Hello, my good readers!
I apologize profusely for neglecting to write for so long! It has been an incredibly busy and fantastic week for me; and due to the busyness I have been feeling too tired to write. But alas, I will get used to this new routine and be back in writing action!
My busy schedule has pertained entirely to horses!!! For this reason, I have been smiling for joy ALL WEEK. : ) It all seems to be one amazing coincidence, but I suppose it depends on what you believe. My dear Mom happened to run into an old riding instructor of mine while she was grocery shopping. I worked with him from when I was 8 until I was 11 years old, then life happened and we went our separate ways. He invited us to the barn, I mentioned I still needed a job and how much I missed the horses, and everything fell into place from there! I now work at the barn exercising horses four days a week.
So for the first time in more than two years, I am back in saddle! This is a wonderful step back into life with horses for me; and great preparation for owning two horses for my wagon trip. However, I can't say the first week back riding horses hasn't been without difficulty. Going from no riding to two to three horses a day really gets those muscles working...ALL of them. For days it felt like every muscle in my legs, back, and shoulders were sore and knotted. Thank goodness we have a hot tub at our house!
But it is amazing how quickly my knowledge and skill in horse care and riding has come back! Yes, rather like riding a bicycle; you never forget! Having more than ten years of training previously hasn't hurt either, though, he he.
So, here's to a perfect summer of being paid to ride horses, make new friends, and learn new skills!
Monday, May 21, 2012
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
The Trail
Today I have been looking up possible trails, routes, and national parks to use. After looking up Amish buggies and how many accidents happen between them and cars every year, frankly, it's scary! From that I have come to the conclusion that I will not be traveling once the sun goes down - that's just asking for trouble.
I know that I will have to take roads from time to time, so I looked up safety equipment and road rules. Apparently, a horse-drawn vehicle is treated the same as any slow-moving motorized vehicle in most states. But you don't need a license plate. However, you do need an orange slow-moving vehicle triangle on the back, lots of reflectors, and proper hand signals while maneuvering. And of course, lights if you're traveling at night; but as I said, Not doing that!
As for finding trails, it's been tough going. Yes, there are lots of trails and parks across the country, but they don't all have routes passable with an 8' long, 6' wide wagon and two horses. So, my wonderful readers, if you have any suggestions or knowledge in this area, please let me know in the comments! You will have my deepest gratitude!
I know that I will have to take roads from time to time, so I looked up safety equipment and road rules. Apparently, a horse-drawn vehicle is treated the same as any slow-moving motorized vehicle in most states. But you don't need a license plate. However, you do need an orange slow-moving vehicle triangle on the back, lots of reflectors, and proper hand signals while maneuvering. And of course, lights if you're traveling at night; but as I said, Not doing that!
As for finding trails, it's been tough going. Yes, there are lots of trails and parks across the country, but they don't all have routes passable with an 8' long, 6' wide wagon and two horses. So, my wonderful readers, if you have any suggestions or knowledge in this area, please let me know in the comments! You will have my deepest gratitude!
Sunday, May 6, 2012
A Jumble of Thoughts
I have spent most of today mulling over more details of the trip and searching far and wide across the net for resources. There are so many aspects yet to be decided! It is so exciting, and yet almost overwhelming at times. So I thought it was time to post some of these thoughts to get them out of my head!
I had previously been looking for solely Gyspy (aka Vardo) wagon designs and possible places to buy a finished wagon. It quickly became apparent that the Vardo is European to the point that it is almost impossible to find them in the U.S., and even those are imported. Until recently - recently being two days ago - I had no idea how I was going to solve this issue besides building a Vardo entirely from scratch! I'm no woodworker, though I am willing to learn what I can, so this realization was quite upsetting.
However, the EUREKA! moment came yesterday when I realized that there is a Western equivalent of the Gypsy Vardo: the Sheepherder's Wagon! YAY! Can't say I wasn't a little more than over-the-top thrilled with this discovery... because this was a game changer for me! (Okay, I think that paragraph used up my allotment of exclamation points for this post, ha ha).
Now down to business. During my process of searching for places that build and sell sheep wagons, I discovered my other dilemma: Price. Some people might be able to drop $30,000 on a wagon, but I don't have that kind of budget. Well, I don't have a budget at all at the moment, but that will be something I get to in later posts several months from now. However, I also discovered a company in Oregon that sells wagon running gears. This is a great start if I do indeed need to build a wagon from the ground up.
I guess this is all in the design process category... so in addition to wagons and running gears, I have been contemplating what newer technology I would like to include. Solar panels, as might be guessed from my blog title, are at the top of my list. I am also considering a composting toilet, a modern camping stove, and a small outlet for charging the device I will be writing and posting to this blog with.
My other thoughts are to the animals that will be joining me on this journey. Two horses, yes, of a breed that is yet to be decided, though I am leaning towards the traditional Gypsy Vanner horses or Haflingers: http://gypsyvannerhorsemagazine.com/2010/05/gypsy-vanner-horses/ and http://www.haflingerhorses.com/
I also plan on having a working guard dog, but I have a lot of research to do in that area still. There is also the possibility of having milking goats or miniature cows along as well. Maybe even chickens? We'll see I guess.
I had previously been looking for solely Gyspy (aka Vardo) wagon designs and possible places to buy a finished wagon. It quickly became apparent that the Vardo is European to the point that it is almost impossible to find them in the U.S., and even those are imported. Until recently - recently being two days ago - I had no idea how I was going to solve this issue besides building a Vardo entirely from scratch! I'm no woodworker, though I am willing to learn what I can, so this realization was quite upsetting.
However, the EUREKA! moment came yesterday when I realized that there is a Western equivalent of the Gypsy Vardo: the Sheepherder's Wagon! YAY! Can't say I wasn't a little more than over-the-top thrilled with this discovery... because this was a game changer for me! (Okay, I think that paragraph used up my allotment of exclamation points for this post, ha ha).
Now down to business. During my process of searching for places that build and sell sheep wagons, I discovered my other dilemma: Price. Some people might be able to drop $30,000 on a wagon, but I don't have that kind of budget. Well, I don't have a budget at all at the moment, but that will be something I get to in later posts several months from now. However, I also discovered a company in Oregon that sells wagon running gears. This is a great start if I do indeed need to build a wagon from the ground up.
I guess this is all in the design process category... so in addition to wagons and running gears, I have been contemplating what newer technology I would like to include. Solar panels, as might be guessed from my blog title, are at the top of my list. I am also considering a composting toilet, a modern camping stove, and a small outlet for charging the device I will be writing and posting to this blog with.
My other thoughts are to the animals that will be joining me on this journey. Two horses, yes, of a breed that is yet to be decided, though I am leaning towards the traditional Gypsy Vanner horses or Haflingers: http://gypsyvannerhorsemagazine.com/2010/05/gypsy-vanner-horses/ and http://www.haflingerhorses.com/
I also plan on having a working guard dog, but I have a lot of research to do in that area still. There is also the possibility of having milking goats or miniature cows along as well. Maybe even chickens? We'll see I guess.
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