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.
Monday, June 19, 2017
Sunday, June 11, 2017
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.
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.
Monday, June 5, 2017
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.
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