Trina's Treasures and Treats: Wow...I missed an entire month?

Not that there is much going on in my life, but I missed an entire month!! I do have ramblings to post and pictures too.

After the Vegas trip in August, Steve and I went to the McConnell Family Reunion. Three days of staying in "rustic cabins" and spending time with the family. There was hiking, napping, 4-wheeling, swimming, fishing, cooking, sitting by the fire, stories to be told, kids to watch...so much activity. The dogs were in on all the excitement too. The family had rented cabins at Louie Lake Lodge in Wyoming. The area is not only 10-15 miles off the highway on a dirt road, it has NO cellular service for emergencies. That's okay, we were there for peace, quiet, and to be surrounded by family. We had a great time with the family. The area was BEAUTIFUL and there was still snow on the ground in some areas. Yes, snow, in August.

There was a lot of excitement the first day of the trip. Oreo was exposed to rat poison. Unfortunately, the owners of the cabins did not take the opportunity to warn us or anyone there was rat poison under the beds. Oreo found it. She didn't chew long...thank GOD for my sister-in-law, Mandy, for getting it away from her, fast! That started the doggy adventures. While Steve and I were trying to call emergency vets in Lander, WY (none of which would answer their emergency lines), Reggie (my aunt's dog) was "bumped" by the rear wheel of a truck and wedged under for a moment. The next day BOTH dogs were taken back to Rock Springs for treatment.

Oreo needed vitamin K and Reggie had some pretty severe bruising. Fortunately, Reggie had NO broken bones. Unfortunately, Steve and I had to contact 4 different pharmacies in RS to find one that had the pills she needed. When we finally found a pharmacy, the pills were $10.17 EACH. She needed 63!!!!! I knew she needed to be treated, but over $600 for some pills? I don't think so. I bought 6 pills and called my vet on the way out the pharmacy door. I must say Dr. Kanda is the best!!! She saw Oreo 2 days later, had a much cheaper option for treatment, AND did not charge me for a vet visit bill. With gas, vet bills, medication charges, and blood work; Oreo's treatment was still over $300. I contacted the lodge owners, NO response, and NO apology. A simple warning would have been extremely helpful...What if it had been one of my nieces or nephews that found the poison? Do you think they would be sorry then?

Well those dogs were cared for, then Tuppy had an allergic reaction while Steve and I were gone and had to be treated. Maybe the vet in Rock Springs was right (she treated both Reggie and Oreo); that place may not be meant for dogs.

The next day, Shannon's van got a flat tire. My silly cousins...they say "Go park it by Uncle Dee's cabin." Matt, her husband, was out riding four wheelers and she was watching sleeping children. She moved the van and within in minutes, my father (greatest man ever), had the tire off and sent Randy and Shane to town to get it fixed. They had an adventure with that...another story, another time. Matt returned to see a tire missing; he wanted to know why the spare wasn't just put on. My dad's response, "What if you need the spare for the drive home?" Always prepared, that Dad of mine. :) When Shane and Randy returned, the guys had the tire back on the van in minutes. Good as new.

Finally, the last evening of the reunion... Steve asks my mother, "Can I take your 4-wheeler for a ride? I'd like to see what it can do." Mom says, "Sure." Over an hour later, Steve returns to camp WITHOUT the four wheeler. He had had an accident. Turns out, he lost his balance: maybe going to fast, maybe the loose gravel, maybe smaller machine and bigger guy. Regardless, he had rolled the machine and fell off. All the guys in camp went and retrieved the machine...thumb throttle broken off, lots of scratches and dents, but NOT totaled in any way. My husband felt sooooo bad. He wanted to go home right then. Physically, turns out he was okay, no need for x-rays; emotionally, another story. Fortunately, my mother was a champ!! She walked up to him and said, "I'm not upset you wrecked my machine. I'm mad that you took off by yourself, didn't tell anyone where you where going, and you weren't wearing a helmet! You could be dead, lying under that machine and we wouldn't find you until we smelt you!" I think he got off fairly easy. No one took pictures of the wrecked machine...probably best.

Wow, after reading that, sounds like the trip was not so great...it really was. Steve does think the place is cursed. Maybe it was just some bad luck for that week. I do think I'll pull our trailer up before we stay at the lodge again.

The last night, the family all sat around the camp fire. We heard every one's favorite memories of Grandma and Grandpa McConnell...I sure miss those two!