tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-112167252024-03-13T12:23:57.991-06:00Sun Pony RanchDiary of novice (clueless) ranch ownersMonica at Sun Ponyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04866366666888122868noreply@blogger.comBlogger414125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11216725.post-77924826516911684112018-06-18T00:59:00.004-06:002018-06-18T10:12:10.574-06:00Meeting up, and Happy Anniversary!<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xNm3HpPjDtM/WyfZZOxrNtI/AAAAAAAAEDs/X4e3Aiw7hHI9NG-r1RABFsHDLP3g2IP5gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2692%2BMom%252C%2Bphyl%252C%2BQiviut%2Bcoop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xNm3HpPjDtM/WyfZZOxrNtI/AAAAAAAAEDs/X4e3Aiw7hHI9NG-r1RABFsHDLP3g2IP5gCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_2692%2BMom%252C%2Bphyl%252C%2BQiviut%2Bcoop.JPG" width="320" /></a>This morning Phyllis and my parents came and picked me up from my AirBNB. Without many plans in place, I said I was interested in going downtown to check out a couple of yarn stores. Cause -- I'm learning how to knit!! Not only that, but I'm about to finish the scarf I'm working on, and with several days on the ferry ahead I'm thinking a new project would be very welcome.<br />
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There were several yarn stores, but two that are very close together were irresistible: Quivut and the Wooley Mammoth.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bVwMEcmXKUI/WyfZuNg0crI/AAAAAAAAED0/vNYcO7rtQMga8H9NKjFubpwag_tecByBwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2690%2BQiviut%2Bwear.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bVwMEcmXKUI/WyfZuNg0crI/AAAAAAAAED0/vNYcO7rtQMga8H9NKjFubpwag_tecByBwCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_2690%2BQiviut%2Bwear.JPG" width="320" /></a> Quivut, turns out, is the inner wool of the muskox. Very soft, and apparently extremely warm -- it is spun and knitted by native tribes up here. The store in Anchorage is a Co-Op outlet. Beautiful knitwear does it make. But also very very expensive, so all we did was admire. We moved onto the next store where I purchased some yarn. Still hoping to figure out what to use it on!<br />
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In the afternoon we retired to the RV, which I've never seen before. Quite spacious! And it seemed to be suiting the 4 of them well for the past 3 weeks.<br />
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Dinner was in celebration of Mom and Dad's 63rd wedding anniversary: The Glacier Brewhouse. Food was terrific - but at 4:00 (early dinner because Phyllis had a plane to catch to go work in Brazil for a few weeks) - they already had people waiting for tables! Crazy busy. Then we saw on the front of the newly printed menu - a welcome message for over a dozen tour events bringing people to the restaurant in the next week or so. Yeah, there are a lot of people in Anchorage in the summer!<br />
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After dropping Phyllis at the airport, we returned to the RV for a couple hands of "Hand and Foot". We were marveling at sitting outside at 8:30 in Anchorage, comfortably in light jackets and playing cards.<br />
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<a href="http://sunponyranch.blogspot.com/2018/06/leaving-world-behind.html">Previous Post</a> - Alaska Trip - Next PostMonicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16803400693301500933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11216725.post-62237536343133171192018-06-18T00:10:00.000-06:002018-06-18T01:01:46.344-06:00Leaving the world behindHave you ever heard that saying "step off the sidewalk and find yourself suddenly in another world"? I found another world today - completely unexpectedly.<br />
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</td><td>I had it my head to go for a long walk today in Anchorage. I haven't been keeping up on my walking at home for the past month or so, and what with getting on the ferry soon I knew we wouldn't be walking much then. I left my Airbnb and walked a few blocks to breakfast and then, at my host's suggestion, headed towards Earthquake park. The walk was nice - I skirted past the Lake Hood Seaplane Base and watch a few planes take off and land.
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And then through some lovely little neighborhoods. I am struck at how much Anchorage feels like the Pacific North West! It's warmer than I had anticipated - low 60's. It's been mostly cloudy, but I've missed the actual rain.<br />
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But by the time I got to the Earthquake Park sign, I was more than ready to get off the concrete.<br />
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I quickly saw a little social trail taking off into the forest, and thought that would make a lovely change of pace. I could cut across the park to get to the coast trail on the north edge. Not 3 feet from the sidewalk -- I saw these charming little white blooms and snapped a picture.<br />
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And then I just couldn’t believe the trail! Rain forest, ferns, moss, and a black-black-black loamy saturated soil that I have never had the pleasure of walking on before.<br />
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The trail quickly started going up and down over these very dramatic ridges (according to the sign, which I couldn't pause to read at the time, but of which I took a picture -- 'horsts' and ' grabens') 3, 5, sometimes 8 feet high. I became quite concerned that I would end up on my hands and knees at some point. The sides were very steep and the ground very wet. I picked up a stick to help, and more than a few times had to put away my phone AND camera in order to hang onto trees. Oh, and the mosquitoes! I seriously could hardly even pause to take a picture before they were swarming. It was so bizarre -- because they’re silent, and huge. I could not hear them and at first I wondered what are these little fairy things hovering around me. Yikes. (a day later, I'm not finding any bites, really. So either I don't react to them like I do in Colorado, or they were so slow as to not get a bite in??) I had to keep moving - pausing to get a photo and I was mobbed!<br />
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But the black ponds made by the rifts in the earthquake landscape were just too captivating to resist. I jokingly thought of the Blair Witch tale, you know -- walking aimlessly through a forest. I chuckled at the thought that one could get so utterly lost after 15 minutes within the wilderness in a city park.<br />
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I did come across some wildlife droppings. You know those chocolates jokingly called 'moose droppings'? Well, is that literally what they look like?? Because what I saw look <u>just</u> like that. How a moose could maneuver in this landscape was beyond me. Anyways, that reminded me of the website that advertised/warned people that wildlife are within the parks in Anchorage and one needs to take care. I started singing and knocking my stick on the trees - a few times giving myself a small shower from the water collected on the leaves above.<br />
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After I finally found some more substantial trails that had information sign posts, I felt more secure that I was in an OK place.
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However there were no direction markers. I just kept trying to go north and /or east to the best of my ability. Eventually I was coming along and saw house up ahead and figured I must be getting close to the coast trail. But the trail puttered out in their back yard. I pulled out my phone so I could orient -- and oh my god if I were not coming out the southern boundary of the park again! I don’t think I’ve ever been so turned around before. Suddenly the Blair Witch came back all that much more poignantly.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-StmzVvp-t-E/Wyak6uj2-FI/AAAAAAAAECM/kEEmn_rF3aAunRizeBsPsoSWhTrVmVVawCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1629%2BCoast%2BTrail.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-StmzVvp-t-E/Wyak6uj2-FI/AAAAAAAAECM/kEEmn_rF3aAunRizeBsPsoSWhTrVmVVawCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_1629%2BCoast%2BTrail.JPG" width="320" /></a>From then on I kept a much closer eye on my phone map to make sure I was making progress towards the coast, and pretty soon emerged here. Again - the transition was so abrupt. I only saw the pavement a few dozen steps before I was standing on it.<br />
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I was pretty tired by now - the adrenaline had been coursing, from both the surprise and excitement, and it wasn't all that easy of walking. Down the tail a bit I found a bench, and had JUST sat down and took off my purse and backpack -- about to take my first breath of relief... when a woman biked up to me and said "Hello". I thought - how friendly! "Hello." But then she continues, in a shaky voice, "There is a bear up ahead on the path, and I’m not from Alaska and I don’t know what we’re supposed to do! I was hoping that you were going to come past me and we could go up the path together." HA<br />
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I said I’m not from Alaska either but there was a pretty constant traffic of cyclists on the path, and I thought it unlikely a bear would be interested in tangling with any of them. "I’m sure if we make noise he’s going to want to try to avoid us." She didn't look all that convinced, and then she goes "Oh my god there he is!" About 50 feet behind me in the forest. He paused and looked at us and I couldn’t tell if he was going to come out the path right next to the bench, so I grabbed my bags and said let’s head up the path now..., but he trundled on into the forest instead. Thankfully ... because I really was looking forward to having a bit of a rest!! :-D<br />
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And so I sat there on my bench trying to figure out where to next. I had hoped to walk to downtown -- I heard it was about 3 miles away. Except I realized my app said I’d already walked 4 miles! And I still had to make it back home. I decided downtown would have to happen tomorrow.<br />
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Taking a rather long path home, I walked up the Chester Creek trail - which starts at a lovely meandering fish ladder up from the coast into a large lagoon utterly packed with sea birds.<br />
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Then headed for dinner and lucked out to discover what turned out to be one of my host's favorite places: the Spenard Roadhouse. The burger was amazing.<br />
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Over 9 miles today. Certainly longer than my intent, but as a way to clear my head and leave the considerable baggage of all that is going on at home behind? It worked like a charm!! (and the next morning as I type this up? I am NOT crippled as I had feared I might be! Yippee! :-) )<br />
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<a href="http://sunponyranch.blogspot.com/2018/06/the-land-of-midnight-sun.html">Previous Post</a> - Alaska Trip - <a href="http://sunponyranch.blogspot.com/2018/06/meeting-up-and-happy-anniversary.html">Next Post</a>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16803400693301500933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11216725.post-86034407384905358152018-06-18T00:07:00.000-06:002018-06-18T00:11:40.213-06:00The Land of the Midnight SunWell... Almost. As my hosts clarified - it's only of the 11:45 pm sun here in Anchorage. That's close enough for me: I'm counting it.<br />
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My sister has long wanted to drive to Alaska. Since they moved into an RV full time last year, it was finally the perfect time to do it, and she invited our parents to join them. To get home, Mom and Dad booked their passage back to the states via a ferry down the inside passage, and then a sight-seeing train from Vancouver back to Calgary, where they will fly home to Albuquerque. Wow, wow, wow -- what a trip!<br />
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So... I asked them if they would mind a tag-along with them on the ferry. The best part about that change of plans is that the three of us could book a 4-bunk room with private bath, for the same per-person rate they had previously for the 2 bunk room and no bath. So much better all around!<br />
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And that's how I came to be doing Alaska for the first time. First time for all of us, actually. Life has been really very stressful the first part of this year, so I felt very much in need of an escape. Can't get much further away, without having to have a passport, than this! (Ok, I admit -- I did take my passport with me - because I didn't realize that our ferry only puts in at US ports in its 4 day voyage... Did I mention stress at home and I sort of just bought plane tickets and flew up here?)<br />
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Alaska Trip - <a href="http://sunponyranch.blogspot.com/2018/06/leaving-world-behind.html">Next Post</a>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16803400693301500933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11216725.post-2666326006949546062017-12-29T03:04:00.002-07:002017-12-29T03:17:31.594-07:00Perhaps just a bit more adventure than we signed up for?<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-08L5RWvD2EM/WkYJiozb8oI/AAAAAAAAC08/NGpWAt8W4bkpc-FxEkfScmcxcBps-zIEwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1378_crop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1233" data-original-width="867" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-08L5RWvD2EM/WkYJiozb8oI/AAAAAAAAC08/NGpWAt8W4bkpc-FxEkfScmcxcBps-zIEwCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_1378_crop.JPG" width="225" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The day started to turn sour when we saw the sign saying that all the tickets to tour Neuschwanstein Castle were sold out for the day. :-( If you aren't familiar, Neuschwanstein is one of the most famous castles in Europe as it was built to be the prototypical romantic castle. The story of that visit will be in another post, for this story is about the 27 hours surrounding it.</span><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UIDGmZUBKmw/WkYS_WENKEI/AAAAAAAAC1M/k2T3hCAj5uIepOMgdUPzzUQL7G06QlVQQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1999%2BCop%2Bcar%2BKelly_sm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We were up and out of the AirBNB in Salzburg by 5:45 that morning, and 6 hours later in line for castle tickets, when word came down that tickets were sold out. But we'd invested too much time so far to just turn around, so we hiked up to the castle to at least say we'd been there. We debated whether to tour Hohenschwangau - the castle just across the way, or to just get back to the train and possibly get on our way to Switzerland a bit earlier. We knew there was a train departing at 3:06, and 4:06. It was only 1:30 so we decided to head back the 2 miles to the trainstation and see if we could get out even earlier.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Only... the line for the bus back to the train station, and the TRAFFIC JAM all the way back to town were horrendous, and we didn't even get there until 3:00. Our only option to get out of town was the 4:06. Ours, and about 500 other tourists'. Getting on that train was one truly frightening experience. The crowd sweeping us along - shoving and jostling... Kelly and I had our luggage where as most others did not. I felt very badly for the 4 people who had to try and get OFF that train with that hoard pressing them back in. We didn't event attempt to get seats. We had been warned when we got our tickets that we had a short connection after leaving Fussen -- 3 minutes, actually. The train didn't even arrive until 6 minutes late and left 12 minutes late - so we knew we wouldn't make that connection. We hoped the conductor would be by soon, but we became concerned we would never see him, so I went in search. I slipped, tripped and stepped on toes through probably 5 cars before I found him. He introduced me to another gentleman also going to Switzerland - who spoke English -- so he asked us to sort it out. Using the train app on his phone, he quickly developed a plan that involved getting off at our original station. But Kelly was far behind me and I didn't know how close that station was. So I pushed my way back.... only to find Kelly talking to the conductor - and getting exactly the same route from him directly! He must have gotten off of the train and walked back by way of the platform, because I have no idea how else he could have beat me back there with the train now 20 minutes late and restless passengers everywhere.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Anyways, we get off and chatted with our new guide a bit. He went in to consult with the agents, and came back to tell us an even better route - because our first route still involved a fairly short connection, and at the end of the day, he said, he just had little confidence that any trains were on time. (The Swiss have a fairly pessimistic view of the German train system, and I'm starting to sympathize) Anyways, he told us that we wanted to catch a short 10 minute train, and then wait an hour, to catch a direct train all the way to St. Gallen - our destination. OK. Before leaving Fussen, we had bought some individual bottles of wine and were planning to enjoy them on the train - if we could ever get settled long enough to do so!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We caught the 10 minute train - and again there were no seats to be had. So there we were, gathered at the end of a car. Kelly was shifting some things around with her bags, and the bag with our snacks and wine shifted the floor fairly hard. And then started leaking red wine... :-0 UG! Nothing to to about it, but left it in place, and tried to hurry it out the door as soon as we arrived. Fortunately only one bottle broke - but it pretty much shattered. We mopped it up and salvaged what we could.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This was the stop with over an hour break, so our new friend said he was going to leave to find dinner. We said we'd see him on the platform for our next train. There were only 3 benches in this train station that were all taken, and it was now raining outside so we weren't going to sit out there. And, we'd been standing for both of the last two train rides - after that hike up to the castle I was definitely looking for a seat! So we decided to buy a burger in the station, since we were now scheduled to arrive in St. Gallen too late for the meal Antonella had planned for us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Only, the diner didn't take credit cards, and we were out of Euros as we were headed for Switzerland! (who uses Swiss Franks for their currency). Kelly asked if there was an ATM - there was - out in the rain, and apparently several blocks away... Our dinners were made and I was partially done eating... before she came back saying that the ATM refused to give her any money. BUGGER. Thankfully they agreed to take US Dollars - otherwise we thought we might be washing dishes!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So we'd now used up our hour layover, and needed to get to our train, which appeared to be at the platform. Panic, and a long day already caused us to run to the platform, change our minds and run to another, only to ask the conductor who confirmed that was NOT our train, and we ran back to the first platform. I then managed to see Zurich on the sign for that train, so we tried to get on, but the doors wouldn't open. Had to run up to the next car and managed to get on. WHEW.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So we settled down for a 2 hour ride. Kelly was tracking the train one her phone. (by the way, she just got a new Pixel 2, and it's been a life saver! My AT&T service has not picked up anywhere so far, and she's had service almost the whole time. And yes, her data roaming is disabled. HOWEVER, the train app we were using in Germany didn't seem to run well at all on her Android phone, so we were consistently stymied with trying to make our own train plans.) Anyways, an hour in.... the train comes to a stop, and she looks worried, and tells me it looks like everyone else is getting off the train. I said that's not a problem, the train will continue regardless of whether there are passengers. But then the lights were turned out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Crapola. Kelly also said she'd been tracking the train - but wondering when it would be turning east to head towards St. Gallen. LOL.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ug, we were stuck at an end of the line little German station, Obertsdorf. It was 9:00, and very few people were around. We called Antonella again, who frankly had never heard of this town and didn't know how to help us. Another group of travellers came in, who indeed spoke English... and who looked alarmed to hear that we were trying to get to St. Gallen -- "It is very hard to get there from here!". They were suggesting we should make our way back to Munich and try again (SEROUSLY?!). We resolved to return to the next largest station and inquire there. But one of them came and found us on the train with a new route that only required 90 minutes of train travel. Sadly, that was 30 minutes of travel that night..... and an hour starting at 6:30 in the morning. GAH</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There was nothing to be done - we set off and arrived at Lindau about 11 pm, and were pleased to see there was an actual rail station with benches and everything there. We hunkered down, planning to spend the night. Unfortunately the bathrooms were already locked. Kelly did find a bottled water vending machine though. There was quite a bit of foot traffic through the station for the next hour. Then it got deadly quiet, and we were the only two there, until the drunk man kicked in the door.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Around midnight, the main station door flew open so hard that half the glass panes broke. He came in, swearing loudly, and continuously. He walked thought the station and out towards the platforms. We were trying to just stay inconspicuous so as to not try to attract his attention. In a few minutes, he came back in, still cursing a blue streak, slamming various doors, though none of the others lost their glass. He exited through another door in the front.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">About 10 minutes later, a small group of people came in, leading some police officers. They came and asked if we had witnessed the guy come in, we said we had and gave a brief description. They, however, thought he had left the station out the back, and we were able to tell them he came back in and out the front. They all turned and went that way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">15 minutes later, the police officers came back in to talk with us further. They had apprehended the guy, and we described him, and then confirmed the photo they showed us. They took an official statement from Kelly. They were both really nice, and fluent English speakers, and were joking with us. They apologized, saying their town was usually a sleepy one where nothing exciting ever happens.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then... they asked when our train was. We said sadly it was at 6:30 in the morning. Oh! They said that we wouldn't be allowed to stay in the station overnight, that at 1:00 we would be kicked out. It was getting close to 1:00. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UIDGmZUBKmw/WkYS_WENKEI/AAAAAAAAC1M/k2T3hCAj5uIepOMgdUPzzUQL7G06QlVQQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1999%2BCop%2Bcar%2BKelly_sm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UIDGmZUBKmw/WkYS_WENKEI/AAAAAAAAC1M/k2T3hCAj5uIepOMgdUPzzUQL7G06QlVQQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_1999%2BCop%2Bcar%2BKelly_sm.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Well, darn it - we said we didn't know where to go. We didn't really want to rent a hotel room for a few hours, and they commiserated. I asked if there was an all-night cafe near by? Well - there was a 24 hour Mc Donalds... We said that would be fine - was it within walking distance? They cringed and said it was 5k away. With her most pouting face ever, Kelly asked them -- well who could give us a ride there? She's a cheeky monkey. There was quite a bit of back and forth between the officers in German... and finally they said if we would put our luggage in a locker, they could give us a lift. Deal! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Chatting on our way over, they were remarking that actually they had one of the larger police cars that night - that they had more room in the back than usual. It wasn't what I'd call roomy. We asked if they had visited the states before - one had. He is a fan of Dodge Chargers and had come over last summer and rented one. But our speed limits were pathetically too slow. He couldn't imagine why anyone should have to be limited to less than 130 KPH anywhere on a big road. (I just looked this up -- that's 80 MPH. LOL)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And then the Golden Arches appeared and our ride was at an end. I had a chuckle when they both got out to open our doors for us .... and then realized the courtesy was because you can't open the back doors of a police car from the inside!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But here we were, 1:30 am at Mc Donalds. At least the bathrooms weren't locked! We setup shop at a table in the corner - and proceeded to watch kids and adults come in constantly all night. Paranoid about battery life on our phones - we limited phone time. BECAUSE WE CAN'T FIND POWER OUTLETS ANYWHERE! Not the train station, not coffee shops, and not at Mc Donalds. Both of us had external batteries, but those were both already drained, as well as my laptop - all trying to keep the phones juiced up during this day of too many changes of plans.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">4:30 we decided to head on back to the train station. But it was now raining quite heavily. We might have asked an employee to call a cab for us, but we were still out of Euros. Hemming and hawing about what to do, we saw the rain had abated, so we just set out on foot. Brisk early morning 5k jaunt, that was. When we got close to the train station - which in Lindau is inexplicably located on an island like peninsula in Lake Constance, we decided to cut through the residential /shopping blocks instead of going around. What a cute cobble stoned old town development - and quite large judging from the more than a dozen blocks we had to wind through to get to the station. Our whole trip took about 45 minutes, but was well lit the whole way so felt secure, and the rain was never more than a mist.</span><br />
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vREnrFl6rlk/WkYWJATHU9I/AAAAAAAAC1Y/ZSo_sNENTgk9HaAjTln6FSCppNOPEe0WgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2008%2BArrived%2Bat%2BAntonellas_sm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vREnrFl6rlk/WkYWJATHU9I/AAAAAAAAC1Y/ZSo_sNENTgk9HaAjTln6FSCppNOPEe0WgCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_2008%2BArrived%2Bat%2BAntonellas_sm.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Got our luggage, and onto our 3 trains to get to St Gallen at 7:30 am with 0 incidents. It was the beginning of a new day! Albeit a day that started with us going directly to bed when we got to Antonella's.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16803400693301500933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11216725.post-90042116625461590902017-05-10T00:00:00.004-06:002017-05-10T00:01:43.328-06:00Day 3 Keukenhof!!!!<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18px;">To say we were eagerly anticipating our visit to the famous Keukenhoff Gardens of Holland is an understatement. The gardens are are 70 acres of tulips and other bulb-flowered spectacular-ness. They say 7 million bulbs were planted last year, each of which will be dug up and replaced for next year's bloom. Amazingly, all this work goes into an open season which is only 8 weeks a year, from approximately mid March to mid May. So, we had originally planned to travel later in May, but adjusted our schedule to accommodate this particular excursion. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18px;">I don't have a lot to say on this post... the pictures totally don't do it justice, either... but it's the best I've got!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18px;">(Here's a link to</span><a href="http://sunponyranch.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 18px;"> my blog's home page</a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18px;"> so that you can navigate to other posts about our trip)</span>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16803400693301500933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11216725.post-81906402377027906572017-05-09T22:15:00.002-06:002017-05-09T22:21:15.742-06:00Day 2.1 All Aboard<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IaK0ixH-YRg/WRKOvxnMY0I/AAAAAAAACow/CkriQjnHmQEmW8y2Zz1ajL1LgkU4UuP0QCLcB/s1600/IMG_0164%2BBoarding%2Bthe%2BLuminary_adj.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IaK0ixH-YRg/WRKOvxnMY0I/AAAAAAAACow/CkriQjnHmQEmW8y2Zz1ajL1LgkU4UuP0QCLcB/s320/IMG_0164%2BBoarding%2Bthe%2BLuminary_adj.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Finally
on Sunday afternoon it was time to board our ship – The Avalon Luminary. She carries 130 passengers, has a restaurant,
two lounges and a sky deck. Unfortunately,
Belgium in May is still quite brisk, and frequently rainy. Not to mention that
for low bridges, and overnight when we dock in a city, the captain closes the sky deck
for security reasons. So… we really
haven’t spent any time up there. But there
is no lack for comfort on board regardless.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xh-rv1pFOz4/WRKQCYNBdxI/AAAAAAAACpA/keyLrucrjxEU4Wme0ukTbJX1KwGH_qbUgCLcB/s1600/IMG_0360%2BTS%2Bunder%2Bthe%2Bbed_crop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xh-rv1pFOz4/WRKQCYNBdxI/AAAAAAAACpA/keyLrucrjxEU4Wme0ukTbJX1KwGH_qbUgCLcB/s320/IMG_0360%2BTS%2Bunder%2Bthe%2Bbed_crop.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Our
room has a queen sized bed (two twins pushed together, but the mattress was very comfortable, so we were never aware of it being separate beds!), private bath with a large shower, and plenty of closet space.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Since a significant driver in our decision to do a
cruise is the fact that you don’t have to keep moving your luggage each day, we
immediately unpacked and stowed the empty suitcases below the bed.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">A big question was going to be what to do
with the scooters.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">As you may recall,
the cruise line objected strenuously that there was no room to store the
scooter.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Indeed, upon first glance it
was looking to be quite awkward. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">I’d intended that each of us would store one
scooter, but since the Travel Scoot was non-functional, we took them both so
that Dave could tinker with it.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">That
scooter folds right up, so that was a simple matter to push under the bed.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">The other one we were starting to resign
ourselves to nest under the desk area, when I discovered that it would fit
fantastically in the closet!</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Et voila –
two scooters stored and NO floor space sacrificed!</span></div>
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Learning
how to move the scooters around on board took a bit of coordination, but even
in the morning when the cleaning carts were in the hallway, I was still able to
grab the front wheel and pull the scoots up the hallway… Note to self – the farther back on the ship,
the longer commute each day! Gangplanks
were awkward – mostly because of protruding wheels that would catch the hand
ropes. And the most difficult navigation
of all, was the one day we did double park – and had to ascend to the sky deck
to transfer to another cruise ship, then descend to their main deck to disembark. I’m thankful we still only had one functioning scooter
that day, because that was a heck of a transfer. I learned to carry the scoot vertically, and
hook the front wheel over my shoulder – that way I was able to free one hand to
hold onto the hand rail. Because those
stairways up to the sky decks are narrow and steep!<o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Contrary
to the protestations of the cruise line, all of the crew members were quick to
offer to carry the scoots on and off for me.
To the point where I sometimes felt goaded into declaring I can do
this!! Oh well – it’s good to accept
help. Even our fellow passengers jumped
in frequently to offer assistance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">As for the elevator on board... that was quite frustrating. The cabin decks at the rear of the boat were 1/2 floor offset from the restaurant/lounge decks in the front. There are 3 levels of cabins. At first, second and even third look, the elevator appeared to only operate on the cabin decks. But it turns out there is a hidden door in the side of the elevator that could open on the half floors... HURM. So we made rather little use of the elevator. In light of that, the 2nd deck of cabins was ideal for Dave and I because it was generally 1/2 flight up or down that he needed to navigate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Anyways,
once stowed and the safety drill complete, we were underway just as dinner was
served. Dinner in the restaurant always
had an appetizer, soup, entrée and dessert – wth 2-4 choices for each. So there was lots of variety, and it was all
wonderful! We had already made up our
minds to forego the gluten free and dairy free restrictions for this trip, and
that didn’t take but a single meal to become a distant memory, haha! It’s interesting to note that after a week of
eating with abandon, neither of us have had any mal-adjustment back to this way of
eating.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PFhLisgFHn0/WRKTXWzhBCI/AAAAAAAACpM/RXrLz_ICtM0iviY5fAj3saFUORNxQMYIwCLcB/s1600/IMG_0170%2BThe%2BRotterdam%2Badj.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PFhLisgFHn0/WRKTXWzhBCI/AAAAAAAACpM/RXrLz_ICtM0iviY5fAj3saFUORNxQMYIwCLcB/s320/IMG_0170%2BThe%2BRotterdam%2Badj.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Most days we set sail just as dinner began, and sailed overnight. The first morning we awoke in the Rotterdam harbor - one of the largest in the world. Thanks to the wonder that is facebook, my brother alerted us to keep an eye out for the oceanliner, The Rotterdam which is permanently docked in the harbor. Turns out that is the ship my parents and my oldest sister and brother sailed back from Europe to the USA on in 1961. Low and behold, just minutes later, there she was! (and no, those are not flames erupting on the dock, but a strange reflection of the table of people behind me, oddly spotlighted...)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">(Here's a link to<a href="http://sunponyranch.blogspot.com/"> my blog's home page</a> so that you can navigate to other posts about our trip)</span></div>
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Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16803400693301500933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11216725.post-73224710921233677972017-05-08T22:40:00.002-06:002017-05-09T22:20:06.629-06:00Day 1-2 Amsterdam<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3PTrw7o4CUI/WRE58SZJqnI/AAAAAAAACmI/HIJn0M2WZRk8bMknrPMJMlJ3o3AbWZJOwCLcB/s1600/IMG_0012%2BAmsterdam%2BOld%2BTown_adj.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3PTrw7o4CUI/WRE58SZJqnI/AAAAAAAACmI/HIJn0M2WZRk8bMknrPMJMlJ3o3AbWZJOwCLcB/s320/IMG_0012%2BAmsterdam%2BOld%2BTown_adj.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">We
arrived at the hotel in Amsterdam late in the day, but its light until after 9 here now, so we couldn’t
resist taking a stroll to find some dinner.
As our hotel was very near the Old Town area, of course we went
there! </span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UJV9dZcUKfI/WRE58bR1JjI/AAAAAAAACmE/0_GR5pzUwygCk4RgdZpIt8JS1aSuEu-owCLcB/s1600/IMG_0015%2BAmsterdam%2Bmasks_adj.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UJV9dZcUKfI/WRE58bR1JjI/AAAAAAAACmE/0_GR5pzUwygCk4RgdZpIt8JS1aSuEu-owCLcB/s320/IMG_0015%2BAmsterdam%2Bmasks_adj.JPG" width="288" /></a></div>
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t_bww8T-PJM/WRE58Tjdh1I/AAAAAAAACmA/PnLtSLtxxF4HMYt7iSvY7VxfG54-HgJ3gCLcB/s1600/IMG_0019%2BPaella_adj.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t_bww8T-PJM/WRE58Tjdh1I/AAAAAAAACmA/PnLtSLtxxF4HMYt7iSvY7VxfG54-HgJ3gCLcB/s320/IMG_0019%2BPaella_adj.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Old
town still has the layout as was created in the Middle Ages – very narrow
streets and crooked buildings.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">It’s also
immensely popular, so maneuvering through these very crowded cobblestone
streets was fairly unnerving for David on the scooter.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">After dinner I noticed he was moving about
more confidently, and he said that he had decided that if he took a spill, then
so be it – he would rely upon some of these crowds to help him get back
up!</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">With that great attitude he took to
navigating the challenging streets like a pro.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mqU1o3Lvwu0/WRE584JUQuI/AAAAAAAACmM/m4UYDT5PCK0ekQS8IiOCA7pU5Szco-AkQCLcB/s1600/IMG_0020%2BPaella%2Bdinner_adj.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mqU1o3Lvwu0/WRE584JUQuI/AAAAAAAACmM/m4UYDT5PCK0ekQS8IiOCA7pU5Szco-AkQCLcB/s320/IMG_0020%2BPaella%2Bdinner_adj.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Old
Town was <b>packed </b>with bars and restaurants of all flavors. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">We decided to try “La Paella” – because the
menu had a list of tapas, but once we got inside and saw the paella being
served we could not resist. Beautiful
pans of golden rice, mixed seafoods and veggies. Oh, yum! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">As we claimed to not be very hungry, we split two orders – but had no
trouble cleaning them up!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">It
was full dark by the time we left, and decided to head back through the Red
Light district which essentially surrounded us anyway. The incredible density and array of shops
continued, though the themes of the businesses started to shift into the more risqué. Alas, we did not happen upon the street where
the ladies of the night advertise themselves in windows down onto the street – but
I did not insist upon dragging my parents around to find it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Back to the hotel after 11 - when we had had all intentions of an early night. A well! At least we needed no extra encouragement to climb straight into bed! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Sunday
morning we joined our cruise mates for a tour of the city. We started on a canal cruise, and based on
the line we saw later to get on one of these glass boat tours in town, we were
very happy to have had a private tour arranged for us. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">We also were treated to
a gloriously beautiful sunny day – the locals said this was the first of the
year so far?!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">One gets a fantastic view of Amsterdam from the canals. There are many resident house-boats permanently moored in place. They have mailboxes, swewage control and fixed gangplanks for access. We even saw them doubling up (double parking) such that the second boad had access rights across the first boat to get home!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">There is an incredible
variety of boats. Many with bicycles chained to a bike rack on the sidewalk. Gardens, including potted trees on the deck and...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">This ingenious one that had a floating garden alongside.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Apparently these boat houses are now some of the most expensive housing in the city! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">And of course, the bridges, too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Amsterdam
is famous for the architecture that has narrow houses with ornate and
individualistic roof treatments. Story
goes that owners were taxed on the width of their house – so they are all quite
narrow, but very tall. Some are more
narrow than others – 3, 2 and even just 1 window wide.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Most of these row houses come with hoisting beams from their peak. Such beams allow for hauling up your furniture, to move in through the window on the appropriate floor. Otherwise you’d never get that furniture up the narrow stairways! I love this idea, and kept my eyes peeled for the sight of someone moving in… however I never did see any hoisting in progress.</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9DngJLFm-7k/WRFCZXpTLKI/AAAAAAAACnU/ZnW6Fksk2qAVt3CmD2mwHEDme69biFJ5QCLcB/s1600/IMG_0109%2BAmsterdam%2BAdornments_adj.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9DngJLFm-7k/WRFCZXpTLKI/AAAAAAAACnU/ZnW6Fksk2qAVt3CmD2mwHEDme69biFJ5QCLcB/s320/IMG_0109%2BAmsterdam%2BAdornments_adj.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OuacKlvzn-k/WRFBhWltIlI/AAAAAAAACnE/qSCzNRAZHJwAgZTV7nFJirwLHr8WqMVLwCLcB/s1600/IMG_0078%2BLeaning%2BHouses_adj.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OuacKlvzn-k/WRFBhWltIlI/AAAAAAAACnE/qSCzNRAZHJwAgZTV7nFJirwLHr8WqMVLwCLcB/s320/IMG_0078%2BLeaning%2BHouses_adj.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Some
are subdivided such that a family may own only a single floor of the
house. We saw some cases of the front
door being split into two doors – apparently the halls behind them are split,
one door leading to the main floor, the other directly to the staircase. Such arrangements then necessitate mini home
owners associations, as the different families need to share the maintenance
costs for the front stairs, the stairwell, and the roof. I guess in Amsterdam it is typical that the
land is leased from the city – rather than owned with the house.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">After
just a short time looking around the canals, you quickly get the impression that
the buildings all seem to be leaning one way or another! I chalked that up to ancient architecture,
but it turns out that is only partially correct. Some houses, notably this pair,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">have
foundations that are failing. The
pilings that they sit upon were not driven all the way down into the swampy
ground. The portion that is exposed to
air, has a tendency to rot away, and thus they have settled unevenly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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it turns out that the much more common leaning front wall of the house is
designed intentionally! For, if you
wanted to hoist your belongings up the outside of your house, it would be
advantageous to have the top of the front wall leaning out over the foot. Clever, them danes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">On the bus back to the hotel -- LOOK, our first windmill! This is an industrial mill, grinding the grains for the brewery you can't see below. As opposed to the ones out on the dykes, pumping water out.</span></div>
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our tour, we had a couple of free hours, so we headed out for the Dam Square which was a few blocks away. Passed the very ornate Central Railway station, and this very popular canal side cafe.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Tons of crowds out, but we window shopped, and in the case of the Old Amsterdam Cheese shop, entered to taste some of their wares.</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yvzz-4aGkRc/WRFEmlPEtEI/AAAAAAAACnw/ljwRyvlopXoLKl_ABerGAIfa5FX1anfiQCLcB/s1600/IMG_0141%2BAmsterdam%2BLunch_adj.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yvzz-4aGkRc/WRFEmlPEtEI/AAAAAAAACnw/ljwRyvlopXoLKl_ABerGAIfa5FX1anfiQCLcB/s320/IMG_0141%2BAmsterdam%2BLunch_adj.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Dam Square is the commenoration of the dam across the Amstel river built in the 13th century to prevent flooding of the city -- thus the origin of the name Amsterdam. The Royal Palace sits here as well, the "Koninkijk Palace". Just a few days before our visit, the King of the Netherlands had his 50th birthday, which was a big celebration. Many of the oranged themed decorations were still hanging around the city.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Dam Square turned out to be the perfect place for a picnic lunch. To explain, I have to back up a bit to our
airline reservations on the way over. We
booked with United, but it was operated by Lufthansa. Not so unusual. But I did think it was quite odd that all of
our itinerary information said that there would be no meals on this
transatlantic flight…! I mean – it was a
super deal, so I figured the meal was just one frill they were doing away with. So we had purposefully gotten some
sandwiches-to-go from RISE Bakery before leaving.</span><br />
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we DID get dinner <i>and</i> breakfast on
the plane. Hum. So now the sandwiches were just sorta just coming along for the ride,
to Europe. :-/ </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">We
fixed that problem, and they were delicious!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Heading back to hotel in time to transfer to the boat, we again walked back up the canal we had walked the night prior. Just so beautiful, in any light!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Look at that grin! Can't walk through town without stopping for a quick pint.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">(Here's a link to<a href="http://sunponyranch.blogspot.com/"> my blog's home page</a> so that you can navigate to other posts about our trip)</span></div>
Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16803400693301500933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11216725.post-69324919268542867132017-05-02T09:58:00.000-06:002017-05-09T22:21:33.187-06:00It wouldn't be a journey without some ups and downs<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">It's been a bad couple of social media weeks for United Airlines of late. From passengers injured while being <a href="http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/04/10/523275494/passenger-forcibly-removed-from-united-flight-prompting-outcry" target="_blank">forcibly bumped from their flight,</a> to passengers <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dr-gridlock/wp/2017/03/26/two-girls-barred-from-united-flight-for-wearing-leggings/?utm_term=.a09a14a14c3f" target="_blank">barred from flying because of their wardrobe</a>. But this headline in particular, got my attention immediately: "<a href="https://medium.com/@treyharris/united-airlines-made-me-abandon-my-mobility-device-at-the-gate-before-my-honeymoon-8d74eee04038" target="_blank">United Airlines made me abandon my mobility device at the gate before my honeymoon.</a>"</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">We have flown with a scooter probably a dozen times in the past year and a half. While we have regularly encountered different receptions at every gate - from whether the ticket agent feels the need to examine and tag the scooter, to how long the TSA folks take to manually inspect it in security, to just how nervous is the gate agent in agreeing to give us a gate-check tag -- I have to say we have never worried about being able to proceed according to plan.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">It's pretty slick, actually. We get in line for disabled passengers' boarding, and David rides the scooter to the end of the jetway. He dismounts, grabs the battery, and heads into the plane while I fold it down and secure a few moving pieces. The luggage guys are always surprised at how light it is when they pick it up to carry it down to place underneath. Without the batteries, the scooter is not much over 30 pounds, and even with the battery, it's still under 40 pounds.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">But there is a difference in flying to Europe - because there is no ADA that states they must take disability devices, so this trip was going to new territory for us in more ways than just geography. This blog post of an under-informed gate agent and captain trying to decide in the spur of the moment whether a device is safe aboard the aircraft is not very efficient, effective or fair to any of the parties involved. Because at that point - what recourse does anyone have? Abandoning your device at the airport is not an acceptable choice...! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">And, of course I came across this blog just 2 weeks prior to our trip, which had my alarm bells going off all over again. What in the world is one supposed to do? This guy had done it all - talked to the airline and the TSA. Had the specs from the manufacturer. All confirmed the device was approved. He even had it in writing from the TSA. He made it through the TSA checkpoint. And the gate agent / captain still have final say. Talk about a control freak's very own special circle of hell. Suffice it to say, I've been a barely disguised basket case all week.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">Friends talked me through it: Lufthansa, they said?? That's fantastic - they have great service! Okay, okay. there was nothing to be done anyway, except to save the TSA help line to my phone and print out all the documents I had on the specifications for these batteries and the FAA and airline guidelines.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">And then, a week prior to the trip – the Smart Scoot wouldn’t turn on… David got on the phone with support, and ended up opening up the controller and diagnosing some connections that had broken loose and needed to be soldered back together. Voila! In the midst of that process we ordered a spare battery, but decided that that wasn’t the issue, so we figured we’d just have a spare. But we were wrong there, because when we got to the airport, the Smart Scoot again wouldn’t turn on at curb side! Thank goodness we decided to lug that spare battery with us anyways, as it was just a quick swap out and the SS was back in business!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">Security was a breeze, with Dave on the Smart Scoot and my mother on the Travel Scoot we made quite the sight. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">Got to the gate, checked in, and got tags for the scooters, and we were all set to go! The Gate Agent didn’t even blink an eye, and we were quite relieved that all the frought was for naught. All the anticipation of difficulties led us to arriving at the gate nearly 2 hours before flight time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">For the first time ever, we met another passenger on our flight who had a Travel Scoot! We chatted with him and compared the scoots – he was not familiar with the Smart Scoot. He’d had his Travel Scoot for 3 years and loves it every bit as much as we do.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">When the attendants came to collect us for early boarding, there were 3 of us scooters, 3 people in wheelchairs and dozen others that were ambulatory / had small children, etc. They ushered us into a hallway, just prior to the jetway, and the fun began. Agents with radios started running around, looking closer at the scooters, and saying things like “I have to figure out whether these people can fly today”. Oh yeah, that was real good for my blood pressure… I tried valiantly to remain calm. We pointed out that we’d checked in, and had gotten tags for the scooters – but apparently it wasn’t the right tags. Then I volunteered that yes these batteries are approved for flying, that I had talked with Lufthansa specifically, and I showed her my packet of papers. That totally seemed to convince the girl on the ground, as she said into her phone – “yes, she has documents and everything”. The person on the other end wasn’t so easily swayed. They ran back and forth. Someone had to collect our boarding passes to go back and get baggage tags for the scooters. Somewhere during this whole bit, the man with the other Travel Scoot had gotten up and boarded – taking his battery with him, which is according to the FAA Guidelines. We were totally prepared to do the same, but when I said so, the gate agent again got agitated and said into the phone – “she wants to take the battery onboard with her!” Finally my girl got word that I needed documentation that the batteries were “Non-Spillable” litium ion batteries. I was riffling through my set of papers, but not finding the magic words. By this time all the other pre-board passengers were long gone, and the attendant trying to load people was getting quite agitated: “This is the type of thing that needs to be settled at check in, NOT on the ramp”. Yes, I totally agree. She eventually took the phone from my girl, and said yes, they were contained batteries, firmly attached to the scooters and the power was disconnected… and she was going to put them aboard. Yea! My hero! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">In Frankfurt, we got the scooters back and made it to our next flight, again with hackles ready for a fight at the gate. I asked the checkin agent whether everything was in order, she too didn’t bat an eye, but upon questioning she did seem much more confident things were in order. In fact, she was concerned because the plane was not at a jet way, but parked out on the tarmac and the passengers would have to climb a set of stairs to board. We were saying that that would not be a problem, when she said she’d make arrangements to get us out there early. OK, that’s always helpful.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">Arrangements ended up being our own bus – which drove out to an island of a dozen or so parked planes. But instead of getting off to climb those stairs, they pulled the bus up to one of those lift trucks, that usually deliver catering carts to the far side door of the plane. Lifted us right up and we boarded onto an empty plane! It was just such a contrast to Denver, and actually felt entirely like an overcorrection, but we decided we’d take it!</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fuYL_drxkfk/WQiyLBdaToI/AAAAAAAAClk/ZI6gZjs2vcMgtkttprs87RQ93-F9mNc3wCLcB/s1600/IMG_0371_TSController.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fuYL_drxkfk/WQiyLBdaToI/AAAAAAAAClk/ZI6gZjs2vcMgtkttprs87RQ93-F9mNc3wCLcB/s320/IMG_0371_TSController.JPG" width="274" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">Finally - and I'll be brief because I'm now bored by the discussion of scooter issues - as soon as we got to the hotel in Amsterdam, Mom started having troubles keeping the Travel Scoot turned on. Through a couple troubleshooting sessions including checking in with the Facebook Travel Scoot community, and calling the TS office in Munich and Washington, we decided the controller needs to be replaced. (Dave sure is getting an education on how these scooters are constructed!) They are shipping a new one to a friend of our Cruise Director, who will be able to deliver it to the ship on Thursday. It is a bummer that she will be without the scooter for 4 days, but it'll certainly make it all the more sweeter when it's available again!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">5/4 update -- the package was delivered on schedule, plugged in and the scooter worked again!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">(Here's a link to</span><a href="http://sunponyranch.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> my blog's home page</a><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> so that you can navigate to other posts about our trip)</span></span></span><br />
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Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16803400693301500933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11216725.post-48305849720406146252017-04-24T07:30:00.001-06:002017-04-24T07:32:25.866-06:00I panic... it's my thingI'm an organizer. I like to organize group events; it's something I like to think I do well. I've organized the farmers market for the past 3 years of 90 some vendors, a different 30 of which show up each week through the season. I designed many of the staff processes in the kennel when we ran it. And I've coordinated travel trips for groups as few as 4 and planned events abroad for over 80.<br />
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That doesn't mean it come easily. Well, it does. But I mean it also isn't without considerable personal investment (i.e. full on panic attacks as the event draws near.) The funny thing is that I'm only now starting to recognize my reactions. It would be great if I were also now starting to actively overcome my reactions - but I guess that is a step yet to come.<br />
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I've been toying with an idea for about a year now, to create a travel business. They do always say make your passion your career and you will never tire of your work. I'm not sure I'm interested in doing this full time - so whether I can make this a self-funded hobby is a major consideration of late. But this Friday we're about to go on a trial run - a trip I'm planning for my parents and us, pretending that they are paying clients. I've budgeted all the lodging, transportation and meals, and my parents have paid me their share. I'm actually pretty excited to see how adequate my budget ends up being. (Luckily I have the luxury with these clients to settle up afterwards depending on how off I am!)<br />
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We're leaving for a river cruise on Friday. It's now Monday. I did not get a chance to pre-pack my suitcase this past weekend due to all the things...., which in itself is a lurking bit of anxiety right there. But no - the fun part of this weekend arose when I was reviewing our accommodations and realized that I still don't have information on the hotel the first night of our cruise... I can remember distinctly talking to the customer service about this and they assured me the hotel was included in the cruise package, and that those details would be provided to me shortly before departure. Well... it's now less than a week and I haven't been notified. So then I also remembered opting OUT of booking additional hotel nights at the time that I booked the cruise. SO... is it possible the customer service person was blowing smoke and didn't even look at my reservation to see that I had decided to not book the hotel through them, and in fact the 4 of us have no hotel reservations at all for the night we arrive after an international flight? In Amsterdam? In the city that currently even Hotels.Com is advertising a minimum of $300 per night per room? Awwww, crap - there goes my trip budget before even leaving! This was all Saturday. The cruise line customer service only works business hours. Gah.<br />
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So I called again this morning - 5:55 am hoping that they were on East Coast Time. No luck there, but just 5 minutes later I got a call back from Customer Service - she said she saw they had just missed my call, and the one on Saturday. Nice! Indeed - our hotel is arranged for. Instead, there was a minor mishap over getting me the final documentation, and that is now on the way. And, I confirmed that the average cab fare from the Airport to the Hotel is less than half of what the cruise line offers in terms of transportation, so that instinct to opt out of that service was also validated. *whew*<br />
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So the panic attacks - they are just my way of mitigating risk. Going over the known details and imagining all the things that could go wrong -- this gets my butt in gear to make sure that doesn't happen. I just kind of wish I could skip the adrenaline rush and cold sweats. :-)Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16803400693301500933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11216725.post-73218673470525595832017-01-11T09:53:00.001-07:002017-02-13T11:11:11.378-07:00Perseverance - or - you never know until you ask... and ask and ask<div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
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I've wanted to try a river cruise in Europe. This kind of trip seems to me a melding of much that is great about travelling - You get to check in to your room and stow your luggage for a full week. For us the packing, and moving of luggage is quite difficult, so this factor alone is very inviting. Plus, your room gets to move down some of the most scenic routes in Europe! You can sight see from your room, or from one of the several lounges on the ship.</div>
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Your meals are provided. Now, granted, I know there is a whole lot of culture to be experienced by eating locally. But, that does take quite a bit of effort, and expense. So for the duration of the cruise, I'm happy to have the 'where will we eat' question settled. I also presume that we will have opportunities to eat where we like on shore if we choose to. (and.. for this trip we will tour another week after the cruise)</div>
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For those with mobility issues, these factors become critical. If there are days when the thought of going on the shore excursion is too daunting, then remaining aboard ship is an option. A more attractive option, I think, than staying in your hotel room or lobby for the day. This is totally an assumption on my part - one we'll evaluate closely when we get there.</div>
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Regardless, the cruise lines offering river cruises have become quite resistant to the idea of hosting passengers with mobility challenges in the past few years. And for some good reasons -- it's important passengers understand the challenges that remain despite the advantages I listed above.</div>
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On board the ship, wheel chairs and scooters for the most part can't navigate. Doorways into the staterooms are too narrow unless you get a suite or possibly a specially equipped 'accessible' cabin - of which I've not encountered very many. Older ships don't have elevators, and even the newer ships that do have them - the elevators don't necessarily go to every deck. The ones I've asked about only have elevator support for the middle two decks - the bottom deck and the top sun deck do not have elevator access.</div>
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Boarding and disembarking from the ships is via narrow gangplanks with railings that will have a step down at the far end - onto the dock where it rests. So it is not possible to ride a scooter or wheelchair there either. And here is the doozy -- river cruising has become so popular that is quite possible that multiple ships will be docked up side by side - so that you may have to transfer from ship to ship to ship in order to disembark. This process itself may require climbing stairs up and down decks as well - depending on whether the other ships will allow passengers to cross through, or over, their ship to get to shore. </div>
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Also, of course, the electrical service in Europe is different than America so scooter users will need to make sure they have plug and power converters as necessary.</div>
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Finally, there is the reality of the old European cities which were built long before the concept of providing access to all people became a thing. Cobblestone roads, curbs, and stairs into and out of every building will be rampant.</div>
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All that aside - when we consider what a boon the scooter is for us where we can use it -- in airports, for example -- there is absolutely no question that we won't be bringing it with us. And if we find a bike path - great! Our scooters are quite versatile with the footing they can maneuver in and they can be a complete game changer in terms of giving us the freedom to comfortably explore a few more blocks, or miles even.</div>
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So that's why when I had started hearing that cruise lines were forbidding mobility scooters, I was wary about us booking one. When I found the cruise we wanted to go on -- I called and very carefully explained the size and nature of our scooter, and my intent to use it only on excursions where it could be used. That I would carry it on and off board and David would walk everywhere on board including up and down stairs (tho we hope to minimize that). The booking agent said that wouldn't be a problem - so we booked!</div>
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And then... 4 days later I got an email stating that universally all mobility scooters were forbidden on board.</div>
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Uffdah! This was a real emotional set back for me - so I chose to ignore it. I kind of thought we'll just have the conversation when we arrive to board. But then I heard through social media of others who had cancelled their trip for the exact same reason... I decided it was better to sort it out.</div>
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I rolled up my sleeves and asked exactly what were the concerns from the cruise line. I tell you, I had several phone conversations with several agents offering some rather weak party lines. I started with the Customer Service agent, who said she'd try to escallate the issue -- which only resulted in a second copy of the email stating that universally all mobility scooters were forbidden on board. </div>
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I called again, and this time got transferred to the Special Needs department. Who reiterated: </div>
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* They can't be used onboard. (I said I knew that)<br />
* They can't be used to get on/off the ship due to stairs and gangplanks (I said I knew that)<br />
* No staff is available to assist either my husband or in carrying my scooter. (I said I knew that)<br />
* Past customers being unhappy about being unable to charge their batteries properly. (I said I would have proper charging capabilities)<br />
* Past customer being unhappy that Europe's cobblestone roads are not suitable for scooters. </div>
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I said - I KNOW all of this. But this should be my decision to make. You have done your due diligence and informed me of the challenges.... I will decide whether an excursion is suitable for the scooter or not.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Lastly, and MOST im</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">portantl</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">y - we are travelling on our own for a week after the cruise - which is not a round trip itinerary - so I HAVE to be able to bring the scooter on board with me!</span></div>
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I was giving up - and literally forming the words "I guess we'll have to cancel our reservation" when the Special Needs agent said "the only other thing we could do is allow you to fill out the form asking for an exception to bring your scooter, and send that to the European Operations Office". Well - YES please. Lets do that.</div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I filled it out using the explanations above, and included photos of me carrying the scooters. (we're in the process now of buying a second scooter so that we'll have both a Smart Scoot and a Travel Scoot. I figure - as long as we have one scooter to manage, two is just as easy and it may well come in handy for my parents!)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I just heard that we got our exception approved ... and in writing! </span><span class="_47e3 _5mfr" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle;" title="smile emoticon"><img alt="" aria-hidden="1" class="img" height="16" src="https://www.facebook.com/images/emoji.php/v6/f4c/1/16/1f642.png" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: -3px;" width="16" /><span aria-hidden="1" class="_7oe" style="display: inline-block; font-size: 0px; width: 0px;">:-)</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> We're going to Amsterdam this May to see the tulips!</span></div>
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Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16803400693301500933noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11216725.post-89847561240876310182016-09-19T19:16:00.010-06:002016-09-19T19:38:52.336-06:00Wine Festivals - Colorado Style!<br />
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Last spring I resolved to finally make a point of visiting the Palisade Wine Festival this fall -- we've wanted to for years, but haven't ever made it. So I looked up the date, got some folks who wanted to go, and booked an AirBNB.<br />
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Also last spring, we purchased a fractional ownership at a resort in Breckenridge, and we hadn't yet had an opportunity to go up and make use of some of our benefits. So I started dreaming that Dave and I could head up to Breckenridge Thursday for a night, and then catch up with the rest of the group on their way over on Friday (Breckenridge is 2 hours away - Palisade 5, so it is about half way). That was going to have to be last minute planning, basically, because I was aiming to use the 'space available' benefits that rent out un-reserved units for cheap to owners. Hum.<br />
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In the meanwhile, I saw on Facebook someone who had won tickets for a wine paring dinner at the inaugrual Breckenridge Wine Classic. As she was unable to use them, she was selling them cheap. It started my mind awhirling... the dinner was in Breckendrige! On the Thursday night I was hoping to be up there! AND held in the restaurant IN OUR CONDO BUILDING! I felt the universe was telling me I absolutely HAD to go. <br />
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Then I asked the others, and they all said they would love to attend as well. So I bought 5 tickets for less than 1/3 the published price... and then started sweating the deal to actually get a room for us to stay in. But, that too fell into place a whole 2 days before we left, and suddenly the 5 of us were headed for a wine weekend spectacular. :-)<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qagMhUN7TaI/V-CCybyAemI/AAAAAAAACY4/alTpvd9Oxgkgw0IOdmJjSeZAfyP_4xUPwCLcB/s1600/IMG_2204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qagMhUN7TaI/V-CCybyAemI/AAAAAAAACY4/alTpvd9Oxgkgw0IOdmJjSeZAfyP_4xUPwCLcB/s320/IMG_2204.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9ZFXMJbEdmE/V-CC0Yfiu3I/AAAAAAAACY8/FdRQUdiT5PkKw2qyTVa-KYFzvPModhLwACLcB/s1600/IMG_2202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9ZFXMJbEdmE/V-CC0Yfiu3I/AAAAAAAACY8/FdRQUdiT5PkKw2qyTVa-KYFzvPModhLwACLcB/s320/IMG_2202.JPG" width="240" /></a>The dinner? Was lovely! 6 wines, 5 of which paired with food courses. And over the course of 3 hours we ohh-ed and ahh-ed our way though a symphony of tastes. Kelly was particularly fond of the final glass - an Austrailian Port. Hee!<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-32dBtWCqzuo/V-CDHyCUJkI/AAAAAAAACZA/MI7D5ziiTwEfV6VgvgfncwNcsvqAM_RZACLcB/s1600/IMG_2207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-32dBtWCqzuo/V-CDHyCUJkI/AAAAAAAACZA/MI7D5ziiTwEfV6VgvgfncwNcsvqAM_RZACLcB/s320/IMG_2207.JPG" width="300" /></a>Friday I had a few hours of work to do - so the rest packed up the room and then headed down to the hot tubs for a proper soak (the evening before we'd only arrived 10 minutes before we got kicked out at closing time.) We caught up out by the pool.<br />
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JfvZ2Meem2w/V-CDLtV29LI/AAAAAAAACZI/dUDUi6gIW9IM-9aNkCnAtgsG4k4ZCMgDwCLcB/s1600/IMG_2211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JfvZ2Meem2w/V-CDLtV29LI/AAAAAAAACZI/dUDUi6gIW9IM-9aNkCnAtgsG4k4ZCMgDwCLcB/s320/IMG_2211.JPG" width="300" /></a><br />
We mosied through the town of Breckenridge for a bit, then headed on over to Grand Junction where we checked in to our 'charming cottage' which was just that.<br />
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Saturday - Kelly and Cindy got up early and headed out for a hike - agreeing to return by noon so that we could go tour wineries. (I had long ago abandoned the idea of actually attending the wine festival - in favor of just visiting area wineries - I was hoping all the crowds would be at the festival leaving us in peace.) I made sourdough pancakes - from starter that another friend had just started from grapes that we harvested. Amazing sour dough - equal parts grapes, (gluten free) flour, and water - squish together and watch it start bubbling! It made fabulous pancakes!<br />
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About noon we heard from the hikers that... well... they weren't yet back to their car so... perhaps we should head out and they would catchup. Little did I know that at that time they were actually lost - and didn't know where the trail was - but Kelly decided not to raise any undue alarms. We headed out - and dutifully texted them each winery as we meandered across the map.<br />
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-upZPxKIuvYQ/V-CEu83trdI/AAAAAAAACZc/R8MYwca-ARoY-sEFCHSUwuynM-IeRnMsgCLcB/s1600/IMG_2225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-upZPxKIuvYQ/V-CEu83trdI/AAAAAAAACZc/R8MYwca-ARoY-sEFCHSUwuynM-IeRnMsgCLcB/s320/IMG_2225.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--3L3d89xfF4/V-CEd9QQQfI/AAAAAAAACZU/NLAHVzur6bcsP_25JYIH_XxhUC_cUvjegCLcB/s1600/IMG_2222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--3L3d89xfF4/V-CEd9QQQfI/AAAAAAAACZU/NLAHVzur6bcsP_25JYIH_XxhUC_cUvjegCLcB/s320/IMG_2222.JPG" width="300" /></a>Sheron, now, is a certified mead judge and is always fascinating to drink with. I'm certain she was educating a number of our servers during the day. I pretty much just go tasting to judge whether I like sipping the sample or not. She has a vast vocabulary and pallet that is interesting to try to expand my horizons against. The first ones we hit up were Ptarmigan Vineyards and Mesa Park Vineyards - both very respectable. And then we couldn't resist stopping at Z's Orchard where Sheron picked up a box of peaches and we perused their expansive collection of produce and I walked back down the road for these pics of some impressively producing trees!<br />
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It was a winery #3 (Carlson Vineyards) that we converged with Kelly and Cindy. That particular winery had a lovely large picnic table with chairs, and it was definitely getting to be time for some food reinforcements, so we pulled out our lunch and got caught up on our respective days so far.<br />
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Winery #4 was St. Kathryns -- which, Oh HEY -- has a fudgery connected to it, so yeah - we got some fudge. St. Kathryns was recommended to us because they have a Lavender wine, among a number of other flavors. It was good! I look forward to having a tea and be able to finish with a glass of lavender wine. And finally we ended up at Whitewater Hill Vinyards as it was on our way back to Grand Junction. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Drinks Well with Others"</td></tr>
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By that time of the day -- things were just a little bit silly and fuzzy. This is where the girls decided I needed this apron. <br />
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Getting home, Cindy and Kelly cooked up a spectacular meal of salmon, steak, roasted potatoes, peach salsa (Sheron's contribution) and arugula salad. OH - we were so done!!<br />
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Sunday, my brilliant plan for splitting up our 5 hour return drive involved a tour of the Central Rocky Mountain Permaculture Institute (CRMPI). They are just outside of Basalt, CO - and are one of the oldest continually operating permaculture institutes around. 'Permaculture', I think, is a word that is still being defined - but the simplest explanation could be "the development of agricultural ecosystems intended to be sustainable and self-sufficient."<br />
see also: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permaculture">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permaculture</a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Introductions</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fig house</td></tr>
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They operate on principles like -- the forest doesn't need people to come weed it, or water it, or add fertilizer -- so why shouldn't our gardens operate like that? Jerome Osentowski has achieved such an incredible site - 5 green houses full of everything from banana trees to pomegranates to taro plants (an soooo much more - jujube fruit? No joking - I hear the candies were named after it!).<br />
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There is one greenhouse devoted almost entirely to a giant fig tree. Have you ever had fresh figs? I had NOT! Have you ever had one picked right from the tree? It is an amazing experience.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climate Battery intake</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig! Indeed - looks less appealing than it tastes</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jujube fruit!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical sidewalk - under which he grows<br />
worms and compost</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pomegranite</td></tr>
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One of the most striking things about his greenhouses? They weren't hot, nor were they humid! I thought tropical plants liked the humidity! Turns out, they don't need it, and it is way more comfortable without it. Jerome helped prove out the technology of a climate battery. Fans suck warm air from the greenhouse into tubes buried feet under the ground - thereby warming the ground and storing the heat there in the day while cooling the overall greenhouse. In the evening, the same fans pull in cool air from the green house, warm it up underground, and raise the temperature in the green house. Frankly, he said - keeping the soils warm is what the plants love - above the ground many plants go dormant over the winter but survive just fine in cold temps as long as their roots are kept at 50 degrees or so.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Duck-less pond</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Aprico</td></tr>
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After the greenhouses, he led us around much of his 8 acre lot - picking fruit at nearly every turn. Black apricots! Of his 20 varieties of grapes, several were ripening. Plums. Gogi berries. Apples. And a pear if we could have gotten 25 feet up into the tree to pick the one that missed the harvest. Keep in mind - he lives on the very red, sandy soil of the Colorado mountains at 7200 feet. The climate he's been able to establish there is amazing - due to the many principles of nature that permaculture advocates promote - think about your water first, work with nature instead of against it, and trap carbon in the ground instead of allowing it to escape to the atmosphere. It was just a whirl wind of exciting and overwhelming information. "<b>Forest Gardening</b>" is what he calls his type of agriculture - check it out if any of this sounds interesting to you.<br />
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And... alas! The weekend came to a close - we just had a 3 hour drive ahead of us. But what a great few days of memories we had gained! <br />
<br />Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16803400693301500933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11216725.post-34045926062665641712016-02-17T08:17:00.001-07:002016-02-17T08:20:55.055-07:00Our story got published!Dr. Caroline approached me a few weeks ago about writing up David's story to put in the paper. This came out last week! <br />
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I actually have quite a few new updates I need to blog about - but this one is quick and easy. HA!<br />
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Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16803400693301500933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11216725.post-64963841790143040802015-12-21T14:51:00.000-07:002015-12-21T14:52:01.062-07:00First Re-assessment Results - yahoo!Dr. Caroline, our DPT, suggested that we re-assess Dave's tests monthly, following treatment. In the end we saw her nearly weekly for the first month as she was very helpful in recovering from the liposuction. For a few weeks he had a lot of swelling and fluid build up in his abdomen, so she was helping us sort that out.<br />
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Our initial assessment was broken into two sessions, so the re-assessment was as well. And, due to some scheduling snafus, we didn't complete them until 5 weeks post treatment. But the news was very positive!<br />
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Our first session was actually late in the day, and David had been fatigued all day anyways. Yes, he continues to have good days and bad. So we avoided the strength testing that first session and performed some more coordination testing. She also had some before videos of him, so she took after videos too.<br />
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The videos were dramatic. For the walking across the gym, on the retest he took his sticks but didn't think about using them. His torso is distinctly more steady, and his gate is stronger and more straight forward. Less using the hips to swing his legs and more using his leg muscles correctly. Same with the sit to stand test.<br />
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When we got in again for the strength portions of the test -- well the numbers are outstanding!<br />
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Leading the charge, the 2 minute walking test on the treadmill showed a whopping 150% improvement, and he was far less tired the second go around than on the first.<br />
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I can't say how pleased we are to be working with Dr. Caroline - not just for all the advice and encouragement she has provided all these months leading up until now, but these measurements have been so instrumental in convincing us that David is making huge improvements - even when they may be easy to take for granted on a daily basis.Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16803400693301500933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11216725.post-3810066358170768802015-12-17T19:23:00.003-07:002015-12-17T19:33:36.595-07:00It's the little thingsWe were very happy to host my parents and my sister's family for Thanksgiving this year. We had some big things to be thankful for! Not the least was that it was our first Thanksgiving since handing over the kennel to new owners, and we could actually spend time enjoying the holiday for the first time in a very long time! It was bitterly bitterly cold here, so we didn't do much but stay in the house and cook, and eat, and talk, and play games. What an ideal holiday!<br />
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But also Dave's Stem Cell recovery progress was continuing to look positive, even though the changes haven't always been very apparent - to him especially, but to both of us to some extent.</div>
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We were fortunate to have spent some time in Maine with my parents in September - we had rented a house and so did quite a bit of our own cooking. We were also out sight seeing and hiking a bit. Mom was quick to observe that she could see a difference in Dave's ability to maneuver in the kitchen from just 2 months prior. Ginger, our business partner chimed in that Dave was now prone to forgetting his trekking poles - either in the car or in the office. Annoying as that is, to keep having to retrace his steps to get them, it's hugely significant that he 'forgets', at times, that he needs them to walk.</div>
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My sister pointed out that while playing games, Dave was quicker to make decisions, and stayed more present in the conversation - an observation that was also made by our friend Sheron. For years we've been discussing how much of a cognitive impact has the MS been having, but that is such a difficult thing to assess. <br />
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I have to say, I had my own occasions just prior to TG to wonder about the changes in Dave's thinking - when we broached the idea of putting sky lights in the workshop roof for yet a third time. Dave has, for a long time, had a stubborn streak in him that drives me batty. Usually its over things that I disagree about.... Such was the case of the sky lights. Yes, sky lights would be super useful as there are no windows into that room. But they also vastly increase the complexity of the roof -- that we really wanted to get finished because snow was in the forecast. Of a workshop. Of a property we intend to sell in the near future. I just couldn't get him to agree that sky lights were way more complicated than they were worth... Until 6 days before Thanksgiving and we were at the ranch to hopefully put in a power-day to get a lot of that roof done. And.... Dave just up and changed his mind. (Saw the light?). Honestly, I was speechless - for by then I had zero hope he would come around.</div>
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It was so great to have these wonderful people around us, who could share with us the changes that they could see when we were having some difficulty in doing so, and confirm the other changes we think we see but aren't sure. This recovery is a long road, we know, and it's only been a few weeks, but it's so hard to wait patiently.</div>
Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16803400693301500933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11216725.post-36407596697685754432015-12-17T19:01:00.000-07:002015-12-17T19:03:54.894-07:00The Honeymoon<i>Note: this entry was originally composed for email, 11/11/15 </i><br />
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It's been a week since Dave's procedure, so I thought it time for an update.<br />
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First of all, the procedure went very smoothly with no complications. He did opt to take the anti-anxiety meds, so he was fairly spaced out the rest of the day, but no harm to that. The next day the anesthesia had worn off of his abdomen, so that soreness came to the forefront. But that was mostly just discomfort.<br />
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We saw our physical therapist on Friday (<i>Day 2 post procedure</i>) -- and we finally broke down and asked her whether it was too soon for us to be observing changes since the procedure. She said that no, her husband and her son had both seen some changes immediately. So I asked Dave if he thought he was more able to lift his toes while walking, because a number of times it had seemed to me that he had been able to walk stronger, with quicker and longer steps. He agreed that he had noticed the same things. We were incredulous, given it was just two days later. But Caroline's main message was that as he notices changes - he needs to keep doing those movements to help the brain learn to retrain those neural pathways. So if he's able to walk - then walk more and try to walk correctly. She said to expect those walks to tire him out quickly, because those muscles are so weak for not having been used for so long.<br />
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That night at home Dave did something really astonishing - kneeling down on the floor, and standing up again without leaning on anything. He hasn't been able to do that for... years! (in fact as my sister pointed out, I'm not sure I can do that either) I was close to sending an update right then - but held off thinking it was too soon.<br />
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And I'm glad I did, because those improvements essentially disappeared on Saturday. Over the weekend we didn't do a lot. His stomach was still sore and very tender to the touch. But he continued to have moments when we could just tell his walking was stronger, but then moments when it seems nothing has changed. He certainly has never been able to get up off of his knees unaided again.
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Tuesday we had a followup with the Stem Cell doctor. He was fascinated to hear about his 2 day period of dramatic changes. He said that essentially exactly matches the experience that the majority of his joint-pain patients experience - a 1-2 day "honeymoon" period of immediate improvement that then fades. He's never treated MS before, so he was very interested that Dave had his own. He has no explanation for the honeymoon phase, because nothing physically can have taken effect yet. In reality, he said stem cell changes take weeks and months - so we are not to be discouraged by waning progress, and that it isn't likely to be a linear process either.<br />
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So - we will continue waiting and watching. And walking. Monday he walked to the end of our block and up the 4 stairs at the end - with little help from his walking sticks. He was wiped out by doing it, but it's something he couldn't have done a 8 days ago. It'll be another 3 weeks before Caroline will re-run the battery of measurements she took from Dave prior to treatment. We'll let you know how that goes!Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16803400693301500933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11216725.post-10453984709372450582015-12-17T18:36:00.000-07:002015-12-17T18:46:39.240-07:00Beyond the barriers<i>Note: 6 weeks after Dave's first stem cell procedure - I decided to blog about our journey instead of the emails I had been composing to family and friends. So these first few entries are in order, but were not posted at the time events were happening. </i><br />
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Dave's first attack was in 1995. Following a bout of flu, his entire left side went tingly and he lost most of his strength in his left arm and leg. (yes, he's left-handed). The GP escalated our case until we got to a Neurologist. Thank goodness our initial team was MS savvy enough to get us there in a relatively short time. His MRI revealed plaques - one of which was right in his spinal column - the swelling of which was cutting off the nerves to that side. 5 days in the hospital with steroids reduced the swelling and he was good to go. Meanwhile, the plaques were consistent with MS, but again, at that time MS couldn't be diagnosed until you'd had "Multiple" attacks over time. We were told to go home and assume this was a one time deal stemming from an immunological over reaction to the flu.
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Two years later, David had an attack that left him with such severe vertigo that just getting from the bed to the bathroom was nearly insurmountable. That GP told us -- "Oh, No this couldn't be neurological" ... so sent us to an ENT to check for ear infections. *sigh* At least the ENT was quick to get us referred back to the Neurologist. And voila - MS was diagnosed.<br />
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For about 12 years he was on series of interferon treatments, which worked very well to control the disease - no one could tell he had anything unless we told them.
Until about 2012. He started having more difficulty walking. He got slower, and fatigued quickly. Tripped easily. Unfortunately we were so attuned to ignoring the MS - we were very slow to react.<br />
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In the spring of 2013 we took an amazing trip to Costa Rica, where we road horses for 5 days from the mountains down to the coast. It was the first time he'd taken trekking poles with him - to use if he needed them. Didn't need them much, but it was clear things were progressing in a direction we were not happy about.<br />
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Over the summer, we visited a handful of notable neurologists in the area looking for one that was better suited to tackle MS than the one David had been with. We were quite pleased to select Dr. Tamara Miller who practices in Fort Collins. She put Dave on Tysabri - which to our delight was a once-a-month infusion rather than weekly, or multiple times weekly, injection.<br />
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Unfortunately, his MS has continued to progress. He has significant difficulties walking, and fatigue and bladder issues are a daily if not hourly struggle for him. His trekking poles are nearly always necessary. I guess there is still some fuzziness as to whether he has moved into a Secondary Progressive stage of MS or not (something I had thought we had declared in 2013 but in talking to Dr. Miller now she isn't willing to definitively state), but clearly he hasn't responded to either of his treatments in the past few years; treatments which are only effective for the Relapsing-Remitting form of MS. Something, for sure, changed a few years ago.<br />
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Of all people, our physical therapist, Dr. Caroline Creager, turned us on to a doctor in Loveland who is doing some very interesting things with stem cell treatments; specifically adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD MSC's). Meaning they are collected and extracted from abdominal fat.<br />
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So HEY! Bonus points for the fact that this treatment means he gets to get some liposuction! (sadly, not enough to change his body image...)<br />
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This doctor, Dr. Pat Mallory, is a DO - Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. His practice specializes in treating people with chronic join pain with stem cells, and he's had some remarkable success. Interestingly enough, we have a horse who is going through a very similar treatment now for a torn ligament in his hind leg.... because these treatments are always approved for animals long before humans.<br />
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Dr. Mallory also uses stem cells to treat other conditions - he's just not an expert on them. He has treated patients for COPD and ALS. Not MS, however.<br />
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Our physical therapist has a son with a very unusual spinal disorder. Dr. Mallory did his first "intrathecal" (very low in the spinal column - basically a spinal tap in reverse) injection a few months ago, and a few weeks ago did his second. He's been making a lot of improvement - his pain for the first time in years has been minimal to completely gone. In the week following his first injection he not only made it to school every day on time, but also opted to go hiking with his buddies - something that was out of the question just a week prior. I believe either the improvements fade, or they at least plateau, so they anticipate needing repeat treatments. Sadly this is quite difficult for them because.... their son doesn't have any more fat to harvest cells from!! This is at least one problem David doesn't need to plan for (nor I for that matter).<br />
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We've spoken a few times with the researcher in Florida who has pioneered this technique to extract MSCs from adipose tissue. According to her, the significant differentiator of their technique is that it produces a far greater number of viable stem cells - as opposed to techniques that extract stem cells from blood or bone marrow. She has used this technique on some MS patients - but less than 10. The results have been different per individual, as MS tends to be anyways. Ranging from little observable benefit to dramatic improvements.<br />
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So. Our physical therapist is in the process of getting a baseline status for Dave, physically right now. I expect she'll repeat the assessments monthly following treatment to track progress. His neurologist has taken a fresh set of before-MRIs, and will also be monitoring his progress. It's generally acknowledged that a disease like MS will require repeated treatments - which in itself is another whole ball of FDA wax - but we'll deal with that when we come to it.<br />
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And... you might wonder - doesn't me losing my job throw a wrinkle into the plan? Interestingly enough, not really since this treatment isn't currently approved by the FDA, and thus is not covered by insurance anyways. We will of course have Cobra to fall back on for ancillary stuff.<br />
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It's worth noting that we have investigated a number of clinical trials that are going on now using stem cells on MS. I admit that I did that research somewhat to appease Dr. Miller, since is has been her unwavering position that she can only recommend participating in a fully regulated clinical trial. Our observations are:<br />
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<li>none use this particular technique of extracting cells
few use an intrathecal injection - most are IV only. But to treat a central nervous system disease, even if some IV cells cross the blood brain barrier, it would be far fewer than injecting directly into the spinal column. </li>
<li>because the FDA is so far behind in this technology - very few studies are focused on clinical improvement of the patients - but more focused on establishing that the treatment is safe. Europe is far ahead of the US in stem cell therapy and Dr. Mallory can attest that athletes have been traveling to Europe for treatment for many years - when he's only recently started to be able to offer it here. </li>
<li>the studies we found looking for clinical improvement, are testing a protocol where the immune system is first destroyed with chemotherapy drugs and then stem cells are introduced to help rebuild the immune system. No thanks. (actually, recently we're seeing trials that are foregoing the kill the immune system step - we will cross our fingers they prove as successful.) </li>
<li>the studies we found focused on clinical improvement are largely cross over studies - so that both 'groups' of subjects get the treatment, but you don't know whether you get it immediately or will start getting in 6 months. David's neurologist doesn't want him going more than 3 months without treatment, so it seems like a huge risk to enter into that lottery. </li>
<li>all clinical trials would require travelling to one of their sites in the US or Europe - multiple times. And many require the subjects to pay for the treatment as well. </li>
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It is a reaction to Dr. Miller's position that I've named this series of blog posts "Beyond the Barriers", because it does feel like we are going off-road here, into uncharted territory. For the first time we are taking the lead in setting his path forward, simply because the other available options just don't seem to have much to offer us. But moreover, we are hoping that this treatment will not only help halt the MS progression, but also help David regain some of the functionality he's lost. To break through the barriers that the disease has been erecting around him.<br />
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So sticking with a local doctor, whom we know will be administering stem cells immediately and allowing our local neurologist and physical therapist to help monitor his progress - the choice, terrifying and difficult as it was, was simple.<br />
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Dave's procedure is scheduled for November 4th.Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16803400693301500933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11216725.post-11963590374361667692015-12-13T13:58:00.003-07:002015-12-13T14:11:51.458-07:00I became a world traveler at 3<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XVAEoI2fq_Y/Vh1AVrRRwZI/AAAAAAAACDM/MIrDiuZHY5Y/s1600/EasternOdyssey_Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XVAEoI2fq_Y/Vh1AVrRRwZI/AAAAAAAACDM/MIrDiuZHY5Y/s320/EasternOdyssey_Cover.jpg" width="213" /></a>In 1973 my family embarked on a round-the-world trip that took us to Japan for several months before boarding the Trans Siberian Express to Moscow and Helsinki. My father was on sabbatical, visiting a number of physicists and their laboratories in Japan and the Soviet Union. That alone was quite unusual in those days -- in the height of the cold war.<br />
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But he also brought along his wife and 4 children, aged 3 to 17. This made for quite an unusual journey - dare we say, an odyssey? Luckily, my mother insisted that she and my older siblings each keep a journal.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u8xvJQUtplY/Vh1GpRJMRQI/AAAAAAAACDc/fyMciuauNrE/s1600/Family_Ship_to_Nohodka.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u8xvJQUtplY/Vh1GpRJMRQI/AAAAAAAACDc/fyMciuauNrE/s320/Family_Ship_to_Nohodka.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On deck of the ship taking us from Japan to Russia</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gbUwllL1qQM/Vh08pCgHkhI/AAAAAAAACC0/Y1I1RfbYa4M/s1600/Family_RedSquare_Cannon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gbUwllL1qQM/Vh08pCgHkhI/AAAAAAAACC0/Y1I1RfbYa4M/s320/Family_RedSquare_Cannon.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Red Square, Moscow</td></tr>
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Some 30 years went by, but the effects from this trip remain prevalent in our lives. One of us still has that traveling edition of monopoly that my siblings created in our little apartment in Japan. Even my in-laws can quote some of the sayings that "cute little Monica" came up with.<br />
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So it came that a little over a decade ago my sister Nancy typed up the diaries into a combined work. That manuscript (if we may label it as such) was a highlight of mom's 70th birthday celebration for which we were all together to celebrate. We read passages aloud - chuckled at the idioms of the day and the non-sequiturs that are endemic in unedited diary entries. It's quite funny to see up to four different accounts of the events on a particular day - whether it was different points of view on a common set of activities, or more so when each chose different events as the most significant for that day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q-TSEIUHRCE/Vh08pGCs3xI/AAAAAAAACC4/ZR7wZ3Szm8w/s1600/Monica_TransSiberian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q-TSEIUHRCE/Vh08pGCs3xI/AAAAAAAACC4/ZR7wZ3Szm8w/s320/Monica_TransSiberian.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yep... Cute Little Monica</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fKGp3976EWI/Vh087BW2eMI/AAAAAAAACDE/mAV8ig9OLvI/s1600/Family_TransSiberian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fKGp3976EWI/Vh087BW2eMI/AAAAAAAACDE/mAV8ig9OLvI/s320/Family_TransSiberian.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All of us on the Trans-Siberian Express<br />
(<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">plus a curious boy - LOL!</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">)</span></td></tr>
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We joked about publishing. <br />
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And then self-publishing came around, and -- a long story of the process of a family co-editing 40 year old text turned short -- we've done it!</div>
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You can find the book:</div>
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<b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0986338737?keywords=eastern%20odyssey%20swenson&qid=1444748492&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Eastern Odyssey</a></b></div>
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A family journal of our trek through Japan & Russia in 1973</div>
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on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0986338737/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0986338737&linkCode=as2&tag=socialbizorg-20&linkId=DZ33V7S72EZHKJRN" target="_blank">Amazon</a> <br />
AND <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/eastern-odyssey-keith-d-swenson/1122759856?ean=9780986338731" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble </a></div>
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Since I was just 3, I am left with only a few authentic memories from the trip. Like the bus driver in Russia who took a shine to me and cracked pine nuts for me. And the Japanese amusement park that had trampolines mounted in the ground that you could bounce back and forth on. And that time I got knocked off my feet by a soccer ball in Geneva. For me, reading the diary was not a 'remember the time when...' experience since I have so few recollections of the trip -- so I feel a little more a-kin to our readers than our authors. I found it to be a compelling story, I hope you do too!<br />
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(Find us talking about the journey and the journal on Facebook! <a href="https://www.facebook.com/EasternOdyssey1973FamilyJournal/">https://www.facebook.com/EasternOdyssey1973FamilyJournal/</a> )<br />
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Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16803400693301500933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11216725.post-58707836285930027852015-10-20T16:41:00.001-06:002016-01-22T16:42:14.233-07:00One Stride at a TimeBy Noelle Schleiger<br />
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When I was a little girl I was very shy, quiet and not confident at all but…. I told my mom “If it has fur I just love it and want it”. I remember my mom telling me when I was seven we were moving to Berthoud. I was faced with leaving my only friends and move to a place I knew nothing of. I was sad and worried. My mom assured me it would all be for the best with a “deal” that I was very excited about. <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sz7giL2HJak/VilkwieOHdI/AAAAAAAACFY/2zE7VRO0vVU/s1600/Noelle%2Band%2BJoey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sz7giL2HJak/VilkwieOHdI/AAAAAAAACFY/2zE7VRO0vVU/s320/Noelle%2Band%2BJoey.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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The “deal” was I could go to a horse riding camp, and if I liked it I could take riding lessons. My mother, being a teacher, looked over many ranches with such a summer camp program and picked Sun Pony Ranch in Berthoud. She meet a small, spunky, dynamic woman “Ginger Fedak” who had so much knowledge and personality. When my mom came home and informed me she had signed me up for camp at Sun Pony Ranch, she said “I totally like this women and trust her program”. <br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GxwqHDOtEBE/Vilk-ZaNy0I/AAAAAAAACFg/4raNqSOfwe0/s1600/No%2BHands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GxwqHDOtEBE/Vilk-ZaNy0I/AAAAAAAACFg/4raNqSOfwe0/s320/No%2BHands.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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I went to my first summer camp in 2007 and rode a horse named Joey. I was hooked, I had a love for horses that was just indescribable. I told my mom this is all I want to do. I want to ride horses my whole life until I am an old. I took lessons, leased Romeo and began my journey into the equine world. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A5Qod_eqksQ/VibCcNJCshI/AAAAAAAACEc/s551GeTyu4E/s1600/FunShow%2B2011%2BGroup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A5Qod_eqksQ/VibCcNJCshI/AAAAAAAACEc/s551GeTyu4E/s320/FunShow%2B2011%2BGroup.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the Fun Show!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UdxthjEsjSg/VibCa5ZbNGI/AAAAAAAACEM/0mzjf0QmGeM/s1600/Parade%2Bof%2BLights%2B2008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UdxthjEsjSg/VibCa5ZbNGI/AAAAAAAACEM/0mzjf0QmGeM/s320/Parade%2Bof%2BLights%2B2008.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holiday Parade 2008 on Romeo</td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-05KX6DP22BY/VibCeGuy77I/AAAAAAAACE0/dOiKzGcMwc0/s1600/With%2BBlitz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-05KX6DP22BY/VibCeGuy77I/AAAAAAAACE0/dOiKzGcMwc0/s320/With%2BBlitz.jpg" width="240" /></a>Flash forward 8 years, wow how my life has been influenced by Ginger and Sun Pony Ranch! I look back in time and am just amazed at how mounting up my first time on Joey at Sun Pony Ranch was a destiny dot in my life. I own three horses now, an English jumper “Blitz”, a western all around great gelding “Avalon” and a western reigning horse “Loretta Lynn”. <br />
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Blitz was my first horse and Ginger and Tiffany (an instructor at the ranch) worked with me in learning the responsibilities and training of a young “green” horse. To say Blitz and I had some ups and down is putting it mildly. However, Ginger and Tiffany were always there supporting, teaching me and mentoring me through this learning experience.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VVECVXetDUI/VibCd1Jcr9I/AAAAAAAACE4/PclypueHeSE/s1600/Queen_Ginger_SPR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VVECVXetDUI/VibCd1Jcr9I/AAAAAAAACE4/PclypueHeSE/s320/Queen_Ginger_SPR.jpg" width="304" /></a>Next step was to become a Rodeo Queen! <br />
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Lori Berg, who’s daughter came to Sun Pony for lessons, told me that Rooftop Rodeo was looking for a Queen. Ginger thought I would be perfect. I wasn’t so sure but thought it was a great way to meet people in the equine world, learn, and participate in the world of Rodeo (which I always loved). But, Blitz was not the right horse, so we started looking for a horse that would work in that setting. We heard about Avalon and Ginger went with us to check him out. Well, this time I think it was she who feel in love with him. <br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3PCq-qCXT94/VibCbjhQwtI/AAAAAAAACEU/F_s4R5ngNjQ/s1600/Queen_2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3PCq-qCXT94/VibCbjhQwtI/AAAAAAAACEU/F_s4R5ngNjQ/s320/Queen_2015.jpg" width="224" /></a><br />
He was a barrel horse and Ginger had been a barrel racer back in college so the connection was instant. For three years Avalon and I traveled the Rodeo Queen world. He took me through tryouts and I won - thus becoming the 2015 Rooftop Rodeo Queen. Ginger and Sun Pony Ranch supported me every step of the way. <br />
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It would seem that horses are like chocolate they are all wonderful but there are many different flavors. Loretta Lynn is one of the best. You see, I’ve met a wonderful man Rich Smidt who is an original, old time cowboy with knowledge that is just incredible. I met him at a cow cutting clinic through Rooftop Rodeo and Gary Cleveland. We hit it off- I instantly respected him and wanted lessons with him. However, he didn’t just work with anyone -- only serious, lifelong riders. About seven months and I found out that he was looking for me because he thought he had the perfect horse for me and wanted to see if we fit together. I went out rode Loretta, it was love at first ride! <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EBPW0fl92js/VibGK7T8-HI/AAAAAAAACFI/dCgEMWrvL1Q/s1600/Loretta%2BLynn_Rich.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EBPW0fl92js/VibGK7T8-HI/AAAAAAAACFI/dCgEMWrvL1Q/s320/Loretta%2BLynn_Rich.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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The desire to learn from Rich has me currently training her and working with Rich to learning cutting cattle, western reigning competing and all the other vast information that this man has to share about training, and understanding “reading” horse behavior and learning to “ride a horse the way they want to be ridden”. <br />
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Currently, I am working at Sun Pony Ranch as an Assistant Barn Manager, instructing lessons, camps and keeping an eye on the heard. I never thought 8 years ago when I stepped onto Sun Pony Ranch, it would be one of the most influential destiny dots of my life. It has opened doors, and providing learning opportunities that have made my life wonderfully blessed and doing what I love. <br />
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Ginger is the mentor of my life, she is an inspiration to me in everything I do. Finding Sun Pony Ranch with all their support, love, and knowledge has been a life experience of unsurmountable value. Working with Ginger, Tiffany Knight, many wonderful camp/lesson counselors has been heartwarming, fun and the best of what life has to offer. What a fantastic journey I am on. Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16803400693301500933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11216725.post-5220527571843949502015-10-04T11:48:00.001-06:002015-10-04T11:52:06.255-06:00Acadia - a look back<br />
Nearly a year ago we took our first trip to New England to see the fall foliage. Having been on a National Park kick for a few years, our destination was Acadia National Park in Maine. The trip actually came together very suddenly - although David and I had talked of this trip with Dave's parents for over a year, life was such that committing to it did not happen (we were still trying to sell the ranch, not to mention in the process of sub-diving it into two parcels, etc. etc. etc. Finally October rolled around and we said we really should just go! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m7iJ-BdhLa8/VhFQ7l4smZI/AAAAAAAAB_o/Cdi-LnMfYyQ/s1600/DSCF1898%2BNE%2BHarbor.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m7iJ-BdhLa8/VhFQ7l4smZI/AAAAAAAAB_o/Cdi-LnMfYyQ/s320/DSCF1898%2BNE%2BHarbor.JPG" style="cursor: move;" unselectable="on" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Northeast Harbor</td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MniyG5nnjyk/VhFQ8JMSz1I/AAAAAAAAB_s/SQo3VjPZJtI/s1600/DSCF1888%2BSomes%2BSound.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MniyG5nnjyk/VhFQ8JMSz1I/AAAAAAAAB_s/SQo3VjPZJtI/s320/DSCF1888%2BSomes%2BSound.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Somes Sound (notice the tree)</td></tr>
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My sister Phyllis had been extolling the virtues of AirBNB for awhile, so for the first time I searched and found a wonderful looking complete home available which slept 6 but was also handicapped accessible. We were fortunate to have both sets of our parents interested in making quick arrangements to join us - reprising a trip the 6 of us had taken to England together a decade prior.<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h0pn8mEO0vs/VhFYicjijHI/AAAAAAAACBU/o_TLR6x_Mys/s1600/IMG_2516%2BFirst%2BBreakfast.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h0pn8mEO0vs/VhFYicjijHI/AAAAAAAACBU/o_TLR6x_Mys/s320/IMG_2516%2BFirst%2BBreakfast.JPG" width="300" /></a><br />
So that is how we all found ourselves in a cozy cottage in Southwest Harbor, Maine, at the end of October 2014. Having arrived late the night before, and got up to a cold rainy day, we took our time over breakfast. We had a great time catching up with everyone. The cottage's open kitchen / dining / living room layout making it very easy to work and catchup with everyone. <br />
It turns out that things in Acadia shut down... mid October. But the roads were open and the weather was very dramatic, if not lovely.<br />
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So we spent most of the first day driving around Mount Desert Island. Around Somes Sound, Northeast Harbor and on around to Bar Harbor.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KEdGCWkQS50/VhFQ99udZ9I/AAAAAAAACAA/6Iv-MbKxs4g/s1600/DSCF1931%2BMonica%252C%2BDon%252C%2BBarb%252C%2BSarah%252C%2BRoy%2BPub%2Bgood.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KEdGCWkQS50/VhFQ99udZ9I/AAAAAAAACAA/6Iv-MbKxs4g/s320/DSCF1931%2BMonica%252C%2BDon%252C%2BBarb%252C%2BSarah%252C%2BRoy%2BPub%2Bgood.JPG" width="300" /></a><br />
In town we wandered around the harbor until we got too cold and ducked into Paddys, the British Pub (after all, we couldn't resist 'hitting a pub' again as a group one more time!) <br />
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Friday was less rainy in the morning, so after stopping at the Visitor Center, we headed for our first couple of bridges: Duck Brook Bridge and Eagle Lake Bridge. <br />
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Acadia National Park is unique in that it is comprised mostly of land donated by private donors - largely the Rockefellers. In the early 1900s, John D Rockefeller Jr. and his father were already building carriage roads on their estates in New York. Discovering Mt. Desert Island, John Jr. joined existing local movement to preserve natural lands for public use, and he started acquiring lands to build a new estate. He spent from 1913 to 1940 building a carriage road system - hoping to connect all areas of the island. The road system includes 17 stone bridges - all but one I believe were built by Rockefeller. In the early 20th century, however, cars were on the rise. There was a period of contention as the locals voted to keep cars out of their towns altogether, and the state legislature/auto industry pressuring back.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-34mweQvC-Yc/VhFRAIcbpLI/AAAAAAAACAc/1-1K8WR-0EU/s1600/DSCF1954%2BDuck%2BBrook%2BBridge%2Bgood.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-34mweQvC-Yc/VhFRAIcbpLI/AAAAAAAACAc/1-1K8WR-0EU/s320/DSCF1954%2BDuck%2BBrook%2BBridge%2Bgood.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Year Marker - found on most of the bridges</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6NmNU97M__s/VhFQ_YzfnjI/AAAAAAAACAQ/05IciBFbe-M/s1600/DSCF1951%2BDuck%2BBrook%2BBridge%2BGood.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6NmNU97M__s/VhFQ_YzfnjI/AAAAAAAACAQ/05IciBFbe-M/s320/DSCF1951%2BDuck%2BBrook%2BBridge%2BGood.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Duck Brook Bridge</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1Gt8gYGgNrs/VhFRAAewbvI/AAAAAAAACAY/MNpHSQE3wjo/s1600/DSCF1962%2BDavid%252C%2BEagle%2BLake%2BBridge%2Badj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1Gt8gYGgNrs/VhFRAAewbvI/AAAAAAAACAY/MNpHSQE3wjo/s320/DSCF1962%2BDavid%252C%2BEagle%2BLake%2BBridge%2Badj.jpg" unselectable="on" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eagle Lake Bridge</td></tr>
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While cars clearly won out - John Jr. and his cohorts stuck to their guns about preserving the carriage roads for non motorized use only. To this day motor vehicle traffic is prohibited from the some 57 miles of carriage roads John Jr. completed. Today, the land and 45 miles of those roads are the heart of Acadia National Park. The roads that continue to lie on the Rockefeller estate are still open for public use.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ND2ebC5FEXc/VhFg8huFowI/AAAAAAAACBw/d0F3M5gy83Y/s1600/IMG_2518%2BSigners%2Bon%2BScooters%2Badj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="314" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ND2ebC5FEXc/VhFg8huFowI/AAAAAAAACBw/d0F3M5gy83Y/s320/IMG_2518%2BSigners%2Bon%2BScooters%2Badj.jpg" width="320" /></a>Before leaving Bar Harbor we stopped at a rental shop and picked up two mobility scooters we were renting for the next day. We'd never rented a scooter before, but I knew that we wouldn't be able to enjoy the heart of Acadia National Park without some assistance. With a little bit of research I found a business which would rent us scooters by the day, right in Bar Harbor! We reserved two of them. I kind of knew that they were going to be a hit when I caught Dave and Roy scooter-ing around the shop, weaving in and around the clothes racks, while I was waiting to pay for them. Fortunately we had two rental cars this trip which ended up being serendipitous because, while the scooters broke down into a few compact packages, two would have been difficult to get into either car's trunk.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-59NS9OnY0ls/VhFYiMRljNI/AAAAAAAACBQ/n3RIpIcQ4fc/s1600/IMG_2524%2BCottage%2BView%2BSunday.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-59NS9OnY0ls/VhFYiMRljNI/AAAAAAAACBQ/n3RIpIcQ4fc/s320/IMG_2524%2BCottage%2BView%2BSunday.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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Saturday brought back the sun! <br />
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We headed out directly to the Hadock Lake carriage road. <br />
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Oh - to get out into the quiet of the forest, the gravel softly crunching beneath our feet, with the ground covered in moss and littered with hardwood leaves - the likes of which we certainly never see out West. It was beautiful.<br />
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There is definitely a charm to travelling to one of the famous stone bridges - by the carriage roads they were built to serve. There are quite a few that you can drive to, but Hadlock Brook Bridge is about a half mile in from the nearest parking lot. Talk about making the journey the destination!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GAV2GbK-3Jk/VhFjJZA0BHI/AAAAAAAACCA/0JL7LwTdf0Y/s1600/DSCF1994%2BMonica%252C%2BDon%252C%2BBarb%252C%2BRoy%252C%2BHadlock%2BBrook%2BBridge%2Bgood.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GAV2GbK-3Jk/VhFjJZA0BHI/AAAAAAAACCA/0JL7LwTdf0Y/s320/DSCF1994%2BMonica%252C%2BDon%252C%2BBarb%252C%2BRoy%252C%2BHadlock%2BBrook%2BBridge%2Bgood.JPG" width="300" /></a><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ubcKDY2ruNU/VhFjJTkFVKI/AAAAAAAACB8/xulXLpH0R-k/s1600/DSCF1991%2BHadlock%2BBrook%2BBridge%2Badj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ubcKDY2ruNU/VhFjJTkFVKI/AAAAAAAACB8/xulXLpH0R-k/s320/DSCF1991%2BHadlock%2BBrook%2BBridge%2Badj.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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This put us at Jordan Pond House at a perfect time to pull some tables together for our picnic - a tradition we love on these trips. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n6mS8-riXcw/VhFklwP7_hI/AAAAAAAACCQ/p-6c53gkRJo/s1600/DSCF2025%2BJordan%2BPond%2BGate%2BHouse%2Bgood.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n6mS8-riXcw/VhFklwP7_hI/AAAAAAAACCQ/p-6c53gkRJo/s320/DSCF2025%2BJordan%2BPond%2BGate%2BHouse%2Bgood.JPG" width="300" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MJKoOlEvbVU/VhFkmu6jwlI/AAAAAAAACCY/s43e_n92qpk/s1600/DSCF2030%2BJordan%2BPond%2BGate%2Bgood.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MJKoOlEvbVU/VhFkmu6jwlI/AAAAAAAACCY/s43e_n92qpk/s320/DSCF2030%2BJordan%2BPond%2BGate%2Bgood.JPG" width="300" /></a>Adjacent to Jordan Pond House is one of 2 gate houses. Gorgeous old home, where gate keepers used to reside. Today it's housing for park employees - what a treat that would be (though I hear you have to be tolerant of people peeking in your windows!) <br />
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The gates here are also a treat - these feature in our 2015 trip as well as we took a carriage ride that cross through here -- sadly the camera completely failed on these particular pictures this year, so I was very glad to know I had a set already at home!<br />
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We ended the trip with a fantastic dinner in Bar Harbor at Galyn's. It was a short trip - and it was disappointing to have the uncooperative weather. But it was a wonderful time and we said we would HAVE to do it again sometime. So - 11 months later we did!<br />
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<br />Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16803400693301500933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11216725.post-52152816221484804912015-10-02T19:24:00.001-06:002016-12-30T11:04:06.630-07:00Mini Mobility Scooters<span style="font-family: "calibri";">A few years ago, David’s MS suddenly took a turn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After 15 some years of being well controlled
by medication, he started rapidly having increasing difficulties with
walking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He started using walking sticks
gradually, but fairly quickly he lost the stamina to walk distances, even a
block.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At home we accommodate for this
largely by strategically driving the car close to where ever we needed to be,
but when we planned a trip last fall to visit Acadia National Park – a park
that features carriage roads that allow no motorized vehicles – I knew that we
would need to devise a new strategy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nZLpdcCB1hc/Vg8yKGM758I/AAAAAAAAB-A/o64liWbcvlg/s1600/DSCF1984%2BDavid%252C%2BDon%252C%2BBarb%252C%2BRoy%252C%2BCarriage%2BRoad%2Bhike%2Bcrop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nZLpdcCB1hc/Vg8yKGM758I/AAAAAAAAB-A/o64liWbcvlg/s320/DSCF1984%2BDavid%252C%2BDon%252C%2BBarb%252C%2BRoy%252C%2BCarriage%2BRoad%2Bhike%2Bcrop.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I discovered mobility scooters – scooters intended to aid
people who do not need a wheelchair, but who need assistance getting
around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cool!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>AND – then I found a business in Bar Harbor
(adjacent to Acadia) that would rent them by the day – VERY Cool!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I reserved 2 scooters – one for David and
one for his father Roy who would be joining us on that trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Long story short, the scooters were revolutionary
– allowing us to explore a few miles of carriage road – the one that went to
Hadlock Brook Bridge in fact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">In the past year we have taken a few more opportunities to
rent scooters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the sale of the
kennel, we had plans to travel more – and we discovered that it isn’t always
possible to find a place to rent a scooter at our destination (boy did we luck
out in Bar Harbor!!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we started to
think about purchasing one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But again –
for travelling, the scooters we had experience with were too big to travel with
on an airplane. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure they broke down
into a few pieces, each which could be put into a car easily, but the battery
alone was about 30 pounds!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So back to
Google.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LLilu_eU4Jo/Vg8zLn5caBI/AAAAAAAAB-I/XulgzRkTJKE/s1600/IMG_0086%2BDave%2BLoaded%2Bwith%2BLuggage.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LLilu_eU4Jo/Vg8zLn5caBI/AAAAAAAAB-I/XulgzRkTJKE/s320/IMG_0086%2BDave%2BLoaded%2Bwith%2BLuggage.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">And then one day I discovered
the TravelScoot – what I’m calling a “Mini Mobility Scooter”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These bare bones scooters in total weight not
much more than the battery of the more traditional models! And they fold down
to a size that can fit into a shoulder carry-able duffle bag.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>WOW – but how would they perform? </span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">We rented a TravelScoot for our trip to Monterey in
August.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we were thrilled!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FNSZDmjneDw/Vg8zpFghZkI/AAAAAAAAB-Q/38tl1JO7XdA/s1600/IMG_0112%2BDave%252C%2BCoast%2Btrail.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FNSZDmjneDw/Vg8zpFghZkI/AAAAAAAAB-Q/38tl1JO7XdA/s320/IMG_0112%2BDave%252C%2BCoast%2Btrail.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">So super light, it was no trouble to throw
into the car (or trunk of a taxi, or shuttle bus at the airport, or to gate
check at the airplane…).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And its little
motor embedded inside one wheel was really amazingly powerful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went all over Monterey and the coastal
path </span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">from Lovers Point into town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">For
the first time in many years – when a call on my cell phone alerted us that the
table we had been waiting 45 minutes for was ready at Lou Lous Griddle in the
Middle, I could send David ahead to go claim our table… because he could return
to the restaurant faster than I could!</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q5e3h9Y70NY/Vg81PO8V_aI/AAAAAAAAB-k/nZw23fwcxeI/s1600/IMG_0131%2BAssist%2Bback%2Bup%2Bcrop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q5e3h9Y70NY/Vg81PO8V_aI/AAAAAAAAB-k/nZw23fwcxeI/s320/IMG_0131%2BAssist%2Bback%2Bup%2Bcrop.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">But we did put that little scoot through the ringer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our plans were not such that we considered
the scooter before making the plans – so it had a lot to live up to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It didn’t necessarily live up to all the
challenges, but we recognized a number of our choices were beyond reasonable to
expect for it to succeed.</span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The first challenge was a visit to the trails at the Research
Center of the Elkhorn Slough in Monterey Bay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When I suggested we meet my brother and sister in law, Keith and Sylva
there, I had assumed the research center was along the river’s shore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Huum – No, indeed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a hundred feet or so higher than the river
level in the hills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, there we were
– nothing to do but to take our chances on the fairly steep gravel trail down
to the river side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully David had
already adjusted the breaks on the TravelScoot – and it handled like a champ on
the way down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We walked the trails for
an hour, and then we knew we had to tackle the trip back up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keith valiantly offered to give Dave a push
when the incline quickly grew too steep for the scoot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually that gave out and Dave dismounted
to hike the rest of the way up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the
scoot was easy to roll up the rest of the hill. </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KN2gpOfTYuI/Vg828QWFrPI/AAAAAAAAB-w/UN9vuXXR6Vs/s1600/IMG_0173%2BDave%252C%2BCongress%2BTrail.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KN2gpOfTYuI/Vg828QWFrPI/AAAAAAAAB-w/UN9vuXXR6Vs/s320/IMG_0173%2BDave%252C%2BCongress%2BTrail.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Then Dave and I went on to
Sequoia National Park, and couple of days of seeing giant trees from paved
paths.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again some of the grades were
more than the TS could handle, but overall it performed amazingly well!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I came home ready to buy a TravelScoot.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">But… David was talking with the representative who rented us
the TS, and he couldn’t say enough about the SmartScoot – a competing model of
mini mobility scooter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was so adamant
of the SS’s advantages, that Dave decided we had to try out that model.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The catch, however, was that the company
(Scoot Anywhere) does not rent SmartScoot – ostensibly because they can’t keep
them long enough because they sell quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We resolved to purchase a SmartScoot, and return it after a few days for
a restocking fee if that became necessary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3EKCRGG4Mnc/Vg84sfUx8aI/AAAAAAAAB-8/rXmR7mZlrgU/s1600/IMG_0430%2BTS%2BLoaded%2Bwith%2BLuggage.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3EKCRGG4Mnc/Vg84sfUx8aI/AAAAAAAAB-8/rXmR7mZlrgU/s320/IMG_0430%2BTS%2BLoaded%2Bwith%2BLuggage.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">However, the timing wasn’t working in our favor to action that
plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a pending trip coming up –
and upon initial trials around our neighborhood we figured the SS was fairly equivalent to the TS, so we took the easy road and kept the SmartScoot.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Our pending trip was… back to Acadia!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, our trip last year was challenged by
being late October and the weather and available services were less than
ideal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we decided to repeat much of
the same trip this year, in late September.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-irQaQ3zpilw/Vg87540C3_I/AAAAAAAAB_Q/RQRF56tTXgE/s1600/IMG_0453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-irQaQ3zpilw/Vg87540C3_I/AAAAAAAAB_Q/RQRF56tTXgE/s320/IMG_0453.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stowing the scoot on the Parking Shuttle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">But this blog is about the scoots – and I can say we
couldn’t be happier with the SmartScoot!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(Whew)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has a number of design
changes as compared to the TravelScoot which are distinct advantages to
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our biggest concern was over the
front wheel drive – thinking that there wasn’t enough weight on the front wheel
to give the scooter the traction that the TravelScoot, which uses the left rear
wheel as the drive wheel, has.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well,
suffice it to say we saw no drawbacks on the traction on the front wheel drive.
</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X2tbGtiNkAk/Vg850__Y8rI/AAAAAAAAB_E/f-8NJHvySdA/s1600/DSCF3696%2BPicnic%2Bnear%2BLittle%2BLong%2BPond%2Bcrop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X2tbGtiNkAk/Vg850__Y8rI/AAAAAAAAB_E/f-8NJHvySdA/s320/DSCF3696%2BPicnic%2Bnear%2BLittle%2BLong%2BPond%2Bcrop.jpg" width="241" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Both the <a href="https://www.travelscoot.com/" target="_blank">TravelScoot </a>and <a href="https://www.smartscoot.com/" target="_blank">SmartScoot </a>are fantastic machines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both are easy to lift in and out of cars,
simple to operate, can be carried up sections of stairs in a pinch, and are so
small that you can easily enter stores and buildings to do your business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are in the same price range.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So one’s preference of one over the other I
think comes down to the details.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> For those interested, linked below</span>
is our fairly extensive list of comparisons between the two models of Mini
Mobility Scooters<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- all of these
comments are based on our personal observations, after taking each model on a 5 day trip via
airlines and rental cars.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
<a href="http://www.sunponyranch.com/documents/Mini_Mobility_Scooters.pdf" target="_blank">Mini Mobility Scooters Comparison</a></div>
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Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16803400693301500933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11216725.post-49016884797297162152015-09-06T22:00:00.000-06:002015-11-12T12:37:11.017-07:00Congratulations to LeeAnne and Mike!Just prior to starting the Berthoud Local farmers market, I posted to Facebook that we could use some volunteers to help man the booth. Low and behold I got a response from LeeAnne - and boy did she save my tookus! After volunteering for nearly half of the markets in 2014, I somehow managed to convince her to become co-president of Berthoud Local with me the next spring. I have to say I've very much liked working with her as well as her fiancé Mike, and becoming good friends along the way.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XYck_kASuiA/VkTj-NdgqII/AAAAAAAACLk/rGLyWp6GrRE/s1600/Powerwashing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XYck_kASuiA/VkTj-NdgqII/AAAAAAAACLk/rGLyWp6GrRE/s320/Powerwashing.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike power washing the barn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
So when I saw LeeAnne's post on Facebook asking if anyone had a barn where they could hold a casual country wedding, I jumped in without hesitation. They came to tour the barn and loved it -- so much so that when I mentioned that we would be putting the property up for sale in the spring, they decided to move up the date of their wedding to September!! They've even come out a few times to help clean up the barn - sweat equity in lieu of a rental fee which was more than equitable to us!<br />
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The wedding was a very lovely affair! Weather cooperated beautifully, and LeeAnne and her family put together beautiful arrangements.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n8wr15vF5hE/VkJzNXM7_pI/AAAAAAAACJ0/SwOkQfUyA2E/s1600/Caleb1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n8wr15vF5hE/VkJzNXM7_pI/AAAAAAAACJ0/SwOkQfUyA2E/s320/Caleb1.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stolen from the photographer - Caleb Jordan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6r2DW5MA6yM/VkJzRjupNbI/AAAAAAAACJ8/FZCK3gVXyUE/s1600/IMG_0322%2BLeeAnne.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6r2DW5MA6yM/VkJzRjupNbI/AAAAAAAACJ8/FZCK3gVXyUE/s320/IMG_0322%2BLeeAnne.JPG" style="cursor: move;" unselectable="on" width="240" /></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u4RRo_dgoRQ/VkJ0COh7LkI/AAAAAAAACK8/UF1q525M0F8/s1600/IMG_0356%2BBanquet%2BHall.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u4RRo_dgoRQ/VkJ0COh7LkI/AAAAAAAACK8/UF1q525M0F8/s320/IMG_0356%2BBanquet%2BHall.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pot Luck Banquet Hall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r5syOVPnzeY/VkJzpqrM31I/AAAAAAAACKU/TRtMxC2wqCg/s1600/IMG_0382%2BBand%252C%2BExterior.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r5syOVPnzeY/VkJzpqrM31I/AAAAAAAACKU/TRtMxC2wqCg/s320/IMG_0382%2BBand%252C%2BExterior.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evening Dance</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VSQ2tYQB8Bc/VkJz5nkn-HI/AAAAAAAACK0/0eyQcoJrFME/s1600/IMG_0396%2BSunset.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VSQ2tYQB8Bc/VkJz5nkn-HI/AAAAAAAACK0/0eyQcoJrFME/s320/IMG_0396%2BSunset.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An amazing Sunset</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p1_HvpsPyiE/VkJzzoqa4qI/AAAAAAAACKs/eAMKwvPVpEc/s1600/band.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p1_HvpsPyiE/VkJzzoqa4qI/AAAAAAAACKs/eAMKwvPVpEc/s320/band.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Band</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6u8hFjo8dXs/VkJzya13aYI/AAAAAAAACKk/ZGY9_hqC9ew/s1600/Last%2BSong%2BSerenade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6u8hFjo8dXs/VkJzya13aYI/AAAAAAAACKk/ZGY9_hqC9ew/s320/Last%2BSong%2BSerenade.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last Dance Serenade</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We really couldn't be happier for them!<br />
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<br />Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16803400693301500933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11216725.post-88044322153137410842015-02-27T18:42:00.000-07:002015-11-21T08:33:06.653-07:00The Kennel is Sold!I remember promising Ginger, when we were just starting this crazy plan, that no matter what, we would commit to this business for at least 5 years. I know there were times before that five years were up that we had to fall back on that promise and stick to the plan. Several more years were tinged with our desire to move on - but no idea about how we would <u>ever</u> be able to extract ourselves from a complicated property such that Sun Pony / Happy Tails was. Ginger first located a national kennel broker, with whom we had many discussions but ultimately we both decided this was not the perfect match up. Finally we ended up engaging the realtor who sold us the property initially. However after being listed for a year with no bites (seems few others are crazy enough to dive into both a horse and dog business simultaneously), the idea was struck to subdivide the property into two parcels.<br />
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With the ink on the sub-division not even yet dry - while Dave and I were in Maine - we got a text from Ginger that a "very interested buyer" had just come out to see the kennel. That was Ashley. We returned home, and things started happening fast! November 1st we went under contract, and on Feb 27th, 2015 we sold the house and kennel to Ashley and her partners Jay and Kristi. <br />
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<br />
Our announcement:<br />
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Friday Feb 27th Sun Pony Ranch, Inc. sold Happy Tails Dog Ranch, which will now be owned and operated by Ashley Dinger, and Kristi and Jay Ross of Longview Kennels LLC. Happy Tails Dog Ranch will continue to operate as a daycare and boarding facility, while expanding into some new areas.<br />
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This transition comes right at our 9th anniversary of being a kennel - and there are many bittersweet feelings on the part of original owners Ginger Fedak, and Monica and David Signer. But it was time for the kennel to enter into a new phase with some new energy and direction - something that we are confident that Ashley, Kristi and Jay will do!<br />
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<em>"We are so very excited to continue the wonderful business that Monica, David and Ginger started. We have been actively working at the property, getting to know the procedures and policies (and of course dogs!) so that there will be minimal changes to what your pets are currently used to. We are excited to introduce some changes that should benefit the dogs greatly, including an indoor play area for chilly days. I am happy to answer any questions anyone might have at <a href="mailto:happytailsdogranch@gmail.com?subject=Greetings%20to%20the%20new%20Happy%20Tails%20Owners">happytailsdogranch@gmail.com</a>. We look forward to meeting all of you at the celebration party."</em><br />
-Ashley, Kristi, and Jay.<br />
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We have all been very happy to find that our operating principles have been quite well aligned throughout the past few months of preparation for the transition, so there should be little disruption to our customers or staff. We look forward to hosting a celebration in the next few weeks to mark this event - stay tuned for details!<br />
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Sun Pony Ranch will remain under Ginger, David and Monica's ownership and Ginger will continue to live onsite to run the riding programs as well as to provide continuity for the new owners with the kennel.<br />
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Ginger has remained on the property to run the daily activities of Sun Pony, SPR now renting her apartment from the new house owners. David and I moved to Loveland. What a drastic life change it has all been - no more concerns about kennel employees and customers. For Dave and I - no more being awakened by wind storms at night shaking that big house around us. It's really a perspective shift to have to drive in to the ranch - which Dave does most days of the week to stay on top of finances and property management. We've also hired Noelle as our assistant barn manager, so she is stepping up to take on a lot of the day to day barn chores. It's definitely been a weird mix of whole new life, and yet still the same in many ways. But we've never had a second thought about the sale, we are very thankful that went through as it did!<br />
<br />Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16803400693301500933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11216725.post-65528183988328372322014-09-07T08:26:00.000-06:002015-11-01T08:32:11.359-07:00Goodbye Sweet Shadow<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UT2kBsRhBIw/VjYrnsfaPmI/AAAAAAAACGQ/HTqd1kK4_SQ/s1600/Shadow_Bareback_Jordan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UT2kBsRhBIw/VjYrnsfaPmI/AAAAAAAACGQ/HTqd1kK4_SQ/s320/Shadow_Bareback_Jordan.jpg" width="300" /></a>Here at Sun Pony Ranch we are blessed to have some extraordinary horses with the patience and tolerance to help kids learn to ride and be confident around horses. Horses also have an exceptional spirit for understanding and empathizing with people, especially those with special needs, which is why they are so popular as therapy animals. We are not a Therapeutic Riding Center, but our horses are true heroes for the amazing jobs they do for all those who ...take lessons here.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ri-bgS_B32U/VjYrrjdaLdI/AAAAAAAACHk/adO8Kmp9ljQ/s1600/Shadow_ponyRide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ri-bgS_B32U/VjYrrjdaLdI/AAAAAAAACHk/adO8Kmp9ljQ/s320/Shadow_ponyRide.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Esg1buvTvP4/VjYrnwp4HCI/AAAAAAAACGM/pDwr4WxnxQY/s1600/Shadow_CampPostcard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Esg1buvTvP4/VjYrnwp4HCI/AAAAAAAACGM/pDwr4WxnxQY/s320/Shadow_CampPostcard.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-esm5S9oy3jw/VjYrqRvN7II/AAAAAAAACHI/CEeYHdu5KPw/s1600/Shadow_SoGentle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-esm5S9oy3jw/VjYrqRvN7II/AAAAAAAACHI/CEeYHdu5KPw/s320/Shadow_SoGentle.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
We are sad to say we have lost our beloved Shadow, who was a most exceptional horse among the exceptional horses that we have. Shadow was found to have a large mass tumor in his ureter, making it impossible to empty his bladder; the vet could not even get a catheter past it. We are doing this tribute to him, as he was as special a horse as they come; truly one in a million.<br />
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Shadow was our “Do Anything and Everything” Horse. He covered the spectrum from helping the littlest toddlers to the youngest Beginner Riders, to the Advanced students who still had to learn to ride a “hot” Performance Horse. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M9arJn0-5HE/VjYrpE0gssI/AAAAAAAACGg/n7EJbsKuAvQ/s1600/Shadow_LittleBucks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M9arJn0-5HE/VjYrpE0gssI/AAAAAAAACGg/n7EJbsKuAvQ/s320/Shadow_LittleBucks.jpg" width="300" /></a>He was the best horse to put the youngest kids on, and carefully toted them around with the softest steps. He was also the “Goal Horse” for those students who were advancing in their skills enough to have the challenge of riding a horse who would take them for a wild ride if they couldn’t keep their leg off. He was our “Been There, Done That” Parade Horse who was calm in the Parades we have participated in every year. Even with bands sounding off suddenly, sirens screaming, and clown horns blaring, Shadow stayed steady and seemed to enjoy the fanfare. He was our “Booth Horse” who came to fairs and events, to our booth where kids of all ages could walk up to him and pet him. He was our Pony Ride Horse, our Birthday Party Horse, our Ambassador Horse. He was our “Therapy Horse” who could connect with anyone having a difficult time or a hard day, and his gentle spirit would comfort them with a calming influence. Shadow could do it all.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kEmCbDjrqE4/VjYroqlg9rI/AAAAAAAACGU/ody3OvdcWjg/s1600/Shadow_Grazing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kEmCbDjrqE4/VjYroqlg9rI/AAAAAAAACGU/ody3OvdcWjg/s320/Shadow_Grazing.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rJwT7b0hG0I/VjYrq1Y_zhI/AAAAAAAACHQ/fyeEpPO98q8/s1600/Shadow_jumping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rJwT7b0hG0I/VjYrq1Y_zhI/AAAAAAAACHQ/fyeEpPO98q8/s320/Shadow_jumping.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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Shadow’s story<br />
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Shadow came to us in April of 2005. In those days, there were “Kill Pens” where unwanted horses were sent to slaughter. Shadow was in this holding pen when a woman went through looking for horses that she could save and then re-sell so that she could then go and save more. She could only take a few at a time, so she really wanted only those that were in good condition. Shadow did not fit this criteria – he was thin, bony, and lame due to hooves that were in terrible condition. However, as she walked through the pens, Shadow followed her around. It was as if he knew she could get him out of there. She couldn’t leave this sweet, gentle horse there, so she purchased him along with some others. We needed some horses at that time and went to look at the ones she had. We immediately saw how well trained Shadow was as a reining horse and even on his sore feet he was giving us spin turns on haunches, slide stops, and side-passes. We thought he would be a wonderful horse to use for lessons for the more Advanced Riders. We bought him and immediately started getting him back into good condition with careful feeding and farrier work on his hooves.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yYWX8uIc7b0/VjYrp4S25bI/AAAAAAAACG0/Eg7rCSYwElA/s1600/Shadow_RunningAway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yYWX8uIc7b0/VjYrp4S25bI/AAAAAAAACG0/Eg7rCSYwElA/s320/Shadow_RunningAway.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
After working with him to train him as a lesson horse, at first we would only use him for the more advanced riders. He quickly learned the English discipline, and soon was jumping 3 feet with his athletic talent. However, as a Western Roping Horse, he had been trained that when his rider squeezed their legs at the same time as pulling back on the reins, this meant to collect for taking off at a full gallop - in an instant. Beginner Riders usually make the mistake of squeezing tight with their legs to “hang on” and pull back on the reins because they don’t want to go fast. Since this beginner trait would make Shadow anxious to take off, he would jump around and then go off in a gallop when they could not hold him. So, we only put riders on him that were advanced, or to the level where they were able to learn how to ride a horse like Shadow.<br />
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But, it wasn’t too long before we realized Shadow would only do this with the older kids and riders with legs long enough to reach down his side. With the little kids, he was a “baby-sitter” and as gentle as could be. He quickly became the favorite for the 2 to 4 year old Toddlers in the “Mommy & Me” Classes and the younger kids in the Introduction Clinics for ages 5 to 7. Eventually, he became a favorite for the Little Buckaroos Camps that we began later for these younger kids. So many little kids learned to love riding horses because Shadow was so gentle and kind with them. But, he never lost his status as a “Goal Horse” for those students who wanted to advance to higher levels. They were learning to keep a relaxed leg and deep seat to keep him calm and relaxed. He took many a rider for a fast gallop until they learned this skill. All of our Camp Counselors, past and present, have Shadow to thank for learning to ride this type of performance horse well and acquiring those particular skills to become Advanced Riders. In the photos we are posting here, I have tried to find some of our Counselor staff learning on Shadow. Also there are photos, even from this past summer, where Shadow still would take some of his learning riders for a fast gallop. As they practiced, they finally were able to relax their legs and body to get a nice easy lope.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x2FmG1mD8jY/VjYrn00FtyI/AAAAAAAACGI/J-fkYnbZwgQ/s1600/Shadow_Bath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x2FmG1mD8jY/VjYrn00FtyI/AAAAAAAACGI/J-fkYnbZwgQ/s320/Shadow_Bath.jpg" width="300" /></a>We think Shadow was about 12 years old when we got him. That would have made him 21 years old this year. He was so well loved by the hundreds of students and kids who came to Sun Pony Ranch. I have known a lot of horses in my life, and Shadow was uniquely Special. <br />
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Rest in Peace good friend and teacher. We will think of you now as you and your best buddy, Harley, gallop like young colts in the green pastures of Heaven. We were so lucky to have you brighten our pathway awhile. <br />
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Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16803400693301500933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11216725.post-943300775615133992013-05-12T18:49:00.000-06:002015-08-07T14:42:24.972-06:00In and around Esterillos Este<b>Sunday 3/10</b><br />
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We were up for breakfast with the others, and then waited with them for their airport shuttle - which despite the fact the hotel manager had called and confirmed the day before... never showed up. Mikey, the manager, ended up taking Christine himself since she had the first flight, and Liz called a shuttle guy she trusted who came for the rest. Yikes! We made arrangements with that driver to return on Wednesday to get us to the airport.<br />
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So the others were all gone, and Dave and I looked at each other and said what do we want to do now? NOTHING! <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fCz1EWAewBA/UYbfy7PJ0GI/AAAAAAAABlc/isxEiZCxC_g/s1600/IMG_0639+La+Encantata+Cottages+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fCz1EWAewBA/UYbfy7PJ0GI/AAAAAAAABlc/isxEiZCxC_g/s320/IMG_0639+La+Encantata+Cottages+sm.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pool at La Encantada Cottages</td></tr>
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So we did - I started and finished a book, spent time in a couple hammocks and in the pool. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yJkILX6HEJ4/UYbfz8ErCyI/AAAAAAAABlk/ScX2nvfoJ-8/s1600/IMG_0641+BBQ+on+the+beach+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yJkILX6HEJ4/UYbfz8ErCyI/AAAAAAAABlk/ScX2nvfoJ-8/s320/IMG_0641+BBQ+on+the+beach+sm.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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We even got out of our lounge chairs to walk next door to beach bbq that was going on to satisfy my hamburger craving that I'd been having for like over a month (given my pre-vacation diet). Oh, wow, was that ever a great burger! All the better for being served under palm trees.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5osfWURpn7A/UYbjfXTJGmI/AAAAAAAABl4/J2a7-o8S2zQ/s1600/IMG_0655+Monica+Sunset+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5osfWURpn7A/UYbjfXTJGmI/AAAAAAAABl4/J2a7-o8S2zQ/s320/IMG_0655+Monica+Sunset+sm.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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That evening we went and got all creative with the sunset photographs.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_bNQd0UWpKI/UYbjfnD69cI/AAAAAAAABmA/3TZwfELgzBE/s1600/IMG_0660+Self+Portrait+at+sunset+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_bNQd0UWpKI/UYbjfnD69cI/AAAAAAAABmA/3TZwfELgzBE/s320/IMG_0660+Self+Portrait+at+sunset+sm.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-24_0jdZBE6s/UYbjfYGHDYI/AAAAAAAABl0/cgfVJ50E4b4/s1600/IMG_0663+Monica+at+Sunset+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-24_0jdZBE6s/UYbjfYGHDYI/AAAAAAAABl0/cgfVJ50E4b4/s320/IMG_0663+Monica+at+Sunset+sm.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<b>Monday</b><br />
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We booked two tours, one each for Monday and Tuesday. Since we had no transportation (the horses were gone! LOL) it proved to be difficult to get around. Dianna and Mikey, the managers, tried to help out. Though I was rather inclined to agree when Dianna gave up trying to make one reservation for us when she lamented -- "I really need to learn to speak Spanish". ummmm, yeah. They've been in Costa Rica for a few years, and really many people speak English. But they came on board as managers of this property a few months ago, and this level of interaction requires a bit more fluency. In any case, we got reservations this day to go on a Mangrove tour, where the attraction is to see the White Faced Monkeys.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R3JU6NYFmOc/UYboLoWVa7I/AAAAAAAABmU/Ga62aq1kilU/s1600/IMG_0668+Mikey+negotiating+taxi+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R3JU6NYFmOc/UYboLoWVa7I/AAAAAAAABmU/Ga62aq1kilU/s320/IMG_0668+Mikey+negotiating+taxi+sm.jpg" width="320" /></a>Mikey the manager (surfer dude on the right), took us into town to the Taxi stand to help us find a driver.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dKDHkYUZT6g/UYboMYjDG_I/AAAAAAAABmg/mPIj439h9_g/s1600/IMG_0669+skewers+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dKDHkYUZT6g/UYboMYjDG_I/AAAAAAAABmg/mPIj439h9_g/s320/IMG_0669+skewers+sm.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Meanwhile he introduced us to this food stand where this guy makes the most amazing skewers we've ever had!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vK-OTeUZngo/UYboMFZojyI/AAAAAAAABmc/ZqFxY_VDuBo/s1600/IMG_0671+Best+Skewers+ever+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vK-OTeUZngo/UYboMFZojyI/AAAAAAAABmc/ZqFxY_VDuBo/s320/IMG_0671+Best+Skewers+ever+sm.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
The taxi driver kindly waited while we sampled one. (note, these end up looking like icecream cones due to the small tortilla stuck onto the top of the skewer, but they were anything but.)<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-huoN4aFi-Hc/UYboMwWX8kI/AAAAAAAABms/LiGvkRQCRYs/s1600/IMG_0674+Monica+at+boats+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-huoN4aFi-Hc/UYboMwWX8kI/AAAAAAAABms/LiGvkRQCRYs/s320/IMG_0674+Monica+at+boats+sm.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FnebcrC3_zE/UYboOSX7XeI/AAAAAAAABm8/Dmx3gPBJrSE/s1600/IMG_0690+Dave+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FnebcrC3_zE/UYboOSX7XeI/AAAAAAAABm8/Dmx3gPBJrSE/s320/IMG_0690+Dave+sm.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l9qmQEamlyc/UYboNrt4wmI/AAAAAAAABm0/0HLmHF4iNcA/s1600/IMG_0691+Rafa,+mangrove+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l9qmQEamlyc/UYboNrt4wmI/AAAAAAAABm0/0HLmHF4iNcA/s320/IMG_0691+Rafa,+mangrove+sm.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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As soon as the boat turned up into the mangroves I got an overwhelming feeling of being transported back to Disney Land's jungle tour! You have to hand it to Disney for their attention to detail.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4QWN3P4qOaU/UYboQhYJ12I/AAAAAAAABnU/L7jG7Pcp6oQ/s1600/IMG_0694+White+faced+monkey+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4QWN3P4qOaU/UYboQhYJ12I/AAAAAAAABnU/L7jG7Pcp6oQ/s320/IMG_0694+White+faced+monkey+sm.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UqXSYvezWis/UYbsT9NJXNI/AAAAAAAABn8/PkajmMEZ83M/s1600/IMG_0734+Monkeys+on+the+boat+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UqXSYvezWis/UYbsT9NJXNI/AAAAAAAABn8/PkajmMEZ83M/s320/IMG_0734+Monkeys+on+the+boat+sm.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
Ah - There's one!<br />
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We searched around a while before finding a band that would approach the boat, but then we pulled up to one edge and 3 of them made a bee line for us. Pretty soon we had 5 or 6 climbing over us and the other boat with us.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6cfcYO9BibU/UYboPbtRsFI/AAAAAAAABnE/3xW9ijuikQ8/s1600/IMG_0738+Kids+monkeys+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6cfcYO9BibU/UYboPbtRsFI/AAAAAAAABnE/3xW9ijuikQ8/s320/IMG_0738+Kids+monkeys+sm.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aRR0DyhHU34/UYboQJj62hI/AAAAAAAABnM/akK0D0f0jfs/s1600/IMG_0746+Dave+n+monkey+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aRR0DyhHU34/UYboQJj62hI/AAAAAAAABnM/akK0D0f0jfs/s320/IMG_0746+Dave+n+monkey+sm.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I2PxzoIRuy8/UYbpBbM-V2I/AAAAAAAABns/11w2YJCAwhc/s1600/IMG_0989+Monkey+licking+Dave's+hand+sm2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I2PxzoIRuy8/UYbpBbM-V2I/AAAAAAAABns/11w2YJCAwhc/s320/IMG_0989+Monkey+licking+Dave's+hand+sm2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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We spent probably 30 minutes? watching the monkeys climb around and eat mashed bananas off of people's hands.<br />
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Certainly a new experience!<br />
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On the way back our guide Rafa had grabbed some fronds and started making something. Ended up being really cute grasshoppers! He made several for the passengers.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-09OkwytX6ws/UYbuO3LfSmI/AAAAAAAABoQ/rKJRXzvljsE/s1600/IMG_0785+Tree+Boa+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-09OkwytX6ws/UYbuO3LfSmI/AAAAAAAABoQ/rKJRXzvljsE/s320/IMG_0785+Tree+Boa+sm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And he also managed to spy this Tree Boa that we got to sneak up on.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KyUj5xJtQG8/UYbvsGD8vzI/AAAAAAAABoo/e_LXwme8xRI/s1600/IMG_0795+at+Dinner+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KyUj5xJtQG8/UYbvsGD8vzI/AAAAAAAABoo/e_LXwme8xRI/s320/IMG_0795+at+Dinner+sm.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Our Taxi driver returned and took us back home. That night for dinner we went the other direction down the beach a few hotels and dined in this swanky place.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tQxAzzvz0To/UYbvsf7i9RI/AAAAAAAABow/qMaiEAqGZe8/s1600/IMG_0796+Snapper+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tQxAzzvz0To/UYbvsf7i9RI/AAAAAAAABow/qMaiEAqGZe8/s320/IMG_0796+Snapper+sm.jpg" width="320" /></a>Where the specialty is... fried Red Snapper. Well - ok I was up for trying it again since it was supposed to be such a big deal here.<br />
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OH MY. This guy was swimming right through my plate! Huum - note worthy, but I have to say not the most convenient for eating.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ffvKVMtvWZ0/UZApj7elzjI/AAAAAAAABpM/NJf1_HLMsx0/s1600/IMG_0798+Vanilla+beans+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ffvKVMtvWZ0/UZApj7elzjI/AAAAAAAABpM/NJf1_HLMsx0/s320/IMG_0798+Vanilla+beans+sm.jpg" width="320" /></a><b><br /></b>Our last big activity was "Villa Vanilla" day - a tour through a spice plantation. Wow was that ever an education for folks who pretty much know nothing about where our food comes from!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nzW4EUIjAGk/UZAvU5WZETI/AAAAAAAABrU/XQy6shA4ueY/s1600/IMG_0801+cacao+nuts+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nzW4EUIjAGk/UZAvU5WZETI/AAAAAAAABrU/XQy6shA4ueY/s320/IMG_0801+cacao+nuts+sm.jpg" width="320" /></a>Outside their warehouse they had these drying racks set up drying vanilla beans - giant vanilla beans! But what was more impressive were their photos of this entire court yard covered with drying beans - this display is just a token amount.<br />
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They also produce cacao here - our third discussion of the process, I think we can about teach it by now. ;-D<br />
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Allspice. Bite into one of these suckers and your whole mouth goes numb.<br />
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More vanilla than I've ever seen before.<br />
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Sadly, these are relatively new - dried for a few months (if we recall correctly.. it's been awhile and I did not write this section there.) But they really don't start to accumulate their aroma until having cured for a few years or more. THIS is why you do not want to store your vanilla in the fridge - you'll stop the curing. A dark dry glass container is best and they will continue curing for 50 years, she said.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kel2Od6iEsY/UZApk0Bb_wI/AAAAAAAABpc/pCpLmqE_eNo/s1600/IMG_0809+Ceylon+cinnamon+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kel2Od6iEsY/UZApk0Bb_wI/AAAAAAAABpc/pCpLmqE_eNo/s320/IMG_0809+Ceylon+cinnamon+sm.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Ceylon cinnamon! They shave off and discard the green bark.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S98uO5C8KR0/UZApl1BaZEI/AAAAAAAABps/KUCmGA9HPAE/s1600/IMG_0812+Ceylon+cinnamon+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S98uO5C8KR0/UZApl1BaZEI/AAAAAAAABps/KUCmGA9HPAE/s320/IMG_0812+Ceylon+cinnamon+sm.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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And then shave off strips of the yellow bark underneath. It was so spicy and sweet!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MvEJOxY29x0/UZAplDdWH4I/AAAAAAAABpk/GzdDhSqOoSA/s1600/IMG_0815+Ceylon+cinnamon+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MvEJOxY29x0/UZAplDdWH4I/AAAAAAAABpk/GzdDhSqOoSA/s320/IMG_0815+Ceylon+cinnamon+sm.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XH21v5ipHkk/UZApnaWRYRI/AAAAAAAABp8/AFwVwNu_4wU/s1600/IMG_0816+Pepper+corns+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XH21v5ipHkk/UZApnaWRYRI/AAAAAAAABp8/AFwVwNu_4wU/s320/IMG_0816+Pepper+corns+sm.jpg" width="240" /></a>Pepper corns growing on the vine. And one nibble of this was a rather dramatic pepper taste.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HMScFFv0wok/UZApm_y-1HI/AAAAAAAABp0/lkHOy9aNzoo/s1600/IMG_0825+Vanilla+Bloom+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HMScFFv0wok/UZApm_y-1HI/AAAAAAAABp0/lkHOy9aNzoo/s320/IMG_0825+Vanilla+Bloom+sm.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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We were in luck in that there was a vanilla orchid blooming this morning. The flowers bloom only for a few hours one morning, and then die. (Don't take the afternoon tour of a vanilla plantation!). Because of the short window of opportunity they hand pollinate all of their vanilla blooms. Hanging behind this bloom are past blooms from this bunch. The bean grows out of the stalk. She said these other beans were 1-2 weeks old, and were about the size of a green bean.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MTmnkTRi1V8/UZAppo40OvI/AAAAAAAABqM/a8DTVmHI2Ck/s1600/IMG_0835+6+week+old+vanilla+beans+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MTmnkTRi1V8/UZAppo40OvI/AAAAAAAABqM/a8DTVmHI2Ck/s320/IMG_0835+6+week+old+vanilla+beans+sm.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
These vanilla beans were about 6 weeks old. The perspective turned out a bit wonky in this picture - they aren't quite as ginormous as they appear - they were about 14 inches long and an inch thick. The beans take 9 months on the vine to mature, then months of drying and then years of curing.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b1w4H0AN0VE/UZApn5I_ibI/AAAAAAAABqE/x7Z06UVk_TA/s1600/IMG_0829+bloom+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b1w4H0AN0VE/UZApn5I_ibI/AAAAAAAABqE/x7Z06UVk_TA/s320/IMG_0829+bloom+sm.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
Another operation that is a proponent of biodiversity, this commercial plantation looked just like a botanical garden with gorgeous paths wandering throughout.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h8kHBYOlFVI/UZAppw1YPzI/AAAAAAAABqQ/lFtuZ4fs5s8/s1600/IMG_0831+beautiful+gardens+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h8kHBYOlFVI/UZAppw1YPzI/AAAAAAAABqQ/lFtuZ4fs5s8/s320/IMG_0831+beautiful+gardens+sm.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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It really was a lovely walk.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--fTWn_QbISA/UZAvUjIeF9I/AAAAAAAABrQ/JFKJ_U2uGPI/s1600/IMG_0799+Cayenne+peppers+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--fTWn_QbISA/UZAvUjIeF9I/AAAAAAAABrQ/JFKJ_U2uGPI/s320/IMG_0799+Cayenne+peppers+sm.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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Cayenne peppers - cute little things!<br />
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And then we ended up at this cute little hut to sample some yummies made with their products.<br />
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The view couldn't have been better.<br />
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Vanilla bean cheese cake - seriously, they wanted me to ever leave?<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SyBxjnnbo60/UZAptmSufhI/AAAAAAAABrE/FT0Mw01BWpw/s1600/IMG_0854+Cocoa+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SyBxjnnbo60/UZAptmSufhI/AAAAAAAABrE/FT0Mw01BWpw/s320/IMG_0854+Cocoa+sm.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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And authentic traditional cocoa - with cayenne pepper and vanilla in it, all three of which are produced here on the plantation.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cFLyeHMrmr8/UZAx3xbOmjI/AAAAAAAABr0/URCn_rVKo4w/s1600/IMG_0857+in+Quepos+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cFLyeHMrmr8/UZAx3xbOmjI/AAAAAAAABr0/URCn_rVKo4w/s320/IMG_0857+in+Quepos+sm.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Getting home from the plantation we hitched a ride into the nearby town of Quepos where we had lunch at a cute little Cafe Milagro.<br />
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OK - I could have fixed this picture, but I decided against it. WHO takes a picture this crooked?? Like she didn't have plenty of horizontal references to look at! I could even see as she was taking it the camera wasn't level.... It boggles the mind.<br />
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But they made up for it by having the greatest fish tacos in the world!<br />
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The rest of the day we futzed around - Mikey had agreed to come pick us up so we could avoid the taxi charge, in exchange for us tagging along as he did some shopping. The next day we managed to hook up with friends of theirs who were packing it in after 2 months in Costa Rica and going back to the UK. So we split the shuttle ride to the airport and had a nice chat along the way.<br />
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So with that our trip comes to a close, and we'll leave you with the Costa Rican motto: Pura Vida!<br />
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: arial, sans-serif, verdana, helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Pura vida! Means that no matter what your current situation is, life for someone else can always be less fortunate than your own. So you need to consider that maybe...just maybe, your situation isn't all that bad and that no matter how little or how much you have in life, we are all here together and life is short...so start living it "pura vida style".</i>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16803400693301500933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11216725.post-31433417804466202152013-05-12T18:48:00.000-06:002015-08-07T14:42:24.929-06:00Trek Day 6, our final day riding<strong>Saturday 3/9</strong><br />
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Saturday - another early morning! Low tide is best for riding because it's difficult and hard on the horses to ride in softer sand. So you want to go at low tide and ride on the hard pack. Low tide was at 6:30 am. So, up by 6. The horses had just stayed on the hotel lawn overnight - the owners had brought in construction fencing to keep them in over night. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UjdPzcNXfgE/UYbOMrA3UtI/AAAAAAAABjM/Xtp8bChcoEI/s1600/IMG_0584+Tacking+up+in+Hotel+yard+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UjdPzcNXfgE/UYbOMrA3UtI/AAAAAAAABjM/Xtp8bChcoEI/s320/IMG_0584+Tacking+up+in+Hotel+yard+sm.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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The next morning they were tied where ever a convenient tree was found.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g5FXzBkd0cY/UYbOL89HSwI/AAAAAAAABi8/4y1N2I4AwxI/s1600/IMG_0586+morning+beach+crop+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g5FXzBkd0cY/UYbOL89HSwI/AAAAAAAABi8/4y1N2I4AwxI/s320/IMG_0586+morning+beach+crop+sm.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Back to the beach for the short ride back to the restaurant where we had dinner the night before for a quick breakfast.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pmz0d_mAtP8/UYbOKndVFCI/AAAAAAAABi0/xhcuGBujWbM/s1600/IMG_0591+reflections+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pmz0d_mAtP8/UYbOKndVFCI/AAAAAAAABi0/xhcuGBujWbM/s320/IMG_0591+reflections+sm.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
And then we headed north up the beach for a few hours with the morning sun at at our backs. It made for great photos!<br />
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It was fun - the group spread out and did their own things. Those that wished to canter could hang back and canter up to the leaders. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TTyS2Pi87W8/UYbQEmybarI/AAAAAAAABjY/00w8_t5Bltc/s1600/IMG_0593+Pony+Rescue+adj+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TTyS2Pi87W8/UYbQEmybarI/AAAAAAAABjY/00w8_t5Bltc/s320/IMG_0593+Pony+Rescue+adj+sm.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pony Roundup!</td></tr>
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Liz immediately turned Blackie, one of the pack ponies free so that she wouldn't have to hang on to the both of them. (they weren't packing anything since most of our belongings went with the luggage to our final destination). Blackie stayed right on Beauty's (Christine's horse) hip. So aways down the beach Liz decided to turn Brandy loose too, thinking they would stick together with Beauty (the three were acquired together). <br />
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However, the ponies had a different thing in mind. They immediately paired up, and took off at a leisurely walk - back the way we had come. When it was clear they weren't concerned in the least that the herd was moving on without them, Teri, Ariel, Kayleigh and Samina went back to collect them. Brandy stayed on line the rest of the trip.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nDFJvZHRgWc/UYbS_7CmZ-I/AAAAAAAABjs/bsShH6UnhBY/s1600/IMG_0613+to+the+beach+crop+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nDFJvZHRgWc/UYbS_7CmZ-I/AAAAAAAABjs/bsShH6UnhBY/s320/IMG_0613+to+the+beach+crop+sm.jpg" width="320" /></a>At our mid point we stop at Leo's for just an incredible traditional Costa Rican fish dinner. While it was cooking, we took off the horse's tack and went to play in the surf.<br />
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Some of the horses really enjoyed being out in the water!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k8WAxqoVdWo/UYbTAT5WkAI/AAAAAAAABj0/_eHXjusId4c/s1600/IMG_0616+Socks+rolling+crop+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k8WAxqoVdWo/UYbTAT5WkAI/AAAAAAAABj0/_eHXjusId4c/s320/IMG_0616+Socks+rolling+crop+sm.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Sox couldn't get enough rolling in it! Every time we looked out he was down on the ground.<br />
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Beauty also was having a fun time and kept Christine out there a long time.<br />
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Lincoln and Montanes? Eh - they really couldn't have cared less. Actually Lincoln really enjoyed rolling in the hot, dry sand at the top of the beach more than anything.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rb4m3ngYqyc/UYbVneqcHTI/AAAAAAAABkc/IpJJ9VB5rFc/s1600/IMG_0621+Beach+front+seating+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rb4m3ngYqyc/UYbVneqcHTI/AAAAAAAABkc/IpJJ9VB5rFc/s320/IMG_0621+Beach+front+seating+sm.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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So we returned to shore to dry off<br />
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And goof around a bit.<br />
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Then brunch was served: whole fried Red Snappers with fries and cole slaw. And you know, it didn't even matter to us that it was only 9 am in the morning! <br />
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Liz had told us that many of her guests think that this stop is the best meal of the trip. We agree.<br />
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After brunch we had another hour or so beach riding.<br />
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Lincoln was really the most fun on the entire trip on the beach - he frequently picked up a trot spontaneously, and would canter with the others. Dave's horse, Montanes, is a GOer, and trotting was not good enough. Thankfully he has a beautifully slow canter, so Dave probably got more cantering time down that beach than during the rest of his riding career.<br />
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It was really a shame when we arrived at our hotel. We paused and Liz offered us the opportunity to dismount and head to our rooms, but we both opted to stick with the horses to untack and put them out to pasture one last time.<br />
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Gosh it is amazing that just a 100 meters off the beach it can be unbearably swelteringly hot! We got the horses settled and headed to the hotel... when disaster struck: Dave realized that his fanny pack zipper was entirely open, and nearly the entire contents gone. The contents that he needed with him all the time - including his wallet, phone and a few day's of medications: OH CRAP. He had no recollection of having opened that zippered compartment. Liz said that with all the trotting and cantering sometimes they just bounce themselves open. So I back tracked to the stable, but found nothing, and by now figured that it most likely had been open since we stopped to play in the waves, so I just went back to the hotel. But Dave wasn't there - and no one knew where he was.<br />
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Someone suggested that maybe he'd gone to the beach to search for things? I didn't think it was likely to find anything, but sure enough he was half mile down the beach or so. As I walked I figured I ought to at least look around. Remember that we were specifically riding during low tide, so the tide had been coming in all day and was about to reaching about high tide level by now. But I'll be darned if I didn't come across a piece of electronics that I didn't recognize as his phone until I was about to pick it up. Wet and sandy, but tucked into it's Otterbox cover.<br />
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It took me quite a while to catch up with Dave, who by that time had found his wallet! Unbelievable! The meds were all in a plastic baggie which I'm sure floated rather well. Fortunately it held only a few days worth, so we gave up looking for them. That really was some piece of good fortune there. Well that and perseverance - because it was Dave who went out to the beach to look - I had already written them off as gone.<br />
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At the restaurant that night the hostess looked at us like we had two heads when we asked for a cup of uncooked rice... but then she said - OH, you have something to dry out! Extracting it from it's case we were happy to see that the case had protected it's ports from getting packed with sand. We packed the phone in rice overnight, and the next day it was happy as a clam!<br />
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So we had the afternoon to shower and then lounge around the pool - a very welcome change of pace! Dinner was just two hotels down the beach where we again got to monopolize a cute beach side gazebo. The service here wasn't the greatest, but, well -- we were in no hurry! We set up a laptop at one end of the table and watched several people's worth of slideshows by the time dinner arrived.<br />
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And thus our riding trek came to a close. We admit it was quite a bit more physically demanding than we had anticipated. Never once did I regret skipping the ride on Tuesday, and rejoining for the last three days was also fantastic. It's the last trek of their season - soon the horses will be going out to pasture for several months and Liz is headed to India where her family is residing. Everyone else was getting set to catch an airport shuttle in the morning, but we had tacked on 3 more nights at this hotel. So we went to bed thinking about where the next couple of days would take us.<br />
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Next Entry: <a href="http://sunponyranch.blogspot.com/2013/05/in-and-around-esterillos-este.html">http://sunponyranch.blogspot.com/2013/05/in-and-around-esterillos-este.html </a><br />
<br />Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16803400693301500933noreply@blogger.com0