August 10, 2013

There are three heats of open this weekend and we were in heat two of the first session of 8 races. It was a rough session for us. Collectively the team rode rather slow and there were too many mistakes.

It was not our best showing. We had a little chat, some lunch and spectated a while before session 2.

Speaking of lunch, lets talk about the baked potatoes available at the food vendor. I saw Crissy eating one and it started a chain reaction. The potatoes are oven roasted in a big iron style oven. Then it is split into a container with your choice of toppings piled on. I took Crissy’s lead and went for curry and cheese. Megan and Sammy picked chili and cheese.

Did I mention its cold here? Well it is. Like hoodie and jeans during the day. I am liking it, but I did not pack my weekend bag as appropriately for it as I would have liked. Burrrrr.

Session 2 was much better. The team had some speed and the mistakes were a lot less. We had one hand off fumble that landed in the field if play. Sammi expertly picked it up while mounted but Krista forgot to yell to her to recross the A line. Elimination. The trainer takes the fault on that one.

We ended the day feeling much better about the second session.

Colin gave Krista and Sammi a ride to the grocery store to pick up some cash and Krista and Sammi opted to get fancy bread for sandwiches for dinner for everyone.

Mean while Leah and Julia went to the showers. They were a little traumatized to find it was a large open room community shower.

After dinner Colin did a little camp site coaching, which was much appreciated. And then we spent a while goofing off, including a fun round of snapchat led by Jasmine.

It seemed like a really long day already and most if us were pretty much ready to crash. But there was an evening social event complete with DJ. Krista insisted that everyone “make an appearance”. After all, the rider declaration (form) warns against “anti social behavior” which could cause a ban from the northern competitions.

The “disco” started off slow, with 20-30 young riders dominating the dance floor. As the evening wore on the age group shifted and the girls hit the dance floor where they spent most of the remaining night. Mean while Krista socialized with some old friends and some new ones.

It was a really good night and a great social event to cap off the end of the trip.