Merry Gallop!

It was a sunshine & chilly Monday morning!  I arrived at the farm, the horses were loaded.  Mary was riding Oliver, who Farah had only met at a distance in the barn.  We put Farah in front & Oliver behind.  After double checking to be sure we had everything - away we went - picking  up a hot drink for the road.  Driving up Highway 9, I requested a drive along Burn Rd. toward Arlington.  I had a brief glimpse of our old Homestead through the Cedars, so huge, only a corner of the barn roof is visible.

We were the only ones at the trail-head.  I was glad I brought Farah's tack with me.  It was worth the hassle of two bags, for both of us to be totally comfortable.  Her girth was a notch lower than what had been her usual.

As natural as breathing, swinging my leg over & settling back in her saddle...  Farah knew exactly where she was, taking off with her usual determined pace.  The swinging stride more familiar to me than my own walk.  We were - of course - heading for lunch!  

Our first break spot~

I asked many times to stop for photos.  We lead the way onto our old trails, unfamiliar to our riding companions.

Ollie allows Farah's inquisitive nose~

The camera was in it's usual place on the side of my pommel & Farah did her one click wait - before moving on.  Moving up into the trot, our horses decided to be a little competitive!  Way fun!  My time at the Y - has paid off.

Heading up to the top~

Three-years of tree growth had obscured most of the view, from the trail up the back of the mountain.  It was well-cleared & some of the old dips had smoothed out.  Once we were out on the road, Farah wanted to gallop.  Ollie was game, as the gallop became a run :-)  I asked Farah to slow as we were reaching the crest of the hill & she did.  Only one slight side-ways look at an old stump.

First view of the monument~

Maybe because it's been so long, we both enjoyed this view more than ever.  Dropping her head to graze, Ollie was allowed to graze too.  We were sitting on the seats, eating our lunch when Ollie decided to do a little trot right past us!  We both jumped up at the same time.  To his credit, he stopped, but was looking off toward the far trail.  Farah had raised her head, but we decided to keep them in hand.

Farah enjoys "lunch"~

I wanted some photos of us, it was such a perfect early fall day.

Us, Puget Sound & the Islands~

Mary & Oliver~

Farah & Ollie - "Friends"?

We took the trail back around the side of the mountain.  I love the section through the big woods.  Mary was taking photos, while Farah & I just drank in this place & time.

On the Trail~

We came out at the Lake McMurray overlook.

Lake McMurray~

I couldn't believe how much the trees had grown since our last visit!  It won't be long, until the view is totally obscured - unless the tree farm management does some trimming.

Through the forest~

Further along the trail, we did get a look back at the lake~

Second view~

We took the long way down the hill & down what I'd always called our running hill.  We toured the east side trails.  It was late in the day by now, we turned back at the bottom.  I could feel Farah getting ready to do her blast!  I asked Mary if she was game for a run & she was!  We took off & started flying!  We know every inch of that run so well.  When we hit the dip - Farah launched herself into the air & we hit 24 mph on the steep uphill grade.

Reaching the top, we pulled up & watched as Mary & Oliver came flying up!  Oliver was determined Farah was Not going to get away from him!

Through the last stand of timber~

It was so stunning, as we were heading back to the trailer, with the sun setting through the trees.  Once back, the horses got a bit of wet mash.  Farah always accepts food.  We were both starved & stopped for dinner at my favorite Mexican restaurant in Arlington.  

Once back at the farm, we put the horses away.  Both seemed totally happy with our day's ride & started in on their hay.  I was a bit late getting back to Courtney's!

A New Beginning!

The weather hasn't exactly cooperated...  Rain, more rain with occasional sunbreaks turning the Western Washington world into a lush, fresh smelling, blazingly beautiful landscape.  This day, Grandson Ben drove me to the farm.  We found Farah in her stall & she soon realized that Ben was actually BEN!  :-)

Ear itches are still a Very Good thing!  :-)

Even as distracted as she is, she was happy to see him!  She is so busy getting to know the horses in the barn, it took a while to settle her for a good grooming.  Her tail is finally growing to a respectable length, I still look forward to trimming it off the ground.

Plans were discussed for Farah's day.  She's fat & out of shape for the first time in all the years I've had her.  She was full of energy - we decided on lounging.  Mary wanted to get to know her on the lead.

Farah responded to Mary's easy but firm hands 

It was so interesting to see her being worked & watching as the two of them did get a feel for the other.

The Sun!

The sun broke through the clouds, turning Farah's coat to a shimmering gold.  

Soon, Farah was moving & it was a relief to see her stride so smooth.  She moved as good as ever, even after a year away.  We'd had her shod by a new Farrier in the Roy area, recommended by Mary's long time Farrier, now retired.  Finding the right farrier for endurance hasn't been any easier since we'd moved.  Farah was puffing & had a light coat of sweat in a shorter amount of time than I'd expected.  

Us in the Sun~

It was darn chilly & I'd forgotten all about Ben's allergies to hay :-(  He watched as long as he could before going to the car to use eye drops & Kleenex.  We delayed ground driving with Farah, but Mary did hand over Leo's reins!  He was so responsive & it was really fun!  My long ago lessons with Dean hadn't been totally forgotten.

Weather willing, we'll be heading out for a ride tomorrow!

Farah Moves Back North!

When I'd visited Farah the end of February, I'd known that she just wasn't happy.  Renee was taking great care of her - but something about her spirit had changed.  I've missed her so very much, not a day goes by I don't think of her.

Mt. Rainier~ 

As things sometimes go - I heard from a friend - another friend had mentioned to him - she was looking for a horse "just like Farah".  At first I dismissed it, but later spoke to Renee about a possible change. 

I contacted the acquaintance.  She was pleased to hear I was thinking of a change for Farah.  We discussed details & a plan emerged.  Renee was very accommodating.  The three of us, found a date that would work for the transfer.  After discussing all this with daughter Courtney, my flight reservation was made.

Arriving in Seattle late on the 24th, Wednesday morning we left Duvall, horse trailer in tow.  The weather couldn't have been more perfect.  We made a smooth 2-hour drive down to Renee's farm near Roy.  

Together again~

Farah came to me the minute  she heard my voice.  Renee had all of Farah's things packed in the totes I'd sent out.  We admired the amazing view of the mountain & took a few photos, before I loaded Farah.  We were anxious to get back on the road to stay ahead of traffic.

Farah, Connie & Mt. Rainier~

We stopped for lunch in Puyallup before heading north.  Our timing kept us just ahead of the afternoon traffic.  Courtney parked along the main street of Duvall, pulling in behind the trailer, to follow us to the farm.  Farah unloaded & took a long look around at the views before dropping her head to grab mouthfuls of the tall, green grass.

At the Farm~

 We put Farah in the round-pen while Courtney & I took a tour of the barn.  A brand new facility for what seemed to be several comfortable horses. 

Farah meets a new friend~

One of the geldings was turned into the pasture next to the round-pen.  The two touched noses, before the gelding took off at a gallop in an attempt to impress Farah.  She too - leaped into motion - with her beautiful floating trot - tail in the air.  I loved watching her!  

At Cascadia College~

Today, my daughter challenged me with the job of picking up granddaughter Cassidy at her college in Bothell!  I used Google Maps!  The Pathfinder & I found our way!  Cassidy & I stopped for lunch in Redmond, before the drive back to Duvall. 

Tomorrow - I'll be back at the farm to give Farah a good grooming - or bath - weather dependent.  I want to unpack the totes & enjoy time with the gold girl!

Mission Accomplished!

 My priority for this year, was to cut down each & every one of the horrible, Autumn Olive.  The thorns are nasty, branches sucker almost quicker than they can be cut & the fruit spreads seed via the birds.  I love shade, but after walking the south side of the marsh, I counted more than ten separate shrubs, overwhelming the entire area.  Getting them cut down & treated, would at least stop their rampant growth.

The marsh - looking west~

 When I cut the last of them - I let out a big Yippee!  I'm thankful that they didn't get started in the timber or anywhere else along our section of the creek.  The marsh runs from east to west, laying between the hill that drops down from the south fence of the backyard & the rise before Tinkle Branch Creek.  I'm moving pieces of broken concrete (dumped years ago) & placing them as stepping stones.  The Cottonwood, who's large trunk you can see on the left, grows on the edge of the creek bank.    It didn't seem as though we had much rain this summer, but the ground is still wet in the marsh & the timber too.

Looking west - piles of slash~

 May, my Mother's Day present is in the photo below. A Ryobi reciprocating saw is the perfect tool for cutting all the branches.  As you can probably tell, it's already gone through a few blades & a whole lot of brush!

My saw/zall~

 Way faster than hand pruning it cuts through just about anything except the really big stuff.  When it does bind up, the vibration is no fun.

Opening views~

 The open view from the deck - makes the work worthwhile. The Cottonwood is already loosing leaves...  I'd taken down the honeysuckle along the fence earlier this spring.  The marigolds love getting more sun & the Zinnia's are now taller than I am!  Linus suggested that I plant Zinnia the length of the fence next year. In the middle, where I'd seeded behind the marigolds, they completely hide the fence.

Edible Elderberry!

 The Elderberry have done surprisingly well!  The berries are much smaller than the non-edible varieties of Western WA, but very sweet!  The birds are quicker to get them than I am.  Next year I'll be ready for making jam. 

Flower garden at the Timber's edge~

Another on-going project to remove the honeysuckle from the timber - is starting to show progress too.  I moved two huge piles of dry branches cut in March, down the hill.  Now, from the front yard, the view through to the timber is open.  My red Pelargonium's have bloomed non-stop & are resistant to Japanese Beetles.  They're bigger, thicker & doing the best they've ever done! I'll be bringing them in before long.

From a roller coaster ride of hot to cooler days in August, we're now experiencing a wave of heat & humidity.  86 degrees yesterday with the humidity at 72%  was no fun at all!  Next week we're forecast to be in the 90's again.  I'm Really looking forward to fall!