Guys Weekend

The first weekend of May was 'Guys Weekend' in Shelbina for Marvin, Jackson, Daddy and his brothers.  They go every year in the spring and in the fall to enjoy camping at the century farm and riding horses (and, most importantly, just being with each other.)  The weather was perfect for them this time and they enjoyed several good rides along the back roads of Shelby County.  Also as usual, they ate well from the combined efforts of Uncle Mitch and Uncle Charles.

The only 'excitement' came when they encountered a thoughtless tractor driver one afternoon.  The fellas were going along a gravel road near their farm when they heard a loud vehicle roaring up behind them.  It was a huge sprayer tractor   coming WAY too fast for the road.  Daddy was able to get the team pulling the wagon stopped while Marvin tried to get Governor turned around to see what was coming.  Marvin was hollering to Jackson to tell him to do the same thing (so the horses could get a visual on what was roaring up behind them and hopefully not be too spooked) but Jackson couldn't hear for all the noise.  Marvin got Governor just barely turned around and Governor was still so spooked he backed into the ditch and clear up the other side.  Jackson took Shadow and went around the wagon because he was afraid Shadow was going to bolt into the back of the wagon, but he couldn't get Shadow turned around to see anything.  Shadow took off down the road with the stupid tractor driver still roaring up the road chasing right behind him.  The fellas said this guy was a real piece of work.  He was going super fast and didn't appear to have any concern for the horses (and people) on the road with him.  Marvin took off after him trying to flag him down and get him to slow down so Jackson could get his horse safely under control and out of the way.  The tractor driver never even noticed Marvin!

Jackson used his head and managed to keep control of the reins and maneuver Shadow up the road to a field entrance where he got Shadow to the side and turned toward the tractor.  The idiot driver roared on past (after having chased Jackson and Shadow up the road) and that was that.  Everyone was okay - but quite shaken up.  It was the very edge of a total disaster.  If any of those horses hadn't been so well trained, someone could have gotten thrown right in the path of that tractor driver or the horses could have bolted and... who knows.  I know it was bad because of the way all of the guys talked about it.  Marvin was sure proud of Jackson, though, and how he kept his head together throughout the entire thing.  I personally think the tractor driver was a seasonal hired hand because no legitimate farmer would have driven that kind of expensive equipment in that way on a country road, not to mention the reckless endangerment of other people and animals.  Just makes you wonder about people...


Here are a bunch of photos from their wonderful weekend, but you can see more at this link.  And here is a link to another post about Guys Weekend.  :)

Uncle Mitch - the head chef for Guys Weekend

Don't let the 'camping' fool you... these fellas eat well!  Ribs, for instance!!  :)

Jackson (or is that Grandpa Jack??!!)   :)

Jackson (or Jack??)

Uncle Mitch

And then there is the 'culture' to be found on the walls of old barns...
of course, Jackson is all about discovering culture...   snort!

Jackson balancing on the wagon.... (or is that Jack??!!)

Grandpa Jack with the team and Marvin on Governor

Uncle Charles

Their 'home sweet homes' for Guys Weekend

Charles and Daddy

relaxing at Wood Cemetery (Marvin, Jackson, Charles and Mitch)

Charles and Mitch

Charles

Marvin, Charles, Mitch and Daddy

Daddy with the Haflingers at Lowman Chapel (old family church)

Charles and Mitch with the Haflingers (Dick and Bob)

heading out for the day

Shadow got left behind at the barn this time...

heading out

they may be camping, but they are still 'connected'!!  :)

Charles

Uncle Charles, Uncle Mitch, Daddy and Marvin

Jackson