There's No Place Like Home

Whew. We made it!! What a relief. You should have seen Memo when she got off the trailer... she was neighing and nickering like crazy! So happy to be back to the barn she knows and loves, and so thrilled to see all of her old buddies. Once she got into her paddock, she rolled around on the ground, ate lots of grass and drank lots of water. What a good pony girl.

We had a good drive home. Had some issues with lights on the truck and trailer, so we decided to wait until dawn to head out. The girls crashed out in the backseat and got a few more hours of sleep. Jim was a great driver and took good care of us :) I tried to doze but didn't have much luck. I was very happy to find a Dutch Bros. Coffee in La Grande, OR! Hit the spot and helped cure my headache.

What a great trip we had. Nat had the "best time of her life". So thrilled she had a great time. She was so proud of her Memo girl... and she should be so proud of herself. That girl has so much talent and determination. Couldn't be any more proud of her. We are all going to start saving our pennies so we can go again in two years!

We have so many people to thank for this trip. So hard to know where to start. A huge thanks going out to the Winter family for letting us borrow their truck and trailer. Gave us so much peace of mind having Diana along for the trip there, and loved having that big diesel truck for going over the Blue Mountains. 

Elise... what a great trainer, friend, and adopted daughter. She is a blessing in our lives and we love her to pieces. So much fun to have around and such a caring and helpful person. You rock, Elise!!

A huge thanks to Grandpa and Grandma Dukes, and to Uncle Jason, Aunt Marie and Gracie for driving all the way to Idaho from Las Vegas to be a part of Nat's cheering section. It meant the world to us all that they could be there. It was so fun to share in Gracie's first horse show... can't wait 'til she rides her first pony :)

Big hugs and thanks going out to Shauna for taking care of my sweet Ginger bunny. That just meant so much to me, as you know how much I love my dear bun. You are the busiest person I know and you still make time to help others. Thanks, Shauna.

And a HUGE thanks to all of you who made donations to Natalie, or gave her jobs to earn money for her trip. You are all so thoughtful and generous! I cannot even believe how blessed we are to have such amazing friends and family. Thanks from the bottom of my heart!!

Will try to post photos tomorrow. What an adventure we had! Just amazing! Thanks again to you all. We are so grateful to be home safe and sound, and to have had this experience together.