Cowgirlin'

On Shirley's 86th birthday, Lynn and I rode on Underwood. It was wonderful. We didn't do the whole ride--skipping the steep hill and then going around the pond, but it was glorious nevertheless. Have we said we love our chinks enough? Probably. :)

Bus and Jupe did a little competitive trotting up the road and Lynn said again how smooth Buster is. I'm glad. I like to trot.

Afterward, we fed Barry and Nancy's horses and met the cutest kitten. Then we came home to fix fence. It was so cool! We got these twisty wires (fence stays?) and we rode/walked the fence line with Lee and the chainsaw. They work so great! It was fun. Then we moved the horses to the hill. They were so happy.

Funny story:
On Wednesday, I had a meeting in town so I did everyone's grocery shopping. :) I called Lynn and said, meet me at my house to pick up your stuff after work. I drove by her as she was pulling onto the highway after work. When she didn't come, I called her and found out that she was working on a water problem uptown, so I went to feed the horses.

First of all, it was getting dark. I hurried, but did not get Lynn's headlamp. First mistake. But I got the hay bale down and cut the string without a lot light--first hurdle accomplished.

I got Happy, Haley, & Ziva all lined out and we were off. No horses at the gate, no bucking and being wild. All good so far.

I drove up the hill to where we have been feeding. I parked and left the motor running and lights on. I was trying to get the hay as fast as I could, but there was Jupes, slinging hay off the four-wheeler. Next to him was Big Zig grabbing off the other side. I hollered at Star,"stay there, I'm coming!" I told Buster, "just hang on, I'll get you some." I'm pushing at Jupes, "Doggone it. Look what you did!" I reached down and scooped up all the now loose hay off the ground and started toward the tree to give Buster some.

Next thing I know--I am sprawling across a down tree. "Oh no, oh no," I say loudly as I go down onto my knees and then a belly flop onto the hay. (I did not say, "Shit!" I know you're surprised.) "OH NO!" I am scrambling and pushing at Buster's knees--I have lost my glasses in the mud and hay and DARK. I cannot see anything except Buster's feet. "Wait," I tell him. I am scooping at hay and sticks and trying to feel the frames of my glasses. Jupiter is almost on top of me, "What're you doin' NOW?" I was so worried about my glasses, I didn't have time to worry he might step on me. Thank goodness they can see.

Anyway, finally one scoop of hay and sticks also had something that felt like frames--YAY! I found them. I scrambled up and scooped the hay to take to the original destination I had planned. I managed to get all the hay spread out for them and back up the four-wheeler without anything getting broken and any of us getting hurt. A big win.

And funny.

After hearing my story and seeing the mud and detritus on my glasses, Lee gave me a free cleaning. Then I drove home with another adventure under my belt from The Place aka 10 Firs aka Acorn Alley. I'll be a cowgirl, yet.

:)

Getting some air

missing our partner

Things have been hard around here. Lots of pain and sorrow and tons of worry. After another Saturday at the hospital, we went for a ride around the Hennessey on Sunday. It was a cold morning and we were thankful for our chinks--what a great buy! We were in blue and the dogs wore blue tape and thankfully, the only hunters we saw were in cars and they clearly saw us either next to or on the road itself. Happy got to go with us and we all got some much needed air and mountain time.

somebody wrinkled a granola wrapper

Lynn rode Buster, and both of them had a ball. He is super smooth and was full of go. His motion does not hurt Lynn at all and his arthritis has not been keeping him from doing any of the trails. She plans to start giving him his medicine soon, as it is getting colder. She made the decision to put off buying the saddle or another horse and to just ride Buster until Shirley can mount up again. Decisions like that are so hard to make and I know it was weighing heavily on her.

Jupiter and I had a good day as well. I love that boy. I am glad he and I are such good partners. Thankfully I never had to send him back, like I threatened. :)

Keep sending good thoughts to Lynn and Shirley as they "Cowgirl Up" and struggle through their pain. We miss our riding partner and keep telling her that the doctor said she could ride come Spring.


Happy Fall from us. :)

A tough week at The Place (aka 10 Firs)

This week was a hard  one--lots and lots of smoke and then Big Zig had a major injury. Somehow, he was rammed by something extremely hard and pointy (probably metal) on the inside of his upper leg. He had bone fragments in his wound and scrapes on his leg bone. Dr. Branch told Lynn it was very important to keep the wound flushed and clean and that Ziggy take his medicine. He said bone infections are common with this kind of injury; so he gave her the strongest antibiotic he has, told her to irrigate it twice a day, keep track of his temperature, and if the swelling went above a line he drew on Zig's thigh, to bring him in immediately. Scary stuff.

The good news is: his temperature is down to normal and he has been running and bucking. He is still a little swollen and getting tired of the irrigation tube, but he likes the grain mixed with his meds. He really doesn't like the hose spraying off the iodine from his leg. Star is extremely jealous and has now taken to cutting Zigs out and away from Lynn so he can't go get his "special treatment." Jupes ran directly to me yesterday when I got out of my car--talking the whole way, so I sure he was saying that Lynn wasn't being fair! He wanted some grain, too!

Dr. Branch gave Lynn a compliment and said that we all did a good job of taking care of our horses and Ziggy would most likely heal quickly and be fine because of it. He's a good age and up on all his shots, as well as in good condition.

We did not ride on Saturday, because it seemed like it would be too smoky, but Sunday, we saddled up Star, Buster, and Jupiter and went up the Hennessey. Lynn had a great time on Buster, who took the lead and lined right out. She said he was so smooth and perfect. Star and Shirley did well also and me and Jupes were fine, too. No mountain lions and the girls were good, too.

A great day was had by all. Now we can get through another week! :)

A Smoky Labor Day Weekend

This is what it looks like from my deck. 

There is supposed to be a mountain ridge there.

      This is out my kitchen window.

Guess you know we did not ride this weekend. I drove to Santa Rosa on Friday and it was smoky the whole way. We had talked about going to Cueno Creek, but it was smoky there, too. Maybe in the redwood grove it would have been okay--I don't know. Even Orick is smoky. I think all of Northern California is under this blanket of smoke. The heat on the coast is crazy as well--high 80s. I think it was in the 100s at Blue Lake. We are not hot like predicted--we have smoke to insulate us. :(

Recovery ride

After three weeks off, Lynn was raring to go riding. (Well, all of us were!) We braved the smoke and found that it was one of our better days. The sky was almost completely clear of smoke (both days) and although we could feel the heat was coming, it was a cool couple of mornings.

Saturday, we rode up to the Hennessey and down to the right and through the hoop-de-doos to the creek and bottom trail. We turned down the steep gully washer trail that leads to the granola meadow (ha-ha, like those descriptions? are you with me?). When we made the sharp turn before the tree that runs in front of the trail (the one little Ziggy thinks he can go under), there was a small dead cedar that now leaned into the trail. Jupes was powering through and I tried to slow him and grab the cedar to push it away from us. But no, he was going through it. Of course it didn't move much and we were showered with dead cedar leaves--and I mean showered. They were everywhere--including some broken branches stuck under my leg and armpit and across the saddle. I looked back up at it when we were on the other side of the down/parallel tree and there were absolutely zero leaves left on it!

Lynn and Ziggy were next and then Shirley and Star. We were waiting to warn them and hadn't moved from below the tree. Lynn easily grabbed and moved it as she went by; then Shirley reached up for it and suddenly she yelled, "Girls! Girls! I'm caught! Wait!" Her glove, an Isotoner driving glove with built-in holes in it, had caught on a little stob. After struggling to free herself, it finally let go and we moved on. Thankfully, it gave me some time to get some of the cedars out of my bra and branches from under my leg.

We didn't ride long because Lynn had a huge list of things to do. When we got back, we could see how tired and sore Star was. He is showing his age. :(

Sunday we headed out again--this time Buster got to go! He has not gone with us since he blew up on Underwood "right off the git." Was that two summers ago? We were all a little nervous about how it was going to go. He was awesome! However, coming downhill on the way back, it did seem like something was bothering him. We all got off and walked through the new trail, where it is steep. We took a different path that we have been looking at as an alternative and Lynn did some light logging.

The big news though, I saved for last: our ride was a very short one! As we crested the trail that ends on the road where we ride to the top of Hennessey, we heard a vehicle coming down. We all got off to the side and Lynn flagged him down so he could see us. He stopped and told her we probably shouldn't go up to the top. I could see on her face that she was concerned about whatever he was saying. After he proceeded on down the road, she came over and told us that he had just seen a HUGE MOUNTAIN LION! It was on the flat top of the hill. AND unafraid of him and his vehicle. CRAP.

Needless to say, we gathered our pups and headed our horses for home, keeping one eye on our backsides. Scaaaaarry.

Split Rock

Saturday was a laid back riding day. We went to Underwood with the intention of finding Split Rock. Usually we ride Underwood pretty fast because we do it on Sunday and we can go to church afterward and if Alisa is here, she can get on the road. Saturday, we took our time and fiddled around, snooping out new spots to ride. It is probably a better place for Lynn as well, as she is having horrible back pain that sometimes is alleviated due to Keota's smooth movement, but sometimes does not get better. Underwood does not have the steep ups and downs that our Hennessey rides have.

Although our eyes were peeled, we did not see any wildlife--only a thick, and I mean THICK, spider web. I am glad we did not see the spider that made it--sheesh! I am thankful it was off to the side and none of us were lassoed into it!!

Once we attained the top of the mountain where we usually let the horses eat grass and the dogs rub off some of their burrs, we turned and went down the mountain toward the coast rather than down toward the river. We have looked down here before and it is just too steep to ride anywhere. So we went up and to the road and took it. About 15 minutes down the road, Lynn saw a trail off to the left that looked well used. So down we went.

We stopped and trimmed some trees so we could cross a little stream and over we went. It was obvious that this was a hiking trail because someone had put some small logs across so they wouldn't get their feet wet, but they were not horse bridges. Not much further on, we saw a rock formation.
It did not look like anything special. Then Lynn said she was getting off and we should, too.

OMG. What looked like just a big boulder was actually Split Rock. It was a HUGE, GINORMOUS rock with its twin on the other side of a deep, deep crevasse. I lay on my belly and looked over and from where I was, I could not see the bottom. Shirley had to step away and not look at all. She said some things are just too much for her and she does not like heights. It was shady and cool and had vegetation in between the two mammoth sides of rock. Lynn of course, went slip sliding down to the bottom and she said it was awesome. We need to bring our hiking boots next time so we can get down there. If we are going to explore it, maybe we should drive to the top and then walk down instead of leaving our horses at the top.  Anyway, it was very cool and we are excited to share it with Alisa.

Sunday, we did a short ride on the Hennessey, but it was obvious that Lynn was in pain. Shirley rode up to me and pointed out that Lynn was a pale as a ghost and we needed to take the trail back home. So we did. I feel bad that Lynn hurts so much and do not mind a short ride at all--any ride with my partner, Jupes, and my besties, Lynn and Shirley, works for me.

Next weekend, Alisa is coming over. The following Monday is Lynn's surgery. Unless things are a lot better, we may not be able to ride. Although Ziggy's back looks good, I am not sure he is smooth enough for Lynn to ride with her back bothering her as much as it is. Today, she is seeing the Physical Therapist, so we will play it by ear.

Orick Horse Trail (the switch backs)

Riding at Orick

The day started off with a little stress and $14 cup of coffee at The Palm Cafe (don't ask, but we aren't going to eat there anymore!), but ended up with smiles all around. Unfortunately, Lynn's back hurt the whole trip, but as usual, she was a trooper. She and Keota led the whole day so she could set a slow pace that worked for her back and for her mom. Although she worried about going so slow for me, Jupes and I had a great day. He is really becoming my partner and we are in sync.

We did not see any animals other than cows and the Redwood Riding Club rental horses, but birds were singing and there were lots and lots and LOTS of yellow banana slugs. Yuck! There were foxgloves blooming and some small yellow and white flowers, but mostly it was all shades of green. The trails were pretty dry and not slick, but there were a few springs that soaked the trail and made it boggy. Along the way they have put some feeder bowls in the streams so horses can get a drink. Not Keota, though, he snorted at them and backed away--even after Jupes drank from one.

Star did really great. He was in the middle where he likes it. Although a big horse-eating mess of branches did reach out and grab him and scare the beegeezus out of Jupiter, he just went along at his own pace. He didn't even mind Jupiter breathing on his butt most of the day.

I'm so glad we got to go.

Orick Horse Trail first leg

Happy 4th of July!

We had another great day of riding. We did the Gray's Falls side--lots of steep uphills and downhills. It was a full on ride today with barely any stops for granola or water. It was a power on through day! However, there was some tripping--I mean--trimming along the way. (And one pirouette that ended in a pile by Lynn, but only Keota got to see it.) It was cool on the coast side of the mountain and we could feel the head coming on as we descended the inland side.

Cinch check!

Keota is very patient with Lynn as she saws and clips along the way. Jupes surprised me again today when I sawed a limb; that's twice I have done so and he has stood patiently. I feel bad that Lynn does all the hard work, so I am trying to do more of my share! We need her back to be healthy!

Alisa, you were so generous in leaving Keota for Lynn to ride--we all thank you. We are having fun with him.

Just ridin'

I put this song on the blog before, but it is the theme that runs through my head all summer. I have this exact record and I used to play it all the time when I was a kid. (and of course sing as loud as possible with the door to my bedroom closed!LOL) I hope you enjoy it, too.

Anyway, I have had four good days of riding this summer. I've had a week off and I am relaxed and happy. Jupes has been great and we have had the best time together--whether we're in the front or in back--it's all good. Today, he rode next to Keota and the three of us were in a chat line going up the road. :)

Last weekend, Alisa was here with her two boys: Odie and Keota. Odie hung out with Buster while we went riding. We took her on our new cutoff trail and the new, revised edition of Lynn's favorite steep uphill trail. As usual, we all had fun. Shirley is back out on the trail with us, so we are a complete set again.

Unfortunately, Sunday's ride was cut short. Ziggy's back was bothering him and when we got to the trailer (on Underwood), we could see he not only had a big lump on his back, put it had rubbed open a sore. Poor big guy. :(  Alisa came through for us  and left Keota for Lynn to ride for a month. Yay! Keota misses Odie and I am sure Odie misses him, but he got to go riding with Star and Jupiter for two days.

Star is being an old curmudgeon and doesn't want him in front of him or behind him or ??? Keota is nervous if Jupes is behind him, but we leap-frogged all over for two days. Like I said, even today we rode three across and talked as we went up the road. A feat in many ways as Jupiter doesn't like to ride like that with anyone (he's best if it's just Lynn and I) and Keota was in the middle between two big meanies.

Today was a crazy day in some ways; we were on the road after dropping off the top of the hill trail to the left and heading toward the steep downhill to the turtle pond when Lynn yelled, "Turn around! Go back! Go fast!" So Jupes and I took off at a good clip up the road. He was like, "Should I be scared?" She yelled again to come with them back up the trail, so we turned around and ran up the trail. Finally, I heard her--"SKUNK! Right on our trail to the pond." She didn't want the dogs to see it. She saved all of us.


Then we were going to go cross country instead of back the way we had come; suddenly she yelled again and I could see Keota swinging his head around. "I think we're in BEES!" Again, Jupes and I ran ahead of everyone leading the way. She got off up by the frog pond and he had one lump from a bee sting. Dang. That was only a short span full  of troubled time. Next, Star and Keota put on a show to head to for home. Lynn decided we weren't going home. So down she went to another trail. Good grief. Star was a pain. He was ready to go home and he was not going to follow that dang interloper who didn't know the way home. :) Jupes just stood and looked at him. (Both of them.) Lynn asked us to lead the way and then everyone straightened out. Jupes probably told them both, "Hey, I already learned this lesson. Just go where they point you and there's less trouble."

Lynn says that if Alisa really wants to sell him and find someone calmer, she should ask for $7000 or more! She says that Keota is a powerhouse who does whatever you ask and he's been trained so well and knows a ton of stuff! She is really enjoying riding him. As much as she loves Ziggy, her back will be sorry to see Keota go when she gets back on Zigs, who is much more rough. (wonder why he's cross-legged!)

It was fun. I am enjoying my spoiled brat of a horse. He's being good. I hope Lynn didn't jinx me yesterday when she said, "Hey! You haven't gone off yet this year!" Thanks, Lynn! :) I'm working on it. LOL

Thanks Lynn!

It can be a good thing to be the last horse in line. . . .

We got our sick partner back and the three of us had two great days of wet blankets. I can hardly wait for summer vacation.

BRRRRISKY

It was a brisk 46 degrees as we parked the truck on the Hennessey. We bundled up, put on our chinks, gloves, and away we went. It has been a rainy few days, but as we crested the over the road off our first trail, it was blue skies.

The boys spent the night free ranging in the middle meadow, so they were a bit slow. They also were after every single poison leaf that swept by their noses. Seriously! The poison oak must be at "its peak of flavor" or something, because both Jupiter and Ziggy got into trouble for eating all morning. On the way home, Jupes and I both got a start when he stopped suddenly, on the steep downhill of course, to reach for a bite. He almost slammed me down on his neck, which brought up my boots to his flank and he got a surprise spur on both sides, causing him squirt down the little ravine and me to squeal as I was jarred back. When I reached back to touch his butt, he spooked again--tucking it under and twisting into the turn. Good grief.

Since most of our ride now is in the trees on trails, we did not notice that the cloud cover was getting pretty thick until we got to the top of the mountain, but we made to the truck without getting rained on. Notice I didn't say that we didn't get wet, because both of us at one time or another had branch across the face and shoulders and had our drippy moments. The breeze had definitely been cool the whole ride and both of us acknowledged that our toes were no longer cold because they were numb. Ziggy had lost a shoe somewhere at home, so he wore a boot all day. When Lynn took it off at the trailer, she poured out water and dumped mud and other detritus he had picked up along the way. No wonder he didn't like it much.

When we started the pickup to come home it was 43 degrees! Never mind that it is June 11.

It was another good ride--just the two of us. Shirley is still recuperating.

Our version of pleasure riding

Only one day of riding, so we made it the best one we could. It was cool and sunny and we headed over to Lynn's favorite trail. She lost her clippers there last weekend, so we were on the lookout. Sure enough, we found them, but they were a little worse for the week out on the trail.

Something chewed on the end. :)

We worked on the trail around the log and now the whole trail is passable and ready for traversing either from the bottom or the top. (And hopefully neither of us will show up with poison oak!)

Jupiter has been a total pleasure to ride; he has matured into a fantastic mountain horse. Yes, he is a fat boy, but he goes uphill strong and downhill with care. We have had several great rides together and are communicating well. Zigs is getting to be a handful going downhill. He want to buck and swing his head and even rears a little--out of sheer joy, I think. He wants to barrel downhill and swing around corners. Thankfully all of us have been safe and sound and in our saddles.

Last week we saw an eagle and a bunny, this week we saw a buzzard and mouse. It seems we are seeing different kinds of wildlife as we ride. I am just glad we are not seeing too many two footed creatures or hearing any more gunshots.

Days like yesterday get me through the week.

A weekend to remember

Memorial Day Weekend! Nope not going camping; nope not hanging out on the lake; nope not fighting traffic and packing and unpacking--well, I take that back: I packed granola bars, refilled my water jugs, and went through a lot brush and swinging branches that slowed us down. But what a weekend! It was perfect. The weather was awesome: vests in the morning and tank tops in the afternoon.

We took our lunch on Saturday and rode for over four hours on the Hennessey. It was so much fun!
We now have a bypass trail. It starts on the left of the trail we used to call our "new trail" that is now simply the first leg of our ride up the hill. There is a small opening on the left hand side of the road; Lynn always says, I came through there once--I know there's a way. . . well, she came out and worked to clean a new trail a couple of weekends ago (was it only last weekend?). It's funny because the trail's not real clear, yet and she and Ziggy fight the whole down because he gets irritated that she doesn't listen to him and go the right way the first time! There's swinging stuff everywhere and Jupes just follows along behind, waiting for it stop.

It takes a ton of road off our ride. I love it. We miss the dump area completely--including some shooters who were there last weekend. We ride behind and below that area. Then we went over to the right from the top and down to meadow, down the Hennessey Hoop-de-doo to the road and then out to the Gray's Falls side of the mountain. Jupiter, a boy who loves his "high cotton living" and who has a big belly, was like, "Really? This is steep! Dang it!" But we all motored on. It was beautiful over there. We even got to see an eagle fly over and pose on the top of tree for pictures.

Then we came down and went on the trail that goes off our beat path to the creek's path. It is a little treacherous in a couple places, but the boys were surefooted and fine. We have been super lucky with tree fall--there are lots of dead trees on the ground, but none that ruined our ride. :)  There were gun shots above us (maybe in the meadow) when were coming out. We hollered, but I doubt they heard us. We trotted out and away from there and it was fun weaving in and out of trees.

Sunday we rode Underwood. Both of us have been wanting to--it was great. No trees down that caused us difficulty. It was a quick one so we could run over and visit with Shirley, who is not feeling up to par, then go to church. It was fun. Lynn saw a coyote cross the road ahead of us when we headed for the granola bar stop, and while we were driving up to the trailhead, we saw tons of jackrabbits.

Monday was another day of adventure. We went on Lynn's favorite trail--then one with the log across it. We haven't ridden it for at least a year. She keeps wanting either Lee or Gary to come and cut it out. She decided we would check it out, so we came from the bottom. She did lots of trimming and we walked the horses by the log. It's a little sketchy by the log, but the boys were fine.

It was a great weekend! I had so much fun. The horses were good and the dogs stayed right with us. Last weekend, we saw a momma bear and two cubs, but we didn't see them this weekend. All the trails were good and there were no cars/trucks on the roads. Jupes is getting better with the swinging stuff as long as it doesn't slap him on the rear. :) Here's the get on rock a month later.

What a great way to spend time--two girls with their horses and their dogs. The only thing you need besides that, is a little disinfecting wash, a technu shower, and some granola. :)

Whoohooo! Spring has sprung!

After MONTHS of not riding, we got shoes on Thursday and the sun came out on Saturday and Sunday and we rode!!! Yay! The boys were happy, happy. Star, of course, had to be difficult and make Lynn chase him around a little, but the other two were on it! Lynn even dropped her headstall and halter and I don't know what and Ziggy put his head down reached for his bit--like, come on!

We went up Hennessey both mornings taking two different trails and skirting around the ones that could've been too slippery or steep for our first outing. There is water everywhere--it's awesome. The flowers are blooming and are spread along the entire way. All colors were represented and some of the flowers were unusual and a pleasant surprise to see. There are not too many trees down and the trails we rode are pretty clear. However, our "get-on rock" by the turtle pond is surrounded by water.

Yesterday Jupes was a pill--he wanted some grass and wanted to throw a bit of a fit to keep me on my toes. Lynn fought with Ziggy too--not in quite as loud a tone as me and Jupes, but Ziggy lets her know in his own way.

Today was fantastic. Everybody had fun. We think Happy and Haley may have scared up a bear because they took off on a dead run and disappeared for a bit and when we got to the bottom trail there was a pretty fresh bear track that skidded through the mud like she was running. We don't know for sure, though.

Anyway, it was  fun day. I hope we have many more--hopefully this is just the beginning of pretty mornings to ride.

A full barn for the new year

Friday was a "hay" day! It was a comfort-raising, good smelling, expensive day that made all of us breathe a little easier. Although it probably won't actually happen, snow is promised and we need to to keep those fat boys warm and toasty.  

The cute hay guy was a friend of Lee's and he brought us some good Fort Jones hay. He gave us deal and stacked it, too. Lynn hired a young guy to help and we stood around and watched! Of course beforehand, Lynn moved a whole ton of not-so-good hay that Shirley and Don purchased and stacked right in the middle of the barn. Thankfully, we did not have to move this batch or both of us would be even more sore than we are. Dang! This getting old crap is not wimps!

After two days of unloading heavy boxes of textbooks and classroom detritus off U-Haul trucks, lifting desks and moving heavy furniture, I have become a huge fan of dollies! However, I think my arms may now be a few inches longer than they used to be. I helped moved five classrooms of stuff, which meant I didn't get to finish working in MY room. So, I am off to school to finish--well, to try to make my new room feel normal and comfortable for my students. I am hoping to start the new year off in a good way.

There's been lots of stress at the end of 2016 and we have all had the DRITS! (That acronym is so old old I have forgotten what it stands for, but not what it means!) We need to ride! 

Happy New Year! 

I can hardly wait for new adventures in 2017!