Happiness and Anger

So, life has been quite an adventure since we moved to Selah back in June. A year ago, I would have never guessed the direction of my life.  I will not lie, it's been rough.  The back pain has been excruciating at times and the poor medical care has taken me on a journey of anger, frustration, self doubt, and growth.  I sit here now feeling both anger, and joy.  Yesterday was my long awaited neurosurgery consult.  In the past two weeks, I wondered if I would ever get my life back; a job, horseback riding, and little things like walking for more than 20 minutes, driving, going out, and being able to put my socks and pants on unassisted.

I have complained a lot, but have tried to stay positive. Only my husband knows just how bad it has been the last 2 months.  As I awaited this appointment and mulled over all the different issues that my doctor said needed to be addressed, including a benign spinal tumor, radiation, stenosis, inflammation and disk degeneration in my upper spine, I prepared for the worst, as my Dr. inferred several major surgeries that would need to be done at UW and neurosurgeons met to discuss my case.  

Yesterday was a bad pain day, and by the time I met with the surgeon, I was soaked in sweat because I couldn't stand or sit for longer than a minute.  I felt anxious and braced myself for the news.  And....well it appears that my upper Thoracic spine issues are not the problem?  W,hat?  In fact, he found that I have 2 separate very rare defects in my spine.  Intrigued, I sat down.  The first defect essentially caused 2 of my lower lumbar vertebra to fuse with the sacrum and ilium on one side.  I was born this way didn't I know? As, I shook my head, he went on to explain that I had another very rare defect in my spine in which I have short chubby disks.  Seriously, I am in my 40s, I've gained 25 lbs since this started and now I have chubby disks, lol.  Apparently, these fat disks are very 

troublesome and prone to problems.  Great, I thought.  

So, then he tells me that likely due to this fusion, this has created stress on my SI joint and I have severe sacroiliitis, which has now caused inflammation in my spine and damage to L4,L5 and this was not seen due to my chubby disks.  How do you not just laugh. So apparently, all the physical therapy and exercise has caused some permanent damage and the increasingly inflamed SI joint.  So...what now?

Well, while the damage cannot be undone, a series of injections to my SI joint, L5,l4, S1 could turn this all around in a matter of days...yes days...  There is a chance it won't work and it's likely that this is a temporary fix for weeks to years and I will most likely need a complete fusion and repair to the defects at some point. It turns out that this neurosurgeon specializes in SI joints and is the go to person in Washington and also studies rare genetic disorders.  I will need another MRI and CT to see if he needs to bore out my lower spine (as he says) to give my nerves more room, but in the meantime he thinks that I have an excellent chance at relief of pain, and regaining my motor abilities just with the injections.  

So next Tuesday, I will have my first injection.  Unfortunately, I am told it is going to cause severe pain, but that it's necessary to confirm the diagnosis.  Apparently, they will introduce a needle and inject a substance to piss off the nerve and if I scream and have pain, he knows this is going to work.  After that he will inject steroids and after 24 hours of pain, I should feel better.  So, I'm feeling very apprehensive...gah. 

So while I am thrilled that my pain and ability to walk will be restored and hopefully soon after injections and PT, I am furious that again the 2 Dr's here refused to let me have an MRI after I wasn't better in a month.  I am furious that they encouraged me to push through the pain of PT, which I sensed was bad and that they misdiagnosed me three times and all 3 treatments have now caused permanent damage.  I understand that this is a tough diagnosis, but the MRI clearly showed the anomalies and they were not noticed until now.  Wow, the incompetence, lack of concern, and dismissing me as a drug seeker, even though I refused narcotics leaves me feeling just very angry.  As I try to let this go and move on, it us a good reminder as a health care provider to not dismiss patients with pain.  It's hard not to, as it seems most are drug seeking, sadly.  Anyway, there it all is.

I am hopeful that the injections work and pray that I don't require decompression surgery due to the damage. I'm ready to do this, defective chubby disks and all. I feel bloated. ....squirrel

Get off Your Rock, Do Not Fight the River...

As, I sat here today in the sunshine, thinking about the death of my dad in January, the move across the state, changing Nursing jobs, my back injury, my new Nursing job and many other difficult things this last year, I thought about a friend. She has a saying, "life is rough, wear a helmet." Boy, she wasn't kidding. There is that old saying people use to get through bad times.  "This too shall pass."  I for one, don't want to use that when it comes to the good times.  I don't want them to pass.

 I'm currently waiting and hoping that these hard times shall soon pass.   I am trying not to get attached to any of life, good or bad.  The good times come and then they will go.  The bad times come and they will go.  I figure we need to allow them both to teach and polish us and try not to cling to one or the other.  I'm still struggling with that, but it's starting to make sense.

Lately, in a attempt to get out of a negativity rut,  I have been thinking of booking a trip with wild women expeditions on a kayaking trip in British Columbia.  Water is powerful, spiritual and healing. I need challenging and healing right now.   It got me thinking about life and how to survive.

I was 19 the first time I went white-water rafting, a guide gave us a lecture on the dangers of the river.  If you fall out of the raft, do not try to stand up, do not try to grab onto a rock, do not try to fight the river.  The river will win.  If you fall out, relax, point your toes downstream, tuck your head to your chest, and let the river carry you.  It will always take you to calm water.  He gave us a paddle, told us to listen carefully to his instructions, then told us to remember that people do really die out here so be careful, and have fun.  O'h and he had no helmets for us.

That first time, I had no idea what to expect.  The middle fork of the Salmon River churns into Class III and IV rapids near Riggins, Idaho.  I sat on the edge of the giant black raft, which felt like a big dopey inner-tube.  The four of us steadily paddled into the rapids, but once in them, it felt like someone had turned on the washing machine.

The river bounced up, down, right and left, under water and high above it.  I tried to paddle but wasn't sure if my oar was in the river or in the air, I was spinning around so quickly.
It was wickedly and wildly exciting. Until I fell out.  My first instinct was to try to stand up and grab onto a rock. Bam, smack, ouch.  Oh yeah, what was it he said about relaxing?  I made a feeble attempt to point my toes and tuck my head, but I couldn't even find or feel my toes in that cold water.

My life jacket was too big and kept bobbing up to my ears.  I had to use my hands to pull down on the shoulders.  The paddle got swept away.  It was hard to figure out when to take a breath.  I couldn't see anything but water around and above me.  I couldn't hold my breath any longer or swallow any more river.  I ended up on a rock.  Two guides came by in kayaks from another group and told me to get back in the river and let the water carry me downstream.  I thought they were joking, but I had no other option.  The kept urging me into the water.  I didn't want to give up the security of the rock, but the river wasn't going to stop for me that day or any day.

Finally, he promised to follow me down in his kayak, so I said a prayer, slid off the rock, and floated away to calm water.  I have never forgotten that day, how sometimes you have to give up the security of your rock for something better.

I once read an interview with Pastor Rick Warren, who wrote, The Purpose Driven Life.  What he said reminded me of that river.

Life is a series of problems;  either you are in one now, you're just coming out of one, or you're getting ready to go into another one.  the reason for this is that God is more interested in your character than your comfort.  God is more interested in making your life holy than he is in making your life happy.  Geez, I must have a lot of character and holy life at the rate my life is going.  Anyway, he talked about the lesson he learned in the greatest and toughest year of his life.  That year he made millions on his book but his wife got cancer.

     I used to think that life was hills and valleys--you go through a dark time, then you go to the mountaintop, back and forth.  I don't believe that anymore.  Rather than life being hills and valleys, I believe that it's kind of like two rails on a railroad track, and at all times you have something good and something bad in your life.  No matter how good things are in your life, there is always something bad that needs to be worked on.  And no matter how bad things are in your life, there is always something good you can thank God for.

It makes me think of the female NASCAR driver who said "Life is like a racetrack.  It's the curves that make it worthwhile."  Easy for her to say, she gets to wear a helmet to work.  Regardless of this analogy, life is a wild, wonderful journey.  Chaos will come, calm will follow, and then it will start up all over again.  The secret is to savor the ride....

All of it.

 Ride life like a river raft and let it carry you through the white water, the still water, and beyond. Float down like a leaf holding onto nothing, trusting the flow of the river.

Today, I am getting off my rock and I am booking my kayaking adventure.

I Saw a Spider in the Bathroom...

It happened so fast...So, I went to take a shower last night and turned the water on in the bathtub.  Bob was standing behind me.  As I looked up, the most humungous, scary, vile spider looked down on me from above.  I heard my own high pitched scream as my head snapped back.  The spider reared back and slightly elevated it's front end.  My elbow shortly thereafter connected with Bob's jaw and I remember seeing him hit the floor as I launched myself over the top of him.  I remember yelling SPIDER, but by then I was already in the living room heading for the front door.

My heart raced.  I am quite sure I only touched the ground 3 times and I don't remember going down the hallway.  I normally am not that afraid of spiders;  snakes on the other hand, well that is a different thing.  Bob called out, "What is the matter with you?  Are you trying to kill me?"  "Look up," I said.  Holy....... I heard him say.  "Now that is a spider!"

I slowly walked back to the bathroom, feeling braver now that Bob was standing in front of me.  Bob stood back and we gazed up at the most scary thing I have ever seen.  I grabbed my phone and snapped a picture.  See for yourself.

This is the second one of these things this week, although the last one was not quite as large.  I think it's a Hobo Spider, but I am not sure.  I am quite sure that it must die.  I think of the joke I read a while back.  I Saw a Spider in the Bathroom.  So as quietly as I could, I got some toilet paper and used it to burn the house down. LOL. Too bad we don't have renters insurance.

We decided that the best plan of attack was to use the vacuum cleaner, but I wasn't sure the spider was in any way going to fit down the nozzle.  Bob says, don't worry it will just ball up and the suction will make it fit.  Bravely I stepped out of the bathroom and gave him encouragement.  Such a brave warrior am I.

I switched the vacuum cleaner on to do my part. "Honey your right, it is too big, but I've got it;  the suction is holding,"  he said.   Are you freaking kidding me I think, as I visualize the huge spider stuck to the end of the vacuum cleaner hose.  Bang, Bang. Bob pushes the hose to the floor and I swear I hear crunching.  "what is going on?"  I ask.  "Don't worry, I just cut it in two.  I got this."  I look into the clear cannister and see a couple legs swirling around before disintegrating into the dirt.

I switch the vacuum cleaner off and Bob assures me that it is dead and can't crawl out of the cannister.  I look at it and am not 100% convinced, but glad that the spider is gone.  I insisted on bleaching everything and vacuuming the entire house before bed at midnight.  I was so afraid to go to sleep that I turned all the lights on and searched the bed.  I was afraid to switch the lamp off, for fear there was one on my bedside stand.   I am thinking of bug bombing the whole house.

So far today, so good.  I have only had one incident when I sat on the toilet and realized that there could potentially be a spider under the toilet seat.  It was like sitting on a hot potato.  I don't have good luck sitting down on toilets without looking.  Thankfully, not a spider in sight.  I laugh when I think that seeing a spider reminds me that I am still a little girl inside.  Sleep tight.


Squirrel

Loving getting older? "Letting life happen, This is my life, so why not have some fun with it?"

I initially titled this blog, "Loving getting older."  And then as I wrote, well it just turned into something unexpected and went in a separate direction and I let it be. 

......

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Well, 2014  has been one of the most challenging years of my life this far.  In fact, I have felt very defeated and I admit to hating my life at times.  I have been very unlike me;  negative, complaining, feeling sorry for myself, criticizing others etc. etc.  I feel like my inner joy and peace has been sucked right out and this new person is one that I don't want to be. It has been a selfish path of discovery and acknowledgement, of realizing that I can't do what I dreamed of and coming to terms with it.  Of acknowledging that life is not all about me and that my family and friends in my life are more important to me than anything.  

Last night at work, I shared a touching moment with a co-worker talking about "those special patients," the ones that you just connect with and are drawn too.  We briefly talked about caring for them as they died and why was it that it was always the most incredible people that succumb to cancer? Then we both laughed and cried and I realized that it was those incredible people that through their strength and incredible character in death, touched me so profoundly. I realized that this might be their very purpose in life, a last gift to others.   A gift given to me last light.   Last night, I revisited my selfish life and feelings and remembered that everyone is struggling in their own way.   This all came about after visiting a patient I had cared for recently.  It all happened in one unexpected moment.

I feel like sometimes we are convinced of our apparent unworthiness, that we do everything to prevent the good stuff from entering our lives.  I don't think that we do this consciously of course.  I am slowly learning that all I need to do to help the good stuff manifest is to step out of the way, to stop littering the path with my worries and insecurities, and the endless head-chatter that scares the dream wisps away.  In some ways it's easier to sabotage our dreams then help them become reality--that way when they don't happen we can shrug our shoulders and say, "see, I knew it.  I'm not worth it."

There is a part of me that assumed life would be easier once I got used to my new job, came to terms with some physical limitations, and acknowledged that this is my home now.  At this point in my life I thought I would be married with children filling my house, that I would be more successful by now, and more established--blah, blah, blah.  What I am starting to understand is that this is it-- This is my life, so why not have some fun with it?-

Last night at work, for the first time in a long time, I told my stories again. As our crew gathered together around the nurses station, Pam became a new friend in my heart and as we cried for a moment and then laughed together and shared funny "poop" stories (which are always the best!) I felt somehow connected again in my life.  I felt a little bit of my joyous self coming back and a glimmer of hope that this point in my life shall too pass. As others laughed at my crazy stories and I laughed at theirs my heart awoke again. Today, my life is a malleable piece of clay, and I will see what shapes I can create.  Because no one else is going to do it for me, and heck, maybe some good stuff will happen.

My part of the deal is to work hard, be committed, and have a little faith.  And to make room in my life for the good stuff to flow.   We are allowed to have our dreams big and small and everything in between.  I think of them like children--to be protected and nurtured, believed in and encouraged--and when the time is right, you need only get out of their way so you can stretch your wings and fly.

Here is to experiencing life good and bad and being able to come back from the bad times; to doing those things that make our heart sing!  I want to thank everyone for that silly time last night,  as insignificant as it would seem, it brought me back from somewhere I didn't want to be.

Squirrel

HSI vs SHI

Well, I haven’t blogged in a very long time. My inspiration for my blog stems from trail riding over here on the west side of mountains of Washington state.  I have lived on the Eastern side for many years, and thought nothing of riding my horse/mule up in the mountains with temperatures in the 90’s. 

I was surprised that although the temperatures here are milder than Eastern Washington, humidity plays a huge role. What can be considered as moderate exercise (3 hour conditioning ride-1 hour trotting /loping in an arena) can have the same effect as intense activity as heat and humidity rise. 

As responsible horse owners, you owe it to yourself to understand the H.S.I.  Ahh you ask, what does that stand for?  It stands for the Heat Stress Index, and you need to know how to figure this out.  This  is the formula for your HSI:

Take the sum of the temperature in degrees fahrenheit, plus the percent humidity and this gives you an H.S.I. number.  Easy peasy.  So the temperature today is 78 degrees Fahrenheit and the humidity is 39%. My HSI is 117.  I am good to go (see below) and ride with reckless abandon, except for the fact that I over did it yesterday trying to impersonate a mountain goat riding my mule at Mt. St Helens on the Cinnamon Trail.  This is where the SHI (Stupid Human Index) can often leave you riding with a high HSI number. 

Now, your probably thinking to yourself.  O.k., so I have a number now what?  As a general rule of thumb, if your H.S.I. number is <120, your “good to go.”

If the sum is >150 , especially if the humidity gives you more than half of this number, your horses ability to cool himself will be compromised.  So does this mean you can’t ride if the HSI  >150?  No, not necessarily, it means that you need to either lower the intensity or duration of workout , or ride later in the day.  If the HSI is >180 your horse cannot regulate his body temperature naturally and he should not be forced to work.

There are times when you have little to no choice to ride.  For example, you have an afternoon class at the show, or you are ascending 3000 feet in less than 2 hours and your HSI is now 158 (Not that I would have done something like this, lol)  So what do you do then?  Well, common sense should prevail, but at the very least you need to know the signs/symptoms of dehydration and take appropriate action.

My HSI was 158 for Daisy at the summit.  I took frequent short rest breaks, stood in the shade, and sponged her off in every stream we came to, as well as walked a significant portion of the ride. This prevented her from becoming stressed and dehydrated.  It didn't help me however, as my SHI was running particularly high yesterday.  This is a picture of the ascent through red rock pass.

Anyway, back to the topic of dehydration. Horses don’t just lose water when they sweat; they also lose minerals and salts aka electrolytes.  A horse that is mildly dehydrated will show little symptoms and can be remedied by drinking fresh water. 

The Signs

Skin pinch test:  Pinch an inch of skin on your horses neck in front of the shoulder and pull it towards you.  What happens when you let go?  If your horse is hydrated, it should snap back almost immediately.  If the skin tents and doesn’t snap back, he’s dehydrated.

Other things to look for: The horses stool will become harder and dry looking and the urine will become increasingly yellow and maybe even brown tinged;   your horse may become lethargic.

On an important note, I have heard people on the trail saying, “My horse is so fit, he hasn’t broken a sweat coming up that mountain.”  So, in the advanced stage of dehydration, a horse may quit sweating completely in order to conserve fluids. 

How to Cool Your Horse Effectively:

Move your horse to a shaded area and hose the entire body with cold water.  There has been much discussion on whether this might cause muscle cramping, i.e. tying up.  In a study done previous to the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, it was concluded by Jonathan Forman, DVM University of Illinois, “That if you put nearly freezing water in large volumes all over the muscles of the horse, you can draw a lot of heat out of the muscles and the horse will not tie up afterwards.”  So go ahead and put that ice-cold water on him!  If after 30 minutes your horses pulse does not drop below 64bpm the condition is serious and you should call a vet.  Please remember that I am not a veterinarian and my advice only comes from research articles and experience.  You should always consult with your veterinarian if you think your horse is in trouble. 

  

Useful tips for trail riding.  Most endurance riders carry a sponge either clipped to the saddle or, like me, with a long string attached so you can dip the sponge in the water when crossing creeks and sponge the water over the horses neck.  I have seen others carry a scoop made from milk jugs, so they can scoop up water when they are unable to get their horse down to the creek. Action rider has a great selection of trail riding gear and accessories for those interested. I also like Moss Rock Endurance, Mad Tack, Running Bear and Hought.

Well, I hope you have learned a little about HSI, and if you already knew this, as I know many of you do, then kudos to you for being well informed. Please share this information with others.  I have had horses my entire life, and didn’t learn this until 2 years ago.  It’s not rocket science, but it is very useful and might prevent tying up, colic and heat exhaustion on the trail.  I hope to gather information and blog on Electrolytes, human trail riding comfort items and beginning training on my yearling foxtrotter next.   I will keep everyone updated.

Now get on out there and enjoy the Ray’s!  Cheers!

Squirrel.

Daisy Goes Greek- A Walk On The Wildside

I have so many new adventures to share but have been busy looking for a job and planning my move across the state.  I had a few minutes, so I thought I would share this unusual adventure.

The farrier was out last Tuesday and took off all Daisy’s sole callus that she had built up, so she went from mule feet of steel to can't walk on anything but soft ground feet. I took her riding a day ago and ended up walking three miles down the rocked road to the trailhead that normally would not have fazed her.  Grrr, I should have watched him closer!  I need a good barefoot trimmer.

I planned to go back to McCroskey State Park and drive up to Fireplace campground and hit the trail from there.  I would ride up to Mission Mtn, and then cut down and hit the Korth Trail and make a loop back to Fireplace. 

I hooked up the trailer and Daisy was waiting for me at the gate.  I love that she is just as excited, as I am to ride.  She pretty much loads herself these days.  I cranked the radio up to an old 80’s tune Jessie’s Girl and headed out. 

After slowly driving up skyline ridge, I realized there was a small turnout and I could hit the Korth trail at the trailhead.  I decided to keep going up to Fireplace, because I had not ridden that loop before.  I pulled into the primitive campground and noticed 3 cars parked in front of the covered picnic area.  They were playing loud music and looked harmless enough.  I never see anyone at this park, so it kind of shocked me to see someone here. 

I unloaded Daisy and saddled up, admiring my new saddle and how nice it looked on her.  I packed a sandwich, 3 water bottles, first aid kit, spot messenger, map, GPS and a rain jacket.  Daisy was completely calm, but was very curious about all the loud noise.  

 Daisy at Brad Cameron Clinic with her new McCall slick fork wade mule saddle.

I locked up the trailer and lead Daisy down the sharp gravel road.  Daisy walked gingerly on the rock and I hoped once I made it to the trail it would improve.  The trail had sharp shale rock and small pebbles on top of stone. Discouraged, I continued to lead Daisy thinking it would be good exercise for me and should get better down the trail.  After about 10 minutes, we hit clear-cut slash and I mounted up and tried to follow what was left of the trail. 

 

After about 20 minutes, I had to get off again.  Rock everywhere, pebbles, shale…Uggh!  I was determined to get down to the Korth trail.   We turned and went straight down a gully and I slipped and slid my way down, while Daisy picked her way down ever so carefully.  I looked back up and it donned on me that I would have to go back up on foot.  I tried not to think about it.

Finally, we came to a single-track trail and I mounted up again.  I don’t think anyone had been on this trail in a very long time.  I ducked, dove, hung on from the side and evaded the branches that were everywhere.  I lost my ball cap on a branch and scraped my arm.  Not quite the ride I had envisioned.  As I dismounted and lead Daisy back to the tree, I realized I couldn’t reach my hat.  I proceeded to get back on whilst bushwhacking through the brush with my head.   I half stood on her back, praying she would stand there; it was after all my favorite pink hat with a cross and gingham design.  Successful, I plunked my hat down on my head and pulled my pony tail through that was engulfed in twigs.  Ouch!

There is nothing like the sticky, soft , silky feeling of spider webs across the face.  They were everywhere!  I pulled my shirt up and wiped my face just in time to see the large tree lying diagonally across the trail.  It looked awfully low, but we were upon it before I could get Daisy to stop.   Luckily, she went under the tall end and we cleared it by a feather.  Daisy slightly squatted under it, and I am convinced she was looking out for me. 

After clearing the trail of spiders, we rode out into an opening and found a few picnic benches.  I decided I would stop and eat my sandwich there.  I tied Daisy up and ate my sandwich.  I planned to continue down the trail another 30 minutes and then head back if I didn’t make it to the trailhead.  The views were stunning from the picnic table.  I could see the trail I wanted to ride on and contemplated going straight down the mountain and making my own trail, but it looked pretty treacherous and decided I wasn’t quite ready for that.

  A section of the Korth Trail.  In sight, but for the steep drop off I couldn't reach it.

I continued down the trail leading Daisy and became increasingly frustrated that the trail was so rocky.  The rocks hurt my feet through my shoes.  I finally gave up when I saw that the last mile to the Korth trail was a gravel road.

I turned around and told myself what good exercise this was for me.  Eventually, we headed up the gully.  I turned Daisy loose. She follows me like a dog now.  At times, I grabbed for roots to try to pull my way up.  My thighs and butt ached.  Occasionally,  I felt Daisy nudge me in the butt with her big ol’ head.  “Come on already, what is the problem? “ It made me laugh. After several rest stops for me, we made it back up.  I knew I had another 4 miles of off and on walk and ride.

No rocks in sight, I gladly mounted up again and enjoyed her freaky fast walk as we covered some ground.  I love this mule!  I sat back and completely dropped the rein as she flew down the trail; over logs, around rock outcroppings, over creeks all without missing a step.  I enjoyed the view from Skyline.  It just makes me happy out here, all my cares gone.  I felt like a pioneer woman out in the wilds on my steed.  It made me think of the history of McCroskey State Park.  I posted a little blurb below about the history of this park from wikipedia.

McCroskey State Park was gifted to Idaho in 1955 by a local conservationist, Virgil T. McCroskey, who gradually bought up land endangered by logging and cobbled his purchases into a 4,400-acre (18 km²) parcel.[1] To make the land more attractive to tourists, he cut viewpoints into some of the slopes, built picnic areas, planted flowers, and established a road. The Idaho legislature, however, had serious doubts about the new park – thinking it would not generate enough revenue to justify the loss in taxes – and agreed to accept the gift only if McCroskey, then in his late seventies, would maintain the park at his own expense for the next fifteen years. McCroskey accepted the terms, and lived exactly fifteen more years, fulfilling his obligation to the state of Idaho just weeks before his death in 1970 at age 93.[2]

McCroskey named the park in honour of his mother, a pioneer woman who came to Eastern Washington with her husband and children to establish a homestead near Steptoe Butte; he dedicated it to all pioneer women.[1] 
 Wikipedia contributors. "McCroskey State Park." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 24 Apr. 2013. Web. 9 Sep. 2013.

Thank you Mr. McCroskey.  I feel so blessed to live in an area with all this beautiful recreational ground.  I thank God for the opportunity to have the means to enjoy the world from the back of a good Mule/Horse. 

My energy perked up as I hummed a song and just enjoyed nature.  As we approached the clear cut, I heard loud voices and music.  Hmm, sounds like quite the party.  I dismounted to walk down the last section of trail to the campground.  I heard voices up ahead.  Four young college age students dressed with white collared shirts with their Greek logos embroidered approached.  Two young males carrying bottles of rum and red cups began hollering out to us.  Cool!  Wow!  That is a really big donkey… Can we pet your burro?  I want a ride. 

My heart raced.  You guys need to stand back from the mule!  Daisy's eyes grew huge. I worried, because I just didn’t know how she was going to react.  The smell of liquor engulfed us.  They all began petting her and the young man disregarded my warning to stay away from her, giving her a hug.  Daisy stood stock-still.  I feared she might kick if she felt threatened.  Get back from my mule! I said loudly.   I was working so hard on her trusting people again.  I kept rubbing her and reassuring her.  Good girl Daisy, it's alright.  

One of the men came over and slung his arm around her neck sloshing rum down her side. Her eyes were huge.  She tipped an ear towards him and took a step towards me and then stood patiently while I walked forward and tried to force my way through.  Finally, we got around them.  I felt a wave of anger come over me and my heart beat fast.

I was totally unprepared for the scene enfolding in front of us as we rounded the corner.  There must have been 70+  college students dancing, yelling, drinking and carrying on.  Tents and vehicles completely surrounded my horse trailer on all sides.  I was completely blocked in!! What the heck were they thinking?  Hello?  I obviously was not part of the group.  Do we not have any common sense?  I quickly tried to decide what I was going to do.  Before I could come up with a plan, I was surrounded. 

“Look a horsey!  A girl shrieked. “  Are you freaking kidding me? It was like riding into a frat house.  “That is a big horse, but what is wrong with his ears?”  “How much for a ride?”  "Is that a donkey?"  The comments and questions poured in as they danced around her.  The music pulsed even louder.  It felt like a Rave.  Girls, with thongs peaking out from their low waisted pants staggered around dancing, while young men grinded against them and bumped to the beat.  I wanted to cover Daisy's eyes.  There were red cups, trash and liquor bottles laying everywhere.  There were maybe twelve people standing next to the trailer.

I was so upset…I just wanted to get back to the trailer, load her up and get the Hell out of the there.  Stay back, stay back!  My words fell upon deaf ears.  A girl walked up to me, petted Daisy’s nose and then vomited on my trailer.  By then the music was so loud, I couldn’t hear myself talk.  Daisy became worried and started to get anxious as she was surrounded.  I yelled at them to stay away and told them that she might kick.  A few people walked away and made comments under their breath. “stupid lady, I just wanted to pet her horse.” 

Mind you, these are the next generation.  Are we creating a new generation that has absolutely no common sense?  Most of them had never heard of a mule.  How is that possible?  I was so angry by now, but I knew I had to get Daisy in the trailer, before something bad happened. 

Yanking pegs out of the ground, I slid two tents out from behind the trailer.  Daisy became scared as I pulled the tents out of the way thinking the tents were after her.  I stopped and calmed her.  I managed to clear a path large enough to get the door open and loaded her completely tacked up.  She gladly hopped in.  Two people stood on the fender and tried to pet her through the window screens.  I walked over and closed the drop down doors.  I was livid.  

How was I going to find these people and get their cars moved, I thought to myself.   I was pretty ticked and I tried to be calm.  I walked to the picnic area by the keg and asked to see if someone knew whose vehicles were blocking the road.  I thought my attempts were futile, as everyone ignored me. Luckily in 10 minutes a young man came over and said he would find the owners and get the cars moved.  I was going to give them 15 minutes, then I was calling the sheriff; this was ridiculous and I was losing my temper.  Come on guys. 

Finally after 20 minutes, we had a path cleared so I could drive out.  I knew I couldn’t turn around and head back to the entrance that I had come in.  I could continue down skyline and get out of the park another way.  It would be a lot longer drive, but I was just relieved to be out of there.  I encountered multiple vehicles who were clueless about driving on a narrow road;  road etiquette 101, when encountering a larger vehicle.  I ended up driving up an embankment and letting them by.  They simply blocked the road and stared at me like now what do we do?  Hello, pull off the road a little so I can get around.  Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!  No common sense whatsoever.  I drove another 7 miles creeping along at 20 mph.  The roads were rough, but I knew I could make it off skyline road and take a graveled road down to Farmington and head back home from there.  We made it home by 9:40 pm and pulled into the driveway.  

I am so glad that someone did not get hurt.  I am proud of my mule and the confidence she is developing in me.  It makes me wonder how long I will be able to enjoy the wide open spaces and how things have changed so much.  I know there are responsible young adults out there, and I am grateful for the young man who helped me out.  Are we not teaching our kids to think critically and rationally about things?   Wouldn't you think if you came to a campground and there was a horsetrailer parked there out of the way angled to be able to pull back on the road with a haybag hanging from the trailer and a lead rope dangling from the side that someone might be coming back and may need to get out? Gee,  lets put our tents all the way around the trailer and truck and park our cars right up to the bumper.  I guess you can never be prepared for what you might encounter on the trail.  I thought I was pretty prepared.

Squirrel