Howdy Chuckwagon Friends,

We headed out on the road north to Dawson Creek, BC on Tuesday at 7:30 AM.  We had a seven hour drive ahead of us.  My swamper with me in the Freightliner was non other than Coy, our seven-year old grandson.

He keeps me busy.  We play a game called “Eye Spy with my Little Eye”, he draws pictures, makes things, reads books and sometimes watches a movie.  We got to giggling about something yesterday and we couldn’t stop laughing.  Oh he brightens my day.

Part of our crew arrived into Dawson Creek around 4 PM .  Rick however, had to make a pit stop at the scales on the BC side of things.  Well, he was there a little more than he wanted to be.  He rolled in with a tire that had blown only  fifteen minutes before arrival.  And I guess it really doesn’t help when you accidentally left your wallet sitting in your dirty jeans pocket back at home, when your wife asked you if you emptied all your pockets before throwing them into the washer to be cleaned.   On the bright side of things, everything in his wallet will be free from germs from the laundry detergent we use, and the gentleman at the scales didn’t keep him too long as we had livestock in the liner.  We did however have to purchase some kind of permits for the truck.  The wallet is being sent up north with someone who just happens to be coming this way.  And the tire repairman will be showing up today to replace the old one with a new one.

Ho Hum……….just another day on the road of a Chuckwagon Driver.

As we travel down the road, there are so many people who contribute to our success.  Jim and Jo have done just that for us this summer.  We so appreciate what they have done for us.  Jim himself is a racer of sorts.  He drag races a Funny Car.  But I don’t think it’s a funny car at all.  It’s a “BAD ASS” great looking blue car called “The Bulldogger.”

Rick has sat in this car, but has yet to take if for a spin.  Jim and Rick a very much alike in life.  The faster, the better and lots of it.  We have a lot of laughs when we get together and we look forward to our next meeting down the road in Rocky Mountain House.

Our crew likes to some have some fun as we go along.  One of the things that goes on in camp is touching the nose when a single job needs to get done, say the feeding of  the morning oats.  Whomever is the last to touch their nose, is the lucky winner to do the job.  I guess it depends on what the job is, that determines if you are lucky or not.  I’m thinking Karina has been the one to lose the most in this little game.  Although I think the boys set her up most of the time.  As a matter of fact…….I know they do.

This morning we were treated to a big box of coffee from Tim Hortons and breakfast burritos and donuts from our friends and followers, Don and Marlene.  They contacted us yesterday with the news of stopping in for a visit.  What a wonderful gesture we so much enjoyed.

They brought along their granddaughter to meet us and the horses.  I think she really liked meeting the horses just a little bit more than us.  Cowboy was enjoying all the attention.

Our 2nd outfit in the first heat was comprised of two of our horses King and Ranger, and two of Chanse Vigen’s, Alimo and Wilson.  We used Air and Chad Harden’s Cadilac for the outriding horses.  The team started hard and Rick was able to get out to the track first to get the rail position.

Rick ran a 1:16.40, but was assessed a 1 second penalty for a late outrider.  He was really close to being there, but not close enough.  He was happy how they all worked tonight.

 

On our main hook tonight, coming off the one barrel in heat 8, was Spirit on the Left Lead, Sporty on the Right.  Spin on the Left Wheel and Cowboy on the Right.  Chance Flad held leaders with Ed, and Chad Cosgrave threw stove with Stadium.   The team started hard and charged around the barrels.  Rick got them onto the track, just behind John Walters and followed along coming 2nd in the heat posting a time of 1:15.42.  Good for 4th on the day.

Our mini chuckwagon giveaway was given to Kimberely, a gal that made her first  trip to the Chuckwagon races live.  Over the years she has always watched on TV or listened to the radio.  It was a thrill she said to see it so up close and personal.

 

Until Tomorrow

From the Travelin Trailer

Sue, with Rick and “Team 23”

P.S.  Everyone wants happiness.  No one wants pain.  But you can’t have a rainbow without a little rain.