I can't believe it's all coming to an end and this is the last and final instalment in my Horseworks adventure. However, it doesn't end there! Next up is my adventure in New York, which I'll get around to writing in the next few days. Thank you everyone who has followed, supported and read my Horseworks story, you've no idea how much I appreciate it.Here goes....
Friday
Today started off slightly slower, with Hannah, Jess, MaeCile and Nate all out and with just Kerry, Hugh, Kathrin and I left we took the time to slowly make our way through chores and I packed the remainder of my stuff before we left for Cody to pick up our hire car for the weekend to go to Billings. Driving away from the ranch and unsure whether I'd return again was a particularly hard moment. I had made sure I made my way down to Tina to spend some final moments giving her (unwanted) cuddles and telling her I'm sure I'd see her again one day. I spent a few moments alone just looking around, listening to the wildlife and breathing all that I'd experienced here in. Ive always thought that when people come back from trips telling their friends they've had the opportunity to learn new things about themselves is complete rubbish - but is genuinely how I feel. 2015 has been one of the most challenging years to date for me as I've made those drastic changes I began this post with, but sitting here, it felt like I was finally ready to head back to England and face whatever life was about to throw at me next.
Once we arrived at Cody we headed to Mc Donalds and then to pick up our car. Hugh and I sat in the front with me in charge of the music and him obviously in charge of driving. We had a fun car journey with Kathrin sleeping (that girl sleeps anywhere!), Kerry in the back giving directions and Hugh and I singing along and taking stupid snapchats.
Before long we were back and getting ready with several groans from Hugh that it took girls so long to decide what to wear. Admittedly I think I changed my outfit a few times, but finally we were all ready to go and meet up with Hannah and Jess who were also staying in the same hotel as us.The rodeo was amazing and the lady behind that counter was right - we had a fantastic evening being so close to where everything was happening. We could literally lean down and touch the horses and regularly got face-fulls of dirt when the horses or bulls went past at speed. Somehow the rodeo clown ended up picking our tourist look about us out and introduced us to the rest of the crowd as being from Britain which was entertaining. My mouth hung open in complete awe all evening as we watched bull riding, bronc riding, team roping, calf tie down, barrel racing and then kids having a go at catching and riding an unbroken shetland. Much to my mothers disappointment it made me even more keen to give barrel racing and possibly bronc riding a go. I guess I must just be bonkers!
Following the rodeo Hannah and Jess told us about a bar, Daisy Dukes, they were heading to with some cowboy friends, so we of course joined them! Some local cowboys took it upon themselves to teach us to dance and were very friendly. I was more interested in dancing like I knew how with Kathrin and Hugh all evening and had such a laugh. We all had a lovely evening and I particularly enjoyed the line-dancing; having done a fair bit as a child I felt like I knew what I was doing - which is a first when it comes to dancing!Saturday
This morning started off very relaxed with us all leisurely getting up and taking it in turn to shower before heading out to breakfast. As it happens the restaurant said we would have to wait at least 30 minutes for a table so decided to order breakfast to go and sat in Jess's room on the bed watching a film with our breakfast on our lap instead. Soon enough it was time to head back to Cody where Hugh and I were staying in a hotel for the evening because I had to leave at 6am the next morning to catch my flight to New York. It was a nice drive back again with me in the front deciding which music to put on, Hugh driving, Kathrin fast asleep, Kerry giving directions and Jess who was catching a lift back with us also zonked! Before long I was also fast sleep and poor Kerry and Hugh had to navigate us back to Cody just between the two of them.
After we picked our car back up, Jess took Hugh and I back to our hotel for the evening whilst the rest of the group went to the cinema. Hugh and I managed a lovely couple of hours nap - or more, I napped for a few hours whilst he caught up with some sports on TV! After catching up on the sleep we had decided to meet as a group again and go for one last dinner with me there. It was finally hitting me that I would be leaving tomorrow and really didn't want to. I was dreading going to New York alone and having to spend 3 days a tourist, alone with no company, but also slightly excited at seeing the City that never sleeps.
We decided on a steak house restaurant that served some lovely food and caught up about what had been our favourite part of the trip. Mine had definitely been the rodeo as well as wrangling alone with Jess that day. Unfortunately following dinner it was time for Hugh and I to head back to the hotel, some sad goodbyes and lots of promises to everyone, with Kathrin in particular that I would stay in touch. It was nice to have company for the evening as I can imagine had I been alone it would have been a rather emotional evening at the prospect of leaving a place I had come to love.*
Never in a million years did I expect I would be given the opportunity to visit such an eye-opening, beautiful and breathtaking place in the middle of America, nor end up loving it as much as I did. Both MaeCile and Nate are two of the most welcoming people I have ever met and upon getting home MaeCile reminded me that Horseworks would always be a home away from home to those who wanted it to be. Honestly? That's the only way to describe it. Your stay at Horseworks doesn't feel like a stay in someone else's home, it doesn't feel like a stay in a hotel - it feels like you're in the comfort of your own home, but with the extras that this fascinating part of the world has to offer.
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