2008

It has been a while since I last typed in some news. The past season and off season held a lot of loss for me personally. I found out I was pregnant in July and went to have the ultra sound in August, my husband and son in tow and was told that it had implanted in the wrong place. All I remember was the doctor saying not a viable pregnancy. Still not a comfort. So what started out as an exciting visit turned into a nightmare. I was scheduled for surgery that day and when I got home that night I was one tube shy and no longer pregnant. I was devastated and the despair unbearable. Jimmy and James are my rock and the outpouring of support from family and friends comforting.

Something good came out of the whole ordeal. I was hired to do the interior of a mountain house by my husband's Aunt and Uncle and 3 other couples. I had the best time and realized this is such a passion of mine that a girlfriend and I have started an interiors and project management business.

I lost my beloved horse, Fancy. She was a 31 year old quarter horse and was with us since I was about 9 or 10 years old. She had been going down hill and let us know she was ready. The vet came up and put her down. I will never get used to it, and no horse will ever be able to fill her shoes.

My birthday has passed and my 34th year will be great. I have read quite a few remarkable books that helped me through and look forward to a great season. We are looking to purchase more horses and have a group scheduled the 17th of May. I have veteran staff this summer. First year it has happened and I am grateful to them. They are the best!

Some changes we have made: Hillside is pet friendly and instead of doing guided public trail rides we are going to host horsemanship clinics.

Fencing has gone up along our Rock Creek pasture, and we will be lucky to have another pasture with which to rotate our horses. Hay season coming soon. Got to get my strength up and back conditioned to pick up and unload bales of hay. Need to shed my winter pounds.

It has been nice corresponding with old and new visitors to Sky Valley. Keep in touch and see you soon.

Happy trails,
Catherine

NEW RATES FOR 2007

2007 crept up on me and now it is already spring! Sky Valley is turning green, trees starting to bud, and it is just beautiful. I believe spring is my favorite season.

We have posted our new rates for 2007. Hillside House is now $180/night & $950/week, minimum 2 nights and maximum of 8 people. Guided trail rides are now $30/hour and $50/2 hour. 2 person minimum and 8 person maximum. Reservations required for all.

Fence going in across from our barn and I am picking out colors for Hillside's downstairs bedrooms and living room. We have had someone donate a horse and looking forward to its arrival.

Thanks for your calls and emails. I look forward to having you with us. Before everything gets booked call or email me your dates for the house.

Happy trails,
Catherine

Peak leaf weekend open for Hillside House

With summer over, I have a little more free time. Horses doing well and will be put out to pasture on the 15th of October. We have Teaching Two as One, Bob Jeffreys and Suzanne Sheppard coming back from 4th of Oct. until the 10th of Oct. to run another trail clinic.

Hillside is booked almost every weekend until November, but the peak leaf weekend just opened up. The weekend of the 13th of October. Book now to view the beautiful fall foliage.

Projects that I hope to have done during the off season: finish log cabin, additional bathroom added on to Hillside, and fence in remaining pasture. No small tasks but ones that will enhance Sky Valley. Plus I want to continue my education in building.

We have had a good season and I thank you for your patronage. Look forward to 2007 season!
Just a reminder that the house stays open until December 1st, and again the weekend of the 13th of October is OPEN. That is generally the peak color weekend. Hope to have you with us soon.

Happy trails,
Catherine

Camping no longer available at Sky Valley.

We have closed our camping area. For the horse trailer campers and tent campers that have been with us these last two seasons, we thank you. We have enjoyed meeting you, but it was not the route we wanted to take with the property.

We are however offering guests who want to bring their horses our rental house with a per night horse fee for pasture or barn. You can contact me for details. Thank you again for your patronage.

Happy trails,
Catherine

In the midst of summer.

I cannot believe it has been this long and that it is already mid July! Camp groups have been fun and we have had great horse trailer campers. Hillside House is booked until August 6th, and your inquiries keep coming. This weekend the Blue Ridge Horseman Assoc. is coming to horse trailer camp and their organizer has been fabulous keeping me well informed.

I have had my first kick by a horse. I have been stepped on, bitten and had to bail a few times but never kicked. Who knew at 32 yrs. that I would get kicked in the side of my left knee. I am supposed to stay off of it as much as possible, but I had to tell my Doctor that it is impossible in my line of work. I am walking all the time. Luckily it only hurts some of the time and is not unbearable, more annoying now. Since then we have hired a wonderful girl to help at the barn and I hope to keep her for the next few years. It is rare these days that you find a teenager with the work ethic that she possesses. Thank goodness for Olivia, and she is doing a wonderful job with Annie, one of our new horses. Annie got her first pair of shoes this morning, and did not freak out like I thought she would. Good job Olivia!

I want to tell the Sky Valley campers that have emailed thank you. I have enjoyed communicating and hope to have you visit in the near future. Gotta run...my bed is calling me.

Happy trails,
Catherine