We went to the movie last night and I would say it was enjoyed by all. However, I will say it gave me nightmares. :( I had to cover my eyes when the horse fell. I so hope nothing like that EVER happens to us.
I really liked the guys--they were definitely real and seemed like your basic 24-year-olds. :) I thought the trip was cool and I loved the scenery. Lynn leaned across to me and said, "The Trinity Alps have trails just as narrow. . . " Except in the Grand Canyon the drop off is waaaay farther down to the bottom!
I liked the relationship between the guys and their horses. I like the old poet and his song. I liked learning more about the mustangs and the BLM, but it broke my heart, too. I want to adopt them all. According to their website, there were 5,000 people at last night's showing! It was a nationwide benefit for the Mustang Heritage Foundation.
There were people there who have watched it three times! I would watch it again.
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Thursday, November 12, 2015
Brrrrrrrithday Ride
Yesterday was our annual birthday ride with Shirley. She is 84 years young! What a competent rider, too. She does get flustered and nervous underneath sometimes, but I think that's just respect for the fact that she's so tiny and the horses are so big. She worries about breaking (and rightly so). Occasionally, we do end up in situations that are less than favorable and yesterday we had one of those.
But let me start at the beginning--we headed out from home with our horses in blankets and our tummies excited at the prospect of breakfast at Marino's. Once we arrived at East Weaver Creek trail, we bundled up (it had to be in the low 30s) and brushed the mud off the boys. It was a typical November overcast day; however, the leaves were still bright yellow with a few bright red dogwoods thrown in. It was gorgeous. I think it is my favorite time to ride in Weaverville.
Lynn and I did a lot road riding last time, so she looked up a map and had a better idea of where we should go this time. We rode the Manzanita trail, the Howe Ditch trail, Jack Ass Ridge, and Day Ranch trail. It worked into several loops and very little backtracking. It was beautiful and we had the trails completely to ourselves--seeing no one until we were almost back to the trailer.
It was cold! I was dressed in hand-me-downs that kept most of me warm (Gordy's denim shirt and Cole's red jacket), but like Lynn, my thighs and toes were cold. Lynn had on her WalMart jacket and she admitted it was not a good choice; thankfully, she also had on a fleece vest. Shirley wore her usual old blue standby and vest and never complained about the cold. We all wore gloves. It seemed to get colder, rather than warmer as we rode--well as least until the sun finally came out. Then we could feel the warmth on our backs.
Throughout the day, Lynn had gotten off and checked Ziggy's feet. Once she found a pretty good-sized rock in his shoe. Finally, she said he was lame at a trot. She said he had been off all day and it was probably because his hips hurt. She thinks it is from a poor fitting saddle. He is such a good trooper, he never complained or acted up in any way, though. On the way back, Jupes got his turn at leading, so we worked on just walking back out, because you know, he likes to get back to the trailer for a snack!
There were a couple of narrow, slippery spots on the Day Ranch trail that took us back to the creek. Everyone did well and no one slipped, but it was a little dicey. This is the trail that forks at the bridge. If we take the bridge, we can head left a bit for a creek crossing that allows both horses and dogs to drink. If we keep going (which we rarely do) we wind up and around then back to the East Weaver trail that will lead us back to the creek crossing and then toward the trailer.
Unfortunately, we chose the bridge. We started off first. About halfway, Jupes slipped. The bridge had large leaves scattered across it. I yelled for them to be careful, it was slippery. We skidded and slipped across. Shirley and Star were behind us. Star went down on the bridge. His foot slipped under the railing. Nevertheless, in true Star fashion, he gracefully got back up and continued. He was shaking and holding up his foot when they got to us. Lynn told us to meet her at the creek--she would ride up the trail. As we started that way, she yelled for us to wait. She had changed her mind; it would add another mile on Zigs who was already hurting.
She took off his reins and tried to send him alone across the bridge. He said, "No way, you go first." So she walked very slowly in front of him and he came along behind. He did great. We went to the creek and made sure Star kept his feet in the cold water while they drank. He walked off his fright and his pain on the way back to the trailer. We couldn't see any damage and the way he ran off at the gate (after a good roll) when we got home is a great indicator that he is probably fine.
As we drove home, I recanted how many times I have seen Star go down. He always goes down smoothly and gets back up the same way. Lynn said he is like her dad who just went with a fall and didn't get hurt trying to fight it. Shirley said she more confidence on him than anyone else. I think Lynn has said that many times, but it was the first time I heard Shirley say it. She got a little shook up and confused after the bridge incident, but never missed a beat once we were all back together again. Pretty good for someone who just turned 84! I hope we can all ride on our 84th birthdays!
After feeding, I came home and began to work on Ziva's burrs. I combed a handful out and realized the amount of dirt that was on my new tile floor was coming off her. So we went to the bathtub and I gave her a bath and more combing. After I got out of the shower, I looked at the clock--it was about an hour and half since I gotten home. Poor Haley had hundreds--maybe thousands-- more burrs than Z; I don't know how long Lynn had to work on her!
Anyway, after a great day of riding, I got to do my second favorite thing--sit on my couch with my feet up, Ursula curled up between my knees, Ziva (covered in a blanket) curled up next to me, and a fire in the woodstove. The only detractor: all my Project Runways deleted and replaced with reruns, and now I don't know who won and what their collections looked like! :(
Happy trails--hopefully we'll get to ride on my birthday, even if it's only 56!
But let me start at the beginning--we headed out from home with our horses in blankets and our tummies excited at the prospect of breakfast at Marino's. Once we arrived at East Weaver Creek trail, we bundled up (it had to be in the low 30s) and brushed the mud off the boys. It was a typical November overcast day; however, the leaves were still bright yellow with a few bright red dogwoods thrown in. It was gorgeous. I think it is my favorite time to ride in Weaverville.
Lynn and I did a lot road riding last time, so she looked up a map and had a better idea of where we should go this time. We rode the Manzanita trail, the Howe Ditch trail, Jack Ass Ridge, and Day Ranch trail. It worked into several loops and very little backtracking. It was beautiful and we had the trails completely to ourselves--seeing no one until we were almost back to the trailer.
It was cold! I was dressed in hand-me-downs that kept most of me warm (Gordy's denim shirt and Cole's red jacket), but like Lynn, my thighs and toes were cold. Lynn had on her WalMart jacket and she admitted it was not a good choice; thankfully, she also had on a fleece vest. Shirley wore her usual old blue standby and vest and never complained about the cold. We all wore gloves. It seemed to get colder, rather than warmer as we rode--well as least until the sun finally came out. Then we could feel the warmth on our backs.
Throughout the day, Lynn had gotten off and checked Ziggy's feet. Once she found a pretty good-sized rock in his shoe. Finally, she said he was lame at a trot. She said he had been off all day and it was probably because his hips hurt. She thinks it is from a poor fitting saddle. He is such a good trooper, he never complained or acted up in any way, though. On the way back, Jupes got his turn at leading, so we worked on just walking back out, because you know, he likes to get back to the trailer for a snack!
There were a couple of narrow, slippery spots on the Day Ranch trail that took us back to the creek. Everyone did well and no one slipped, but it was a little dicey. This is the trail that forks at the bridge. If we take the bridge, we can head left a bit for a creek crossing that allows both horses and dogs to drink. If we keep going (which we rarely do) we wind up and around then back to the East Weaver trail that will lead us back to the creek crossing and then toward the trailer.
Unfortunately, we chose the bridge. We started off first. About halfway, Jupes slipped. The bridge had large leaves scattered across it. I yelled for them to be careful, it was slippery. We skidded and slipped across. Shirley and Star were behind us. Star went down on the bridge. His foot slipped under the railing. Nevertheless, in true Star fashion, he gracefully got back up and continued. He was shaking and holding up his foot when they got to us. Lynn told us to meet her at the creek--she would ride up the trail. As we started that way, she yelled for us to wait. She had changed her mind; it would add another mile on Zigs who was already hurting.
She took off his reins and tried to send him alone across the bridge. He said, "No way, you go first." So she walked very slowly in front of him and he came along behind. He did great. We went to the creek and made sure Star kept his feet in the cold water while they drank. He walked off his fright and his pain on the way back to the trailer. We couldn't see any damage and the way he ran off at the gate (after a good roll) when we got home is a great indicator that he is probably fine.
As we drove home, I recanted how many times I have seen Star go down. He always goes down smoothly and gets back up the same way. Lynn said he is like her dad who just went with a fall and didn't get hurt trying to fight it. Shirley said she more confidence on him than anyone else. I think Lynn has said that many times, but it was the first time I heard Shirley say it. She got a little shook up and confused after the bridge incident, but never missed a beat once we were all back together again. Pretty good for someone who just turned 84! I hope we can all ride on our 84th birthdays!
After feeding, I came home and began to work on Ziva's burrs. I combed a handful out and realized the amount of dirt that was on my new tile floor was coming off her. So we went to the bathtub and I gave her a bath and more combing. After I got out of the shower, I looked at the clock--it was about an hour and half since I gotten home. Poor Haley had hundreds--maybe thousands-- more burrs than Z; I don't know how long Lynn had to work on her!
Anyway, after a great day of riding, I got to do my second favorite thing--sit on my couch with my feet up, Ursula curled up between my knees, Ziva (covered in a blanket) curled up next to me, and a fire in the woodstove. The only detractor: all my Project Runways deleted and replaced with reruns, and now I don't know who won and what their collections looked like! :(
Happy trails--hopefully we'll get to ride on my birthday, even if it's only 56!
Sunday, November 1, 2015
Ride 'em cowgirl
Saturday was a new adventure for us--we joined up with BCHA for their monthly membership ride. We met up with them in the parking lot at HSU, where there was an abundance of parking and nothing like Lynn's nightmare from the night before. They were friendier than ever before and a few came out of their way to speak to us and be welcoming.
We walked up the street to the trailhead where we mounted up and headed up the hill. They called back to us that it was steep--but it wasn't. We weren't in the very back, but near it. Unfortunately we ended up behind two very slow walking horses, so we were a bit away from the majority of the pack. There were four horses behind us and probably 18 all in all.
When we arrived at a fork, one of the men said we should probably split up. One trail was "uphill and steep" and the other wasn't. We chose to go with the uphill crew. We still were behind the slow ones and now we were in the back. We stopped on the trail to wait for a man who had gotten off to go to the bathroom. We were back a few feet when one of the horses kicked at Star. I said, "Hey, that horse just kicked at Star." No one paid any attention. Shirley pulled Star back a little more. A few minutes later, one of the horses we'd been following backed up and kicked at Star. This one grazes Shirley's foot and stirrup. This time I raised my voice and sort of yelled (and cussed) and then asked Shirley if she was fine. No one said or did anything.
The man who had been behind caught up and we started on our way. Suddenly, Star put on a show--and I mean a show. Although she was screeching for Lynn, Shirley rode everything Star gave her. He crow-hopped; he twirled; he backed off the trail into the brush and almost down a hill. Shirley did awesome. Once Lynn was able to get away from the older man behind us and me and Jupes, Star settled down. They undid his halter and Lynn ponied him for most of the day.
Jupes did not want to be outdone, I mean after all, he's the spoiled one who pitches fits. So with Lynn ponying Star, us right behind, and then the man right behind us, Jupes crow-hopped a few times. I yelled at him and told the man to go on ahead and he settled down. ??
We saw bicyclists (some flying up right behind us!), walkers, joggers, some with dogs, a pot smoking girl, and endurance riders. Through it all, Jupes did fine and so did everyone else. His only real shy was at some frisbee golf players--he may have seen a flying disk out of the corner of his eye.
It was fun and now we have some new trails to try out. There were a bunch (they called them single track--ha ha) I saw along the way that we did not take. Probably they dead-ended. We made a big loop and I did not realize we were back until everyone started dismounting to walk down the hill.
It was stressful at times, but I am glad we went.
We walked up the street to the trailhead where we mounted up and headed up the hill. They called back to us that it was steep--but it wasn't. We weren't in the very back, but near it. Unfortunately we ended up behind two very slow walking horses, so we were a bit away from the majority of the pack. There were four horses behind us and probably 18 all in all.
When we arrived at a fork, one of the men said we should probably split up. One trail was "uphill and steep" and the other wasn't. We chose to go with the uphill crew. We still were behind the slow ones and now we were in the back. We stopped on the trail to wait for a man who had gotten off to go to the bathroom. We were back a few feet when one of the horses kicked at Star. I said, "Hey, that horse just kicked at Star." No one paid any attention. Shirley pulled Star back a little more. A few minutes later, one of the horses we'd been following backed up and kicked at Star. This one grazes Shirley's foot and stirrup. This time I raised my voice and sort of yelled (and cussed) and then asked Shirley if she was fine. No one said or did anything.
The man who had been behind caught up and we started on our way. Suddenly, Star put on a show--and I mean a show. Although she was screeching for Lynn, Shirley rode everything Star gave her. He crow-hopped; he twirled; he backed off the trail into the brush and almost down a hill. Shirley did awesome. Once Lynn was able to get away from the older man behind us and me and Jupes, Star settled down. They undid his halter and Lynn ponied him for most of the day.
Jupes did not want to be outdone, I mean after all, he's the spoiled one who pitches fits. So with Lynn ponying Star, us right behind, and then the man right behind us, Jupes crow-hopped a few times. I yelled at him and told the man to go on ahead and he settled down. ??
We saw bicyclists (some flying up right behind us!), walkers, joggers, some with dogs, a pot smoking girl, and endurance riders. Through it all, Jupes did fine and so did everyone else. His only real shy was at some frisbee golf players--he may have seen a flying disk out of the corner of his eye.
It was fun and now we have some new trails to try out. There were a bunch (they called them single track--ha ha) I saw along the way that we did not take. Probably they dead-ended. We made a big loop and I did not realize we were back until everyone started dismounting to walk down the hill.
It was stressful at times, but I am glad we went.
Sunday, October 25, 2015
Three rides
Here I am! It's been so long since I wrote and I apologize to my readers. :) We have had many adventures. First of all, we rode into Stanshaw way back in September. We took the dogs and had a great ride. We went all the way into Monument Lake and ate lunch.
see her hand? She keeps it in her bra!!:)
Happy belated birthdays to Sammi and Haley--four years old. :)
As you can see it was a glorious day! The trails are so nice and smooth and the climb is pretty gradual, so the fat boys didn't have to work too hard.
In October, we drove to Cueno Creek to join the BCHA's membership ride. Of course we rode by ourselves, but we did check in with them and walked through the group camp with the boys so they could roll in the sand. We spoke with a few people in passing, but I figure the more they see us, the more friendly they will become.
I cannot just ride like normal people--I guess it's because I have such a flighty, emotional boy. Anyway, he spooked (I guess?) as we were riding back to the campground and somehow I popped up on to his neck. I put my hands hear the top of head and popped back into the saddle. It was so weird. Shirley was hollering, "Get moving! Something must be biting him!" I was stunned and still trying to get my feet in the stirrups and I heard Lynn say, "She's fine--let her get settled." Jupes just stood there and waited for me. It was so weird! We were at a wide spot near where we cross the creek by the old concrete steps.
I also found out why/how Lynn always has her camera clicking away:
see her hand? She keeps it in her bra!!:)
Last weekend, we rode up the Hennessey. Coming home, I had a rodeo. Doggone Jupiter had a temper tantrum. Twice. No more grain at the trailer for him. Dang, he makes me mad.
Yesterday, Lynn and I went to East Weaver Creek (the site of my broken arm almost one year ago!). It was a great day. We took the trail backwards from how we usually go. Unfortunately, we ended up doing quite a bit of road riding in the middle. We need to figure out how to get back to the trails. Haley got attacked by a dog, who grabbed at her middle and got a mouthful of bright blue tape. She was frightened--as were we--but the dog did not hurt her. We were glad Happy was not with us as she is less likely to backdown and be submissive and probably would have been in a dogfight. Other than that, it was a really fun day.
Next weekend BCHA is meeting at Redwood Park for a ride. Although the dogs can't go, we are planning on attending. This time we will have to ride with them since we do not know where we are going. It's a chance to find a new riding place!
Happy belated birthdays to Sammi and Haley--four years old. :)
Thursday, July 23, 2015
Bees, brambles, and birthdays
Bees!!! Ziggy and Ziva were in the back, so they got the brunt of it. Poor Ziva was scared and wouldn't come on the trail with us. I kept having to stop, get off, and get her. Finally, she just lay down and wouldn't come. Shirley had a birthday party Redding and Lynn had town errands, so they both said we could call it a day. We barely got past the dump.
Sunday, Lynn and I rode again. I was worried that Ziva wouldn't come. In my head, I went over all kinds of scenarios--most of them with her not coming riding anymore. :( But she was a trooper. We went for a good ride and she was right there on Jupiter's "6." We had a great ride.
Yesterday, Haley came up lame. She wouldn't put her back foot down. Lynn and her co-workers tried to muzzle her and hold her and use the big spotlight to try to find the problem, but she would not let them. Lynn took her to the vet who could not find anything either. She asked if maybe Haley got in the brambles. :) Ha! Among other things! She was walking better while she was there--hopefully, today she is fine. She's has to have good feet--we've got riding to do!
Today, Thursday, July 23, is Ziva's second birthday! I have been so blessed to have her. She is a good girl. I brought her home in September of 2013 and she has made my life so much better. I think that is why the loss of my jewelry has been less traumatic. Yes it is a terrible feeling to know someone came into my house and took my things--special and irreplaceable things--but still, things. It could have been worse. I live a very blessed and fortunate life--they can't take that away.
Sunday, Lynn and I rode again. I was worried that Ziva wouldn't come. In my head, I went over all kinds of scenarios--most of them with her not coming riding anymore. :( But she was a trooper. We went for a good ride and she was right there on Jupiter's "6." We had a great ride.
Yesterday, Haley came up lame. She wouldn't put her back foot down. Lynn and her co-workers tried to muzzle her and hold her and use the big spotlight to try to find the problem, but she would not let them. Lynn took her to the vet who could not find anything either. She asked if maybe Haley got in the brambles. :) Ha! Among other things! She was walking better while she was there--hopefully, today she is fine. She's has to have good feet--we've got riding to do!
Today, Thursday, July 23, is Ziva's second birthday! I have been so blessed to have her. She is a good girl. I brought her home in September of 2013 and she has made my life so much better. I think that is why the loss of my jewelry has been less traumatic. Yes it is a terrible feeling to know someone came into my house and took my things--special and irreplaceable things--but still, things. It could have been worse. I live a very blessed and fortunate life--they can't take that away.
Sunday, July 12, 2015
Bee eradication & happy days
Pictures
I almost feel guilty that I am so happy. :) We have ridden every weekend and it has been great! The weather is cool and we have even been misted on. The horses are in pretty good shape and ready to go every day. We have been traveling with wasp spray and no one has been stung or gotten too crazy. Today we filled up three nests. We filled up one a few weeks ago, but somehow they have moved into another site nearby, so we made a trail around it until we find the new nest. So far, so good! One funny note--I always laugh as I ride behind Lynn and Shirley because they have the same posture. The other day it was even funnier: Lynn had her shirt off her left shoulder like it does sometimes and I'll be darned if Shirley's wasn't too. It was at the same exact angle and the exact same amount of shoulder showing, alone with the same hand on the same hip, and both bodies canted to the left. Yepper--they are cut from the same cloth. :)
Friday we tried a new thing. Something Lynn and I aren't very good at (Alisa is much, much better at it)--we met the Back County Horsemen Association up at Stanshaw. It was a working week and weekend for the Redwood chapter. We introduced ourselves, but they weren't overly welcoming. :) We explained that it was our idea to "pay back" by working on a trail since we used them, too. The men began talking to us and sharing stories, but most of the women didn't have too much to do with us. I told Lynn they probably thought we weren't really worthy since we had on our good shirts and pants without holes in them. :)
When we walked back to the trailer, Zigs was untied and eating the alfalfa he had pulled out of the trailer. I'm sure Jupes was not happy that he hadn't untied him, too. Lynn had told Ziggy to look good, we were meeting new people, but he had his tongue out when we walked them up to the camp. One silly looking man who had no room to talk in my book said, "He's got his tongue out!" Imagine it in kind of a Gomer Pile kind of way.
The people we talked to first thing, had been there a week and working hard, too. They had many bee stories that scared me. Mules on their backs, horses running into stobs that left big holes in their heads. By the look of horror on my face, I'm sure they thought I was unworthy for sure. Then we finally decided we would just go out by ourselves--best decision ever! So in our spurs now, we clomped back up to their camp (by now more were up!) and said we would go in and trim chaparral and see Monument Lake. They said it's 8 or 9 miles---ONE WAY. We just smiled and said okay. Then of course later they saw us ride by with HELMETS on. Sheesh, we must have looked like arena riders, for sure. :)
Anyway, we had the best day. Although Shirley says it's a dude trail, I loved it. (I guess I'm still a dude.) There was lots of water for the boys to drink and green grass to eat. We saw fish in the creek and two deer. We stopped on top of the ridge and looked at the lake. It was good enough for me. (I had already figured that maybe we would just go home after our ride.) We ate a little lunch, the boys took a nap, and we watched the clouds roll by. It was incredibly nice. I loved every minute of it.
Then we headed out. To pay our dues, we stopped at a long stretch of chaparral and trimmed the trail. It was somewhat productive and somewhat funny and somewhat not so productive. Ziggy kept grabbing the branches that Lynn threw over the trail and brought them back on to it. Jupiter would grab my shirt and pull it up, like "get a move on." Lynn would yell at Zigs and he would back in to me and then turn and look at me like, "Sheesh, look out, you're in my personal space." It was funny. We got back on and although we came to a stretch that really needed it, we said, "Next time!" We decided we would trim going in next time. :)
If we thought Zigs was on fast walk going in--it was nothing like the one going out. Once when Jupes was leading, he took off trotting fast and then the trail turned and he almost stopped and he swung his head and looked back at me. I think he was thinking he was heading into a great big green meadow of fresh grass, but then the trail turned and he felt like I tricked him. What a bummer.
Between the two of them, we moved out pretty fast coming out. It was about 4:30-5:00. Lynn thinks we left about 10. So 16 miles-ish in six hours, plus eating and trimming and letting the horses graze. I think the people were surprised to see us and I don't know about Lynn, but I know I had a big ol' grin on my face because I was so happy about our day.
We walked back up to say good bye and see ya later, they were surprised we were leaving. They were a lot more friendly and welcoming. I think I would do it again. I might even go to a meeting! Some of the guys were great fun and had good stories. I think they would warm up to us. There's so much more to tell. . . like one of their members passed away and they put her ashes right by the sign. Pretty cool. Two dogs got in a fight right underneath me and Lynn as our picture was being taken. Kind of funny. One guy kept getting in my personal bubble and I nearly tripped over the lady president's walker trying to keep a comfortable distance. Lynn said, "I wondered what you were doing." So anyway--a good day and a good weekend of riding (3 days!!).
AND driving on the way out, we saw a bear. Lynn is much better than me, she got a whole sentence out, "Look at that guy moving out!" or some such thing; all I could do was shout, "BEAR!" It was awesome.
I almost feel guilty that I am so happy. :) We have ridden every weekend and it has been great! The weather is cool and we have even been misted on. The horses are in pretty good shape and ready to go every day. We have been traveling with wasp spray and no one has been stung or gotten too crazy. Today we filled up three nests. We filled up one a few weeks ago, but somehow they have moved into another site nearby, so we made a trail around it until we find the new nest. So far, so good! One funny note--I always laugh as I ride behind Lynn and Shirley because they have the same posture. The other day it was even funnier: Lynn had her shirt off her left shoulder like it does sometimes and I'll be darned if Shirley's wasn't too. It was at the same exact angle and the exact same amount of shoulder showing, alone with the same hand on the same hip, and both bodies canted to the left. Yepper--they are cut from the same cloth. :)
Friday we tried a new thing. Something Lynn and I aren't very good at (Alisa is much, much better at it)--we met the Back County Horsemen Association up at Stanshaw. It was a working week and weekend for the Redwood chapter. We introduced ourselves, but they weren't overly welcoming. :) We explained that it was our idea to "pay back" by working on a trail since we used them, too. The men began talking to us and sharing stories, but most of the women didn't have too much to do with us. I told Lynn they probably thought we weren't really worthy since we had on our good shirts and pants without holes in them. :)
When we walked back to the trailer, Zigs was untied and eating the alfalfa he had pulled out of the trailer. I'm sure Jupes was not happy that he hadn't untied him, too. Lynn had told Ziggy to look good, we were meeting new people, but he had his tongue out when we walked them up to the camp. One silly looking man who had no room to talk in my book said, "He's got his tongue out!" Imagine it in kind of a Gomer Pile kind of way.
The people we talked to first thing, had been there a week and working hard, too. They had many bee stories that scared me. Mules on their backs, horses running into stobs that left big holes in their heads. By the look of horror on my face, I'm sure they thought I was unworthy for sure. Then we finally decided we would just go out by ourselves--best decision ever! So in our spurs now, we clomped back up to their camp (by now more were up!) and said we would go in and trim chaparral and see Monument Lake. They said it's 8 or 9 miles---ONE WAY. We just smiled and said okay. Then of course later they saw us ride by with HELMETS on. Sheesh, we must have looked like arena riders, for sure. :)
Anyway, we had the best day. Although Shirley says it's a dude trail, I loved it. (I guess I'm still a dude.) There was lots of water for the boys to drink and green grass to eat. We saw fish in the creek and two deer. We stopped on top of the ridge and looked at the lake. It was good enough for me. (I had already figured that maybe we would just go home after our ride.) We ate a little lunch, the boys took a nap, and we watched the clouds roll by. It was incredibly nice. I loved every minute of it.
Then we headed out. To pay our dues, we stopped at a long stretch of chaparral and trimmed the trail. It was somewhat productive and somewhat funny and somewhat not so productive. Ziggy kept grabbing the branches that Lynn threw over the trail and brought them back on to it. Jupiter would grab my shirt and pull it up, like "get a move on." Lynn would yell at Zigs and he would back in to me and then turn and look at me like, "Sheesh, look out, you're in my personal space." It was funny. We got back on and although we came to a stretch that really needed it, we said, "Next time!" We decided we would trim going in next time. :)
If we thought Zigs was on fast walk going in--it was nothing like the one going out. Once when Jupes was leading, he took off trotting fast and then the trail turned and he almost stopped and he swung his head and looked back at me. I think he was thinking he was heading into a great big green meadow of fresh grass, but then the trail turned and he felt like I tricked him. What a bummer.
Between the two of them, we moved out pretty fast coming out. It was about 4:30-5:00. Lynn thinks we left about 10. So 16 miles-ish in six hours, plus eating and trimming and letting the horses graze. I think the people were surprised to see us and I don't know about Lynn, but I know I had a big ol' grin on my face because I was so happy about our day.
We walked back up to say good bye and see ya later, they were surprised we were leaving. They were a lot more friendly and welcoming. I think I would do it again. I might even go to a meeting! Some of the guys were great fun and had good stories. I think they would warm up to us. There's so much more to tell. . . like one of their members passed away and they put her ashes right by the sign. Pretty cool. Two dogs got in a fight right underneath me and Lynn as our picture was being taken. Kind of funny. One guy kept getting in my personal bubble and I nearly tripped over the lady president's walker trying to keep a comfortable distance. Lynn said, "I wondered what you were doing." So anyway--a good day and a good weekend of riding (3 days!!).
AND driving on the way out, we saw a bear. Lynn is much better than me, she got a whole sentence out, "Look at that guy moving out!" or some such thing; all I could do was shout, "BEAR!" It was awesome.
Sunday, June 21, 2015
Bliss
Two days of wet blankets! (Jupiter's was wetter than it needed to be since I didn't get my water bottle closed before I put it in my pack! Ice water was tickling his fanny!) Saturday we went up Hennessey; Shirley told us she was "pulling leather" down on the bottom of the trail where we start out. She told us, "Go, go! Bees!" She said Star was bucking and having a fit. Neither Lynn nor I saw anything. Then I heard Lynn say something about Shirley and Star had gone through the short cut trail, rather than down the other one that makes a sharp left like we did. We don't usually go the other way because the branches are stiff and pokey. Plus, it's fun to make that turn. When we returned, sure enough, there was a paper nest on that part of the trail. We could see it from the other one. No one got bees that time and Lynn and I are going to try and either gas it or spray it.
We went on the upper trails to the left and then down the trail to the steep one, but Lynn got off and pulled out some downfall and when she got on, we were all pointing up hill and away Jupes went. So we did the loop backwards--which was fun, too. We just missed Lynn's favorite steep part. Last week, it was too smoky on top and we turned around and went to the bottom meadows and rode around.
On the way down on the steep east side of the mountain, heading back to the trailer, Ziggy gave a big jump off the trail and swung his big head around and gave Lynn something to think about. I watched him do it. It was pretty interesting. He's a lot of horse to be throwing himself around. :) He likes to be in the lead on the section of trail and so he had a little fit. He keeps her on toes some days.
Today we rode on Underwood. It was a nice morning. It was a quick little loop around and back, but I sure like it. We saw two deer and all the dogs only gave a short chase and then returned. Poor Haley was covered in burrs. Lynn had us laughing as she told us about Ziggy having stuff in his mane. She wants to reach out and get it, and he acts like he wants her to too, but she says it's a loooong way out there. :) Speaking of stuff in someone's mane--Lynn tried to break a limb or pull it out of the way and all it did was get caught more and made it so we couldn't really get under it very well. She was on the other side, so Shirley turned Star and was going to go around it. It was a dead Cedar tree. I just held Jupes back to watch this. As they went through, they knocked into the branches; Shirley and Star were in the middle of a gold cloud of Cedar needles and dead branches. They were covered in them once the dust settled. Seriously, Star was almost a palomino. :) Jupes and I were thankful as we went through unscathed. :)
Last Sunday we did the hoop-de-doo trail for the first time this year. The lower meadow is FULL of star thistle. The stickers are abundant this year. Yuck! We saw some cows, but no bear; no jackrabbits; and thankfully, no mules. We have avoided that area because one of the locals lets her horses and mules out to graze during the day. We didn't go all the way to the brush obstacle, but turned around at the bottom of the steep climb. Last year there were bees just past that area. I don't know if they use the same holes or not. . . but we didn't take a chance on it.
Today is the Summer Solstice. It's officially summer. I have grades to do and my room to clean, but I am almost free until the end of July when I will teach six days of summer school. I hope the rest of summer is as good as these past two weekends have been--love those early morning rides. :)
We went on the upper trails to the left and then down the trail to the steep one, but Lynn got off and pulled out some downfall and when she got on, we were all pointing up hill and away Jupes went. So we did the loop backwards--which was fun, too. We just missed Lynn's favorite steep part. Last week, it was too smoky on top and we turned around and went to the bottom meadows and rode around.
On the way down on the steep east side of the mountain, heading back to the trailer, Ziggy gave a big jump off the trail and swung his big head around and gave Lynn something to think about. I watched him do it. It was pretty interesting. He's a lot of horse to be throwing himself around. :) He likes to be in the lead on the section of trail and so he had a little fit. He keeps her on toes some days.
Today we rode on Underwood. It was a nice morning. It was a quick little loop around and back, but I sure like it. We saw two deer and all the dogs only gave a short chase and then returned. Poor Haley was covered in burrs. Lynn had us laughing as she told us about Ziggy having stuff in his mane. She wants to reach out and get it, and he acts like he wants her to too, but she says it's a loooong way out there. :) Speaking of stuff in someone's mane--Lynn tried to break a limb or pull it out of the way and all it did was get caught more and made it so we couldn't really get under it very well. She was on the other side, so Shirley turned Star and was going to go around it. It was a dead Cedar tree. I just held Jupes back to watch this. As they went through, they knocked into the branches; Shirley and Star were in the middle of a gold cloud of Cedar needles and dead branches. They were covered in them once the dust settled. Seriously, Star was almost a palomino. :) Jupes and I were thankful as we went through unscathed. :)
Last Sunday we did the hoop-de-doo trail for the first time this year. The lower meadow is FULL of star thistle. The stickers are abundant this year. Yuck! We saw some cows, but no bear; no jackrabbits; and thankfully, no mules. We have avoided that area because one of the locals lets her horses and mules out to graze during the day. We didn't go all the way to the brush obstacle, but turned around at the bottom of the steep climb. Last year there were bees just past that area. I don't know if they use the same holes or not. . . but we didn't take a chance on it.
Today is the Summer Solstice. It's officially summer. I have grades to do and my room to clean, but I am almost free until the end of July when I will teach six days of summer school. I hope the rest of summer is as good as these past two weekends have been--love those early morning rides. :)
Sunday, May 17, 2015
Wet saddle blankets
Saturday I worked in Sonoma (Windsor) for my fall hay money. Lynn and Shirley took Star, Ziggy, and Jupiter to the vet for their shots.
Here's her version:
What a great day! > > Weather, overcast turning out sunny all at one time. :) NO wind. > Dr. Mott, is great. She said his feet are not bad. If you want to feed the Farriers Choice is fine, best product for feet, but you will not see much difference for about 1 year. You must feet it every day to do much good. She checked his teeth. He will probably need teeth floated this next fall. He was really good for her. She did say he was over weight. I said yes he is a easy keeper. She said Morgan's are very easy keepers and tend to be over weight. I said he will be hopefully going down with riding. > > Star is in great shape. Teeth are perfect, she could not believe how good he looks and the shape he is in for his age. > > Ziggy, well she went to give him wormer and as she walked up to him, she said "oh there is more of him than I thought." I laughed. She had to put a little more in the syringe. His teeth are good. But I had his floated a year or so ago. > > She was impressed with how well they all stood for shots. She said a lot of them will not stand still. > > We drove out to the beach, parked where you and I parked. Rode about a mile or so, nice and warm, no wind. Star was a bobble head horse. :) > > Zig was TNT! I could feel his heart pounding! I rode in your western saddle. The saddle was back a few inches too far back. So he felt even worse. Jupe has been ponied before, I figured he had. Probably with a saddle when he was young. He wanted to roll about the time his feet hit the sand. I did not let him. Then we were out near the ocean, and he had a small bucking fit. :) Mom hollered at me, to watch out. He was funny. On the way back low and behold there is a man and woman , in PINK! Jupiter was having flash backs and planted his feet! I felt the pull and it was like I was on him and touched Him with the spurs... ah Ziggy with spurs, Zig shot forward and Jupe's feet was planted. I did not turn loose and pulled with everything I had and Jupe shot forward. Those dang moving pink things are flat out scary. Check out last picture in the back ground :))))
(can you see the pink monster in the background?) > > After the short but very nice ride, we unsaddled and took them back up the hill into the sand and let them roll. Star must have went down I think I counted seven times, several times dug to China. :) Star was loving it! Jupe 3 times, I laughed he was digging with his front legs while on the ground! Mom and I were laughing. Zig went for one roll, he was digging with his nose! The sand was really nice and warm. (I felt it) > > Happy and Haley had a ball! > > We loaded up went to Big K (Kmart) then to Denny's for lunch. It was actually good. There was not a seat vacant in there. It was nuts. I heard on waitress say it's been like this since 7am. Wow. Crazy in there.
Sorry I missed it! Sunday was a good day, too. We went up and around on the Hennessey. Everyone behaved! Did I do one of these last weekend? Lynn saw a 300 lb, beautiful, black shiny bear. :) It was a good weekend, too. I am looking forward to a long weekend next weekend.
Monday, May 4, 2015
A hitch in our get-along
Well this past weekend was a total bust for me! I managed to not only ruin my own riding, but everyone else's too. First of all, we went somewhere new. We drove up Big French Creek to what Lynn thought would lead to Cherry Flat. We got to the corrals she remembered on a pretty good, if dirt and a little rocky, road. It wasn't bad, but Shirley was a nervous wreck and a little hard on Lynn.
Nevertheless, we got there and took off on the road headed north. Lynn was looking for a loop that would take us out and around. Well, we never got there. Jupiter got a cramp in his right flank. We rubbed it, but it didn't come out. So, once again, these boots are made for walking! We walked back to the trailer and took them home. I ran up and got the salt block and brought it down from the hill and I saw he went straight for it.
He was good, he let us rub it and put Absorbine Jr. on it. But he was still had a hitch and was too stiff to take on Sunday, so Shirley said I could ride Buster. Buster, the horse everybody rides. Buster the boring horse.
The second I got on he started humping and jumping and acting stupid. I thought it was because I grabbed his mane. Finally we got out of the parking area and headed up the hill. He still didn't seem right to me. My saddle slipped back on him going up the first little hill, so we put Ziggy's breast collar on him.
Going up the second, steep hill he balked. I know it's because I am so used to Jupiter. I always lean forward and grab his mane as we run uphill. I didn't grab Buster's mane, but I put my hand on his neck. He blew up and turned away from the trail. I tried to circle him back up, but he fell and off I went.
So now I too have a hitch. Dang it all.
However, I did get to ride Ziggy back to the trailer. I was a quitter. I said, "Can we cut this ride short? Can we just ride the road back?" And that's what we did.
Friday, May 1, 2015
Can I ask you a weird question?
So today I called up to make a hair appointment. It's time to get a trim, I decide. So I identified myself and asked for Brenda. Turns out her daughter had a baby last night and she is off today. BUT, do I have a minute? Am I ready for a weird question?
I say, "Okay. Go for it."
She says, "You better sit down."
I'm laughing. Fine. Then she hems and haws. "I don't know how to start," she says.
"Just do it." Me and Nike. That's our motto.
So she launches in: she knows a really nice, smart lawyer. She really likes him. He's been divorced, but no kids. He has a dog that he really likes--"just like you like your dog so much!" Wow, a match made in Heaven.
She keeps going--no breath in between--he wears COWBOY boots! He's smart. She thinks he's safe--doesn't know what kind of house he keeps--but he's called her when he was fixing a leak, so he can do some plumbing. "He'd be HANDY," she says.
Are you laughing yet?
He's really smart. Did I say that already? He lives in Trinity Center. He RIDES horses. His practice is in the Bay Area. So how could you have a real relationship anyway? "You're just like that--super busy--so maybe you could have a dinner every now and then. . . . I really like him," she says.
Snort, yet?
Finally, she breathes. I say, it makes me feel awkward and weird. No.
Well, she says (she's a quick breather), well, I MARRIED my blind date. Yep, TONI set us up, she says. OH and SHIRLEY was in on it, too!! (I can feel the vibes coming through the phone--having Shirley on it makes it an even BETTER idea.) She doesn't slow down, though. We could do it in a social setting. I wouldn't make it EMBARRASSING, she finishes.
I know she can hear me breathing-getting ready to say something-but she doesn't let me in. She's on a roll now.
He's smart. (Is that 3 times?) You can have a conversation with him. That's important AND he's well written. You would like him.
Good gravy train. Don't pee on yourself.
I said, thank you for thinking of me. I don't think so. I don't have time. Thank you for trusting me with your friend. I'm flattered. But no. Awkward.
She says, it so weird you called today. I was just thinking coming home from Weaverville that I needed to find someone for him--and then YOU CALLED.
I told her next time I am not going to identify myself. I will hang up after she says, "Brenda's off today."
It will sound like this: "Okay, thanks! BYE!"
I say, "Okay. Go for it."
She says, "You better sit down."
I'm laughing. Fine. Then she hems and haws. "I don't know how to start," she says.
"Just do it." Me and Nike. That's our motto.
So she launches in: she knows a really nice, smart lawyer. She really likes him. He's been divorced, but no kids. He has a dog that he really likes--"just like you like your dog so much!" Wow, a match made in Heaven.
She keeps going--no breath in between--he wears COWBOY boots! He's smart. She thinks he's safe--doesn't know what kind of house he keeps--but he's called her when he was fixing a leak, so he can do some plumbing. "He'd be HANDY," she says.
Are you laughing yet?
He's really smart. Did I say that already? He lives in Trinity Center. He RIDES horses. His practice is in the Bay Area. So how could you have a real relationship anyway? "You're just like that--super busy--so maybe you could have a dinner every now and then. . . . I really like him," she says.
Snort, yet?
Finally, she breathes. I say, it makes me feel awkward and weird. No.
Well, she says (she's a quick breather), well, I MARRIED my blind date. Yep, TONI set us up, she says. OH and SHIRLEY was in on it, too!! (I can feel the vibes coming through the phone--having Shirley on it makes it an even BETTER idea.) She doesn't slow down, though. We could do it in a social setting. I wouldn't make it EMBARRASSING, she finishes.
I know she can hear me breathing-getting ready to say something-but she doesn't let me in. She's on a roll now.
He's smart. (Is that 3 times?) You can have a conversation with him. That's important AND he's well written. You would like him.
Good gravy train. Don't pee on yourself.
I said, thank you for thinking of me. I don't think so. I don't have time. Thank you for trusting me with your friend. I'm flattered. But no. Awkward.
She says, it so weird you called today. I was just thinking coming home from Weaverville that I needed to find someone for him--and then YOU CALLED.
I told her next time I am not going to identify myself. I will hang up after she says, "Brenda's off today."
It will sound like this: "Okay, thanks! BYE!"
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Sleeping single in a double bed--NOT
The covers are of course kicked off because I am hot already and then I have her hot body pressed up against me. She probably moves up so high because my feet are always moving in and out of the covers, keeping HER awake.
Sometimes I wake up and I am stretched across the bed width-wise and so is she.Good thing I am not very tall.
Sometimes Ursula is next to us, too. She gets cranky if I move around too much. I end up between the two of them or she comes and lays up by the pillows before Ziva can.
I go to bed early and I get up early. But needless to say, in between, there isn't as much sleep as one would think.
Friday, April 24, 2015
The grass isn't always greener somewhere else--sometimes it's pretty darn green right where you are!
It's that time of year again--tall grass and hungry horses. The fields are green and beckoning. Although the horses have been getting alfalfa as well as hay every day, twice a day--they are ready for the fresh stuff. The problem is, that just like those of us who overeat when something tastes yummy, they will overeat and founder. Shirley tells me this practically every day. :)
So we start out slow; we bring them down and let them eat for a half hour or so every evening. It's a chewing festival. They never even lift their heads to move from one clean square to the next potential spot. Although the prospect of running does not seem like a good idea to them while they are eating--we are pretty sure that once the "time's up" signal is given, they probably would not let us catch them; so we hold on to their lead ropes. Except for Brady who is free to wander where he wants--old age has it's benefits.
Because of my work schedule and the fact that there are five horses, sometimes someone has to wait a little bit longer for his turn. It was Jupiter on Sunday. Guess how that went! He was upset that he had been left and everyone else was eating grass. He threw a bucking fit and had Shirley hugging a tree. He is the fattest of everyone. I mean he's ROUND. Shirley christened him with a new name: Jimmy Dean. He is going to get even rounder once they come down off the hill. Lynn will have to trim more brush so we fit on the trail.
Barry is planning on bringing his horses over to the pasture as soon as we get our horses acclimated to the grass. Although no one is happy about them coming, we are eager to see Dusty. Barry said he is huge now. He plans to ride him a lot this year. I don't think Nancy intends to get on him until Barry has gotten all the "bucking" out of him; but even then, she is shorter than any of us and will need a ladder to get on.
I like this time of year for a few reasons: first of all, I like standing around with Jupes. I get to talk to him and rub on him while he eats. He probably can't hear me over all that chewing, but it feels nice to hang out with him. Secondly, it also means standing around with Lynn and Shirley. We laugh over the day's events. You know Lynn is full of weird people stories! Finally, the dogs have a ball. The grass is way over their heads and they look so funny running and jumping in it. They roll around and weave in and out of the horses. It's easy to see the pure joy in their faces.
This together time is short and will come to a close very soon. The horses will be out in the fields and won't need us for a bit. Thankfully, they like us well enough and know that sometimes we bear treats, so they come to the fence to say hello. But the days of hurrying from school to feed are almost over for awhile. Although I like that I can stay at school longer and accomplish a few more things--I will miss seeing everyone. It also means that Ziva, the ball dog, won't be romping with her best friend and will expect me to play even more ball! :)
As I look forward to tomorrow's ride--I send good thoughts to Alisa and her crew. Six more weeks in the brace, but no surgery--Yay! We will be planning rides into Stanshaw and other fun places in no time.
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Happy birthday, Jupes!
I fell in love with his picture. And then I saw him and rode him and it was all over.
"Just pay the lady."
Then we got him home and I realized how little he was--his chest was as skinny as Indy's!
But when we turned him loose and he ran away in fear, I called his name and he came running back to me. He stole my heart right then.
He knows the sound of a camera and how to pose and show off his good side for sure.Shirley calls him "Little Lord Fauntleroy".
But when everyone else is complaining about their boring horses--I am not. For all his "perfectness" he is a pistol who keeps me on my toes.
He's kind of a big scaredy cat, but loves to be in the lead and charge uphill. He's surefooted on the trail (except when he stumbles!).
Although it feels like much longer, we've been partners for five years now. He's filled out to be the perfect Morgan specimen--even if he's on the round side. :)
Happy 10th birthday, Jupiter!
I look forward to many more years on the trail with you.
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