Friday was a holiday/vacation day for us so we headed for Quincy. Odie was ecstatic to have company and ran all over his field. He looked beautiful as he ran and stretched out ahead of his friends to show everyone who was boss of the meadow. That boy has some wheels!
We had a relaxing, pretty ride across the highway from Alisa's house. We saw lots of bear tracks and some distinct mountain lion tracks, but did not see any wildlife. We rode the dirt road up and around and took some paths through the trees. While we were trailblazing, Ziggy sunk at one point all the way up to his chest in the soft dirt and peat, but he did not panic. He calmly got his feet under him and they plowed on. Lynn made sure we all went safely around that spot. Jupes got in trouble for trying to bite Zigs when were trotting on the road, but everyone else was good.
The next morning we headed for a wide spot in the road. For years, Lynn has wanted to ride out from this spot. Two weekends ago, Alisa and her friend did just that! So we came over to do it, too. It is a few miles east of Child's Meadow on National Trails Association trails. When Alisa went before, she took the Meadow route; so we went on the Canyon route--the west fork. The idea was maybe/hopefully there would be fewer hunters in the vicinity.
The trail did not seem to have been used recently and we had to traverse off the trail to go around a few downed trees. The ground was soft and peaty and there were many limbs and general forest detritus that made the going a little treacherous. We hit a dead end at a creek bed with a huge log blocking the path so we turned around and headed back to the Meadow route. It was a pretty trail with canyon views and valleys that stretched forever. The horses all did really well and the dust was minimal. There were many bear tracks in the soft dirt of the trail and when I was in the lead, I was sure we would come upon a bear--however, we didn't. Shirley said Star may have smelled one or two because he seemed to really be paying close attention to the forest around us.
We turned onto the Meadow route where it was much dustier; however, it was open and really pretty. We didn't go real far on the trail because it was becoming late afternoon and we were going to drive home. We stopped at good grassy area for the boys to eat and for us to get off and stretch. We had not really stopped anywhere or gotten off to stretch or eat a granola bar until then, so we were all a little stiff legged. The Canyon trail was more narrow and did not really have wide spots for stopping everyone together. Some really nice people hiked up and had a map (!) that showed the two trails actually loop into each other. Although that is cool--I personally would not have liked to have met anyone coming out the Canyon route.
Ziggy made history on the trail and got himself in trouble. Instead of Jupiter or Star being the aggressor--Ziggy turned on Odie. He bared his teeth at him for trying to drink out of the same water hole and for eating grass too close to him. He also gave serious thought to going down the steep sidehill to the trail he knew was below us somewhere in order to get back in the lead. We tease Lynn all the time for being just like him: "laid back, easy-going, nothing bothers him;" but she also has that side to her that's competitive and knows when she should be in charge of things and he's no different! They are two peas in a pod. (Except he has long legs!)
It was a fun day. It was the epitome of the saying by Lonesome Dove character Augustus McCrae, "Ain't nothin' better than ridin' a fine horse in new country." The only thing I would add is "in the company of good friends."
*It was dusty on the trail and we were all pretty dirty. Lynn said Alisa and I could have tied, but I think I won the dirty contest for the day. Jupes had rubbed his head on my shirt front and I was pretty bad all over. Well we stopped at Arby's in Cottonwood for dinner. There was a lady in line. She told me to go ahead, she was waiting for her husband. Shirley and Lynn stood and talked to her while I ordered. She told Shirley she "didn't know you got dirty riding horses." Ha!
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Sunday, September 12, 2010
School is in session
Saturday the young boys had a lesson in navigating rocks and narrow trails. We drove to Canyon Creek trailhead and headed into the lake. The trail is a well-used hiking trail and climbs from 2800 elevation to 6500. We knew this in advance and weren't worried about it; however, after we traversed on the trail for about 20 minutes, Lynn stopped and apologized about the narrowness. Although she and Shirley had done this trail about 40 years ago (it's crazy that we could have done anything 40 years ago!), she did not remember how narrow it starts out. We all did fine.
Deeper into the trail we started seeing granite. At one place, we had to cross a flat, sheet of rock that sloped toward a ravine. We dismounted and walked across--admonishing the young ones to stay to our right on the high side. We did that twice going up and twice going down. In addition, there were lots of places where they had to pick their way through the rocks carefully. We only had two real uh-oh moments, first with me: I am not sure what really happened, but he lurched forward and right and I was pitched out of my stirrup and over his neck. No worries, though--he caught me and we calmly kept going. The second time was scarier--Star lost his footing on slab of rock and was furiously attempting to get his back feet under him. Thankfully, he was able to get a grip without going down and although it scared all of us (including him), everything was fine.
We stopped at the creek at a good place to water the horses thinking we were nearing the lake. We were at 5000 feet elevation. After some investigation, we came to the conclusion we would have to cross the creek to get to the trail. The creek was rocky, but not too swift; however, there was a big, rusty pipe sticking out of it and a smooshed rusty pipe a few feet away. I did not like the crossing. So I said I could be done and turn around here. I hate to be the one to admit defeat or that I'm ready to quit, but they both agreed. Honestly, I was worrying about the way back as much as what might lie ahead. The rocks bothered me--I worry about those spindly horse legs under me. I would be devastated if he (or any of them) were to be hurt.
We went back a bit and had lunch. Ziggy decided he liked peanutbutter and crackers. I think he would eat anything Lynn ate--he worships her. They got to eat high mountain grass and we snacked and drank water. Then we headed out.
Surprisingly, the way out was not as bad as I thought it was going to be. Lynn said the young ones had learned a lot going up and were better at navigating going down. Not that they weren't nervous a little, too. They pooped a lot and I could see Ziggy's legs tremble a little every now and then. Shirley was sure if she were in front, Star would have just run out, but I think he would kept an eye on all us and not gotten too far ahead. Jupes was confident and made his own way a few times and I am getting better at listening to him and letting him show me the way. Nobody slipped and we were all safe.
It was a beautiful, warm day. The waterfalls were gorgeous and the scenery as awe-inspiring as they come. I'm glad we went, but even though I know the boys would be even more confident and comfortable, it wouldn't be my first choice to go back anytime soon.
Deeper into the trail we started seeing granite. At one place, we had to cross a flat, sheet of rock that sloped toward a ravine. We dismounted and walked across--admonishing the young ones to stay to our right on the high side. We did that twice going up and twice going down. In addition, there were lots of places where they had to pick their way through the rocks carefully. We only had two real uh-oh moments, first with me: I am not sure what really happened, but he lurched forward and right and I was pitched out of my stirrup and over his neck. No worries, though--he caught me and we calmly kept going. The second time was scarier--Star lost his footing on slab of rock and was furiously attempting to get his back feet under him. Thankfully, he was able to get a grip without going down and although it scared all of us (including him), everything was fine.
We stopped at the creek at a good place to water the horses thinking we were nearing the lake. We were at 5000 feet elevation. After some investigation, we came to the conclusion we would have to cross the creek to get to the trail. The creek was rocky, but not too swift; however, there was a big, rusty pipe sticking out of it and a smooshed rusty pipe a few feet away. I did not like the crossing. So I said I could be done and turn around here. I hate to be the one to admit defeat or that I'm ready to quit, but they both agreed. Honestly, I was worrying about the way back as much as what might lie ahead. The rocks bothered me--I worry about those spindly horse legs under me. I would be devastated if he (or any of them) were to be hurt.
We went back a bit and had lunch. Ziggy decided he liked peanutbutter and crackers. I think he would eat anything Lynn ate--he worships her. They got to eat high mountain grass and we snacked and drank water. Then we headed out.
Surprisingly, the way out was not as bad as I thought it was going to be. Lynn said the young ones had learned a lot going up and were better at navigating going down. Not that they weren't nervous a little, too. They pooped a lot and I could see Ziggy's legs tremble a little every now and then. Shirley was sure if she were in front, Star would have just run out, but I think he would kept an eye on all us and not gotten too far ahead. Jupes was confident and made his own way a few times and I am getting better at listening to him and letting him show me the way. Nobody slipped and we were all safe.
It was a beautiful, warm day. The waterfalls were gorgeous and the scenery as awe-inspiring as they come. I'm glad we went, but even though I know the boys would be even more confident and comfortable, it wouldn't be my first choice to go back anytime soon.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Beam me up, Scotty
Thursday, Lynn had a crazy day: she was in charge of who's dead (no one), who's alive (oops, she was sleeping), and whether Kimtu was full. Not to mention regular work and people who wanted to talk or pay a bill. She is the oracle of WC--she knows everything! Well, she is expected to anyway.
She decided she needed some open air and horse sweat. With a little notice, Shirley and I can be right there, too. So off we went to clean a trail we are trying to turn into a nice long loop, over on the Horse Linto side of the mountain. Well, it was dinner time as far the boys were concerned. Ziggy kept trying to turn around or go down the mountain back to the truck, so Lynn kept him feet moving forward at a good, strong walk. Jupiter just sauntered along in no hurry and Star was Star--the grown-up who does what he is asked to do.
Of course with us, everyday is an adventure. We came around a turn and ahead of us was a vehicle. I am sure all of us thought of illegal grows and hunters right off. Neither are welcome sights for sure. There was no one outside in view, but the door was open on the SUV. Behind it was a tall trailer full of wood. I relaxed a bit and thought it might be guys out cutting firewood. There was a something lying across his windshield. I heard Lynn say she thought it was a rifle case.
Suddenly, a man in an army combat helmet bolted from inside the vehicle and snatched off the piece of cardboard from the windshield. He had wild and crazy eyes and his helmet was rocking around on his head. He said the planes had been looking for him. At least that's what I think he said. (We had heard one earlier.) Lynn was trying to read the cardboard that had writing and figures drawn on it. It's still driving her crazy because she couldn't read it and she wanted a better look! Anyway, he looked CRAZY.
Lynn, ever the calm one, and of course the one with the crazy job who's used to dealing with odd balls, said we were just going to ride our horses and be on our way--or something soothing like that. We rode this trail all the time (not!). Shirley was giving me the eyeball--but I kept a straight face and Jupes and I stayed straight on their trail.
Lynn and I sawed and clipped and made headway, but did not complete the job. It was getting late and the shadows were chasing the sun up the mountain across the ravine. It was time to go. She told us if he was still there to "line it out and keep a good trot going." Of course he was still there. It was obvious he was living in his car and we knew he would have a hard time getting that load of wood down the mountain anyway.
As we approached, he was out of the car and moving in a stealthy, sneaky way around it. The path by him was a little close between his vehicle and the bank and Ziggy was not happy about it. It probably smelled funny and the tall wood trailer was different from this side and the man was just plain weird. But he did what she asked and the rest of us followed behind. The man seemed more happy to see us and said animatedly, "I LIKE dogs, too!" Sheesh. We hollered, "Have a good night," and trotted on our way.
Later, I got to thinking he probably thought we were okay and maybe even on his team. He might have thought we had come to save him from the planes. After all, we had helmets on, too!
I am just glad Jupiter and I were in the back of the line when that guy bolted from the car. Jupes and I would have been 10 feet up that bank--it would have freaked both of us out. I had the epiphany last night that I am a very jumpy person--quick to take that deep inhalation of surprise and jump when someone or something surprises me. Jupiter has recently picked up a quick shy around seemingly harmless objects. We have that personality trait in common. That man would have sent us flying!
Lynn wants to go back and read his sign. She is sure it was written in Martian and was a message for the "people" looking for him. I just didn't know that they needed firewood for the winter!
She decided she needed some open air and horse sweat. With a little notice, Shirley and I can be right there, too. So off we went to clean a trail we are trying to turn into a nice long loop, over on the Horse Linto side of the mountain. Well, it was dinner time as far the boys were concerned. Ziggy kept trying to turn around or go down the mountain back to the truck, so Lynn kept him feet moving forward at a good, strong walk. Jupiter just sauntered along in no hurry and Star was Star--the grown-up who does what he is asked to do.
Of course with us, everyday is an adventure. We came around a turn and ahead of us was a vehicle. I am sure all of us thought of illegal grows and hunters right off. Neither are welcome sights for sure. There was no one outside in view, but the door was open on the SUV. Behind it was a tall trailer full of wood. I relaxed a bit and thought it might be guys out cutting firewood. There was a something lying across his windshield. I heard Lynn say she thought it was a rifle case.
Suddenly, a man in an army combat helmet bolted from inside the vehicle and snatched off the piece of cardboard from the windshield. He had wild and crazy eyes and his helmet was rocking around on his head. He said the planes had been looking for him. At least that's what I think he said. (We had heard one earlier.) Lynn was trying to read the cardboard that had writing and figures drawn on it. It's still driving her crazy because she couldn't read it and she wanted a better look! Anyway, he looked CRAZY.
Lynn, ever the calm one, and of course the one with the crazy job who's used to dealing with odd balls, said we were just going to ride our horses and be on our way--or something soothing like that. We rode this trail all the time (not!). Shirley was giving me the eyeball--but I kept a straight face and Jupes and I stayed straight on their trail.
Lynn and I sawed and clipped and made headway, but did not complete the job. It was getting late and the shadows were chasing the sun up the mountain across the ravine. It was time to go. She told us if he was still there to "line it out and keep a good trot going." Of course he was still there. It was obvious he was living in his car and we knew he would have a hard time getting that load of wood down the mountain anyway.
As we approached, he was out of the car and moving in a stealthy, sneaky way around it. The path by him was a little close between his vehicle and the bank and Ziggy was not happy about it. It probably smelled funny and the tall wood trailer was different from this side and the man was just plain weird. But he did what she asked and the rest of us followed behind. The man seemed more happy to see us and said animatedly, "I LIKE dogs, too!" Sheesh. We hollered, "Have a good night," and trotted on our way.
Later, I got to thinking he probably thought we were okay and maybe even on his team. He might have thought we had come to save him from the planes. After all, we had helmets on, too!
I am just glad Jupiter and I were in the back of the line when that guy bolted from the car. Jupes and I would have been 10 feet up that bank--it would have freaked both of us out. I had the epiphany last night that I am a very jumpy person--quick to take that deep inhalation of surprise and jump when someone or something surprises me. Jupiter has recently picked up a quick shy around seemingly harmless objects. We have that personality trait in common. That man would have sent us flying!
Lynn wants to go back and read his sign. She is sure it was written in Martian and was a message for the "people" looking for him. I just didn't know that they needed firewood for the winter!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Laborless Weekend
I have not had a weekend as fun and rewarding as this past one in a long time. Saturday was filled with working and shepherding students, but I had lots of laughs as Lynn and I walked to the park, passing all the people sitting in cars as they waited in line. I saw many of my former students and their families. The sun was shining, the temperature pleasant, and all around me people were having a good time--too bad Lynn had to sit in the "dead head" museum for some of it! (Where she had to put up with some live dead head's as well. And I don't mean Mr. Garcia and his band!)
Sunday, we drove up Underwood and rode trails I have not ridden before. Jupiter did really well. He showed his unflappable and confident nature when we sunk up to his knees in soft dirt; he simply stopped and then took his time stepping up and out. He didn't mind where were in line--he simply enjoyed the new trails.
Monday we went up the Hennessey, but took some trails that I had not been on. They were steep, but Jupes likes going uphill and the all the horses in good shape, so it didn't faze them. Star was being cranky with Ziggy; he did not want to follow him anymore. So he decided to the take the lead, but he stopped in the middle of the trail as we were going uphill. I could see on Jupiter's face that he was frustrated that Star was directly in front of him as he likes to go faster than Star does when we climb up steep hills. Star is methodical and steady where Jupiter is strong and fast, so when Star stopped, he jerked his head up, huffed a little, stepped to his left, and plowed right by him--practically scraping alongside. Jupes had his momentum going and for whatever reason, Star just stopped. I could see the irritation on Jupiter's face. (Probably poor manners on our part! Lead, follow, or get out of the way--I guess Jupes and I are a lot alike--Yikes!)
On some of the wider trails, Lynn teased Star by coming up alongside him over and over. He kept laying his ears back and turning head to tell Ziggy to stay back. Finally, he had had enough! Instead reaching out to bite at Ziggy--he bared his teeth at Lynn. He's smart, he knows who's causing his irritation. He knows that Ziggy knows his place and wouldn't keep pestering him. Cranky old thing.
Jupiter had another great day. We stepped down into a pond a little too far and he sunk in, but even after he realized it, he did really well. He kept his head and got his feet free and up on the solid ground. I wasn't too sure at one point--I thought we were both going in, but he was calm and didn't thrash. And on one of the long easy grades uphill, Ziggy and Star trotted ahead of us. They were faster than us and gaining ground. He did not attempt to buck or throw a fit; he asked to go faster, but didn't push it beyond my comfort level. After our rodeo last weekend, this weekend was smooth sailing.
Sunday, we drove up Underwood and rode trails I have not ridden before. Jupiter did really well. He showed his unflappable and confident nature when we sunk up to his knees in soft dirt; he simply stopped and then took his time stepping up and out. He didn't mind where were in line--he simply enjoyed the new trails.
Monday we went up the Hennessey, but took some trails that I had not been on. They were steep, but Jupes likes going uphill and the all the horses in good shape, so it didn't faze them. Star was being cranky with Ziggy; he did not want to follow him anymore. So he decided to the take the lead, but he stopped in the middle of the trail as we were going uphill. I could see on Jupiter's face that he was frustrated that Star was directly in front of him as he likes to go faster than Star does when we climb up steep hills. Star is methodical and steady where Jupiter is strong and fast, so when Star stopped, he jerked his head up, huffed a little, stepped to his left, and plowed right by him--practically scraping alongside. Jupes had his momentum going and for whatever reason, Star just stopped. I could see the irritation on Jupiter's face. (Probably poor manners on our part! Lead, follow, or get out of the way--I guess Jupes and I are a lot alike--Yikes!)
On some of the wider trails, Lynn teased Star by coming up alongside him over and over. He kept laying his ears back and turning head to tell Ziggy to stay back. Finally, he had had enough! Instead reaching out to bite at Ziggy--he bared his teeth at Lynn. He's smart, he knows who's causing his irritation. He knows that Ziggy knows his place and wouldn't keep pestering him. Cranky old thing.
Jupiter had another great day. We stepped down into a pond a little too far and he sunk in, but even after he realized it, he did really well. He kept his head and got his feet free and up on the solid ground. I wasn't too sure at one point--I thought we were both going in, but he was calm and didn't thrash. And on one of the long easy grades uphill, Ziggy and Star trotted ahead of us. They were faster than us and gaining ground. He did not attempt to buck or throw a fit; he asked to go faster, but didn't push it beyond my comfort level. After our rodeo last weekend, this weekend was smooth sailing.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
WHOA!
I think Lynn and Shirley bring me along for the entertainment value. After the rain and the "oh no!" quick, but strategic covering of the hay on Saturday, Sunday turned out to be a great day for riding--the weather is turning and the air was cool in the afternoon, so after Lynn's company left she called for us to come and get the boys. For fun we decided to do some bushwacking.
The grass was pretty dry and grasshoppers were in abundance. There were goat head stickers and hitchhiker burrs grabbing onto the horses legs. Bees seemed to be more pesky, too. All of the horses were doing some stamping of the feet and high stepping. Jupiter was in high spirits and feeling frisky.
We saw lots of big piles of bear scat--fresh ones full of berries and apples; so Lynn lead us through the briars and around the orchards in search of one. We did not see one until later in the ride. First we rode all over the trails to the east of the meadow. I gave Jupiter the benefit of the doubt most of the day and blamed that bees were bothering him--he wanted to run all out and buck and I don't know what all, because as I have said many times--ignorance is bliss; I just try to stay on. Thankfully most of the bucking episodes were uphill and thus easier to ride out and stop. I did have to pull him up short when he seemed like he might run smack into a tree!
We came out into the meadow from the woods and decided to see if we could find the north trail we rode once before. Then we heard the bear in the berries. We chased him into the woods where we caught sight of him a couple of times. He was small and cute. This is where we did some real bushwacking. The horses had vines tangled around their legs; they went through thick brush and we all had to duck through. Ziggy and Jupiter did really well; to some degree even better than Star who hates to have stuff touching him. They are becoming very good listeners and trusting not only themselves to make good decisions, but us too.
On the way back to the truck we crossed the meadow as usual. We went to the apples trees and the horses ate and slobbered down some ripe apples. Then we headed to the hill that leads out. Star was in the lead and then Ziggy and then us. They were kind of running--not a gallop, but a quick trot up the first hill. Jupes was pulling at the reins and his head to the side. I thought maybe he could smell or see something in the woods that I couldn't. Right as we got to the hard-packed, rutted road (believe me, I had a good look at it), he humped up and crow-hopped and threw his head down like he would buck. I don't know if he did or not. All I know is I yelled (I am not sure what--something like "STOP IT!" when I should have probably yelled, whoa or something else) and he stopped and stood still and looked back at me.
I did not go off. I don't think I even came out of my stirrups. BUT, I did come up on the horn and probably dug my knee into his neck. I knocked off my horn packs, so I know I came up under them and I have a huge bruise that is probably 5-6 inches long on the inside of my thigh. It's real pretty. But I did not go off! I saw that hard pack and thought I do not want to go off here! I do not want to start the new school year broken. I have been lucky and only gone off in the soft stuff of the trails--this would not have been a good place.
Lynn says Jupes will make me a good rider. Shirley says I am so lucky--Jupiter is an outstandingly good, young horse who listens and makes good decisions. I know they are right, but I think they enjoy watching the show we put on, too. So, blame it on the wind in the trees; blame on bees or stickers; blame it on Jupiter wanting to be in the front and not behind Star, I don't know. But we had a rodeo and I stayed on! Progress.
The grass was pretty dry and grasshoppers were in abundance. There were goat head stickers and hitchhiker burrs grabbing onto the horses legs. Bees seemed to be more pesky, too. All of the horses were doing some stamping of the feet and high stepping. Jupiter was in high spirits and feeling frisky.
We saw lots of big piles of bear scat--fresh ones full of berries and apples; so Lynn lead us through the briars and around the orchards in search of one. We did not see one until later in the ride. First we rode all over the trails to the east of the meadow. I gave Jupiter the benefit of the doubt most of the day and blamed that bees were bothering him--he wanted to run all out and buck and I don't know what all, because as I have said many times--ignorance is bliss; I just try to stay on. Thankfully most of the bucking episodes were uphill and thus easier to ride out and stop. I did have to pull him up short when he seemed like he might run smack into a tree!
We came out into the meadow from the woods and decided to see if we could find the north trail we rode once before. Then we heard the bear in the berries. We chased him into the woods where we caught sight of him a couple of times. He was small and cute. This is where we did some real bushwacking. The horses had vines tangled around their legs; they went through thick brush and we all had to duck through. Ziggy and Jupiter did really well; to some degree even better than Star who hates to have stuff touching him. They are becoming very good listeners and trusting not only themselves to make good decisions, but us too.
On the way back to the truck we crossed the meadow as usual. We went to the apples trees and the horses ate and slobbered down some ripe apples. Then we headed to the hill that leads out. Star was in the lead and then Ziggy and then us. They were kind of running--not a gallop, but a quick trot up the first hill. Jupes was pulling at the reins and his head to the side. I thought maybe he could smell or see something in the woods that I couldn't. Right as we got to the hard-packed, rutted road (believe me, I had a good look at it), he humped up and crow-hopped and threw his head down like he would buck. I don't know if he did or not. All I know is I yelled (I am not sure what--something like "STOP IT!" when I should have probably yelled, whoa or something else) and he stopped and stood still and looked back at me.
I did not go off. I don't think I even came out of my stirrups. BUT, I did come up on the horn and probably dug my knee into his neck. I knocked off my horn packs, so I know I came up under them and I have a huge bruise that is probably 5-6 inches long on the inside of my thigh. It's real pretty. But I did not go off! I saw that hard pack and thought I do not want to go off here! I do not want to start the new school year broken. I have been lucky and only gone off in the soft stuff of the trails--this would not have been a good place.
Lynn says Jupes will make me a good rider. Shirley says I am so lucky--Jupiter is an outstandingly good, young horse who listens and makes good decisions. I know they are right, but I think they enjoy watching the show we put on, too. So, blame it on the wind in the trees; blame on bees or stickers; blame it on Jupiter wanting to be in the front and not behind Star, I don't know. But we had a rodeo and I stayed on! Progress.
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