Howdy Chuckwagon Friends!

Do you ever plan a day down to the very last detail, and then as it goes along, you realize it isn’t panning out the way you thought?  Well today may have been one of those days.  And that’s not saying it was bad by any means.  As a matter of fact, it was very good.

“Team 23” showed up for chores at 7 AM fairly spry.  We are only going onto day # 2 so they are doing quite well.  As we go along, we will definitely see some changes in their body language.  There might be a possibility that some could arrive in their PJ’s and be a bit tardy.  To be expected with all the fun they are having.

Karina’s been a big hand caring for the horses and keeping Duncan in line.   I’m not sure he listen’s to her all the time but none the less, things are getting done.

While on the road, there are only the four of us,  yet when we come to Calgary, we add a few to the roster because the work load is a bit more heavy.

I’m not quite sure what’s going on here, but I think the work was lagging a bit.  We always like to make things fun and light, and make sure the tunes are cranked up in the barn.

Today, we were honored to host a young man and his family for a barn tour.  You see, this fella, was granted a wish, with the Wish Foundation.  The family hails from out east in the Nova Scotia area.  He had seen chuckwagon racing on TV, but never live and  up front and personal.  Well he requested his wish to attend the Calgary Stampede Chuckwagon Races and today his wish came true.  Rick explained how to hold the lines as if he was driving.  He explained how fast an outfit can go.  I believe the record so far has be clocked at 72 kilometers an hour.  That is top notch speed for 4 beautiful thoroughbreds hooked to a chuckwagon.  The family also got to meet all the horses in the barn, ask many questions and go away with a poster for a souvenir.  Our new friend has been cancer free now for a short time.  But what impressed us the most, was he wanted to give his “wish” to another child.  What an amazing thing to want to do.  He’s one incredible kid.

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From one barn tour, right into another, I had a friend from back home come by with her Japan family.  These folks come from Wetaskiwin’s (where we live) sister city, Ashoro, Hokkaido Japan.  Sara, their daughter has been attending high school in Wetaskiwin this past year.  The family came to Canada to pick her up, so to speak and thought it would be a great idea to see a little bit of Canada while here.  They were the nicest family with the nicest smiles.

After the tours, Rick was fixing on our Kubota, as it was giving us grief.  At the same time some of the horses needed some special attention.  I had been procrastinating heading down town for a few groceries and things needed for the barn.  So I decided after a quick cat nap I better get going.  Going off site to do errands is never a short time.  When I arrived back at the barns, chores were well under way.

 

Tonight Rick hooked the same team on the Chuckwagon for the four barrel.  Nickle, Speedy, Jim and Law.  We changed up the outriding horses, using Stadium and Ernie tonight, with the same outriders, Dustin and David.  The horn sounded and all 4 wagons came out onto the track at the same time.  Rick decided to pull the outfit and go down to the rail.  This was a smart move on Rick’s part.  He tucked right in behind to place 2nd in our heat and received fourth on the day.

His time was recorded at a 1:13.32.  Gary Gorst and crew took home the Day Money.

As little Ryker crawls along, so should I crawl off to bed.

Until Tomorrow

From the Travelin Trailer

Sue, with Rick and “Team 23”

P.S.  It’s when your acting selflessly that you are at your bravest.