Post Covid Bucket List: Uncle Buck’s Trail Ride

The first in the series of things I want to do when we’re free again is to take a trail ride at Uncle Buck’s Riding Stable and Dance Barn. I’ve known the owner for many years but somehow have never made it out for a ride.

His name is Dave but everyone just calls him Uncle Buck. He’s a good community minded man who loves his horses and who makes pretty music with a couple of local bands.

They do a few different rides but I have my eye one one that goes through the Zaleski State Forest to the Moonville Tunnel.

Moonville is a ghost town and the tunnel is said to be haunted. A rail trail has been built in the area and goes right through the tunnel. The state forest is expansive and is beautiful especially in spring and fall. I’ve been to Moonville and to these woods many times but never on a horse!

Uncle Buck’s draws a large number of tourists but they take out small groups so you still have an intimate and authentic experience. Once upon a time I ran the county visitors’ center so I’ve sent a lot of people their way over the years. Yet I’ve never done a trail ride.

Maybe I’ll get some friends together or I may go solo. Either way, this is the year I go support my friend’s business.

Want to read about Uncle Buck’s? If you’re ever in southern Ohio, I’m sure they’d love to get you out on the trail!  Read about them here.

Cancelled Plans and Quarantines

Anyone who has been reading here for a while might remember the Winter Survival Guide I wrote last fall. Well, it sadly, now contains much relevant advice for anyone who isn’t accustomed to staying at home for long periods of time.

Thanks to COVID – 19, lots more people know how to spell the word apocalypse and have such an enormous supply of toilet paper they won’t need to stock up for a few years. Many parents have learned that their kids aren’t such great students after all and that staying home from work isn’t so fun when you have nowhere to go.

The year just isn’t working out as planned.

There were a number of adventures on my calendar beginning this week so I have been working hard to coax myself out of the mindset that I’ll soon be out running around and exploring the world.

Friends, it has been a real challenge.

At this point, I go to the office and back home. Even my hair appointment got cancelled! I think I speak for ladies everywhere when I say that I’m not prepared to meet the four horsemen of the apocalypse with my roots showing but have no choice thanks to common sense and an order from the governor.

While work has kept me busy, home has made me lethargic. But I’m not the type to just sit around. Instead, I’m typically up and moving, busy with chores and trying to make the most of the little time I have each evening.

This has been a struggle as well

I have started a list of things to do/clean/read/organize/ research for a few weeks. Maybe when this all over, my house will be in order and all those little projects wrapped up.

Meanwhile, Scout is thrilled to have me home so at least someone is happy!

Stay safe, friends. Follow direction from the CDC and remember the quicker we all distance and quarantine ourselves, the quicker this will all be done and life can settle into a new normal.

There are better days ahead.

The View From Here

This is the George Rogers Clark Memorial in Vincennes, Indiana. I sat on those steps early one fall morning in 2018 and watched the sunrise. It was a beautiful Saturday morning and the town was quiet.

I sat here for a long time just enjoying the peace and lost in my own thoughts. That was a rebuilding year for me personally and one of the best things that came out of that time was that I managed a good bit of travel and embraced my status as a single person. Sitting here that morning I realized that I was ok with who I was and the fact it’s just me.

The sunrise view from these steps wasn’t the best but the view of my life from these steps was darn good.

At the end of the day, you’re all you have and no amount of money, no stuff, no job, no relationship and no promises will change that. Embrace who you are, learn to take care of yourself, take the solo trip, eat alone in the restaurant, go live your life.

The sun will rise and set every day. In between the two, there are adventures to be had. Don’t waste a single minute. Get out there and enjoy life.

Welcome To The Twenties!

My New Year’s Eve celebration involved a quiet evening at home with the cat rather than a raucous party like the one above. And I’m ok with that. Although, this does look like a fun crowd!

However you celebrated, I hope you enjoyed it. Happy New Year!

Vacation and Reflection

My October vacation was nearly perfect but not for the reasons most people love their vacations. I liked it for the way it was structured.

Hear me out.

A few days were spent away from home, in places I did not know and could explore for the first time.

A couple days were spent exploring in my own region.

There was a day spent with my folks and an evening around a camp fire with extended family.

And there was time spent at home cooking, doing projects and relaxing with Scout.

Nothing cost a lot of money. I had time with others and plenty of solo time as well.

The last day was spent at home doing small chores, reading, watching a movie and reflecting on a nice, long break from work.

Going back to work the next day was ok.

It was important to allow that down time and to prioritize reflection. Too often we we don’t stop and think about what we have just experienced. We simply enjoy the moment and then push forward to the next. Happiness is connected to gratitude and it’s important to be grateful for the good and even the mundane that we have experienced.

Whether it’s a vacation, dinner with your family or an afternoon at the museum, you will be well served to revisit those memories as much as possible.

You will be happier for it.

Tomorrow we’ll talk about a fun discovery I made while exploring my own area. Hope to see you back here soon!

Wanderlust

Go, my friends. Explore somewhere new – even if it’s just in your own back yard. Adventure doesn’t have to be expensive or far away. It just has to be fun!

Blessed Are The Curious

Truer words have never been spoken. Life is worth living, my friends. Never forget that. So break out of that routine and go chase an adventure!! Then report back! I want details and ideas for future fun!!!!