2018 MULE DAYS (49TH Annual) vol. 2

THURSDAY, 24 May:

 We had a pleasant walk West of downtown Big Pine before breakfast. We walked up to where the road crosses the creek.

Big Pine Creek 1

Big Pine Creek 2

Indian Paintbrush

Lupine
Some of the events I enjoy are the driving classes. This morning the wagons and teams needed to maneuver around a course which also involved backing to a loading area, and loading and off loading a barrel. First there were the adult classes and then followed by the junior classes. 

Team Driving

Team Driving 2

As you can imagine, this little guy stole the show though he only placed third, I think. 

Junior Team Driving - Here you can see an obstacle (they have to stay between the poles.)

Junior Team Driving 2

Later DawnMarie competed with one of her donkeys, in the Donkey Driving Class and placed.

 

DawnMarie Driving 1

Mr. Earistable and DM

Another fun event to watch is steer stopping. It is a timed event, and you have to be quite accurate and quick with a lasso. It takes lots of  practice. This series shows a bit of the intracacies and athleticism of both the rider and the mule.  

Went with Tina to visit Barbara Couture, a vendor who usually has some nice Indian jewelry to show and sell.  I purchased a nice bracelet with turquoise stones. A real selling point was also that it was the right size for my small wrist. I was also interested in a pendant but she had none with her this year. 

The temperatures today were quite comfortable. This was due in  part to it being windy all day. Tonight we enjoyed Indian Fry bread Tacos which are made right in front of your eyes at the fairgrounds. I always look forward to this meal, as it is quite the treat, and delicious.

FRIDAY, 25 May:

This morning we supported the local economy by having breakfast at Country Kitchen, located in the center of Big Pine after our morning walk. It was good and enjoyable.

We took in most of the morning events in the Main Arena at Mule days: Donkey Barrel Racing, 

Long Ears and Long Legs

and Mule Barrel Racing:

Then there were the next rounds of the Steer Stopping, 

 and Team Roping.

Another interesting class is the Farm Equipment Class. Old equipment that was driven by mule(s). are displayed, and they then have to demonstrate how they work. It is a great way to learn how things used to be done in farming in the early 1900's and late 1800's.

 And a Junior entry in the Farm Equipment class. Children were often working the farm equipment.

In the afternoon George and I went to the City Park to browse the various booths set up there. Got some garlic from the Gilroy Garlic guys, some of the nice soap I like, and that was about it. I found my desired handbag back at the Fairgrounds. It is tooled leather and large, but not too large.

Justin and Tina cooked up dinner as we sat around and watched in the late afternoon.  We had beef and shrimp fajitas right off their grill. They were delicious. It is obvious that Justin loves to cook, and Tina does a great job as the first class assistant or maybe sous chef. J Again it was a very windy day, but that kept things cool once again and comfortable.

2018 MULE DAYS (49TH Annual)

2018 MULE DAYS (49^THAnnual)

TUESDAY, 22 MAY:

We were off early, 0500, for Bishop Mule Days in order to be a little ahead of the morning commute North. We succeeded. The traffic flowed through Temecula and onto CA 91 where it did slow and bunch up a bit. It was not long though before we passed the I-10 interchange and we could relax a bit. We were in Big Pine by mid-day checking into our motel. 

We made contact with Tina, Justin, DawnMarie, and VidaRose at their Tack Room before DawnMarie was off to show her donkeys in English Jumping and Pleasure Classes. I know it is hard for you to accept that mules do these things, but donkeys can do these events as well, though sometimes they can be cantankerous. I do not have pictures of these events as I was using Tina's camera this afternoon. DawnMarie works and trains her animals very well and it shows in that she gets a number of awards each year.

Traditionally in the evening we head for Amigos  for a delicious Mexican dinner. We usually get their Tuesday special of lobster enchiladas, but Tina suggested we try their Cancun Enchiladas. They were delicious. I think I have had them in the past, and they were as good as before. They were tastier than the lobster enchiladas.

After dinner we headed back to our motel, The Big Pine Motel, while the group went back to the animals to do some riding and   put the animals to bed.

WEDNESDAY, 23 MAY:

The morning was clear and cool. We enjoyed a morning walk East of town into a bit of the foothills. We always enjoy this walk as we can see and appreciate the lingering layer of snow in the Palisades region of the Eastern Sierra. 

Looking up at the Palisades Glacier

This year we came across a turkey vulture in the road that eventually flew up and roosted in a cottonwood tree. 

Turkey Vulture Looking

We also saw a couple of butterflies, and a couple of good sized lizards basking on the rocks. 

Lizard

Once back at the Motel, we enjoyed our breakfast of sweet pretzels, bananas, and coffee, before heading off to Bishop for the day. 

It was another day of English riding and jumping classes as well as dressage. I have no pictures of the dressage classes as I used Tina’s camera so I would not have to deal with sending pictures to her. J

DawnMarie showed donkeys in the English classes including jumping with Mr. Earistable. Then Tina had a round in the English Pleasure class with her mule.

DawnMarie & Mr. Earistable

Donkey - English Jumping

Mr. Earistable with DawnMarie 

Tina and Justin provided dinner of Chili and Corn Cakes. This they had prepared in Ohio, and froze to be consumed at Bishop. It was

delicious.

FAMILY FALL TRIP TO MAINE - 3

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25^TH.  

Today was a travel day back to Freeport, Maine. We returned to Castine to clean up the headstones on my parents’ graves. We did a fairly good job of making the stones readable once again. This was all done in a light rain which continued through out the day. As we had made a number of stops on the way North, we did not stop for anything in particular on the way South. We did make a rest stop in Camden and actually found the three masted schooner, Victory Chimes, dressed for the winter. This vessel used to stop in Castine weekly during the summers, and we were well acquainted with its’ owner and captain that lived in Castine.

Tina had booked us into the Hilton Garden Inn for the evening. Thus we were within easy walking distance of L. L. Bean’s main store as well as their outlet store. We all did some browsing and buying here. I found a pair of hiking boots which will replace my older leather boots. Afterwards we had dinner at the Jameson Tavern which was very good.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26^TH.

Today we went to Melrose, Massachusetts, to visit with my brother Jack and his wife Ellie. 

My Brother and I with Portrait of our Grandfather in the Background 

It was wonderful to see them both. We swapped family stories, took pictures, and enjoyed lunch at Turner’s Seafood Grill and Market in down town Melrose. I am very glad that we made the time for this visit as I had not seen them since 2011 when I went East for my late Cousin Priscilla’s 100^th birthday.

We returned to Westbrook for the evening as we had flights out of Portland the next morning. 

It was a great trip and we all enjoyed ourselves. It was wonderful sharing our memories of Castine and Maine with the family.  We are now plotting for the next family adventure to another national Park in 2019. Stay tuned.

Happy Trails and Memories to all.

FAMILY FALL TRIP TO MAINE - 2

MONDAY, OCTOBER 23^RD

After another breakfast at 2 CATS, we were off to the top of Cadillac Mountain, It was a foggy morning, but when we got to the top we were above the fog. We enjoyed watching the clouds/fog move about, and taking different pictures. 

Clouds Rolling In

Foggy Entrance to Bar Harbor

George and Klara then took off for Bar Harbor via the Gorge Path and Kebo Mtn. Trails. We met them later in the afternoon. This was quite a difficult trail and outing for them. There were a number of steep down slopes. I am glad that I did not do this one.

Tina, Justin, and I enjoyed a more casual day of a drive along the Park Loop Road with visits to Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, and Otter Cliffs.

Fall Blanket

Sandy Beach Art

We also visited Northeast Harbor before returning to the Jordan Pond area. 

Rocky Coast Line

We went to the Jordon Pond House and found that the afternoon teas were done for the season as they were busy tearing up the lawn area. Lunch again was on the shore of the Pond. 

Jordon Pond and the Bubbles

Snoopy Mobile

Entry to Carriage House

Back in Bar Harbor we did some browsing as we waited to connect with our hearty hikers. Our downfall was an Indian jewelry store and an independent book store. (We could have worse afflictions!).

Dinner tonight was in Bar Harbor at the Finback Alehouse. This time I enjoyed fish and chips. We again visited the fire ring at the Motel and shared our blueberry pie. It was a big success.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24^TH. 

We again headed for Cadillac Mountain for sunrise. We almost got blown off the mountain due to very strong winds. 

Sunrise through the Clouds

Sunrise a few Minutes Later

In order to photograph the sunrise I sat on the ground with the tripod as low as it would go. There was also some low clouds/fog in the air. It was a pretty sunrise but chilly for us sun birds from San Diego.

Lichen Covered Granite

A Chilly Morning even for Klara

We enjoyed breakfast on the waterfront in town. There was some more browsing as Tina wanted to show Justin a couple of stores. After a break we headed back to the Visitor Center to pick up one of the Carriage Roads for a casual afternoon hike in the midst of fall color.

Fallen Leaves

Carriage Road View

Green and Yellow