Not a good ending

I ended up with a head cold that flattened me for our remaining 2 days. I couldn't even get up to welcome Pam back. Philip continued riding with The Gang - even made it up Castle Rocks. Trip home was only a little bit better, delayed in Sheridan, expected to spend another night in Denver but our Chicago flight was delayed so we managed to get on - even snagged an exit row. Arrived home about midnight, minus luggage but it came the next day. We'll be back next year, only this time via Billings!!!!

Another Warm Day

Very cool nights; very hot days – thank goodness for the fans – the days are reaching the 90’s. Philip and I rode the China Wall with Gretchen – from Connecticut; a recent philosophy graduate from Colorado State. She too is debating whether she wants to return east or remain in the west and is hoping to overwinter at the HFBar.

I’m not liking the ride aboard Wrinkle – downhill is jarring. News about Pam continues to be not-so-good. Geez, I should heard a couple of kids go by, probably about 9 & 12 years old. “Mom just got a new Ferrari, I wish she’d gotten a Toyota.” Philip’s right; we’re vacationing among the 1%ers.

Anyway, Pam is having more surgery.

Someone had a cocktail party for everyone tonight - on old site of Ax Hill’s cabin. It was nice, served some sort of drink popular in Kenya – Vodka, brown sugar, crushed lime – one was enough. Finally got to visit with Ellen and catch up on the past year. Both Elizabeth and Claire have their own jumpers and are competitive jumping. I remember when they 1^st came to the ranch and were learning to ride.

I am too tired for a domino night but hope the others are playing – it’s part of the fun of being together.

First Ride

Philip’s riding Sid and I’m on Wrinkle. We decided to make the 1^st ride a simple one and took a wrangler with us. We rode the Olive Trail – mostly flat across the pasture and then winding in and out of the aspen groves and finally up onto a hill where the views are wonderful. Took us about 1.5 hrs. Our wrangler was Jordan. She’s from Michigan and has fallen under the lure of the west – hopes to remain here during the winter months. We spotted several antelope. There are reports of black bear, the past 2 days, along the sawmill.

Wyoming is suffering from the terrible drought most of the USA is battling. At the ranch, there’s only been 3 days of rain the entire summer. Most of the hills are dry but in the aspen groves I spotted aster, golden rod, blue berries and some beautiful rose hips.

The report from Sheridan is that Pam’s arm is broken – as she says Alot! – 2 surgeries so far and possibly more to come with reconstructive work necessary.

I spent the afternoon – sleeping. Couldn’t quite believe it as I’m a cat napper – 10-15 mins at tops. I slept about 1.5 hrs got up for about 10 mins and went back to sleep for another hour. Wow. Hope this doesn’t happen again. I’m not here to sleep – for that I have my own bed at home.

Met some new people during the cocktail hour – which is why the ranch has an open bar just before the meal – to meet new people. Supper was fun – Philip was in the mood to reminisce and he soon had the entire table remembering stories and everyone was laughing. We’ve been together off an on almost 30 years; so there are lots of stories to tell. The teenagers have heard the stories so many times; I think they think they were there.

It’s time to give the kids Gang Names and Brooke wants a new one – she’s not crazy about Background. Official China Wall Gang members are - Steb-Butch; Philip-Sundance; MC-China Lil; Becky-Last Frame; Steb 2 – Pyro; Charlotte-Preacher Lady; Pam-Time Piece & Michael-Gatekeeper & K-Man who Rides like the Wind.

Michael, Pam, Steb, Philip and I sat on the front porch of the dining hall and visited – I enjoy those relaxed moments in the cool of the evening.

We have arrived!

Interesting plane; seats 18 people – no overhead bins, so stuff goes under your feet. Not a problem for me as I pack for under-seat-carryon. Fellow passengers could be heard to complain.

Disconcerting news upon arrival – Pam Chandor fell and broke her arm – on the 1^st ride. She’s at the hospital in Buffalo with daughter Brooke. Pam’s a good rider and I can see how upset everyone in our group is.

We’re staying in Bad Manors – couldn’t get closer to the dining hall if we tried. This place is huge. So far I’ve counted 1 king bed; & 6 twins…2 baths. But I don’t particularly like the place – the living room is surrounded by bedrooms so there’s no natural outside light – it’s kind of dark and smoky.

John and Ellen, from Cincy are here with the 3 girls. Hope to catch up on their year. To be honest, right now we’re mostly worrying about Pam. As the afternoon progressed; the reports from the hospital were more serious – it’s not a clean break. She’s being moved to Sheridan for surgery.

The afternoon was warm but as the sun set; evening temperatures began to drop.

Aaaah, so good to be here!

Where in the world are we?

It’s not the HFBar ranch – that’s for certain. Looking out the hotel window, I can see downtown Denver – guess that’s the clue…those aren’t the Big Horn Mtns – we’re not at the HFBar.

We were delayed in Chicago – 3 hrs in install a 10 minute part. About the time we were leaving for Denver the Denver plane was leaving for Sheridan. United put us up in the Doubletree Hotel – which is quite nice; has a bar and decent food. But…we were all ready disappointed and exhausted and there are no hotels near the airport – it was a 30 min ride to the hotel.