On Our Own~

I woke late, not that I've ever been a morning person...  But - I was determined to get Farah out.  Even with the later than usual start - we were on the road for Waubonsie before 1 p.m.  Traffic was as light & fast moving as usual on I-29.

Hot Sun to cool shade!

After last Friday's jaunt to Indian Caves, Waubonsie seemed close.  I'd called to see if the trails were open, not sure if they would be after the weekend rain.  No one was there when we pulled in.  The trails were perfect, dry without dust, but the day was very warm.

Heading down~

Very Warm for me is probably 80's - the humidity wasn't heavy at all. With most of the ride in the woods, I was thankful for the shade.   I decided to let Farah set the pace.  She was walking along at 4 mph. before we came to the first of the hills.

Blackberry?

We slid on the down hill & galloped up!  Farah remembered the steep hills & attacked them full on.  I'm thankful, there are these few places, with enough hills she can enjoy.  The climbs are almost effortless for her now.  Ms. Farah who up until this time has had total distain for any type of berry - today tried to bite off a clump of green ones!

More down~

We followed Roxi's directions & recognized the turns from her training loops.  After driving so far - I always feel like we need to get in what miles we can - to justify the trip.  

Tree cut out of the trail~

Finally, the log that had been blocking this trail was cut away!  Volunteers aren't allowed out on the trails with power equipment.  We're trying to schedule a chainsaw safety class for our BCH group.  A requirement to use the equipment in the park.

Too hazy for the view~

We finished the first set of two loops in 1-1/2 hours.  Pretty slow, stopping to graze & take photos, but pleasant.  The Jack-in-the-Pulpit below is the largest I've seen to date!  It had to be over a foot tall!  There were many along certain sections of the trail.  I didn't see any ferns yet though.

Jack-in-the-Pulpit

Back in camp, Farah drank a full bucket of water & I finished off the few nuts I'd brought.  I filled my water bottle, took another electrolyte & away we went again.   Being out on our own, we finally got the feel of the trails.  We were warmed up & moving out, spooking a doe with a brand new fawn.  The doe took off into the woods, but the fawn ran as fast as he could up the trail!  All spindly legs :-)

The way out~

The second 5-mile set of loops we cut the time in half.  We had fun!   It's amazing to me we did 1,700+ in elevation gain in ten-miles!  If someone had to design a ten-mile endurance training track - this would be it.  No water crossings though :-)

A good roll!

I'd brought shampoo & everything I needed to give Farah a decent bath - her first in forever...  I got soaked & it felt so good :-)  Next in our usual routine - grazing time.  After that - the roll - 1,100 lbs. of muscle mare - who flipped herself back & forth three times!  

Right side up!

I actually felt really decent after our ride.  Farah is getting now, what I'd wanted her to have for the past few years, an opportunity to condition with other fast horses.  The miles & miles on our own gave her an amazing base, but I've always liked to toss in some speed work & competition too.  Having a riding partner is such a help if you want to build an athlete.  It's great for the rider too!  

Memorial Day - Greenfield Cemetary~

 The flags were blowing in the wind & the ceremony was in progress when we arrived.  Greenfield American Legion Head-Endres Post No. 265 and V.F.W. Post No. 5357 - do an amazing job of organizing this event every year.  To see all these flags against the deep blue of the sky & crosses standing in the field of green grass, sends a strong & silent statement.  So many men who served with strength & honor.   Gone - but never forgotten.  A roll call was spoken, of every Veteran's name - followed by a 21 gun salute.

Flags flying~

After the ceremony, Butch & I started walking to look for Dad's flag.  There were so many - we soon realized they were set in alphabetical order.  What took time, was finding where the A's started.  We'd walked most of the cemetery, found the few "Y's" & worked our way back up the hillside from there.  With the wind blowing so strong, it would take a minute or two to verify the name on each flag.

Dad's flag~

My emotions were overflowing when we found it.  It seems surreal - this flag has flown each Memorial Day over the five-years that have passed since we lost Dad.  To finally be here to see it - gave me a sense of closure.  

At the flag~

I don't think any of us lucky enough to have our parents in our lives for a good length of time, ever consider what it would be like without them.  I never did - I just gave thanks they were here.  Having Mom for support when we lost Dad was my saving grace.   Now with Mom gone too, my world has changed forever.   My brother has been gone for 17-years - his flag was the next in the row.

As we were walking by, I recognized the name on this little cross.  Geo was a neighbor of my Grandpa Jim & made things from wood.  I was maybe four or five when Grandpa bought the little sign below from him for a dollar.

It stayed in my hope chest until I had my first home in CO, moved with us to WA & is hanging now in my kitchen here in IA.  I think Geo was saying HI!

Red, White & Blue

Walking here, on this day, I felt that in many ways,  I've come full circle.  I've done my best to honor my parents wishes & see them to their final resting place.

We took a longer route on our way home, visiting other towns further east.  At every cemetery we passed, the flags were flying, graves decorated & people walking among the stones.  Here, honoring the past & those that have gone before is a tradition passed on through each generation as a part of life.

Greenfield Cemetery~

"The best & most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched.  They must be felt with the heart"  - Helen Keller

My First Hometown~

When I called to make reservations at Hotel Greenfield - the weekend was booked solid with a reunion.  A room was open on Sunday, giving us an overnight stay.  It was our first year of taking on the responsibility of decorating my family's graves.  I was looking forward to seeing my father's flag flying on Memorial Day for the first time.

Evening on the square~

After putting fresh arrangements in the vases at the Greenfield Cemetery, we drove across a very rural part of the state - to the place my maternal Grandparents are buried.  This cemetery -  very old - is an amazingly peaceful place.  I have memories of going here each summer when Grandma would drive us out & we'd clean-up around my Grandfather's stone.  (He passed away when I was only four, but I'm lucky enough to remember him.) 

Nika enjoys the afternoon~

We pulled weeds, trimmed the dead branches out of the emerald greens that mark the four corners of the lot & pulled grass out of the peonies.  Extended family came by with flowers too, while we were there.

Once back in town, we decided to go to the movies at the Grand Theater.  This is the same theater that was in business when I was a kid.  Where my Mom & A. Shirley took me to see the Ten Commandments :-)

Beautifully Retro~

This old theater is one of the few that has managed the expense of updating to digital, did remodeling that is in keeping with the original décor & is still in business today.  It is For Sale - so I can only hope that it finds new owners who will keep it open.

Prices that a family can actually afford!

Afterward, as dusk fell, we took a walk around town.  It was a perfect late Spring evening, kids out playing, a breeze in the trees.

Where I started school~

 A new elementary school was being built when I was ready to start Kindergarten.  Our class was housed in the basement of this church.  I still remember bringing a sleep mat for our nap time :-)

Patriotic decorations~

The home above is one of my favorites.  It was dark by the time we walked past the house my Grandmother had on the highway.  She lived there until she met & married my step-grandfather who had the farm & bought me my first horse.

Mural of the towns history~

This mural gives a great overview of the town's history.  Like so many in the mid-west, an agricultural based economy, fueled by the small, mostly self-sustaining family farms.  A way of life that was starting to disappear when I was young.  Now, the last of those farmers are retiring & it's sad to drive past the old farm houses & barns fallen to disrepair...

Spring at Indian Caves State Park~

I didn't even think about Friday being the early start to the 3-day weekend when I loaded Farah for the trip south!  In WA, I wouldn't even have attempted a 200-mile round-trip to anywhere!  Here though - there was no traffic on the way to Roxi's.  We caravanned down to Indian Cave State Park - it was a beautiful day - that got very warm & humid!

Farah & the Missouri River~

Roxi invited her cousin Jackie & friend Cathy to ride with us - both interested in trying out endurance riding.  Mounted on two of Roxi's accomplished horses - they took direction on the finer points of staying topside while moving out :-)

Cathy, Roxi on Sovereign & Jackie

We did quite a bit of stopping for tack adjustments on the first loop :-)  Stirrups up/down - wherever they needed to be.  The horses of course were more than game for a fast ride & very competitive!  I took point, the size of Farah's stride makes it easier on me to have her in front & not have to fight to keep her back.  

On the shaded trails~

Having seen the park after a fresh burn on my first visit, it was nice to see everything so green.  I did recognize a jack-in-the-pulpit, but it looked like all the other ground-covers were more sprouting weeds than native plants...

After our morning loop - we had lunch in the shade.  Our friend Shannon was here too - camping for the weekend!  She gave us directions as Roxi & I went out again - for a faster loop.  Jackie & Cathy left for their own ride at a slower pace.  As Roxi & I busted up one of the nice long climbs - I heard Roxi say; "Hi!"  A little girl was standing in the middle of the trail to our left!  Her eyes were as big as saucers as our two horses appeared at the top of the hill!

Making friends~

We were impressed that this family had hiked all the way up onto the ridge to camp!  I Farah's carrots out of my pommel bag, both girls held their hands - flat - to feed each horse a carrot :-)  Not sure where we were going - we continued turning up & ended at the top of ridge trail again.  Those views are some of the best anywhere - it was a great place to be.

Bend in the Missouri~

We had a blast!  I even had to pose for "view selfie" :-)  I took my electrolyte's all day & even with the temperature hovering near or over 80 & what felt like high humidity - I felt fine.

Here we are :-)

After our ride, I washed Farah down & checked her for ticks - not finding any.  She rolled in the grass - then I sprayed her again.  I'd sprayed myself down from top to bottom before we rode, then wore a bug band.  Butch rode out to the barn with me to drop Farah off - then - it was dinner in Mineola.  Well, I got home & found a tick under my bra line!  YUCK!  A desperate yell to my husband - he couldn't believe how hard it was attached!  I dabbed the spot with alcohol & next time you can be sure that even my bra will be sprayed!

Road Ridin' ~

Another gorgeous day dawned, without the threat of thunderstorms.  Cody had kindly driven up to shoe Farah on Monday.  She'd had the same shoes on for ten-weeks!  Breaking all records & way longer than I'd ever had her padded.  Since her feet grow so slow anyway - her angles were still good, but it was a relief to get those pads off & find that her hooves were still OK under them!

Back to my roots~

We pulled into Roxi's on time, I have to say I've not had the motivation to ride that I should have.  Years of riding alone & pushing for miles has taken away some of the glow.  Possibly age has something to do with it too...  But - now - having a friend to ride with - really makes a difference.  Farah is so happy to be moving out again, she & Roxi's mare seemed to get on fine.

Once we were out on the roads, it was almost like I was a kid again, riding out from Grandma's & seeing how far I could get before it was time to turn back.   Grandma would ask where I'd gone & one day when I mentioned the name of a very small town - Spalding - she said;  "What?!  You were all the way over there?!"  :-)   It was riding all those road miles that hooked me on distance in the first place.

This little baby Raccoon -  was crying at the bottom of the tree~

We just cruised right along - the County had recently rocked one of the roads - we had no choice but to take it easy & stay on the shoulder.  Of course the Big Tractor was out with a huge mowing blade working on the shoulders.  (Are there small tractor's in IA?)  Farah did better than I expected, it was nice that Dejets took the lead - handling the noise & dust with total aplomb.

Tough, solid & watchful!

We moved out the first half of the ride, then walked some of the way back.  As I keep telling Roxi, it's not the gold girl that needs conditioning - it's her rider!  :-)  It's crazy how much I feel like I've lost of my own condition - but determination must count for something!

Wild Roses~

The wild roses above literally lined the road for miles!  I'm bringing a shovel next time & bringing a start or two home.  

Out & back

We covered ten-miles & again - once I'm in Farah's saddle - the world becomes a brighter, shinier place~

It's Been a Long Time Comin'

One of our favorite ways to either start or end the day - has been to sit out~

Our view~

Last evening - for the first time, we could sit out & watch the rain!  With Butch working almost full-time between two jobs, we asked around for recommendations & were lucky enough to find John.  His reputation as the best is well deserved!  I had a few special requests - one - to have the railing high enough that when seated - I can see under it!  Having started on the 15th - even with the challenges that the weather created - John said today, he will be finishing up tomorrow!  The deck chairs will finally come out of storage!

Red Fox~

  As we were admiring the view, I saw a fox dart across just behind the swing!  He's the second one we've seen so far.  Butch saved us some money by tearing off the old raised deck.  He started by pulling nails to salvage what decking materials he could - but soon I heard the chain-saw start up!  That made quick work of what was left! 

Butch doing demo - 94 degrees!

We'd hoped to start with the front porch, but had to apply for a variance & are waiting for a positive outcome before we can start.  Since the house faces north - having covered entries will be a huge improvement.   Luckily - John stopped the materials delivery for the front in time & replaced it with a new order for the back!

Walnut & Honeysuckle~

To say it's been a beautiful month is an understatement.  In WA - my favorite months were always May & Oct.  I think here - it's going to be the same.  The bushes lining the backyard are Honeysuckle & the smell has been incredible!  The air absolutely rich with their scent!   How sad I find they are an invasive species & almost impossible to eradicate.   The four younger trees we were worried about - they were so late to bud - are Walnuts!  Our big one out front is just now opening it's leaves!

Wall of Honeysuckle blooms~

I can't see myself investing the years of energy to attempt to remove the Honeysuckle.  The bird population is so large & seems diverse here - they bring in the unwanted seeds.   Instead - I'll try to control their spread & plant what natives I can.

In the meantime - we're thankful to have a new favorite outdoor space.  A place where we can enjoy the ever-changing views - created by the incredible variety of deciduous trees!

Movin' Out!

Today dawned cool, clear & beautiful.  The coolest day in the next few to come.  I was on the road for the farm fairly early to pick Farah up.  We were meeting up again with Roxi & Sandra at Waubonsie.  It's so nice to have the trails there open, since they are the closest & have enough hills for a decent workout.

Farah enjoying the grass~

At the stable, Farah was covered in mud this time, the rain & the fact that her run had only been partially scraped clear.  Debris everywhere - that trapped the rain water - creating more mucky areas & depriving her of the spot where she likes to roll.  We pulled into the park early - lots of grooming & finally saddled by the time Roxi & Sondra arrived.

Roxi had filled me in on the day's training pace & I was game.  Farah was more than game - she absolutely loved it :-)  The first set of loops, my friends rode bay mares, I kept Farah back & since we were moving out - Farah was fine with that.  I didn't take pictures!  I was too busy riding :-)  We finished the first set & our second time out was with the grays!

Roxi in the lead~

At one point, Roxi said;  "Watch for the tree." on a sharp corner with a steep hill coming up.  I lost a stirrup - Farah felt it & gave me a 1/2 stride to recover it - before blasting up the hill!  :-)  Such a good girl!  I've been riding without my 1/2 chaps, just long socks under my tights.  So far - no heat rash & really no rubbing either.  Of course today was far from hot & humid - so we'll see how it goes as things heat up.

Speeding along~

I just had to pull out my camera & get a photo.   We did well over 12-miles, with a really great average moving speed.  The fastest & farthest we've gone since moving here.  Our elevation gain was over 1,700 ft. - which I would not have believed possible.  I used to get that at Victoria over about the same distance.

Sondra & Roxi

I was determined to get a photo of these two & had to laugh when I saw this one :-)

Our route~

It felt so darn good to be riding so hard!  Farah has amazed me with the way she's held her condition.  I wish I'd held mine as well!  :-)  When we got back, she emptied a bucket of water, rolled & enjoyed me sponging her down.  I think it was her breakfast that was in her feed bucket when we returned to the stable.  She scarfed that down & had another big drink of water.

I came home the most pleasantly sore & tired that I've been in a very long while & it felt darn good!  Having great riding partners who enjoy the same sport I do has sure helped.  I may find myself doing some endurance in the mid-west before the season is over.  A tired, happy wife makes Butch's life a bit easier too :-)

Crusin' with Friends~

The weatherman had promised a slightly cooler day today.  Roxi & I had planned to ride, so even though I worried I would melt - I was determined to get Farah out.  At the barn - Farah had heard the trailer & was standing with her head over the stall gate when I arrived.  She was even clean - not nearly as dusty as she was a couple days ago!  She followed me to the trailer on a loose lead, loaded right in & stood like a lady while I closed the door.

Farah enjoying the grazing~

Arriving at Waubonsie early - we both enjoyed our quite time together - we were the only ones there.  I took my time saddling up & then let her graze.  Roxi & Sondra pulled in & soon the three of us were on the trail.  Roxi let me choose the pace, I was looking forward to a faster ride.  Farah enjoyed the lead - not a single spook & she was all business.  We trotted, galloped & had a blast cruising around on the soft dirt trails.  Sandra, who rode bareback, saddled up when we decided to go out again.

Tree still across the trail~

Even if hot & getting hotter, it was so beautiful in the green, dabbled shade of the trees.  I recognized the red Columbines - blooming in several places.

Native Columbine

We were well into our second go-round when I heard something happen & the word snake!  Oh yuck - I've now heard lots of rumors about the snakes here & how big they can get!  I had to go back for a look though!  :-)

Black Rat Snake

He was big - I'm glad I've now seen one & will certainly be a little more careful when walking along the creek!  If they eat rodents - they can't be all bad.

Glorious Greens~

Toward the end of our final set of loops - I asked Sondra if she wanted to go in front.  I should have asked long before & of course she did.  What fun we had cruising around together!   Following along -  reminded me of what a consistent training pace is :-)   One of my favorite quotes;  A horse never runs so fast as when he has other horses to catch up & outpace.  -- Ovid 

It's so easy to backslide when you don't have a training partner & we've not had one in years.  It was part of my concern when trying to condition Farah for what ended up being our yearly endurance ride - but she managed just fine :-)  We finished with a gallop up & back into camp.

Farah enjoys the day~

Roxi & I have known each other almost 20-years & it was our first ride together!  I'm sorry I didn't get a photo of us - but we were too busy having fun :-)  (A mutual friend in WA who'd purchased Butch's horse in the late 90's - had introduced us at a ride.)  After our friends headed home, I washed Farah down & let her loose like I used to during our lunch breaks.  She rolled, rolled some more, then gave a hard shake before wandering off to graze.  I sat at a table in the shade eating my nuts & grapes.  

May~

Even if very warm, mid-80's - with the air fairly heavy - it was a picture perfect afternoon.  The haze preceding the promised rain already moving in across the sky.  It was just under an hours drive to Farah's barn - where I fed her the last of the carrots & put her in her stall.

Our route~

By the time I pulled in at home, the Bronco had logged a 95-mile round-trip.  Not exactly close, none of the riding places are - but it was Grand to move out & enjoy such a fun ride!  I was bitten yet again by the endurance bug - he's a nasty little critter.  As I get older - I've had mixed emotions about the sport.  Very difficult with a horse like Farah~