Howdy Chuckwagon Friends,

Sunday is here already and after chores and breakfast were cleared up, I tidied the trailer, gathered the laundry and headed into town.  A job that has to get done whether I like to or not. I actually don’t mind doing it.  It gives me a chance to just sit.  Shortly there after, I made a quick trip into the grocery store to fill the fridge before we head up north to Dawson Creek, BC.  While I was off doing that,  Rick and some of the Chuckwagon guys, drove to Chestermere, approximately 20 minutes down the road to play a little bit of hockey.  That’s what you do on a hot day I guess.

There are quite a few guys that enjoy hockey around here, so it’s a great way to get away from the  monotony of our lifestyle and enjoy some different kind of extracurricular  activities and just have some good o’l fun.

Back at camp, and the clothes were unloaded and put away along with all the food, ice and beverages.  Then I had time to have a quick nap for an hour.

It wasn’t long before it was race time again.  The first outfit in heat 1 was comprised up of 3 of Chad Harden’s horses and 1 or Roger Moores.  They really didn’t start that well, and they were slower on the scale of running placing 29th on the day.

Our main hook tonight on the three barrel was Nickle on the Left Lead, Speedy on the Right.  Jim on the Left Wheel and Law on the Right.  Dustin held the leaders with Ice and Mad Dog, Ryan McNeil threw stove with Ernie.  The horses started hard and Rick made a very good turn of the barrels.  They had amazing run and we would have posted a 2nd on the day.  Unfortunately 2 things took place, and we received 3 seconds in penalties.  Two seconds were assessed for the outrider missing a barrel.  And the other, which we get so frustrated with, is we were assessed a 1 second penalty for the wagon starting ahead of the horn.  This happened due to someone in the stands whistling very loud and clear just before the horn sounded.  Well our horses are trained to start when Rick whistles.  Apparently, the night before, they also had a horn as well and blew it as some chuckwagons were getting set to race.  How very thoughtless this is of people.  The announcers always do their best to let the fans know to keep things to a hush, before the race begins, but this kind of things cannot always be controlled.  I wish it could.

It is always a pleasure to see the smiling faces of the recipients of the mini cuckwagon giveaway.  This pretty little gals was all smiles when Rick handed her the wagon as he passed by at the post parade.

As the work was finishing up, the sun was as red as could be as it slowly went down on the horizon in the west.  I didn’t get the best shot of it, but it was really beautiful to see.

Until Tomorrow

From the Travelin Trailer

Sue, with Rick and “Team 23”

P.S.  We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.      Abraham Lincoln

Howdy Chuckwagon Friends,

Earlier this week, the weather man was calling for rain today.  It did not come, thank goodness.  It turned out to be a rather warm and welcoming day.  As we the Strathmore Rodeo and Exhibition Grounds are situated on the edge of town, our horse pens back onto a row of houses in the subdivision next door.  Last night when the races were coming to a close, we looked over and to our surprise, got a pretty cool view.

Our neighbors put up some very welcoming signs for us.  Rick made his way over to say hello and chat awhile.  He brought them a couple of “Team 23” hats.  It’s always good to know the fans are out there, not just for us, but for all the different Chuckwagon Drivers.

Speaking about fans, today we were given a real treat.  We were asked to give a barn tour, to a lady of the age of 80+.  We obliged.  Little did we know, this barn tour was on her bucket list for some time now.  You see Elaine has always enjoyed chuckwagon racing, but has never been able to get up close and personal with any driver or horses involved.  Well her friends Bev and Joanna decided her bucket list needed to be filled.  A call was made into the World Professional Chuckwagon Associations office.  One thing led to another, and Elaine, along with her friends Bev and Joanna arrived in the town of Strathmore and the tour began.

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Elaine had so many questions, and we had so many answers.  These Golden Girls enjoyed their time in “Team 23″s barn to the fullest.  And to think that this all happened from a phone call for a friend to have her bucket list fulfilled.  They went away with a new bearing upon the world of Chuckwagon Racing.  We gave them each a hat, some signed posters and a hug or two.

After Rick and I sent them on their way, we each looked at each other and both agreed what a fulfilling and rewarding impact those three “YOUNG” ladies had on us today.  They were full of life!  Age did not matter to them.  We could just tell from the moment we met them, that life was what you made of it and it just does not matter what anybody else thinks.  So if you haven’t already, start living today like there is no tomorrow.

In the first heat, with the 2nd outfit, Rick hooked Louie on the Left Lead, Ranger on the Right.  Air on the Left Wheel and King on the Right.    The outriding horses were Chad Hardens, DT and Cadelac ridden by Chance Flad and Casey Knight.  He had a respectable run and ended up 20th on the day, and sitting 21st overall.  It’s been good to get a few newer horses into some races and get them going to become great ones later on.

 

 

When I headed to the infield to take a few shots of the first heat, I ran into my friend “Mack”!  This girl is full of like and makes me smile when we see each other.  I am so glad our paths have crossed.  We may not spend loads of time together, but when we do its good quality fun time.  Everybody should have a “Mack” in their life!!

 

 

The evenings are getting cooler, as the month of August is upon us.  Rick brought along this fancy fire pit he created for me back when we celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary a few years ago.  He’s pretty proud of this little baby.  It has not just any undercarriage, but a green John Deer mower with welded on stainless steel heat shields by the tires to prevent them from getting to hot and melting.  And I’m pretty sure the tub is from a Maytag washer.  It works like a charm and we have been enjoying its warm that it gives off every night after the races.

Until Tomorrow

From the Travelin Trailer

Sue, with Rick and “Team 23”

 

P.S.  Live for the moments you can’t put into words.