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