A Day at Camp

This brings back memories of camp as a kid. We have breakfast at 8, announced by the ringing of a triangle. We had a horseback ride at 10, lunch at 12:30, then free time from 1:30 to 3:30. After breakfast, my group was responsible for cleanup.

[I was in the same group, along with Rebecca and other friends. We were the Otters.  ~ Vicki]

I had not ridden a horse since high school, and I was a little nervous. I had cowboy boots and a helmet. I also signed a waiver that basically said that I acknowledge that horses are quirky animals, and that it isn't their fault if I die on horseback (or actually falling off horseback).

Vicki was a natural and was not worried. [Not true. ~v]

Rebecca had some concerns, but she rode well.

I was trying to take a selfie with everyone behind me, but that didn't work. 

This is Hope, my trusty steed, except she wanted to pass the leader and make her own path. I talked to her all the way through the ride, asking her to be nice and calm.

Lunch was nice, and another group had to clean up. Free time at 1:30. Vicki and Becky hit the trail to walk around the lake; I tried to fish. However, the wind was gusting up to 25 mph, and one gust came through, knocking over my tackle box and blowing my cast back in my face. I'll try again in the morning.

We have seen osprey here, as well as a bunch of ground squirrels.

*****************

It's me, Vicki

WHAT THE HELL WAS I THINKING, HIKING AN 85-DEGREE, SUN-BAKED, NO-COVERAGE, 3-MILER ON A FULL STOMACH AT 7510 FEET?????????

I was good for the first 3/4 of it. It took Rebecca and me a little less than two hours, I think. Feeling a little cocky, because it's mostly flat terrain, I didn't really think that it would be that big a deal. As usual, when I get cocky, the Universe slapped me good. I came in a little overheated and full to dust (wind gusts up to 25 mph in a drought-affected area = grit in your nose and mouth!), but Dan came to the rescue with gatorade and a cold washcloth. And now all is well. 

We are about to have our first group session with Sandra teaching, which I'm looking forward to. She always has amazing stuff to share. 

Here we all are pre-hike: