ridecamp@endurance.net: Goethe 25/50/2-day 100

Goethe 25/50/2-day 100

Samm C Bartee (bartesc@mail.auburn.edu)
Tue, 1 Apr 1997 15:02:08 -0600 (CST)

Well, what can I say? It was hot, it was cold, it was dry, it was WET!!
Obviously, it was in Florida!!! The Goethe ride was beautiful--I didn't
see much trails since I was there to help, not ride, but what I saw was
gorgeous!! The ride boasted about 87 total riders for this wonderful
effort, and except for the wonderful southern humidity and rain, it was
almost perfect!!
Truman and Kathy did a wonderful job of managing, and the volunteers and
support staff and crew--of which I was proud to call myself one--were
busy, happy, and WELL FED!! I haven't been that well fed at a ride since
I don't know when! Thanks guys.

The place where base camp was held was wonderful! A lovely lady,
Roberta--Truman, please help with last name and some background--opened up
her farm, barns, family, and even her home in some cases to all of us.
She was gracious and very giving. Roberta even led the controlled start
on one of her honest to goodness race track pony horses. She showed us his
great temperment and character by feeding him 1/2 her morning muffin while
sitting on his back with all the hyped up endurance horses doing
airs-above-the-ground all around him. AND, he didn't drop one crumb!!
Roberta offered her entire family for the weekend, when they weren't
manning the Feed Bag, cleaning up after the wind, rain, and all the
milling people, and trying to keep all supplied with coffee, they were
walking around asking how they could make it all better next year! We
camped in the beautiful pastures around the barns, had stalls for horses
that needed/wanted them, and there was even a cold shower for those brave
enough to dare it!!

Truman looked too cool and comfy on Friday evening so just to make things
difficult, Kathy went off to check trail and decided to have an accident
while out there. Luckily, Kathy didn't hurt herself, and Although
Jordy, her horse, was cut up, he wasn't too bad, and we are all wishing
him a speedy recovery!

Us timers were in for many treats due to the wonderful trail! Our timer
on day two, Jackie Mitchell, got treated to wild turkey, wild hogs, and
even a rat snake, while setting up the vet check area for the day. SHe
was thrilled at all but the snake!! I wish the tics could have taken a
break for the weekend, but oh well, this is the south afterall!!

I got so many compliments on the trail and so many thank-yous that I was
just happy to be there. It sure makes standing out in the hot sun/cold
rain/tic infested trees a pleasure when so many riders think to say
thank-you even in the heat of the race!! I kept telling people that I
just came down to help, that I had nothing to do with the smooth running
of the ride, but they thanked me anyway!! I say a big THANK YOU to you
riders. I enjoy going and helping, and without you guys, there would be
no rides to to to, much less help!
Also, Thanks to Truman and Kathy, to Pat and a big thanks to Roberta for
her farm to camp!! And, who can forget the TWO, TIMING SISTERS FROM
HELL!! Nancy Gooch and Jackie Mitchell, the best timers in the nation.
Without them, the world would be a slower place! And to their mom, who
keeps them in line!!
That is my bit from the weekend. It was wonderful, it was tiring, and I
am very glad that I was there to be a part of such a great thing. This
ride was a benefit for the Goethe trail. It goes to benefit riders all
over, not just us endurance riders. Without riders, period, we could lose
the trails that we love so much. You guys go out and support your trail
system however you can!!!!!

APPY TRAILS

SAMM C. BARTEE
Auburn, Al. SE Region
with
SIR REVEL--1305 miles and........!!!
B JETS WAR EAGLE--endurance wannabe

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