A cooler day, lower humidly & the yearn to see new trails! We were on the road early for the 100-mile drive to Lake of Three Fires State Park. Butch & I first visited here on the fifteenth to help local riders do some trail-clearing. We saw enough of the park - to make me want to bring Farah & see the trails from the saddle.
It seemed like a long drive down - but well worth it!
Beautiful camping~
I'd picked up a map. The trails where Butch & I had cleared were at south end of the lake - I rode out that direction. What plan I had - was to ride the trails closest to the water all the way around.
Signage~
The signage couldn't have been better. The Rangers had driven us over the bridge below before dropping us off, so I knew we were heading the right way.
Bridge Ahead~
Farah stopped to look - almost in surprise - then walked across - the concrete making a hollow sound. At the first fork, we turned right & soon were rewarded with our first view of the lake.
From the south~
There was a footpath & narrow bridge below us, our trail turned to my left.
Another sign - with a notation in red - that the it was eight-miles around the lake!
Looking north~
We were in the shade, the bugs weren't too bad & there was a cool breeze. The map showed more trails, too fun!
One of the wider trails~
The scenery was stunning! No, it's not the high country, nor the wild beauty of the Western States, but for the heart of the Midwest - it's a gem.
First of the ponds~
We came upon one of the ponds, there are four on the map, along with two large wetland areas. Wetlands are so rare here & there's an effort to restore them.
Across the dike~
The day was heating up - we both looked forward to the next section of trees as the trail wound around. The next pond had a picnic table & we crossed another dike before dropping down to the edge of the lake again.
Looking back south at the lake~
The trail did a super job of winding from up on the hillside, back to the waterfront & we enjoyed several great views from different points along the shoreline.
Close to the north end~
Still following the signposts, we'd found the point where the trail turned almost due south, back toward camp, or up & onto what I'll call the perimeter trails. My Garmin was showing just over six-miles - I decided to forgo our ride around - for seeing more trail! We took the left fork at the "Y" that turned north.
Blooming lily's
It took us to yet another pond, where the water lily's were in full bloom!
Going up~
From there, we were on an overgrown two-track that eventually took us back into the woods & past an amazing wetland.
I didn't see another wetland? But we did find the another pond. We'd been going along the west boundary of the park.
Pond furthest west~
I stopped to take a photo when I heard a dry rustling sound & Farah jumped! I looked up to see a Huge doe go jumping & running across the hillside on the far side of the fence. It is Totally amazing how high they jump & how fast they go!
Young buck
By the time I'd collected Farah & got my camera ready - I caught a quick shot of a young buck - following the doe. Just a short trot further & we made the turn back onto the trail where we'd started our ride. Once back at camp, I looked around & found a trail heading to the north.
North trail bridge~
When we'd made the turn at the top, I'd ridden down the trail way & could just see a bridge. Now, after another short trot, I recognized the same bridge, only from the other direction. I was glad I'd decided to turn & follow the perimeter trails back.
A drink~
There was actually a little creek here that horses could access, with rock, rather than the usual mud. I think Farah was as surprised as I was. This is the first time she's been able to get a drink on the trail.
Our route~
We covered twelve-miles & appreciated every one. Back in camp I used our new hose & nozzle to spray Farah down. Much easier & faster than using buckets! She even allowed me to spray her face - a first!
Drying in the shade~
We'd ridden the trails for a little longer than the round-trip drive time. A perfect place for a weekend camping trip!
It's Summertime! I can't say we weren't warned! Butch had his head shaved the other day - but of course the beard has stayed :-) Each day this week has been warmer than the one before. I went out Monday morning to mow in the creek area & within minutes my clothes were soaked. I kept on - I needed to do something physical & physical it was!
Backyard~
After just over an hour, I had to give it up. I was so beat, I didn't even put the mower back in the shed. As so many are saying; the humidity has made the heat so unbearable. Even so - I've been amazed at how green things are staying! Water is still flowing in the creek & when I stepped down onto the flat before the drop to the creek - I stepped into water! My next thought was Snakes - so I stepped back out faster!
When you go out a door - it's like walking into a furnace - the light breeze does help. At least it makes you think there's some cooling - but no - not really. Today's humidity is actually less than yesterday - probably because the temperature is climbing higher.
Back Porch
I ordered blinds for the back deck - but this one is obviously too transparent. It was rated to keep out 75% of the sun - but that isn't enough. Thankfully Blinds.com is sending out samples & will replace it with one that will keep out more of the heat. Both the porch & the deck are wonderful. They keep the house cooler & giving us outdoor living space, we both enjoy so much year around.
Soaking up water~
My plants in pots need watering both morning & evening - even sitting in the shade for most of the day! The few I have planted in the yard - I water every morning & it's crazy how fast they dry out! I unpacked another box of garden items we'd had in storage. I found the dragonfly made from kitchen knives :-) It's like Christmas when I find things that I'd forgotten about. Thanks to some good friends, more got packed into those boxes than I'd hoped.
It's really tough here in IA...
It's amazed us both how good Nika is with the heat! She has actually wanted to stay out when the temperatures hover around 90. She never asks to come in - but when I call her - she'll come at a run! I've been keeping her in during the afternoon heat waves. In the evening when we sit out with the fan going - she runs around the yard - mostly shaded by the trees along the creek. She's had such good sport chasing the bunnies from under the shed to the burn pile. :-) The last couple evenings though - they haven't appeared. I'm sure they stay in their burrow when it's so hot.
Front Porch~
The blind works wonders... As I've said before - it's tough to photograph heat! I go out & sweat just to take the photos, come in to upload them & they look so inviting! Inviting until you realize it was still 85 degrees with 70% humidity at midnight last night!
Next week is supposed to be cooler - as in mid-80's! I won't be complaining about the mid-80's again any time soon! :-)
Friday & the end of a hot, humid week. After the rains of Wed. night & muggy but cooler weather yesterday - I finally thought of Pierce Creek Recreation Area as a possible ride destination. I called Joyce - trails were open - so this morning I made the 35-mile drive from Glenwood. After the out & back to pick up Farah - it was another 100-mile round-trip day.
Obstacle Course~
This was our second visit here & we took in the obstacle course on our way to the trails. What a nice, well thought out course! After the several courses we've used, this was the first time for a tunnel :-) Farah hesitated - then walked right through. The noodles gave her pause - as if she hasn't done noodles many times - but when I insisted - she huffed her way through those too.
On the dike~
With the memory of an Elephant, she remembered that she did Not like the sound of the outflow from the dam, but walked across like a lady. We were the only ones there, I'd sprayed us both down from top to bottom, but it wasn't enough...
The beautiful lake~
The bugs were attacking in hoards - I pulled out my tiny pen size sprayer & did Farah's ears & my arms - but it hardly helped. I knew it would be hot too, since most of the trails are out in the open.
Here too the Bee Balm was blooming, so pretty against all the green. All the trails we took had been freshly mowed - the only mud we found was in the low spots & only for a couple feet each time. We headed for our favorite area, the timber & there found the footing mostly dry. Dry enough to ride without tearing up the trails. We spooked a Huge White Tail doe - she flagged her tail as she took off through the trees.
In the Timber~
Another quarter mile & a Huge Owl took flight just off to our side! He was so big that he had a difficult time opening his wings for takeoff!
Stunning~
With the temperature in the upper 80's & humidity at close to 70% the heat index was between 98 & 103. Farah was in a full sweat within the first couple miles. I took my electrolytes & sipped out of my water bottle.
I was surprised to see the Echinacea growing wild here! I had planted it on the Homestead, but over the years the growing trees along the road shaded it out. Now I'm looking forward to planting some here! Once in a while a cloud would move over head & give us some brief relief from the sun. We rode around the far edge of the lake & a huge fish jumped - scaring us both :-)
We'd spooked this guy on our way over, now coming back, here he was! I did manage to get a decent picture, even with Farah shaking every 30-seconds due to the flying insects.
Taking flight~
Just after I took his photo, he squawked at us! I had no idea that they can make such a nasty, scratchy noise! He was quick to take off for the willow on the far side of the lake.
From the SW corner~
We followed the perimeter fence again. Farah trotted all the way across the dike, with only a slight hesitation at the outflow :-) She remembered the trails better than I had & was anxious to get over to the area north of the campground. Once on the grass - she hit her full trot & we trotted the entire loop with some galloping thrown in!
On the fast trails~
She was picking up speed & with some partially blind corners I asked her to slow a little, not knowing what other wildlife we might spook up. I was surprised that she put out the effort as hot as it was.
Farah's driest face ever~
I stripped all her tack as fast as I could - so nice to have the working field hydrants, with hoses attached! I hosed her off - soaked myself & then let her graze.
Farah in the sun, me in the shade~
Trees have been planted along the camping spot area - one is large enough to have some shade & on a day like this one - it was very welcome. I drank a lot of water before loading Farah for the trip back home.
Today's route~
We covered a few trails that we'd missed last time & didn't take some that we had - that were out in the open. It was so quiet out here today - you just can't help but love the area - I just wish it were closer. With only 7,000 people in the entire county - Fremont - (780,000 in Snohomish County, WA) it's no wonder that there is an abundance of quiet in the country~
We took the long way! I thought I'd be smart & try my own route to the park. You know how I've said I don't like going to a new place with Farah in tow until I've checked it out? Well, the last cool day - probably of the month - seemed like a good time to go. We toured a section of Omaha - thanks to construction. Next, we toured every entrance - each with a sign designation for; marina, camping, etc. When we did find the final entrance - the one place for horses had no signage saying so. I was so thankful for the Bronco's tight turning radius!
It took us over an hour to get there - not like the 40-min. I was expecting. The day had turned overcast & the humidity was lower than I expected. Farah unloaded, took a look at the lake & started grazing. Once she was saddled, we walked around looking for the trail? There was a concrete path - heading out across a wetland type area. I decided to walk her out that way - since it seemed to be the only option. We found road apples!
Heading out on the concrete path~
The concrete turned to old paving & finally that turned to dirt just before we entered a beautiful wooded area.
Very overgrown with brush~
Overgrown, the trail was actually wet & a little muddy through here, but it was so nice to be in the timber.
Climb up~
Soon we were through it & headed up a short hill. From up on top, we could just see over the trees to the lake.
Lake View
The grass was plentiful~
Enjoying the lush grass~
The trail dropped us down onto a gravel road, we trotted along it past a parking area & found the trail again on the far side. Now, we were right along the shore of the lake.
Farah sees a sail boat!
Again the trail crossed the path & headed up to what was the east perimeter fence line of the park.
East fence line~
We rode along this fence for a way - then dropped back into another beautiful section of wooded trail.
In the trees~
It was just so pretty & oh so pleasant to be riding without the oppressive heat!
Through the trees~
So lush & so pretty - what's left of a wonderland - now surrounded by a city.
Enjoying the green~
All too soon, we found ourselves coming out back at the trail along the lake & took it until we arrived at the campground we'd toured earlier :-)
The Elderberry that grows here is so different from the WA state variety. Beautiful & edible from what I've read.
Heading back~
Once we left the lake trail, crossing back across the gravel road, Farah picked up on a path back up the hill. We took it & ended up at yet another camping area. There were a few people setting up tents for the weekend.
Nice area~
Now we were up on the perimeter fence again. Rather than take the trail we'd come out on, I decided that we'd follow the fence line. Farah loves new places & I love riding her walk. :-)
As we entered the timber again, there was a guy wearing a lime green shirt on the far side of the fence. He was part of a landscaping crew of at least half a dozen men who were working on the estate in the photo below.
Stunning~
This home more than rivals anything I've seen in the Redmond, Bellevue area of Washington State. Just a short walk away - was another amazing home!
More my style :-)
I loved the timber frame style of this one. It had a full story below, hidden by the hill & grass. We came to a little grassy clearing & here was a Mulberry tree full of ripe fruit! Wow! I parked Farah under the tree & started picking, eating & picking some more! It took me right back to my childhood, standing on my saddle & picking from Topsy's back! I offered Farah some berries - which she refused - unlike Topsy - who ate as many as I could pick!
Ripe Mulberries!
Still following the fence, we skirted the area of timber & surprised a large doe. She saw us before Farah saw her :-)
These deer are so much larger than the ones we used to see in WA, she moved off before we got too much closer. We looped around & ended up back on the concrete walkway. The ride was over quicker than I would have liked.
Almost back~
I'm told there's a little more trail on the far side of the road - but I decided to leave that for another day & head home, wondering about Friday afternoon traffic.
Back at the trailer~
Farah hadn't broken a sweat, just under the saddle pad. I let her graze a while, always her reward for taking me out :-) The field hydrants were locked shut, so I filled a bucket with lake water - which she refused. I later read that the water has E.coli bacteria.
Omaha ahead~
I decided to wise up & let google take me home! It was so much quicker & easier than our drive up! As you can tell from the above photo, traffic wasn't an issue. Since Farah's stable is north of town, I could have saved myself about 15-miles if I'd just gone north from there. I dropped her off & by the time I was home - it was another 100-mile day.
Our route~ 6.27 miles
Friends had told me they thought there were about 12-miles of trail, which was one of the reasons I wanted to check this area out. Riding every trail I could find, minus the trails across the road, my Garmin recorded just over six. Still - it's a beautiful park & was an enjoyable ride. It reminded me a little of Bridle Trails, in Bellevue, WA.
