Well, it's official--DRITS has set in for all of us. And I mean all of us. Lynn is having withdrawals from her daily feeding of the horses--she rarely gets to see them at all. Shirley does a great job of taking care of them; she counts noses daily, makes sure the water is full, rounds them up for their shots, and brings them enough hay to keep them warm. She does it all. But the boys don't get any extra attention. No petting or sweet nothings whispered in their ears. No carrots or apples. I try to help her feed a couple times during the work week, but it doesn't always work out. Weekends, too--I usually come up to see my boy at least one day.
The weather has been crazy. Lots of wind, six inches of rain in one day, and cold nights. Shirley has had to look for them more than once. Sometimes she finds them all huddled up together under the trees. Sometimes after a couple of rounds driving on the trail, they come wandering toward the feeders from wherever they were.
On Tuesday, I called Shirley and said, "Wait for me! I'm coming." When I got to Lynn's, I expected to see Shirley waiting for me on the four-wheeler. Nope. So I walked over the trail to her house: my pink-polka-dotted boots galumping along. The horses were near their feeders in the woods. I had at least three of them giving me the eye, probably with these various thoughts, "It's about time! Where's the chow wagon?", "OMG! I think a monster is coming! I should probably act like a fool and run around and stir everyone up!", and "Is that my mom? I miss my mom. Does it have ear flaps on?" I'll let you guess which ones I'm talking about.
Anyway, I tore Shirley away from Matt Dillon and we went up to feed. As we were driving along the trail, I could see an orange horse bucking and crow-hopping and rearing to beat the band and it didn't look like Indy who screws his head around when he acts crazy. "Oh no," I thought, "which one is carrying on like that?" Shirley had warned me that Jupiter had started getting in the habit of bucking and getting too close to the four-wheeler. The carrying on continued through the trees as we approached. However, these were not little bucks and hops and rears--no, they were big ones. Big ones with long strides in between, racing around the outside of the feeders and the four-wheeler. A smaller orange horse ran alongside, encouraging him, no doubt. Yep, it was Zigman.
He carried on and put on quite the show. Wow. He is fast and can get way up there! Hind feet flying, crow-hopping three feet off the ground, and rearing like "Hi Ho Silver and away!" Then he came running up toward me as I unloaded the hay. Sheesh, he's big. Once I spoke to him and sent away from me a bit, he realized I was not the one he was looking for. Star and Brady both had their ears back reminding the youngsters running in circles that it was eating time and all that foolishness needed to be done somewhere else. Indy was eating as fast he could next to Brady, but the other two were needing some attention. Jupes is spoiled to me always bringing him a treat, so once he realized it was me, he was right there--nosing in my pockets. But like I said, Shirley is all business. I had to run down and empty out the trailer of hay in the last feeder. So I petted Zigs on the side real quick and kissed Jupe on the nose and away we went.
So, we are all missing our riding time and even just being together. We've been invited to ride with Suzy over Thanksgiving--cross your fingers and let's pray for continued healing and sunshine.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Building a partnership
Saturday, Jupiter and I built another level of trust. With Lynn's arm in a sling, her riding is postponed for a few weeks; but I decided it could be a possible learning experience for me and Jupes. I went up in the afternoon and caught both Ziggy and Jupiter. (Caught is such a misnomer--I walked up to Ziggy and put his halter on and Jupiter came to me and put his head into the halter himself, practically!) We took them over to the hitching rail and proceeded to talk to them and brush them and give them carrots. They were happy. They know they are well loved.
Then I saddled Jupiter and he and I went for a ride on the hill above Lynn's house. We started out a little rough, as he did not stand for me to mount and I hopped one time too many with my foot in the stirrup. I think I strained a little muscle in my butt! Anyway, I got his attention and he stood still and I easily got on. We headed up the road to the green gate with a few whinnies calling out to us from Brady and Ziggy. Jupiter did not whinny; he was focused.
We rode the trail that parallels the fence the line. It was pretty steep and the sweat was pouring off him. He was nervous, but he didn't attempt to turn back or call out. We came to a tree across the trail. He did not want to cross it where I wanted to, so I let him choose his way. We went over it and on up the trail as far as we could go. We turned around at the big pile of brush and trees. As we headed back to the downed tree, he started side stepping a little. He was obviously nervous and did not want to cross; so I got off and pulled the large branches around me and braced them so there was an clear opening to step over. He did not want to, but he came along and I gently let the branches ease back into place as both of us stepped over the tree. Then I turned him on the hill so I was on the uphill side and remounted. We continued on down the trail.
When we got back to the fork in the trail, I felt him relax. He saw the "trailer court" and knew he was in familiar territory. But then I turned him onto the upper trail toward the water tanks. I felt only the barest hint of hesitation, then he headed up the hill. We trotted a little and I had to stop him once as he took the side of the trail with stiff manzanita branches about rider high, but he adjusted and we went on. He gave the water tanks a good look, but did not shy. He carefully navigated down the steep side toward the horses's regular water hole and then down by the feeder boxes on the hill near Shirley's.
As we turned onto the road that parallels the pastures, all the horses were looking at us and starting to call out. I let him trot a bit, but kept it a controlled, steady pace. When we slowed to turn at the green gate, he whinnied for the first time. It was a short ride, but I took him back to the hitching rail where Ziggy and Lynn were and unsaddled him. He was dripping with sweat. I loved on him and told him what a good horse he was and gave him some carrots and grain. Hopefully that helped make his experience something he would want to do again.
It was a good day for both of us. I have never ridden by myself and I don't know if he has ever gone out by himself. We did well and our trust for each other increased. He did something he thought was scary and trusted I would take of him, and I was able to talk him into doing something he didn't want to do, which increased my trust in him.
Afterward, Lee and I moved feed boxes while Lynn supervised. Everything is about ready for them to go up on the hill for winter. With some gate opening help from Lynn, I fed the horses and had one last rub on Jupiter. Doing farm girl chores is always a pleasure as well!
Then I saddled Jupiter and he and I went for a ride on the hill above Lynn's house. We started out a little rough, as he did not stand for me to mount and I hopped one time too many with my foot in the stirrup. I think I strained a little muscle in my butt! Anyway, I got his attention and he stood still and I easily got on. We headed up the road to the green gate with a few whinnies calling out to us from Brady and Ziggy. Jupiter did not whinny; he was focused.
We rode the trail that parallels the fence the line. It was pretty steep and the sweat was pouring off him. He was nervous, but he didn't attempt to turn back or call out. We came to a tree across the trail. He did not want to cross it where I wanted to, so I let him choose his way. We went over it and on up the trail as far as we could go. We turned around at the big pile of brush and trees. As we headed back to the downed tree, he started side stepping a little. He was obviously nervous and did not want to cross; so I got off and pulled the large branches around me and braced them so there was an clear opening to step over. He did not want to, but he came along and I gently let the branches ease back into place as both of us stepped over the tree. Then I turned him on the hill so I was on the uphill side and remounted. We continued on down the trail.
When we got back to the fork in the trail, I felt him relax. He saw the "trailer court" and knew he was in familiar territory. But then I turned him onto the upper trail toward the water tanks. I felt only the barest hint of hesitation, then he headed up the hill. We trotted a little and I had to stop him once as he took the side of the trail with stiff manzanita branches about rider high, but he adjusted and we went on. He gave the water tanks a good look, but did not shy. He carefully navigated down the steep side toward the horses's regular water hole and then down by the feeder boxes on the hill near Shirley's.
As we turned onto the road that parallels the pastures, all the horses were looking at us and starting to call out. I let him trot a bit, but kept it a controlled, steady pace. When we slowed to turn at the green gate, he whinnied for the first time. It was a short ride, but I took him back to the hitching rail where Ziggy and Lynn were and unsaddled him. He was dripping with sweat. I loved on him and told him what a good horse he was and gave him some carrots and grain. Hopefully that helped make his experience something he would want to do again.
It was a good day for both of us. I have never ridden by myself and I don't know if he has ever gone out by himself. We did well and our trust for each other increased. He did something he thought was scary and trusted I would take of him, and I was able to talk him into doing something he didn't want to do, which increased my trust in him.
Afterward, Lee and I moved feed boxes while Lynn supervised. Everything is about ready for them to go up on the hill for winter. With some gate opening help from Lynn, I fed the horses and had one last rub on Jupiter. Doing farm girl chores is always a pleasure as well!
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Broken Bones
Willow Creek's oracle (and her friends) are definitely going to be suffering from "Deficient Riding Time Syndrome" or DRITS for the next six to eight weeks. Hmmm. November usually means rain--our DRITS may last until February, when we usually get a brief look at spring. Otherwise, it may be April? May? If I don't ride Jupiter, will his feet stop growing? (: We just got shoes!
Lynn fell off the quad while feeding the horses with her mother-in-law Saturday night and broke her arm. Broke it so bad it had to be set. She will be put in a cast sometime late this week. Is it six weeks from casting? Or six weeks from Saturday? Are you sure you can't just buck up and ride? (:
Okay, enough selfish groaning. The woman is tough. She said how silly she thinks it is when the nurses and doctors ask, "What's your pain on a scale from one to 10?"
"'A two,' I told them," she says. I've had a broken arm, two of them in fact. Neither of them was a "two."
The doctor told her when he had to set it that it would hurt; "I'm not lying," he said, "it's going to hurt a lot."
Pshaw. He didn't know who he was dealing with.
So my riding partner is laid up. She needs her riding time in order to deal with all the crazies that inhabit her work world: "No, FedEx did not bring your package here!" "I don't know if Kimtu is full." "The weather is expected to be in the 80s for the next week." "I have not seen your cat with the big manhood."
Although I deal with fewer crazies, I'm going to be even harder to get along with than before (do you think it's possible?) and my horse is going to get fat (and sassy--make that sassier). At least Shirley will be able to go out of town without worrying that Lynn and I are riding and having fun without her.
We were hoping the vet would come out for a clinic and do everyone's shots. Now Lynn is saying maybe we will go out there and afterward Shirley and I will ride on the beach (because that worked so well last time! Ha!) and she will work with Ziggy and his leading problems.
They say it's the hard times in life that show what we are made of. . . .
Lynn fell off the quad while feeding the horses with her mother-in-law Saturday night and broke her arm. Broke it so bad it had to be set. She will be put in a cast sometime late this week. Is it six weeks from casting? Or six weeks from Saturday? Are you sure you can't just buck up and ride? (:
Okay, enough selfish groaning. The woman is tough. She said how silly she thinks it is when the nurses and doctors ask, "What's your pain on a scale from one to 10?"
"'A two,' I told them," she says. I've had a broken arm, two of them in fact. Neither of them was a "two."
The doctor told her when he had to set it that it would hurt; "I'm not lying," he said, "it's going to hurt a lot."
Pshaw. He didn't know who he was dealing with.
So my riding partner is laid up. She needs her riding time in order to deal with all the crazies that inhabit her work world: "No, FedEx did not bring your package here!" "I don't know if Kimtu is full." "The weather is expected to be in the 80s for the next week." "I have not seen your cat with the big manhood."
Although I deal with fewer crazies, I'm going to be even harder to get along with than before (do you think it's possible?) and my horse is going to get fat (and sassy--make that sassier). At least Shirley will be able to go out of town without worrying that Lynn and I are riding and having fun without her.
We were hoping the vet would come out for a clinic and do everyone's shots. Now Lynn is saying maybe we will go out there and afterward Shirley and I will ride on the beach (because that worked so well last time! Ha!) and she will work with Ziggy and his leading problems.
They say it's the hard times in life that show what we are made of. . . .
God's Country
Saturday was an unexpected pleasure; Lynn was expecting special company and had originally called off our ride. Fortunately for us, she worked like a demon and cleaned house all week and then decided we could go for a couple of hours. Shirley and I were there in a twinkle--no one has to call us twice. All the horses jumped eagerly into the trailer as well--after all, for two weeks in a row they had been somewhere new.
We went up the Hennessey and then headed toward the meadow. Sometimes we come around the north end of the meadow and go across the creek and back into the bottom of the run out (I call it that because Brady always ran up the little road to the top meadow and now Jupes thinks he should, too). As we went down to the upper middle meadow, I suggested we go backwards and go across the creek and into the flat, cow-grazing meadow area. As we rode along, Lynn looked up the hill to the north. We had come down a fun trail one day and then never really found it again.
Today, she turned us up into the woods to see what we could find--and what a find we found! (: There were new quad tracks leading up the hill. The trail was good and we climbed higher and higher hoping it would take us somewhere. In my heart I was praying it would not lead to a pot patch! Anyway, it was a truly nice trail and the boys were excited to unexpectly see new territory. We eventually ran into a dead end, and had to back track some, but we went bushwacking and after awhile found ourselves back in the meadow. Then we rode over to the east side of the meadow and rode around on different trails that brought us back into the lower meadow.
After the horses enjoyed some apples, we worked our way along yet another trail that took us to the Hennessey road where we dismounted and walked back to the trailer. It was a beautiful autumn day and even though we were home, we saw new things. Shirley maintains that we live and ride in the most beautiful place on earth. I think I have to agree. I know I am happy that I get to be a part of it and I don't know how I ever lived without riding and having a horse of my own to love. I am truly blessed.
We went up the Hennessey and then headed toward the meadow. Sometimes we come around the north end of the meadow and go across the creek and back into the bottom of the run out (I call it that because Brady always ran up the little road to the top meadow and now Jupes thinks he should, too). As we went down to the upper middle meadow, I suggested we go backwards and go across the creek and into the flat, cow-grazing meadow area. As we rode along, Lynn looked up the hill to the north. We had come down a fun trail one day and then never really found it again.
Today, she turned us up into the woods to see what we could find--and what a find we found! (: There were new quad tracks leading up the hill. The trail was good and we climbed higher and higher hoping it would take us somewhere. In my heart I was praying it would not lead to a pot patch! Anyway, it was a truly nice trail and the boys were excited to unexpectly see new territory. We eventually ran into a dead end, and had to back track some, but we went bushwacking and after awhile found ourselves back in the meadow. Then we rode over to the east side of the meadow and rode around on different trails that brought us back into the lower meadow.
After the horses enjoyed some apples, we worked our way along yet another trail that took us to the Hennessey road where we dismounted and walked back to the trailer. It was a beautiful autumn day and even though we were home, we saw new things. Shirley maintains that we live and ride in the most beautiful place on earth. I think I have to agree. I know I am happy that I get to be a part of it and I don't know how I ever lived without riding and having a horse of my own to love. I am truly blessed.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Ain't Nothin' Better
Friday was a holiday/vacation day for us so we headed for Quincy. Odie was ecstatic to have company and ran all over his field. He looked beautiful as he ran and stretched out ahead of his friends to show everyone who was boss of the meadow. That boy has some wheels!
We had a relaxing, pretty ride across the highway from Alisa's house. We saw lots of bear tracks and some distinct mountain lion tracks, but did not see any wildlife. We rode the dirt road up and around and took some paths through the trees. While we were trailblazing, Ziggy sunk at one point all the way up to his chest in the soft dirt and peat, but he did not panic. He calmly got his feet under him and they plowed on. Lynn made sure we all went safely around that spot. Jupes got in trouble for trying to bite Zigs when were trotting on the road, but everyone else was good.
The next morning we headed for a wide spot in the road. For years, Lynn has wanted to ride out from this spot. Two weekends ago, Alisa and her friend did just that! So we came over to do it, too. It is a few miles east of Child's Meadow on National Trails Association trails. When Alisa went before, she took the Meadow route; so we went on the Canyon route--the west fork. The idea was maybe/hopefully there would be fewer hunters in the vicinity.
The trail did not seem to have been used recently and we had to traverse off the trail to go around a few downed trees. The ground was soft and peaty and there were many limbs and general forest detritus that made the going a little treacherous. We hit a dead end at a creek bed with a huge log blocking the path so we turned around and headed back to the Meadow route. It was a pretty trail with canyon views and valleys that stretched forever. The horses all did really well and the dust was minimal. There were many bear tracks in the soft dirt of the trail and when I was in the lead, I was sure we would come upon a bear--however, we didn't. Shirley said Star may have smelled one or two because he seemed to really be paying close attention to the forest around us.
We turned onto the Meadow route where it was much dustier; however, it was open and really pretty. We didn't go real far on the trail because it was becoming late afternoon and we were going to drive home. We stopped at good grassy area for the boys to eat and for us to get off and stretch. We had not really stopped anywhere or gotten off to stretch or eat a granola bar until then, so we were all a little stiff legged. The Canyon trail was more narrow and did not really have wide spots for stopping everyone together. Some really nice people hiked up and had a map (!) that showed the two trails actually loop into each other. Although that is cool--I personally would not have liked to have met anyone coming out the Canyon route.
Ziggy made history on the trail and got himself in trouble. Instead of Jupiter or Star being the aggressor--Ziggy turned on Odie. He bared his teeth at him for trying to drink out of the same water hole and for eating grass too close to him. He also gave serious thought to going down the steep sidehill to the trail he knew was below us somewhere in order to get back in the lead. We tease Lynn all the time for being just like him: "laid back, easy-going, nothing bothers him;" but she also has that side to her that's competitive and knows when she should be in charge of things and he's no different! They are two peas in a pod. (Except he has long legs!)
It was a fun day. It was the epitome of the saying by Lonesome Dove character Augustus McCrae, "Ain't nothin' better than ridin' a fine horse in new country." The only thing I would add is "in the company of good friends."
*It was dusty on the trail and we were all pretty dirty. Lynn said Alisa and I could have tied, but I think I won the dirty contest for the day. Jupes had rubbed his head on my shirt front and I was pretty bad all over. Well we stopped at Arby's in Cottonwood for dinner. There was a lady in line. She told me to go ahead, she was waiting for her husband. Shirley and Lynn stood and talked to her while I ordered. She told Shirley she "didn't know you got dirty riding horses." Ha!
We had a relaxing, pretty ride across the highway from Alisa's house. We saw lots of bear tracks and some distinct mountain lion tracks, but did not see any wildlife. We rode the dirt road up and around and took some paths through the trees. While we were trailblazing, Ziggy sunk at one point all the way up to his chest in the soft dirt and peat, but he did not panic. He calmly got his feet under him and they plowed on. Lynn made sure we all went safely around that spot. Jupes got in trouble for trying to bite Zigs when were trotting on the road, but everyone else was good.
The next morning we headed for a wide spot in the road. For years, Lynn has wanted to ride out from this spot. Two weekends ago, Alisa and her friend did just that! So we came over to do it, too. It is a few miles east of Child's Meadow on National Trails Association trails. When Alisa went before, she took the Meadow route; so we went on the Canyon route--the west fork. The idea was maybe/hopefully there would be fewer hunters in the vicinity.
The trail did not seem to have been used recently and we had to traverse off the trail to go around a few downed trees. The ground was soft and peaty and there were many limbs and general forest detritus that made the going a little treacherous. We hit a dead end at a creek bed with a huge log blocking the path so we turned around and headed back to the Meadow route. It was a pretty trail with canyon views and valleys that stretched forever. The horses all did really well and the dust was minimal. There were many bear tracks in the soft dirt of the trail and when I was in the lead, I was sure we would come upon a bear--however, we didn't. Shirley said Star may have smelled one or two because he seemed to really be paying close attention to the forest around us.
We turned onto the Meadow route where it was much dustier; however, it was open and really pretty. We didn't go real far on the trail because it was becoming late afternoon and we were going to drive home. We stopped at good grassy area for the boys to eat and for us to get off and stretch. We had not really stopped anywhere or gotten off to stretch or eat a granola bar until then, so we were all a little stiff legged. The Canyon trail was more narrow and did not really have wide spots for stopping everyone together. Some really nice people hiked up and had a map (!) that showed the two trails actually loop into each other. Although that is cool--I personally would not have liked to have met anyone coming out the Canyon route.
Ziggy made history on the trail and got himself in trouble. Instead of Jupiter or Star being the aggressor--Ziggy turned on Odie. He bared his teeth at him for trying to drink out of the same water hole and for eating grass too close to him. He also gave serious thought to going down the steep sidehill to the trail he knew was below us somewhere in order to get back in the lead. We tease Lynn all the time for being just like him: "laid back, easy-going, nothing bothers him;" but she also has that side to her that's competitive and knows when she should be in charge of things and he's no different! They are two peas in a pod. (Except he has long legs!)
It was a fun day. It was the epitome of the saying by Lonesome Dove character Augustus McCrae, "Ain't nothin' better than ridin' a fine horse in new country." The only thing I would add is "in the company of good friends."
*It was dusty on the trail and we were all pretty dirty. Lynn said Alisa and I could have tied, but I think I won the dirty contest for the day. Jupes had rubbed his head on my shirt front and I was pretty bad all over. Well we stopped at Arby's in Cottonwood for dinner. There was a lady in line. She told me to go ahead, she was waiting for her husband. Shirley and Lynn stood and talked to her while I ordered. She told Shirley she "didn't know you got dirty riding horses." Ha!
Sunday, September 12, 2010
School is in session
Saturday the young boys had a lesson in navigating rocks and narrow trails. We drove to Canyon Creek trailhead and headed into the lake. The trail is a well-used hiking trail and climbs from 2800 elevation to 6500. We knew this in advance and weren't worried about it; however, after we traversed on the trail for about 20 minutes, Lynn stopped and apologized about the narrowness. Although she and Shirley had done this trail about 40 years ago (it's crazy that we could have done anything 40 years ago!), she did not remember how narrow it starts out. We all did fine.
Deeper into the trail we started seeing granite. At one place, we had to cross a flat, sheet of rock that sloped toward a ravine. We dismounted and walked across--admonishing the young ones to stay to our right on the high side. We did that twice going up and twice going down. In addition, there were lots of places where they had to pick their way through the rocks carefully. We only had two real uh-oh moments, first with me: I am not sure what really happened, but he lurched forward and right and I was pitched out of my stirrup and over his neck. No worries, though--he caught me and we calmly kept going. The second time was scarier--Star lost his footing on slab of rock and was furiously attempting to get his back feet under him. Thankfully, he was able to get a grip without going down and although it scared all of us (including him), everything was fine.
We stopped at the creek at a good place to water the horses thinking we were nearing the lake. We were at 5000 feet elevation. After some investigation, we came to the conclusion we would have to cross the creek to get to the trail. The creek was rocky, but not too swift; however, there was a big, rusty pipe sticking out of it and a smooshed rusty pipe a few feet away. I did not like the crossing. So I said I could be done and turn around here. I hate to be the one to admit defeat or that I'm ready to quit, but they both agreed. Honestly, I was worrying about the way back as much as what might lie ahead. The rocks bothered me--I worry about those spindly horse legs under me. I would be devastated if he (or any of them) were to be hurt.
We went back a bit and had lunch. Ziggy decided he liked peanutbutter and crackers. I think he would eat anything Lynn ate--he worships her. They got to eat high mountain grass and we snacked and drank water. Then we headed out.
Surprisingly, the way out was not as bad as I thought it was going to be. Lynn said the young ones had learned a lot going up and were better at navigating going down. Not that they weren't nervous a little, too. They pooped a lot and I could see Ziggy's legs tremble a little every now and then. Shirley was sure if she were in front, Star would have just run out, but I think he would kept an eye on all us and not gotten too far ahead. Jupes was confident and made his own way a few times and I am getting better at listening to him and letting him show me the way. Nobody slipped and we were all safe.
It was a beautiful, warm day. The waterfalls were gorgeous and the scenery as awe-inspiring as they come. I'm glad we went, but even though I know the boys would be even more confident and comfortable, it wouldn't be my first choice to go back anytime soon.
Deeper into the trail we started seeing granite. At one place, we had to cross a flat, sheet of rock that sloped toward a ravine. We dismounted and walked across--admonishing the young ones to stay to our right on the high side. We did that twice going up and twice going down. In addition, there were lots of places where they had to pick their way through the rocks carefully. We only had two real uh-oh moments, first with me: I am not sure what really happened, but he lurched forward and right and I was pitched out of my stirrup and over his neck. No worries, though--he caught me and we calmly kept going. The second time was scarier--Star lost his footing on slab of rock and was furiously attempting to get his back feet under him. Thankfully, he was able to get a grip without going down and although it scared all of us (including him), everything was fine.
We stopped at the creek at a good place to water the horses thinking we were nearing the lake. We were at 5000 feet elevation. After some investigation, we came to the conclusion we would have to cross the creek to get to the trail. The creek was rocky, but not too swift; however, there was a big, rusty pipe sticking out of it and a smooshed rusty pipe a few feet away. I did not like the crossing. So I said I could be done and turn around here. I hate to be the one to admit defeat or that I'm ready to quit, but they both agreed. Honestly, I was worrying about the way back as much as what might lie ahead. The rocks bothered me--I worry about those spindly horse legs under me. I would be devastated if he (or any of them) were to be hurt.
We went back a bit and had lunch. Ziggy decided he liked peanutbutter and crackers. I think he would eat anything Lynn ate--he worships her. They got to eat high mountain grass and we snacked and drank water. Then we headed out.
Surprisingly, the way out was not as bad as I thought it was going to be. Lynn said the young ones had learned a lot going up and were better at navigating going down. Not that they weren't nervous a little, too. They pooped a lot and I could see Ziggy's legs tremble a little every now and then. Shirley was sure if she were in front, Star would have just run out, but I think he would kept an eye on all us and not gotten too far ahead. Jupes was confident and made his own way a few times and I am getting better at listening to him and letting him show me the way. Nobody slipped and we were all safe.
It was a beautiful, warm day. The waterfalls were gorgeous and the scenery as awe-inspiring as they come. I'm glad we went, but even though I know the boys would be even more confident and comfortable, it wouldn't be my first choice to go back anytime soon.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Beam me up, Scotty
Thursday, Lynn had a crazy day: she was in charge of who's dead (no one), who's alive (oops, she was sleeping), and whether Kimtu was full. Not to mention regular work and people who wanted to talk or pay a bill. She is the oracle of WC--she knows everything! Well, she is expected to anyway.
She decided she needed some open air and horse sweat. With a little notice, Shirley and I can be right there, too. So off we went to clean a trail we are trying to turn into a nice long loop, over on the Horse Linto side of the mountain. Well, it was dinner time as far the boys were concerned. Ziggy kept trying to turn around or go down the mountain back to the truck, so Lynn kept him feet moving forward at a good, strong walk. Jupiter just sauntered along in no hurry and Star was Star--the grown-up who does what he is asked to do.
Of course with us, everyday is an adventure. We came around a turn and ahead of us was a vehicle. I am sure all of us thought of illegal grows and hunters right off. Neither are welcome sights for sure. There was no one outside in view, but the door was open on the SUV. Behind it was a tall trailer full of wood. I relaxed a bit and thought it might be guys out cutting firewood. There was a something lying across his windshield. I heard Lynn say she thought it was a rifle case.
Suddenly, a man in an army combat helmet bolted from inside the vehicle and snatched off the piece of cardboard from the windshield. He had wild and crazy eyes and his helmet was rocking around on his head. He said the planes had been looking for him. At least that's what I think he said. (We had heard one earlier.) Lynn was trying to read the cardboard that had writing and figures drawn on it. It's still driving her crazy because she couldn't read it and she wanted a better look! Anyway, he looked CRAZY.
Lynn, ever the calm one, and of course the one with the crazy job who's used to dealing with odd balls, said we were just going to ride our horses and be on our way--or something soothing like that. We rode this trail all the time (not!). Shirley was giving me the eyeball--but I kept a straight face and Jupes and I stayed straight on their trail.
Lynn and I sawed and clipped and made headway, but did not complete the job. It was getting late and the shadows were chasing the sun up the mountain across the ravine. It was time to go. She told us if he was still there to "line it out and keep a good trot going." Of course he was still there. It was obvious he was living in his car and we knew he would have a hard time getting that load of wood down the mountain anyway.
As we approached, he was out of the car and moving in a stealthy, sneaky way around it. The path by him was a little close between his vehicle and the bank and Ziggy was not happy about it. It probably smelled funny and the tall wood trailer was different from this side and the man was just plain weird. But he did what she asked and the rest of us followed behind. The man seemed more happy to see us and said animatedly, "I LIKE dogs, too!" Sheesh. We hollered, "Have a good night," and trotted on our way.
Later, I got to thinking he probably thought we were okay and maybe even on his team. He might have thought we had come to save him from the planes. After all, we had helmets on, too!
I am just glad Jupiter and I were in the back of the line when that guy bolted from the car. Jupes and I would have been 10 feet up that bank--it would have freaked both of us out. I had the epiphany last night that I am a very jumpy person--quick to take that deep inhalation of surprise and jump when someone or something surprises me. Jupiter has recently picked up a quick shy around seemingly harmless objects. We have that personality trait in common. That man would have sent us flying!
Lynn wants to go back and read his sign. She is sure it was written in Martian and was a message for the "people" looking for him. I just didn't know that they needed firewood for the winter!
She decided she needed some open air and horse sweat. With a little notice, Shirley and I can be right there, too. So off we went to clean a trail we are trying to turn into a nice long loop, over on the Horse Linto side of the mountain. Well, it was dinner time as far the boys were concerned. Ziggy kept trying to turn around or go down the mountain back to the truck, so Lynn kept him feet moving forward at a good, strong walk. Jupiter just sauntered along in no hurry and Star was Star--the grown-up who does what he is asked to do.
Of course with us, everyday is an adventure. We came around a turn and ahead of us was a vehicle. I am sure all of us thought of illegal grows and hunters right off. Neither are welcome sights for sure. There was no one outside in view, but the door was open on the SUV. Behind it was a tall trailer full of wood. I relaxed a bit and thought it might be guys out cutting firewood. There was a something lying across his windshield. I heard Lynn say she thought it was a rifle case.
Suddenly, a man in an army combat helmet bolted from inside the vehicle and snatched off the piece of cardboard from the windshield. He had wild and crazy eyes and his helmet was rocking around on his head. He said the planes had been looking for him. At least that's what I think he said. (We had heard one earlier.) Lynn was trying to read the cardboard that had writing and figures drawn on it. It's still driving her crazy because she couldn't read it and she wanted a better look! Anyway, he looked CRAZY.
Lynn, ever the calm one, and of course the one with the crazy job who's used to dealing with odd balls, said we were just going to ride our horses and be on our way--or something soothing like that. We rode this trail all the time (not!). Shirley was giving me the eyeball--but I kept a straight face and Jupes and I stayed straight on their trail.
Lynn and I sawed and clipped and made headway, but did not complete the job. It was getting late and the shadows were chasing the sun up the mountain across the ravine. It was time to go. She told us if he was still there to "line it out and keep a good trot going." Of course he was still there. It was obvious he was living in his car and we knew he would have a hard time getting that load of wood down the mountain anyway.
As we approached, he was out of the car and moving in a stealthy, sneaky way around it. The path by him was a little close between his vehicle and the bank and Ziggy was not happy about it. It probably smelled funny and the tall wood trailer was different from this side and the man was just plain weird. But he did what she asked and the rest of us followed behind. The man seemed more happy to see us and said animatedly, "I LIKE dogs, too!" Sheesh. We hollered, "Have a good night," and trotted on our way.
Later, I got to thinking he probably thought we were okay and maybe even on his team. He might have thought we had come to save him from the planes. After all, we had helmets on, too!
I am just glad Jupiter and I were in the back of the line when that guy bolted from the car. Jupes and I would have been 10 feet up that bank--it would have freaked both of us out. I had the epiphany last night that I am a very jumpy person--quick to take that deep inhalation of surprise and jump when someone or something surprises me. Jupiter has recently picked up a quick shy around seemingly harmless objects. We have that personality trait in common. That man would have sent us flying!
Lynn wants to go back and read his sign. She is sure it was written in Martian and was a message for the "people" looking for him. I just didn't know that they needed firewood for the winter!
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