Sunday, December 30, 2007

Last ride of 2007




Talk about a happy woman, I sure am! Got lucky and rode Saturday and today (Sunday)!


Today I went with part of the group that I've rode with all summer/fall, Dale, Crash, Hooker, Little Jimmy, Possum and Terry (Crash's father-in-law). We took off at 10 A.M. this morning from Rose Hill and went to Martins Fork Lake again. They guys knew that it would be an absolute muddy mess so they had to go.


Made a HUGE mistake to take a break just before we got down to the lake. By the time I caught up with the guys Dale was attempting to do some of his world famous "donuts" and had a little mishap. He flipped it over on it's left side. Dale wasn't hurt to bad (or so he said) but it did hit his ankle and jammed his back a little. Nothing broken thank goodness!


AND wouldn't you know that all this had happened before I got there with the video camera! BUT I did catch the boys out in the mud a little to deep and ...... well 5 ATVs went over on the ride today and 3 were stuck at the same time! LOL!!!!! They got one unstuck and brought it over and the 3 then had to hook together to get the other two out!


I rode Jim's new 400 today. I'll admit that I do like that thing.... the ground clearance is out of this world..... and lots of power. BUT being as new as it is..... it isn't riding that great and the steering is still a little hard. My shoulders and back are feeling it tonight. But would I do it again tomorrow? You betcha!


Can't wait to see how many weekends in a row I get to ride in 2008! Stay safe everyone! Ride long, ride hard, but above all ride safe!!

Saturday, December 29, 2007

Rode on Stone again today!

Hi everyone! Well I got lucky and did some riding today up on the mountain. After making a run to get oil and filter for Jim's ATV we came home, loaded up and took off to Rose Hill. When we stopped at Dellis' shop Terry was there. He and his wife Pam joined us. No pictures to show of todays ride..... it was all video.
The mountain is full of mud/water holes. If it wasn't so cold a person could have a ball up there splashing around in them. But it is just a little bit to cold to get soaking wet.
On the way home we went by Pringles house and found that they were having a cook out. Ok, so I wasn't invited, guess they don't want me around much any more. Oh well. I did sorta bite my own nose off to spite my face. Long story and I will NOT go into it. Maybe with time things will get back to the way they used to be. But Pringle was nice enough to go ahead and change the oil in both of the ATVs for us. Thank You Pringle!
Not sure if I can go riding tomorrow or not. Right now it seems like nobody can or is willing to go. Guess I'll just have to wait and see. If not then I'll have to wait till it is a warm day and maybe find someone else to go with.
See ya'll later!

Friday, December 28, 2007

Christmas 2007




Well, Christmas has came and gone for 2007. In a way I'm glad that it is over, yet on the other hand I'm sad to see it go. I don't like the pressure to spend, spend - spend to find the perfect present for friends and family. But I do love being with my family, seeing the smiles, hearing the laughter and seeing the family together at Mom & Dad's house.

This year we had several people at the dinner table, Mom, Dad, myself, my husband Jim, Sister Janet and her husband Frank and daughter Ivy, my daughter Shannon and husband Bob, my son Danny and wife Michelle. Missing were my sister Phyllis and husband Jimmy and daughter Morgan, and niece Lindsey and husband Josh with sons Dillon and Rylie.

Daddy's health is not the greatest that it's ever been. Dad had a bad stroke back in May and he still suffers from it to a certain degree. Mom is not the strong woman that she has been either. But I'm so lucky to have them with me still.

We had some family members that have gone on to Heaven this year, My grandmother, Georgia Williams age 94 passed away in January 2007 and Jim's mother Gladys passed away in June 2007. Jim also lost his only brother Calvin in March.. it's been a very bad year on him. But he is working through it and seems to be coming back to life.
After dinner we had some of Dad's family stop by for a visit. His sister Barbara, her son John H. III, and his children Micah and Addison. It was so wonderful to see them again. It seems like family does not get together now as much as they did when I was a young girl.
I do hope that all of you had a wonderful Christmas and I send my wishes for a Happy New Year!

Sunday, December 23, 2007

Enjoying a nice day in December



Caught a really good Saturday and hubby and I took off on a little ride. He made one mistake and said he wanted to try on Stone Mountain! OH GOODIE! We put in at Rose Hill and went up the old RR bed to Hagan, then up to the top of the ridge to the Crows Foot. He wanted to make the loop out the top of the hill back out toward RH but I convinced him to keep going on over the mountain. Poor fellow.... he fell for it! Now where I'm so used to riding up there nothing seems steep to me any more...... but to him... being the greenhorn that he is.... well I asked him after we got back to the truck did he think about killing me? His answer was YES! hehehe Then I had to remind him that he made it and did just fine... now he has more of an idea what his ride can do and where it will take him as long as he is careful. It isn't like anything was that steep and dangerous but to a fellow that had never ridden Stone before I can see where it might have seemed like I was trying to kill him. BUT it did teach him that he could do it!

We rode on over to Martins Fork Lake. The lake level is really low now for the winter draw down. Talk about having lots of MUD to play in! If only the guys that I ride with had been there they would have been so happy! But we had the place all to ourselves. I didn't get out in it, all I did was take some pictures to show the guys. Maybe next weekend they can get there and then there will be lots of "Dirty" pictures to show.

It was getting late in the day so we headed back over the ridges. I'll admit that he did a lot better coming back then he did going over. That was all he needed was to spend time on his CAT. He even mentioned today that yesterday was FUN! I hope that the bug has bitten him as much as it has me. That would be great! Don't look for it to happen.... but ya never know.

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and it is getting colder each day. The forecast is for a light dusting of snow early on Christmas morning. I hope it doesn't. Working the job that he does... if it snows then he has to work. But I'd love to see a little bit and go up on the mountain to get some pictures! Just not on Christmas day.

I wish you all a Very Merry Christmas! Keep on riding..... ride long.... ride safe!

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

December 18, 2003


On December 18, 2003 my best friend got something very special. My LEFT kidney! I had met Kim while my husband was at UVA hospital to have his left kidney taken out due to cancer. It is strange how some people you meet and become instant friends. Kim and I were like that. And I'm a firm believer that God put me there at the time that he did because she would need me later on.

I had first met her dad, and had no idea he was her dad, about a year before I met Kim. He was at a horse show up in Russell County Virginia. Kim and her entire family live in Stuarts Draft, VA. Kim's mother and mine both have the same name, Betty! Kim's husband and I have the same birthday, May 25! And of course Kim and I have the same blood type, A+. And now Kim and I share body parts! OK, just one part, but that's enough.

I'm going to show a picture of Kim and myself the morning of the transplant. Our hospital beds were side by side only separated by a curtain. After we both had gotten undressed and into our lovely hospital gowns and caps we took this picture.

Our families were there with us both. And both families were crying and all that. Funny how I never did get nervous or anything. And neither did Kim. We were the only calm ones in the bunch! You should be able to tell that by the picture.

After the transplant we decided to give a name to our shared kidney. We named her "Sydney". I think it fits.... Sydney the kidney! LOL

It's been 4 years now. Sydney is going strong for Kim. That is the thing that I'm so proud of. The rest of me may be falling apart, BUT I sure have good kidneys! Or should that be "Had" good KIDNEYS? Anyhow, Kim, If you needed another and I had a dozen I'd do it all over again.


The one thing that people said before we did the transplant and after that upset me more than you will ever know was "I couldn't do that for a family member, let alone just a friend." NOW that made me mad..... still makes me mad. The good Lord made us with some things that are actually spare parts. And if part of me can help another person live a normal life again, darn it I'm doing it!


If anyone that comes here and reads this, please think of just one thing. Please think about becoming an organ donor. It is amazing how many lives you could save.
FYI: Kim is on the left, I'm on the right.
Don't you just love our matching outfits! LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL

Monday, December 17, 2007

High Speed Internet has made it to my house!

Oh Happy Day! OH HAPPY DAY! Finally getting rid of slower than you know what dial up after 7 years! OH HAPPY DAY!
I've never seen my computer go this fast. Zip..... Zip!
I'm happy! Can you tell?

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

December 12, 1975


Happy Birthday Christopher! I know that you probably won't ever see this, but I thought just in case that I'd put it up here. Today you turn 32. Seems like yesterday in one sense, yet a couple of lifetimes ago in another. But I could never forget this date no matter how long it's been. I hope that you've had a wonderful day and that your wife and boys have made it a special day for you.


Mom

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

A note to my visitors....


I've been seeing where there have been several hits on my little blog. But nobody is leaving me any messages! Either my blogging stinks..... or it may not seem interesting enough. Please, if you don't care...... leave me a message or two! And pass this site around to your friends if you or someone you know enjoys riding ATVs.


THANKS!

Today has been a GREAT day!




Anytime it gets this warm, in December, YOU better get out there and ride. Which is just what I did! My friends called me this morning and we took off and rode on Stone Mountain today. I loved it! Pam wasn't feeling to good but she went. Maybe next time Pam you'll be feeling 100% better.


We put in at Rose Hill and went up to the top of the mountain then out to White Rocks. One of these days I'm going to actually go out to see the REAL White Rocks, but they are on National Park land and you can't ride your ATV up to there. YOU can walk, or ride a horse but nothing with a motor! I can't walk that far, my knees and hips won't let me. And I don't have a horse so I guess I'll just have to be content to take pictures from Rt. 58 looking up at them.


The picture is of my friends that I rode with today. Thanks guys! And a couple views from our ride. It was a great day!
Not to sure if I'll get to ride again during December.. but I sure hope so. Heck I may get out in the snow.......if it ever snows around here. I might not be able to move I'll have so many clothes on... but I'll get out there and ride no matter what!

Sunday, December 9, 2007

Two Weekends In A Row!

OK, so we are in the middle of a major drought here..... a lot of peoples wells are going dry or are so low that it isn't healthy, but why rain on two weekends in a row? WHY? This is just so not fair. I'll keep an eye out on the weather..... and if by some strange chance it still stays warm I can get some riding in this coming week. I sure hope so. It's killing me having two Arctic Cat's out in the shed and not getting to ride either of them! Oh the shame!
While we were out yesterday I did see several trucks hauling ATVs that had either gone riding somewhere or were on their way to ride. I'm not a big fan of getting wet and having the wind blow you as you ride in this cooler weather. Now in hot weather...... give me a water hole to run through and I'm happy!
Maybe it will be a short winter and spring will get here quick. THEN nobody will ever find me at home.

Thursday, December 6, 2007

The Weekend is coming!


The weekend is just another day away and right now the weather forecast is looking GREAT! Can't wait.... looks like I will get in a FULL weekend of riding for a change.... both days, Saturday and Sunday. Going to head down to Mtn. Drive in Bell county and ride Saturday. Jim, Terry, Pam, Doug and his wife are coming. I've posted on the "Holler Crawlers" site and I think that some of them are going to try to make it too. We are supposed to meet up at 10 in the morning. Can't wait to meet some new people and ride with them too. I've got a good feeling about this new club starting up. Looks like a bunch of good honest hard working people are behind everything. I sure hope it does well.

Sunday I plan on riding with Dellis and the gang. I'm pretty sure that there is one person that will NOT be happy to see me again.... but you know what.. I've lived over 53 years without even knowing this person and right now I don't give a hoot if they like me being there or not! I'm riding and that is that!

But before I can even think about riding I've got to get this nasty house cleaned up. Ok, so I'm not a fan of doing house work.... but who is? I'd rather be out riding Miss Kitty. Hummm if it would warm up just a little bit more I might even go out and unlock and take her for a spin around the yard. But then again... it looks like it is warmer than it is! My reading says it's only 38 degrees outside right now. Brrrrrrrr to cold for me to be out in the wind. Maybe tomorrow I can sneak in a few minutes riding.

The picture above is of my husband Jim and his new Arctic Cat 400.

Sunday, December 2, 2007

1st weekend without riding! Feels weird.

This is the first weekend that I've not gotten to go riding at all. It sure feels weird. I honestly don't like not getting to go at all. Saturday we, my husband and I, took his daughter and her husband down to Bass Pro. They had never been there and I love that place! So it wasn't so bad. Spent way to much money there...... that's for sure! But it was a good day after all. I'll admit it was a little to long of a day..... got home at about 1:15 A.M. Sunday morning..... but it was a good day still no matter how late we got home.
Today I kept my word and went to church with my husband. I was supposed to go with him last week but he was sick and didn't go himself. So of course what did I do? Go riding of course! But this Sunday the forecast was for rain and cooling temps. It started raining a light drizzle early in the day. Rained off and on but more off. I had thought about coming home and loading up Miss Kitty and taking off and finding the group. But I was having such a hard time keeping my eyes open from the late night on Saturday that I opted to just stay home.
Maybe next week I can get Kitty out and go for a ride.

Till then...... ride long..... ride hard..... but always ride safe!

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Now THAT'S what I'm talking about!




Well good folks........ he did it! He finally did it! On Wednesday, Nov. 28 my hubby and I went with two friends down to the area of Bell County Kentucky known as Mtn. Drive. I've been there several times over the summer/fall months..... even went this past Sunday. Hubby had been there one time before.... we borrowed his son in laws Brute Force and he rode it. I think he saw then WHY I love riding so much. Ever since then he's been talking about getting one. Well as you know he did indeed finally break down and bought himself a Brand new Arctic Cat 400.

Yesterday was a good day to ride. The weather warmed up nicely and the sun was shining so brightly. We got to the trail head at a little after 12 noon. Unloaded and took off. One thing that I'm most proud of is that everyone wore their helmets! That is one thing that I'm going to put my foot down about...... NO HELMET...... NO RIDE! I know, I know, there has been times I could have bitten his head off...... but I do honestly love and care for that man of mine and I need to keep him in one piece.

We met up with Terry and Pam at the trail head and had a really good days riding. With all the rain that we have finally been getting the dust that he had such a bad time with the first time there was gone. NOW he had lots of mud/water holes to go through. I'll admit that if it had been a LOT warmer I could have gotten him soaking wet. But I'll save that treat for next spring/summer/fall when it is a lot warmer.

Didn't get many photos of the group. We were to busy riding and looking. Saw some parts of Mtn. Drive that I've never seen before. Heck for that matter I saw more new trails the other day too! For those that like to ride for several hours and see some great views.... this is the place to go.

And speaking of going...... I heard from the newly elected president of the newest ATV Club in our area.... The Bell County Holler Crawlers. They are listed in the forums of the "Kentucky Outdoors" site. Sounds like they have the makings of a great ATV club. I intend on becoming a paying member. Anyhow they are working with the owner of the area of Mtn. Drive. I intend on doing what ever I can do to help them not only spread the word about what a great area that we have here in our own back yard, but to help the club grow and do well. I hope that they can keep open that area. Until you've riden there and saw for yourself how many trails that there are you wouldn't belive it!

Now that we are a TWO CAT family hopefully we will enjoy riding even more together.

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

It's here! Introducing "Tom Kat"!!


If you've been reading my blogs you know that a while back I was talking about finding our latest addition to our rides. While on a day out we stopped at Bass Pro and was really checking out the Arctic Cats..... and fell in love with the 400's. I'll admit that at the time I honestly thought that it was nothing more than a dream of owning a brand new AC. I'm here to tell you that DREAMS DO COME TRUE! While out Saturday doing a little Christmas shopping we stopped by the Arctic Cat dealer in Kingsport, TN. At that time we really had no intention on actually buying one now..... just stopped to see what they had and to kill a little time. Found out that they had some really good offers for financing. That was Saturday. We talked..... and talked....... and did some more talking. The talking continued into Sunday. Come Monday morning we called the dealer and did our paperwork over the phone. A little bit later they called back to tell us that we got it! They would have it ready for us by the time we got there to pick it up. That is the photo that I've got posted..... they just had loaded it on to the trailer at the dealer. Even though we both had sat on it I swear it seems bigger now that it is here. I've got a 5 by 12 trailer and when we got it home we found out that "Tom Kat" as we are now calling the new one, and "Miss Kitty" mine will just barely fit onto the trailer! And I do mean just barely! For the time being to haul both of them we are going to have to load them both end to end and then take the ramp off and tie it to the side. The tires prevent us from getting the ramp anywhere near closed! Thank goodness a month or so back I bought some REALLY strong straps to tie anything down with. Without them there is no way that we could take them both anywhere to ride! But I've always heard that were there is a will there is a way. Guess it's true. Honestly we need to do some work to find a better way to load and haul both bikes safely. That will for the time work, but is going to be a lot of extra work on both of us to get them to anywhere to ride. OH well... it's worth it no matter what we have to do!

Am I tickled? YOU BET CHA! I honestly don't think that husband will go with me every time I go riding..... but now at least he will have one when he does want to go. And if anything happens to Miss Kitty that would prevent her from going I'll have a back up to take. Hope you like what we picked out. I love it!

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Sunday Nov. 18, St. Charles Area ride




After being sick for a week and getting very little sleep Saturday nights sleep was a blessing. That and the the fact that Sundays temps were a lot warmer than I thought they were going to be. I had no other choice than to get up, load up and go riding! I had told one of the gals the night before that I wasn't going.... so I decided to find another place to ride for the day. I hated to show up after telling them that I wasn't going two weeks in a row. Called Jason and he either couldn't or wouldn't go...... so then I called David. For those that have no clue, David is the husband of my very best friend here in the county. We all have the same last name, but are NO relation. Anyhow.... we met up at the St. Charles Elem. school parking lot and left from there. Found the trail head and let me tell you...... the trails/roads goes on forever and ever! We did some back tracking seeing as how neither of us knew a thing about where we were. And I've learned a lesson.... don't let me pick which way to go when coming to an intersection! Every time I said go "that way" it turned out to be a dead end... and most times really quickly! Thank goodness I had my GPS with me. Our goal was to go across the mountain into Kentucky. We finally made it...... but just barely. Found a trail that went in the right direction, but not to long after we crossed the Kentucky line the tail came to an end! NOT FAIR! I know that there is a trail up there somewhere that goes all the way into Evarts. One of these days I'll find it. May take me a while, but I'll find it! Anyhow, we did just under 40 miles today.... weather was really nice.... lots of water holes to go through! I cheated on those.... made David go through first to test to see how deep they were! I know.... that was mean of me! hehehe But it really is a nice place to ride..... I'll go back as soon as I can get the chance... maybe next time I can talk my hubby into going with me. MAYBE. Doubt it.... but I'll try. If not then there is always David I can call to go!

Till I ride again...... or something happens..... ride long... ride hard.... but always ride safe!

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

The Barn Quilts are UP and in place!!





OH happy day! We finished today putting up the second of two "Barn Quilts" at Mom & Dad's farm at the Dot intersection today. OH do they look Fantastic! I love them!!!! If everyone hadn't gotten busy with other things for a couple of weeks we would have had them both up in a matter of days of each other. Instead it took a couple extra weeks but we did it! Yesterday it was my husband, myself, Mom & Dad. Today we had my son Danny, one of my sisters, myself, Mom & Dad. The hardest part was climbing up and down the ladders. Heights don't bother me that much...... I love the view from up high like that.. but it is the getting there and then back down that I'm not crazy about. My back is killing me.... I've had to help move the ladders several times and I know I shouldn't have done it. But nobody else was in any better shape to do it so it had to be done! OH well... I'll eat a pain pill here in a little bit to ease things off I bit.

Hope you like the pictures!

Monday, November 12, 2007

Playing in the MUD at Martins Fork



Well, I have to say that I'm one happy person. I got to go riding yesterday with the gang. I didn't decide to actually try to catch them until 9:05 AM! Now that may not sound so bad, but they leave the parking lot in Rose Hill at 10:00 AM! I didn't have Kitty loaded..... No lunch packed.. really wasn't dressed to go riding that early on a November morning either! But I made it! The gang was pretty well ready to leave by the time I got there. I asked which way they were heading and told them that I'd catch up with them, not to wait on me. They were taking their normal break at the top of Crows Foot when I got there. Then headed on over to the back waters of Martins Fork Lake in Cawood Kentucky.
There was some really good mud there so they decided to stay there and play instead of heading on into Cawood. At first I just sat and watched everyone play and sling mud. I kept sitting there...... knowing that it really wasn't so deep to get stuck in, watching and thinking.... well it's ONLY MUD! Finally I locked Kitty into 4 wheel drive..... and hit the mud myself! I'll admit.... it was FUN!
Only bad thing is that I've already made one trip to the car wash..... spent $6.00 and still don't have all the mud off Kitty! Going to have to break out the pressure washer here tomorrow evening and finish the job. The seat is going to have to come off and wash down inside a lot better. Got a feeling that I'll go back to WATCHING everyone play in the mud next time! It's just to hard to get all that mud off.
Not sure if the weather is going to hold out for another ride anytime soon. Forecast is for the temps to go down several degrees by the weekend to the mid to lower 50's. I'm not a big fan of riding in that cool of weather. Not to bad if your sitting still, but moving the wind will cut you to the bone. Guess I'll just have to wait and see how things goes.

Till next time...... ride long...... ride hard... but ride safe!

Thursday, November 8, 2007

Feeling a little bit better, but.......


I'm still not sure how things will go when I want to go riding this weekend. The weather forecast isn't looking to bad. So maybe I'll get to take a short ride if nothing else. If I have to I'll go alone again. I can do the loop from the top of the mountain at Rose Hill to Crow's foot again if I have to. There has been a lot of things going on that I can't discuss here in such a public place. Maybe I've got them taken care of. I sure hope so! It would kill me to have to give up something that I so dearly love to do. I know that the day is coming that I will not be physically able to do what I'm doing now. I know that. But for now I want to ride every chance I get. Guess this is what I get for starting something so late in life. Seems like just yesterday I was in my early 30's. What happened? Who put the clock on fast forward? The only good thing about time passing this fast is that I'll have Kitty paid for in no time! And believe me, that is the only good thing!!!!! Oh how I wish that I had gotten an ATV a long time ago. If I could get in another 10 years of great riding I could die happy. By that time I may be forced to only ride in places like Mountain Drive, but at least I'll be riding! I can see it now....after my passing the kids/grand kids will look at some of the pictures of my attempt to stay young and will say "That was one cool old lady. She was doing a pretty good job of keeping up with kids that were young enough to be her own and loved every minute of it." How else can anyone see wonderful views like the picture above?

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Big Suprise Birthday party for Dellis!





On Saturday, November 3, 2007 the gang met at John's house..... which Dellis didn't think was anything special seeing as how most of the gang is there every Saturday evening to tune up and work on their rides. What he didn't know was that for a while we had been plotting to throw him a Birthday Cookout! It was a fantastic success! I think he sorta got the feeling that something was up.. but not to sure what it was. But he never expected anything like that! We had tons of food and a HUGE cake complete with a toy ATV just like the one he rides. We all piled in Johns house.... John, myself, Morgan, Randall, Jimmy, Deborah, Little Jimmy & Nikki, Dale, Donna, Austin & Brandon, Big Jim K., Junior and my hubby Jim. (Can you count how many JIM's were there?) Sallie, TopDog & one of their girls stopped by for a few minutes but didn't stay for the food. We had all signed a HUGE card to give to Dellis.... complete with his famous logo on it. Honestly I think we almost got the best of him. He made the comment that this was the first time in his life that anyone had ever done anything like this for him. Then he got really quiet. I hope we did you proud Dellis! We love ya man!

Sunday, November 4, 2007

Harlan Kentucky Overlook, Nov. 4, 2007


Kitty may have made her last trip for a while. But it was a great ride to end on! Left Rose Hill parking lot at a little before 10 this morning. Started out with 8 bikes and had one late comer to catch up with us just a little way over the mountain from Crows Foot. 1st stop was at Cawood to play in what little mud was left. I was having radio problems so I went to the store to buy fresh batteries thinking that was it. NOPE. I think that one radio is dead or dying! I got lucky that I did have the other one with me. Our goal was to go to the Harlan Overlook. We made it and it was beautiful! Thank you for taking me there!!!


If any of the guys that I ride with read this, I want to say an open apology to everyone for my foul mood today. I said and did some things that were uncalled for. I'm sorry, it won't happen again.


Things beyond my control are happening and it looks like me and Kitty will not be riding for a while, if ever again. I can't go into detail, but believe me I don't think that I could ever miss a bunch of young fellows more than what I'm going to miss you guys. You all mean the world to me. I know that I'm old enough to be your mother and yet you still let me tag along with you. Thank you for that. You've made me feel young again.... OK, younger than I am and that is a miracle!

I guess it is fitting that I got the one last GREAT picture of you all..... and I'm not in it. Maybe it was a sign of what was to come. I'll never forget the laughs that you all have given me.

Take care fellows. Ride safe and ride forever!

Thursday, November 1, 2007

Wednesday, Oct. 31 Black Mtn. Adventure Park




Loaded up "Kitty" early to haul over to Evarts, Kentucky to go check out "Black Mountain Off-Road Adventure Park". Met up with Terry and Pam at the parking lot of the local WalMart and we drove over together. By the time we got there it was almost 10 o'clock. Sure was hoping that it would have warmed up a lot more by that time... it hadn't! There was still frost on the ground where the sun hadn't hit yet! Brrrrrrr It was cold!!!!
Had a good time.... we rode for about 4 hours. Didn't cover much ground, we went really S L O W but it was good. Terrys brand new Honda acted up a bit on him. The electric shift died on him. Come to find out the battery cables had came loose. Hopefully that is all that was wrong. He went ahead and came home a different way to be able to go by the Honda shop and drop it off. He's supposed to pick it up today.
Maybe next spring when it is a warmer day with more daylight I can get to go back and explore a lot more than we did yesterday.

Monday, October 29, 2007

Cawood Kentucky MUD!




If you want to make a teenage girl happy... just give her a big ATV to ride and a BIG ole mud hole and she's HAPPY!

Good sized group met up at Rose Hill yesterday morning at 10 o'clock in the morning to start the ride. It was chilly, but actually not as cold as last weeks ride. IN the morning that is! At least last weeks ride it warmed up really well..... this time it never did really get what you'd call warm. Must have been perfect riding weather for mud holes though. Several had a blast! I'll admit that sometimes I've thought about making a run through, but then I rethink that idea and stay on the sidelines taking pictures. It's way more fun.

The group that went this week were myself, Dellis, Randall, Johnny, Jimmy & wife Debra with Possum, Dale & wife Donna with both their boys Austin and Brandon, Morgan and two new people rode with us today, Harold and Jewell riding a Razr 800.

Had a blast us usual, but there are getting to be way to many camera's and they just point and shoot way to many pictures! One thing about it. I know I've got to go on a serious diet and shed this weight. Change of eating habits starts TODAY! It may be spring before anyone sees any difference but there will be a difference! I've got to!

It's getting colder every week now. Not sure how much longer I'll ride. I'm not a big fan of cold and if I put on enough clothes to stay warm I wouldn't be able to move. But we will see what next week brings. I'll decide the night before if I'll go or not.

Till I ride again..... stay safe!

Saturday, October 27, 2007

Lee County Tobacco Festival Oct. 27, 2007






Kitty and I did our first parade today! Kitty was looking really good. Looked like new! Rode in front of the float beside Jimmy (Crash)... What were they thinking! But it was fun for the most part. I did catch one group of young girls that I swear was laughing at me. Ok, I know I'm not skinny by any means, heck I'll say it out loud. I'M FAT! But I do love riding and it makes me feel a lot younger than I really am. AND as long as I can, I'll ride... no matter who laughs at how I look! In the back of my mind I keep thinking...... "Girls, I used to be young like you, I used to be even slender like you, but time and kids takes it's tole on a body and you won't always look like you do now." So the best thing I can do is go on with MY Life and forget the actions of some foolish teenage girls.

It cost me a whole $1.00 but it was worth way more to get the "Bulldog" to come over and put it's "paw" around Dellis. Poor fellow had no idea what was coming off..... but it was surely priceless!






Now back to the parade! Crash and I rode our bikes in front. Dellis drove the truck pulling the float. On the float was Big Jim, Donna and Deborah and the kids, Little Jimmy, Brandon, Austin, & Nikki with Hooker & Dale bringing up the rear. Really large crowd to view the parade today. Weather was nice, but could have been a little warmer. Clouds started rolling in about the time I got back to the trailer and I couldn't wait to get my jacket on.





I guess everyone enjoyed it enough that we might do it again next year. I hope so! If they do then I'll make plans on doing it with them. You could not find a better group of people to hang around with. Everyone is young enough to be my kids... yet still they let me play along with them. Thanks!!!

Monday, October 22, 2007

Visit to Hensley Settlement & Other places Oct. 21, 07




I can honestly say that the weather could not have been any more perfect for a ride. Even though it was cool Sunday morning starting out it warmed up really nicely and the sun was shining all the way. As usual the group met at Rose Hill to start the ride at 9 A.M. Nice size group and this time it wasn't just Morgan & myself along with the guys. Debra came with her husband Jimmy (Crash) this time riding her own bike. And they brought both their kids!

The plan was to ride to Hensley's Settlement on top of Brush Mountain. I had been up there one other time before but it was almost 40 years ago! I know I was a teenager, but can't remember how old I was. I know it was a VERY long time ago, that's for sure. At the start of the trail up the mountain on the Kentucky side we caught up with the second large group of people out riding. We took a break and they started on up the mountain ahead of us. Caught up with them several times. I had heard that the trail was rough....... and it surely isn't a smooth ride but it wasn't as rough as I had heard. I'd call it challenging. If someone would take a sledge hammer up there and spend just part of a day it would be a lot easier ride. Guess nobody wants to put that much effort into it. I would if my back would stand it, but I honestly don't think I can do it.

We finally made it to the settlement and it was beautiful! Well worth the ride up. A lot of the old buildings are still standing and you can go in most of them to look around. The trees were gorgeous! Perfect fall color. Honestly I'd give anything to live in a place like that. So isolated, so peaceful and quiet. You didn't hear another sound other than the wind and the birds. But I'd say it does get rather rough up there in the winter. I've seen snow and ice on top of the mountain when no where else has anything.

After we all ate our lunch we walked the trail through the settlement. I'm so glad that the park service has taken over the settlement and is preserving it. Such history up there to see how far into this remote area and how they lived. But then we had to leave. By this time in October the sun goes down early and it gets cold quickly.

Our next stop was to ride to what they called "Kings Table". Part of the trail there is rough, rocky but nothing like going up the mountain to the settlement. But I have to say.... WOW! What a beautiful place! Going down the trail through the woods is absolutely breath taking! Then all of a sudden you turn the curve and there sits a table out in the middle of nowhere! Someone had hung a tarp up between some trees. I have no reason why...... but they did. But it surely was a breathtaking ride just to get to there. Then it was on to a place further down the trail that they had given the name of "Hillbilly slip-n-slide". Morgan...... being Morgan just had to try it. I had my camera in hand... but honestly I was laughing so hard and she was moving so fast when she came down the slide that I couldn't get a picture! Maybe someone else will post one and I'll copy it and show it here. I've not laughed that hard....... that long in AGES! Thanks for the memories Morgan! IF Dellis got good video of that one I'm sure that it will make YouTube.... and who knows...... maybe even send it into America's Funniest Home Video's!!

After doctoring Morgan's wounds (she did get a couple small scrapes and a tiny cut or two) and changing into some dry clothes (remember it was a WET slip-n-slide) it was time to head back to the parking lot to go home. Morgan and I started to ride out the mountain ridge top out to Crows Foot, but she wanted to say in person goodbye to everyone. I told them when we got there that someone was going to have to adopt her! It was almost 6:30 when we pulled up to load our ATV's on the trailer.

It was a long day of riding..... some challenging trails...... but it was a GREAT day out riding my Kitty and I'd do it again today if I could play hookie from work! Till next time......... have fun.... stay safe!

Monday, October 15, 2007

October 15, 1994 - 2007

Thirteen years ago today was our wedding day. Although I love my DH (dear hubby/husband) right now I could choke him! HE's NOT said ONE word about what today is! NOT a PEEP! I know now that I should have went ahead with my first thought this evening...... I already had "Kitty" loaded up and freshly cleaned...... I should have went riding somewhere...... anywhere! Oh he's going to hear about this........ NOT a word..... not a card... not a single flower. And where is he right now? Parked in front of the TV watching the Baseball playoff's! I can remember the weekend we got married he almost cried because it was opening weekend for "Coon Hunting Season"! MEN! ARGH!

Sunday, October 14, 2007

Ah, the weekend! 10/13-14

The weekend has came and gone already. I've came to the conclusion that something just isn't right about this..... it's all backwards! The weekend should be 5 days and the work week should be 2. Nice idea!
Saturday was a beautiful but windy, a little cool to ride but I was wanting to so bad. Hubby and I went down to "Wilderness Road State Park" to check out what all they had for this years festival. It really is nice..... and it seems to have had more vendors there this year than any year I've seen before. Talked with the lady in charge of booking the music for the festival and as of now "Wilderness Road Dulcimer" is supposed to be playing there in 2008! So mark those calenders for the second weekend in October and be there!
Today, Sunday, I went up with Mom to Granny's house to go through some of her and Papaw's things to see if there were anything that I wanted to keep. I'm honored to say that I've now got their old guitar and an old electric guitar! I can tell that the flattop has been played many hours from the wear on the neck. I'll cherish it all the rest of my life. Thank you Mom for letting me have it. She also gave me the set of three Yellow Ware bowls! Oh they are sooooooo nice! I'm tickled to death! Can't forget the pair of McCoy planters that stayed on Granny's back porch!
After we loaded up what I brought home, we loaded up some of the things that Mom is keeping. Granny's Electric Organ....... and Sewing machine. I can close my eyes now and see Granny sitting at that Organ playing away. Granny would have been 95 had she lived till this years birthday. It doesn't seem right that she's been gone for 10 months now. Sure do miss that feisty little woman.
We unloaded mom's stuff at her house then I came on and put up what stuff I had. It may take me a few days but I'll get the guitar cleaned and polished up and put new strings on it. It is in pretty fair shape to be as old as it is.
Today was an even warmer and more beautiful day than Saturday was. I'll admit that I kept thinking about how I wanted to load up Kitty and go riding. I got a late start but we made it! Unloaded at the bottom of Stone Mountain at Rose Hill and went to the top and took a right out the ridge. Rode to Crows foot and came back down and headed to the truck via the old railroad bed. Stopped several times just to enjoy the quiet..... to listen to the leaves falling and just looking around. I was alone so I didn't eat any dust what so ever! It was sooooo nice! I know that I broke one of my own rules...... Do NOT ride alone..... but it was just to nice of a day to miss out any riding what so ever. The sun had gone down and it really got cold on me. I stopped and found where I had packed away a jacket and a pair of gloves. They sure did feel nice! It was really dark by the time I got back to the parking lot.... but I was happy. I got to go riding and all is right with the world again!

Friday, October 12, 2007

Attended MTORA meeting

I attended the MTORA meeting last night. I was courious as to what all went on at a meeting. I was shocked to see how few people actually were there considering how many are actually paying members. Now I understand that a lot of members don't live in the area, and I can understand why they don't attend, but for those that live IN the county... that is another story. I guess this is just like "Bluegrass In The Park" was.......... only one or two doing the work and everybody else enjoying what they do!
I could understand if they had meetings every week....... but geezzz people! They only meet once a month.... can't you get out one evening? It isn't like the meeting goes on for hours and hours to where you'd be dead on your feet when you get home. I would have been home by just after 7:30 had I not stopped at the grocery store to pick up a few things. And the meeting didn't start till 6:00!
Anyhow back to the subject, there were 6 people there including myself. The president wasn't there but from what I was told he had a good excuse, but what about the other club officers? I know that the secretary was there but other than where were the others? Maybe at the next meeting they all will show up and dozens other members and make me eat my words.
OH in case you are totally in the dark as to what MTORA is...... this is what it stands for ... Mountain Trails Off Road Association Inc.
Anyhow the good thing that was done was to set a date for the "Joyce Heck Memorial Ride" to be held on Sunday November 4, 2007. Ride to start out at 10:00 AM. I'll do my best to be there unless it is so bitter cold that I can't stand to get out in the air to breath.

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

I have my GPS!

Terry brought the GPS to Dulcimer class last night. I got really lucky. VERY lucky indeed! It is a Garmin etrex Legend Cx. This one came with the basic stuff to install. But Terry found out that he needed more things than this one came with so he bought another one, more expensive of course, that came loaded with all the programs within days of buying this one. He's installed everything that the new one has onto this one for me, for FREE! If I've not mentioned it before now I think the world of Terry and his wife Pam. Those are two of the nicest people on the planet! And the best Dulcimer player in the world! I stand corrected.. Dulcimer Players! Pam plays too.
I had to turn it on last night after getting home. I now know exactly where on earth I'm standing just outside my back porch. Hey it could be handy to know! I'll admit that it is going to take a while to learn exactly how to use it, but in the long run it will be so much fun to have. Now I can download and hit some trails that I've only heard about. Or who knows I may find some new ones that I can share with other people. I rather doubt it, but it could happen.
We got some rain yesterday and the trails should be a lot better this morning, but I can't go on any of them. I've got to go to work and open the shop up at noon so all I can do is talk about going for a ride.
Maybe I'll get lucky and have a few days that are warm enough for me to get out and ride this winter after the shop shuts down. I'm not a big fan of cold, freezing weather. But I might try to put on enough clothes to stay warm and venture out on my own.
Well I guess I need to get off of here and do two things, make that three. Load the dishwasher, load the washing machine and do some more reading in the owners manual.

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

We found our second machine, now to come up with the $$$$


We, husband and I, took a little drive yesterday. Was supposed to leave Sunday evening and spend the night somewhere but didn't get home from Sunday's ride early enough. Just needed to get out of the house and away from everything even if it was just for a day. Started out going to Shoney's at Harrogate for Breakfast. And of course we ate to much.. yet again. Then went into Middlesboro to buy the cheapest gas around. But then it isn't cheap anywhere but at least it beats paying $2.75 a gallon at any station here in town!

While in Middlesboro we went in to see if hubby could find a Bluegrass CD he had been wanting. They had it! He bought the latest Bluegrass CD by Larry Sparks. I've been wanting so bad the CD by Hunter Berry "WOW BABY".... they didn't have that one! Grrrr

We just took off following our noses down the road. Next stop was Morristown, TN. Still couldn't find my CD! Kept going.. We got onto I-40 west bound and got off at the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge exit. NOW lucky for us there is a brand new " Bass Pro" shop at that intersection. Lord how I love going into that place! One of these days I'm going to walk in there with enough money in my pocket to just load up anything and everything that I want from there!

We wondered up and down the isles till we came to the part of the store that has the Arctic Cat ATV's. WOW! Oh how I love those KITTY's! Finally got hubby to sit on an 08 400 4x4. I thnk he really liked what he felt and saw! I sure hope so! OH that thing was pretty! Great ground clearance..... and all the bells and whistles that I'd want on one. It may not be the biggest that AC builds but I honestly think that for no more than he will ride it and I know he will stay off the roughest trails... that it is more than what he needs.

We left there still talking about it.. and kept talking about it all the way home. Oh we did make it on into Pigeon Forge and I made a bee line straight to the "Ernest Tubb Record Shop" and would you believe that they had SOLD OUT of Hunters CD! I was ticked off to say the least! NOT fair! Looks like I'll have to wait till I get to finally see Rhonda & The Rage in person over in Ky the 1st of November then just buy it straight from Hunter at the table.

Cross your fingers and say a prayer that we can swing getting that new Arctic Cat! I do love that thing... it's so sharp!

Sunday, October 7, 2007

Finally found Martin's Fork Lake!






I've always heard it said "Third time is the charm." well.. it's true. The past two weekends we have tried to make it to Martin's Fork Lake in Cawood, Ky. Well today we finally made it! I'll admit, just getting there was an adventure in it's self. After Pringle jinxed the trip right from the start we should have known that we were going to be in trouble. He had a little problem in the parking lot first thing... but then got it going and off we went. Then poor Dale had to stop and put in more water before we even got to Crow's foot. That is when Mudpuppy found that she had lost her cell phone! We, Mudpuppy and I, left and backtracked all the way to the parking lot where we began! But good news.. we did find the phone and kept her out of trouble.. well sorta... it was kinda wet! Maybe it will work when it drys out. I sure hope so. Ok, now on with the trip.... I'm a fairly good rider but we came to a place that I knew it was time for me to get off and let someone else take it over that rock! Now it wasn't just your normal little pebble.. OH no.. that I could do. This is one that put you in danger of flipping straight back!! I knew that my Kitty had the power.... but I found out that I didn't have the nerve. I'd rather be safe than have a broken anything. I drove up to the edge and then took a really good look and yelled for someone to come and do this for me. I walked up and over while Dale rode my Kitty.. but it did have a little help.... not that it needed it but they had the tow line hooked to it to keep it from flipping. I loved what Dale said about Kitty after he got up to where I was.. he said "that thing will climb a tree!" But then after everyone made it up over the boulder there was one other little thing to get over... a tree! Now it wasn't the size of the tree it was the way it had been cut. Someone had cut it a foot high from the ground and leaned it over. Darn if I didn't get stuck on that sucker! But I had help and they got me free and we went on. Finally the lake was in site a few minutes later. LUNCH TIME! After everyone ate it was time to play.. and for some reason they love to see what sort of trouble they can get Mudpuppy in. There was a fallen tree that went over some of the backwater and of course they put her up to going across the tree log. She made it... but she crawled all the way there and back! Next stop was near Cawood. The mudhole that they were heading to was sorta taken.... someone had gotten a truck stuck in it and had just left it there! Next it was off to the river/creek to play in the water. I like water! Mudpuppy got in and washed off some of the mud.... and she had a little help! hehehe Then it was time to head home.... seems like we made it back a heck of a lot quicker than we got there!






But we made it. We all ate dust.. again... cough.... cough. But we made it. Nobody broke down to be towed home, and nobody wrecked and broke anything... so it was a good day!






The leaves are starting to change..... maybe next week the leaves will be at or near peak fall color. Maybe we will go slow enough to get good pictures of it too! Till next week.. stay safe!