By Scott Wells
Alli Baba rider
....Dreams of being Lawrence of Arabia!
OK, the caravan has arrived and now I'm psyched! I've discovered that I LOVE camels! They're not the ill-tempered foul-breath creatures I expected at all.
They're just big, loveable, UGLY horses (c'mon now--compared to a racehorse? You've gotta admit…). OK, I guess a mama camel or a born-and-raised camel person would see them as beautiful. And they certainly are beautifully-evolved animals.
I've learned more about camels in the past 12 hours than I could've imagined. One amazing thing is that those big calluses they have on their knees and hind legs are not regular callouses made by a buildup of worn skin. They're actually born with them. They have a big one right on the bottom of their chest, too. It's almost like a flat hoof.
It's so the places that make contact with the sand when they're lying down are protected from the heat. And speaking of "hooves," their feet are extremely weird. They're big soft two-toe pads about the size of dinner plates. The handler of the camels says they're so soft it really doesn't hurt too badly when one steps on you. I think I'll take his word on that one. I don't intend to find out for myself.
Another thing I learned is that I'll be riding BEHIND the hump! That's a little alarming because that's an extreme downward slope and believe me, camels have SKINNY BUTTS! There's lots of good thick wool to hold on to, though, so that's good. He says they're almost as fast as a horse and they're very competitive with each other. And just now, to make it even better, the TROPHIES just arrived! They're hilarious!
I want the big first-place one so badly I can't stand it. I can't wait! Let the games begin! Just call me "Lawrence of Remington!"
The Camels and Ostriches Races are tomorrow Saturday 04/10/2010
At Remington Park
Oklahoma City - Oklahoma
For more information call (405) 424-1000
Even though the Ostrich feathers are pretty, the Camels are awesome! Good luck Scott and bring us home the big win!!
ReplyDeleteMy money is on Scott. I know how dangerous he is when he makes up his mind to do something. Alli Baba and Lawrence of Remington is bound for glory!!
ReplyDeleteWell, Scott….I also learned a lot about the camel. Did you know….., they do not have top teeth? Only a couple in the far back part of their mouth. I know this because one sucked on my thumb.
ReplyDeleteSharon and Reva learned some info on the camel as well. I'll let them tell you if they like.
Good Luck on your ride and to quote a famous truck driver from "Smokey and the Bandit"……………."Hang on to your ass Fred!!"
ShelleyS