Willow Springs, Missouri

(FOR THOSE OF YOU CHECKING IN TO SEE THE PHOTO ROY BLUNT SNAGGED FROM US....
My friend got a screen shot before he changed the photo. News got to him fast and he changed it only a few minutes ago. I wrote him a letter a few days ago and have yet to hear from him. Here's a screen shot and the image. The original image is further down in the blog.
CLICK HERE

Pretty terrible.

8/7/2010

Dinosaur.

We had to ride in the rain the other day. It was a very nice change from the sun and heat, but it actually made me shiver!! Where is the in between!???

Playing in the river. This is not allowed, we know. Soj made him do it.

A couple of days ago, in between Ava and a town called Vanzant, we were halted by the heat. Or rather, we were halted by a tempting river. We decided to go ahead and just set up camp there. I was able to get my leather stuff out and work a little until the sun wilted me. Walter read a book and ate animal crackers.

Gathering wood down the river for a fire.

We got up a little late the next morning. 6am. We wanted to get up at 3am. We're getting ready...putting on Soj's dancin' shoes. It was a hot ride that day (yesterday).

But we did find this river which helped a lot. It was the first river we have all been in that was over our heads. It was great...and cool!


Back flip off the Back off!

It was a beautiful ride yesterday morning. These Missouri roads are pretty spectacular.

Back in Ava Sojourner got to play with Tom and Vicki's granddaughter.

While I played with their little dog who was fascinated by Soj.

Walter gave us a lift back in the Gator. We all had a wonderful dinner together.


And I learned some new scales.

This turtle was in the middle of the road and almost got squashed so I brought him to Walter.

Walter and Roy. Roy came out to meet us to ride the last 8 or so miles in. I had a pretty bad stomach ache though so Walter ended up walking Soj the entire rest of the way in as Roy rode along next to him. I wish we had more time with Roy. He was such a gentle, kind soul. Walter really, really enjoyed his company. In the Town and Country Market parking lot. The Saddle Club and members of the community donated a room for us at the Comfort Inn here in Willow Springs. When we woke up this morning, Darel called us to tell us we had the room for another night. They thought we could use the rest. Oh, are they ever right. I couldn't believe it when Walter walked in and told us we had the room another day thanks to Darel and his wife, Jan.

Such kindness!

Darel and Sojourner. Sojourner has a wonderful place over at Darel and Jan's ranch. They feed him over and above what we feed him so he is getting all he can eat and loving it. There are some beautiful Arabian Stallions and mares at their ranch. I will be sure to get some good photos of them. One of the Stallions is right across from Sojourner and wants oh so badly to be his buddy...in many ways.