Firsts

Memorial Day Weekend finally arrived and all the rain blew away and it was gorgeous--blue skies all around! We loaded quickly Friday and left Willow Creek at 4pm. We arrived and set up camp with plenty of daylight to burn. We walked the horses around the camp so they could stretch their legs and see what there was to see. The campsite was weed-eated (is that a verb?) only near the table and fire so the horses had lots of grass to graze on and the corrals were neat and clean.

Lynn brought all the horses' blankets and Shirley remembered all her blankets and extra sleeping bags, so everyone was warm. This was Jupiter's first camping trip. He was in the #2 corral by himself and Ziggy and Star were together in #1. They settled right in. Jupiter kind of liked the idea of eating alone--he got all his grain and didn't get moved around from place to place.

Lynn only got up once in the night because Ziggy was winding himself up going around and around in his corral. Star was going corner to corner, but Zigman is so big, he was getting himself into trouble. He settled down when Lynn went out and rubbed on him and talked to him. Some time in the night, Ziggy lay down in the poop in his corral and got it all over his blanket. Jupiter had a good night.

Our ride on Saturday was full of firsts for Jupe--big gray batches of dead weeds were kind of scary and big gray rocks gave him pause, but after he sniffed them all he didn't mind as much. We crossed the creek a bunch of time and I only got my boots wet once. Of course Lynn was high and dry! We took a little razzing about how little we are. We went on Baxter trail and way up toward the lookout. We went really far, but it was a lot of dirt road riding after we left the trail and Ziggy's feet started really hurting. He is not healed up totally, yet.

We headed back down the road and we met some women on their way up. We were friendly and asked them about the trails and for any ideas on good loops. They were snotty and unhelpful. As we rode on past them, Lynn said, "I think those were the same unfriendly women we asked directions from last year! I remember those horses." I laughed and said I remembered the big hair woman. Later I remarked that they probably rode on and said to each other, "Those are the same dumb women from last year! They've probably been lost for a year!"

Snobby women aside, we have met a lot of really nice women on this trip. On Sunday, we saw Joyce and Julie (?) from the trail trials. We met them on a tight trail so we back tracked and let them by. We met a really nice woman from McKinleyville who would be fun to ride with as well. We did not go up and join the caterwauling in the group camp, but I think most of the people thought we were nice and spoke to us when we met them on the trail.

We rode the Indian Orchard trail/loop again that evening. It may have taken us a couple of hours, but it seemed quick. Jupiter loves to trot and see everything first. We all spent a lot of the day trotting on the roads. All three of them set good, strong, fast paces on the trails and we took turns leading. After a yummy meal of steak, potato salad, and garlic bread (and undone corn), we had wingdingers!!

Jupiter found his voice. He called and whinnied for a couple of hours. His high pitched voice is getting a little deeper or else a little hoarse (pun intended). ha

Sunday we saw more deer and a turkey hen with babies. We went on the Johnson trail which we had heard was closed after a point, so we knew we would have to double back, but it was the switch back trail that we started last summer and Indy was too worn out to make it. It was a beautiful ride. We went up and up and finally made it to where the tree closed the trail. Although it was obvious others had taken their horses over it--it looked a little dicey. We had granola bars and leftover meat from the night before and then headed back. The whole ride may have been about 4-5 hours.

On the way back we met lots of people--people walking, hiking, on bicycles, and of course, ahorseback. We had to back track for one set of people riding and both Shirley and Lynn got off to lead Star and Zigman respectively back up the trail. Ziggy had been close to the edge of the trail all day. Well, the soft dirt gave way and he fell off the trail. Luckily, Lynn was walking in front of him and not on him. His long legs flailed around and found purchase and he was able to get up and keep going. He was not hurt, but maybe was a little embarrassed and probably surprised a lot! For the rest of the ride, he hugged the bank.

I was in front when we met a hiker. I hollered, "Hello!" and he answered quietly and little slowly. As I neared him, I said, "It's good if you talk, so the horses know you're not a monster." He said, "I'm a monster?! You're the one riding a war horse!" I was nonplussed--I laughed but could not come back with anything--my baby, a war horse? Hardly. (:

Star was wound as tight as a top. He went as many miles up and down as he did forward. Shirley has had Lynn graining him twice a day because Shirley said, "I need a horse under me!" Hmm. All day she told Lynn, "He's had too much grain! You know he's probably had everyone else's grain, too!" Anyway, she had a horse under her.

That night I think Jupiter was tired. He put his butt into his new hay bag and broke the dowels. We weren't sure if he was scratching or sitting on it. Lynn said he was so tired, it balanced him so he could sleep. We took them up to the sandy rolling pit and both Jupe and Star had good, groaning rolls. Zigs was too embarrassed to flop himself and flail his long legs around in public.

Monday morning Lynn got one of the shows of a lifetime. The wild turkeys came into camp and the males put on a hissing, fluffed up, macho performance. I missed that part, but was fun to see them with their feathers all fanned out.

I know there's more to tell, but for now--it was fun. I can't wait to do it again.

A Different Kind of Riding

Saturday was scheduled to be full of thunder & lightning and more showers; no one wants to be on horseback in that kind of weather--especially in an unfamiliar place!The forecast for snow (in May!!)was a threat for coming out of Quincy and concern for Odie's trailer saftey was also important; so our riding plans were cancelled for Swasey Trail. A total BUMMER.

Never one to be in bummer mode long, Lynn decided Shirley needed to get away and have some shopping time in Redding instead. Never one to be left out, I decided I needed to go, too. After breakfast in Weaverville, we followed the directions to a different riding place off Swasey. It was fun--we saw lots of cool houses and open ranch areas full of "Paintos," Lynn's new word for Paints and Pintos.

We easily found the trailhead, picked up some maps, and then talked with a woman who was setting out to ride. She gave us even more ideas of areas to explore ahorseback. Then we headed out to shop. We came to a crossroad. The north-south road was definitely looking more traveled and more like a real road. The east-west, which was what we were on, not so much. We wanted to see if Alisa could skip driving through town and just come up 273 to a nearby junction and hit this road. As the driver, I asked Lynn, who had the map, which way we should go. She confidently said, "Right."

It was a gorgeous day, sunny and clear; although all around us were huge clouds, some of which were dark and ominious. Anyway, off we set going south. After a bit we saw a small sign that read, "Cottonwood, Hwy 273." I slowed down and said something about probably that was our turn. But no. We did not turn; we kept going toward Platina.

As we drove over the mountains and through the woods, it was as if we were on top of the world--we could see forever. And forever was simply fields and mountains and lakes and ponds and waterfalls and absolutely no civilization! There were signs that said "no trepassing" and "survelliance cameras on duty," but no people, no houses, no anything. We were in the middle of nowhere.

Long story short: we drove 30 miles (which I think took about an hour) and we finally ended on Hwy 36. The signs read to the right: Wildwood 9, Platina 45, Alton 102 (which is close to Fortuna and home) and to the left: Red Bluff 45. We laughed and laughed. We were way off course. Somewhere back on the road Lynn looked at the map and said very quietly, "Oh." We asked her to elaborate and she admitted she had looked at the map upside down and we really should have turned to her other right. We were way off the map and we laughed all the way thinking we were going to end up in Hayfork--which turned out to be pretty close. So the bottom line is this: Alisa don't come this way. (:

All joking aside, it was a nice drive. We saw country none of us had seen before. We turned off 36 before we got to Red Bluff and ended up in Cottonwood. From there we went shopping. I think everyone had a good time and there was lots of laughing and spending money. So although we did not ride like we originally planned, we had a different kind of fun ride. Good company makes for good times.

Finding My Rhythm

Last Saturday was awesome! We went across the river to ride on trails that the motorcycles guys have created. One of the best things about them is the lack of brush. The trails are wide open, but a little steep. We worked our way all the way to the top of that particular mountain and we could see at least three ranges stretching across the landscape. There are more trails to explore, but we probably need to plan for a longer ride. Unfortunately, there are not many places to get water for the horses; so I do not know if we will be able to ride it much past spring.

Personally, I had the best day ever. I actually sat the trot! Without bouncing! I think two things are happening: one, Jupe and I are starting to sync--I am feeling his rhythm; two, I do fit better in a smaller saddle. I know it sounds silly, but after I fell off, I think Jupiter lost some of his confidence in me and we have been a little uncoordinated together. Saturday we got connected better than ever.

Jupiter enjoyed the day immensely--his ears were up and he wanted to be in the lead. He wanted to see what was around the next corner. All the horses were happy to be somewhere new. They all did really well going down a steep, steep trail and coming up it was even easier. Ziggy is getting salt water treatments on his feet every night and although he doesn't really like to do it, it is making his infection go away.

The boys are now down in the field next to the house and the grass is tall. They are loving it. Barry brought his horses over and they are in the field on the other side of the house. Hopefully Willy will be leaving soon.

This coming Saturday is going to be a blast! Lynn's new friend, Suzy, has given her new place to ride. I read the directions to it, but I am not sure exactly where it is. It sort of sounds like the trailhead we had planned on starting from, but yet it doesn't. I guess we will find out! It's still BLM so Happy can go, too.

I will call Corbett's and see if they open around 6am so we can meet for breakfast and then head for the trail. I can hardly wait!

Corbett's opens at 7am. Too late? Just right?

Just a little ramble

It's a beautiful Tuesday morning and I am sitting here at my desk while my students take the STAR test. I can look out my beautiful new windows and see the mountains and trees and blue, blue sky. It surely is a day for riding! Work sure gets in the way of the truly important things in life! Well, I guess I should think of it as: work allows us to do enjoy the really important things in life; afterall, we gotta have hay and horse shoes!

Last Friday, Ziggy came up lame and it seemed to get worse each day. Sunday the farrier came over and diagnosed him and offered to come and help or administer medicine everyday. Lynn is a good doctorer and Ziggy is a pretty good patient, so they are doing fine. He is much better already. In fact last night, after everyone had had a little grass (never enough in their minds)we rode up to feed them a little hay and the boys were running and bucking after the four wheeler! Ziggy was looking smooth and strong and definitely has a powerful looking buck! Indy corkscrewed his neck around so much I think he could cause himself to fall down. I just love to watch them run.

I was sorry to miss the fun on Saturday, but I sure enjoyed Sunday's ride. Good friends, sunshine, and wet blankets--it doesn't get much better than that.