Saturday, July 17/2010

Ride Day - leaving at 10:00 am ---Yea Right.

Jack and Brian arrived and it was good to see Jack. We had not ridden with Jack for over a year and we had heard he was just recovering from a bad bout with his MS - so it was good to see him up and moving around. I caught up on the news of his two sisters both, of whom I had worked with so that was nice.

We got a call saying that Pat and Wendy were "on their way". That meant that we definitely would NOT be leaving at 10:00 am. Big surprise there!!

We apparently would be doing the Green Lake Trail today so that will be a good ride. That was the same trail John and I did a few weeks ago - the day that I ran over his foot with the Sami!!

We rolled out of the yard at NOON!! Another BIG surprise. Raylene had come along with Pat and Wendy and that would be nice for Casey - someone closer to his age.

The trail was wet, wet and wet. Of course, this was to be expected because of all the recent rains but Brian was finding it a bit much. He wasn't expecting all the water!!

Casey was in the tracker with Hogan and with the radio on, the two of them were managing all the obstacles the trail had to offer. Arnie (of course) was the first to get stuck and needed help to extricate himself from the mud. Once that was done, we continued merrily down the trail.

Once we got to Mystery Hill, John mentioned that it may be getting too late to do the Green Lake Trail and perhaps we should re-think the plan. Not to be deterred by the time, we continued on.

We accessed the Island Lake trail and much to our surprise, the forest was being logged and the trail was virtually gone. We returned to the grid and made our way to the start of the Green Lake Trail. Once again, to our surprise, the trail had been graded (more logging to come). This made the going much quicker and within an hour, we were sitting by the lake enjoying the view and quiet solitude of the forest.

We took a side trail and ended up at the outfitter's cabin that had been built within the last two years. John and I had been here two weeks earlier and the trail had not improved. It was nice to see the tall ferns again though.

Back onto the main trail and all was going well until Brian caught the edge of a huge log and ended up rolling the quad and going over the edge into the ravine that runs along the side of the trail. Fortunately, there were plenty of trees along the trail which prevented the quad from going too far off the trail. We hooked the winch up to the quad and got it back onto the trail. Brian, was a little shocked by the whole ordeal but, being a trooper, got back on the machine and continued on. It was getting late and we still had several miles to go. This trip could easily turn into a night ride. (Arnie was hoping to be home by 8:00pm. Yea Right!!

We eventually got back into the yard at midnight!! It did indeed turn into a night ride. There is something to be said about the beauty of the forest with the headlights of the quads shining on it. The moon was up and peaking through the trees and that alone was worth the late hour.

Pat eventually rode the quad that Raylene was riding as she was getting pretty tired and a bit cold. She jumped into the tracker with Casey and Wendy drove the Rhino.

A quick supper was served (thank heavens that Shelly and I had prepared it yesterday) and it wasn't long before everyone was heading to bed. Twelve hours on the trail can be quite tiring. Wendy was the first into bed but I must say that she had worked a 12 hour night shift before the ride so had just got off shift five hours before the ride started. Now THAT is a trooper!!

Way to go Wendy!!

Fun was had by all and there was no injuries and no damage to any machine. It was a good long ride.

Friday, July 16/2010

We heard that Casey was coming up for the weekend and that will be the only kid on the trail with us (as far as we knew). I started to get the inside of the Sami cleaned and the outside washed and Shelly helped (John and Arnie watched us from the lawnchairs, beer in hand!!). That job was quickly done then I set to packing it with all the necessary "stuff" for the trail. That being done, it would free up time tomorrow so that I could easily be ready to head out at the designated time of departure. Shelly got the Rhino ready as well so we were really ahead of the game.

Casey arrived and he was just in time to get the tracker ready for the trail. He did all that John asked and finally both trucks were packed and ready.

Shelly and I then busied ourselves with preparing supper for tomorrow so that we would not have to do much once we got off the trail. Shelly cooked two chicken and deboned them. I made a potato salad and an oriental salad. This, combined with pickles and buns would be supper.

We had an early evening then off to bed with visions of tomorrow's trail in our heads!!

Thursday, July 15/2010

Mom Larocque had another appt with the doc in Spiritwood today so Arnie and Shelly once again headed out. It was a much shorter day for Mom as the appt was on time and she came back with a couple more drugs that will hopefully help with all the darn nausea that seems to be plaguing her. This being sick and getting sicker is for the birds and I have decided that I am NOT going down that road!!

Today was another quiet day. We spent it trying to decide what to take on the trail for Saturday's ride. All of us need to be eating healthier. We don't know yet what kids are coming this weekend so that is our next mission.

Wednesday, July 14/2010

Arnie and Shelly were off to Shellbrook for Mom's appt and John and I were left to hold the fort. The weather looked rather threatening so thought I had better get my arse into gear and do the laundry before the rains came. It took a while, as it takes much longer to dry the sleeping bags that I had washed than it takes for regular clothes. Eventually got it all dried then started to dry the dill in the garden in the microwave. It is so expensive to buy it in the area we stayed last winter that I thought I could dry some of it here and take it with me. Jan had told me how to do it and I started and before I knew it, the dill was on fire along with the paper towel!!! Jesus, Mary and Joseph!!! How the hell was I going to explain to John that I had burnt the motorhome down drying dill weed. Somehow I knew he would not see the humor it that!!

Long story short, I think there are issues with the microwave in the bus as I took the dill into Mom Larocque's and used her microwave and it dried beautifully - just like Jan said it would!! By the time Arnie and Shelly got home the kitchen smelled like dill!! Awesome!!

Tuesday, July 13/2010

It was a quiet day today. We did a bit of cleaning but generally relaxed - planning what needed to be done before the weekend and our next ride. This retirement can be really exhausting!!!

Tomorrow, Mom Larocque has an appointment in Shellbrook so Arnie and Shelly will be gone for a good part of the day.

Monday, July 12/2010

We headed out onto the trails early as we wanted to get back early. Yea Right - like that ever happens!! The trails were a bit muddy but not bad. We were without any children and it was nice not to have to worry about anyone but ourselves. The weather was great. Shelly and I took lots of pictures of the various flowers the forest had to offer. One never gets tired of looking at the scenery either. John changed our desktop to the picture of the mustard crop (the one with the branches) and it looks awesome. It would make a nice picture for hanging on the wall so I had better buy a color ink cartridge and some photo paper.

One of the rules of the trails is that you NEVER turn off the trail unless you wait and make sure the person behind you sees you turn. This ensures that no one gets lost on the trails. Of course, for some reason, Bayne didn't do that and John and I missed the turn and we became separated from the other two quads. Being that John is very familiar with the trails, it wasn't a big deal but it just goes to show you that even experienced trail riders can get separated and end up in trouble. We waited for them to return while they, waited for us to catch up and after 20 minutes it became clear that we were on our own so headed down the trail to where we knew the other trail ended. I said to John that Arnie would be coming down the same trail we had taken as he would have back tracked and tried to find us. About 30 minutes later, we were reunited with the group and I reminded Bayne what his responsibilities were. Then we kissed and made up!!! It was a good ride and we all made it home safe and sound.

Sunday, July 11/2010

Today was another "work" day. Shelly and I finally finished with the one shed - 3 loads to the dump and rearranged what remained to accommodate what ever else is to come out of the "barn".

Shelly and I also cleaned out the fire place and Arnie laid four patio blocks under the fire ring so now it looks pretty!! We put all the ugly old, wet ashes into a garbage bag ready to be hauled to the dump and not realizing how heavy it would be, ended up helping Arnie shovel some of the ashes into smaller bags. (Arnie was not too terribly impressed) Some people really need to learn to relax!!

The kids returned from their adventures and the next few hours were spent getting them ready to head back to Saskatoon. The trailer returned unscathed and the kids were most appreciative. Makes the offer easier next time when you know they will look after things.

Soon, peace once again, enveloped the yard.

I sent some garden produce back to the city with Nick for Jan, so she will be happy about that.

We finished the day with a fire in our fancy, CLEAN firepit then it was off to bed as we have plans for a ride tomorrow.