Aaaahhh the best thing about summer are the vacations! Memorial Day jump starts summer and all summer activities. We packed up the camper loaded the horses and early Friday morning headed to Eastern Tennessee! Smokey Mountains here we come! If you trail ride and have never been here, you are
really missing out! Leaving early Friday was a great way to miss all the busy weekend traffic.
Once we checked in and settled into our campsite, we just took in the nice weather and soaked in the scenery. By late morning we decided we were ready for our first ride. Hooves clip clopped over rocks and creek beds, passing the aromatic scented pines mingling with the pure fresh air. Deep breaths of it relax the mind and soul. Breath taking over looks span the ride. Each stop along the trail helps me sink down in the saddle more. I ponder how warm it is already for so early in the summer, but shake it off thinking that a hot day in the saddle trumps a comfortable day at work. How easily time skirts away when there are no clocks and nature is all around. Upon arriving back at camp the charcoal grill is started and jalapeno and cheese brats sizzle over the coals. Food just tastes so good outdoors, even if it is just a hot dog! Our camping neighbors meander over and ask if we are from Bowling Green. Low and behold "Carpie" had told Eddie and Nancy also from Bowling Green that we were going to be at East Fork and to look us up. Out of all the camping spots in the campground they were camped beside us! We had a great visit and it was quickly decided that we would ride together the next day.
Early Saturday morning I prepare a breakfast of bacon, eggs, and biscuits and gravy. Now this is the stuff vacation is made of! Nothing better than going out the front door with a view of your horse and eating with mother nature while watching her make the day.
Saddles are cinched and saddle bags are loaded...it's time to hit the trail. We decide to go to the waterfall this glorious day. Keith is his normal self and before long we have another friendship with our latest neighbors Eddie and Nancy. Eddie and Nancy have been together "dating" 21 years and are proud mule owners and competitive riders. They have won numerous saddles and prizes for their abilities. Eddie is a talented welder who can I am sure make anything out of a horse shoe. check out his website under
the tab Horse Stuff. Nancy loves to take pictures like me and is also very talented with photo shop! Check out some of her stuff at:
http://www.youtube.com/user/nanvideomaker?feature=results_main
What a great day of forming new friendships! After a nice supper of Spicy bacon wrapped chicken, fried squash, and green beans the boot scoot'n boots are pulled on and we head to the entertainment for the night. Fun was had by all! The band played until after midnight and we shut the place down!
Sunday morning camp was very quiet. I guess a lot of cowfolk had way too much fun! We weren't saddled and on the trail until almost after 10. My motto is there are no clocks on vacation though, so no harm done! Our equine crew leisurely strolled through the pine sprinkled hills pausing to view the awesome over looks. We stopped at Ding Dong Rock, Janes Overlook, and Swift Ford just to name a few. God is such a great artist!
Since it was such a hot day we were thankful that there was water along the way for the animals to drink! Notice the color of the water. Some of the water contains iron and Eddie's mule "Moon Pie" seemed to love it best. Heading back to camp on this day seemed a little sad knowing it was our last ride for the weekend. Although back at camp still proved to be an adventure. Keith has decided that he is a professional agravator. Which most of us already knew! He just had to challenge a young man with a race through an obstacle course there at the stables. Wonder who won?? Well it wasn't a professional agravator! What a hoot! We had a great supper of my crock pot stuffed green peppers, fried potatoes and onions, with corn on the cob a little late that night, but still it was welcomed. We ended our evening listening to ZZ Top with Eddie and Nancy just vegging out.
And then all good times must end! Monday morning was here in a flash. And as always I am planning our next trail adventure...Happy Trails my friends...
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