It's the last weekend of May and we have not ridden much at all. It's kind of been a-wake up-and- look- to see if it's raining kind of spring. The most positive part is that Shirley has gone with us all but two of the times we have gotten out. We go pretty slow, but it's steady riding. Lynn has a breast collar on Buster now and it has made a huge difference in keeping Shirley's saddle where it's supposed to be.
As of today, we have ridden all our trails. We have to pick and choose according to whether it has rained recently, but we've been all on of them. Surprisingly, some of the dead trees are still standing and then some came down that we didn't expect. We have done some trimming, but mostly, we have made trails around stuff and are still dipping and diving around the branches and bushes. There are a few that we need to work on. . .
Today we rode our Grey's Falls trail. The motorcycle guys have been out there and they have made some new ones for us to check out once they dry out a little. There is the possibility of an old skid road that looks like it has potential, too. It was a really fun ride and the longest one we've been on all spring.
Underwood also looks good. Lynn and I did that one by ourselves one Sunday. I sure like to ride over there. We tried to find a way around riding the road, but as Jupiter said, "Why are we doing this? You know she's just going to get us in a spot and then turn us back around!" :) It has potential, but got kind of steep and bushy.
Today was the first day the girls had to wear their tape bonnets. Bright pink!
TICKS have been the worst ever. I have had two in one week actually digging in and biting me. Talk about hurt. I have picked off many, many walking on me, Ziva, and Jupiter. GROSS. I hate them.
Memorial Day weekend just crept up and surprised us. Next weekend is the beginning of June! I am looking forward to riding in jeans and shirt sleeves. I think I only went one weekend without my chinks (maybe one day) and I've had a jacket on every time. Even then, I have had cold toes and worn my gloves every day. Yesterday, I was wishing for another layer. Today, I tied on an extra vest, but didn't need it after all. Of course, it's always entertaining to watch Lynn: jacket on with vest, just the jacket, just the vest, just a shirt, then repeat in reverse order. :) Shirley simply wears all those layers with her helmet insulator and gloves. Today, she took off a layer and her helmet insulator. ! We are usually prepared for whatever weather is thrown at us. It gets cold on that back side! The fog bank was especially neat today.
Both our boys are now 14--Zigs just had his birthday on Friday. Jupes has worked out his beginning of the year quirkiness, firecracker attitude. Lynn is talking about buying Star some old man vitamins so his hair will grow back in and be ready for the saddle; Buster is happy to go. He's a slow walker, but he gets it done! They aren't in great shape, but we're working on it. (Jupes is a chub and breathes hard after climbing.)
We are looking forward to our friends joining us. I was thinking about the PCT today. We should ride it before it gets so dusty. I am always reading the Shasta Ranch posts--I think we need to join them. Although I am certainly happy to ride here at home, we need to start making riding plans for this summer or before we know it, it will be Labor Day.
Anyway, enough rambling.
