Slash J Trial - We Got Slashed

Moving to Saskatchewan allowed me to be in the backyard of the Slash J Trial and the Big One -I packed up the dogs - lucky 13 - or so I thought.  I had packed up and slipped into town, removing the 50 pounds of mud off of Dora and the trailer, planning to go on the highway to get to the border.  I luckily was reminded that a passport was required to cross the border, so back I went back home and dug out my pass into the great U.S. of A. - and then proceeded on the gravel roads to build up another 50 pounds of mud on my unit.  I removed the mud before I crossed the border, and lo and behold, the let me in (I guess all the warnings did not get to them in time).  I rolled into Joni's about 7 hours later, and caught up with some old friends.  The last to arrive was Amanda Milliken and Sue Shoen - who were to be my bunk mates for the night.  I hoped I would not keep them up with my snoring - but they beat me to the punch - it was like the dueling banjos between the two of them.  Morning came early, and Ron Enzeroth was to be the illustrious judge of the hour - or should I say hours.  I had only Gin to run, and I was glad to say she was on the top half - the top half of those who didn't get a score.  She thought she would cross over, and then when she did get to the right spot, the ewes hightailed it back to the set out pen.  Oh trialling can be very humbling at times.  Please trial gods, I have been humbled a lot in the last year - I am an expert on it.
I noticed I was having a slight air problem with one of my tires, so I ran in to get it checked out.  Good news - I got into town before getting a flat. Bad news - I will be the owner of two new tires by the end of the weekend.  Then I noticed that a cap off of my dog trailer tire decided to leave - and having had this happen before, I have made arrangements for that to be dealt with before my tire leaves my dog trailer, or wrecks my axle.
The first day of the trial was good for some - most notably Amanda and Monty, and Joni and Possum.  Tomorrow will be the young dog's turn - Mitch and Floss.  I have a feeling that I will have donated a lot of money this weekend - but can you really have a price on fun?  Well yes, about $800 or so!