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| Photo courtesy: BLM.ORG |
I've
been in a frump the last couple of days. Watching the end of my
adventure creep nearer is a bit depressing. To take my mind off it –
I signed up for another Kenda clinic. I cleaned out my trailer to
make room for Cindy and Patty's horses – Cowboy and Mocha. I might
as well use the septic dump while we were there. Plus, taking my rig
freed Dave up to take the bumper pull roping. A person might get the
impression that boy likes to rope.
Cindy
spotted a band of wild burros on a hillside. I was too busy feeling
sorry for myself to appreciate them. “If I didn't have to go
home in two days, maybe I could have spotted a herd while out riding
and snapped some pictures. I bet if I had a little more time, I could
have spotted a Javelina, too.” Instead
of appreciating all the amazing things I've seen and done in the last
two months...I've been busy focusing on the ones I've missed.
J'Lo
did really well at the clinic. Me...not so much. Kenda said my form
is great...I'm riding good...my course management and lines are spot
on. The reason I'm missing balloons is I'm shooting too soon. I need
to “slow my mind down.” I have to remember to “Shoot late and
you'll be right on time.” “If I didn't have to go home
in a couple days...I could take a few more clinics and start hitting
all my balloons again. What do I care...I'll just donate for the
weekend shoot in Vegas, go 'home,' kick rocks and eat worms.”
Dave
met us at Chili's for a late lunch after the clinic. I don't normally
eat out this much. “What difference does it make. I have to go
home in a few days. Doesn't matter if I pack on a few extra pounds
from greasy restaurant food. The extra layer of fat will help keep me
warm when I'm back in Idaho freezing my ass off.”
I
was happy to see Patty eat something besides cold scrambled eggs. The
space formerly known as her tooth was feeling a little better. She
would know more about her travel schedule after her dentist
appointment next week. I told her to keep in touch and I would wait
in Alamo after my Vegas shoot and we could travel back together from
there. Dave and Cindy shook their heads: “Oh for crying out loud,
quit your belly aching...scratch Vegas, enter Winter Range here at
Ben Avery and travel back together so neither one of you are
traveling out across the godforsaken desert alone. we are sick and
tired of you whining about not wanting to go home.” That's not
exactly how they said it...but the meaning was close.
In
that moment....the entire restaurant filled with dancing unicorns and
rainbows. I don't have to go home in two days?! Patty's tooth...or
the space formerly known as her tooth...had bought me a good week. I
feel like I should pick up the dentist bill.
Cindy
rode home with Dave. Patty and I pulled out of the Chili's parking
lot in brighter spirits than when we arrived. We jabbered away as I
kept a close lookout for the burro's. Patty spotted one off by
itself. I missed it, but that's OK. I had another week to look for
burro's, Javelina and maybe even one or two of the sixteen species of
rattlesnakes that live here.
Patty
was already planning the bon-fire she would build when we got “home.”
She realized what she said as soon as she spoke the word: “Home.”
“It feel's like home, doesn't it? I mean Aguila...it feels like
home.” Yes Patty...it feels like home to me, too.”
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