First weekend in July

We have met our match on our lower trail--bees in two places! Lynn, the allergic one, went tromping up the trail where we got into bees last weekend with long distance killing foam; she could hear them, but couldn't find them. So she took her handy-dandy clippers and opened up the other entrance to the trail and we skirted by the bees. Just about where the stump step up is, just short of the first uphill little jaunt begin on the same trail, Lynn yelled, "Go Vicki! We're in bees! Keeping going!" We took off and with Zigs thundering behind us I heard Lynn again, "Don't buck, Ziggy--please don't buck." He got stung on the nose for sure and I'm not sure where else. Possibly under his belly. I think Star got it on the neck because he had a little welt, but I never heard Shirley say anything.

The bees took a little of the enjoyment out of the ride for awhile for me as I kept looking at the ground instead of enjoying the ride. I was worried about the two other places we've seen bees, but thankfully there weren't any. We walked across the tarp again, although only Ziggy will do the shiny one, Star and Jupiter walked on the other one. Coming off the top of Hennessey on the new steep trail, Shirley had her hands full with, "Star! Star! Quit that you old fool!" He went down jigging a little sideways off the very top. I am not sure why--we were all right there. (Although, Shirley did have to get off a couple times because her saddle slipped either forward or backward and had to be adjusted, so maybe that was it.) We bypassed our bottom trail on the trip back and came out on the road, but otherwise we had a fun ride in spite of the bees.

Sunday Lynn asked, "How about we go across the river?" Cool! We haven't been there in awhile--so we drove over to the Denny road and climbed that mountain. Those trails are pretty steep, but it isn't brushy at all. There were no bees, but there wasn't much water for the girls either. I thought it was a fun ride.

We were back by 10, so Lynn opened up her grooming box and two hours later, both the girls were looking beautiful. It's been a nice three-weekend and since summer school is only Tues/Thurs, I get tomorrow off, too! Summer is good.

All good things must come to an end

Our riding vacation came to an end yesterday. As I sit here, I am missing my horse (oh, and you guys, too). Ziva and I have been playing soccer and chase the tennis ball for an hour. I said, "Are you ready?" and she instantly cocked her head and was heading for the door. I think she is missing going, too.

Doggone bees ruined our last trip. The hoop-de-doo trail used to be fun, but we have not been able to do it for awhile. For one, we don't want to have to see the damage done to the lower meadow by trucks spinning brodies (and all their trash left behind). Secondly, there have been bees along the trail unless we go in the winter. Finally, there is a tree down at the end and lots of brush surrounding it, blocking our passage to the end of the trail. I can't remember the last time we made it the Underwood road and headed up the trail from there!

Anyway, it's been fun. We are lucky that we can stay home and ride everyday. (Sorry Alisa--I hope you don't mind not being home.) Just like Shirley says, "We live in the prettiest country. Nothing can compare to what we see everyday."

All the riding we did was good for Jupiter. We worked on walking with others, standing and waiting until I said we could continue, crossing bridges, stepping over logs, and navigating over rocks, rocks, and more rocks. He got better every day. Shirley says he listens to me. I guess I have won enough battles of the will that we are forming a solid team bond. He does shy at silly stuff, but I don't expect him to be perfect--after all, I am definitely not. And of course, right or wrong, I still reward him with what he wants to do occasionally.

Keota also seemed to be enjoying his days on the trail. He didn't hesitate at the bridge; he never misstepped on the rocks; he didn't do anything to get yelled at all week (at least that I noticed). He was in the front, in the back, and even sometimes in the middle without worrying about Jupiter or Star being behind him. I think he did great. I love that he lopes along without any effort. I just wish I could see him do  his perfect jump again.

Both Buster and Star gave Shirley some sideways jigging. I am not sure why they got upset--we stayed pretty close together so Star couldn't worry where everyone was and why Buster acts up is always a mystery to me. Maybe he wants to be in front! When Lynn rides him, he gets a taste of being the leader and seeing everything first. Shirley rarely takes the lead, so maybe Buster is exerting his desire to be in front. Shirley was a little nervous in the rocks with Buster, but I reminded her that Star is the one that has slipped the most and Buster has only been sure-footed with her.

Ziggy must be in his defiant teenage years. He has been so good for so long, maybe he testing the waters--just like a kid. He got in trouble everyday. I don't think he will continue to test Lynn as much, since he really is "the good kid" who doesn't like being in trouble. (Maybe Jupiter, the true bad boy, makes fun of him in the field for wanting to please Lynn so much. Just like a bully who teases a good kid into being less compliant.) Anyway, he is such a sweet boy and Lynn thinks when he gets in trouble he stops thinking and makes more mistakes that cause him to be yelled at again. Once he figures out how to break that cycle, he won't get yelled at and everything will be good again. One funny thing I heard Lynn say was that he did his cartoon stretch-car-zoom over the curves coming down from Granite Lake; the visual is pretty funny. He's a lot of horse to be making hairpin turns. :)

Thankfully we only had bees twice (three times if you count that we went through one set two times). No one was really hurt--Ziva, Sammi, Jupiter, and Zigs got stung, but not badly. We got to see new country, albeit disappointing because the trail wasn't open, and we played around with the black tarp/trail trial crossing. Riding anywhere with my horse, my dog, and all our favorite equine, canine, and "peeps" works for me.

Thanks, Lynn, for being our tour director.

Sun, Rain, Time

A little rain, a little sunshine and a nice day to ride close to home. After the drenching the trees received yesterday, we knew we would be knocking water off on ourselves as we rode this morning. Shirley went into the doctor today because she was battling a couple of lines of itchiness across her neck, so it was just the nine of us. We drove up Hennessey in Alisa's pretty truck because Lynn was in trouble again--left the window down on Shirley's truck yesterday and the seat got wet.

When we first started off, it was Haley, me & Jupes, Lynn & Zigs, Sammi, Alisa & Keota, followed by Ziva, all in a line. Well I guess we stirred up a wasp's nest and Ziva got stung on the side. On the way back down, I forgot about it and just took the same trail as always. We were back in the same formation, only this time I guess we really stirred them up. Ziggy was bucking and upset and Lynn yelled back at Alisa to go another way. Zigs, Ziva, and Sammi all got stung. Thankfully Lynn, who is allergic did not. Ziggy has a puffy spot on his side and Ziva is swollen a little over her eye.

Besides hitting bees--today was a really nice day. All the horses listened and behaved. We worked on our trail trial tarp crossing again and we went all over on the back side of the mountain. It was a fun day. The sun came out and I am glad we have had the time to ride together each day.

Three French Poodles in the Wilderness

vacation pics

It's vacation time! Alisa is here and we are riding everyday. We started up Underwood. As usual it was a good time; however, the girls were filled with burrs. Millions of them! Then we tried a new place in the Marble Mountain Wilderness: Stanshaw Trailhead. It took us three hours to trailer up there and we could only ride a couples of miles due to large, insurmountable trees in the way and no way around them. It was disappointing.

The next day we drove to the Trinity Alps Wilderness: Swift Creek Trailhead. Now we have been here before, but we had decided to ride into Granite Lake. I guess we should have paid attention to the name of it. There were lots of rocks. It was a five mile trail through some pretty stuff, but we climbed two thousand feet through a lot of granite rocks. Of course all the boys did really well and so did the girls. 

Before we left the trailhead, some "eye candy" as Alisa called them, insulted our babies. First they asked if they were Portuguese Water Dogs, but after we told them poodles, they turned up their noses to us and dismissed us, saying the dogs were "Foo-Foo dogs" with "foo-foo haircuts"!!! We could show them a little foo-foo upside the head. After all they were the ones who picked up their cow dog and put him back in the truck when they saw our four running to greet them.

Later on we met some hikers who Lynn overheard saying to his family, "Wow! Three French Poodles in the wilderness! Who would've thought?" Ha! Foo-foo dogs my foot. 

Wednesday was a day off for rest, but we'll be back at it tomorrow. It's raining right now, so the world will be fresh and clean in the morning.

A short catch up

I am the chubby hamster running pell-mell on the wheel in her cage and getting nowhere! I have stories to tell and no time to tell them!

First, we spent Memorial Day weekend riding with Alisa and Toni and a good time was had by all. As usual! Toni got to ride Buster, Mr. Steady and Reliable. Alisa didn't have an 8-second ride, but it probably felt like it. Keota threw a fit for no apparent reason and broke the brush and bucked and skewed around coming off the cut off trail to the road. Alisa just rode it out (although she did holler).

The four girls, three black wild things and one tan one, all had fun, too. Ziva even learned how to be a rock climber! Boy was she tired.

The next weekend, Lynn was talking about how all of our horses are such good trail horses. She was going on about the down-fall trees and steepness of the trails and such. Yep, we could sure show ol' what's-his-name Cameron a thing or two about trail riding. Then going on a steep downhill trail, Buster stepped on a downed limb. It broke and one end of it flew straight up and at Jupiter. He reared and hopped and freaked out. I broke a nail and said the S-word. Small horse-eating monster on the trail. From that point on he was on alert. No white rocks or gray limbs were going to take him unawares. He had his eye on them and his butt swiveled out the way just in case. We came out onto the flat below the really steep part of our top trail and lo and behold--something was in the bushes. Something big. I thought it was a horse. It was an orange cow. OMG. It was a fast and interesting ride to the trailer. Yep, Jupes is real trail horse, and a good one, just a little scaredy.

Lynn and I went to Underwood without Shirley one day. We tried out new trails and probably won't do that particular one again--it was a mess. But fun to trailblaze. They went without me one day, but only went to the top and back of Hennessey.

Now it's time for the Expo! We are eagerly awaiting the fun. I hope everyone sleeps well the rest of the week, because we are going to be tired walking and walking and talking and looking and looking and more talking. :)

Shingletown

Once again work called me away from the fun! Here's Lynn's version:

Friday night got home, kicking off "good" clothes for "everyday" clothes (same stuff, everyday is too worn out for work).  Called Mom said you ready to roll?   Of course she is ready to roll, she was for sure watching me  and headed out the door.  Mom asked where is Vicki?  I told mom she can't come she is in San Jose or San Rosa remember she is at a conference?  Nope.   Caught Buster and Star.  Hooked up, through our crap in the trailer, loaded up horses, Haley and us piled in... on the road by 5:15...

We stopped at the Lumberjack in Redding for dinner, lets just say it was okay.  

On to Loomis Ranch.    We arrived and was met by Dave the hired hand.  He was moving making everything perfect.  Horses water, and cleaned out our trailer, and showed us our room.  I ask  if I could let Haley out.  I was nervous, Kate has added chickens.  They were between us and our accommodations.   I seen Haley's keen eyes hone in on them,  I told her in a low and I mean it voice NO, you leave them alone.   She was really good and tried to ignore them, I could see her watching the whole time.  I know she was thinking they could be fun.  

Dave showed us our room.  It was nice, quiet and unique.   It is located in an out building.   The Bathroom is to the left right when you go through the open air door.  Continue on and the room in on the right.   It has all the amenities you need, TV, Wi-Fi, love seat for your TV viewing.   Angela text me many times, she is fast.  I could not respond fast enough, I was laughing...  WE went to bed... on the trampoline one little movement and your rock'n & roll'n for 5 minutes, it was a hoot.  Definitely good for a laugh.   Haley wanted us to hold still.  Needless to say I could not breathe, allergies!  Augh!    After Mom tried to go to sleep and I was still trying to breath, of course blowing my nose.  CRAP!  That set mom off  laughing.  There was a knock on the door, Haley went nuts!  Kate.    She was checking to see if everything was okay.  She said she was sneaking up to see if she could hear conversation  she wanted to say hi and realized her spurs were jingling then she heard us laughing, she knew we where still up.   She was just getting home from the rodeo.    We visited for 15-20 minutes.  She was leaving at 5:00 am she had entered her first bass tournament. 


Finally,  morning came.  I went to feed and Mom shower.   Then she asked when Alisa was going to get here.  No Alisa is not coming.  She also thought we were going to ride there.  I said we got to get on the road to Shingletown.  Meeting Angela at Reeds Market.   Later on the road, she said Alisa is always on time.  She'll be there or we arrive at the same time.  I had to remind her that Alisa was not coming. 

At Reeds market we had breakfast.  Did some shopping, in and out of the store.  Finally I told the checker that we were waiting for someone.   In about 1 hour Angela showed up.    We introduced each other.  We took off following Angela to Claire's house.   

Angela  introduced us to Steve (Claire's husband).   I asked Steve if I could let out my dog, and he said of course.  So let Haley get out.   Steve busted up, said wait right here... Than I started laughing.  Here came "Woopie"  Black and  very tall Standard Poodle.   She is a very happy dog :)   I followed Angela to Claire Gaston's (?) house.   Claire had broke her ankle the day before of course riding, not her horse and for the first time in 5 years rode with no helmet.    I told Steve  too bad the other 2 standards  weren't here.  By this time Claire had made her way out... poor thing.   She asking about Haley and I told her about Sammy and Ziva.   She just smiled.  This is their third standard.   She loves them. 

Angela saddled up and we headed out.   It was about 10 am.    She was riding Dozer... :)   We had a nice ride.  The terrain is flat.   They had a "hill" our drive way is about the same incline.   Inside I chuckled.   Haley chased a jack rabbit.  She was not much larger than the rabbit.   I seen a doe and turkey tracks.  The weather could not have been better.  Sunny and about 75 degrees. 

We arrived back about 1:30 or so.  We unsaddled put the horses in one side of their corrals.  Then we went and visited with Claire for a little bit.  At about 3 we loaded up and headed for home. 

We stopped in Weaverville for our best meal of the two days at Marino's gassed up and arrived home at 7:00 pm.  Good weekend.

Buster Bucks

It's the year of the horse! According to one website, the "Horse year is about freedom, returning to nature, and enjoying life and life’s adventures." Hmm. I'm liking that! 

I am sitting here multi-tasking, reading Texas 10th grade paragraphs online (and every now and then I need a mental break!), writing this, and playing with Ziva. As I look down at my feet I see a bone, a zebra, a ball, another sort of ball, a rooster, an outside flying squirrel toy, and Ziva who is straining to get under the hutch to get the tennis ball she has put there. Do you think maybe she thinks I am boring? I am sure she had rather live with Lynn and Haley where she thinks it is about having fun all the time! :)

Saturday started off a little rough. Zigman had blood all over his left front leg and his knee was swollen. Lynn brought him down and cleaned it up and doctored him. We aren't sure what happened, but he seems like he's healing up; although, it was still a little swollen last night (Monday). Haley also ended up with a hurt foot. She cut it on something near the end of the ride. Poor little thing was holding her foot up and wouldn't put weight on it. After cleaning it real good, then a few epsom salts soaks, and having a wet Sunday off, she was much better last night and ran and played with Ziva the whole time. 

So Lynn rode Buster and caught Star for Shirley. We rode out around the top of the Hennessey. It just never gets old! Lynn is currently working on a trip to Shingletown for a ride with her friend who lives there. It sounds like a good time! In addition, Lynn thinks she found another place to try when Alisa comes over, which will be fun, too, but honestly, every day is a different day when we ride and I just don't get bored. I don't think Jupiter does either. 

Another thing that never gets boring is feeding the horses at night. I am sure Lynn is much faster when Shirley and I are not "helping." Because I am there with Ziva, it slows her down considerably. We laugh and mess around with the boys and then go for a quick loop up and around the hill so the girls can run. They are so much fun to watch. Then there's Lynn and Shirley. As you know, all three of us ride the 4-wheeler together (totally illegal and dangerous!). We all have on mud boots, big jackets, and hats so there is not a whole lot of room. Shirley is positive that we would be the team to beat on the luge! Because the hill is steep, Lynn needs to shift down to slow us down a little, although I am sure it's only because Shirley and I are on there, too--I am willing to bet she flies at top speed when she's alone. Anyway, the joke is that Lynn tries to shift Shirley's foot half the time. It's hard to get big mud boots under the lever, and with everyone's feet in the way, it's even harder. So she tries to get Shirley to shift. It's silly and we laugh.

Finally, we are adding a new way to support our horseback riding. Buster Bucks. Buster is Mr. Steady. He is the "go-to" guy when someone's regular ride is out of commission. Toni has ridden him, Lynn a couple of times, has Alisa? Anyway, Shirley has always called him the backup horse. So the idea is to buy shares of Buster. As an English teacher/word lover, this is a fun one because of the play on words! Get it? Shares like part ownership and shares like sharing (renting) the ride. ha ha I am always cracking myself up and no else thinks it's funny. :)

The sky is now bright and maybe even a little blue! so it's time to get ready for my real job. Happy trails!