Back on a horse!

July 27, 2017

Back on the horse!  I am spending the night at a horse corral at Diamond Lake, Wow, what a day.  After falling off a horse in 1957, finally, 60 years later, I got back on a horse and rode around the parking lot!  I DID IT!

 The first and last time (until today), I rode a horse, my best friend and I took a bridle up the hill to fetch a tame horse.  We caught the horse, which wasn't hard as the horse stood still while we put the bridle on. We stood on the high side of the hill and it was easy to get on and we rode bareback down the hill, together on the same horse..  The horse walked very slowly down the hill, clop, clop, clop, all the while the two of us were slowly sliding forward on the horse, inch by inch.  When we came to the barn yard, we both were sitting on the withers (shoulders) of the horse.  Clop, clop, stop!  The horse was standing still and both of us fell off together, boom on the ground!  We both were laughing so hard, (neither one of us were hurt), but the horse looked around and said something like this, with his eyes..."What is your problem",  Today was the first time I have been on a horse since!

I spent yesterday and the day before, staying in my RV at a perfect site, near the Lodge, of a Thousand Trails RV park near Bend.  I was close enough that I could get their Wifi from the Lodge, and I was able to stream FTHCM Church for Bible Study on Tuesday night.  I was catching up on my blogs and didn't even go outside until my Nephew and his wife came for dinner on Wednesday evening.  I fixed taco soup, salad, guacamole' dip and chips for appetizer and they brought dessert.  Desert was an awesome berry pie and watermelon.  We never ate the watermelon so they left it with me, and the rest of the pie (which is gone now,oops!)  I made a 5 qt. crock pot of  Taco soup and a huge salad and there was a lot left over.  I now know why. 

After dinner, they walked me around the RV park.  The pool was closed, but I had seen a lot of young people going by with floaters and tubes and coming back wet.  We figured it out.  When we walked down behind the Lodge there was a small river where they could launch their floaters and canoes.  Next time I come, I will have a floater!  It looks like so much fun.  We enjoyed the walk and the fellowship.  They are so special, and if you ever want to buy a house in Bend, Chris Bellardi, Broker, is your man (208-818-2453).  He has the amazing ability to listen to your needs and find the perfect fit for you.  This area is beautiful and people are beginning to "discover" it.  It has so much to offer.  If you want to sell your house in Bend, he's your man too!

The Eclipse on August 21st, is all the rage around here.  People are coming from all over to see the eclipse from Bend.  It is supposed to be the best place to see it in Oregon.  Businesses are closing, they are closing the road, people are renting their extra bedrooms for $2.000 for that night, selling eclipse glasses and tee shirts.  All the RV parks and Hotels are booked up, and have been for some time.  It is happening in other parts of Oregon as well.

My Nephew helped me unhook the water, then, we said our goodbyes.  I left the electric hooked up until this morning. 

Today, I left the RV park about noon, after dumping the sewer tank (Black water).  I had a nice drive back down to Diamond Lake, this time, I got to go to an overlook, and saw the royal blue lake, beautiful with a snow covered mountain in the background, nestled among the tall fir trees.  After I saw the lake, a half a mile later, was the Diamond Lake horse Corral, where I stopped before. I saw Scottie and Wayne and others that were working there.  We talked a while and I rode the horse and took some pictures.  I didn't need to go far, just getting back on the horse was enough.  After I rode, they closed the operation and I fixed dinner for everybody  and we ate outside.  There was enough for 8 people, not everyone showed up to eat, which was great because now there is still enough food to take back and help out my Sister with her guest this weekend.  God is so good!  I served the Taco soup, green salad, and a fruit salad with watermelon, cantelope, strawberries, and blackberries.

Wayne, as I mentioned before, is 79 and still running this establishment.  He has 19 horses and a buckboard wagon that came across the plains from Missouri in a wagon train.  He has a small carriage from the 1900's.  They give pony rides for children, as well as trail rides and hunting trips for elk and deer.  Wayne is a true cowboy, growing up on a horse ranch, he "broke" horses (taking a wild horse and "breaking" his will to his will, allowing the horse to be ridden.)  I saw pictures of him on a bucking horse. 

I adopted his son Scottie (the paraplegic who shares Jesus and the dangers of drugs).  I was impressed to give him 3 CD's of  FTHCM teachings.  He was grateful that I came, and came back, because he was going through, some stuff, and needed encouragement.  Pray for Scottie, he is a remarkable young man and God has a mighty work for him.  He has a lot of good ideas for this place and is the PR man.  

After dinner, they made a campfire, the weather was great.  They said it sometimes goes down to the 30's in the Summer at night, and in the 80's during the day.  They invited me to stay in the parking lot (near the horse corral) and hooked my RV up to electricity.  I checked the weather and it will only go down to the 60's tonight, thank God!  I will head out in the morning for Myrtle Point as I have been invited to Breakfast at 11 AM.

I will have to leave here by 7 AM, it is 10:30 PM now. Good Night