Merry Christmas

Our annual horse torturing picture day happened on Sunday. The horses behaved beautifully and enjoyed the extra attention.

Merry Christmas from the Bionic Cowgirl, Washoe, Alloy, and Reba!

Surprise Horse Cookies

This is GunDiva. The daughter.

Two weekends ago was our annual Baking Weekend at the lodge. It's always a big to-do, and we always crank out a lot of cookies, but we've never made cookies for the horses before. The Friday of Baking Weekend, I had to drop Jay off at the airport on my way up to the lodge, and as I was driving, I drove right past the barn where my friend boards her horse. I looked at the facility and immediately thought, "we should make some horse cookies." Now, why I thought about it when driving by my friend's horse's barn and never while looking out the window at our own horses, I'll never know, but the idea took root.

I was running ahead of schedule, and hungry, so when I stopped to grab a bite to eat, I looked up horse cookie recipes that wouldn't require me to go to the store to buy more ingredients. There were a lot of yummy sounding ones, but the one I landed on was this one:

This seemed easy enough, and we had all of the ingredients, so up to the lodge I went with my additional project in mind.

Luckily, I got up there before everyone else, so Mom and I had undisturbed mother/daughter time to whip out these treats for the horses. They came together very easily and quickly. 

I quickly wrote down the recipe on a white board so we didn't have to keep going back and forth to the video. In the video, she said to bake them at 315*F, which Mom and I decided had to be a mistake, so we baked ours at 350*F. Very quickly, we smelled burning molasses, and turned the oven down. If you chose to make them, follow the video's directions.

We dug through our cookie cutters and found a cowboy boot, cowboy hat, and a horse to use. Not that the horses care about the shapes of their cookies, but they made us smile. We chose to leave them unfrosted, as none of our horses need the extra sugar, and we didn't want to bother with the mess.

I did taste one, just because, and it's not horrible to my human pallet, but not great. The horses, however, greatly disagree and think they're about the best cookies on the planet. Washoe and Alloy got the first taste of the cookies after they loaded into their horse uber, but the rest had to wait until they'd finished with their Christmas pictures yesterday.

This is a simple and easy recipe to make, and the horses give them four hooves up.

Time to Visit the Cousins

This is GunDiva. The daughter.

(500 Allenspark Lodge points if you know where that intro's from. (1000 Once Upon A Miracle points if you know where the points came from.))

For several years now, the "Allenspark Cousins" have been wintering with the "Wild Ones" down at our place. While the Bionic Cowgirl and I both prefer to turn the horses out on winter pasture where they can just be wild, we are no longer are able to send them away for winter camp, so instead they move down to our place until after the last snowstorm in May.

Last weekend was our annual Baking Weekend, which coincided with horse moving day. Jessica, who has trained all of the horses, with the exception of Washoe, came up to move them from the lodge down to my place.

Alloy *hates* Mom's trailer. Hates it. Last year, we spent two days trying to get him to load to go down the hill before calling Jessica to come get him. He loaded like a champ into her trailer, of course. 

Jerk.

Anyway ...

Jessica was kind enough to come up and play horse uber again.

Patiently awaiting their uber

Mom spent some time grooming and loving on them while they waited. The pictures make it look a lot colder out than it actually was. She was all bundled up for the wind, not so much the cold.

Once the uber arrived, she lead them across the street to their ride down.

They really are good horses,
even if they both make me
crazy once in a while.

Big Al had minor opinions about getting on the trailer, but it took only a few times of in and out for him to stay in. Mom and Jessica found out last time she hauled Al, that he prefers to ride backward, so once he got on the trailer and stayed, she backed him the rest of the way in and closed the gate. Easy peasy.

In ...

... in ...

... out ...

Backing into his spot

Success!

Washoe loads on voice command, so getting him into the big, spacious trailer took no more than a "load up" from Mom, then they were on their way.

I headed into the lodge, only to find that my girls had been taking a break to watch the show.

Front row seats

Luckily, there wasn't much of a show this time and we were able to get back to our baking.

The Accident and On-Going Legal Stuff

Hi, GunDiva here. I realized the other day, as I was posting on my own blog, that I'd never posted about Mom and Bill's accident here. That was a conscious decision at the time, since this blog is associated with their business and we were keeping a pretty tight lid on things until they all got sorted out. If you'd like to get caught up on what was posted over on my blog, the posts are here and here. As you'll read in the second post, I had intended to continue posting about the accident, but grief is dumb and I ran out of spoons to keep posting.

The accident was November 21, 2022 and we're just now getting around to seeing some action on the case. It took almost two years of hounding the Utah Highway Patrol and reaching out to the County Attorney to get some traction. Finally, on November 15th, 2024 (I wasn't kidding about it taking almost two years!), the County Attorney notified us that charges were being filed against the driver who hit Mom and Bill.

The initial charges were: automobile homicide, 2nd degree felony for Bill's death, and negligently operating a vehicle resulting in injury, 3rd degree felony for Mom's injuries. At some point, I'm unsure when, the charges were amended to:

• Negligently operating a vehicle resulting in death, 2nd degree felony (Bill)
• Negligently operating a vehicle resulting in serious bodily injury, 3rd degree felony (Mom)
• Driving under the influence - 1st offense in 10 years

The warrant was issued, which was a weight off our shoulders. It had been 725 days since the accident, and I'd basically given up. I figured the other driver got away with killing Bill and almost killing Mom and there was nothing to be done about it. I knew that the accident report was complete, which took until July 2, 2024 to finalize. But, knowing that the accident report was complete, I didn't see any reason why charges hadn't been filed. The evidence is pretty clear, in my eyes, that the other driver is at fault.

Honestly, it was rage at the injustice that forced me to "get mean" when I reached out the the County Attorneys in October, 2024. I wasn't sure which county would be handling the case, so I reached out to two adjoining counties and hounded them until I heard back. My relieve was short-lived at hearing that the other driver had been charged, and a warrant issued, because the other driver lives in Washington State. I knew they weren't going to go extradite him, that we'd have to wait until he was stopped for another traffic infringement. Then, his warrant would show in the system and he'd be arrested and sent back to Utah.

I (we, but I don't want to put words in anyone else's mouth) settled in for another long wait. I really thought it would be a traffic violation that would bring him in. Imagine my surprise when I got an email from the County Attorney on a Sunday night (March 2, 2025) that the other driver was in custody. But not for a traffic violation, because he'd been caught breaking and entering. For some reason, it never crossed my mind that he was a career criminal. It didn't matter how he was brought into custody, just that he was.

Since his first court appearance in March of this year, it has been nothing but hurry up and wait. We've had several virtual court dates. Most have resulted in an extension while he was searching for an attorney to represent him - he makes too much money for a public defender. He finally found an attorney, and we played hurry up and wait again while his attorney got caught up on the case. We were supposed to finally have an arraignment a week or so ago, but he got yet another extension while his attorney gathered the "factual evidence" of the case. I don't know, I think the objective toxicology report, the information pulled from each of the cars computers, and the reconstruction of the accident are pretty factual, but I know it's his attorney's job to question everything.

The one thing the other driver's attorney and I agree on is that this should not have taken over two years to get to this point. This case should be over and done by now.

We had a meeting with the County Attorney, and we were told that while he'll take our feelings into consideration, we really have no say in whether or not he offers a plea deal (drop to 3rd degree felony for Bill's death, 0-5 years prison) or goes to trial. He wants to offer the plea, we want to go to trial (2nd degree felony for Bill's death is 15 years to life).  He agreed to consult with a toxicologist regarding the levels of meth in the other driver's system and how fast it metabolizes, then make the determination if he can prove the other driver was impaired. If he can solidly prove the other driver was impaired, then he's more willing to pursue a trial.

He'll let us know his decision before the next arraignment date in August. I'm not hopeful for a trial, I suspect we're going to have to make peace with a plea. But ... I might be able to swallow the injustice of the plea as long as the other two charges aren't altered.

Logically, I get it. He has a huge case load, and needs to close them. But my sense of right and wrong is outraged.

A friend of mine is fond of saying, "We don't have a justice system, we have a legal system." He's absolutely correct. There will be no justice, no matter how this turns out. So, we'll play within the legal system and pray that he faces some consequences.

Bill's Memorial Service

 

Taken at Bill and Juanita's 20th Anniversary trip to Yellowstone

We are having an in-person memorial for Bill, but he touched so many people worldwide, we wanted to be able to Zoom it as well. The Allenspark Community Church has been kind enough to set it up for us.

Bill's service is scheduled for tomorrow, December 2 at 2:00 p.m. MST. If you'd like to join us virtually, the information is below.

Topic: Bill Martin Memorial Service

Time: Dec 2, 2022 01:30 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88634081098?pwd=OVJhWVZSZVZRWk8wYklCOXR1dS9XUT09

Meeting ID: 886 3408 1098

Passcode: 836848

One tap mobile

+17193594580,,88634081098#,,,,*836848# US

+13462487799,,88634081098#,,,,*836848# US (Houston)

Dial by your location

        +1 719 359 4580 US

        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

        +1 669 444 9171 US

        +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)

        +1 253 205 0468 US

        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

        +1 646 931 3860 US

        +1 689 278 1000 US

        +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)

        +1 305 224 1968 US

        +1 309 205 3325 US

        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

        +1 360 209 5623 US

        +1 386 347 5053 US

        +1 507 473 4847 US

        +1 564 217 2000 US

        +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)

Meeting ID: 886 3408 1098

Passcode: 836848

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/ktRN8sGVw

A Loving Legacy

 

 

With the heaviest of hearts we are sharing with you that Lodge owners, Juanita and Bill Martin, were involved in a tragic vehicle accident on Monday, Nov. 21 outside of Moab, Utah.  Juanita was flown to Grand Junction, Colorado for treatment of her injuries.  She is already on the road to a full recovery. Reba, the Lodge Dog, was treated by a local vet and has been released to friends of the family. She will resume her Lodge Dog duties shortly.

 Unfortunately, Bill was lost to us in this tragedy.

To allow time for our family to heal, the Lodge will be closing for the winter and will be welcoming guests again in March.  We will continue to take reservations throughout this time, though responses may be delayed.

In honoring Bill’s legacy of kindness, compassion, and love of humanity we would ask you to do a simple random act of kindness that does not involve monetary support and may be a tad outside your comfort zone.  This would bring such joy to him!

Feel free to share your favorite memories of, and about, Bill in the comments section.  We would all love to read them and it is important for the rest of the world to understand the impact that one wonderful man can have.  

 

Seize Your Day

 This morning I went out to feed the neighbor's chickens and ducks (she had her shoulder replaced a couple days ago).

  As I was holding the gate and walking out of the chicken pen I started t

  I woke up on my knees wondering "Who?  What?  Where?"   

  I slowly stood up.  Everything was working but I was still a little confused.   I thought  "My God!  I think I've had a seizure!" 

  After I stood for a few more seconds, I understood.

  There was a hot wire strung just above  the gate.  The metal gate I was holding onto.  In the rain.  Wearing a wet ball cap.

  I had taken a 10,000 volt hit from an electric fencer through the "ouch button" on my ball cap while the rest of me was as grounded as possible.

Damn.

  Have you ever been laughed at by a couple dozen chickens and ducks?

Damn.

Bill

Funday

 

Not my best afternoon. My daughter's facebook post on our noontime "ride"...

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We'd planned to have a nice little ride this afternoon. But ... things got a little exciting and now there isn't a hitch rail.

It was just a cascade of bad things - I asked Bill to help me tent Skeets' saddle pad, so he left Al tied with his saddle on his back, but not cinched on. Skeets let me fix her pad, but scooted sideways when I went to reach under for her cinch. Al thought that was scary and jumped, which caused his saddle to fall, which caused him to start bucking.

He stopped bucking and when Bill reached for him, he started up again, then Skeeter thought bad things were happening and pulled back, which made *her* saddle fall off, which made everything worse, so she pulled back harder and Washoe got to go for a ride when the whole rail broke off and the two of them skittered across the street. They stopped nicely and let us go untie them.

Al got put away, and Skeeter got re-saddled. For the very first time since her first saddling she bucked and bucked. Weird, but then I realized bad things had just happened while I was trying to saddle her.

Bucking didn't work - Grandma's dealt with pissy mares before - so once she settled down, she got to walk around the block while Grandma and Washoe rode. Her brain was firmly back in her head by the time we got back, so I mounted up and we rode around the parking lot before calling it a day.

When we got back, Bill saddled Alloy and made him go for a ride.

Now that that silliness is out of their system, the parade tomorrow should be a breeze.

Everyone is okay (humans and horses), but leaving the horses tied is going to be interesting for a while.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After riding Al around the block, I was sitting with an ice pack on my leg from a kick (or something during the explosion), when I was asked by a neighbor if I could "put down" her injured pet duck (broken leg, bad prognosis from several vets).

Her whole flock of chickens and ducks watched the execution, and RAN AWAY from me when I left the yard, I don't think they will ever trust me again.

So coming back into the lodge, limping, with a bloody machete in my hand, I was greeted by a young woman that had pulled up asking for directions to a nearby camp ground. She pretended not to notice that I looked like a mass murderer of some sort. Blood splatters and all.

O.M.G.

I'm having a beer.

Bill 

A Long Winter

  This was supposed to have been published in May of LAST year, but I just found it as a draft...

 Last week I was driving down Hwy 7 in Estes Park and almost hit a hawk.  It flew from the side and turned to fly directly in front of me about 3 feet above the ground right in front of my bumper.  It refused to drop the rabbit that was weighing it down, and finally veered off.  I was so glad I did not kill a federally protected raptor.  It would have been even worse, because I was driving a mail truck.

Yeah, I've been delivering mail over the winter to  help pay the utility bills at the lodge.  Last Monday was my last day doing it, and now I'm back to working the lodge full time.

It had been a long, and pretty lonely winter up here due to the Covid pandemic.  Maintaining "Social distancing"  and wearing a mask in my home was getting kind of old.  So Juanita and I, having been fully vaccinated, made a corporate decision to not require guests to wear masks here in the lodge if they can provide proof of vaccination.

Last weekend we had our first full lodge mask free retreat in over 14 months.  EVERYONE was vaccinated.  It was wonderful being able to smile when telling a dumb joke and be sure people knew I was joking, and not just being an idiot.

Eating breakfast at the same table with our guests had been sorely missed.  Passing around bowls of  food rather than individual plates of food causes less waste, and is a lot more flexible.  I like "family style". 

It was like coming home.  We loved it.

Bad Cop, Good Cop

 

Saturday, March 19^th, 5:00 p.m.

Phone rings.  “Hi Scott.  How are you?”  “Juanita, I just wanted to call and let you know I moved the horses from the north section to the south.”  “OK, thanks.”  “I really called to tell you … that brown horse of yours ….” 

Oh, oh.  What has Alloy done now?  Apparently, after getting caught, loaded, and moved, Al had decided he couldn’t get out of the trailer fast enough, so he went charging out backwards, breaking the hay string that had been used on his halter to lead him and load him.  (We tend to use whatever is handy to move our horses around, be it a dog leash, hay string, belt, whatever – as they are generally very good about it.)  There was no way anyone was going to get near him again.  So we got the call that we now had a horse loose in a very large pasture with a halter on; an absolute no-no in all our books.

 We headed the 18 miles down off the mountain to see if we could be of help.  Fortunately, the time was just right for us to use our own canyon to make the trip.  Our canyon is under construction to fix flood damages from 8 years ago and you can only drive it certain times of the day.  We got to the pasture, found the horses and discovered we also were not going to get near them; even my boy who comes at a trot when I call said, “not now, there’s grass!”

                                        Washoe is the white horse, Alloy is hidden behind him.

We decided to just come back the next day and ‘walk them down’.  Sunday dawned bright and sunny.    This time Washoe walked right up to me and let me brush all the mud off, a good deal of winter hair, and detangle the dreadlocks from his mane; all without a halter.  We spent the morning walking the pasture behind a stubborn bay horse with a more stubborn black mare, who seems to have become the lead mare and wanted nothing to do with Alloy getting caught.  Washoe went back to the other horses and started grazing and the two errant horses decided to circle them.  You would have thought they were inside a 30 ft. round pen, instead of on 30 acres of pasture.  

 Fortunately, the mare is not the endurance horse Alloy is, and finally tired and joined the others grazing.  That made the circling game not so fun any longer and Alloy finally joined them after a few more circles. Bill did almost all the ‘lunging’ while I stayed on the outside incase one of them decided to leave the circle.  Finally, Bill walked back to the car for some water and more snacks.  In the interim Al decided to just hang with the others so I walked into the group and started rubbing faces.  Guess who wanted his face rubbed, too?  After a couple of attempts, he stood still when I offered him an oat granola bar in exchange for his halter.  He was very still while I unbuckled it, then almost forgot his oat bar.  He sooo wants to still be a wild horse! 

The whole process really only took three and a half hours.  Bill said Alloy considered him the ‘bad cop’ and me the ‘good cop’.  What a great way to spend a gorgeous day – with the horses.

Bionic Cowgirl