Howdy All!

When I stepped out of the trailer this AM and onto my bike to head down to the barns, I looked up to see this pretty little rainbow.  It hadn’t rained and the clouds didn’t look to threatening.

So I just felt that my dad sent me a happy message.  Lift your chin, remember the good days, the many happy memories and keep on keepin on.  And this I will do.

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After chores and breakfast, Rick and I and fellow driver Curtis Morin and trick rider Paynton Bensmiller were off to the local Childrens Hospital for our annual visit.  We met some really unique kids on our rounds.  So many questions and lots of answer pertaining to the Calgary Stampede and Chuckwagon Racing.  This is one stop we will truly miss when we retire from our Chuckwagon Life.  It always is such a humbling experience.

After lunch, the Chuckwagon Committee so graciously put on a Spa day for all the women of the wagons.  What a treat this is.  I look forward to this each and every year.  I really appreciate all that is put into making this day a time of pampering for all us busy ladies.

The committee brought in guys and gals that are practicing the career in massages.  Well this was a great place to come, because the chairs were continuously full.  It felt so good.

A little bit of hair and makeup to finish up the day, and a gal never felt so better.

Before the races, Cody and Rick gave a barn tour to our sponsors and their clients.  The folks were all excited to see the horses up close and also ask questions about what we do.

Rick was off the 3 three barrel tonight.  He decided to hook Louie the Grey on the Left Lead, Nickle our old boy on the Right Lead.  Orchid the little new guy on the block on the Left Wheel and Spin on the Right Wheel.  Stadium went up front to the leaders with Chanse Vigen and Mad Dog, (AKA Ryan MacNeill) throwing stove with Ice.  When the horn sounded, Rick said Nickle started harder than he ever has.  The Team was amazing as they went around the track.  The barrel turn was clean.  When the dust settled, we posted a 1:12.66 good enough for 4 on the day.  This fast time  also boosted us up to 2nd in the aggregate.

 

P.S.  A bend in the road is not the end of the road………..unless you fail to make the turn.  Helen Keller

Howdy All!

Day 5 means we are at the middle of the show……………….already!  Time is passing us by.  Before we ventured from home, we told our workers how the season would go by very quickly.  And they have told us since then, we were right.

We’re very proud to be carrying the Pioneer tarp, Cleo Energy Corporation.  Each night they have been coming to the barn to bring their workers and clients.  Tonight was an amazing big group.  Lots of questions were asked and all of them answered.  Our son Cody and Rick did a fine job showing them the ropes and giving them a barn tour.  So many of them never  get an up close and personal experience with horses. So this is a good to experience that.

Tonight the track was a bit heavy as we received some moisture during the day.  It wasn’t muddy, but it was definitely wet and slower.  Rick hooked Spirit on the Left Lead, Ranger on the Right Lead, Jim on the Left Wheel and Sporty on the Right Wheel.  Chanse Vigen rode Ed holding the leaders, and Ryan McNeil threw stove with Andy. When the Rick got the horses parked into the barrels, I could tell they were ready to rock and roll. And Jim our left wheeler was the first to charge full on ahead as you can see in the photo. The other three weren’t far behind him.

They made an amazing run leaving the pack and posting a time of 1:14.94 good enough for a 3rd day money run.  This also brought us up to place fourth in the aggregate.  So very happy how things are going.

Back behind the chutes, the girls take the horses from the outriders after the race.  I normally handle this job, but tonight I had a different job, looking after two year old grandson Ryker.  He’s a busy little guy, but I kept him occupied watching all the outrider action in behind the infield seats and brought a few toys to boot.

For every outriding horse brought over, there may be one or two horse handlers.  This gal was waiting her turn to hand the horses over to the riders.

In the stands, I was sure that I saw Rick busting some of his moves to the tunes.  It was pretty funny I’d say.

Since we got those paddle boards, we’ve been having just a wee bit of fun with them.

From the Travelin Trailer

Sue, with Rick and “Team 23”

P.S. The moment you’re ready to quit is usually the moment right before the miracle happens.

 

Howdy All!

A beautiful day weather wise here in the city of Calgary Alberta.  Quite warm and I’m sure loving it. When the sun shines it makes people happier.

After chores were all completed, we enjoyed a hearty breakfast.  We share cooking duties with cousin Troy Dorchester next door.  It makes things so much easier this way.

When the Stampede is on, there are so many pancake breakfasts around the area.  Rick attended one in the Heritage Park area,  and while there he signed a few posters and met up with our friend John Scott and the Calgary Stampede 2018 Princess.

We are so lucky to have the Overacker family come by.  They all love to come to the races, each and every day.  The kids are getting so big not.

Rick and fellow driver Mike Vigen stood for a pose.  They go way back as childhood friends. And both of their dads also raced chuckwagons.

We love to have fun and fun we’ve had with these paddle faces while in Ponoka and now here in Calgary.  Rick looks pretty fit don’t you think?

Our hook tonight was Louie the Gray on the Left Lead, Nickle on the Right Lead.  Spin on the Left Wheel and Sporty on the Right Wheel.  Rick drove them nicely around the barrels when the horn blew.  His time for the day was a 1:13.09 which was 6th for the day and also puts him 6th in the average.

It is always good to have friends, and these friends came by to give me a great big hug.  I am  so grateful for them all.

And also a huge shout out to you my friends, who have shown they care and sent a condolence message.  This is sooo much appreciated.

From the Travelin Trailer

Sue with Rick and “Team 23”

P.S. Friendship isn’t about who you know the longest.  It is about who walked into your life and said “I’m here for yo and proved it.”

Howdy All!

Oh it has been a long day.  I got up early and fed oats.  I awoke early, so I let Rick have a sleep in morning.  It is so nice and quiet around the barns at 5:30 AM.  According to me……..the best time of the day.

I would like to take this time, and thank you all for the sincere messages you sent on the passing of my dad.  He was a special man and always will be.  He won’t be here in person, but we will feel him in spirit.

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Before the racing, we had our sponsor company, Cleo Energy come back to meet the horses.  They were pretty excited to meet Rick, but even more excited to see the horses.  We had a little bit of fun with the Rick Fraser paddle board faces.

Rick always loves to have the people come and experience a little bit of country.  This gal has been on a horse, but was eager once again.  Cody was excited to see our time at the end of the evening as it was a 1:13.18, which calcuted to being 18th on the day.

Tonight coming off the two barrel, Rick had hooked Spirit o the Left Lead, Ranger on the Right leader.  Jim was the left Wheeler and Bacardi on the right.  Things must have gone well as another competitor noticed, I mean really notice how well the Right Leader performed.  He was interested in who he was.

Our outriders tonight were Chanse Vigen pon  and Ryan MacNeill.  The race went well and the boys did their job.  We posted a 1:13.18 which was prett y respective.

As I’m really tired,  

Have a great day………………………I’m going to head to bed, as I really need the rest.

From the Ttravei in trailer

Sue, with Rick and “Team 23”

P.S. Death leaves a heartache, no one can heal.  Love leaves a memory no one can steel.

Howdy All!

I am going to start my blog off just a little bit different this time.  I am going to tell you about how the race on Day #2 panned out first.

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Tonight Rick hooked Spirit on the Left Lead, Ranger on the Right Lead.  Jim on the Left Wheel and Bacardi on the Right Wheel.  Chanse Vigen rode Ed holding leaders and Ryan McNeil rode Andy throwing the stove.  I get to see the action front and center, as I stand at the gate where the outriding horses come out.  The best seat on the grounds when your outfit is on barrel #1.  When the horn sounded, the left leader and the right wheeler started hard.  Then the other two got going.  Rick made a great turn around the top barrel and away they went.  It was a great race with Obrey Motowylo and Rick duking it out to the wire.  Obrey crossed the line by a head at the finish line.  We posted a 1:12.42 for an eighth day finish and 5th in the average.  We are happy with that.

Little did I know how my day was going to transpire. It didn’t go as planned, but yet it went just as it was supposed to be. You see my dad’s health had been failing this past while.  And back in Grande Prairie when we raced there in May, my kids, Rick and I were able to see my dad and enjoy a great visit.  When we departed, I told my kids, my gut feeling was that it was going to be the last time to be with him.  I just knew that I knew.

This morning I received a lovely texted note from a family friend saying that my dad was asking for me.  My girls, my grandson and I were fortunate enough to receive a plane ride to Grande Prairie to see him before he passed.  As I come from a family of 13, most everyone had arrived already.

I received a special stone and note last summer from a lady who follows my blog.  I pulled that stone out of my purse, and held it the whole time on my journey to see my dad.  I knew I needed that energy of compassion, peace, tenderness and healing, nourishment and comfort.

My time at our home today, where I grew up was special.  Before my dad passed, I was given the time to hold my dad in my hands, and tell him softly in his ear that I loved him, and that he was a very special dad to me.  I will be forever grateful.  Death is one thing that we are all promised when we come into this world.  We do not know the day nor the hour of our departure.  My dad went on home at 5:51 PM, and I am quite confident my brother Randy greeted him on the other side.

On our way out the driveway, I picked a flower from his beautiful colorful bushes to bring back with me to my home on the road.  My dad was a very hard worker and built a home of such beauty for his wife (my mom) and all the kids.  I was proud of my dad and all he accomplished.  He taught me so many things to mold me into the person I am today.

Rest in Peace my dear daddy,  rest in peace.

From the Travelin Trailer

Sue, with Rick and “Team 23”

Sue

P.S.   MY HEROYou held my hand when I was small, you caught me when I fell.  You’re the hero of my childhood and my later years as well.

And every time I think of you, my heart still fills with pride.  Though I’ll always miss you Dad, I know you’re by my side.

In laughter and in sorrrow, In sunshine and through the rain.  I know you’re watching over me, until we meet again.