Howdy All!

What a fantastic day weather wise.  I believe many of our moods are determined by how the weather is on that particular day.  And the weather is also something that everyone talks about each and every day.  Well today was so bright, sunny, and warm  that everywhere we went, people were happy, content, and friendly  and so were we.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

After morning chores, Rick and I, along with fellow Chuckwagon Drivers Chad Harden and Mitch Sutherland, attended a breakfast downtown for MP John Barlow.  It couldn’t have been a better day with the sun shining bright.  There was plenty of food and beverages for all that attended.  Along our Chuckwagon Circuit, all the drivers are required to get out into the communities to promote the Western Heritage of our sport.

When there are 36 families, and many relatives and friends of those families that travel along the trail all summer long, you know there are going to be many kids among the camps.  We are all competitors, but family too.  We love giving the kids treats when they come along.

Today was one of those days.  Our treat box consisted of some Double Bubble, the kind that is great for blowing bubbles.  Well, Rick bet the kids that they couldn’t get 6 pieces into their mouth at once.  The video tells the story.  So much fun.

 

 

At lunch, we headed out towards Okotoks to stop in at the Willard farm that was having a giant garage sale.  Lots of odds and ends, western items, wooden wheeled wagons and so much more.  It was all so very interesting.  Rick came away with a set of old harness with wooden hames.  He calls it a treasure.

Our next stop was for horse feed at the Country Living and Garden Centre.  This big huge chair was sitting out front, and Aunt Sarah from Chad Hardens crew climbed up to have a rest.  Once in there, it was a little iffy trying to get her out!

Have any of you seen the movie “Wedding Crashers”?  Well, Rick and Chad can be somewhat of jokesters and love to have some fun.  So as we were driving along the highway today, along the roads of the beautiful Okotoks area, they seen a very long driveway upon which several cars were driving up.  Past the first house, and at the second, a big huge white tent was set up.  Well these boys were curious and had to find out what was going on.  Wedding Crashers they thought and maybe a free lunch.  Low and behold, there was going to be a wedding.  They jumped out of the truck and I got a shot of the Groom and his men, along with Rick and Chad too.  We may have stayed for the wedding, but the chuckwagon races come first.  We came away with a laugh and I’m sure they did too.

Our day was not finished as there was a Side Saddle race our friend Ryan was in.  The event took place immedialty after the afternoon rodeo.  These gals were dressed to the nines in the lovely olden day attire.  They had beautiful ponies from painted, to roan, to greys and bays.  Their saddles were special saddles where both the legs are to one side.

They raced from the back stretch to infront of the grandstand full gallop and all.  The cinch on the horse has to be as tight as can be, as most of their weight is to the left side of the horse. Those brave girls, they were a hit, and we hope to see them some more.

Our hook tonight was Nickle on the Left Lead, with Speedy on the Right.  Jim on the Left Wheel and Law on the Right Wheel.   Ed and Ice went again with the same outriders Chance Flad and Chanse Vigen.  Coming off the 4 barrel, the team started hard and was clean around the barrels.  They shot off like a rocket and Rick managed to get the rail on the first turn.  There was no breeze tonight and the dust was just hanging, thus the photo is not clear.  I need to learn a little more on using my camera to eliminate that.

 

As the race continued, Rick stayed in the lead running along the rail.  Coming for home, both our outriders were in the 175 foot zone.   He crossed the line in a 1:14.81.  A day money run!!!!  How exciting our “Team 23” was.

That speedy run brought us up into 3rd in the aggregate of the High River Show.  Tomorrow, the races begin early at 4:15 PM.  We will then be packing up and heading north to Ponoka Alberta, immediately after the races.  A full day ahead.

Ryley, from Turner Valley got to spend some quality time with his honorary grandpa on Saturday.  Little did he know, his day was topped off with receiving our mini little chuckwagon giveaway after the races.  The smiles tell it all.

Until Tomorrow

From the Travelin Trailer

Sue, with Rick and “Team 23”

P.S.  Show class, have pride, and display character.  If you do, winning takes care of itself.

 

 

Howdy All!

When you are situated just beyond the mountains, one can never really predict the weather to accuracy.  It can change in a moments notice and you better be prepared.  Many of us have awnings on our trailers, and most of us have learned to never leave them open unattended.  On Wednesday evening, a big wind storm came through to which there was no warning except the dust in the distance to the north.  By then we had minutes to tie things down and run for cover.  Thank goodness it only lasted about 45 minutes and no damage was done that we heard of on the Agriculture  Grounds.

Everyone loves a present, and that is just what we received when we returned from our outing on Wednesday.  A bag of goodies was left in our liner from a local company called Bar T5 Trailers North Inc. What a generous gift to welcome the drivers of the World Professional Chuckwagon Association.  A huge thank you goes out to them.

Over the many years that we have traveled and the many miles up and down the road we have driven,  we have had several different folks that have come along side and have given a helping hand.  Some were paid employees, others were family and/or friends.  One such helper was my brother-in-law Don.  This fella was trucker by trade.  Back in the 1990’s, Don and his wife, Dana (my sister) and their son Morgan spent many weekends coming down the dusty trail helping out with the many chores that go along with our interesting lifestyle.  Don drove our truck and liner with horses, helped harness and rode in the Chuckwagon as Rick’s right hand man.  Dana helped me out in the cooking department.  Back then we had 4 kids between the 2 families, and then 6 more when my other sister and family came along as well.  Those were the days.  We have so many great memories from back then, and enjoy reminiscing about them when we get together.  One of the things Don always said to me when we were together and I will always remember,  “Don’t worry, it will all come out in the wash.”  This has stuck with me till today, and will continue for a very long time.  Whether it was lending a dollar or two or more, a helping hand  or whatever, we knew it was always paid back one way or another.  Today, when we pull off the grounds, headed to the next show, I pick up the phone and dial Don’s number, to let him know we are on our way.  Thanks Don and Dana for all the good memories past.  They will never be forgotten.

Rick’s cousin Troy Dorchester competes as well.  He races in heat #4.  Brace, another relative of Rick and Troy’s arrived today, and jumps in the wagon to give him a hand.  Troy came off the 2 barrel tonight and posted a time to give him a 13th on the day.

I head over to the infield with the outriding horses after the horn sounds of the 6th heat.  This gives me enough time to get to the back gate just as the race is finishing.  We wait in the infield until it is our time to race, then I give the horses to our outriders, Chanse Flad and Chanse Vigen.  Tonight they rode Ed and Ice.  They both stood very quietly while waiting their turn.  They are very attentive to all the action that is going on around them as you can see in their photo.  Their ears are pricked up high, as they see the chuckwagons on the track.

Black is the color of three barrel, and tonight that is what Rick was on.  He hooked Speedy on the Right Lead, Barcardi on the Left.  Law on the Right Wheel, and Jim on the Left.  The skinner got them around the barrels when the horn blew.  Kurt Bensmiller got to the rail first.  Rick was three wide then pulled in behind the leader.  When the dust settled, he crossed the finish line 3rd in his heat and posted a 1:16.32 good enough for 10th on the day and sitting at 9th overall after 2 days of racing.

We couldn’t be more happy to know that this young lady received our mini chuckwagon give-away tonight.  She was so excited, and she made it known, she is going to be taking it down for breakfast with her in the lodge to which she is living to show it off.  Now how good is that?  I think Rick and I might have to top it off with a little visit as well.  And by the way, she by no means looks like 95 1/2!

After the races, we met some lovely folk all the way from down under from Deniliquin, Australia .  You see, these folks have been touring Canada.  They happened to be in Blackie, Alberta and seen a poster for the Guy Weadick days here in High River.  Well it peaked their interest and so they came.  One thing led to another, they met our friends up in the stands.  They were brought back to the barns to meet us.  Well we showed them around, they met the horses, sat in the Chuckwagon, got a signed poster and book and even threw the stove a few times.

To Rick and Sue and “Team 23”, this is what our life is all about.  Sharing it with others that cross our path.  They will go home now and spread the word to what they experienced here in Canada.  Maybe one day we will venture on down their way, and see the sights of Australia.

Until Tomorrow

From the Travelin Trailer

Sue, with Rick and “Team 23”

P.S. It’s the friends we meet along the way that help us appreciate the journey.