Horse event in Bismarck...

This last week Pat and I traveled to Bismarck, ND so Pat could work at a Endurance Ride there.  She was invited after someone had bragged of her abilities.  We left on Thursday and planned to stay at WalMart in Minot then go on Friday to our destination.  As it turned out this was a very good decision.  On Thursday night we were buffeted by winds up to 70 mph after experiencing blinding rainfall going down the highway.  In some areas we traveled through it was reported up to 5 inches in one hour while we were on the road.  Not fun!

The weather changed and by Saturday morning we had lovely North Dakota summer weather.  The included pictures show our "big sky" that Montana likes to brag about.

We spent Friday preparing for the event and watching folks arrive with their horses.  We were bivouacked at a very pretty farm from which the ride was run.

The lady holding the team was the owner of this very handsome pair if ponies and the farm we were camped.  Folks of all ages enjoyed wagon rides.  Canuck, our dog thought they were pretty special and he made a friend of a mule in a paddock where we were parked.  There was also a goat that was very friendly with Canuck.

These pictures were taken on Monday the 21st just before we left for our trip home.  We actually had a mostly dry trip home but it did look threatening all the way.  All in All we had a pleasant weekend and met a group of very fun folks.  We have been invited to return next year and we are looking forward to it.

It is pleasant enough but....

... it is cooler than we expected and damp in the mornings.  We did not bring our cooler weather clothing fully expecting warmer weather.  Color us wrong, eh?  The trailer is comfortable enough, it has a heat pump and gas forced air.  This unit is designed for true ARCTIC conditions.  The good news is that the mosquitos are not active.  

We did get news back from the Vet about Canuck's allergy.  He is slight allergic to ragweed and canadian thistle and some other common weeds.  He is also very allergic to human dander.  We saw the enemy and it were us.  The good news is that a serum is being prepared for him.  The bad news is he will probably need injections periodically, weekly at the worst and monthly at the best.  I can do the injections so we will have to carry the serum with us when we travel.  Poor guy.

We tried an Italian restaurant last night for supper; DiDonna's here in Bismarck.  The food was good.  The overall dinning experience was mediocre.  We probably will not go back.  We really enjoy the Olive Garden restaurants.  They spoil you with excellent service and good food.  At a price though.  The Red Lobster chain is related to the Olive Garden's and we like them very much, unless we are on the Oregon/Washington coast where fine seafood dining is easily found.  

This years first RV outing;

We are parked in a very comfortable KOA park in Bismarck, ND.  The trip here was uneventful, we stopped in Minot, ND for supplies and groceries at the Walmart.  Diesel fuel is hovering around $3.  We use Walmart for our needs when "hooked up" because they have ample parking generally.  We are over 50 feet long and it takes planning when stopping in a parking lot.
This trip was the result of a conference that Pat had to attend.  She is on the board of the state FCE (Homemakers) organization.  FCE is a national organization that started as a education resource for women on the farm in rural America.

Everything seems to be functioning properly.  That is good.  I think we are ready for the trip to Illinois/Indiana now.

Pat will also visit shops that take advantage of those addicted/afflicted with Quilting and are continuing to poison their minds.

Bismarck, although the state capital, is not a very large city.  105,000 represents a small town for most of the country.  We are about 230 miles from home here.

When we escape from Crosby into the hinterlands Pat and I search out the restaurants we do not have access to at home.  Olive Garden and Red Lobster are on our list this trip.  We would prefer other than chain restaurants but that would require more time to seek out and test.  We know what to expect when we go to the chain.  That is security for our limited time.