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.