3/14/09

We had our last wonderful breskfast, packed the car and it was off to the races. For the harness (sulky) ride we arrived at Horsepower just down the road from where we stayed. There I met Jim my driver and he let me groom the horse, Mattie. He is a Saddlebred horse at 16 hands. There was quite a bit of gear to put on the horse and that took several minutes. Jim would do one side and I did the other. The gear included a bridle, breast strap, the hobbles that go around the legs, a sircingle, two sets of reins, knee and shin pads, and probably more that but I don't know what to call it.

Jim put on the cart and showed me how to sit on the reins and how to hold them. Then we went out to the track and we where off. We started at a slow trot for three times around, turned around and began to pick up the pace. Jim has an extensive history with horses and has raced before. So when we got to the 800 meter mark he began increasing the pace just as in a race, then more at the 400 meter, and in the home stretch even faster until we where going about 30mph. It didn't seem that fast but in the movies Al took you can see the speed. It was a wonderful experience.

The horse was only 9 years old and is not racing anymore but in his day nearly made it to the big races. They start training the horses at a year old and race them at two years if they are ready. Jim said some horses take to the hobbles quite easily and some require more time. For the horse the gait is quite different in that both legs on one side move together. And in watching his gait as we where moving their hind leg comes back, then out, and then forward. One would think that they would have hip problems but according to Jim the only problem that arises are muscular issues with the back and this make sense. I was able to give Mattie a bath afterwards and then we where off to our next destination.

The Antartic Center was nice with lots of information about Antartica, blue peguins, and a room that takes resembles what it would be like there during a storm. We put on rubber boots over our shoes and big heavy coates with hoods. Once in the room the temps went down to minus 18 C with the wind chill that they blowed in. We where standing on ice as well. It wasn't that bad but we where grateful to have on the gear they provided, and wondered about the guys in shorts and flip flops.

The last part of the tour was riding in a Hagglund that is what they use for mobility in Antartica. It can go up over grades of 45 degrees, can go in water, as we did, and along sides of hills that we did as well.

Both of this day's events are right by the airport so no worries. We have turned in the car, someone actually checked it today. We have eaten and are now waiting to board our first flight.

Had an hour delay in LA waiting for our connection, but made it safe back home, thanks to Andrew picking us up by 11:20 PM.

All this adventure and travel and all on the same day. For us this last 24 hours seemed to go just a litle longer.

Blessings to all of you.