Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Surprises!

The other day, as I was driving up my gravel road, heading home, I ran into a neat surprise. There in front of me were two covered wagons pulled by horses! They pulled to the side, when they saw me, so I could pass by. But instead of passing by, I stopped and opened my car window, and asked the men in the wagons if they could stop by my driveway, just ahead, while I ran in the house a grabbed my camera. They agreed. So I sped up to the house, ran in and ran out with camera in hand, followed by my two barking dogs. I told the dogs to stay! and being good girls, they obeyed nicely.
This is the second wagon. I messed up the order, when I downloaded the photos, and I didn't want to do it over, since it takes forever with my slow dial up Internet.


This is the photo that should have been first. The men told me there were about 20 other covered wagons that were up ahead. "We're the slowpokes of the group," one of the guys said.


They also told me they were members of the Maynard Saddle Club, and they go on these outings twice a year-driving up and down these hilly gravel roads. I was sorry I missed the rest of the caravan, but they told me they would be all back the first week of October. I'll be ready with my camera then!


The second surprise was finding out that my prickly pear cactus was blooming! This prickly pear cactus appeared in this spot a few years ago, on its own. It has been spreading and growing bigger and bigger. And now, it's blooming! Aren't the flowers beautiful? The pads of this plant are edible, and very nutritious, but you'd better pick them off while wearing gloves. They don't call it the prickly pear for nothing!

I hope you enjoyed my surprises. And if you're experiencing the sweltering heat, we are experiencing, I hope you're managing to stay cool. If you're living in the areas plagued by severe storms, I pray that you stay safe.

Thank you for reading. Have a great week.

26 comments:

Patty said...

That would be a neat surprise along with the catcus. Yes. we're having very hot weather. And it stormed last night, but nothing severe. I mowed yesterday morning before 9am, grass was a little damp, but I cleaned off the mower before I put it away. Thanks for sharing the wagons. I wonder what they do all summer? You said they will be back through the first week in October.

Renie Burghardt said...

Good morning, Patty,

Oh, they just go on these special "gravel road" rides twice a year, with their covered wagons. It's just a hobby of sorts, with the group. They also participate in parades.

We had a storm last night as well. Not too severe, but with lots of rain. So it's cooler this morning. I am going out to lunch today with an old friend I haven't seen in a while. Thank you for commenting. Have agreat day.

Renie

Jmkdreak said...

Neat pictures!
Love the cactus too.

xoxox

Tina Coruth said...

Renie,

What wonderful surprises! I'm so glad you got photos. I enjoyed looking at them. It must be a wonderful experience to ride along those beautiful country roads in horse pulled wagons. October should be a real treat, too!

Your prickly pear cactus is beautiful!

Have a wonderful day, my friend!
Hugs,
Tina

Michele said...

Oh, how neat, Renie! I love the photos and this post turned out so nicely--even if the photos were switched around! ;-) I always love your posts, photos, and the descriptions of them.

I can just imagine how surprised and delighted you were to happen upon this situation! Good thing your camera had batteries raring to go! ;-)

I've always thought these buggies pulled by horses were just so intriguing. I can't imagine actually "driving" one of those! You'd have to "feed" your vehicle something other than gas--hahah! ;-)

And, I love the blooming little cactus. The yellow blooms are so sweet!

*smiles*
Michele

sandy said...

What a neat surprise!! That was fun to see photos of.

s

Gigi Ann said...

I always loved seeing the horse and wagon parades. About once a year around here the men have tractors they drive around, old ones, new ones, big ones, and small ones. They go by my house, and I just set on my porch and wave and watch them go by. It doesn't take much to entertain me. Hee, hee.

The little yellow prickly pear flowers are so pretty.

Have a fun week.

David/Sue said...

Beautiful photos, Renie I have been going back through your post. I love them. I love history and anyone with history to tell I set up and take notice. Thank you for sharing.

Mountain Mama said...

Hello Renie. Oh how I wish I could have seen the horse drawn wagons too. What a fun experience. Thanks for posting the pictures. Aren't the horses just wonderful? I love gravel raods!
I had to smile when you wrote about wanting to grab your camera. We bloggers are famous for that! LOL

We had a powerful rain & wind storm late yesterday, The rain pounded so hard on my roof that it frightened my little dog. It also made my flowers droop, some so badly they were laying on the ground this morning.

Your Prickly Pear cacti has gorgeous flowers. I read that the fruit of this cacti is also edible but I've never tried it. We can't grow Cacti here. It's too wet and cold. When I visited my girls in San Diego I enjoyed seeing all the different kinds that grow there and in the desert.
Once again I have totally enjoyed reading your post! Oh I want to mention that when I read that you are published in the Guidepost magazine I decided to subscribe again. (I hope that is the magazine you mentioned)I used to get it several years ago and enjoyed it very much.
God bless you dear Renie.
Keep your camera handy! LOL

Unknown said...

Wow! What a neat meeting. I've not encountered a horse-drawn anything in many years.

Anonymous said...

the flowers are lovely. i'm not fond of cactus but i love flower plants. lately, i've developed fondness towards these kinds of plants and i have a few at home. i'm growing them. =D

by the way, i have an award for you at http://coloritgreen.blogspot.com. you are so deserving. God bless!

2 LMZ FARMS said...

Thought there for a minute you had captured my family in the photo.lol We enjoy Sunday afternoon rides in wagons and on horseback. Hope you and yours have a blessed day.

Susie said...

Hi Renie,
What an unusual sight. Like a true blogger, you did the right thing in going for your camera so we could all share!
Our neighbor has a large prickly pear cactus, but I've never seen the yellow flowers. It does get loads of fruit though. Do you eat the fruit?
Stay cool, we're roasting here, too!
hugs

Mary said...

Renie,

What a delightful surprise. I'm sorry you missed the rest of the caravan, but be sure to catch it in October.

The cactus is beautiful. I had no idea the fruit was edible, so I learned something here today.

Take care and enjoy your woods.
Blessings,
Mary

Talk..to..Grams said...

I sure enjoyed your suprise of the covered wagons! How neat this is! The cactus was beautiful!! Our weather here by Kansas City is still stormy tonight! Love and hugs Grams

BClark said...

Dear Miss Renie, What lovely surprises. I could go for the driving around in the horse and wagon, time to think and enjoy. Cactus have some of the prettiest flowers, great second surprise. Seems to me I read somewhere that you can burn the spines off. Think they were doing that so they could feed to cattle? Amazing all the stuff floating around in my head,lol. Did you see my post about your plant? I found the name for you. Also thank you for the comment in my blog and you are so right. We do need to count our blessings, I was having a cranky day. I was telling someone to check out your blog because of all the neat things. Best to you, Barbara

Deborah Wilson said...

Renie,

How cool! I love seeing horses and wagons, but they are mainly in the small towns. We have horse and carriage rides in Marietta, but I haven't seen a horse and wagon.

May be this is a omen that they will be our next transportation!

The pear cactus is very pretty. It looks close to the same plant that I saw growing wild on top of Pigeon Hill at Kennesaw Mountain today. I'll get the pictures up on Saturday, and maybe you will know what kind of cactus it is.

Take care..:)

hippo chick said...

oh my renie,

what fun to see the wagons. so glad you were able to get pictures of them.

your prickly pear cactus is beautiful. we have seen prickly pear jelly for sale on some of our travels.

thanks for stopping by my blog. my wrist feels better each day.

~hippo hugs~

Merle said...

Dear Renie ~~ How great to see the covered wagons and nice they waited until you could get your camera and show us the photos. The cactus is very pretty. I am late in thanking you for your comments on my day out - it was a lovely day
A little sad to see my friend
not entirely with it.Take
care my friend. Love, Merle.

Nonnas News said...

What a neat surprise!! Great pics too! Thank you for sharing!

Renie Burghardt said...

Thank you everyone!

Pia, I will post the award next week, as this week has been extremely busy. It's a beautiful award, and I thank you for giving it to me.

Deborah, omen? Our mode of transportation? Haha. If that would ever happen, hay would start costing and arm and a leg, and we'd be in the same boat!

Oh, and I have never eaten the fruit of the prickly pear. Maybe I will try it this when it appears. It looks like there will be quite a lot of fruit on that cactus this year.

I so appreciate all your visits and comments. Bless you all!

Renie

Unknown said...

That is a nice suprise for you to see these covered wagons and I do hope you will be able to see them again in October too.

I didn't know cactus grows in your part of the world (States) I always thought it was just too cold for them in the winter months..this is really neat to know that can be grown anywhere then.

Have you ever eaten any Prickly Pear Apples from those Opuntia's growing in that patch?

Renie Burghardt said...

Hi Rosy,

Yes, prickly pear grows in the Ozarks, as does yucca. I have not eaten the pear or fruit, but may try it this year. It looks like there will be plenty on the plant.

Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. I hope all is well with you.

Renie

audrey` said...

Yes! 2 wonderful surprises for me.
Thank you, Renie =)

Renie Burghardt said...

Dear Audrey,

Nice to hear from you again! Missed you.

Hugs,

Renie

About Nancy said...

What beautiful pictures. I am glad you asked them for the photo. What beautiful scenery!
Thanks,
Nancy