Yeah, I know. This is supposed to be a cruising and liveaboard lifestyle blog. I'm no longer cruising or living aboard, although it is a possibility down the road. I just thought I'd pop in to stay in touch and to let you all know what's going on.
First, Drift Away. Yes, it is still for sale. Brokers don't seem to put much effort into selling boats, and I simply don't have the heart to do it. It's not true what they say about the two happiest days in a boat owner's life. The boat has generated a lot of interest according to the brokers, but no really serious offers.
One offer came from a boat restorer who would buy Drift Away, finish it up, and resell it. That interested me, but I declined the offer. I then offered to sell the boat to a long time blog follower for the same price. He looked at it, wants to buy it, but the Canadian dollar exchange rate isn't too favorable right now. He's thinking about it. He has the skills to finish what needs to be done on Drift Away, which is mostly all cosmetic.
Pam is working at Griffin Ranch, working with the horses and taking care of guests during the week when the owners aren't around. That keeps her busy. I've also been learning more about horses.
I'm an animal lover. I think I got this from my Grandfather Chase, a Polish immigrant who came to America, married a farm girl, bought a farm, raised pigs and geese and rabbits and cattle... and couldn't slaughter anything. My grandma had to do it. He didn't have the heart.
As you know, I've been learning a bit about horses lately. Horses are definitely more complicated than dogs and cats. From what I've learned, horses love to have jobs. For a draft horse, its pulling things. For a trail horse, its riding. For a race horse, its running.
I lived in Saratoga Springs for twenty years. I went to the track only a handful of times. I'm not a gambling person and don't understand why anyone is. But the times I went, I enjoyed the horses and the people and the pageantry of it all.
For some reason, on Facebook, I mentioned that Secretariat was perhaps one of the best race horses of all times, winning 20 of 21 races, losing in Saratoga to Onion. Then I got thinking about Man o' War. Who was the better horse?
Well, I googled a bit about Secretariat, and he was indeed a spectacular horse. But when I googled Man o' War I was blown away. This was a super horse.
He also ran 21 races, and won 20. He lost to a horse named Upset at Saratoga, hence the phrase "being upset" by an underdog. But by all accounts, Man o' War was cheated. He was sideways in his starting position when the race started, and was poorly ridden and boxed in for most of the race. When Man o' War broke free, he accelerated and finished only a half a length behind Upset. He went on to beat Upset six more times. You can read an account of this race here.
But what was interesting to me is that Man o' War's owners and trainer told his jockey to hold the horse back at each race. He measured 16.2 hands and 1,200 pounds, a big muscular horse. He had a 28 foot stride, believed to be the longest ever. He won each race easily, and the owners were afraid that such a dominant horse would have a hard time finding competition , as well as odds.
No one wanted to race against Man o' War at one point. At Belmont, Man o' War could find only one challenger for the Lawrence Realization, a horse named Hoodwinked. In this two horse race, Man o' War beat Hoodwinked by 100 lengths and set a world record for the 1 5/8ths mile that stands to this day.
The more I learn about horses, their temperament, their competitive spirits, and their attitudes, the more I like them.
I rode Pam's Morgan, Jeremiah, a few days ago. Pam is a very experienced rider and once said that Jeremiah was head strong and nothing a novice rider like me should be on. He was obstinate and a handful. Well, a couple of weeks ago, Pam put a small child on Jeremiah, He was as meek as a sheep. Later, I rode Jeremiah recently and he was obedient and a smooth horse, but when I was unsaddling him, he gave me a look that said "I could have tossed your ass anytime I wanted, but I didn't, because I know you don't know what you're doing. You just keep the treats coming and no one will get hurt." I got the message loud and clear.
Some of this may be coming from me watching the Sopranos for the first time off of Netflix, I dunno. But it seemed very real to me. Don't mess with the Mafia, and don't mess with horses.
First, Drift Away. Yes, it is still for sale. Brokers don't seem to put much effort into selling boats, and I simply don't have the heart to do it. It's not true what they say about the two happiest days in a boat owner's life. The boat has generated a lot of interest according to the brokers, but no really serious offers.
One offer came from a boat restorer who would buy Drift Away, finish it up, and resell it. That interested me, but I declined the offer. I then offered to sell the boat to a long time blog follower for the same price. He looked at it, wants to buy it, but the Canadian dollar exchange rate isn't too favorable right now. He's thinking about it. He has the skills to finish what needs to be done on Drift Away, which is mostly all cosmetic.
Pam is working at Griffin Ranch, working with the horses and taking care of guests during the week when the owners aren't around. That keeps her busy. I've also been learning more about horses.
I'm an animal lover. I think I got this from my Grandfather Chase, a Polish immigrant who came to America, married a farm girl, bought a farm, raised pigs and geese and rabbits and cattle... and couldn't slaughter anything. My grandma had to do it. He didn't have the heart.
As you know, I've been learning a bit about horses lately. Horses are definitely more complicated than dogs and cats. From what I've learned, horses love to have jobs. For a draft horse, its pulling things. For a trail horse, its riding. For a race horse, its running.
I lived in Saratoga Springs for twenty years. I went to the track only a handful of times. I'm not a gambling person and don't understand why anyone is. But the times I went, I enjoyed the horses and the people and the pageantry of it all.
For some reason, on Facebook, I mentioned that Secretariat was perhaps one of the best race horses of all times, winning 20 of 21 races, losing in Saratoga to Onion. Then I got thinking about Man o' War. Who was the better horse?
Well, I googled a bit about Secretariat, and he was indeed a spectacular horse. But when I googled Man o' War I was blown away. This was a super horse.
He also ran 21 races, and won 20. He lost to a horse named Upset at Saratoga, hence the phrase "being upset" by an underdog. But by all accounts, Man o' War was cheated. He was sideways in his starting position when the race started, and was poorly ridden and boxed in for most of the race. When Man o' War broke free, he accelerated and finished only a half a length behind Upset. He went on to beat Upset six more times. You can read an account of this race here.
But what was interesting to me is that Man o' War's owners and trainer told his jockey to hold the horse back at each race. He measured 16.2 hands and 1,200 pounds, a big muscular horse. He had a 28 foot stride, believed to be the longest ever. He won each race easily, and the owners were afraid that such a dominant horse would have a hard time finding competition , as well as odds.
The more I learn about horses, their temperament, their competitive spirits, and their attitudes, the more I like them.
I rode Pam's Morgan, Jeremiah, a few days ago. Pam is a very experienced rider and once said that Jeremiah was head strong and nothing a novice rider like me should be on. He was obstinate and a handful. Well, a couple of weeks ago, Pam put a small child on Jeremiah, He was as meek as a sheep. Later, I rode Jeremiah recently and he was obedient and a smooth horse, but when I was unsaddling him, he gave me a look that said "I could have tossed your ass anytime I wanted, but I didn't, because I know you don't know what you're doing. You just keep the treats coming and no one will get hurt." I got the message loud and clear.
Some of this may be coming from me watching the Sopranos for the first time off of Netflix, I dunno. But it seemed very real to me. Don't mess with the Mafia, and don't mess with horses.
Hey Dave,
ReplyDeleteSo how are the Pooches liking Florida? Do they have people to make over them and things to chase? I'm guessing Chevy spends his days on Drift Away the RV with his feet propped up stealing your Victory Beers while you're shooting pool with the Ole Man In Law. Hope you're ready for another summer of "working" back up in Bleeckest. Won't be long now...
The dogs aren't liking Florida as much as Georgia or New York. In Georgia, we took them to the beach almost everyday, and in Bleecker we just let them out the door. We were taking them to Griffin Ranch to run and swim, but the place is now infested with alligators so we can't do that. Earl and I are shooting pool and doing some projects around the house. I R&Red a stove top for Judi, and Earl and I just replace a kitchen sink. We're now repairing dry rot on the garage door. Exciting stuff, eh Mark?
ReplyDeleteNot exactly a lot of pic material there Dave. Too much work also. You guys need a short road trip for some excitement! Maybe take a few days and go visit Drift Away!
ReplyDelete