Coast 2 Coast

I think this may have been one of the nicest towns that we have stayed in to date. When we arrived in Rosalia we planned on only staying for one evening, as things turned out we were there for 4 (we did not plan that). After we woke from our naps in the pasture/arena we fed everyone and debated what we wanted to do for dinner. A wonderful man came down to make sure we got everything we needed and said that we could stay as long as we wanted and if we liked we could stay on our way back – how nice was that?!   And later a very nice woman came by (who helped us arrange the stay at the rodeo fairgrounds) to see how things were going and let us know where she lived.  Town hospitality!! (and honestly how could someone expect less from a town where the info center that looks like the old gas station from Mayberry and the attendant is dressed like Barney Fife (really). (oh, and I think I may have just dated myself )

There is  a restaurant/bar (the only restaurant in town) called the Brass Rail. Now if you are looking for hospiutality and good food – well there you have it! I Loved this place, and did I mention they also have wi fi?!!  Needless to say we spent some time here. I was able to get some blogs caught up, etc. We decided to stay a second night in Rosalia because the horses had such great grazing (instead of staying 2 in Tekoa). The second night we went up to the brass rail to grab a bite to eat and I could write some more when mention of a poker game pulled on my ear. Yes, I love playing Texas Hold em.  One of the owners mentioned it and I said really (trying to keep the excitement out of my voice. She said they would love to have new blood in the game. She put my name in without me even having to tell the guys (actually when I asked if I could join in they already had me down. There was another young bartender there that loved what we were doing. He came over and said I want to donate some money, but I only have 10.00. I said that was very kind of him and that was 10.00 dollars more than we had a minute agoJ That really is the concept behind doing this. We have been conditioned that we need to give a lot to make a difference, but in reality if everyone gave only a dollar what a difference we could all make! It is the same with a place to rest the horses or rest our heads – these are HUGE!  Sitting in Rosalia, playing poker with a group of people was so much fun and talk about feeling like my life was a bit more normal and every time I think of this night I smile --- words cannot describe just how fun that was! The fellow sitting to my left asked me where I was from and what we were doing there. When I told him about the ride, more questions followed. Then to my surprise he told me he worked for a tv station in Spokane and thought they would like to do a story on the ride! Wow! Before I left I gave him my cell number and the next day I received a call from the producer of the station.  They drove over an hour to do a segment!

The next day we got up, packed up our gear to head out, tacked up Gabe and wouldn’t you know it he threw his shoe! (ok, not so much threw as it simply fell off from wear).  I thought, Andy has had a rest, lets give it a go on him as Idaho was so close you could smell it ;). I took my gear off Gabe, put it on Andy and made it 2 miles before I could feel his stride change to the oh no, I will not hurt him just to make it to the border! (And Rosie would not go buy herself). So Dan picked us up with the rig and back to the rodeo fairgrounds we went (weeee’’rrreeee baaaacccckkkk).   Now to find a farrier (I spent 3 hours looking for his shoe in the tall grass.  We went back up to the brass rail as we knew the owners had a horse and asked about a  farrier, a few people had ideas, calls were made (wouldn’t you know it there was a rodeo in another town so  …..another day shot. Then a return call from Dave Israel . They came out the same day as the station (we were going to meet in Tekoa, but change of plans….. After giving Gabe a new set of shoes (beauties to say the least!) they asked what our plans for the evening were, then proceeded to invite us to their home for a BBQ. And what a feast it was (they actually cater bbq’s as well) It was actually just before going there that Dan mentioned that he may not want to ride any further. I told him that I would need a yes or no before going into Idaho as I had no intentions of turning around unless we just couldn’t go any further. The next morning he had made up his mind. And as I rode for the Idaho border I realized what a bitter sweet day it was. We made it across the state of Washington on horseback and now I would have to return him and two horses that were loaned to us home, make new plans and continue solo. 

Change was happening…..change is good, although we may not always think so at the time. I should have known the change was coming as was evidenced on a portion of the ride that day. For how jumpy I had been about rattlers and everyone saying that when you hear one you will know……well…..call me slow ;).    I had Gabe and we were coming down a farm road when Gabe saw all the equipment off in the distance and became squirrely.  To the right of the road was a field level with the road, to the left was a field that was above an embankment that was about level with my head when I was sitting atop Gabe. I put Gabe in a couple of circles, the last brought me right up to the embankment….when I heard a sound that had me thinking that that was the most beautiful sound I had ever heard in my life. I glanced down by Gabes feet then 3 strides out I thought, ‘HOLY HO HO”S …(.ok, maybe other words went through my head too) I had just heard my first rattlesnake! They say that if you hear one you are within 1-3 feet of it. I am pretty sure that if I had looked up rather than down I just may have seen the friendly foe…..and am also pretty sure I may still be sitting there with my pants as brown as my hat;