This is an area of residential horse farms with miles of trails in the woods and down lanes between (or through) the farms. There is little to no common fencing, but an easement between instead. The soil is sandy and the terrain very slightly rolling. No hills like Brenham, but you wouldn't have to keep your pony shod. You do need a good sense of direction or you could wander around lost in the pines for a while. Not that that is necessarily a bad thing! I've also discovered that the iPhone has an excellent GPS app for recording your track and showing speed and distance. As you drive along, a little voice says, "You have covered one kilometer." Technology rocks.

Several top US drivers either reside or winter here. Jennifer Matheson is just down the road at Katydid Farm where they hold the Katydid CDE in November. Lisa Singer regularly passes by the barn as we are working (Pearl chased her carriage OMG!) and I've seen Suzy Stafford a time or two. Their places are not far and I've passed them on my explorations. I found myself at Shelly Temple's by semi-accident. I knew I was headed her direction, but didn't know I was there until she called out my name as I went by. Shelly is my excuse for being here and she is working with Gucci (and me and Giorgio) for the next two months. We plan to do two Florida shows, Little Everglades and Live Oak, before heading home.

There is no shortage of training opportunities. The first Saturday I was here we went over to watch the Gilcrest Farm Driving Trial. Although I didn't get to talk to HACA-member Karen Gorham because she was competing, I discovered she is here training with Muffy Seaton. Sunday, I rode with Meghan as she drove her pair back over and now I know a new path through the woods! The Aiken driving club keeps a full schedule and I'll report as we go along.

Meghan and Peggy (and many others) have been gone the past week(end) to the Sunshine State CDE in Ocala, Florida. Pearl and I are living in their barn apartment and today taking advantage of the Benge laundry machines. After a warm sunny day yesterday, it has turned cloudy and cold, so we are concentrating on indoor activities, like laundry, ... and blogging. Later, after a trip to the post office to send in my Live Oak entry, we'll make a stop at the grocery store. I have a tiny kitchenette with a sink, refrigerator, microwave and toaster oven. I now also have an electric kettle and french press for making my morning cup of coffee. I miss your cooking, Karin.