Backwards

We had a great weekend of riding--again! Saturday we went up Hennessey and rode Cobweb Alley to the lower, Deep Creek trail from the south end and went west to east and up the trail instead of down. It was the opposite of our usual way and although I worried that the branches would all be sticking into us instead of flowing with us (the way we cut them!), it was a piece of cake. 

Saturday it was forecasted to rain and thunder and lightning and the sky was getting darker and darker, so we headed out. There were a few tiny sprinkles on us at the granola bar spot, (I know, which one?!!) but not enough to get wet. I think the horses heard it coming on the leaves as they were really staring off into the brush. By the time we got down to the pickup, there were drops and when we pulled into The Place, it was raining. Lee said it had really poured a little bit earlier.

Unfortunately, we have bees on two different legs of our trails. Ziva got stung and had three bees burrowing into her hair. I got them out without them reaching her skin, so she was trembly, but fine. Jupes crow hopped and let me know they were getting him, but I don't think he got stung. I didn't either. We bypassed where the paper nest is on the upper trail and on the way back, we bypassed the ones we encountered in the morning. We are hoping the rain ruined the paper nest and drowned the ground nest. Dang things.

So while the dogs got baths and the burrs pulled out, then their hair groomed (thank you Lynn!), and they turned back into the beauties we know and love, it rained outside. Yay. I had a little thunder at my house later that evening, but we were spared from fires.

On our way to ride Sunday, we saw a big bear on the side of 299, waiting to cross and go up into the blackberries on the ranch. We also saw turkeys and their young both on the Hennessey road and later when we were riding. 

We have been trying different trails to go in and out of the ranch; today we went another new way and headed down through the cow trails above the westside meadow and toward the mud and creek area that TC despises. We saw tons of bear scat and runny cow poop (too many green apples?). Jupiter's head was on a swivel watching for cows and listening for other horse eating boogeymen.

TC did great going through the boggy mud that was once more of a creek. He did jump, but he didn't balk. We went along backwards toward the hill and headed out more on the western side making our way up to our trail. The whole way we watched for the bear. We headed down through the blackberries and the whole way I was thinking, "I just want a little notice if we see the bear. I really don't want him to just pop up in the middle of berry patch." As we headed down the road, back toward the meadow, Lynn said, "If he pops up suddenly, I'm sorry, but we will probably run right over top of you." I laughed and said, "You'll have to catch us first!" lol

We stopped to look in the trees as we were leaving the upper meadow. Suddenly, both Jupes and I heard some brush crackling. I saw what looked like the outline of good sized black bear move in the trees in front of us. We all kept watching and listening, but he disappeared. I do not think it was a black cow, but we did come upon about six brown ones running across the top meadow when we neared the road. 

It was a short ride, but so enjoyable. The air was fresh and clean from yesterday's rain. Going backwards always makes everything look new. Being on the lookout more than usual for a bear (or bears) made it exciting as well. The dogs got to run without tape and they were happy, too. 

As I was riding out, I just kept thinking about how blessed I am. I am so happy to live here and be surrounded by beauty and have the companionship of friends and animals.

Jupes was sort of afraid of the little humans jumping on the trampoline down the road. lol