Hennessey Heartbreak

Yesterday and today we rode on Hennessey. We were met with torn up trails and trash. Car parts and pieces littered sides all the way up the road and on the flat. Glass, metal, and even a fire extinguisher were strewn across the top.

Today has been a sad, depressing day. It's a day of letting go of something special. It's the feeling of a deep, deep loss. Dirt bikes have ruined our trails and taken over our mountain. It will never be ours again. I don't think we have a place there anymore. Everywhere we try to avoid their tracks, they find it and tear it up. Some of the trails are a single track 12 inches deep. The little creek beds are torn up and water is leaching out sideways creating a sucking muck, instead staying in their beds. The sound of the engines and the lingering smell of their gas permeate the forest. They suck the air out of my lungs and the beat from my heart. 

We like to booney bounce and look for new trails, but trying to navigate around the trail we created from what we considered at the time as the best way up, the path of least resistance, was hard on us, hard on the animals and took a lot of the joy out of being on the mountain. All of us were slapped, jabbed, and sunk into holes and down brush all day as we tried to create a safe trail across torn up areas and then down the mountain to go home. The songs we were singing and humming going up ceased and except for encouraging the boys, we were quiet. 

Near the once grassy spot Jupes loved to eat (now it's a mud hole), we had to scramble off the trail and hurry up to a knoll above it so 10 motorcycles could skid, slide, and dig out the soft, wet trail below us. They did not even acknowledge us. Most probably didn't see us, but some did. They were a second group. The first group of approximately 10 were on the backside ripping it up. (And we met two more trucks with two bikes each on the way up as we were leaving.) Thankfully, all the animals were safe and stayed together. Jupes' head was high, but he didn't bolt or get freaky. He didn't like it, though.

Underwood is not under siege by dirt bikes, but the pot people are pretty dangerous and defensive. Can we create more trails there without any of us getting hurt? Bad water, poisoned animals, AK47 wielding men, trip wires? Friday Ridge is FULL of pot grows. The long drive to Little Happy Camp may be shortened by a K-rail road block or eliminated completely if it becomes a wilderness area. (Gene thinks they have to create a parking area/turn around spot.)

Where does that leave us? Driving to Weaverville. Driving to Green Diamond. Orick. THE BEACH. Stanshaw. All long drives instead a quick drive and a nice ride and done by noon. 

 For 40 years Lynn and Shirley have ridden on Hennessey. I am the short timer at 20. I love riding there. I love all the different trails. We all have our favorites. I know Lynn is heartbroken and devastated. I am too. And we can't fix it.

I can't end on this deep hurt--I have to share the fun stuff so we don't forget:

1. The big snag on Deadwood Ridge finally fell. It broke into a bunch of pieces and will feed a lot bugs and become great peat. I guess it marks the end of an era.

2. The get on rock at the turtle pond is surrounded by pond water. There was a big patch of snow, too. Lynn thought she saw a snake swimming along the log out there.

3. At least we were ahorseback. We got some wet blanket time. And the girls had a blast running and digging. 

4. It was sunny and everything was green. It is truly God's country, so maybe he'll hear our prayers and provide a solution.

Spring has sprung! Sort of. . .

 

Whoohoo! First ride of 2021. We bundled up, brushed out the dirt and mud, and drove up Underwood where we thought it might not be as slick as Hennessey. Jupes and Zigs were on it--stepping out and ready to run up hill. Whoosh! Chubby and out of shape, Jupes said, "Let's stop and catch our breath!" 

We stopped on top and our big, white snag is still standing! We sang "Amazing Grace" and said thank you for a beautiful place, the opportunity to be there, and asked for grace for the coming week.

The sun came out, we walked through snow, did a little sliding, and a grand day was had by all. 

It's my birthday!

 

Look how silver and shiny Z's back is!

We started the morning with poodle cuts, thinking it would warm up by the time we could ride. Um no. It was still in the 30s. This is only the second time we have ever been able to ride on my birthday; it was cold and damp and the rain is coming, but it was awesome. :) Fall colors are still vibrant--both on the trees and on the ground. We just took a little turn around the ranch and had mostly warm toes and fingers. I said the best presents I ever bought myself were Ziva and Jupiter, but I should have included my chinks! lol.

My birthday wish is for a healthy and happy year ahead with lots more time in the saddle with my friends.

Well. . . .

This weekend was a tough one. Saturday, Toby/Cobie tossed Lynn off onto the ground. Several crow hops into the bushes and a couple good bucks thrown in. She did not have both feet in the saddle as she was in the process of getting on. She held on pretty good and has the sore muscles to prove it: shoulders, hands, clenching muscles in her arms and legs. She is bruised from the saddle horn and has a little scrape across her nose from the tree. She landed on her hip and back and probably has a few bruises from pokey things on the uneven ground.

She rode him on hard trot all the way to the top of Hennessey. When we caught up (lots of belly shaking whinnies along the way), Toby/Cobie was drenched in sweat and foam. It was running off of him everywhere. We rode a short loop and headed back home. We skipped the steep short cut from the top as Toby's ears were not pinned, but definitely showing his overall unhappiness. Later, Lynn thought about his behavior and said that the crupper had changed his performance. I agree, she had been getting on more easily prior to adding it.

Anyway, Shirley is never going to ride that horse. Never. He is too much for her. As smooth as he is to ride, and as sweet as his disposition is, we have decided he is pretty green and no matter what the lady said, he has not been worked with very much. We have had him since April (?) and he isn't any better about getting on. Lynn said someone who is lighter, faster, younger, etc. could probably get on quick enough that he would be fine. She thinks he would be a great endurance horse.

Bottom line: as much as we like him, he needs a new home. :(

Finding the right trick and a secret

This is evidence of a gentle conversation between two sweet dispositions that are in a little conflict. 

After riding Toby/Cobie for the last month, Lynn figured out that if she holds the rein tight over his neck, he will stand still for her to get on. Sometimes it takes a minute for him to realize she wants him to stand next to her, but it is becoming much easier and quicker for her to get on (most times). 

We are still battling smoke, but we have gotten to ride at least once a weekend. Toby/Cobie nuzzles her and really loves on her. He is such a nice boy. She is loving riding him--he walks out and never slows down. Jupes is huffing and puffing to keep up. She says he sees everything and shies a little and really looks at things, but doesn't slow down. She says he is comfortable and smooth. Last weekend there was a small puddle that gave them a little trouble, so Jupes and I stood in it until Toby finally came and put his toe in. 

It is hunting season and we ran into someone we knew who was out setting up a place to target shoot with his son, so he waited for us to get quite a ways away to begin shooting and we headed for home. On the way, Lynn suddenly took a detour. We followed and found the secret pond she has spoken about often. We did some booney crashing and suddenly there it was. It is definitely a watering hole for a lot of wildlife. We need to make very sure that we do not leave tracks or the motorcyclists will tear it up and ruin it for the animals. We also need to protect it from the hunters. It hurts my heart to think of how destructive people are. It is such a special place as well a necessary, life-giving spot for the animals that live on the mountain.

On a funny note, Toby was definitely antsy. He was NOT going to get in it. :) Jupes just sniffed and smelled it everywhere. The roots and logs were worn down and the trails to it were smooth and well used. He was checking out exactly who had been there. Ziva surprised me by getting in it and having a drink. 

We have been blessed to do a little riding each weekend when so much of California and Oregon are on fire. The virus and the smoke from all the fires makes all our lives stressful and getting out to be on horseback, with my favorite boy, with my bestie and my dog and her bestie, makes my life so much more bearable! It reminds me to be thankful for all I have.

Alisa's birthday rides

 

I am so happy we got to spend our Labor Day weekend with Alisa as per usual. I wasn't sure it was going to happen--smoke and fire and heat abound this year. Alisa decided she needed fresh(er) air and came over with Keota. We had waited to go to Blue Lake again until she could join us. What a day it was. 

Lynn took Toby and we knew going in that it would be a learning experience day for him. He is still difficult to mount as he continues to turn away and face Lynn whenever she steps into the stiruup. Someone did a number on him and he thinks he doing what he is supposed to do. I sure hope no one hurt him into thinking this was the only way to keep someone happy. She was able to get on when Alisa distracted him with an apple. 

Poor thing is scared to death of the water, but he followed Jupiter into the river. We crossed the first part and then went into to the actual moving part of the river and it got a little deeper--I actually thought I might get my boots wet, but it wasn't quite that deep. Toby began what felt like possible lunging and leaping to Lynn and she quickly settled him down and he walked to the other side.

It was a day of spooks and jumps. First of all some ducks flew across the river and startled Toby, which freaked Jupes out. We both had quite a bit shy. There were dead cars everywhere and dumped trash; again, very spooky stuff. Lots of gray rocks and gray sticks--you get the picture. Horse eating monsters were everywhere. Lynn rode with her reins crossed over in front of her at the ready. She worked hard with him in and out of the water. He is very stiff-necked and doesn't want to give. She was a little sore the following day.

I ended our ride with a freaked out horse myself. Two guys were jogging on the path toward us. OMG. Like Jupes never saw anyone run before. He was barely controllable. He wanted to bolt back down the path, but the problem was, it was across a paved road. Bolting aside, no way was I going to let either of those things happen. He twisted around and I thought I was going off and there was no way I was doing that either! I got him stopped and got off and walked him back to see the two guys. Alisa had finally gotten to understand they needed to take out their headphones and speak to him like human beings instead of horse eating monsters. Good grief. We arrived back at the trailer safely and ready to ride another day.

Next day: Orick! We were supposed to meet up with a couple of younger women to ride with, but they were very late and we left without them. There was a large string of dude riders going out at 10, so we beat feet to get ahead of them. What a glorious day we had.

Lynn took Ziggy just for safety sake and to be able to just enjoy the ride without working hard. It was sunny and blue skies. We rode the 6-hour ride--backwards. What fun. It all looked different. The horses all did great and powered up the hills and skated down the hairpin turns (although Ziggy saw no reason for them and thought they should just go straight!). We did not see any slugs or bears, but we saw one squirrel and one bird, who flew out of his/her nest to our left. Jupes acted like an idiot again once we on the levee and another string of dude riders were approaching. They are HORSES and PEOPLE, I told him. Sheesh. Other than that, it was a perfect day all around. Karissa and her friend did show up and they rode the 3-hour loop, but we did not see them. Maybe another time.

Blue Lake

 

What a glorious day! Lynn had a week's vacation planned, but we had Shirley's injury and smoke. She was considering going to work and saving her days. On Thursday, she called and said, "Hey! What about Blue Lake?" What about it, I wondered. She recalled Darcy Lima telling us there were tons of trails that led off from the Gymkhana grounds in Blue Lake. So I put it out there on Facebook to the Blue Lake Saddle Club that we wanted to ride. They replied with ways to access the trails and away we went.

It was a combination of things--kind of like riding at Cuneo. There was dead grass and brush; there was snake weed and alders. We crossed the river twice and enjoyed sunshine and a nice breeze all day. Ziggy and Jupiter were happy to be out of the smoke and on new trails. They both did fantastic. We even walked down a sidewalk by a busy road for a bit and neither of them cared. Then we found an apple tree. :) That made it all worth it (at least in Jupiter's mind). 

We made a loop out of it and in a couple of hours we went just shy of seven miles. There's lots left to explore.

Pits up! lol

Cool and shady.

                         

 I forgot about the monster at the start of the trail.