Hey everyone, If I don't answer your emails right away it is because I am deep in the
Black Hills of South Dakota at Hay Creek Ranch. We would love to be at
our own little house in Nemo, but it is being rented on a long term basis
(long story)........so here we are, as guests in the Black Hills! The hospitality has been great. Doug Lindgren and his wife own Hay Creek,
and he writes monthly articles in Midwest Horse Digest. We took three
horses out - two seasoned professional trail horses and one newbie - our
three year old Norwegian Fjord who is, sadly, a very slow learner. So far
he has wanted to buck even being led down hill, struck with his front legs
while being ponied, and was almost impossible to hold back when Rachel and
her friend, Lila, rode off on the other two horses to enjoy the trails. I
guess I have some soul searching to do - seems as though old Magnus has
done some backsliding since we got him last year. The finger ultimately
must point back at me. Nonetheless, the experience has been really great
for Magnus and lots of training has taken place. So far we have taken in the Boondocks (Lila and Rachel got stuck on the
"Octopus" ride when the power went out!!!), we have gone to Deadwood where
I spent a whopping $1.50 on slots and had a world of fun.....been shopping
on Main Street, took in the shooting of Wild Bill at Saloon #10, and went
to Lead for festivities (talk about great Indian tacos!) and fireworks on
the 4th. We will go back to Deadwood tomorrow after at least a 10 mile
ride if not 15 - through the Black Hills. The weather has been a little
bit iffy, so we are hoping for no rain tomorrow. Today we did go to Nemo
to check out the new mercantile store built there recently. We met the
new owner and saw Rick's memorial poster on the bulletin board. We drove
past our own house, feeling sad that we couldn't go in.....and saw that
the man who sold us the place was staying by the round pen adjoining our
property. Come to find out, the corner house has sold, and the round pen
and pole shed next to it was bought back by the original owner from Iowa. Everything seems really crowded and "busy" in such a rural area, but my
heart ached to be there. We drove down the road to visit with Bud, our
dear friend who lost his help mate of several years a week and a half ago
suddenly due to a heart attack. We spent many hours together, and went
out to dinner at the Branding Iron. We hugged and told stories of Rick
and Bud and all of us and the many happy memories we shared. Still, it is
so hard to really comprehend that one of the most kind men in the world
has passed without a chance to tell him how much we loved him. So many bittersweet emotions while we are here, but we are thankful to
spend time together with family and friends. The kids found an orphaned
kitten at Bud's, and he was quick to respond with Kitten Replacement
Formula and a wool scarf to wrap her in. We called the vet, who sent home
some amoxicillin drops to give her. We'll check on this four week old
feline tomorrow but I think she is in great hands with Bud. Thanks to
Lila and Rachel for finding this innocent little life and helping her. More to share as the week goes on - thinking of you all! Susan
Black Hills of South Dakota at Hay Creek Ranch. We would love to be at
our own little house in Nemo, but it is being rented on a long term basis
(long story)........so here we are, as guests in the Black Hills! The hospitality has been great. Doug Lindgren and his wife own Hay Creek,
and he writes monthly articles in Midwest Horse Digest. We took three
horses out - two seasoned professional trail horses and one newbie - our
three year old Norwegian Fjord who is, sadly, a very slow learner. So far
he has wanted to buck even being led down hill, struck with his front legs
while being ponied, and was almost impossible to hold back when Rachel and
her friend, Lila, rode off on the other two horses to enjoy the trails. I
guess I have some soul searching to do - seems as though old Magnus has
done some backsliding since we got him last year. The finger ultimately
must point back at me. Nonetheless, the experience has been really great
for Magnus and lots of training has taken place. So far we have taken in the Boondocks (Lila and Rachel got stuck on the
"Octopus" ride when the power went out!!!), we have gone to Deadwood where
I spent a whopping $1.50 on slots and had a world of fun.....been shopping
on Main Street, took in the shooting of Wild Bill at Saloon #10, and went
to Lead for festivities (talk about great Indian tacos!) and fireworks on
the 4th. We will go back to Deadwood tomorrow after at least a 10 mile
ride if not 15 - through the Black Hills. The weather has been a little
bit iffy, so we are hoping for no rain tomorrow. Today we did go to Nemo
to check out the new mercantile store built there recently. We met the
new owner and saw Rick's memorial poster on the bulletin board. We drove
past our own house, feeling sad that we couldn't go in.....and saw that
the man who sold us the place was staying by the round pen adjoining our
property. Come to find out, the corner house has sold, and the round pen
and pole shed next to it was bought back by the original owner from Iowa. Everything seems really crowded and "busy" in such a rural area, but my
heart ached to be there. We drove down the road to visit with Bud, our
dear friend who lost his help mate of several years a week and a half ago
suddenly due to a heart attack. We spent many hours together, and went
out to dinner at the Branding Iron. We hugged and told stories of Rick
and Bud and all of us and the many happy memories we shared. Still, it is
so hard to really comprehend that one of the most kind men in the world
has passed without a chance to tell him how much we loved him. So many bittersweet emotions while we are here, but we are thankful to
spend time together with family and friends. The kids found an orphaned
kitten at Bud's, and he was quick to respond with Kitten Replacement
Formula and a wool scarf to wrap her in. We called the vet, who sent home
some amoxicillin drops to give her. We'll check on this four week old
feline tomorrow but I think she is in great hands with Bud. Thanks to
Lila and Rachel for finding this innocent little life and helping her. More to share as the week goes on - thinking of you all! Susan
