It's protective coloration, like one of those bright neon colored Amazon frogs. At first you think "Funder, how could you even think that's a good idea?" But the secret is that no one will ever notice how big my legs are. You can't even tell if they're fatty or muscly or hell they might be skinny for all you know - you cannot focus on the leg shape because you're blinded by the smileys. It's brilliant!
Also the patches are stitched on with variegated thread. :D
Anyway, they're from Evelyn. She is looking for purple and black flames fabric for me, too! Aarene, you may also have a pair of purple flame tights if you want, but I dunno if the rest of yall are cool enough for them.
So Rides of March. The weather forecast. Is abysmal.
Yall, that is HORRIBLE weather for camping in a truck tent. It's pretty bad for sleeping in the backseat of the truck. I can't just mooch off somebody with a camper or an LQ, because I have to bring Cers with me - I can't leave her home alone, and it'd be like $100 to board her for two days and shit that's more than the ride entry. I can't sleep in the tack room, because I put in that badass cabinet and I haven't yet acquired a hammock (and I'd probably fall out and die anyway).
I really want to go, because everything else sucks (there's no way this house will sell for what we owe so we are probably going to have to rent it and fffffffff that sucks). The only thing I can think to do is sleep in the horse part of the trailer. I have a propane heater (one of those dealies that fits on a BBQ tank) and a battery powered CO detector, but I just don't think that'll work either because the dog will set us on fire. Plus, how do you cover the windows? Duct tape and tarp? Because duct tape is totally going to fail in Nevada winds.
So if I can't figure out a solution (any ideas?) I'm going to cancel on Wednesday. And I guess if I do, I'll go to the Derby at the end of the month. Last year the 25 was pretty easy (but it wasn't on the usual trail), so I'm sort of toying with the idea of riding the 25 both days. Unless it snows.
Anyway, how's the normal LD trail at the Derby? Easy enough to do both days?
Okay, so SOME "buddy" heaters have a hanging screw mount so you could ziptie it (by the handle) to the bars of the window, which will keep it out of "knock it over" range of the dog.
ReplyDeleteALSO, I just noticed that our trailers aren't exactly alike--you have the "stock" version, and I have the, uh, whatever the other version is, with windows that drop down for horse faces to stare out. Anyhow, the horse-butt-side of my trailer looks like yours, and it came with plexiglass sliders that cover the spaces (for winter--I take them out when the weather gets warm). If you have time, maybe you can make (??) or buy (??) plexiglass sliders--even if you make something that you hold over the windows with spring clamps or (??) which will hold up much better to Nevada winds.
Jim reminds you to TURN OFF THE PROPANE HEATER WHEN YOU GO TO SLEEP. There was a horrific video on ridecamp a few years ago (2009?) showing a horse trailer in a camp going up in flames...within 3 minutes, the whole thing was consumed. (No horses harmed, but the trailer was toast). An unattended buddy heater tipped over... So, no matter what you do, be sure to vent, turn it off when you leave or sleep, and turn it on for 10 minutes before you crawl out of sleeping bag for blissful warmness.
I agree with you: the forecast is dire. How can they predict 19 degrees and RAIN, though?
Purple flame tights = must have them. If she is able to find the fabric, you will let me know ASAP!!!???!!!
Duuuude, I do not know how it could be 19 and raining either. I keep telling myself that it's still a long-range forecast and they're not very accurate, but everybody I've talked to in California is getting nonstop rain for the rest of the week.... and that means cold, maybe snow maybe rain for us.
DeleteG was like "Don't you want the windows, they don't cost much extra" and I was SO SMUG. I was like "I do not want windows! I want my horse to get plenty of fresh air, and if I don't have windows she can't break them!" Too smug for my own good. Sigh.
I'll think about how to mount some brackets and price out plexiglass - dunno if I can DIY it up that fast, but I could maybe have it ready for the Derby or, you know, the freak snowstorms in May and June. :) Good call on the heater bracket and the ziptie! Jim, thanks for the nightmares :(
and of course I'll let you know about the purple flames!! :D
DeletePhoto of the trailer fire. Really not kidding around here.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.my-endurance.net/photo/932467:Photo:23003
aaaaaaaaaaaa :(
DeleteDefinitely make sure you vent the trailer! Mine has a carbon monoxide detector on it, and when that sucker goes off, you WILL wake up! Without it, though, things could get dicey. I hope the forecast changes for the better between now and then.
ReplyDeleteGot one!
DeleteI can't sleep in my tack room either so if you figure out how to cover stock windows before I do let me know. My tarps won't hold for wind and the plexiglass ideas are still bouncing around my head.
ReplyDeleteAlso... Evelyn's tights... how are they on comfort/chafing/inner seam? I need new tights to go with my slimmer butt and desire to find some that won't add to the chafing problem. How are they?
I'll let you know how they work! I bought the smileys and some midweight Kerrits, and they're my very first actual riding pants ever. I've been bopping along in sweatpants and yoga pants for three years now. For now, all I can say is that they have very nice flat seams, so I think they'll be comfy.
DeleteCaitlin -- I have a pair of Evelyn's that I love. I've done several 50s in them now and no rubbing at all.
DeleteI ditto Evelyn's work, very high quality tights. I save mine for "special occasions" such as cow clinics. People are in so much shock over the zebra stripes they don't notice the little appy (or me above the waist).
Delete:)
~E.G.
I have stock trailer too. I am able to sleep in it by placing wood boards in the slots and screwing them up when I get to ridecamp. I sometimes leave them in one side of the trailer in the winter but usually remove them in summer. You can see the wood slats in this picture I think.
ReplyDeletehttp://wrenloop.blogspot.com/2011_09_01_archive.html
The slats are the light grey area and I carry a small ratchet and socket that fit the screws that are attatched to the upright metal bars in the windows, clear as mud?? I just throw the slats into the truck bed for transport.
CG, that's BRILLIANT. Caitlin, you paying attention? I'm gonna think about brackets some tonight, and tomorrow I might futz around with bolting wood on and see what seems easier.
DeleteWhy don't you just trailer over in the morning? That weather doesn't seem too bad, after all it's only one day. Get some of those instant hand and/or toe warmers, they are great and you won't even notice the cold!
ReplyDeleteOne of the main things I really need to work on with Dixie is that she doesn't like to drink away from home. She'd much rather just wait til we eventually get back home and tank up at ~her~ stock tank. I really want to make her stay at the trailer all night, electrolyted up, and drink some water there, then ride, then drink more trailer water, then maybe stay overnight and DRINK MORE TRAILER WATER, you silly cow! (I'm a little frustrated - this is one of her biggest remaining hangups!)
DeleteCG is a genius. WOOD! BOLTS! GENIUS!
ReplyDeleteUh, router out a couple of vent holes, though. Right?
Did you say router? With MY FAVORITE NEW TOOL?! Yes ma'am!
DeleteI don't think ventilation will be an issue. I mean, it's got that standard bar thing for the door closer - like CG's that got mysteriously pirated - so I can't exactly seal the door. And with the way my window bars are welded in, there will be huge air gaps. Still, I think it'll be easy to implement and quite a bit warmer than tarp.
I was also going to suggest plexi or wood. Up here, where it gets really cold, lots of horse people have stock trailers and that's what they do for hauling in the winter.
ReplyDeleteAlso is it possible to put your eggcrate foam on top of your air mattress? Then you should have better comfort without getting that air mattress chill.
I think my plan I came up with last year, after my last cold fall camping trip, was air mattress, egg crate, busted sleeping bag, good sleeping bag with Funder snuggled up in it. Maybe a ski mask. I am SUCH a wimp! ;)
DeleteThat photo of you in the smiley pants makes me smile every time! If I were you, I'd wimp out on the ride, but you know I am a weather wimp, so my opinion doesn't count. If you do go, I'm just sure it will make a good story (!) So from that point of view, I'm kind of hoping you go. Lots of good ideas for sleeping warm, here.
ReplyDeleteThose tights are fantastic! Evelyn is the best when it comes to procuring the most vivid, noticeable patterns ever. I've got a pair of purple ones that look sort of like a fireworks factory explosion.
ReplyDeleteOh Funder, you crack me up! Those pants are FABULOUS!!! And the part where you said the dog will set us on fire, rotfl!!! Thanks for the laugh this morning :)
ReplyDeleteWow. Those tights. Words fail me.
ReplyDelete(This from someone who is trying to get past black, white, or tan breeches. Yeah, I have a problem.)
As for that weather forecast, I'm a wuss. I'd camp out on my couch at home in front of the fire with a warm snuggly dog. Possibly some port to console myself about the house (which sucks, btw. I'm really sorry to hear that about having to rent it.)
But if you DO go, I'm looking forward to the report!
Cute pants, those, and a cheeky grin to match them. Now I shall have to try to find some in dazzle camouflage to try and out-do them:) That would make for some interesting sewing.
ReplyDeleteyou ROCK those tights!
ReplyDeletebut don't freeze your butt off because when you wear them you have to match the smiley faces with your own. No frowny faces.
- The Equestrian Vagabond
OH MY GOD THOSE BREECHES! LMFAO!
ReplyDelete