Reasons

There were two reasons for me being out of electronic touch this weekend.

Reason Number One: My laptop was misbehaving. Badly. So badly that ASUS tech support said, and I quote, "You have to run a Windows recovery, the problems are not fixable otherwise." One of the things it was doing wrong, was it could not create new network connections and, therefore, could not connect to any wireless networks other than our home network. This I learned last Tuesday when I tried to hook into the library's wireless network.

Reason Number Two: We took Neatnik on a surprise weekend trip to the ranch. No, not that ranch, this ranch. Due to Reason Number One, the laptop was left at home to consider the error of its ways.

While the laptop sat on my desk, unplugged and lonely, we had a nice little weekend away from home. Number Guy and I arose at 6:15am, showered, and began to pack suitcases. When Neatnik woke up, she asked us what we were doing. We simply said that we were packing for an adventure and requested that she start bringing us some clothing.

We were on the road by eight: Number Guy driving, Neatnik in her booster seat, and me knitting shot gun.

One of the very nice things about visiting the ranch is that we can leave home at a reasonable hour of the morning and arrive there just as they are getting ready to serve lunch. They are also very accommodating about late check-out if there isn't another party coming to occupy your room the day you are leaving.

I was able to enjoy about eight hours of trail riding and Neatnik had numerous pony rides and corral lessons. Note to self: Never again ride a Percheron cross, these horses are wide and so their saddles are correspondingly big.

There are plenty of other activities, apart from the riding. I took Neatnik on her first rowboat ride; we did a little fishing; we played some bingo and musical chairs; Neatnik danced; and we spent a bit of time in the pool.

Neatnik and I also hiked up to the "castle" again this year. She was the youngest one on the hike and the eldest was this sweet 77 year old lady who went the entire distance whilst carrying her white pocketbook on her shoulder. I was really impressed that she kept up with the group. She was really impressed that Neatnik kept up with the ranch's Labrador who usually helps to lead the hikes. Her son sketched this Energizer Bunny in Neatnik's honor.

Just keeps going and going and ...

Since the ranch is on a mountain in the Adirondacks, there is a fair bit of wildlife, if you can spot it. Neatnik caught a small orange salamander and a tan and black speckled toad and I saw ground squirrels and deer on the trails. We even saw some small perch hanging around near the dock, though, as I mentioned earlier, we didn't catch any of them.

Unfortunately, I left my camera at home.

I've spend most of the day sorting, washing, drying, folding, and stashing horsey clothing while at the same time trying to rebuild my laptop and laying in some victuals. I still need to hit the other grocery store and figure out what to make for dinner. After that, I have to finish up the computer's rebuild and maybe then I'll have a moment to knit.