Howdy All!

An early morning rise at 6:15 am, I got out of bed shortly after my hubby, who went out to feed oats.  I put the coffee on, got dressed and presentable, then headed to the barn.  Rick had to go get a few bales of straw for bedding as we were out.

As the morning progressed, we had a surprise visit from our former sponsor, Ken Drysdale who at the time, had Kendal Pipeline from the Grande Prairie area.  They were one of  the best sponsors ever, teaming up with us for a solid seven years.  We became friends through it all.  So many memories to hold on to.

Ahhh …………..the memories.   There are so many.  And tonight, after the races we had some family and friends arrive at the barns to enjoy a few beverage and some really good visits.  As the night progressed, they made a toast to Rick and I and our family, of the years gone by and all the memories we made for their families.  Choke up or what?

I must admit, I had tears in my eyes.  I have never put much thought into the day that we would say “We’re done.”  But now it’s for real.  And that’s okay, but now I realize, for the next six weeks we are going to feel so many emotions, and it is going to be like a roller coaster ride.

Our friend Keith and his wife Roberta have supported us over the years with good friendship.  They have always been there for us.  We appreciate them.

Cody was off the three barrel tonight driving a new horse, Orchid on the Left Lead, Speedy on the Right.  Harlington Club on the Left Wheel and Sporty on the Right.  After last nights fiasco, he was hoping for something better.  Well, they delivered.  When the horn sounded, the four of them started hard and away they went.  They were gone and had an amazing run clocking in at a time of 1:17.73 which gave him a first place finish on the day.  So proud of how our son Cody drives them ponies!

Cody was so happy and apprceciatve to have his cousin and his company, Halwa Electric sponsor him for these 4 days of racing.  The bond runds deep.

After three nights of racing and starting on the one barrel the first night,  tonight our lineup was off the four.  Our hook was Louie on the Left Lead, Nickle on the Right.  Spin on the Left Wheel, Barcardi on the Right.  They started ok, and Rick got hung out three wide, so it was just that much longer around the track.  Unbeknownst to Rick, our lead outrider got interfered with by a fellow outrider, causing him to be late which incurs a 1 second penalty.  And when you are assessed even 1 second, it will put you out of contention for the championship final race.  Oh well, it is what it is and it is all in the game of Chuckwagon Racing.  We ended up 23 on the day, and 10th in the aggregate.

Tonight our outriders were Quiad Tournier holding leaders on our horse called Stadium and Chance Flad throwing the stove on Ice.  Both did the best job that they could.

Family and Friends were in the stands tonight cheering as loud as they could.  You can never have enough fans.

I’m not sure what we were looking at, but it must have had something to do with the horses.  My little grandson and me were have some bonding time today, just hanging out.

Congratulations to Evan and Adrian Salmond on winning the aggreagate, and to Evan, Kurt Bensmiller, Kirk Sutherland and Chad Harden on making it to the final Championship heat and may the fastest wagon win.

From the Travelin Trailer

Sue, with Rick and “Team 23”

P.S.  Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly.    Langston Hughes