From Sunshine to Snow

What a difference 900 miles makes when traveling straight north. We left last night at 6:15 pm, right after the sun went down in warm sunny Gulf Shores, Alabama to start our long 14 hour drive back home. We were hoping to surprise the husbands by showing up 12 hours earlier than expected except Diane told mom and mom told Mark. Sarah had to call Nolan so he could meet us in Bartonville. The only husband surprised was Lee. We drove into his driveway at 7:30 am to drop off Rhoda to a very happily surprised husband at that house. It was also below freezing. We pulled in at the Hanna City farm at 8:30 am. Mark was out spreading clover so I made a quick breakfast, unpacked the suitcase, started a load of laundry then headed out to the barn. Shaeya and Sadie were working with Evan in the indoor. Karin helped me move a new bale in the last paddock for all the foals, Sangria and Oksana and another bale in the middle paddock while Shaeya and Sadie put Evan away and brought out Galena, Zalena, Jenis, Oksana, Anna and Indy. Below Shaeya and Sadie are warming up Oksana and Jenis while Karin rides Anna. As soon as Karin finished with Anna, they switched horses.

 I finished working outside, Mark finished spreading the clover just in time for lunch which was chicken noodle soup. I'm dragging today, tired from the trip and just plain cold. Mark got the wood burner going and I took a short nap on the couch while waiting for the room to warm up. Within an hour I awoke, looked out the window to see big fat fluffy snow flakes dancing in the air as they fell from the sky. These flakes were coming down so thick it covered the ground within minutes. It is a beautiful sight but one  so far removed from yesterday's warm temperatures, white sand, bright yellow sun, gorgeous blue sky and clear blue water that I can't help but believe we came back just a few days too soon.

The snow stopped after dropping just a couple inches, but this batch of snow is wet and heavy so Mark cleared off the patio and a walk way out to the garage before supper.
 We had a wonderful trip, enjoyed the sunshine and water but I'm glad to be home and really looking forward to crashing in my own bed tonight.