Chapter 18 #2
She was nervous about horses. The good news was that Silas would have most of the resort horses and mules out on backcountry excursions.
That meant there’d be plenty of empty stalls.
But with horse people coming to the stampede, the resort would get booking requests.
She told Silas to reserve eight stalls. The McKinnons were bringing four horses, possibly six if Brett brought two for himself and Darcy.
If Brett and Darcy came but didn’t bring horses, she needed to line up four horses.
If Brett and Darcy brought horses, she’d only need two, plus a horse for Bart.
Figuring out the logistics had her head spinning.
All resort horses were booked that week for outback excursions or the trail ride business.
The resort made serious money Stampede week off trail rides.
At $75 an hour or $150 for a two hour ride, ten horses for a two hour ride generated a quick $1500.
The resort could clear $25,000 that week alone from trail rides.
So Silas reserved every available horse for that and assigned Becky to oversee those operations.
She asked Mack if he could find five good horses for the week. He reported back that it wasn’t easy, but he had five horses firm. With stalls and horses reserved, Molly ticked that off her punch list and moved to the next item.
She studied the Stampede calendar and stressed for a week over what the agenda for the McKinnon visit might look like. She tinkered with draft calendars for two days before finally firming one up and writing Kitty.
Dear Kitty,
Here’s a draft agenda for Stampede weekend. Let me know your thoughts.
Wednesday : Bart arrives.
Thursday : McKinnons arrive, check in, board horses at stables, dinner at the cabin (BBQ ribs).
Friday: Team Mack practice in the morning; relay race in afternoon; dinner at cabin (Rib-eyes).
Saturday : Morning Parade; afternoon rodeo and barrel race; evening BBQ at cabin (roasted whole pig).
Sunday : Breakfast at the cabin; trail ride; afternoon departures.
Let me know if that works. I have more detail, but those are the main events.
I’m thinking a short trail ride Sunday morning so you’ll have time to get away early afternoon.
I have horses for those not bringing their own and stalls reserved in the stables for everyone.
The stables are a short walk from my place and the lakefront cabins.
My cabin is on Summer Lake with a large yard suitable for the evening gatherings.
We’ll have all evening meals there and Sunday breakfast.
The meals are heavy to meat. If we have vegetarians, better to speak up now. We can work with that.
Please let me know about Cheyenne’s kids. Are they riders? How old are they? Should I be getting ponies or horses for them for the trail ride?
We’re set for Brett and Darcy either way. We have a cabin reserved, horses, and stalls. If they don’t come, no worries. If they do, all the better.
For drinks, we’ll have plenty of Jack Daniels, Glenfiddich, beer, wine, and soft drinks. If people have special requests, let me know.
I know I’m missing something. Please give me your thoughts.
So excited to meet you all.
Molly
Two hours later, an email pinged in from Kitty.
Dear Molly,
OMG!!! This is going to be amazing. We’re so pumped.
Your menu sounds great. But we’re bringing the ribs and the steaks. That’s nonnegotiable. You can do the pig (amazing!).
We’re bringing all the Jack Daniels, Glenfiddich, and wine you could possible need. That’s nonnegotiable too. You can do beer and soft drinks.
You’ll have a team of cowboys to barbeque and a team of cowgirls to help in the kitchen. We’re determined that you are not doing all the work. What you’re planning is already too generous.
Vegetarians? That’s so funny!
Cheyenne’s kids are eight, ten, ten, and twelve.
They all ride. The eight-year-old would ride a pony.
The others can ride a horse. But, honestly, Molly, where are you going to find four more horses for Stampede weekend?
If that’s a problem, no worries, please.
We don’t all have to go on the trail ride.
Oh, we’ll bring saddles and tack for everyone just in case.
I hope you have a big yard. We assume the pups will be around for at least part of the time.
We will arrive individually at Summer’s End by midafternoon Thursday. We’ll get checked into our places and unload at the stables.
After the long drive, Mom and I would like to exercise our horses that afternoon if that’s possible. Do you have an area near the stables where that might work?
About the trail ride, you mentioned a short one so we could get away.
We’re up for four or five hours if there’s a suitable destination.
We’d love to see as much of the country as we can.
Maybe we do Sunday breakfast on our own and start earlier for the trail ride.
Maybe we pack pig leftovers and have a picnic.
If we leave Summer’s End by 4:00, we’ll be in Kalispell by 10:00.
And there’s never been a McKinnon trail ride without a horse race of some kind. That’s just how we roll. So if there’s a good place for that to happen, we’ll leave it to you to set up. If not, no worries.
Please, please, please tell us what else we can do?
Warmly,
Kitty
The next day Molly sent her last note to Kitty confirming arrangements for the big weekend.
Dear Kitty,
We’re all set for horses. My brother lives on the family ranch and runs a livestock auction. He’s helped me line up a pony and horses for the kids. I think we’re set. Yes, it would help if you’d bring saddles and tack.
We have a quarter mile track and exercise center adjacent to the stables. We board, exercise, and train horses at Summer’s End Stables, so I think you’ll find the area suitable.
A horse race. OMG! Okay, you asked for it. We’ve got the track for it. We’ll give everyone time for a good warm-up, then set the race. What a hoot!
A longer trail ride! Perfect. We’ll go up to Twin Falls for a picnic. I’d plan five hours, say 9:00 to 2:00 for that. You’ll see some beautiful country.
Yes, I have a big yard right on the lake. Plenty of room for the party.
I think we’re set. Please let me know if you have other questions.
Oh, yeah, let me know about Brett and Darcy when you know for sure.
Warm regards,
Molly
An hour later, a note pinged in from Kitty.
Hi Molly,
Brett and Darcy are in. They read your agenda for the weekend and committed. They’re bringing their own horses. Brett is an expert at roasting pigs, so he’s asked to be a part of that team, especially the carving.
See you soon.
Kitty