Copper Mine Ride

I had four clients booked in this morning. They had been to the County Historical Museum in town the day before and were intrigued about the copper mines in the hills above Pleasantville. They must of talked about the mines, so had phoned to make a booking to ride up there and take a look for themselves. I had told them that they wouldn't be able to to go in to the mines as they were unsafe and visits inside the mines were no longer being conducted. However, the views from the summit would be spectacular also a souvenir shop selling copper momentos' mined from long ago and a historian explaining things would be there.

Lorraine, Guy, Natasha and Clive on their respective mounts.

 Johnny helped me get the horses saddled up. Storm was looking like she was still putting on weight, as no one was riding her. Infact Johnny had put the saddle on her back but Storm wouldn't stand still while he fastened the cinch around her belly. He too had got the sharp end of Storm's teeth ripping his shirt ! In the end he had turned her into one of the fields. Joe, who had brought her over for me on the day of the storm hence the mare's name, said he would call round when he could as he felt responsible. Now I don't hold him responsible for the mare's conduct and I told him so, but any help was welcome.
 Ah ! Here come my clients now. "Hello there, welcome. Your mounts are ready." I let them pick which horses they fancied. Guy picked Smokie and his wife Lorraine got on Flint. Natasha climbed aboard Pepper with a little leg up from Johnny. Clive took his time mounting Lady, shouting over to me that he liked the look of Drifter and could he have Drifter instead. "The thing is," I advised Clive, "Drifter is more of a lead horse and I need you to follow me."

Riding Out

 So if a little reluctantly, Clive mounted Lady. "Head 'em up, move 'em out." shouted Clive, sniggering at his friends, trying to impress Natasha his fiancee, as I learnt she was.
  Oh, another bright Alec....or Clive thought I. I'll have to watch out for him and his lady friend.
 Guy and Lorraine on the other hand were more responsible. They seemed at ease walking next to each other on the way out.

All looked to the right.

 "And now if you look to your right," I nodded "You can just see the river over there, that's Red River. So named after the copper mine we're about to see. It flows past my place and carries on out in to the sea. 
 Following a dirt trail we eventually passed a large pool or reservoir where you could fish. Don't ask me how the fish got in there. Twisting to the left we carried on climbing up in to the mountainous hills. A deep gorge led to the main entrance to the mine.

Copper Mine

The souvenir shop was open with lumps of copper ore on display to buy also postcards from 'yesteryear' depicting a thriving business as it was back then. Copper bracelets, and various other objects, whether it all came from this mine is...debatable.

Copper Ore.

 Dismounting, the horses cinches were loosed out so as they could relax. I tied them to the hitching posts with water and hay.
 "This copper mine was founded in 1869 by John Baxter," announced the man in charge of explaining a bit about the history of this place, " there is a 50ft shaft with 2 adits. One is 215ft long whereas the second is over 275 ft . Where either a vertical shaft or an adit can be used to reach a mineral deposit, the generally lower cost of driving an adit, the saving in the cost of pumping water, and the ease of hoisting ore through the shaft dictate in favour of the adit. Consequently, adits as long as one to three kilometres (one or two miles) are often economically feasible. Occasionally a small amount of silver ore can be found too. You may have noticed some domed hills coming up here, that is where the slag heaps are, but now covered."
 "What's an adit ?" inquired Natasha.

Adit

  "An adit is a horizontal or near-horizontal passage driven from the Earth’s surface into the side of a ridge or mountain for the purpose of working, ventilating, or removing water from a mine.The size and cross section of an adit depend upon its use, with a horseshoe shape especially common. The walls may be of the natural rough rock or may be lined with concrete, wood, or steel. I hope that's answered your question enough." assured our historian.
 After listening and watching a film about the mine, a few purchases were made. Next we all sat down for lunch, took turns to look at the views with binoculars Clive had with him, and had a wonder about the place.
 "Notice the pools down there ? Seems like some were filled with fish so as the miners could have a fresh supply of fish to eat." I motioned.
 "They used another to bathe which wouldn't be very often."supplied Guy.
 Clive found that highly amusing and laughed crudely. Then it was time to head on back down the way we came down the steep twisty trail.

Nearly home.

 "Take your time going downhill, don't want you falling off. I don't know if you noticed on the way up...but I saw at least three red diamond-backed rattle snakes." I watched for their reaction which ranged from scarred to indifference. "It's okay, they're not usually aggressive however the venom is potentially dangerous to humans, so treat them with caution and respect.
 Here we are back and safe at the farm. "Hope you all enjoyed yourselves ?" They eagerly nodded in agreement. I handed out my business card to them. "And be sure to recommend me to your friends."

For Arguments Sake

Or People argue - Horses Bite !

A Verbal Warning

This was gonna be a day of arguments ! Don't ask me how I knew...I could just feel it in my bones. Women would call it 'Womens' Intuition' I guess. First I argued with Johnny when he came. I was waiting for him, I had a 'bone' to pick with him. He didn't tell me about some clients cancelling the other day...after I had just refused a booking of a party of six telling them we was all booked up for the rest of the day. Then today...Johnny had cost me quite a few $'s when he...mistakenly said we were all booked up for the day. Now where the hell did that come from ? Shaking my head in disbelief and to avoid anymore mis-understandings, we congenially agreed to avoid each other...where possible.
 I was still fuming when Kate appeared on the scene.
 "How's it going," she only had to take one glance at my face, "What's the matter Kyle ?"
 "This is off the record Kate, Johnny just cost me a nice earner yesterday and today. I'm thinking of firing him." I turned away hoping my further irritation didn't show.
 "Oh...So, how's Ty working out ?" Tactfully changing the subject !
 "Not bad, not bad at all Kate. What brings you round at this time Kate, although I'm not complaining." I drew her into me and and gave her a hungry kiss.
 "Back off Kyle, Sofia was supposed to meet me here, we're going for a ride along Dead Wood Valley." She anxiously examined her wristwatch and added, "She should of been here by now."
 "Come and have a coffee with me Kate, she's probably just been held up."
 "Well as long as it only is a coffee."
 While drinking coffee we sat on the sofa and switched on the t.v. to while away some time. I shuffled closer to Kate and put my arm around her shoulder and kissed her earlobe.
 The television burst in to life...'For some people this would be the best Kids Meal toy ever. Not so much for the Michigan man who bought it for his 4-year-old grandson'...The newscaster raised his eyebrows and continued reading off the auto-cue...' When the kid opened the bag, he found a pipe packed with marijuana. The police questioned a 23-year-old employee who reportedly admitted the pipe was his. He allegedly wanted to hide it while working, so apparently he thought, what better place than a Kids Meal bag ?'... 
 "Oh that's unbelievable, who would do such a thing?" gasped Kate.
The report continued...'The employee and two of his friends were cited for possession of drug paraphernalia, and could face more formal drug possession charges. Burger King has apologized to the family and said they have a zero-tolerance drug policy."...as the newscaster shuffled his notes on the news deck, he was heard to say, "Aww, man!" I imagine that every Michigan stoner will be rushing to Burger King right now."

Captivated By The Little People

 Kate's mouth dropped open, "Did you hear that Kyle ? I bet the switchboard will be flooded with complaints! What's your view on drugs ?" Then she looked straight at me her eyes burning a hole in mine, waiting for an answer.
 After a long deliberation, I replied, "Well, I think you have to be a fool if you mess with drugs....Oh, hello Life." Kate made a fuss of Life which drew her attention away from questioning me any further, and as I already said to my mother when she visited me some time ago, that  I was all done with that scene.

Storm Went For Me

 After a little while I got up to check on Storm who was in the strip field on the side of the farm. Kate got up and followed me while Life decided to stay and watch t.v. I already think I told you that Life was fascinated of how people got inside such a little box, silly dog. 
 "Wow, what's the matter with you today Storm ?" I recoiled from a well aimed bite. I went to find Johnny to see if he could come up with any explanation for Storm's aggressive ways. Horses bite for many reasons. Dominance, play, fear, impatience, irritation, frustration, pain just to name a few. Some mares get benign ovarian tumors that can cause serious aggression problems, both towards horses and people.  There are also other conditions that can cause aggression. A blood test for hormone levels is a good idea as a starting point for a horse that is persistently aggressive. Needless to say Johnny thought I getting at him and another argument erupted. Well I wasn't !

Kate Argues With Sofia

 Kate phoned Sofia seems she had completely forgotten the arrangement to go riding with Kate. Now it was Kate's turn to fume ! She ordered a taxi and went over to Sofia's place where she also had an argument with Sofia.