PS. Its Livermore Ranch

In case you were curious about this West Texas oasis I love to frequent, you can visit the ranch's website HERE. They do all kinds of awesome stuff out there throughout the year including horsemanship clinics, weekend get-a-ways, and more. Check it out.

View of the high desert and mountains to the west.

Me and the husband enjoying sunset near "Skull Rock" on the ranch many moons ago.

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Labor Day and a Very Proud Moment

Not all has been bad regarding this extended southern visit. Labor Day weekend was a real treat. I had 5 days and 4 nights in a little, secluded Texas escape where you can be certain to have a good time and beat the typical Texas heat....the Davis Mountains of West Texas! The Thursday before the weekend found me packed up with horses and dogs in tow and west bound.

This time I forewent my usual stop at Big Bend Saddlery. I bought enough gear last time so there really wasn't a need to torture myself with everything in the store that I want, but can't afford or even justify buying. I did stop at the feed store/western wear place and got a new hat, which I am in love with. Turquoise is my new thing...anything turquoise. I got to the highway gate to the ranch in the midst of a deluge of rain. I could see several large puddles down the first part of the road and thought they didn't look too terrible. So, I went on as soon as the rain stopped enough for me to open the gate. Well, what I couldn't see from the highway was the troublesome spot in the road that was just beyond the first curve in the road. A West Texas crevasse had formed in the middle and right side of the road where my tire would have to go. I put the truck in 4-wheel drive as I approached and made it through, luckily. My girlfriends who arrived a couple horse later weren't so lucky. One of them ended up getting stuck just beyond that point in some nasty mud. They had to unload a couple of horses and then managed to make it through.

The weekend was a blast. High's in the 70's and 80's and it was downright chilly from sunset almost until mid-morning. I was loving it. It was the first relief I had from the stifling Texas heat and humidity. We rode horses, enjoyed our usual margaritas, sang a little karaoke, watched some amazing sunsets, ate LOTS of good food, and enjoyed great company. To push the weekend fun over the edge, there were even some airplanes involved.

My biggest thrill of the weekend and altogether of late, was when I took Bailey on our first real trail ride. Four of us went out together and of the 4 horses she was the youngest and greenest. Amazingly, yet not surprisingly, she was the best behaved and a true pleasure to ride that afternoon. She wasn't worried one bit when the other horses trotted ahead or became anxious. She wasn't at all spooky. She was quiet. She walked with her head down, relaxed. She handled the rocky terrain very well. Even when her big brother Scout was acting like a ball of nerves, prancing around, jigging, grinding his teeth...Bailey was a perfect little girl. Definitely a proud moment. I felt like I was living the dream. To ride a horse that I have worked so hard to do right by and have her be so nice. It was a very moving experience for me and I recall telling the husband that I felt a great sense of accomplishment. I think he was a bit proud of us too. It was worth every bit of trouble spent trailering her down to TX...which wasn't much.

All in all, a top weekend in my books. Bailey is such a well-traveled little horse and our West Texas weekend proves she is all the better for it.

Bailey's spunky half-sister, Anna...priceless shot of her tail straight in the air.

Anna and Bailey getting acquainted.

Playing at liberty with my kids...got Scout hooked on first, then Bailey.

I think this was the first time I have played like this with two horses at once.

The husband on Scout.

The hubby's current hero is Theodore Roosevelt, an amazing horseman who rarely went a day without being in the saddle...the hubby rode off while the rest of us were getting ready for the trail ride and the next time I saw him he was up on the side of the mountain doing his "TR thing". We hope to be on the look-out in the next couple years for his "Rough Rider Horse"...one that TR would describe as being a "good, stout pony one can shoot a gun off of".

West Texas sunset

Riding Bailey in the arena

Me and my new hat

Relaxing after our successful trail ride

Me and Logan, one of our 3 adopted mutts.

Getting ready for our trail ride

On the trail..relaxed, low head, good girl

Moving out

Pit stop

Me and the hubby with Mt. Livermore in the background

God Never Ceases to Amaze Me

After my May/June trip I headed back to TX in August, this time by land instead of air. Anticipating an extended stay due to the hubby's temporary southern work detail and continuingfamily stuff, my dad graciously offered to fly up to WA and then drive down with me and two of the horses (and the dogs and cat). Ranger couldn't make the trip, due to still recovering from his spring fling with founder, so Bailey and Scout were the two travelers.

Let me just say that the past few months have been hell....just plain hell. It feels like life has been completely up-in-the-air for us (the whole family, all-around). Now, don't get me wrong, I know I have PLENTY to be happy about and thankful for, but that doesn't mean life's troubles don't sometimes get me down. I just try my hardest to give it over to God at those times. I kept having to re-adjust my travel plans for one crisis after another. I also had to move up my dad's flight so we could leave two weeks earlier than planned. And a good thing I did. My nephew was back in the hospital twice in a matter of a couple weeks. Also, my grandmother had been in the hospital most of the time since March and things were not getting better. It started with a broken hip and arm and then compounded with one issue after another...celiac's disease, heart issues, breathing issues, you name it. She had just gone back into the hospital with breathing and heart issues when dad and I left on the 14th of August. We were planning to take 3 1/2 days to get to where the husband is staying temporarily and then head on to Texas in a short 1/2 day trip. We made it to Cheyenne, WY and woke up to thick fog which delayed our departure by over 2 hours. Little did we know how that irritating delay would pay off later.

After about 20 minutes on the road that morning, my dad's brother called with news that my grandmother was not doing well and they were scrambling to get a last-minute second opinion on her heart condition. We were on stand-by at that point, waiting for an update to determine if we should head straight to Texas that day or continue with Plan A. The call came at around lunch that we should drive straight through. When we started into New Mexico, we called home for a weather report from mom because we could see huge storms brewing in Texas. We decided the best bet would be to head for Lubbock instead of Amarillo. As we drove on, the storms started looking more and more ominous. Just past Clovis, NM we could see heavy, dark black clouds in our path and to the south of us. We called home again for another update...should we turn around or keep going? Before I continue, you should know that one of my worst fears is the combination of horses and storms. I am deathly afraid of my horses being struck by lightning (thanks, Peggy), being hailed on, having the trailer struck by lightning, and getting caught in a tornado while trailering. A little neurotic, I know...but I am, by nature, a worrier. Remember that post about when I first realized Ranger had foundered and how I though about fifty-million thoughts at once...yep, that's me. You thought horse-crazy meant you are crazy about horses...it really means, you are a person who is crazy and just happens to have horses. :)

Anyhow, my sister told us that the storm in front of us was moving off and was no cause for concern but that the one to our south was bad...it has two different mesocyclones forming, meaning there was some potential for tornadic conditions. Ha! You thought I was crazy! Me trailering horses and tornadoes do not mix. She also told us that if we just hauled butt we would beat it to Lubbock. She was so right and I was so thankful. We made it to Lubbock and turned south and there was the clearest, most beautiful star-filled sky I thought I had ever seen! We literally dodged storms all afternoon and were barely even rained on! What I didn't mention earlier was that before we headed into Clovis, dad and I prayed that God would guide us through and clear a path, and boy, did He ever! We also saw the most amazing, most brilliant, full double rainbow as we were leaving Clovis. It reminded me of God's promise to Noah after the great flood. It was a beautiful reminder of God's faithfulness and I felt a little better after that. Well, until I heard "mesocyclones". So, back to the fog...if we had left on-time that morning we would have run smack-dab into that first big nasty storm in Clovis. I don't doubt God was looking out for us that day. He knew how badly we needed to get to south Texas and He was with us the whole way. We finally pulled into the drive at almost 6 am. We had been driving for over 20 hours straight without so much as a flat tire or a single sick horse. I was never so glad to be in Texas.

Fortunately, we were able to head to the hospital after a couple hours of shut-eye and see my grandmother. Unfortunately, she was mostly unresponsive, though we think she could hear us, and she passed away two days later. God did help me make it home to see her and tell her, once more, how much I loved her. Thank you, Lord. Now, she is home with Him and though I miss her terribly, I am also thankful for her life.

My sweet Nana

Morning fog in Cheyenne (spotted bison in distance)

Storms popping up in NM

The biggie between Clovis and Lubbock...stretched for 100's of miles

(we could see it out the driver's side window across the windshield, and out the passenger side window)

west of Clovis

north end of the double rainbow

storm to the south of us...it was a lot closer by the time we were approaching the TX-NM state line.

south end of the double rainbow

When In Rome, Er, Texas...

So, you already know I ventured to Texas in May/June for some family time. What you don't know is that I managed to break away for a long weekend and hang out with all my best horse-friends at one of my favorite places. Sans horses (picture my sad face), I loaded up and headed west to Livermore Ranch near Ft. Davis, TX for our 2nd Annual LRCA Horse Holiday (Livermore Ranch Cowgirls Association). I received, in my case, a long-awaited and much-needed warm TX welcome from my girls. There were hugs all around and then it was down to business...horses, margaritas, sunsets, karaoke, fellowship, and all the good things I miss about home. I borrowed a couple of horses, including one who I am trying to convince the hubby we are in desperate need of...Bailey's half-brother, whose full brother is, with his owner, ranked 18th in the nation in competitive trail riding. He is a doll! On my way through Alpine to the ranch, I got to stop at another of my favorite places, Big Bend Saddlery. Of course, I stocked up on a few things...what girl wouldn't?!? :) It is really hard to find quality "good, using gear" in my part of the world, but I'll save that topic for a later blog post.

The weekend ended far too soon and I left hoping I can make it back for our 3rd Annual shin-dig next year. I think aside from my family, my Texas horse girlfriends are who I miss most. I love you ladies! You gals are one-of-a-kind!

Margaritas and karaoke

Since my horses were at home in WA, I borrowed Monty...a pretty palomino gelding off the Quien Sabe Ranch.

Mt. Livermore...the view from the house patio (not too shabby)

Boomer...the half brother

This was the first time we has saddled Boomer and he was a perfect gentleman about it.

Me and the Mont

Trail ride!

All the girls...and our kick-a** t-shirts!

Nothing like a chuck wagon cowboy breakfast

Memorial Day tribute...Sunday devotional.

Me and one of my best-ies, Jen

Bandit on the right, Joey on the left

Me and Bandit

Bringing up the herd...it was quite a trek to do so. :)

Dolly enjoying a morning roll

Boomer's first ride (by us)...btw, HE IS FOR SALE TO A GOOD HOME!!! He is going to be a phenomenal horse and he has great breeding to boot!!!

3 horse siblings (from right to left)...Bailey, Sierra, Paddy Rey (also Boomer's half-siblings, for any interested parties) :)

Boomer

Pretty Sierra

Paddy Rey

Mt. Livermore from the chuckwagon

Finally, Some Good News

Ranger had another follow-up appointment today along with a new set of x-rays. Our vet says the x-rays showed significant improvement including good, new growth in the hoof wall, reduced inflammation in the coronary band area, and one better-feeling, more freely moving horse! He feels that if we continue as is, we should be able to get Ranger back to where he used to be. I am so relieved and after all the family drama going on lately, I am thankful for any kind of good news at this point. I wish I could see Ranger myself along with the x-rays, but I am still out of state with family since my grandmother passed a few weeks ago. Luckily, my boy is in good hands back home. Stay tuned...I will be blogging again very soon about an exciting new achievement I made with Miss Bailey as well as some new photos from our adventures in TX. Thank you to everyone who has been sending your positive thoughts, etc. Ranger's way. He must be feeling them!