Hopkins Creek has never been a good ride for me. In 1998, Jonathan and I took
a somersault tumble that left me digging sand out of my bellybutton, ears and
other nether regions for days afterward. The next season I had a helmet!!! In
2000, Malik and I did another tumble in the sand (didn't realize his saddle had
started to pinch him as he muscled up), two days in a row, the second day
resulting in a tendon injury for him (which thankfully healed quickly and
soundly after several weeks off). In 2001, we did finish our first 50 there
though he wasn't eating well (which scared the crap out of me) and then later
discovered he had been eating green apples which had fallen on the ground into
his pasture at home! When that gas passed, WE almost passed out! Last year was
better but enthusiasm early in the ride got the better of us and that last ten
miles was torture in the sand and heat and bugs as we walked most of it!!! But
we finished again! I swore I would only do 25 miles on this trail because THAT
is fun. But noooooo....I had to give 50 a try again!! (Pam-consider me
pre-entered next year for the 25 LD and DENY me vehemently entry into the 50!).
Anyway, we showed up early Friday (HC isn't too far for us), just Malik and
I, no Max and no Jenny. He moped all day. I swear to God he would go over and
hide his face behind a tree. It was quite odd with just the two of us though not
the first time we have been to a ride without them. But I understood how he
felt! Nelson had to work so even HE wasn't there. He perked up when Jinnifer
Plummer's mom, Julie and friend, Kellie showed up and then Jinnifer and Robert
themselves a short time later. But you know it's not the same!!! He couldn't
decide WHAT would make him happy...plain grain and beet pulp DRY or WET, dry hay
or wet hay....I put them all out for him and he picked at whatever when he felt
like it. Frequently though, he would come to the fence nearest to me, hang his
head over and ask for carrots and apples and treats. And I am a sucker...might
as well write it on my forehead. I don't know why I worried about him...he DID
get plenty to eat!
We managed to get ourselves all ready and tacked up on Saturday morning for
the 6 a.m. start. It was COLD (37 degrees at 5 a.m.! And then 85 degrees by
midafternoon! And you wonder why I want to move???) Anyway, Nelson was late,
thinking we weren't starting until later. We met him on the road going out. As
it turned out, I sort of caught up to Julie (Jinnifer's mom, can't remember her
last name!) and our horses paced so well that we just kept going on together.
The front runners were really hoofing it and neither of us felt the need for
speed that day. :) It was a beautiful day for the ride in spite of the dust and
it was not yet hot. The creeks were refreshing (sure wished I could jump right
in!) with honeysuckle covering the edges. Wildflowers and butterflies were
abundant! Simply a beautiful day to be alive and riding a
horse!!!
