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.