In which I make a list and check it twice before a long horseback trip

The Dragon and I had so much fun on the Cross-State Ride this Spring

that we're gonna do it again this Fall.

Photo from the Cascades-to-Palouse Trail, taken in May

Last Spring's adventure was so much fun, I wanted more.  Not three weeks more--I don't have that much vacation time saved up.  But the Fall Ride sponsored by the John Wayne Pioneer Wagons and Riders is five days of camping and four days of riding, and I do have vacation time saved up to cover that.  This time, Jenni and her horse Piglet will be joining us.

However, even with tons of experience with distance riding, I still don't just hop into the rig and drive to the rendezvous spot without a bunch of planning and organizing.  And, given the weather is so soggy, I guess the time for planning is now.

We painted the puzzle-bunk with Killz.  Because we live in a Swamp.

The puzzle bunk is already loaded into the truck and ready to go.  This arrangement gives me plenty of room for 3 weeks worth of supplies--when I'm gone less than a week, I feel like a pea in a coffee can.  But it's wonderful to have lots of room high-and-dry, because it's a good bet we're gonna get rained on.

Looking at photos from that earlier trip reminds me of stuff I'll want to pack for this one:

This single-burner stove is super-handy for heating tea water or a cup of soup in camp.

FOOD:
Beverages: tea, fizzy soda water, V-8, fresh water, ice for the cooler.

Breakfast stuff:  granola, yogurt, berries or fruit (I can pick up fresh stuff at the big fruit stand in Thorp, which is only about 2 miles away from our first ridecamp).

Lunch stuff:  bread, peanut butter, honey, blackberry jam.  Fruit from the fruit stand.  String cheese, granola bars, salted nuts and jerky for trail snacks.

Dinner stuff:  our dinners are all catered (!!!)  (FOOD TRUCKS!!!) but I'll bring some instant soup and cup noodles just in case I need something else.

Utensils and cooking gear:  1-burner stove, 2 propane bombs (includes an extra), firestarter, small cooler, kettle, pot, travel mug,  paper bowls, picnic flatware, small knife, water bottle, ziploc bags, paper towels, sponge, dish towel, dish soap, dish pan, hot water pump pot. Camp chair.

Oh, yeah:  this photos reminds of stuff I was glad to have along!

Toiletries and Meds:  lots of wet wipes! sunscreen, toothbrush/toothpaste, soap/shampoo, hair gunk, insect spray, aloe, benedryl, vitamins, prescription meds, handwarmers. Towel.

Bedding and nighttime gear:  Mattress, sleeping bag, extra blanket(s), pillows. Pajamas! Headlamp, battery "lantern" as a bedside lamp, extra flashlight.  Books!  Notebook and pen.  Electronic tablet (there won't be wifi, but I can load books onto it).

Roo helped me test the bunk at home.  I'm not taking dogs this time.

The weather might (and probably will) be widely varied, so I'll need to take a bit of everything in my clothing boxes.

Clothing, outerwear:  raincoats--at least 2 of these!  Rain hat, knit hat, ball cap.  Wool sweater, polarfleece sweater, down vest, Carhartt vest.  Midweight jacket, lightweight jacket.  Coveralls?

Clothing, mid-layers:  riding tights (lightweight and fleece), t-shirts, long-sleeve wool shirt, flannel shirt, jeans.

Clothing, skin-layers:  undergarments (for riding and camp), and many extra socks.  Bandanna, scarf.

Riding gear:  helmet, half-chaps (two sets), fanny pack, boots.  Headlamp, flashlight, and glow-sticks for tunnel riding!

This stuff lives in the horse trailer:  rain gear, helmet, half chaps,
and a folding sawhorse to use as a saddle stand

Trail gear in fanny pack and saddle bags:  camera (+ extra battery), phone (+charger), small first-aid kit (vet wrap, desitin and benedryl, mostly), extra key to the rig, sunscreen, mushroom-hunting bag, hoof boot, multi-tool, red tail-flag, water bottles, duct tape, shoe strings, zip ties.

Most of my tack lives full-time in the trailer

Horse tack:  Saddle, bridle, breast collar (with glow-stick holders), saddle bags, saddle pads (2), rump rug, bits (boucher and kimberwicke).

This is her standard outfit for most things.

Horse gear for camp:  fly sheet, fly mask, rain sheet, fleece sheet, blanket, extra shoes/pads, lead ropes, string halter, name tags.  Buckets.  Corral panels.  Nibble net. Towel.  Grooming kit.  Fly spray.

Autumn grazing in Cle Elum won't be nearly as lush as spring grazing in Tekoa.

Horse food and meds:  Hay (2 bales, probably won't need them both), grain baggies (Ultium + vitamins), beet pulp, carrots, electrolytes, bute, liniment.

Hmmm.  I wonder what I'm forgetting???