Mt_Rider

HEY! How did I miss this????? DAR....LEEEEEEEENE! You are SUCH a trouble-maker! Just for that, we're all gonna start writing some storyline about Darlene and her clan arriving just behind us ....being led in [with our late mail] by a couple of Jacob and Joy's sons. AND then SHE can be the first wagon DOWN the precipice....er, I mean trail.

Oh I'm glad you did that, Annarchy. I COMPLETELY forgot you'd sent that to me. oooops! Wow...that was a REALLY long time ago and all the adventures and struggles we've had since that beginning.... whooooooooooeeeeeeee! MtRider [...am I meaning UN or IRL?????? Both!]

Nah...MT3b...You're already thru that last dratted NARROW spot and ...well, clear at the TOP of the ridge/mountain. But it's a very nice meadow we're circled in while waiting the go-ahead for our turn to proceed .........D O W N.........to the valley. That make you feel any better? Search thru and find the clues given about Big Valley. The Rockin' J bonfire nite, my last post, etc. Then start designing your own homestead within the parameters given. This isn't paradise ...or it wouldn't be a challenge...but it's supposed to be pretty bountiful for a primitive lifestyle. About at a Little House on the Prairie level of civilization....with a few gadgets from the future thrown in. Oh Leah.. ...it's likely something else that might be discussed. An elected council at the very least. You noticed I've dodged that one till ....ahem...until you brought it up. Thanks a lot. LOL [Mother has been bringing it up too and I keep ignoring her. LOL ] As it's still a small population, and the Valley is large, some things are much less likely to come up. People aren't sitting in each others pockets. But, some things will inevitably cross over with one's neighbors and.... It's open for discussion, folks. Less governing is better. But some "civilizing" influence is certainly going to have to be in place .....were any of us ever to get into a situation such as this. As homesteaders, what would you be looking for? HOWEVER......"discussion" means everyone on BEST POLITENESS, please. NO :frying pan: or that discussion will end. You can best state things by saying: " I, personally, would never get into a group unless....OR if they did this/that....." "I, personally, would prefer organizing like this...." "I, personally, think that this is/is not necessary for small groups..." You get the idea. This still IS UNreality, afterall. Play nice! MtRider [swats MT3B..... "shoots them and serves them dinner..." WHAT did she say? ]

MtRider automatically gets into W*Ho mode and heads for computer....and finds it locked and empty. {oh ...forgot} Then finds everyone hanging out in Comments. {whew! } Y'know I've been thinking about how Hawaiian land was divvied up back a few decades ago. They originally had a layered society of the ruling class and the rest. So the concept of personal land ownership was new. ....and didn't work out very well actually because it was too new to their society. [it was kinda forced by other countries that had found these beautiful islands] ANYway, the land was split so that it was in wedges. Everyone had a pie shape. A lot of land by the sea, because of course that was their main life. But they got the trees for their boats waaaay up on the sides of the volcanic mountains. Certain plants were found mid-way up, etc. So if they were to have all the resources, they needed access to all the regions that make up the island. So I've got my eye on property that might back up against the higher land of the mountain. There is where you'd hunt elk and bear [furs] and find different herbal plants and ....... The flat valley land, rich with nutrient eroded down thru the years from the highlands, is necessary for the agriculture. Grains! I can grow grains and fruit trees and ...... While the Valley is relatively unpopulated, it wouldn't be an issue. But who knows who will come? Generations later? MtRider....[seeing some cases of W*Ho addiction here...... ]

MtRider, Mr.H and Clarence Smith rode to the edge of the meadow at the crest of this very high ridge line. They were both grinning like idiots and were watching for my reaction, of course. They had been here many times. ..................................................................{this is the sound of MtRider trying to close her mouth}.................................... "WOW!" She feasted her eyes on this sight we've all been longing for so long. "It's....it's HUGE!" "About 10 miles across and over 20 long," supplied Clarence. He sounded like a boy with a new bike. "About a gazillion mountain steams feeding creeks, ponds and such down there. That big central lake is where we've got the Lodge built already...with the main river running all the way thru the Valley. You can't see either end from here. The lodge and a couple other cabins are the start of the Village and a base of operations as everyone searches for their own homesteads. The lake will help a lot with transportation if we use log rafts initially. The river will be a help in some ways and a problem in other ways. " Mr. H added, "There's a good mix of meadow lands and wooded areas throughout the valley. The meadows will mean at least we don't have to uproot trees to break soil for fields and gardens right away. Plenty of trees all over for building." MtRider was still mostly gaping. Suddenly, overcome with magnitude of this blessing, she literally dropped to her knees with eyes closed to thank God for their safe arrival and the bountiful provision of this Valley. Then she opened her eyes and .......looked down over the edge that was the route into their new home............. ....... ................. ........................"UH OH....." ================================================ I was bursting to tell everyone what I'd been able to preview but somehow, it just didn't seem right. Everyone needed to view it just as I had. With it's total splendor spread out for miles and miles before their eyes......... [ yeah, and before they got a look at the route ] So I quickly retreated to my wagon to lay down and rest while the others were still getting thru that nasty narrow bit which was this mornings challenge. I prayed as I lay there pondering; prayed out my thanks again; prayed for our continued safety; prayed for our wisdom in governing ourselves well in this new start; prayed for restoration of health for many of us who would need strength in these coming weeks and years; prayed for others who might be able to reach this Valley to join our effort; praying that we'd be able to retain sanity in a world gone mad. I had such a peace in that time. Though this would undoubtedly be the challenge of our lives, I was SO glad we'd come. Michael rapped on the wagon and needed something. I popped out of the back of our conestoga and saw .....what? The whole bunch of them were gathered around. Ummmm, what's up now? I wondered. And then the gallant Michael was making his speech and as he and others stepped back, they revealed ........... {gasp} A GORGEOUS FEATHER MATTRESS I barely heard the ringing shouts of "SURPRIZE!!!" I was absolutely stunned. And certainly speechless. [for the SECOND time in the past hour, mind you....yeah, that never happens ! LOL ] "Where.... How..... Who....... " I managed to breathe out as the ladies brought it forward to me. I gathered up a corner of it and hugged it to me. So soft and spongy. A thing made for dreaming sweet dreams, for sure. It's beautiful with the blue stripes. "Oh my gosh....I love you all so much! And suddenly there were so many people to hug all at once! Just a complete melee of joy. Stop bawling, Mother! You'll make me start! Until someone called out, "The donkey is loose" And there goes MM trotting by with a bucket in her mouth. "MM put that DOWN," I hollered laughing. "Did you untie your tether knot AGAIN?" Heeeee HAWWWW HEEE HAAAWWWWW HEEE HAW HEE HAWW ============================================== Meanwhile......back IN REAL LIFE ...... Mother locked the thread after Michael this morning.....but, heehee....I have a secret key and snuck back inside So I get to have a final say here. I assume most of you have guessed that I've had quite a bit of help directing this thread and this JOURNEY we have all taken. Believe me, I NEVER had this in mind when I got us started packing our conestoga wagons. Who knew we would find a way to CORPORATELY WRITE our way thru highways and small towns, thru the rural ranchlands and then thru a wilderness? All in an UNreality! An UNreality that began very quickly, to feel VERY REAL INDEED. This has been an amazing experience. Totally amazing. But I want to tell you about my partners who gave so much of themselves these past TWO MONTHS to ensure that we could actually keep this thread and journey on course and interesting and fun. MOTHER --- whose Pioneer Forum we commandeered to host this thread. [you will recall she wasn't even home to be on her computer when I started this thing..heehee] I needed her life-long study of how our ancestors really did this life. MICHAEL --- who was just so durned excited [ yes, Michael...we'll leave soon] about this UNreality. I needed his enthusiasm to put the LIFE and humor into the story as it unfolded. Also, since he lives among the Amish who still live this lifestyle, his experience was invaluable to keep us believable....in our UNreality. for both of you for brainstorming with me and ....throwing in some things *I* had no idea were coming. sheeeeesh! WAGONEERS --- You are the ones who got this thing to really happen beyond the "packing & preparations" thread. You just didn't want to quit. So I thot....hey, lets try it. And oh, you did challenge me! How do we all stay "on the same page" and proceed with storyline that is cohesive ....well, enough to let us continue at least. Both Michael and Mother wisely counseled me early that the "bloopers" are part of the charm and to ..."go with the flow". So we only tied up loose ends here and there ....and set out storyline and ...WOW. You all took up whatever challenge we threw at you and ran with it. At times I think I was getting so enthralled with reading your responses that I was mixing my realities. [ Just today I called my horse "Roan" instead of her real name. ] I was so excited each day to come here and see that some of you had posted storyline that would be totally a surprise for me. Did you see that after a while, we all got into a rhythm? It began to flow out and each of us seemed to anticipate the UNreality ....really did meld in and out well with each other's posts. Breathtaking to watch it happen. And I know we all learned FAR more than any of us believed we ever could from an UNreality Scenario. Learned things For REAL LIFE Whooooooooooeeee! That was a surprise too! READERS...... it was SO fun to know we'd developed a sort of fan club. Those of you who faithfully watched our progress on this Wagon Train. Without the Comments thread...and looking at the number of 'views', we might not have known you were there. But you are a part of this too. We hope that beyond being entertained by our trials and humor and bloopers, that you were able to feel some of what we felt....and learned some things along with us. Perhaps some things that will be very important In RealLife. Cuz that's what MrsS is all about. So......... we still have Recipes thread and Comments thread open. Anyone ....feel free to continue to talk there. Add more campfire or primitive cooking recipes. AND..... if anyone is still interested in January ...... WATCH FOR IT! There will be a new thread starting up --- BIG VALLEY. ....wellllllll.........you didn't think we'd leave you CLIFF-HANGING just to be mean, did you? ----Original Wagoneers that had to drop out for Real Life reasons....we've "brought you along" so jump right back in if you have more time to play now. ----Other folks ready to give this a try?.....we ARE expecting others to join us so go to the Rockin' J and talk to Jacob and Joy. They'll see you get thru to the Valley. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE! [yes, IRL I mean! ] MtRider [...psssst, Mother? Michael? Do you think they'll forgive us for not letting them SEE the Valley yet? ]

LOL @ turkey.... I grew up on a 200 acre Iowa grain farm [corn, soy bean, oats, alfalfa]. Not much for animals except occasional dog [one was a Saint named 'Bert'] and cats. Lotsa cats. I tamed the feral ones so we'd have more cats. But I finally got my horse. My memories include: --"walking the beans" [getting rid of the weeds....that's a LOT of walking on those acres! ] --"detasseling corn" -- a 1st paying job for farm kids. For making hybrid crosses for seed corn [rip off the tassels - "male" part - from four rows of one variety so it cannot self-pollinated. It is cross-pollinated by the two rows of the other variety. The four rows are seed corn for the next year's planting. ] --HOURS of my childhood on a school bus --some years of school in a one-room country schoolhouse. Tho in my case, it wasn't all the grades together....it was just one grade classroom ...like our 4th grade. Didn't have an elementary school with multiple rooms. --4H projects, county and state fair, --community ice cream socials at the tiny white clapboard church and playing in the cemmetary where my ancestors are buried --DVBS --falling off horses in all sorts of circumstances...mostly self-inflicted --small town festivals and parades --everyone knows your grandparents....and if you misbehave, your parents will hear about it from no less than three different sources BEFORE you get home. --chilly harvest season...riding on the tractor with my mom, bringing in the wagons and getting inside to knock down all the grain from the wagon sides to fall into the elevator or auger --riding on hay wagons...standing, without support, in the very middle of the empty wagon to balance over the bumps of The Path --learning to drive our old pale blue Mercury on The Path [hit the brake too hard once and nearly had Saint Bert up in the front seat with me...lol ] --catching lightening bugs in jars --playing in the oats bin....and boy, does that ITCH!!!!!! [didn't stop us at all tho] --going EVERYwhere in the neighborhood on our horses and bikes. Horses gave higher status, btw!!! ............So? Are the children of Big Valley gonna have memories like these? MtRider [...looking backward on the eve of a great move FORWARD.......UNfortunately in UNreality tho. ]

Oh WHEW! What a day this has been. I might have been pushing the energy *just* a bit. But it felt SOOOOooooooo good to ride along the train again. I've been switching over to Midnight more and more. Despite him shoving me into the stream , he's proved to be quite reliable and steady. I like geldings better than mares any day. Roan is just NOT the horse to be on during this leg of the journey. These ledges don't bother her...and she's so oblivious that its a risk. Steady! I like steady under me on this winding trail. Awwww....I missed most of the foot ball game at noon. I sent myself straight to bed to rest for a while as soon as I grabbed a biscuit sandwich from Chef. I can't believe I went to sleep that fast. I'd been out for at least a half hour when I heard the shrieks of glee and roars of laughter. Huh? I stuck my head out in time to see the last of Quarterback Sasha's touchdown. 'Course my Big Dog was roaring out her cheers from the sidelines. No, there is NO WAY I'm letting *you* loose into the melee. But the rest did me good and I was able to get back on Midnight till we stopped early for the night due to time it was taking us this day. With that long narrow pass coming up just before we reach the top....and the "entrance" to Big Valley... Mr. H decided we'd camp here. So since we've stopped to early, it gave us a chance to do some back tracking. That last stretch of UPHILL before we made camp tonite was a bit much. Whooooooeeeeee! It took our whole train longer than we'd hoped...because we were forced to leave some things behind and lighten the loads. It takes time to chose appropriate heavy things to unload [tho we'd all been wracking our brains over this for the past week.] and then to repack everything solid and secure. MrMtR & I emptied a bit of the load out of the conestoga wagon. Hitched our full 6 oxen and they made it. One of the guys led through our double hitch of MM and Jack [donkeys] pulling their cart of poultry...and with as many other things as we dared to load on. That went smoothly as well. I loaded down Roan with packs and led her while riding on Midnight. BUT STILL we had left a pile of things we had not dared to load on either wagon/cart/horse. So after all the wagons had made it up that route, our unloaded donkey cart as well as a few other folks with pack horses, went back down....and fetched up the rest of everyone's things. We had to make sure what was left was heavy yet able to be placed on a pack horse. Mr.H definitely vetoed taking anyone's conestoga back down that particular hill to reload and come up again. Not enough room to maneuver at the bottom. So bags of grain, small but heavy tools, tents and tarps....anything that would fit on the horses. A few larger things could be hauled with the donkey cart. It was nearly dark when everything was reapportioned back to the wagons it was forfeited from. But we 'd reclaimed it all. If we were not so nearly there, this doubling back would not have really been wise to attempt. But since we are stopped a bit early for the day anyway.... That narrow pass coming up will be enough challenge tomorrow morning. At least not as steep as that one today. Our donkeys get a good ration of food tonite. The look tired but not over-weary. Actually, they look downright proud of themselves. I think they like pulling together. I'm SO pleased with our decision to get Midnight and Jack. They have already proven their worth. I know-I know.....I can see Mother and Q in particular giving me the eye. I'm heading for bed... Hey, *I* didn't go back down on the 'fetching run'. I stayed right here in the chair by the fire, didn't I? DH took our horses back down for a pack load. And someone else led the donkey cart. But.... I've probably gone a bit pale and need some time horizontal. MtRider [...determined to arrive at our new home well equipped with our 'STUFF'! LOL ]

Q....none of the land grants are assigned. We get to pick out the area we want. But...that will mean some scouting around. Likely we'll all camp near the main "village" area first and go out on expeditions to find the land/area we want. Then we get the surveying trained guy [one of the B's people but he's also a lawyer] to mark it off and record it. [and you and I for sure want to find one that has a nice hot spring, don't we? ] Can you see why we're hurrying to get there? We have to CHOSE land before we can start to plow land..... MtRider [...going to bed early tonite....so I can ride the horse tomorrow and build up strength again! Don't really like being stuck in bed all the time. ]

Wow, did it feel good to be riding again this morning. Not long, of course. But there is something SO therapeutic about it for my damaged nervous system. Takes out the kinks from laying in bed too much too! [----stretch----] Gonna lay down again for a bit. Even *I* know I've got to be gradual about this recovery. Zzzzzzzzzzz.............. MtRider walks slowly, using the two-cane method toward the fire. Heck, I could walk faster but....I'm trying not to trip. It's my first appearance 'round the fire since the Fetching Fish Mishap. I am so awfully glad to be with everyone again. DH & I take a seat near Chef and MrH. I nod to MrH and he gives a faint snort and shakes his head. A few folks call across the fire, teasing about "lessons learned...AGAIN", etc. I have Mother to thank for starting THAT one. Sheeeeeesh. Y'all are just plain having fun ribbing me about that incident, aren't you. Well, setting aside the fact that I probably have it coming and that you are really trying to tell me that none of us wants to see any other of our party injured or worse..... .....I DO formally apologize for your worry!!! SERIOUSLY! I hate to worry or scare anyone on my behalf! HOWEVER, I have a topic for pondering for all of you. I've had some time to think while being stuck in the wagon these past couple days. I'd like everyone to consider something. Just how safe can we reasonably make our new existence? What measures will we individually enact to minimize the obvious increase in dangers that we now face? As you know, Mr.MtR and I lived up in the Colorado Rockies over the past decade. Since he commuted to his office, I spent about 90% of my waking hours ALONE. During different eras of that time, I might or might not have friends nearby to call upon when I thot the weather was particularly dangerous. Or if I was feeling poorly that day. Or in any other event that made things worse. But MOST of the time, I was ALONE. Inside or outside; rain/snow/storm; hot or frigid temperatures; amongst Mt. lion, bear, coyote packs, and feral dogs...... I did what needed doin' for the livestock we raised...the garden...the property in general. And I ALWAYS rode alone. Do you think that it is going to be any different when we are all on our own 40+40 acres? In Colorado we only had 12 acres and there were neighbors scattered fairly near by. In the Valley, there will be significant distance between our homesteads. All the more significant due to the lack of motor vehicles. Some have large families. They will have a greater ability to keep each other's back. Others of us like DH and myself, the Annarchys, the Quiltys, AH's, others - there are only TWO of us. Have you thot of how you will handle the day to day activities safely? Have you discussed being hand-in-hand for the rest of your lives? Not many of us had that kind of life formerly. Perhaps you have decided that you will simply always stay within emergency calling to the other? You have already seen how the 2-way radios are limited by granite hills. They will be more effective in the valley but...are still limited. Emergency whistles should still be worn...DEFINITELY! ....if you can remember to use them. Another thing is the signal of three shots of a firearm in quick succession. And repeated. Yeah, I forgot that one too! I had the rifle with me that day. I did not even *think* to signal with it. But.....we cannot waste too many rounds of ammo either, in this new life. What I am saying is that while I ignored some of the precautions available to me on that day.....[i certainly could have gotten someone to go with me]....we are just about to begin a life in which that is not necessarily going to be an option. Mr.MtR and I have already lived a life which naturally presents more risks. For me in particular. This is the reason I carry such an extensive emergency belt pack......and you KNOW you almost never see me without it. THAT is a rule I'd only break if my brain was malfunctioning. I have drilled it into myself thru the early years up at our Colorado property. It is why I have drilled myself to be able to take care of any situation I might run up against...BY MYSELF. I cannot tell you what it meant to me when I knew I could run back to the wagons...to all of you, and know you would take care of me that day. I would be safe because you would be here. On our homesteads, busy as we will be, will days or weeks go by before we can even visit with each other? If MrMtR needs to run to the aid of someone needing his medical skills, will I not....as I was for those years in Colorado....be at our homestead alone. The business at hand cannot wait for me to sit "safe" in our cabin until he gets home again. The choice for me is: Of course I will need to keep on doin' what needs to be done. But I go into this situation with finely honed skills of how to prevent or handle crisis.......ALONE. And some days that WILL mean I get into the house and wait for backup. You may decide to never leave any of your members alone in this wilderness. That is a good solution too. Hopefully DH will have less time away than back in the Mon-Fri work world. [....or near to 7 days per week as our personal economy was fragile. ] But I challenge you to think thru this. Children will obviously be watched very closely until they mature into a knowledge of the dangers here. We also have our oldest generation who are more vulnerable for many reasons: being less mobile, harder to see or hear danger approach, or just a bit less attentive than in younger years. We also have those among us who have limits due to illness or disability. Brutally honest self-assessment is the only way I've found to set up personal "safety protocols". Rules for how to minimize the dangers of my life. One of the reasons I've had trouble in this communal existence, is that my former protocols are set up for being alone -- handling everything alone -- and ALWAYS preparing to BE alone. Then...if DH happens to be there...so much the better. But I prepare for the most difficult of circumstances....because for me, it is the most common. I wish for you, my dear friends, to think upon these things. I have lived at least half-way into the "wilderness" environment for a long time now. But for some of you, this is a very different set of circumstances. You must choose differently perhaps, than in your former life. So much more carefully and yet, understanding that you WILL risk so much more as well. OK..speech over. Thank you all for your prayers and assistance lately. Love you all!!!! And I promise to TRY to stay outta trouble for at least a couple days. MtRider heads for the food ........ ......um, WHAT is the green stuff? Fiddlesticks?

Oh shoot! Annarchy is over there teaching about casings for sausages ...how to prep them...and MtRider is stuck on sick leave and can't leave her wagon. LOL, good instruction, Annarchy! When y'all explain something out in the story like that, we might not have all the details....but it seems like it IS so doable. MtRider

Open eyes It's dark. What have they been putting in the tea? What day is it? Fell in water...it was Saturday. Is this the same dark nite...no, there was morning... Is this Sunday? Dang, now I'm awake, I need to go. I wonder if I can scootch over there. OW....mebbe I'll stretch a bit first. Ow. Just sitting up...whew. That's a workout. {groan! Oh Midnight darling, I did NOT need this accident right now! } Yipes...Oh...hi Quilty. Pssst...I need a hand to get to the commode. Can you help or find MrMtR. Thank goodness we have this thing...or getting out to the latrines would be impossible. Well, I'm *trying* to scootch like this.... No, I'm not broken. Only feel like it. Well if that is moved and ....... SHEEEEEEEEEEEEESH....... What an ordeal! Being an invalid in a covered wagon is NOT FUNNY! I'm back in my 'bed' and sweating/shaking with exertion. No, I'm fine, Quilty. Oh...hi Mother. Yes, I think I'm fully awake. What HAVE you been putting in my tea? Whatever it is, I THANK you from the soles of my feet...cuz even *they* were hurting. Mostly calmed the spasms tho I kinda have to keep squirming around. ....yeah, more than usual. You know I'm going to need to get on a horse soon. The MS spasms will get worse if I don't. Tomorrow? For just a short walk? Anything to get these kinks OUT! Yieeeeee, they are painful. Sooo, it's Sunday, right? Well please sit here and tell me what has been happening?????? I feel like Rip Van Winkle. And you don't want me gettin' bored. Hey....M2tb...come join us. Are CeeGee and Annarchy out there too? CGA? Why do I feel like I've missed you all? LOL...MrMtR came around the corner, took one look at our 'girl chat' in progress and fled the scene. Have I told you guys how much a appreciate you and love you? MtRider [....wheeeeeeeew....I'm tired and I've only been up a short time. Yes, m'am...I will lay back down and sleep now. Thank you for the chat. Nite all! ZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz]

Blur....COLD....SHAKING/SHIVERING/CHATTERING TEETH.....Blur...can't think. Others are here. I am laying down and others are here. Warm fluid...can't tell what. Choke/cough. More? Yes. Sleep....I want to sleep.... Others are here. I am safe. We made it. Good Midnight. Did they eat the fish? Sleeeeeep again.... Wake...more warm fluids..bitter ....more? yiick....ok,yes more. Sleep...hurt...muscles....sleep Open eyes....DH is here....looks worried....feel warm....where am I? Mother's wagon....mother's mom sitting in rocking chair as usual. Water...just water please....I HURT...ow....muscles.....take homeopathic muscle relaxants...melt under tongue...sleeep Where am I? ....Mother's wagon...BUMP/Tilt/JOLT.....we're moving on.....hurt....Mother hands me muscle relaxants and a tea. Never be able to sleep with bump and jolt....Zzzzzzz....... Yes, I'm quite warm now. Feels like hot flash. Also feels like I got beaten...OW....MS and chill spasms do NOT mix well. Pain! Different tea/pills.... Something to knock me out? So sleepy yet.... Walk to cabin....er, I mean our wagon.? uh, uh........Zzzzzzzzzzz How did I get back to our wagon.....quite sure I didn't walk. I may never walk again...{groan} I think I'd rather be asleep. OW....spasms and sore from spasms.... Can I roll over? DH...I NEED the necessary! OW OW OW....no, put me down. Can't. Tears. CAN"T. Yes...in the medical bag....a urinal with female adaption. No, not sure exactly but.... Hi Q. Yes, a bit better. My thanks to you and Mother and everyone. Midnight ok? TRUST me, I have NO plans to leave this wagon. I only hope to someday reach the commode over there. lol Yeah, sleepy again. Doesn't hurt when I'm sleeping. I'll be good. MtRider

Yeah, and it just got colder, Leah. 'Course it's better if ya don't get shoved into a COLD Mt. stream. Thanks for the links. I remember some of those MrsS threads. Cool! Hey Quilty, I saw that episode of the original Star Trek! Glad you are enjoying the story, Miki. It's been an unusual experience. But it's been so fun. I can't believe how much we have really FELT some of this happening [ok....my mother always told me I have a vivid imagination....lol ]. But it's made me look at some of my real prepping in different ways....the next best thing to being there, playing on this wagon train daily. I hope all you readers can feel some of that too. MtRider [.....already knowing what a pain in the rear my MS is/will be....but it even shows up here in keeping up with the story... ]

{ OK...IRL I’ve been FLATTENED in bed.... and haven’t been able to do ANYthing. As I mentioned in Comments, I’ve been trying to do this hypothermia storyline for the past several days but...whooooeeee. I’m a bit better today so hopefully I can finish and post this today. Anyway...heehee...sitting here typing is better than running around doing all the things I've gotten behind on these past couple days... Soooooooooo to make this fit with storyline so far....I am posting this for TOMORROW...SATURDAY MORNING. Streams are plenty and we've camped by really nice big one last nite. MtRider stretches all the way backwards over the saddle till her head nearly touches Midnight's tail. Ohhhh, it feels good to be outside again instead of laying rather helpless with MS fatigue in the bouncing wagon these past days. Feeling “my normal” again today. We’ve just left another lovely stream-side campsite and are heading upwards again. Gotta go up before we can go down into our Valley. While we won’t be going upwards as high as our Colorado home was, we began this journey from a lower elevation and these “hills” seem pretty big anyway. Others are beginning to feel the altitude but hopefully that won’t be bothering MrMtR and I so much. We were in the low lands long enough to lose our extra supply of red blood cells but our body is used to manufacturing the larger amount....that should count for something, shouldn’t it? I hope we don't have quite so of the narrow passages today but..... MrH did pick the very BEST way up here. Suddenly MrMtR bangs his hand on the wagon seat. I glance around for danger and then look over to him driving our wagon. “What?” “I forgot the fish!” “What fish?” I’m confused. “I was up early this morning and caught ten trout. They are on a stringer tied into the bank....just past the log that was down there. When we were moving out, I forgot to grab them.” He was annoyed to have left behind not only a good metal stringer line but also a supply of protein for this leg of the trip. “You caught TEN? WAY TO GO! I”ll just take Midnight and go back and fetch them. They aren’t that far back." “Well, be careful. You have your decent handgun? Take the rifle as well.” He reached inside the wagon for it and checked the chamber. He handed it to me and I slid it in the scabbard. “I won’t be long” As I rode back thru the wagons, I smiled as I saw that the B wagons and our group were now intermixed. I waved and even stopped to chat at a few of the wagons. I passed the last of the herders and mentioned to a Cee Gee son [i keep getting them mixed up...one of the two older ones... ] about my mission and that it wouldn’t take me long. About 15 minutes back to the campsite....a few minutes to find the stringer and another 15 back. ....funny, it just never occurred to me to bring a second person....as I would have undoubtedly told anyone else. That’s the thing about the wilderness. You can’t think “civilized”. 15 minutes away is nothing while in civilization. Out here is different. This was a beautiful day...especially seemed warm after those awful blizzard days. I had opted to wear jeans, a couple layers of a tank & T-shirt. I had a down vest tied on the back of the saddle but was just wearing a lined nylon athletic jacket. Leather gloves were in the jacket pocket because the sun was strong up here at this elevation. If not for the striff breeze, I’d be down to the T-shirt. It offered just enough chill altho the thermometer reads 56 degrees. I unzipped the jacket so I wouldn’t overheatin the direct sunshine. I still wore wool sox and my Thinsulate/water resistant ankle boots. They have such a good tread for this rocky area but I’m thinking of changing to tennis shoes this afternoon. I don’t need my feet starting to sweat. Just a leather cowboy hat and, as always, my sunglasses. I thoroughly enjoyed my ride back down the trail. Wow, we do make an impact as we pass thru. But our campsite is always cleaned up; campfire pits buried and raked over; most sign of us gone to the casual glance. We even try to disperse the animal manure. I got off of Midnight and and led him as I surveyed the banks of the stream, looking for the metal stringer with it’s bountiful catch. The fish are kept alive and fresh this way. The safety-pin-like devices [several on a long chain] runs thru the natural opening of the fish gill and then locks closed again. Done gently, the fish will be alive for quite a while if the actual catching of them on the hook was not too brutal. OK....I’ve been back and forth...just where WAS DH fishing this morning? "By the log", he had said. Yep, just like him to notice HIS log but not that there are other logs here too. Did he have on his waders and cross over this stream? It’s running fast enough with this snowmelt that I wouldn’t want to try to wade across this current. No, it’s got to be here on this side. Finally I found it. Figures...upstream a ways. I tugged it loose and secured it in a waterproof sealed bag with some water in also. To keep the trout fresh, I hoped. They’ll need to be cleaned and cooked soon. Wonder if we’ll stop for lunch? A large buck darted suddenly out from the nearby bushes and startled both me and Midnight. She swung around with her rear to face this potential attacker and.......... KNOCKED ME CLEAN INTO THE COLD MOUNTAIN STREAM. AAAAAACKKK! A dozen thots jammed my mind at once. Get up QUICKLY. This is very BAAAAD. Too coldToocoldTooocoldToocold. Dumb horse! It was fortunate that I’d slipped backwards and land still sitting, just near the shore. I *think* it only took me a fraction of a second before I was scrambling out on my hands and knees up to the top of the bank. The damage was done though. I was soaked with near freezing mountain stream water from the waist down. And that MERE 15 minutes away from the rest of the wagon train seemed deadly long with the sudden change of circumstances. I glared at Midnight. And if a horse can look sheepish...this one was saying “baa”. He was crowding near me rather than getting all stupid and trying to run off. WELL, if he’d run straight to the wagon train, that might have been better. Riderless, it would have been a sure call for help. But if not, I need to keep him, so I grabbed the lead rope. DH’s now infamous log had a branch to tie off the horse. I was hurrying now before I lost the ability for fine-motor things like tying. I made sure it was a pull-loose knot too. By now I was shaking violently and had trouble moving correctly. I sat and began to I rip at the laces of my boots and got them loose. Had to tug VERY hard to get them off each foot. Wet boots and especially soaked sox are very hard to remove. I tried to tug one sock off from the toe and it just stretched and stretched. With the violent shakes, I just could NOT manage to pinch a piece of the sock higher with my fingers. I could not feel my feet or lower legs. Ok ...Can’t take the time to reach under the pant leg of my jeans. Well, freezing wet pants have to come off too. I unbuckled/zipped and lay back to try scrunching out of those wet pants. I decided to keep the undies...wet as they were. I peeled down the jeans over my legs and finally got them down to those stupid wet knee highs. I grabbed the jeans and pulled with all my strength and finally one leg popped off of my foot. The sock attached. I pulled on the other leg and it came free but I had to peel the sock off the rest of the way. I had to rein in my tendency to become frustrated and IRATE at a sock. I was scared but needed to stay calm! Whew...even with the wind, that feels MUCH better already. My goose-bumped skin is drying and the sun is warm...sort of. But I am in serious trouble. The bottom of the tank, T-shirt and jacket are all soaked. The arms of my jacket as well. If I had gone all the way under the water, I might have been so shocked by the extreme cold of a mountain stream that I could have lost my breath and drowned. Saying prayers of thanks and for HELP, I took off the wet jacket reluctantly. I wrung out the bottom of the wet Tshirt and only a bit of of the tank was wet. I looked up at the down vest tied to the saddle and hoped I could undo the knots. I was racing the clock before I would get so chilled at the core of my body that I could no longer think straight. As the body cools, more blood is pooled to the center torso in order to keep vital organs functioning. But less blood to the head means sluggish thinking. Movements were already impaired. I was scared to move on my numb feet and legs for fear I’d damage them. I pulled out of my utility belt pack [separate from my pants belt] ..the emergency mylar blanket. Got it wrapped around the lower half of me like a long skirt. I was rubbing my feet but concluded that I just needed to get back on the horse. If I had been truly alone, I would have begun a fire. But I made a choice in that moment: To attempt to run back for the help of others rather than try to maintain my body functioning until they sent someone back to find me. I didn’t think I had the time to wait...and...I haven't had the best luck starting fires lately. I was thinking "Who among us knows about frostbite and hypothermia?" Frostbite is simply having frozen tissue. At 56 degrees, I was not as worried about that. But I was already well into the second stage of hypothermia. [hypo = too little & thermia = heat] This is exactly the sort of day that hypothermia is so common....with just this sort of accident involving getting WET. Getting wet and being in a chill wind. Sucks the basic body heat right out of you. I was dressed for the warmer temperatures and not protected from this situation. I was already shaking so violently that I could hardly maneuver my own body. MS was NOT helping that, of course. I knew, from several other unfortunate experiences while fall and winter camping, that this will increase as the body tries to warm itself. Because of the dunking, I’d skipped right over the first stage of normal hard shivering and ‘can’t get warm’ feeling. I knew better than to try sticking my tongue between teeth that were near to breaking with their chattering. It would *hurt*...yes, I’ve done that before. My jaws were already aching from the spasms of hard chattering. While hunched up trying to draw warmth from the shelter of the mylar blanket, I fetched up both socks, wrung them out as much as I could, and forced them back on my feet. Yiiick! Had them been cotton, I would have left them off. I emptied each boot and forced them onto my feet as well. If I can get any circulation down there, they might stay all right. There is no reason to wear the soggy cotton jeans. Unable to hang onto everything, I put the half-wet jacket back on as well. I had to hang onto the stirrup to help me lever myself back to my feet. I still could not feel them AT ALL. I’ve experienced this before. The time I rescued ****IRL - stooopid choice, btw*** an injured duck by wading into my mostly ice-covered pond in boots that were too short for the deep water. Similarly today, my legs honestly felt like I’d had an amputation below the knees and I might be balancing on wooden peg legs. I was swaying a bit while I tried to untie the down vest. After a few attempts at the knots, I gave up. Too much shaking and too much fumbling. Another tough choice. It would be good to have immediate better core-warmth but I was taking a risk of falling over before I ever mounted the horse. Sometimes you have to make the call and pray it’s the right one. I slung the wet jeans over the saddle horn and down either side of Midnight’s neck. He didn’t flinch. I pulled the lead rope knot loose and slowly...with some stumbling....positioned myself high enough on the log to set my left boot into the near stirrup. I tossed the lead rope over the neck next to the reins, tied together and laying at the saddle horn. I reached up to grasp the saddle horn with both hands and *hauled UP* while I said sternly, “WHOA!” to the horse. My numb right leg swung and caught on the horse's rear, not quite clearing over completely. Standing now on the left stirrup, I reached back with my right hand and shoved my leg on over. [i’ve done this maneuver IRL due to MS ] I reached down to put it into the right stirrup properly. Midnight never moved. Roan would have danced right out from under me. GOOD Midnight. I tucked the mylar blanket sideways around my legs and rear securely...closing in what heat still might be allotted to my legs and blocking the wind. The blanket did not cover my lower legs well but I made myself stop dithering over improving that. I don't have the TIME! The wet wool sox were pulled up to my knees and I wondered if I’d be better off with or without their wetness. I left them up, having heard for years that wool can insulate EVEN when wet. I couldn’t give testimony to the theory cuz I couldn’t feel that part of my legs...AT ALL. I made one more attempt at the down vest behind me and finally, by twisting my fingers into the material [less reliance on my non-grip fingers and more on the friction of the twist] I was able to pull it from the loosened knots. I quickly removed the jacket again, laying it carefully across my lap. I shoved my arms into the vest and despaired of even attempting the zipper. I put the nylon jacket back on ...it will break the wind and my shirts are mostly dry. Cannot zip up the jacket either so I pull it tight closed with my left arm as I’m leaning forward. The shaking is getting somewhat less.....and I am dimly aware that it is a bad sign. It means my muscles are wearing down and cannot put forth the effort to warm me with this automated method. I do something one NEVER does while riding horses. I wrap the reins around my right hand securely as I can ...else I cannot hold them at all. I urge Midnight forward. I try to stand in the stirrups a bit so that I know I’m still in them. I lean forward and grasp the saddle horn as well as I can manage. I flap my legs and hope this trained horse will understand from this awkward action, that I want to move faster. He moves into a jarring trot [though usually I’ve marveled at his smoothness] and I’m nearly pitched off. Whether by his own instinct or by my panicked clamp of legs to his sides, he rolls into a smooth canter. We are heading back up the trail. There is an increase of wind chill while riding at a canter. I belatedly realize I should be wearing my gloves but figure they would hamper my ability to grasp the saddle horn. I can hardly feel it though I'm clutching it with both hands now. Midnight will have to steer himself. Then I am wondering if I should go back and grab the bag of fish, since the camp is running low on supplies. I catch *that* error in thot, remembering that I DID secure the fish bag to the saddle and it was bouncing just next to my right leg. I also realize my initial instinct was correct...I SHOULD be wearing my gloves. I spend a minute laboring over the choice to stop the horse so I can dig them out of the jacket pockets and put them on or ...just keep hanging on as we get nearer to folks that will be thinking clearer than I am. I kept riding...tho it may have been from complete indecision rather than ability to make a choice. I know I am becoming disoriented when I thot for a moment that I was tangled up in bed covers and tried to get up. Midnight slowed while I righted myself and then he cantered on. I could not determine how close we were to the back of the wagon train. I thot of my emergency whistle and, belatedly of the radio. But no, I had thot of the radio earlier and had decided against digging it out of my utility belt pack cuz it was likely wet and because of the granite hillside between the site of my plunge and the wagons. I think that’s what I thot. Oh God...help me hang on until we get there. In truth, I could not have moved my hands now. The muscles were so in spasm, locked into position onto the saddle horn. I was leaning so far forward that I nearly banged Midnight’s mane with my nose. I am still shaking but I’m so tired that I just want to drop off the horse, lay down, and go to sleep. I am not aware that the sun has gone under some clouds. I am no longer watching the path ahead. Just too tired to lift my head. Too tired to care. I am mesmerized by the path dashing past in a blur beneath the black, swift-moving hooves. I begin to count....a trick I’d learned when trying to endure pain. I lost the count a few times but made myself focus and start over. I did not even see as we approached the herds at the end of the wagon train. I was not aware when Midnight did not even slow down as he cantered past herds and then wagons. ...going on to OUR wagon that he now calls home. Now my fellow wagoneers....what will you do? I am conscious but WAY beyond the ability to help myself. Here are some references [from the books in the medical wagon? ]. The tips at the bottom of the last three links include this statement: This is a general one about hypothermia and boating accidents: http://www.enter.net/~skimmer/coldwater.html The next three are geared for a cold weather emergency while in a remote location. This is for treating mild hypothermia: http://www.ehow.com/how_6316_treat-mild-hypothermia.html This is for treating moderate hypothermia: http://www.ehow.com/how_6317_treat-moderate-hypothermia.html This is for severe hypothermia and if I get to this stage.....you will likely be making a grave due to no emergency room care available...so stop reading .............. http://www.ehow.com/how_6318_treat-severe-hypothermia.html .........and somebody get me off this tired horse. He’ll be overheated and prone to taking a chill too so someone take care of Midnight after his life-saving run. ...don't forget the fish... ...and my wet revolver....please? MtRider ...[iRL...I have been in MILD hypothermia several times. I have been in MODERATE hypothermia a couple times. Never in SEVERE tho. ]

LOL MT3B! { I wanna hide under the bed IRL...WIND and frigid temperatures... } Well the MtRiders are up and moving this early morning. I've got bacon spluttering [iRL too] and wishing for the ducks to lay more eggs. Just all this jostling around each day and then the shift from spring to winter-blizzard has thrown them off again. Poultry will be as glad as any of us to finally arrive and STAY PUT! Trying to figure out what to wear. Got a chance to wash out some things yesterday with our unscheduled layover. Just no one seemed to be able to move much. All these days of battling the rough trail life kinda caved in on us. Well, we're better for the rest yesterday and if it's narrow trails today, we'd better be alert and ready. So it's still chilly. The higher we go, the more so. Also, as our bodies are more fatigued and worn, we will be more suseptible to chills and opportunistic "bugs". As Mt3b has found out. (((MT3B))))) glad you are feeling better today! [iRL too!] So much better that we have been provided with some fresh fruits and vegetables at this time. Well, we're moving out soon and I'm packing up some biscuit and bacon and peanutbutter for lunch. MtRider [...still wearing a down vest but the coat is nearby tied to the back of the saddle. ]

I KNEW she'd know that stuff! I, on the other hand, will have to print that out cuz my brain will never remember it. .....especially the math for the briquets. I have a number 8 dutch oven. I just need to compute that. 8 x 2 = 16.....1/3 of 16 is.....um, 16 divided by 3 = 5+ Soooo, I'd put FIVE on top and TEN on the bottom...approximately...for 350 degrees cooking. [Even *I* can count by 5's .... ] And the odd thing about my #8 campfire dutch oven is....I FOUND it. In the creek on this property. I found the bottom first and the lid a couple YEARS later. I sure would like to know it's story! Thanks, Mother!!!!!!! MtRider

Oh hi Mother and CeeGee..... Mother, we're posting at the same time again...and again...and again..... I'm glad to see you posting and safe today. I'm afraid to tell you ALL that this stuff I'll be passing on to anyone EAST of me is deadly cold. Get prepared for bad DEEP FREEZE...even you all who are supposed to be much warmer. --Don't go out without protection on ALL your skin. --Never lay down you gloves...stuff them into your coat or in pockets. --Don't bundle into layers if it's too tight. Outer layers should be a size bigger so all-too-important blood circulation can operate and keep extremities warm. --DON'T mess around with numb toes/nose/fingers. Get them warm NOW!. -- Frostbite is dangerous....and it's forever. Once you get it, even if you don't lose body parts, the effected areas will always be supersensitive. --Hypothermia is the other cold danger. Getting tooooo cold in the core of your body. We actually have storyline planned for this too...but didn't get there yet. It doesn't have to be real cold to get hypothermia. It can happen at 50 above! Especially if you get wet....even from sweating, it's a horrible danger. Especially in wind. Be sure to layer clothing so that you constantly can unzip or take off layers so that you never become damp/wet. Very dangerous. Once the body gets to a certain point of cold, you canNOT think and you canNOT rescue yourself. It requires a hospital FAST! BTW....Yesterday's scenes walking thru mud could not have happened without some real cases of frostbite/hypothermia. We'd have needed waterproof boots and gaiters to keep from serious cold injury. The choice to slug it out and deal with being too cold later would often be a fatal one. Please be careful out there as this chill reaches all of you. We can't "write in" a happy ending IRL !!!!!!!!!! MtRider Again....

6pm and it's MINUS 12 already. Yeah, we're going colder than 20 below easy..... I'm in for the nite. the house is wrapped up. the Jupiter lantern can be filled if needed. The MrHeater can be hooked to the small propane bottle outside the window [has to be vented out that window anyway for O2 levels]. Have a propane heater in the basement/garage area the furnace goes out....and the pipes down their would freeze and burst. The 23 below nite last week? My parents furnace DID quite. At 6pm...dark and frigid cold already. They are near their 80's and at 9pm I'm about to freak cuz the repair guy [thank YOU God, that one came out that bitter nite] is still working on it and their house is chilling by the minute at 6 below. BUT the guy had the part and got it running. It's due to be replaced next summer but till then, their lives depend on it. You know....hpmh!..... I like our springtime blizzard/cold better instead of this early season stuff. We have a LOOONG winter yet ahead of us. Wow, I guess W*Ho was just comatose today. LOL Oh well, we'll be back rolling tomorrow....since we outran that snowmelt. Upwards and Onwards! MtRider ...tired of "weather"..... and ya'll stay safe!!!!

Quilty....stop that! I've been running ragged all day prepping for diving into the DEEP FREEZE again tonite. We're in a weird pocket that actually had the warmest day in a while but there is a rumor...that we might be between 20 and 30 BELOW ZERO tonite. So I got REAL busy and dug out every sheet of bubble wrap [clear plastic with all those small balloons that everyone likes to pop ] . I cover windows with them. I have only single panes....not double/triple glazing like normal people. [renting! poo!] So between the bubble wrap [so I can get light during the day] and covering with beach towels, blankets and a queen size sheet across the big kitchen windows....we will lose less heat and use less propane. My propane guy was here to top off the tank today. Said we'd used very little with how COLD it's been.....been using lots of pellets and long underwear tho. gotta go feed fore it gets colder.... MTRider...see ya at the wagons sooon

Here is a pumpkin version: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/aunt-janets-p...ake/Detail.aspx Pumpkin Dump Cake Original Recipe Yield 1 - 9x13 inch pan Ingredients 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin 1 (12 fluid ounce) can nonfat evaporated milk 4 eggs 1 cup white sugar 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1 teaspoon ground cloves 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix 1/2 cup butter, melted 1 cup chopped pecans Directions Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch pan. In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin, sugar, salt, nutmeg, ginger, cloves and cinnamon. Stir in the milk, then beat in the eggs one at a time. Pour pumpkin mixture into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the yellow cake mix over the pumpkin mixture, then sprinkle on the pecans. Drizzle melted butter over all. Bake in the preheated oven for 55 minutes {ahem....in the dutch oven over coals} , or until the edges are lightly browned. Allow to cool. Amount Per Serving Calories: 449 | Total Fat: 21.8g | Cholesterol: 93mg QUESTION: "Preheat to 350 degrees"..... How many seconds of holding your hand over the coals makes 350 degrees? MtRider

I wanted to share the recipe for the oldie-but-goodie Dump Cake that Chef served the other nite. I found the version I'm familiar with [from camping trips decades ago...] on a Boy Scout site: http://www.scoutorama.com/recipe/rec_display.cfm?rec_id=13 Cherry/Pineapple Dump Cake Recipe Ingredients 2 Betty Cocker Yellow Pudding Cake mixes, 4 Pats butter, 1 Large Can Cherry Pie filing, 1 large can Pineapple pieces {crushed works good} , {my addition...chopped nuts, shredded coconut} 1/2 cup water Equipment #14 Dutch oven 1 Large Spoon Instructions Start charcoal, line dutch oven with heavy duty aluminum foil (twice), place dutch oven over about 14-16 coals, pour in both cans of fruit, {sprinkle the nuts & coconut evenly}, dump in both cake mixes, spread lightly. Add 4 pats butter cover and cook for about 30 min. or till golden. Feed about 8 boys. after done lift out foil, wipe, re-oil, reheat and you're done ============= This, of course can also be done in dem new-fangled 'lectric or gas ovens tooooo! But it's best in the cast iron dutch ovens after a hard day keeping those dumb oxen moving down the trail! A #14 dutch oven is quite large and this can be reduced for a smaller portion. I think we used just one cake mix but still used the whole can of pineapple and cherry filling. We added nuts and shredded coconut. Also, just any yellow cake recipe works. Um....I guess you drink the 1/2 cup of water cuz it's not listed as used. Nor could I find it in any other dump cake recipes..... {I couldn't find my old recipe....it's been a long time} MtRider......[might just have to make this....in the 'lectric oven tho ...it's COLD outside! ]

It is still deep in the dark night but MtRider wakes suddenly. Dh is snoring in my ear and Dog is pushing and stretching. I'm squished up against the side of the wagon...again. Will I ever be glad to be able to put up our BIG tent and have some room to sleep decently again. Then I noticed why I had been shaken awake. The wind has picked up again..... A LOT! The wagon is shaking and shuddering. Oh noooooooo, don't tell me the storm is back.....or another one on the tail of the first. I know *that* happens a lot in our CO mountains. But the barometer was rising! I scramble out of the nice warm sleeping bag, and ease out of the dome tent [within the wagon] until I can wiggle upright. We're still leaving the Jupiter lantern on to keep warmer....placed well out of the way of sleepers. So blinking with the light in my sleepy eyes, I crawl over various totes and things to the back end of the wagon and move the coverings to peer outside. The goats are hollering and the poultry is making a racket too. WHAT? Predator? "DH!" I try not to holler but know he is very hard to wake calmly. I scoot quickly over to the tent and say his name again. He gives that startled, non-seeing wake-up as usual. "C'mon. We've got to get the tarp between us and the donkey cart taken down. The wind is up and it's rocking the cart badly." "Huh?" ....one of those less than brilliant responses again. [glad I'm not the only one who does that] "Get up! Emergency again! " I am searching for my snowsuit and slithering into it. I shove my feet into boots and make myself slow down and tie the laces or I will most surely live to regret leaving them dangling. Dh was able to comprehend the short GET UP and stalks out of the tent. Yes, one really can "stalk" from a crawling position. He's a cheery fellow when awake but he is NOT awake yet and there is no coffee to help that. I'd have done it without him if I could. I try to explain the wind and the tarp. It's about to take off with the donkey cart full of our livestock. The look I got told me that at that moment, dh would consider sleep more important. But he slid into enough clothes and his boots. Once outside, we were blasted with a very strong wind but no return of the snow. In fact........ we looked at each other and said in unison: "It's blowing chinook!" {shhhhh, don't wake the others!} Yipes, grab that tarp corner. We got to work and quickly [tho not without effort fighting this strong WARM wind] unfastened the tarp that stretched between the top of our wagon to the animal cages on the donkey cart. We managed to get it sort-of rolled up and secured just to cover the donkey cart. To give the small animals protection. The severe shaking ceased and the animals were calmed. Now that they weren't in danger of being toppled over. We righted a rabbit cage. I also shoved a treat into MM's mouth before she could greet me loudly. And Roan..and Jack ...and Midnight.... We headed over to the all-night campfire. A couple of young men on security watch were happy to see us. "Is the storm coming again?" was their anxious question. "No, the opposite. This is chinook winds. It means 'snow-eater' in whatever original language. It's warm and will devour all this snow in near miraculous time. Often a very welcome weather phenomena in the mountains where we lived. This will be very good....tho it's gonna melt things quickly. We'll want to be ready to get outta this narrow spot and up in broad, open, and higher land before the snowmelt lets loose in a torrent of flood water. I'm very glad we're out of this canyon but I think we'd better get further out of it before noon today." They both stared. "That fast?" "Yeah, pretty fast" I decided that tho it was only 3 AM, I'd go to wake MrHughes. I approached his wagon just as he popped out the back. "CHINOOK!" we said at the same time, nodding. "Well, how long should everyone sleep? We had to take down that big tarp from our wagon. 'Bout upset the donkey cart." "Glad you woke in time. Anyone else have something blowing? Otherwise I think we can let folks sleep for another couple hours. The melt will take some time.....although we'd better notify the other camp to get moving now. They still have to get down that lane and back up the logging road to reach this point. I don't want them in the mouth of that canyon later this morning. " said MrH "Well, how do we reach them. The radios just don't work around that outcropping of granite hillside between us and them." By then we'd arrived back at the campfire and one of the young men, Theodore Smith, handed MrH a cup. Another Smith grandson. I noticed DH already had some coffee. Zachery Taylor was mixing the powder for cocoa for me. THANKS! Warm wind or not, it was blowing cold across the snow at us. The stars were magnificent. I nearly lost my balance, as I usually did, while staring up at them. Not a cloud marred the view. "OK, here's the plan. Teddy, Zach....go get ready to ride with me over to the other camp. We've got to roust them early and get them further outta the canyon. The farmstead is higher ground but then they'd be stuck back inside that lane until the snowmelt flood was past...and we can't wait that long." MrH ordered. The boys...er, young men, left immediately to gather gear and horses. Chef crawled out of his wagon and looked around....then made a bee line for our group at the fire. "Pray tell....what NOW?" he groaned. "Three of us are riding out to get the other camp up and moving right now. Can we get food to eat while we ride?" asked MrH. "Yep" said Chef and turned without even asking for details. "We're the guard team then," I said. I poked MtMtR. "We need our weapons and radios." It would be a while before the coffee made a dent in his thinking. "Never mind. You can't have a gun until you're awake. I'll go get them." I also grabbed our own mugs and enameled pie plates/spoons too. Chef would have something ready soon. It would help to stay awake. And some sox. I wasn't wearing sox yet. I brought big Dog since she was awake now and she'd make sure predators did not get past her ears. "Just TRY to keep from any false alarms, OK?" I pleaded with her. Everyone needed as much sleep as possible. We took a route passed many of the animals tethered for the night. They were not exactly restless but did sense the shift in weather. Yeah....we're about to have the second verse to "Springtime in the Mountains". MtRider [...standing.... er, well mostly sitting....watch this nite. ]

Hey that is cool. I want one! Can you post any more sketches. It's neat to have illustrations. How is Big D enjoying the story so far? Does she have any storyline she'd like to see before we reach Big Valley shortly? Or anyone else? MtRider....

Awww shheeeeeeeeeesh! IRL we have a persistent kind of snowstorm....the kind that goes on and on for days. Ski areas expecting FEET. I hope our region doesn't get THAT! But it's come with the frigid cold again. It's just hovering around ZERO. Without our solar gain [not with these clouds] it's not expected to get much warmer today. [glad I did my therapeutic horse ride yesterday! Fairly nice day yesterday.] AND dh will be gone...security job 4-midnight. Having JUST dug our way out of a blizzard ....well, ok...that was UN. but still.... Is it springtime yet? No, but coming onto winter solstice soooooon and the days then begin to get longer again. MtRider [grumbles for the day.....]