Here comes the sun . . .

At least I hope so. While we really appreciate rain here in the high, dry "Equality State", it takes sunshine to finish off the growing and blooming part of the cycle. We made it in to the Little Sandy camp with the last load of horses and a trailer load of assorted gear and the saddles. It's been dicey getting to this point, with the challenges of the weather and muddy roads, but we're here and can get the horses ridden and the camp finalized.

It's so beautiful and peaceful out here, with only the occasional vehicle traveling down the gravel road that parallels the Lander Cut-off of the Oregon Trail on a private trek to somewhere. Some mountain men pulled in and took a break down the river a couple days ago, on their way to a rendevous up north; we anticipate that we'll have many a bicyclist again this year from the Continental Divide bike race and regular bike tourists whom we welcome with a warm cup of coffee and maybe a bite to eat. They are always grateful and we've met a wonderful variety of people and personalities. It seems that it's what we're supposed to do, be a haven for people, in many ways.

The camp calls and the work is still waiting (I'm parked up on top of a hill above the river where I can get the broadband to work so I can check email, catch up on correspondence and write a bit for those who are tracking Blue Sky Sage on our trails). Keep checking, I'll write more later this week, as I will get home to check the remaining horses, pack the groceries and do the laundry up one more time before our first guests show up a week from today. We are so ready to get in the saddle every day!

Camp Setup is Underway

I have to say that at this time of year, we get very tired of "getting ready to go to camp" and just want to be there and do it! The preparations seem endless, but by doing every possible thing we can before the field season starts, we can devote the most and the best of our time to our guests once the rides start.

Mike has started hauling equipment and the cookhouse over to camp, with two more loads going tomorrow. We'll get the cookhouse in order first, so we can at least get a pot of coffee going whenever we need it! Next, we'll set up the wall tent and fly, which serve as the gathering places for meals, cocktails and shade. The sleeping tipis will be next, along the banks of the Little Sandy River, with cool running water just a step away from the tent flap, natural "white noise" for sleeping.

Once the core of the human facilities is completed, he really big job of assembling the corral and horse support system will start. Our corral is made up of portable panels that we use at our home place, so those all have to be loaded and trailered to camp, along with all the saddles and other tack, hoof care and vet supplies, water tanks and pumps, hay and finally, two loads of horses. Depending on the size of the ride group on any given week, we'll have 14-16 head in camp with a few left at the ranch for spares or those who may need some R&R.

Hopefully, we'll have everything set up and ready to go by June 10, and then we'll be living at our "summer home." On the agenda for that 10 days or so before guests arrive, we'll be doing a lot of riding to get all the horses legged up and their minds back on business. There are always many little projects to work on, such as making sure we can get the broadband to work onsite for internet access and for Emily's online school. We do have phone reception so that's a plus, if we are in the cookhouse anyway:) The last big push will be Emily and her sled dog team . . .