In which we go to the "Dry Side" to help out a bit at April Daze

When Fiddle strained a tendon two weeks ago, 

I automatically erased the April Daze ride from her schedule

Monica sent this photo to me on Friday afternoon to show the pretty sky and bored Dragon at home

...but not from mine.

Gail Williams could probably run a ride just fine without help from me and Jim...but she hasn't had to do that for 15 years, so why take a chance? 

We loaded up the van with sleeping bags and dogs and headed over the pass to what we normally call the "Dry Side" of our state.  During the long drive, I amuse myself by taking photos of the dogs.

"Stackable Shelties, perfect for road trips"

"Stackable Shelties, awake mode"

"Stackable Shelties may require re-floofing after detaching from the stack"

"Stackable Shelties, mobile mode"

"Stackable Shelties will expand to fill the available space"

We had clear skies and dry roads coming through the pass on Friday, but the weather forecast was ominous for the Spokane area on Saturday:  100% chance of heavy rain and winds.

And guess who forgot to pack the barn boots before we left home?

On the Dry Side of our state, these items are called "irrigation boots" rather than
"barn boots" or "muck boots", which I find endlessly amusing.

With just two people + two dogs (and bad weather predicted), we opted to camp in the van rather than a tent

Friday evening, the skies at Riverside Park were friendly and blue.

Ridecamp

Saturday morning, not so much.

This was young Georgia's first 25 mile ride.  She had fun, despite the rain.

It started out raining, and then the weather really got the hang of precipitating.

The timing tent and pulsing areas where I spent the day were NOT on high ground

This was my first close-up experience with an EDRA-sanctioned ride, and the event went very smoothly.  I especially like the mandatory helmet rule, and the requirement to have a "ride steward" on hand during the event to manage rider issues, so that Gail could concentrate on managing ride issues.

It was good to hang out in camp and see all the people.

Soggy people, soggy dogs, soggy horses, soggy trail.
A good time!

Rather than spend another night in the van with damp dogs and damp hair, Jim and I opted to pack up and head home after the last riders were back on the map.

But we weren't quite finished with the weather.  On the drive home, we rain into a thunder + lightning + sleet + hailstorm on the highway that was slowing down even the most hardcore of truck drivers.  Here is video footage I shot while Jim was driving.

At home, the rain continues at a slow, steady drizzle.  We will spend the next few days cleaning and drying out all the gear (including the dogs!).

Is it worth all the dampness and bother, just for a couple days away?

The Dragonwalker Coat performed admirably in the downpour--
and looks good next to a Stackable Sheltie, too.

Yep.