My New Goal

What is this I see?

So, since money is a thing of the past (what else would I expect with a blog title called Four Mares. NO GODDAMN MONEY) I started to get over the fact that I will not be competing in my first recognized event this year. That's ok because I haven't been able to ride and I would actually hope and like to do decently at one of those things.

Also, why can't I ride? Welp, when you don't put a base down in your arena, and someone has burned a big pile of stuff where you placed your arena sand, that stuff starts to come up over time. Stuff like nails. And an exacto knife. And more nails. So, until we get our hands on a metal detector, everybody is on vacation. It's not like I can do much anyways, because, health. But still. I like to toodle bareback to keep my sanity.

Now that my sanity is out the window, I came up with making a bucket list. First: Go to Rolex and the Kentucky Derby (and all stud farms and Keenland, etc). Second: Compete in recognized event (I'm not letting that dream go). And third: hike up to Goat Lake in the Sawtooth Mountains.

Part of the Sawtooth range

That's all I have. I showed my husband the list. He looked at number three and said "let's do it". You see, my arthritis has begun to cause me far more pain than before. Just the other day while I went to pick up my meds, I had two people point at me and talk to the person next to them. Why were they pointing? Probably because of the way I was walking. One of them was a kid, so he hardly counts, but the other two old ladies made me feel pretty bad. I am starting to get use to people looking and staring, and there are a large handful of people that ask what is wrong with me. They always assume I am sore or hurt a leg and none are ever expecting the answer I give them. Some laugh, like it might not be true. Others look at me funny. That is just the way it is now.

My brother is going with me!

I have an appointment with a new doctor at the state's arthritis center. He may not be able to help my Lyme disease, but maybe he could help me alleviate some arthritis pain. I also have had some swelling in my right leg just above my ankle, somewhat edema like, and that is a bit concerning. I noticed it about a week ago, no idea how long it has been there, but it doesn't seem to want to leave. I threatened to wear a polo wrap around the house to see if that helps.

Picture of Goat Lake from here

You are probably now thinking, how the heck are you going to hike up a mountain? It is an 8.5-mile round trip to an alpine lake in my favorite place, Stanley. Since I appear to be getting worse and not better, might as well try to bust this thing out now. I may need the help of some left over pain meds from my surgery (shhh, don't tell) but hey, if it let's me have one happy day where I feel like I accomplished something this year, then fine. Blake is very excited and has been researching and gathering items for the hike. You start off at a campsite and hike up a trail along Goat Creek to Goat Falls. This is where you take an unmarked trail and over some scree to get to Goat Lake. If I am doing alright with that, we may hike the additional 1.5 miles to Sawtooth Lake, which is bigger. The trail is marked as moderate, and based on what others have said, it should be doable.

Picture from here

And another of Goat Falls borrowed from Boise Weekly

August 9th is the big day. And hopefully I will feel on top of the world.

Sawtooth Lake captured from here