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.

A weekend to remember

Memorial Day Weekend! Nope not going camping; nope not hanging out on the lake; nope not fighting traffic and packing and unpacking--well, I take that back: I packed granola bars, refilled my water jugs, and went through a lot brush and swinging branches that slowed us down. But what a weekend! It was perfect. The weather was awesome: vests in the morning and tank tops in the afternoon.

We took our lunch on Saturday and rode for over four hours on the Hennessey. It was so much fun!
We now have a bypass trail. It starts on the left of the trail we used to call our "new trail" that is now simply the first leg of our ride up the hill. There is a small opening on the left hand side of the road; Lynn always says, I came through there once--I know there's a way. . . well, she came out and worked to clean a new trail a couple of weekends ago (was it only last weekend?). It's funny because the trail's not real clear, yet and she and Ziggy fight the whole down because he gets irritated that she doesn't listen to him and go the right way the first time! There's swinging stuff everywhere and Jupes just follows along behind, waiting for it stop.

It takes a ton of road off our ride. I love it. We miss the dump area completely--including some shooters who were there last weekend. We ride behind and below that area. Then we went over to the right from the top and down to meadow, down the Hennessey Hoop-de-doo to the road and then out to the Gray's Falls side of the mountain. Jupiter, a boy who loves his "high cotton living" and who has a big belly, was like, "Really? This is steep! Dang it!" But we all motored on. It was beautiful over there. We even got to see an eagle fly over and pose on the top of tree for pictures.

Then we came down and went on the trail that goes off our beat path to the creek's path. It is a little treacherous in a couple places, but the boys were surefooted and fine. We have been super lucky with tree fall--there are lots of dead trees on the ground, but none that ruined our ride. :)  There were gun shots above us (maybe in the meadow) when were coming out. We hollered, but I doubt they heard us. We trotted out and away from there and it was fun weaving in and out of trees.

Sunday we rode Underwood. Both of us have been wanting to--it was great. No trees down that caused us difficulty. It was a quick one so we could run over and visit with Shirley, who is not feeling up to par, then go to church. It was fun. Lynn saw a coyote cross the road ahead of us when we headed for the granola bar stop, and while we were driving up to the trailhead, we saw tons of jackrabbits.

Monday was another day of adventure. We went on Lynn's favorite trail--then one with the log across it. We haven't ridden it for at least a year. She keeps wanting either Lee or Gary to come and cut it out. She decided we would check it out, so we came from the bottom. She did lots of trimming and we walked the horses by the log. It's a little sketchy by the log, but the boys were fine.

It was a great weekend! I had so much fun. The horses were good and the dogs stayed right with us. Last weekend, we saw a momma bear and two cubs, but we didn't see them this weekend. All the trails were good and there were no cars/trucks on the roads. Jupes is getting better with the swinging stuff as long as it doesn't slap him on the rear. :) Here's the get on rock a month later.

What a great way to spend time--two girls with their horses and their dogs. The only thing you need besides that, is a little disinfecting wash, a technu shower, and some granola. :)

Whoohooo! Spring has sprung!

After MONTHS of not riding, we got shoes on Thursday and the sun came out on Saturday and Sunday and we rode!!! Yay! The boys were happy, happy. Star, of course, had to be difficult and make Lynn chase him around a little, but the other two were on it! Lynn even dropped her headstall and halter and I don't know what and Ziggy put his head down reached for his bit--like, come on!

We went up Hennessey both mornings taking two different trails and skirting around the ones that could've been too slippery or steep for our first outing. There is water everywhere--it's awesome. The flowers are blooming and are spread along the entire way. All colors were represented and some of the flowers were unusual and a pleasant surprise to see. There are not too many trees down and the trails we rode are pretty clear. However, our "get-on rock" by the turtle pond is surrounded by water.

Yesterday Jupes was a pill--he wanted some grass and wanted to throw a bit of a fit to keep me on my toes. Lynn fought with Ziggy too--not in quite as loud a tone as me and Jupes, but Ziggy lets her know in his own way.

Today was fantastic. Everybody had fun. We think Happy and Haley may have scared up a bear because they took off on a dead run and disappeared for a bit and when we got to the bottom trail there was a pretty fresh bear track that skidded through the mud like she was running. We don't know for sure, though.

Anyway, it was  fun day. I hope we have many more--hopefully this is just the beginning of pretty mornings to ride.

A full barn for the new year

Friday was a "hay" day! It was a comfort-raising, good smelling, expensive day that made all of us breathe a little easier. Although it probably won't actually happen, snow is promised and we need to to keep those fat boys warm and toasty.  

The cute hay guy was a friend of Lee's and he brought us some good Fort Jones hay. He gave us deal and stacked it, too. Lynn hired a young guy to help and we stood around and watched! Of course beforehand, Lynn moved a whole ton of not-so-good hay that Shirley and Don purchased and stacked right in the middle of the barn. Thankfully, we did not have to move this batch or both of us would be even more sore than we are. Dang! This getting old crap is not wimps!

After two days of unloading heavy boxes of textbooks and classroom detritus off U-Haul trucks, lifting desks and moving heavy furniture, I have become a huge fan of dollies! However, I think my arms may now be a few inches longer than they used to be. I helped moved five classrooms of stuff, which meant I didn't get to finish working in MY room. So, I am off to school to finish--well, to try to make my new room feel normal and comfortable for my students. I am hoping to start the new year off in a good way.

There's been lots of stress at the end of 2016 and we have all had the DRITS! (That acronym is so old old I have forgotten what it stands for, but not what it means!) We need to ride! 

Happy New Year! 

I can hardly wait for new adventures in 2017!  

Bring on the snow

Trees up with lights, but no ornaments yet. I'm not sure how Fergie is going to do--everything's a toy! Crazy boy. I'm ready for days off with warm fires and lots of sewing! :) I am hoping for some real snow--not just the promise of it.

Love her! Wish I could sing! (oh and look like her!) :)