Links without a story--so far

LHC 50 cent Ride  

Gray's Side 9.16.25

Walking at Sandy Bar 

GRAYS side 10.5.25

Flowers for Mr. Kurtz

Sandy Bar

 Three miles and with Three BAZILLION gnats. Sandy Bar

Lynn is certainly blessed. :)

I'm missing it. I'm going to miss all next week, too. It's tough having friends and family that need me to do stuff. I guess that's another kind of blessing. 

A Wet One

 Lynn is out again:

"I am completely soaked; not smart when you grab a madrone tree at the Slap Trail to push it out of the way so it doesn't take your head off and all the leaves waterfall over you. The temperature of the water cupped in the leaves is cold!"

I texted her: "Where's your chinks?" (Although they wouldn't have helped the top half!)

Silly girl.

Lynn's Bored

 Lynn was bored and restless, so out she went.

Soft Hooves and a Squeaky Saddle

Sunday riding solo

My life is too busy with things that are not riding!! Lynn gets to go solo and I am so envious! Thankfully, I can sit at my meeting and see her pictures and later maybe a Relive video.

Solo Ride

Here are some new trail names for us to use so we'll know exactly what/where we are talking about in our adventures.

 Okay two new names we got: the Flap Trail (yeah I know where that one's at: slap slap slap) and the other one just the Cow Trail then we'll know where we're at and the one where we had the granola bar spot where the deer ran up to me the Baby Bond.

Is there a cow out there?

Living the Life

 I know it's not over yet, but what a great summer we have had! This is truly what retirement should look like! Ride every other day, pickleball, and hang out either knitting, crocheting, or sewing. Right? I'm loving it. I love all the ride mornings we have had.

So, on Tuesday we decided to be brave. Against my better judgment, I might add. lol We stopped at the bottom of steep incline leading up to where the hornets' nest was in the tree. Every day Lynn asks me, "Want to try it?" Every day I say no. Today I said, "I guess." "You can go first," she says, knowing the back rider and horse always get the brunt of an attack. We stopped below the tree and she said, "Let's let them catch their breath and then run up the steep part under the tree and up on to the road." 

Deep breath. Jupes took a deep breath. And then we ran. Right under the broken up paper nest and over the top of the broken pieces on the ground. We hit the road and kept going. I turned back to see Lynn coming up over the rise. Seriously, the nest was maybe six inches above her head. She started shouting, "There a new one! Go! Go!" She didn't have to tell us twice! We were off and running. I could see some dark bodies around her. Both dogs were fine. I think because it's in the tree and not on the ground, they aren't in the line of fire. Thank goodness.

So the doggone things are still there. Crap. But once again, we all made it without being hurt. I'm done with that trail and I'm riding like wind past it on the road.

Thankfully, the rest of the ride was awesome. Beautiful morning cool enough to wear my vest. KD jumped up a couple grouse, but other than the bow hunter in his truck, we were by ourselves out on our favorite mountain. Couldn't ask for more. What a blessing.

Got new shoes on Wednesday; we're ready for more. :)

Ain't nothin' a good trot can't fix

 

Saturday Morning Ride with Rachel

Saturday started with clouds and muggy, humid weather. Neither Lynn nor I slept well the night before and I wasn't really feeling my best. But it's Saturday! Ride day! Rachel had told Lynn the night before she was going to meet up with us at the trailhead on Hennessey. Well, it turns out that her horse Steel (aged 5), wasn't planning on going. She could not get him to load up.

Luckily, Lynn's phone works off and on and can receive texts. She told Rachel we'd wait. So that gave Lynn time to cut blackberries back from the road, allowing her to be able to see where the edge of the ditch is. We hemmed and hawed and then decided we'd tell her where we were and she could ride up to meet us.

Lynn told her to trot up the road (3 miles) to the top. Rachel and Steel just completed an endurance ride, so he's in good shape and knows how to put the miles under his feet. We had already decided to do a long ride and go up Lynn's Favorite Trail since it was pretty nice and only 70 degrees-ish (even cooler on the backside). We waited, but no Rachel. 

Once we got to the bottom meadow, Lynn got a text from Rachel saying she was on the top; Lynn, Toby, and Katie trotted up the road to meet them and bring them down to the trail to the meadow. Jupes and I trotted up the road, but stopped and waited. It's good for him to be alone. He was not happy, but he didn't whinny or act up. Then we heard their voices and we trotted up to meet them around the corner.

From there we headed down to the meadow, across Hoop-de-doo West and on down to Lynn's Favorite and then up, up, up to the turtle pond. Our turtle was swimming! It was so cool to see him again. Heading out from there, we went up toward the road and took the left hand trail that leads to the fork off the left hand road so we could hit the top of Live Oak Spur and the Hobbit House Trail. 

Suddenly: BIG SHY! All three horses splayed out and made us laugh. The rogue bull was right there. He is HUGE and his horns are well defined. He has gotten to be a beauty. He was there and then he wasn't. I do not know how something so big can disappear so quietly. I loved seeing him. 

We came down our regular trail and so far so good, right? No bees all day. Then Jupes threw his head down (on a steep incline with his front feet in a deep indention in the trail) and started swinging his head. I about went straight over his head! Sheesh. Lynn hollered, "Are there bees?" I could not see anything because we were in thick bushes and his head was between his knees. I pulled him up and we trotted out. Lynn saw the problem: prickly pinecones had rolled down under his legs, following his path, and poking him in the fetlocks. 

I don't know if it was the breakfast hay left in the field, a new horse with us on the trail, or the cool weather on the mountain, but we trotted, jigged, and ran up hills the whole time. Since "there was no work in horseback riding," I don't know why I am so tired and beat up! LOL. Toby touched noses with Steel when they first met and he acted silly all day, too. He likes having new friends, that one.

After a good, long ride, all is well in my world. 

So happy!

Here it is! The big nest. Empty hopefully. We just don't know where the hornets went. This is an answer to prayers! We rode up the road and when we got near, we trotted hard past the where the trail meets the road. We looked back and there it was. Crushed. We can't tell if it got knocked out the tree by a branch or something or got too heavy. It is big! It was on the back side of the tree and pretty high, so that's why we didn't see it. But, dang! we had to have gone under it a bunch of times! 

The rest of the ride was pretty fun. We rode Cobweb Alley backwards. Still vigilant, but fun. Poor Jupes--every time he put his head down to scratch or shook his head, I was quick to kick him into action. Just in case. . .  lol 

There were spider webs everywhere. Lynn usually carries a madrone branch and swings it around to clear them out. I guess I missed one and left it swinging. She lost her branch when she swooped it out of her path. :) This is was she looks like: An invention for Lynn!

We finished our ride early and beat the heat. Two hours is better than none! I am glad we get to go out and with our horses and dogs (and of course, each other!). 

 

Gun Shy

 

Hornet

Where to start? Bald faced hornet/wasp? Or a gigantic horse fly?

Gigantic horse fly

Whatever it was, we got swarmed. All I can tell you is they were black. Thankfully Jupiter only got one sting and Ziva was smart enough to go around them. I saw one zooming up by Lynn and Toby, but we had a bunch. They quit following us about 20 yards up the road. Jupes humped and kicked out, but listened to my shrill, high-pitched scream, "GO!", and ran, still kicking out and head down, but ran! Sheez Louise. 

It sucked the joy right out of the day!

We kept going, but both our heads were down, looking for ground nests, and occasionally looking up for paper nests. Doggone it! Not fun.

We took a few days off and when Lynn asked me where I wanted to go, I was quick with the answer, "Underwood." Although we have come across bees in the ground near the boys' favorite grass meadow and once by the creek bed, both were a long time ago. So off we went. Both of us were still scanning the ground and trees, but I felt more relaxed and I think she was, too. The boys have been getting hay for breakfast and dinner and they had lots of energy. It was a quick, fun ride.

A Quickie

"Good, good times and tan lines"

 

Monday we headed for Mt. Shasta to stay with Cathy. Tuesday morning, Karrie Ann, Cathy, Lynn, and I drove to Lover's Camp in the Klamath Forest Service area. We rode 12.8 miles round trip into the Sky High and Frying Pan lakes. We were under the Marble Mountain ridge and near the PCT. There were TONS of flowers, step ups, large slick rock areas, and lots of water crossings. It started to rumble as we got nearer the trailhead and even sprinkled on us. We talked to the women taking in the pack train of mules to take groceries to the CCC and then move them to a new camp. We later met them on the trail as they were coming in and we were heading out. All the horses did great! Lynn said it was a day of learning experiences for TC. It was super fun. (I'll try to write more later and add pics.)

Marble Mountain Wilderness

Wednesday we rode around Karrie Ann's place. We crossed the train tracks, rode some dirt roads, and did a little cross country, trailess treks. It was good for all of us to loosen up after the long ride yesterday (sitting in my saddle always feels good!) and before we put the boys in the trailer for the ride home.

Mt. Shasta and riding with Cathy and Karrie Ann is one of my favorite destinations. 

Next Up: Riding with Rachel

 

Rachel and Lynn's first outing. Rachel is riding Jackson and brought her dog Derby.

Big Zigs' First Ride 2025

Once a "fancy mule" always a "fancy mule." LOL,  Unfortunately, we never get pics when he's wild!

 I paid to have shoes put on Zigs.   He has not been ridden in a year.  Thought I better get him out.   He comes and I halter him.    Tie him up, go get the pickup to hookup.   Figured I'd go make a turn around the ranch.   Zigs was all alone.   Poor baby.   He lost his brain.    He did 5 miles before I even got him saddled.    He went back and forth, leaping into the air.   Whinny for his buds.    I had the saddle on him for a moment.   Then I grabbed the latigo as it was going over the other side.   I got it to the ground and he of course went right over it.   I got the saddle moved, picked up the saddle pad.    Looked at him like you moron.   This went on for 30 minutes or so.   I just looked at him.  On the plus side, he looked good being stupid.    I thought he was getting worse.  I put a rope halter on top of the other halter, which is not small enough.   

I was tired just watching him.    I thought he'll wear himself out.    Nope.   I had an idea.   I'll go get one of the others and tie up beside him.  That way maybe he can find his brain again.   It's getting late now.   But I am riding him.    Tied Toby next to him, saddled him and loaded him up.   Took TC back to the field.  All the while Zigs is wearing a hole in the trailer.  Wishing I was riding TC.    

I drive up Hennessey to ride the ranch.   I leave the halter on.   I walk him up the road to get on.   I'm on!  Oops, Alisa stirrups.   Get back off.  Fix them.   I walk up the trail to a rock to get back on.    We go back down to the road and across down into the ranch.    

We are going along, everything is fine.   Then I hear something.   Stop.   Listen.  Coyotes!    I keep going.  Kate is listening.   I told her to stay close.   Not sure how much she knows, but she never went further than 10-15 feet from me.  A digger squirrel even crossed in front of her, like right in front of her.   She turned to me, I said no, stay with me.   She was listening to the coyotes.   She sensed it was dangerous.   Her tail was tucked most of the time they were howling.    We had a good ride.   We saw 2 deer in the meadow, that's rare.   I thought maybe because the coyotes are close.   A few coveys of quail, lots of young ones.     We went out the steep west side past the old homeless camp and down our trail.   He was perfect.   I got off and as we got close to the pickup he started looking for buddies, he whinnied for them.   I said you idiot, you came alone.    Boy was he sweating.    

All in all it was a good ride.   No more to the ranch, until it rains.   The star thistle is horrible and has bad grasses.   

Zigs and Lynn

Smoothin' it out

 After all the bee incidents, we needed a ride that was smooth and stress-free, so went up Underwood. It was a little weedy and overgrown, but a great ride. We did it backwards and honestly, did a lot of ground watching here, too. We have only encountered bees here twice ever and I always really pay attention in those two places, but it's been a long while. It was a fun ride and we did the extra loop portion on the end. It was a good day and I think all our nerves were soothed.

Next time we rode around the ranch. We went through the deep mud and trickling creek and although he hesitated, TC powered through. He has grown so much in confidence and trust. Lynn and Shirley always say, "Pretty is as pretty does." Well, he is a pretty boy who looks good doing it. :)

We saw the cows and were happy to see that there was a young one. They gave us a wide berth and we laughed to see how you can't tell it was ever weedeated! Sheesh! Blackberries will eventually cover the whole world!

We got new shoes last weekend and already rode some of the shine off. :) We loaded up some bee spray and hiked up the spot where Jupes first got into them. Dang cowboy boots are slick and not made for that kind of walkin'! I think I went up one step only to slide back to where I started at least four times. Lynn sprayed one spot that looked ominous, but we did not see them. It's been so hot that we know from experience the bees are active and mean--another good reason to go out early. We spent a lot of the ride looking for bees and we agreed that some of the joy is tarnished with ground watching vigilance and ear straining for overhead buzzing. But any day a horseback is a good day, so no complaining.

It was great, until it wasn't

 

 Last Friday, Scott Pickering and I talked turtles. He had a three-legged turtle story. I said we try to sneak up on them at the turtle pond, but with the grass so tall and taking over the water, we haven't heard or seen one in long while. WELL! Today there was one in the grassy area 10' from the edge of the water. Neither the dogs nor the horses saw him. We couldn't tell which way he was headed, but we didn't mess with him/her. Go where you're going, turtle. Do what you're doing. It was awesome. That was the great part of the day. We left there with big smiles on our faces and sunshine in our hearts.

Five minutes later, things were not so fun. We headed up from the turtle pond and took a sideways, steep deer trail up to Indy's frog pond. Suddenly, Jupes was crow hopping like mad. Bees! Doggone it! I was trying to get his attention and get him to listen to me. I wanted him to run and get away from them. Instead he was trying to get them off him. I didn't see them or hear them. I was desperately trying to get his head up so we could get away from there. Lynn was up the hill a ways from me, but I could hear her yelling to get off. There was no way. One the landing was treacherous and full of downed limbs; two, tough to dismount when your legs are alternately wrapped around his belly or kicking to get him to move (forward, rather than up and down). I think I made the eight second ride. Anyway, he finally brought his head up to rub it against the tree directly in front of us (another reason why I was not considering getting off). I pulled for all I was worth and headed him up the hill. 

We ran toward where Lynn was just as Katie decided to come and help me. She ran toward us barking, but thankfully did not get close enough to get in the bees or kicked. Ziva missed them, too. When I slowed down near Lynn, she said, "Geez. You gotta get off up here." I looked down and my headstall was broken and only around Jupes' ears and neck. The rest of it was swinging free. I figure he broke it on the tree, but it could be why I could not get his head up--maybe I pulled so hard the leather ripped; it is old. Anyway, zero steering/head control.

I got off, pulled off a leather string I keep tied on my breast collar for emergencies or to tie something on with (like a my halter on a long ride, or my shirt on hot ride), and checked Jupiter while Lynn fixed my headstall. He let me just hold his head and rub and his ears. I checked all around, but there were no more bees on him. 

So this was the second time. Neither time did I see or hear any bees. This also isn't how he used to react to them. We have been in bees lots of times. We've both been stung. Usually I can get him to listen to me and run away. Both of these times he just stayed in place and crow hopped with his head down by his feet. So I asked Lynn whether she thought this was a new way of misbehaving or if there really were bees. She was stymied, too. I wasn't sure I saw any lumps or bumps that could have been stings. He's been so perfect that I although I am very diligent about watching, I think I just missed seeing the nests. 

Then we took off down the hill. I was in front and we turned to get off the excavator road to join our old trail. Jupes humped up again and started kicking out. I hurried and got him lined out and headed down the hill just as Lynn yelped and TC did some hopping. This time she not only saw a bee, it stung her on the cheek. I hollered for her to hurry up and get back on the excavated road with me. She's allergic. So she pulled out the liquid Benadryl from her pack and swigged some. She fished out some ice from her thermos and put it in a paper towel and road home holding it on her cheek. It was swollen and "twingy," she said, but no throat closing or scary reactions. Well that answered my bee/behavior question, I guess. 

We decided to just road ride down the hill, which makes for a boring and longer ride, but safe from active, hot bee nests. Our plan was to cut off once we reached the lower trail that we rode up without incident. But no Ziva. I'm calling and calling. Lynn said, "I'll bet she took the trail. She knows where she's going." I rode back up the road calling and whistling for her. I couldn't hear her "jingle-jangles." Lynn asked me if I just wanted to go ahead and ride down the trail. Not really. It's steep and if we hit bees, it will be disastrous (for me). lol When his head is on the ground, AND his butt is in the air, gravity will take over! Sheer will and legs like clamps are all that will keep me from being a projectile! And then where would he go? I don't want to think about it. But YES, let's go down the trail. 

Sure enough. There was Ziva looking at us like, "What? I'm right here." I did see one hole with bees circling it near the trail, but I moved Jupes out quickly and everyone was okay. We made it off the steep part without incident and then down the trail we had already ridden. Lynn's bite was swollen, but she was okay. 

Back at The Place, I gave Jupiter a thorough going over. Yep. Swollen patches where he got stung on the belly. Maybe a stinger hole on his nose. TC had a couple swollen places where he got it, too. Jupes did not do a good job of teaching TC how to run quickly away from them. Dang! Lynn said it seems too early for this many hot bee nests. But it has been the right kind of weather. . . 

We will have to plan for the bees next time, but once we were back in the truck we focused on the turtle joy. 

Out Early

 

This is the "Yellow Brick Road;" it's always golden through here.

The days are heating up again, so we were out and about not much after 6am. A local woman was supposed to meet us for a ride, but she overslept. Too bad! If you want to hang out with Lynn, you have to be an early bird. :) She sent Lynn pictures of her solo ride in the heat of the day--it looked like she ponies one and rides one and has two dogs. It turns out she's an endurance rider, so we would probably be too slow for her since other than running up a steep hill, we only trot in a few places. 

So off we went. We watched for that one lone bull that we've seen on trail since we found some fresh cow splats, but didn't see him or any of the others. Neither of the boys acted like something was out there, so, who knows. I think Jupes and I got into some bees--I never saw them, but he acted the way he does sometimes when we hit them. I finally got him to listen to me and we were able to move away from the site. Ziva was also rubbing at her face, so I checked her, but again no sign of bees. I even checked for snake bite on both of them. All was fine once we moved away from there. Of course it is the steep part just below the road where we join up below the top. There was a paper nest in a tree there last year, but we could skirt around it. We will carry some bee spray up there, but we'll have to ride the road around the corner to look for them instead of coming up the trail. Bummer. It was nice to cut off that road riding.

At the top, Lynn said she had an idea. Usually, that's a scary sentence that sometimes leads to a funny situation. Lol. This time it was just that, a good idea. We rode Cobweb Alley to Lynn's Trail, all the way to the Turtle Pond, and then out before it heated up too much. Cobweb Alley to Lynn's Trail

Along the way we ran into a guy and his dog out cutting wood and placing his game cameras up for deer season. He said he always gets a buck here. Hmm. We never see them, but he said he already saw one on his camera. It turns out he is Awok Skeeter's cousin. Seemed like a nice guy. He showed us a picture of his Rocky Mountain Gaited Horse. 

This week I have jury duty, so I don't know when I'll get to ride next. It's supposed to get really hot today and tomorrow and then cool off again. Fourth of July is Friday. Maybe next Saturday (or maybe I'll be dismissed from jury duty early!) we can go back up to Little Happy Camp and ride the other side.

This log used to be out in the pond; we used to see turtles jumping off into the water as we approached. now it is out of the water. The pond got really high this winter and the log moved, then the water receded. With all the grass, we can no longer see the pond water--only the black mud the dogs carry out with their feet! lol Sometimes we can see a bear wallow over on the south end.

There are still wildflowers blooming and the burrs and stickers are holding off a bit, so the dogs are happily tape free. We have to check for foxtails after each ride, but it hasn't felt like summer riding, yet. It's still spring on the mountain. :)

Pure Joy

Today we rode Little Happy Camp. On the way up, we saw our big bear again! This time we jumped out of the truck and watched him run down to Grove's Prairie Road, where he just sauntered along. He is huge and beautiful. Little Happy Camp 6/25/25

We also saw a big turkey hen with a bunch of babies and more deer than we could remember to count. lol Katie ran 20 miles to our almost seven. We saved the secondary loop back to the campground road for next time. Ziva does great, but she is turning 12 in a month and we don't want to overtire her. We're retired! We can come up again whenever we want! I just wish the road was better so one: it wouldn't take so long and two: it wouldn't be so stressful looking for dang pot holes. I am the official rock kicker, but I don't mind!

Unfortunately, we also saw the residue of the pot culture we are surrounded with. It makes me sick to my stomach! Lynn called the USFS, but since the WC office is permanently closed, will they drive out from Eureka and clean it up?

 

After we both grumbled and worried over it for a bit, thankfully we had lots of other things we could focus on: dogwoods still blooming, more lupine than I've seen in years, some kind of yellow flower we weren't sure of, bright orange columbine, the love of a good dog, and slobber of a good horse. :) I'm not sure life can get any better.

 

 
 

Juneuary, June Gloom, Just a June to Enjoy

Always on the hunt for wild flowers, but these might be my favorite. 

Well, I got behind! It's one month later and we have been pretty consistently riding every other day. What more could a girl ask for?! June's weather has been unpredictable, but we have stayed true to our summer hours of being on the road between 6:00 and 6:30, which gets us home around 10:00 before the heat hits. 

We've ridden up Underwood twice, once without the dogs and once we did the Pond's Loop and checked out all our old trails we haven't been on in awhile. I am happy to report that the wild duck houses are still up! On the day without the dogs, we saw a covey of baby quail. At first we thought it was a momma calling them and getting them to catch up with her, but I think it was too small for a momma--it must have been a teenaged babysitter because she seemed small. lol. They were so cute. We actually cut our ride a little short because not only was it cold, it was windy and neither of us like being out in the woods when the branches are creaking and pinecones are flying!  Underwood

June has been full of flowers; the show keeps on going. We have seen flowers we've never seen before and carpets of flowers that are usually pretty sparse. 

 Cool orchid/fungus flower! 

We rode Lynn's favorite trail backwards one day and on our way back down the hill, we scared up a grouse. He was pretty close to us and both horses were surprised and gave us some a pretty good shy action. That always makes me laugh. We rode Brushy Balls and there were lots of detours around down trees and the brush seemed even more thick than usual. We ended up on the skid road on the south side of the creek and had to make our way back across to the regular trail so the girls could get a drink. We did some much needed trimming on Cobweb Alley and we have ridden forwards and backwards. I have been bonked on the head with limb I did not see, adding to my neck pain; Jupes slipped and jarred my back in a way that was new and continues to be a little achy, but all worth it in the long run.

Next it was time to take the side by side out to Little Happy Camp to do some trimming and make sure the road was open. We wore our chinks to protect our legs from the spines on that awful tree. It was cold, so we had coats on as well. Crazy that it's the day after the Summer Solstice. :) 

I had my camera in my hands ready to catch a bear and we did! My pics aren't great, but I was snapping as fast as I could. He was beautiful and shiny and a big guy--probably 400 lbs. 

Look for the dark spec.

That's his big hinny going up the bank on the left.

I wish I would've got him running up the road. He was gorgeous.

We also saw a huge grouse--up close and personal. So fun.

It was a good day!

 

May Flowers

 May has been a beautiful month. Every time we go up any trail on the Hennessey, it seems like there are more irises than before. Carpets of them, clumps of them. Some have spaghetti flowers intermixed with them.  If purple is the first flower, irises are the longest blooming flower. I am watching for our tiger lilies, but so far the only orange we have seen are Columbine flowers. We are so blessed.

May 7: we backtracked looking for my bracelet. The time before was a crazy, boonie-crashing, good time, but I broke a lot of branches across my shoulders and head. Somewhere, I lost my little gold bracelet. With Lynn's hawk eyes, we will probably find it one day. Bracelet 1, Riders 0

May 8: the young mother from the trailer met us once we parked. She had news and wanted to give us the heads-up--coyote babies and parents yipping all night and very close to our trail to the ranch. We heard them as we got ready to head out. Not going that way! I worried a little about big Z for a mile or so. She is always behind and not as fast as she once was. 

We rode around on the other side and had a great time. I wanted to see the Turtle Pond; it was dried up enough to use the get-on rock. T/C is doing so well! He barely even gives mud, puddles, or little creek crossing a second thought. Amazing. Turtle Pond

May 10: Lynn said, let's ride my favorite trail. Or at least let's try and see how far we can get. It was clear and easily navigated. The top where she put a few sticks to mark a sort of fence, still had one upright marker and we scooted though the brush to the road. It was fun. Lynn's Trail

On the way up the east side, there is a bit of a mess where we by the road (near last year's bee nest). She wants to clean it up and grabbed a branch to break and yard off. Well, it was bigger than she realized (6' long and two hands around). She grabbed it and it fell on her head, leaving a pretty good hole in the screen of her helmet and giving her a headache and jammed her neck. Not good.

Later, we were crossing a downed tree and she decided to move the pieces of wood that the motorcyclists had put up to use as a ramp over it. Nope. Put back down. Scorpion! A big one.

May 20: Solo ride I had a dentist appointment, so Lynn, T/C, and KD went for ride up Hennessey by themselves. She said T/C did really well, but he wanted KD right in front of him for security. 

May 21: Clinkers! Pablo was supposed to put on new shoes last Saturday, but broke down. Jupes has been needing them and today I am surprised we made it all the way back without losing one. We took a short ride so I wouldn't have to walk too far back if he lost one (or two). lol Like I always say--it doesn't matter to me how long we ride, as long as we ride. 

Hobbit's House Trail (coming down the east side)* Now also known as the Live Oak Spur.     

April Rides

Roller Coaster Section  

Coming down from the top

Saturday, Apr 12:

We headed up the Hennessy and went to the turtle pond. It was amazing!! There are several new logs that fell into the pond and the water is way past the get on rock. Indy's frog pond is also full of water and boggy around the sides. The streams are running everywhere and the big puddles on the road toward Deadfall Ridge are huge. TC barely hesitates and went right through them. KD ran everywhere and Lynn said it was "shades of Hailee." :)

Wednesday, Apr 16:

We decided to try Cobweb Alley. All our trails are new adventures because we don't know if there are going to be trees down and or bushes to cut back, but we thought we’d try. I was concerned that it would be slick right by the spot where it is deep and I thought the creek would be rushing and the idea made me a little nervous. However, it was not bad and Jupes was super confident. Lynn had to get off and cut down a small tree that fell across the messy part of Cobweb Alley--but that is so normal for us. There were waterfalls, trillium, and purple and yellow flowers everywhere. Again TC just plowed through all the water and boggy spots.

Saturday, Apr 19:

Lynn asked me where I wanted to go, so I chose Gray’s Falls. It was dark and cool. I was wishing I had worn my chinks! There was a lot of fresh bear scat, but we did not hear or see him. We took the boys out before breakfast and on the way home I could hear Jupiter’s belly rumbling. 

Tuesday, Apr 22: We rode on the ranch. We did a lot of boonie bouncing and I have the bloody facial wounds to prove it! I think Jupes forgets I’m taller than he is and he just wanted to get through the trail where the tight branches touch him as quickly as possible. We had broken, snapping branches all around us. Crazy new thing: the blackberries have been weedeated (not completely, but a wide swath along the creek). We wondered why and who?

Thursday, Apr 24:Tired Horses

Cold! 45 degrees at my house, 41 at the trailhead and 46 when we finished our ride. Definitely chink weather and like knuckleheads, we did not put them on. Before we left The Place, Lynn said the horses ran and ran. They're out on the grass by snack bar full-time now. They were having fun--turning on the afterburners and didoing in the trees. When Lynn went to catch them, they were just standing there breathing hard, already sweating and spent. Jupiter must have thrown himself down and rolled; he was a mud mess! They looked at us like, “What? It’s Thursday--our day off!” We didn’t ride real long because they were tired!

April is ending this week. It’s been a fun month! Unfortunately, I am working at school these last few days and we are taking them to the vet for shots; then I am getting my new stove and finally, I have a meeting in LA, so my riding days are done until next week (hopefully Wednesday). We’ve had some April showers, so there should be some new May flowers!

Easy Eight

Tuesday, we met Cathy and Roany at Jelly’s Ferry. When I got to Lynn’s, she already had TC and Jupiter tied up to the trailer. Her plan was to take TC saddled already and then unsaddle him and brush him out over there. He seems to have a bit of a “cold back” and does better going saddled. Trying to brush him out would have taken too long and it wasn’t really light enough to see just how bad he really was. Lol

Jupes met me with pinned ears and a pushy attitude. I guess none of them found the breakfast hay. They were running around in circles. When they finally saw her and realized the hay was out, they settled a little. She grabbed TC and tied him up outside the gate. Jupes was HANGRY. He put himself around the side of the board by the gate and locked his legs. He was not, NOT, going. FORGET IT! Lynn got him out and he was not happy. Once it was time to put them in the trailer and he saw the hay bags, things got better. 

Once we got to Jelly’s Ferry, we all brushed out our muddy, hairy boys. I was a little worried about how Jupes was going to behave. This is one of his spots where he sometimes misbehaved.  We think it is probably the wide open spaces and he’s not used to it. Thankfully, he was great!

TC was a water warrior!! He did so well. He did jump over one little creek, but mostly he just powered through, even drinking some several times.

The trails were nice and no snakes were visible. Definitely an answer to prayers! We enjoyed a pleasant temperature and were able to wear tank tops. The grass was green and plentiful and Roany and Jupiter enjoyed snacking.  

Dusty, Kate, and Ziva had a great day. There was a lot of water to drink and some shade and easy trails. Dusty and Kate ran and ran. Ziva conserved her energy, but did really well. 

Jelly's Ferry Relive

These are the kind of days I hoped we'd have once we were both retired. It's the best! I am so glad we have Cathy and Dusty to join us. We are looking forward to riding much, much more.

It begins!

Mar 25, 2025

First ride of the year--first week day ride of Lynn's retirement! Woohoo!

We've had a great winter of rain and snow and wind. We finally got shoes and decided to venture out. We decided the ranch was probably the easiest and quickest (I had a scholarship Zoom scheduled). Right off the "git" Jupes got spooked by the big culvert pipe. It was raging full of water; but I don't think that was what did it--I think it was because it was humming. 

Anyway, we turned right off the road and wove our way down to the meadow. There we saw turkeys! Quail were flying everywhere, too. We stayed high on the west side of the meadow because it was sure to be boggy closer to the creek.

Then we went over the creek and back into the woods towards the big pond/lake. From there we went out on the east side of the creek. Jupes was jiggy from the beginning. So not comfortable. So when Lynn said, "Whaddya think? Head back?" I was ready. 

It was short, but felt good to get out.

April 4, 2025

Another weekday ride! We went up Underwood. Lynn thinks it's been since early summer maybe since we came up. We avoid this spot, as much as we like it, when the stickers come out. Well, this day we had snow!!  In the snow were turkey track (I never knew how big their feet were!), big momma bear tracks next to a yearling sized track, and maybe either coyote or fox tracks.  

TC started off spooked this ride. He kicked the mounting block, which made a hollow, deep sound he was didn't recognize. But the longer Lynn sat waiting for me to reset the block and get out from under a tree branch to get on, the more she felt his back relax. Off we went. 

What a gorgeous day. Lots of sun, green grass, and water running everywhere. TC was perfect. He didn't baulk at any water crossings or muddy fields. Because of the number of trees down and branches blocking our way, we had to get off once to navigate. He went right through the squishy mud. Once we remounted, we had to go through a bit of a grassy pond to get to the road and he did not hesitate at all. 

We spent some time up at the top where the sun shone down on us and brought on a great sense of peace. It was a wonderful day.