Amazing Odyssey Completed!

Leaves had turned, and leaves had fallen.  

During my sisters' two-week absence, the mountains across HWY 95 from Tibbs Arabians at Colburn had gone from mostly green to the usual late fall amazing patchwork of green and gold, thanks to the seasonal transition of millions of  larch needles. 

Barbara and Laurie's lawn had received most of its annual covering of gold and red fallen leaves. 

Happily, abundant sunshine, blue skies and enough of the autumn color hung on to welcome Barbara and Laurie home from their two week adventure and outstanding achievements at the U.S. Arabian Nationals in Tulsa, Okla.

And, of course, a herd of pretty horses came to the fences to greet them as the big blue pickup, pulling the horse trailer with a U.S. National Champion inside rolled off from HWY 95, turned on to Center Valley Road and made its way through the trees along the middle driveway toward the barn. 

While they were gone, two close family friends and fellow horse lovers, Nancy Wright and Angela Turnbaugh, cared for the horses at home, cleaning stalls and feeding them. 

Angela and Nancy wanted to do something special to welcome Barbara, Laurie and Dusty (the champ) home. 
So, they came up with the idea of decorating his stall. 

It was truly a lovely moment to watch my sisters come down that driveway, and I can report with total accuracy and no fake news whatsoever that their SMILES WERE BIG. 

What a homecoming for Barbara and Laurie and Dusty and what a welcome for the new kid on the block, Artie or RT!

Yesterday morning, Barbara and Laurie had left Frenchtown, the home of brother Kevin, their official groom who had accompanied them to Tulsa. 

On their way back to Sandpoint, they made a very special stop in Ronan at Ravenwood Arabians where Barbara had purchased Dusty, the Champ, ten years ago.  

Their purpose:  to show his former owner Jane Sandlas Bohn and her loyal helper Jen, all of the loot Dusty won at the national show AND, of course, to take a picture. 

A second reason for stopping:  to pick up Artie/RT, the newest Ravenwood young'un to come west to the Sandpoint area.  

The little guy rode in the front stall of the trailer while the champ watched over him in the second trailer stall. 

And, so this phenomenal odyssey, fulfilling a bucket list item for to newly minted retired teachers has ended, but ahead lie the magical memories and the many, many more dreams associated with "all those pretty horses" at Tibbs Arabians. 

Welcome home to all! You're from Sandpoint, and we couldn't be any prouder!