On the Last (Full) Day in Kentucky

     On the last full day in Kentucky, Travis and I slept late. Well, Travis slept late. I got a phone call from his van company checking in to see if they needed to pick him up. I told them (while still mostly asleep) that I canceled the van until Wednesday. She said that's what she had down, but she wanted to double check. I wanted to sleep, but that apparently wasn't meant to be. Though I did get a pretty good amount of sleep. Travis slept until after 11:00. 

     We went to Cracker Barrel for... breakfast (lunch) at noon. And, of course, we found things in the store that we wanted. We did a few more errands, including going to the post office to ship a doll, and then we came back to the hotel. I needed to work some more on packing. I was not completely confident that I could fit everything. Even after successfully bringing an empty suitcase with us. I made some decent packing progress and then we headed out. 

     One of the things on the list of things to do near Lexington, Kentucky, was to ride the rails, with the Rail Explorers. It sounded cool, and we had a reservation. 

     So the idea is you have a motor assisted pedal car that rides along the rails. 

     If I could add a video to this blog (I know it's possible, I have just never managed it) you would be able to hear it, as well as see it. It was really fun!

     There were some really excellent views...

Lots of abandoned railroad cars along the tracks...

Not having to steer made the opportunity for a selfie...

    And there was a tremendous view at the turnaround point. I was a little concerned about this when I read about it, because I am extremely afraid of heights, but this was not scary, just super cool!

     It was also another nice, safe spot for a selfie. Trip selfies are important after all. 

     One of the guides asked if we wanted a photo before we headed back, and of course we did!

     The different areas we rode through were interesting and the whole trip was a lot of fun. I definitely recommend taking the trip (it took us less than 2 hours, but they say it's about 2 hours) and worth it. I may also tour some other places. The ones in Rhode Island and New York are close enough we can try those. 

      Travis decided he wanted a hat, and he has not asked for a whole lot on this trip. But he has been incredibly patient while I showed horses, taught classes, chatted endlessly with friends, and walked all over the Clarion. 

     I got my weekly progress report from Fitbit and it seemed worth sharing. I almost never get that many steps in a week. But vacations are, for us, about seeing new things. I wonder what it would be like to take a trip where we sit on a beach or something. Probably it would seem weird. 

    We decided to go and see a movie, so we found a fairly close theater and went and saw Jurassic World. My phone was at 13% when we left (I had turned it off during the movie to try to save the battery) and I was afraid we wouldn't make it back to the hotel. I needed the GPS after all. So we drove around the plaza where the theater was, hoping something was open at 10:30, and would have a cable. We found a Kroger (still open!) and got a cable. That was the most adventurous part of the day. I am glad of that. On the way back to the car I said to Travis that we really end up buying a lot of weird stuff when we travel. By that I mean we often end up buying things we already own. 

     It's after midnight, again, and we need to check out of the hotel at 11:00. I should get to bed. We are going to have to leave a bunch of food, and bottled water, because we can't take it with us. I hope someone eats the snacks and uses the water. And I hope that I can manage to fit the rest of the stuff in our luggage. Fingers crossed. 

Breyerfest Sale

     I have some things left from Breyerfest that I am looking to sell. Currently, I am offering free shipping on these items. I may entertain some offers on the horses. Thanks!

$700

$650

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$220

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$240

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$260

$240

$230

$220

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$220

On the Last Day of Breyerfest

    On the last day of Breyerfest, I finally remembered to take a photo of some of the setups for my clinic. I still forgot to bring my flowers. Oh well, maybe next year. But I am glad I finally got at least one photo. If I get to do this clinic next year I will change things up a bit. I got some really interesting ideas while I was teaching today. And some really excellent feedback from the large group I had. We can still keep the clinic to 2 hours, but it is tough when either we have a large group or we have a lot of questions. But I do love questions. I had some comments today from people saying I am a very good teacher. That made me really happy. I do love teaching. 

     After the clinic was done, all I could think about was lemonade. And a burrito. So we went and got lunch and Fabian let me know that the special run line was happening right then and that it was super long. I found him in the line, inching closer to the front, but I chose not to get into the line. It was crazy. This is only part of the line, I couldn't manage to fit it all in. 

     I went and bought some model horse jumps from... I can't remember the name of the place, but their jumps are pretty nice, especially considering how inexpensive they are. I bought 2 that I liked because I am thinking, next year, I may want to switch up the classes I offer. And an over fences class could be fun. We'll see, I need to talk to Kat about it. 

     We put the jumps in my duffle bag of tack and stuff and then checked on the second chance line. It was still long, but not nearly as long as it was. So Travis and I decided to get in it. We were getting updates on what was selling out as we went through the line. I was considering getting another surprise, but he sold out, which is good because I told myself I would not buy another one. I did that last year and I still have him. But I looked to see what they had left, that I liked enough, and decided I would get a Croix. And I wanted the dog, so I got him too. 

     I was pretty pleased to see this color when I opened him up. 

     Several days ago, Travis asked me for spaghetti for supper. I had no idea where to get spaghetti and we didn't really have time to go out to dinner, so we hadn't gotten any. But we left the horse park at about 3:45 today and I remembered we also hadn't gone on our coffee date on Friday. That was unacceptable so we went to Barnes and Noble. Then we went and found spaghetti. Travis was really happy with it. 

    I didn't sit in the arena at all this year, so I didn't see much for horse performances, but it was still a pretty nice Breyerfest year. I got to see some people I haven't seen in a long time, and I got to spend time with so many model horse friends. Travis had a good time at least some of the time, and he was super awesome the entire time. We have another day and a half in Kentucky and a couple more things we're planning on doing. It should be fun. 

More Breyerfest

        This morning there were cool dioramas in the hands on hobby tent right next to where my judging clinic is held. So I had to take a look and take pics of some of the ones I liked the best. 

     I really love this one. I still find it fun and interesting that people just walk in and out of everyone's hotel rooms at the Clarion. 

     There were a bunch of other dioramas as well, but these 3 were definitely my favorites. 

     The performance judging clinic went really well today. I had a really excellent group of people that had excellent questions and contributions. we talked so much that I had to sort of cut us off so we could get into the judging. We used pretty much every minute of our time and then I had to call Kat for a ride to Alltech for our workshop. Travis and I were going to make Mari Lwyds. I was really excited for this workshop!

     Travis was exhausted because we didn't get a lot of sleep, but he did some of his project. I helped him with some of it too. After awhile he just sat there. I think he was half asleep. This guy has done so much sitting, and waiting for me, all this weekend. He's been so patient. 

    I had a fantastic time making my Mari Lwyd! I am excited to add her to my Yule decorations this year. 

    We took the shuttle back to the horse park and went to look at the horses a bit. 

     Maybe tomorrow we'll get pictures with some horses. Today was so humid and I really just wanted to take a nap. 

     There was no line for the store so we went to see what we might want. Travis chose a family of horses for himself (cool!) and he wanted the Breyerfest tumblers. That guy really likes cool glasses. I was sort of well behaved in the store and didn't get too much. We went and got something to eat and watched a little bit of the vaulting. We couldn't find seats so we only could see a little bit of it and I got a few photos. We were blocking the stairs and I didn't want to stay there. 

     We went back to the hotel and had a bit of a nap and then headed to the Clarion. We took a turn selling and then I went and spent a bunch of money. we visited a bit here and there and then headed back to the hotel again. And now it's time to sleep so we can get up and do it all again tomorrow. 

Teaching at BreyerFest

    Today, well really yesterday, since it’s after midnight, I taught my first judging clinic at BreyerFest. It was a little bit nerve wracking because I didn’t think I would make it into the park with how huge the line was when we got in it. But Kat came and rescued us and took us into the park and right to the hobby tent. I got right to work tacking up horses and getting prepared.

     Travis hung out while I got things ready and was just as awesome as he was at Resin Renaissance. My son really is the greatest. 

     After I got things prepped we walked around a bit, got some lunch, and went through the special run line, since it wasn’t long in the afternoon. At about 1:30 we heeded back to the hobby tent to get the classes set up. 

    It was a little scary standing there waiting for 2:00, but once I got started it was fun. I had a small group which made it really easy. Everyone could go up and judge the classes at the same time.

    It was a fantastic experience and I got some more ideas on how to teach the clinic. Everyone did a great job and had excellent reasons behind their placings. Sometimes everyone agreed on the order, but sometimes there were a few discrepancies. And each person was right. They had reasons behind their placings and they had decided how much weight each flaw held. It was fanstastic.

    Near the end of the class it started to rain. It was a super quick storm which cooled things down for about 5 minutes. Then it started to get steamy. I was very glad I had my parasol.

    So my first day of teaching at BreyerFest was awesome and I am really glad that I decided to do this. Now I’m ready to do it again tomorrow (later today) and then once more on Sunday. I definitely loved it!
 

Back Into It

      Yesterday, we finally made it to Kentucky. By the time we got into the hotel, got to Walmart (again) to get food for the week, and had something to eat, it was already after 8:00. And I was annoyed. I was doing so great just rolling with things but the delay really messed with my plans. But I got over it sooner enough and was back to being in a good mood. 

      Eventually, we went to the Clarion and got the dolls into Fabian and Angelo's room (643). But we didn't stay long, we were so tired, and I was showing today. 

     I have not shown in almost 5 years. So I decided to just show one horse. That seemed sane enough. But, of course, I wanted to see if I could show her in everything. I didn't show her in everything, but I showed her in at least 3 classes in all 3 divisions. The classes were tough and it was a long day of showing. Travis hung out at the table and chilled for the entire show. We got up to take a walk once, but that was it. Dude is so amazing. People kept commenting that they forgot he was there. 

      While I haven't shown in about 5 years I haven't forgotten how to show. Mocha Latte didn't sweep the show or anything, but she did get a bunch of ribbons, reserve champ in English performance, runner up high point horse, and I think (I need to check on this) reserve in versatility. I'll do a full show report in another post. 

     We left the show hall at about 6:00 and all I wanted to do was take a nap. But we needed to go and find something to eat and get back to the Clarion for the glow party. This may have been the coolest thing ever and I am SO glad I chose for us to do this! We painted horses...

     Don't they look awesome!

     Travis jumped, danced, and ran (carefully) in a dance/running area that Shauna asked him if he wanted. He was, of course, allowed to go wherever he wanted, but if he wanted to run he had a designated area. And he danced, jumped (really high!) and ran (carefully) and had a fantastic time for himself. He smiled the entire time. I am extremely glad we did this. 

      When the glow party ended, a bunch of us went down the hall and "crashed" the Breyer birthday bash. It was fun! Travis and I did some more dancing in there and got a selfie at the selfie booth. We only stayed a bit because I was so tired. 

     Since we were parked in the back lot of the Griffin Gate we decided to go over to the Mansion and to the Stone store. Travis got a pic with Erin's new horse. We walked around the store and I resisted buying a Bunny. She's awesome and I really like her, but I want to absolutely love anything I buy this year. So I bought a sticker and a T-shirt (if you make a T-shirt in black I will be more inclined to want it) and I will see if I dwell on that Bunny. If I do, I will go back and get her. If she's gone then it just wasn't meant to be. 

     So our first full day in Kentucky was packed full of stuff and it was pretty fun. Tomorrow is the first official day of Breyerfest and the first day I will teach the judging clinic. I'm a little nervous. Though I am sure once I do it, or even just once I start it, I will absolutely love it and want to do it again.