Monday, May 29, 2017

#24 Recovering from hip surgery

On May 15, 2017 I broke my hip.  Didn't fall but a slight  of the upper torso and not by the lower torso, I heard the bone snap.  Something that  had concerned me for sometime.  Now I am home in recovery mode.  PT and time is the order of the day.  Walking with a walker, slow and easy.  No sudden change of direction, think before making a move.  One of the things that trouble me is the extra burden I am putting on my wonderful wife.  She is very supportive and under standing of the situation.  But still it's extra work for her.  Thanks honey.

Thank you family for your love and support.

Take care, tell the one's you love that you care.
Pappy1
      

Monday, May 15, 2017

#23 Mule Train

I have been working since January on a twenty mule team hauling borate from Death Valley to Mojave.  I ride the 2nd wagon as a brakeman.  Also help with the mules morning and night.  The weather out here can vary a lot.  Wind, rain, and some snow.  Can get hot and dry.  Watering and feeding the mules is very important.  Our food is usually fat back and beans.  Maybe a tin of peaches once in awhile.  The mule driver doesn't talk very much, and I am inclined that way.  Camp is quite as we each take care of our chores.  In Mojave we have one night free.  I try to get a good meal of beef or pork, fried chicken if possible.  Fresh vegetables are hard to come by.  Maybe a couple of beers, just to be around people and hear them talk.  I could get a bed in a hotel but I save my money and sleep in the wagon yard.  They say it is going to be summer soon and it will get really hot.  I have heard talk about work in Los Angeles in the fruit orchards.  I will keep that possibility in mind. 

I have learned a lot about mules and their ways.  Each one of them has some quirk going.  Like only being hooked up a certain way or just seeming not to want to co-operate with the others.  But once we get them all hooked up and the driver gives the go ahead they all work together. 

The country we travel through all seemed the same on my first couple of trips.  Now I notice how it changes and how much life is out here.  The rain brought out lots of flowers, bees, birds, and other small creatures.  A few weeks ago we came on a fellow with burro searching for gold.  He camped with us that night.  He was quite a talker.  Told us many yarns about Death Valley and adventures.  Said he doesn't see may people and he' s told all his tails to the burro so it doesn't listen anymore.  Made for a pleasant camp.  Gave me things to think about for a couple of days.

We should be getting into Mojave tomorrow night.  We will be staying over for three days while the wagons get repaired.  Give me chance to see more of Mojave and get to know the area a little.