Thank You Tom

With the slightly warmer weather, we have had enough snow melt to prompt Nick and I to take a short hike up the ridge behind camp. Here is the view from the area less than a 1/4 mile from camp:

So thank you Tom for thinking of me back when my new boss said he was looking for a new Horse Director!! We live in an amazing area!

Top 5 Reasons We Know We're Not in Kansas Anymore

5. We are STILL dealing with winter snow conditions

4. The local Bed, Bath, & Beyond carries western-themed decorations only

3. Our driveway is now a Forest-Service road

2. The business-men still meet in the local coffee shops -- it's just that instead of wearing suit and ties, they all wear cowboy boots and cowboy hats!

And the Number One reason:

1. There is deer poo, not dog poo, in the city park!

On the horse front...

Yesterday I had my first "hands-on" day with the camp's horses. Unfortunately, my first day on the job I had to call the vet for a horse with nasty puncture wound (on his fetlock joint, natch)and I got kicked (by the same horse.) Luckily I jumped backwards as the horse kicked out, so I only got a glancing blow and I wasn't hurt.

With the help of a former camper, I marked all the camp's horses with blue nail-polish on their hooves so I could tell which ones were "mine."

The camp has horses ranging from cute:

To Ugly:

And horses ranging from young (and unbroke):

To old (and un-usable):

(This above horse was at the camp when I first worked there ten years ago. She used to be very spirited and beautiful. I was shocked and saddened to see her now...)

Here is a picture of the corral at camp. You can see the box stalls and riding arena hidden under the snow. Once the snow melts, I'll be bringing the 34 horses back to camp!

Video from the drive over....

Another new favorite activity of Lilah's!

Moving Day

Nick and I finally buckled down and got everything we needed done for the move on Saturday. My parents really helped us out by taking Lilah for the day, otherwise we'd probably still be working on getting gone.... :)

Right before we left:



Unfortunately, on the day we picked to drive over, both major mountain passes were requiring chains for vehicles towing due to heavy snow. We had our household packed up, and the truck and trailer ready to go, but no good way to get there. We debated on staying in the Portland-area until the roads cleared, but with everything all packed up, we decided to go ahead and take the LOOOOONG way around the Cascades down to our new place of residence. It was a long drive, but worth it. We arrived safely and have been busy settling into our new place since then.

Lilah would love to travel in this position:


(we have learned that being in the drivers seat will also keep her entertained while we unpack the truck!)

As of today, I have our cabin cleaned up and we are working on getting all our belongings in. The camp is still heavily covered with snow, so we've been doing several trips with the truck and leaving the horse trailer at the Roundhouse.

People at camp have been helping us feel at home, and tonight Nick, Lilah and I had our first family dinner in the main lodge. I use the camp's large oven to cook, which has been kind of a kick. Yesterday we saw a big herd of elk along the highway, and we've been watching a herd of deer hanging out in the Tollgate neighborhood. Lilah has been a trooper "helping" me mop and Nick screw the furniture back together. We hope to be completely moved in by the end of this week!

We are looking forward to visitors when we are all settled in! :)

Secret Mommy Confession #3 and #4

Lilah now walks around the house saying "Money? Money". We're not sure what it means, but it is distinctly "money." I don't think Nick and I talk a lot about money in front of her, so I'm not sure where she picked it up. The obsession with "money", coupled with her ongoing shoe obsession make me slightly worried she's going to be a high-fashion diva. Hmm....

The fourth confession? It's the night before our move and here I am blogging again. We do have some things "put together" but nothing ... packed.

Good Dog Simon