this last while. The tugs connected to the singletree have stayed fairly mud free, but we can’t say much for the singletree itself. At the end of the day, its nothing a pressure washer can’t take care of.
Well, the sun has come out and the land is beginning to dry. We’ve even had a small amount of wind which will contribute to the drying as well. The bugs are coming out from hibernation, and things are slowly beginning to bloom. It’s very late this year, as at this same time last year, the apple trees had big beautiful blossoms on them.
High In the Sky
Well the grand-kids can’t get enough of the Ranch and the outdoors to go with it. So many trees to climb and forts to build.
Baby Boss
As the smaller one has yet to walk, it really doesn’t slow him down in getting around.
Are you Anchored Down?
As a new season of springs is upon us, and the sky’s have turned blue, the warm weather temps are climbing, are you feeling weighted down? Anchored down? or are you ready to soar the open air to new beginnings? Whatever or wherever it is you are in life, always remember that there’s no tomorrow, there’s only today. So don’t wait to do the things you have always wanted to do.
From Home on the Ranch
Sue with Rick and Crew too
Sue
P.S. Every man has his own destiny; the only imperative is to follow it, to accept it, no matter where it leads him. Henry Miller
Thanks Sue for the news log update, very enjoyable. Been terrible wet up here in GP and I guess every where. Success comes with hard work and commitment Team Fraser have both. Wishing you all a great season. Gordon.
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Hello Gordon
Thanks for the note. Things have dried up and training is going good. Thank you for the good wishes.
Hope to see you in Grande Prairie
Sue
Wishing you, Rick and Crew all the success you so deserve this upcoming race season. I’m a big Sutherland Racing Team Fan but you and Rick are a very close second <3
Hello Susan
Love your comment! As long as your cheering for someone in our Chuckwagon World , that’s what matters. The more fans the better!!!
Catch you down the trail.
Sue
Thank you Sue for all your pictures and posts. I really enjoy receiving them and learning about the day to day chores your family go through, especially training the horses. Keep them coming!!!
My Mother’s family are from Didsbury, but originally my Great Grandmother Howe homesteaded from Port Elgin, ON with 5 teenage kids in a covered wagon, she was a widow. My Grandmother Topley was one of the 5….There is a stone barn on my Grandparents old homestead that my Grandfather built, as far as I know it might still be there, my Mother and I were up there in the early 90’s and saw it then…..
Have a wonderful time in Grande Prairie, I will be watching.
Cheers from Lynda in Calgary
Hello Lynda
I am so pleased you enjoy my posts. We do lead a very busy life, but a good one. So interesting to hear of your family history. Would love to see the old barn. Thanks for cheering and following along.
Sue
Omg I am so exited cook that Rick met Wendell Clark I have a maple leafs jersey I will send a Picture by message if you want me to but cool to se your next blog and to see you in grande prairie
Tylin
The Grande Prairie Stompede is very close. Hope to see you there!
Sue
Hi. I love reading your Blog, wait for each and every one. When reading this one , I noticed a wire snap on Nickle’s harness, brings back memories of working with my dad when we did chores in the winter with our draft horses. My father favored them over any other snap, claimed they were stronger.
Thanks for some fond memories.
Hello Ivan
So glad you enjoy my blog. I always love hearing the different comments people leave for me. It excites me that good memories have flooded back to you. How warm and comforting.
Catch you down the Chuckwagon Trail
Sue