Day 21 at the ranch

We heard there was a pillow fight in the teepee, that the boys got "overly excited", the boys (not one of them) nor the counselors told us anything about it.  We asked Colton about it because we had heard it "through the grapevine".  He said no one told because they felt sorry for him because he was poor:) too funny:) and yes, compared to the rest, he probably is but they don't know that:)  The other boys had all been to the ranch before and he said that he doesn't usually get to do these kind of trips.   The boys from do not have a tv and none of them have a video game!  Not a Wii, DS, XBox, etc....    I just LOVE their parents.  But I don't think Colton was the only "instigator" in this crowd!  They were "boy boys" and Colton had SOOOO much fun with them!

Rod and Glacier:)  His match made in horse heaven!  Glacier has one blue eye and brown eye!

Colton, of course, beat the other kids to the bell.  Imagine that:)!!

Loved all the trails we rode on.  Part of the fun was "loping"  Oh my, if anyone took a video of me loping, I would pay them every penny I had to not let anyone see it.  It was NOT pretty:)  It was actually pretty comical!!! 

We "ran into" Colton on the trail with his riding crew.  He loved going out with the other kids.  He was SOOOOO cute on his little horse:)
 

Ok, the guy in front of Colton is a counselor.  His name is John Michael.  He rode like this all the time.   He watched the kids CONSTANTLY!!!  He had Colton, Maxi and Kato on a ride and they saw a MOOSE!!!  Moose are BIG!!  Horses are scared of moose!  So does that tell you anything about John Michael?  He has four scared horses and three wild boys and came face to face with a moose!  How impressive is that?

Nana grooming her horse:)

It was "fancy dinner" for adults with kids cookout!

This is Xabi, Maxi and Kato's mom.  She said that she was a "pacifist"??? and HATED guns.  Even play guns.  She let her boys play with the guns at the ranch, but they couldn't take them home.  So  we have all of their guns at our house:)

Erin and I are all "fancied up":)

We then went to their neighbor's house to view her artwork.  She is an artist, etc...  Her house was AMAZING!!  I can't even begin to explain..........  I think these flowers were at the house:)

Day 19 and 20

On Tuesday, we went white water rafting.  I have always wanted to do it.  I don't have any pictures, but Erin bought the CD's from the photographer at the ranch.  When he sends them to her, I will get some.  I never even saw the pics!  I can't wait:)
When we got back to the ranch, we did skeet shooting.  Another first for me!  Can you believe that?  I have to brag on myself, Colton and Rod.  Colton and one other kid were the only ones out of about 10 that hit every target that was "on the ground".  I also hit all the targets that were on the ground:)  So proud....  There were three moms there.  One of the other moms hit every target on the ground too.  The other one didn't hit one, she had never shot a gun before.  She was funny.

Rod was the only person that hit a skeet that was thrown.  Yay Cassidy crew:)

That night, we took a lesson on how to draw horses.  I need to scan those pics in and post them.  We all did "pretty good"

This ranch was down the road from Cherokee Park.  You can't see it in this pic, but it says "Colton's something:)"  I could so see this boy living in Colorado!!!

On Wednesday we rode and then did an art class called Cowboys and Canvases.  It was fun!  I have NO artistic ability at all!  Rod and I hung our masterpieces today though:)

The Kids spent night in this teepee:)  The counselors brought them back if they got scared.  It was only probably a hundred yards from our cabin.  I think around 16 started off there and only 6 stayed the entire night.  What do you think Colton did?  Yes, he stayed:) 

He had so much fun with the boys that were from England, NYC and heading to Barbados.  They were really neat!  Their names were Xabi (pronounced Shabby), Maxi and Kato!  They were a really neat family!  Loved to hear their perspective on life.  NO TV!!!  Very artistic, driven, athletic.... well rounded!  And they had the best accents!

Day 17 and 18

Day 17 Sunday began with brekfast followed by an orientation with the staff.  There were several from NC!  Then we "met" our horses for the week.  Colton's horse is named Shaw.  My horse is named Cricket.  Rod's horse is named Glacier!  (Picture will be added soon)I guess you have to be big as a glacier to hold Rod:)  We went for ride, then back for lunch.  We all signed up for fly fishing this afternoon execpt for Cassidy.  She did a class on taking care of your horse.  We had a pretty bad thunderstorm and everyone sat on the porch and watched the rain!

We had a cookout and then took a hayride to the top of a mountain. They sang some songs, had the guys participate. Yes, Rod got to be the star in his sweat pants! The kids participated in a song as well. I do have both of these on video! We almost didn't get to go because right when they were loading up the wagon, Colton cut his finger pretty bad. We did get up there. We had hot chocolate, smores, a beautiful sunset, etc.... We rode up with Mrs. Sue. She is 82! Full of life and SPUNKY!!

Another GREAT day!


Day 18 Monday

We took a horse back ride.  We realized that the "handy man" that took our luggage into our cabin was actually the owner.  And...  he is a doctor.  We got to ride with Christine, his wife and the person that runs the ranch.  That was alot of fun.  She picked on Rod.  She had to get me a "switch" for Cricket because Cricket was SLOW!!!!!!!  and I mean SLOW:)  Too funny.  Christine also started picking on Rod today!  More to come about that!  We had a fajita cookout.  The kids rode to the spot and saw a baby bear and a mama bear:)

Oh, and loping............  well, not only is my horse slow, but i don't think loping is for me:)

Christine said she could not see one of the riders named Pia because she was behind Rod and Glacier throughout the ride.  Glacier is Rod's clone for a horse:)

We then had square dancing  and Colton lOVED it!!  He looked at me and said this is SOOO MUCH FUN!!!!!