Riding at Orick

The day started off with a little stress and $14 cup of coffee at The Palm Cafe (don't ask, but we aren't going to eat there anymore!), but ended up with smiles all around. Unfortunately, Lynn's back hurt the whole trip, but as usual, she was a trooper. She and Keota led the whole day so she could set a slow pace that worked for her back and for her mom. Although she worried about going so slow for me, Jupes and I had a great day. He is really becoming my partner and we are in sync.

We did not see any animals other than cows and the Redwood Riding Club rental horses, but birds were singing and there were lots and lots and LOTS of yellow banana slugs. Yuck! There were foxgloves blooming and some small yellow and white flowers, but mostly it was all shades of green. The trails were pretty dry and not slick, but there were a few springs that soaked the trail and made it boggy. Along the way they have put some feeder bowls in the streams so horses can get a drink. Not Keota, though, he snorted at them and backed away--even after Jupes drank from one.

Star did really great. He was in the middle where he likes it. Although a big horse-eating mess of branches did reach out and grab him and scare the beegeezus out of Jupiter, he just went along at his own pace. He didn't even mind Jupiter breathing on his butt most of the day.

I'm so glad we got to go.

Orick Horse Trail first leg

Happy 4th of July!

We had another great day of riding. We did the Gray's Falls side--lots of steep uphills and downhills. It was a full on ride today with barely any stops for granola or water. It was a power on through day! However, there was some tripping--I mean--trimming along the way. (And one pirouette that ended in a pile by Lynn, but only Keota got to see it.) It was cool on the coast side of the mountain and we could feel the head coming on as we descended the inland side.

Cinch check!

Keota is very patient with Lynn as she saws and clips along the way. Jupes surprised me again today when I sawed a limb; that's twice I have done so and he has stood patiently. I feel bad that Lynn does all the hard work, so I am trying to do more of my share! We need her back to be healthy!

Alisa, you were so generous in leaving Keota for Lynn to ride--we all thank you. We are having fun with him.

Just ridin'

I put this song on the blog before, but it is the theme that runs through my head all summer. I have this exact record and I used to play it all the time when I was a kid. (and of course sing as loud as possible with the door to my bedroom closed!LOL) I hope you enjoy it, too.

Anyway, I have had four good days of riding this summer. I've had a week off and I am relaxed and happy. Jupes has been great and we have had the best time together--whether we're in the front or in back--it's all good. Today, he rode next to Keota and the three of us were in a chat line going up the road. :)

Last weekend, Alisa was here with her two boys: Odie and Keota. Odie hung out with Buster while we went riding. We took her on our new cutoff trail and the new, revised edition of Lynn's favorite steep uphill trail. As usual, we all had fun. Shirley is back out on the trail with us, so we are a complete set again.

Unfortunately, Sunday's ride was cut short. Ziggy's back was bothering him and when we got to the trailer (on Underwood), we could see he not only had a big lump on his back, put it had rubbed open a sore. Poor big guy. :(  Alisa came through for us  and left Keota for Lynn to ride for a month. Yay! Keota misses Odie and I am sure Odie misses him, but he got to go riding with Star and Jupiter for two days.

Star is being an old curmudgeon and doesn't want him in front of him or behind him or ??? Keota is nervous if Jupes is behind him, but we leap-frogged all over for two days. Like I said, even today we rode three across and talked as we went up the road. A feat in many ways as Jupiter doesn't like to ride like that with anyone (he's best if it's just Lynn and I) and Keota was in the middle between two big meanies.

Today was a crazy day in some ways; we were on the road after dropping off the top of the hill trail to the left and heading toward the steep downhill to the turtle pond when Lynn yelled, "Turn around! Go back! Go fast!" So Jupes and I took off at a good clip up the road. He was like, "Should I be scared?" She yelled again to come with them back up the trail, so we turned around and ran up the trail. Finally, I heard her--"SKUNK! Right on our trail to the pond." She didn't want the dogs to see it. She saved all of us.


Then we were going to go cross country instead of back the way we had come; suddenly she yelled again and I could see Keota swinging his head around. "I think we're in BEES!" Again, Jupes and I ran ahead of everyone leading the way. She got off up by the frog pond and he had one lump from a bee sting. Dang. That was only a short span full  of troubled time. Next, Star and Keota put on a show to head to for home. Lynn decided we weren't going home. So down she went to another trail. Good grief. Star was a pain. He was ready to go home and he was not going to follow that dang interloper who didn't know the way home. :) Jupes just stood and looked at him. (Both of them.) Lynn asked us to lead the way and then everyone straightened out. Jupes probably told them both, "Hey, I already learned this lesson. Just go where they point you and there's less trouble."

Lynn says that if Alisa really wants to sell him and find someone calmer, she should ask for $7000 or more! She says that Keota is a powerhouse who does whatever you ask and he's been trained so well and knows a ton of stuff! She is really enjoying riding him. As much as she loves Ziggy, her back will be sorry to see Keota go when she gets back on Zigs, who is much more rough. (wonder why he's cross-legged!)

It was fun. I am enjoying my spoiled brat of a horse. He's being good. I hope Lynn didn't jinx me yesterday when she said, "Hey! You haven't gone off yet this year!" Thanks, Lynn! :) I'm working on it. LOL

Thanks Lynn!

It can be a good thing to be the last horse in line. . . .

We got our sick partner back and the three of us had two great days of wet blankets. I can hardly wait for summer vacation.

BRRRRISKY

It was a brisk 46 degrees as we parked the truck on the Hennessey. We bundled up, put on our chinks, gloves, and away we went. It has been a rainy few days, but as we crested the over the road off our first trail, it was blue skies.

The boys spent the night free ranging in the middle meadow, so they were a bit slow. They also were after every single poison leaf that swept by their noses. Seriously! The poison oak must be at "its peak of flavor" or something, because both Jupiter and Ziggy got into trouble for eating all morning. On the way home, Jupes and I both got a start when he stopped suddenly, on the steep downhill of course, to reach for a bite. He almost slammed me down on his neck, which brought up my boots to his flank and he got a surprise spur on both sides, causing him squirt down the little ravine and me to squeal as I was jarred back. When I reached back to touch his butt, he spooked again--tucking it under and twisting into the turn. Good grief.

Since most of our ride now is in the trees on trails, we did not notice that the cloud cover was getting pretty thick until we got to the top of the mountain, but we made to the truck without getting rained on. Notice I didn't say that we didn't get wet, because both of us at one time or another had branch across the face and shoulders and had our drippy moments. The breeze had definitely been cool the whole ride and both of us acknowledged that our toes were no longer cold because they were numb. Ziggy had lost a shoe somewhere at home, so he wore a boot all day. When Lynn took it off at the trailer, she poured out water and dumped mud and other detritus he had picked up along the way. No wonder he didn't like it much.

When we started the pickup to come home it was 43 degrees! Never mind that it is June 11.

It was another good ride--just the two of us. Shirley is still recuperating.

Our version of pleasure riding

Only one day of riding, so we made it the best one we could. It was cool and sunny and we headed over to Lynn's favorite trail. She lost her clippers there last weekend, so we were on the lookout. Sure enough, we found them, but they were a little worse for the week out on the trail.

Something chewed on the end. :)

We worked on the trail around the log and now the whole trail is passable and ready for traversing either from the bottom or the top. (And hopefully neither of us will show up with poison oak!)

Jupiter has been a total pleasure to ride; he has matured into a fantastic mountain horse. Yes, he is a fat boy, but he goes uphill strong and downhill with care. We have had several great rides together and are communicating well. Zigs is getting to be a handful going downhill. He want to buck and swing his head and even rears a little--out of sheer joy, I think. He wants to barrel downhill and swing around corners. Thankfully all of us have been safe and sound and in our saddles.

Last week we saw an eagle and a bunny, this week we saw a buzzard and mouse. It seems we are seeing different kinds of wildlife as we ride. I am just glad we are not seeing too many two footed creatures or hearing any more gunshots.

Days like yesterday get me through the week.