Trumpfheller Family Site

This past weekend we went to Lumber River Campgrounds (Facebook Page here;Website here) for our first trail ride of the year.  Along with us, was Nathan, Vonda, and Ashton Hamilton (of Hamilton Stables), Colin and Diane Ward, Chris and Dan Davidson, Christine Chavis and Angel Ingram.

After an uneventful setup Thursday night, Nicole and I were woken up to a 9 horse stampede at 5am Friday.  We watched as our horses ran past our camper and into the morning darkness.  I threw on my shoes and went after them, as Nicole went from trailer to trailer alerting our party that the horses were loose.  The only horse that did not get out was the stallion 'Traveler'....LOL, because he is usually the one to start something like this!!  Well, after about 30 minutes of chasing down horses, we had all but 2 back in their pens.  After rebuilding the pens, we went out and started looking for the last 2, which came strolling out of the woods about another 45 minutes later.....what a relief to have all the horses back!

Friday afternoon Colin, Nathan, and I took off into the woods and rode a short 4 mile ride into Lumber River State Park. 
Dinner Friday was Turkey Sausage on the coals.  Dinner was good!!!

Saturday we got on the trail and rode....a total of 13 miles.  We rode through swamps, water, sand, woods, field and roads.  It was great being on horseback for so long, even though Blizzard was pacey to begin with (after he got tired, he actually walked in the proper gait!).  After we got back, I felt so sorry for Blizz, as he was dead tired. He laid down for most of the afternoon and into the night and Sunday morning he was sore enough that Nicole did not want to ride him....we both felt sorry for him!!

To see larger copies of these and more pictures, go to my picasa album here!!

Our next planned trail ride will be in May!  I hope to plan some camping outings soon......

I really did feel sorry for Blizzard after our long ride, but it seems that he might have dupped me....as soon as he was back home, he was running around and acting like he usually does......so I think he got one over on me this time.....but not next time....LOL

Although not for the best of reasons, Patrick has left to go back west for a couple days.  He is flying from Raliegh to Atlanta, to Salt Lake and then to Kalispell.  He is meeting up with his mom, sister and grandma in Salt Lake.  They are all going to Kalispell Montana to say goodbye to Katherine Dietrich, Patrick's Great-Grandmother.  Katherine passed away earlier in the week in Colorado.  She was a very loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and was involved in Patrick's and Shannon's life since the day they were born.

I remember spending weekends at their place, working in the woods during the day, and eating and playing cards into the night with Katherine.  Merelyn, Sheri, Patrick and Shannon all have great memories of Great grandma K, and I hope that they all have a good trip, and each of them go forward with Katherine in their hearts and minds.

UPDATE(4/10/12 - 0730)  Just got word that Pat's flight from Raliegh-Durham to Atlanta was delayed due to mechanical problems.  The airline was able to book him on new flights all the way through to Kalispell, MT.  He arrives 7 hours later than originally scheduled.

I got to go back to Camping World again today!! 

I say this with a little giddiness as I love walking around this place.  Even for a small camper like Nicole and I have, there is so many add-ons, stuffs, etc that I could just get lost in that place!

I had to go and get a couple access covers for the side of the camper.  Right now, the access cover where the electric cord comes out is covered with duct tape to ensure that no road dirt or water gets into it; and the cover to the fresh water tank was dry rotted and broke when I opened it.  So I looked online and saw some prices + shipping and was a little discouraged at the cost.  I called the service and parts department of my local Camping World and asked if they had the parts I needed.  The parts manager that helped me was new (the Camping World here just opened up, the grand opening sale is still going on!) and was unsure of what I was asking.  So I told him that I would be there after work.  I went in, explained what I needed and the guy immediately found what I was looking for and then turned me loose to look around….if I had a $1000, I could spend it in seconds in that store!!

Well, we set the camper up so we can start cleaning it and getting ready to use it!  I have a couple things to get to do some minor maintenance, but I think the structural integrity of the camper itself is pretty good!!  There are some minor exterior issues that occured when the camper itself got to hot from a building fire it was near, but little by little I can piece those together and make like new!!

I have to fix the "bathroom" walls; and some outside access panels, but besides that, the camper is good!!  Nicole will need to spend some time to clean the inside and prepare our gear for packing and then off we go!!

The plans are to go to Lumber River State Park and hang with some friends and maybe do the trail ride as well.  We will see how we feel, and how the horses feel!

Today we had a great day eating and spending time with friends and family at the Hamilton Stables.  As usual, Vonda and Nathan put out a spread and opened their doors to any of the "barn budies" and their families.  Thank you Vonda for another great time!!

This morning I awoke to the sound of rain on the roof....it is a beautiful sound.  For those that have not experienced continual light rain on a roof, you really need to go somewhere and listen, close your eyes, and just lose yourself in the peace and content of the sound......

An added bonus is how green everything is looking around here now!!  I'll try and get some more pictures to share, as the trees, the grass, THE WEEDS...are all looking green!!

Since Quest and Gunner both got gelded, they needed to be run at leat 20 minutes a day, for 10-14 days until the swelling went down.  The other day, Quest and I were in the round pen, and he just was fantastic, so we sat for a while when we got done and I took this picture.  I think Quest is an awesome horse, and I can't wait till he's old enough for me to ride!!