A Fall Sunday Afternoon

Lynn and I got to go ride after church today. Some nimrod left a recliner at our trailhead with a free sign on it. It also had an empty jar of peanut butter and a spoon. I took Jupes over to check it out so it wouldn't be scary when we went by it. He thought maybe he should lick the spoon. I said, no way! We don't want any cooties.

There was a guy with his motorcycle who was nice and said he would go up to the ridge so we could have the ranch to ourselves. Yay! We took the same trails that Alisa and Lynn got to ride last weekend. It was pretty cool and slippery, but we all did fine. Well, except that Cobie shied big time at a deer that was running from us. BIG TIME. I laughed. It's fun to see what they look like instead how they feel. :) lol

I like the trail that we created back to the road through the trees when we come out. It was a nice ride and although it got cold on us, it was worth every minute.

 

Maybe the third time IS the charm. Maybe it's the company you keep.

As I opened up my Blogger, I saw I had started a post on July 24. I think that is when everything blew up and we started dealing with fire. So although we rode quite bit before that, we did not ride again until last weekend. Lynn took Cobie out on Saturday and thoroughly enjoyed herself. He let her get on, he went through mud puddles, and he seemed comfortable alone--no whinnying. He got a little nervous on the last two trails toward home and thought maybe something was out there; all of which could have been true since it's hunting season and we have seen fairly fresh bear scat.

Sunday, I got to join her. Jupes was a total pill. It was work to get him to go. He threw little fits all along the way and finally, coming down the last steep trail, I walked. He really wanted to let  me know he was unhappy. We had chosen to ride early. Lynn said, "Let's go at 6:30." Well, it was dark! So we waited until 7:00, but it was still too early for Jupiter; I think it was because he left his breakfast in the feeder and knew it would be gone when he got home. He took most of the joy out of riding, but like I told Lynn: a bad day riding is still a good day.

This weekend, on Saturday, we waited to go until 9:00. The boys were standing in the sun having finished their breakfast, so I was hoping Jupes would be better. We rode our new exploration area. I don't think I wrote about it before. I really like the boonie crashing trails that we "found" in July. Lynn remembers them from a long time ago and there are some obvious trails in addition to the tree-scraping, bush-slapping ways we worked our way over. It opens out and leads down to someone's farm, but the road is pretty nice and makes a fun loop that the motorcycle riders have not yet explored. It dumps us out above the turtle pond.

We looked for a way to get down to the pond from the road. There is a definite seepage and there was good grass and lots of ferns. It was a pretty spot. We got fairly far, but had to turn around and come back up to the road because it is simply too steep to navigate. Jupiter had been being pretty good, but once we got up on the road it was all about trotting for him. We trotted everywhere for the rest of the ride. Trotting is better than having to fight him to go, but it is wearying because I can't relax the reins or he will speed up. Who's in charge? Hmm.

The turtle pond is low, but still has water in it. Both dogs got in it and had mud caked up to their elbows. When I washed Ziva's feet, there were little balls of mud caked up under her toes. As you can imagine, my tub was a mess!

Coming out was a quick ride. Unfortunately, when we went down the steep part that I mostly walked the weekend before, both Cobie and Jupes acted up. Twisty necks and bowed up. We are wondering if there were bees maybe? Anyway, we got through it. When we got to the "get off spot," I told Lynn, Jupiter and I are going to the meadow. So we trotted up the road, trotted around the bush, and trotted back through the path to the road. He stopped a few times for me to get off, but I told him, I'd get off when I was ready. :) 

Lynn's Relive video

Yesterday, Lynn said, "Let's go after church and leave the dogs home." So it was about 1:30 when we unloaded. We rode the Hennessey Ranch. It was so peaceful and nice. The colors were gorgeous and we found that a fire break had been cut through part of our trail, so it was wide and clear. Lynn rode Ziggy. She wants to make sure he is in good riding shape and attitude for Cathy when she comes over. The difference in Jupiter was amazing. He was relaxed and didn't balk, didn't trot unless he was asked, and my ride was simply joyous. Now was it because his partner was with him? He didn't have to be the big, brave boy? He likes to be with his calm friend Zigs and that young whippersnapper, Cobie, is wound a little tight, too. I don't know, but it was nice. 

Funny story of the day: we went looking for apples. We found one pear and two apples on one side of the creek. Then we went down to a tree where we had found them later in the season before and wa-la! There were apples. Lynn rode Zigs under the low branches and into the bear cover of black berry bushes to pick about eight apples. She tossed them out onto the meadow. Then we let them eat. Zigs picked up an apple and bit it in two. The other half dropped to the ground next to a big piece of poop. Not cow poop. Not horse poop. Something like dog poop--maybe coyote? Anyway, he sniffed the poop all along the its length. Nope. Not eating that apple. I said, "I bet Jupes will." We went over. Sniff, sniff, sniff all along the poop's length. Nope. Not eating that apple. :)

It had been breezy up in the tree tops all the ride, but it was really starting to kick up as we headed down the road to the trailer. We were almost to the end of the blacktop when Lynn was commenting that she was glad we weren't up on Widowmaker Ridge right then. Suddenly a branch from one of the trees fell right down the side of Jupiter to the ground. It didn't touch him and he didn't even flinch! If he had jumped, he would have knocked me under Zigs' feet or possibly worse--tangled me up in his. I think living on the hill helps all of them to be more immune to stuff like that. Thankfully it did not hit either of us and our Sunday ride was perfect from start to finish.

I'm glad to be back in the saddle again and out about on our trails.

One Bear, Two Deer, and Squirrels Everywhere!

Memorial Day weekend--whoop! Whoop! Summer is almost here.

Saturday we drove to Little Happy Camp; we will have to cut trees again. Sheesh. We saw a big bear on the way, which made it a great way to start the day. Lynn rode big Zigs again and we went up to the ridge and down and around. It was so nice. We sat on the picnic tables and had granola bars and came home. It was a short ride, but fun. 

Relive Ridgetop 

Sunday, we rode Hennessey again. So far, so good--we can see signs of the motorcycles, but they have not been out there when we are there. Yes, they have ruined many of our trails and it's beyond sad, but we are creating new ones and trying to go places they cannot. We only rode to the turtle pond and back because Ziggy's injuries were bothering him. But like I always tell Lynn, it truly does not matter to me how long we ride--just that we get to do it. Jupiter has become such a good partner; I love being with him. Being in the mountains with Lynn and Ziva and Haley on horseback is as good as it gets.

The big event of the day were the flowers!!! It was a carpet of irises. Millions. It was like no other day. The pictures do not do it justice. We were in awe.

More doctoring

 

Great weekend! Saturday we rode 10 miles! At a quick walk or trot the whole time. I told Lynn I never even had a moment to sing and if I had tried, it would've been "vibrato"--Aaaaaaammmmmaaaahhhaahhzzzzzzzzinggg gggrrrrraaahhhhahahahahccccccccccceeeeee. She rode big Zigs, runny cyst and all. He felt good and was showing her, he was as good a ride as Coby. We were saddling up and suddenly I heard Lynn say, "Oh no." I don't remember what she called it, but Coby has blisters under his armpits. Poor guy. That means no saddle since the cinch would rub there. She put some of the thick green stuff on him and turned him loose. I was preparing to unsaddle and head for home when she said, "Go get Zigs." 

Well, that boy was on a walk! Lynn said she was missing our trails, so we went up Hennessey. We rode over to Grey's Falls and back around. We were careful not to go anywhere that would scrape his face and he gave Lynn a good ride. We had the mountain to ourselves. It was sheer bliss. 

Ziva was limping when we got home and I planned to leave her home on Sunday, but she was better. So we went to Underwood for a quick morning ride. Although we did not see any animals, we did see a large bear print. Haley was off and running around all over and we had to call and call her. She always seems to get too far away up there. I guess there are lots of smells. We got worried at one point because we had no idea where she was. Finally after a lot of calling, she came up behind up running at top speed, tongue hanging.

There was good grass and fresh poison oak to eat and it was pretty peaceful otherwise. I got a little singing in, but not much. When we got home, Ziva was limping again, but I massaged her shoulder and leg and she kept going. Seeing a cat or a squirrel took all thoughts of being stiff or painful right away. 

Monday, Lynn texted and said Ziggy's tear duct split. She is trying to get into the vet again today. Poor guy. 

I missed it!

  "Hey! You missed it! A bear just ran across the road!" Jupiter's head flew up and caught Lynn's attention and she got to see a humongous bear run across the road. We were at Little Happy Camp on Sunday. We had just arrived and the horses were tied to the trailer on the road side. It was the beginning of a glorious day and good riding and good digging for the girls. 

Coby is getting so much better at letting Lynn mount up. But, like Jupes, he is a round belly kind of guy and his saddle slips when we go downhill. He doesn't like Lynn on neck and so he does some little bucking movements to get her off. Well, I say little, but that's because Lynn is keeping him from full on bucking. 

Last year when he bucked her off, we figured it was because of the crupper, so she hasn't used it yet this year. Well, yesterday she got off on the first long downhill and put it on him. He did not like it, but it worked and there was so much else going on (all those big black stumps!), that eventually he seemed to forget it.

We tried some boonie bouncing to make a loop, and although Cody doesn't like it, he listens and goes. We did not make a successful loop because what we found is there are A LOT of down branches covering the ground. It was simply too hard and too thick to get through. We didn't ride long, but the boys and the dogs got a work out. We didn't see any wildlife, but we saw a huge bear print in the mud and lots of deer tracks. 

Lynn set up the game camera and we will be going back to see what we can see. :)

Relive our trail

Dude! You're splashing on my legs!

 

Two great days of riding this weekend! Both Lynn and I needed this in the worst way--she'd been super sick and I am just tired and need some wind in the helmet. And speaking of wind--well, it was breezy every day. And cold. I wore my jacket both days and wished for my chinks on Sunday.

Unfortunately, something is wrong with Ziggy. He is not feeling good and has yucky stuff coming out of his eye and nose. His face is swollen by his eyes, too. Lynn is worried he has a head injury, like a concussion. He has knots on his head. She took him to the vet and was given strong antibiotics, but she is going to call and tell them about the knots. Scary stuff.

But on to the good news--make that GREAT news--Coby was a success! I was worried when she said we riding because I knew she wasn't riding Big Zigs. Saturday we headed to Underwood. After some turning in circles for a few minutes, Coby stood and let her get on. Off we went. She got off again later and same thing--shorter time turning in circles and then on. We enjoyed our solitude and quiet with our horses and dogs. Jupes was a little edgy without his big security blanket, but I told him he has to be steady for Coby.

Sunday, we decided to go early to Hennessey with the thought that it was early and Mother's Day that maybe we could have the mountain. We got to the parking spot and while Lynn was using "the restroom" as she calls it, Coby decided he needed to go, too. As he was tied up at the trailer. Yep, it splashed on his legs and he tried to move them a little out of the way, but Jupes' face was priceless! He moved as far away as he could get from him and was looking him at him like, "REALLY?" I was laughing as I gathered up the headstall out of the way and anything else that could have been caught in the gushing stream that flowing under the trailer. Silly boy.

After a few turns, Lynn got on. She got off and on several times later in the ride and there were time he stood still and let get on without the turning in circles. But the best thing--he just walked through the mud and the water like it was nothing. The winter spent on the hill was a great teacher! He did jump over the same little water puddle on to the road, but he didn't put her in the bushes. He did really great all day. 

It was a wonderful ride. No motorcycles! No trucks on the road. We were alone. We rode down to Lynn's favorite trail. There was tons of blow downs, so we stepped over lots of trees and through lots of branches and tree detritus. The dirt bikes have not found this trail--YAY! The horses worked hard on the steep stuff and Lynn told Coby to step it up and move out so Jupes wouldn't be pushing him up the hill. Dang, that horse likes to power up hills. :) 

Because we can no longer ride down our trail from the top, we have started trying to make a new one so we don't have to ride the road. We think maybe we have found a way that will work. It is a little steep in some parts and Lynn plans to try the crupper again (fingers crossed). It drops us right out on the road, one curve back from the good eating grass by the little rose bush. Now to try to keep it secret so they don't find it and ruin it, too.

Both days we returned to The Place and standing on opposite sides of the fence, we painted the new fence boards. We ended up with black paint all over ourselves, but the fence looks awesome. It was fun and painting is such instant gratification! I love to see progress.

So, it's Monday and both of us are dragging our feet off to work. I'd much rather stay home or go for another ride! Oh well--working is what pays for the hay. And the shots. And the carrots. :)

Lynn's favorite trail

Wildflowers and Cool Breezes

 

 

Looking back toward Weaverville and Hwy 299. 

Last weekend we went boonie crashing on Underwood looking to create a new loop. Although it was fun, we didn't get anywhere--in fact, we ran into a fence we didn't know was there. Of course it was fun and we didn't need to really complete our mission; we just love being able to ride and we have plenty more days. 

When we got home, right above Jupiter's hoof wall was bleeding. Lynn is a good doctor and put stuff on it and wrapped it up good. She kept an eye on all week and the wild running and bucking that happened when he got to go out on the grass field, showed it wasn't bothering him. We left the wrapping on all week and Adam came to reset Jupe's shoe and look at the hole. He said it was good to go. Lynn did a good job.

I was off for Spring Break last week, so I got to put the horses out every day to eat grass. I will admit, it makes me nervous to be in charge of all five of them. But I did it and it was great. They are such good boys. Jupiter made me feel good because he whinnied and talked to me every day. I know it's more about his belly than his love for me, but it still made me feel good. He turned 16 on Wednesday! I can't believe I have had him for 11 years. 

Yesterday, we drove to Weaverville. We parked near the high school on the west side of town. We did not know where exactly we were going, but Lynn had seen two lakes and lots of trails on Google Earth. The beginning was out in the open where it would probably be hot later in the year, but it was pleasant to be in the sun. We rode well used trails and met bicycles and joggers--all of whom were very courteous and kind. We saw an old mine, lots of mine tailings, and tons of wildflowers. 

We started on the McKenzie Gulch Trail and then rode the Ridge Trail; we kept asking each other if we had ever been there before--probably not. We rode the E. Garden Spur and E. Garden Gulch Trail and the W. Garden Gulch Trail. We saw the ever present directional arrow to Howe Ditch, but did not go there. :) We tried to remember when we were there last--I broke my arm in 2014, but I think we have been back at least once since then. I remember icy bridges and crossing over a field to a bridge and not liking and turning back as we were trying to make our way back to the pickup. I'll have to look at my books.

We had one kind of uncomfortable spot--there were quads out running around as we were making our way back to the truck. They were actually very aware of us and seemed to be looking out for us and not ripping up and down their track. We tried to be courteous and go around them--um, that was a mistake. We ended up fenced inside someone's property! Someone who used to be a pot grower if the raised beds were any indication. It was kind of creepy and I wanted out. But on a closer look, the house (shack) didn't look inhabited. We have such good horses that we were able to climb a steep incline and traverse down the steep back side. Then we found the gate and the walk-through next to it. Sheesh. I was kind of nervous. We actually ended up within walking distance of the pickup!! So it all worked out--as usual.

One of the best parts of the day--dogs ran up to the horses and they were calm and just looked at them. A puppy just about ran underneath Jupes belly and he stood still. Ziva was good and did not get aggressive with bikes, people, or dogs. It's always one of my big worries. The trails were great, the people were nice, and there was a cool breeze. We marveled over the wildflowers everywhere. There was water all along the trail and both dogs and horses had chances to drink. The little lake was pretty cool and we decided to bring PBJs along next time, instead of eating greasy breakfast sandwiches from town. If we get to do it again before summer, we will have to go a little earlier so the dogs' feet don't get hot and it's not too dusty. (And the water doesn't dry up.) Otherwise, it will have to wait until next fall.

Another day of wet saddle blankets! 

Friday Ridge Reconnaissance

 After a week of mourning, Lynn got proactive; she went exploring. The guy at the Forest Service Station told her we should check out Brush Mountain Lookout. We had heard it was full of grows: legal and illegal, so we have never seriously considered going there. Lynn listened to his advice and looked on Google Earth. All the grows are below the lookout and would probably not come into play.

Off she went to drive the road and check out conditions. She approved of all of it except for one low hanging, "dead" Madrone tree that she had a plan for. I always get nervous when she says, "I have an idea." This one was no different. It involved throwing a rope over it and pulling; "It will just pop and break!" Maybe she could do it on Zigs. Um, no, let's not. I said, "Take Lee and the chainsaw." Nope. "I'll ask my brother to drive up there--he needs Madrone." Nope. 

One afternoon, she grabbed Shirley and drove the white pickup to the tree. She entertained Shirley by throwing the heavy rope with the piece of wood on the end over the low hanging, not dead, Oak tree. After several attempts and a lot of laughter, she got it over and tied to the truck. As she pulled the rope taut, Shirley told her, "How long is that rope? We're about to go around the corner!" Then POP! It crashed down on to the road. "It was a lot bigger than I thought!" she told me later. Can you hear me sigh and shake my head?

I do not know why, but I was a nervous nilly as we set off on Saturday to ride out to the lookout. Jupes was like, "Um, you're squeezing my belly. Could you just relax and sit back? I got this." We started off by going up and around the locked gate. Jupes was great--he powered up the bank and slid down the other side without a problem. We rode up the road and looked for possible trails to create. It's super steep for probably half a mile, then it starts to slope outward to flatter potential traversing. We couldn't really see how far, but it definitely has possibilities. 

We rode all the way to the lookout on the road. There was some snow tucked in here and there and we were glad we decided to wear our jackets. Then we got to the top by the lookout. What a view!! It's like being on top of the world. The sky was hazy and cloudy, but I swear I could see the tip of Mt Shasta. The Alps were bright white and covered in snow. It was beautiful. Oh! And WINDY!!! Sheesh, Louise. COLD and WINDY. But awesome. 

We turned around and rode back. It was a short ride to reconnoiter (what a weird word to say). We decided it definitely has potential and we plan to return. When you come over Alisa, we should have some trails! We think we can create some loops and there's a-whole-nother road to explore. There's the trail to the Boy Scout's Christmas Tree lot on top, too--it may lend itself to a trail to that road or loop back to the lookout road. 

We didn't take the dogs with us, but we will next time. We saw some tracks that we couldn't identify at the time, but didn't see anything that might endanger our girls. The road has one bumpy spot we are going to mark with paint so we remember to slow down, but the total drive up was comparable to the time we drive to Underwood--maybe even a little less.

Although the loss of our favorite riding place still hurts--a new adventure awaits.

Hennessey Heartbreak

Yesterday and today we rode on Hennessey. We were met with torn up trails and trash. Car parts and pieces littered sides all the way up the road and on the flat. Glass, metal, and even a fire extinguisher were strewn across the top.

Today has been a sad, depressing day. It's a day of letting go of something special. It's the feeling of a deep, deep loss. Dirt bikes have ruined our trails and taken over our mountain. It will never be ours again. I don't think we have a place there anymore. Everywhere we try to avoid their tracks, they find it and tear it up. Some of the trails are a single track 12 inches deep. The little creek beds are torn up and water is leaching out sideways creating a sucking muck, instead staying in their beds. The sound of the engines and the lingering smell of their gas permeate the forest. They suck the air out of my lungs and the beat from my heart. 

We like to booney bounce and look for new trails, but trying to navigate around the trail we created from what we considered at the time as the best way up, the path of least resistance, was hard on us, hard on the animals and took a lot of the joy out of being on the mountain. All of us were slapped, jabbed, and sunk into holes and down brush all day as we tried to create a safe trail across torn up areas and then down the mountain to go home. The songs we were singing and humming going up ceased and except for encouraging the boys, we were quiet. 

Near the once grassy spot Jupes loved to eat (now it's a mud hole), we had to scramble off the trail and hurry up to a knoll above it so 10 motorcycles could skid, slide, and dig out the soft, wet trail below us. They did not even acknowledge us. Most probably didn't see us, but some did. They were a second group. The first group of approximately 10 were on the backside ripping it up. (And we met two more trucks with two bikes each on the way up as we were leaving.) Thankfully, all the animals were safe and stayed together. Jupes' head was high, but he didn't bolt or get freaky. He didn't like it, though.

Underwood is not under siege by dirt bikes, but the pot people are pretty dangerous and defensive. Can we create more trails there without any of us getting hurt? Bad water, poisoned animals, AK47 wielding men, trip wires? Friday Ridge is FULL of pot grows. The long drive to Little Happy Camp may be shortened by a K-rail road block or eliminated completely if it becomes a wilderness area. (Gene thinks they have to create a parking area/turn around spot.)

Where does that leave us? Driving to Weaverville. Driving to Green Diamond. Orick. THE BEACH. Stanshaw. All long drives instead a quick drive and a nice ride and done by noon. 

 For 40 years Lynn and Shirley have ridden on Hennessey. I am the short timer at 20. I love riding there. I love all the different trails. We all have our favorites. I know Lynn is heartbroken and devastated. I am too. And we can't fix it.

I can't end on this deep hurt--I have to share the fun stuff so we don't forget:

1. The big snag on Deadwood Ridge finally fell. It broke into a bunch of pieces and will feed a lot bugs and become great peat. I guess it marks the end of an era.

2. The get on rock at the turtle pond is surrounded by pond water. There was a big patch of snow, too. Lynn thought she saw a snake swimming along the log out there.

3. At least we were ahorseback. We got some wet blanket time. And the girls had a blast running and digging. 

4. It was sunny and everything was green. It is truly God's country, so maybe he'll hear our prayers and provide a solution.

Spring has sprung! Sort of. . .

 

Whoohoo! First ride of 2021. We bundled up, brushed out the dirt and mud, and drove up Underwood where we thought it might not be as slick as Hennessey. Jupes and Zigs were on it--stepping out and ready to run up hill. Whoosh! Chubby and out of shape, Jupes said, "Let's stop and catch our breath!" 

We stopped on top and our big, white snag is still standing! We sang "Amazing Grace" and said thank you for a beautiful place, the opportunity to be there, and asked for grace for the coming week.

The sun came out, we walked through snow, did a little sliding, and a grand day was had by all.