Final Week At Lake Swan Camp

It's hard to believe we will be finishing up here at Lake Swan.  It’s been a good project and we’ve had lots of laughs along the way until one of our guys fell 10’ from a ladder after tossing his chainsaw to the ground. He went by ambulance to the hospital about 30 minutes from camp where he has spent almost a week in the ICU with 8 broken ribs and a punctured lung. We continue to pray for James and his wife, Linda.

Mark and Ben worked all week on constructing a stairway and landing for the old chapel. It had its challenges, but turned out great!

The women split up, some painting, and two of us deep cleaning in the kitchen. I wish I had gotten some before and after pictures because as our host stated.... He has never seen the ovens so clean! It took us four  days to complete.

Friday morning we departed Melrose, Florida and headed North, back to the Boys Ranch for the annual open house. Things looked very different with all the sheriffs and participants arriving with  their rigs!!!

The riding ranchers lead the grand entry Saturday morning carrying the flags.

They did such a great job on their routine. The month we were at Lake Swan, they really perfected it.

                           Aiden and Scott - Grand Entrance

Zoe - Grand Entrance

                                   Tyler - Grand Entrance

                                    AJ - Grand Entrance

Andrew learned how to drive the team and did a wonderful job during the Grand Entry

Every year, one of the ranchers is chosen to receive the Carleton F. Tweed Memoroal Horsemanship Award which is a large trophy and a distinguished belt buckle. The award is given to the rancher that has exhibited the most improvement in horsemanship skills as well as growth in character and leadership. Ashton was the well deserved recipient! I wish you could hear this boy's accent... Thick!!! He is so respectful with his "yes ma'ams" and "thank you, ma'ams" and does this boy like to eat!!!!!  He has quite the story of being in trouble, living in the woods for months on end etc. At one point, he was just one chance away from being sent packing, but the light bulb turned on, and he "got it". He has been a model rancher since then.

                                Ashton receiving his award.

This horse show was such a highlight for Mark and I. In my younger days, I participated in horse shows riding English, which was so prim and proper. This type of horse show is by far, so much more fun with participants just having fun with events for all ages! The youngest were 1 yr olds being led around the arena by their parents on a lead rope all the way up to the Jack Bennys, which doesn't require further explanation. 😂 Besides barrel racing and pole racing, the most exciting and most heavily attended event is the 'buddy pick-up". A horse and rider race across the arena, picking up another person as they circle around a barrel, picking up the person, and racing to the finish line! Great entertainment! Here's a short video:

                      Here are some stills of the buddy pick up.

AJ's horse wasn't  too keen on the buddy pickup.

The riding ranchers were given the opportunity to try some barrels. They did pretty good too with such little experience. 

The youngest cowgirls were so fun to watching riding around on their little ponies.

   This cowgirl has the whole matching outfit! 

Church service on Sunday morning was under  the tent. Ranchers attended on their horses as well as other campers attending the event.

Zoe trying  her hat on her horse

Tyler

Even though I am just not a fan of  Florida, the Florida Sheriffs Boys Ranch has grabbed my heart. ❤  so, maybe....just maybe I will return to Florida. 😘

Relaxing a bit at the campground. Mark is installing another new 30 amp end on our electric cable.