Sunday, was a busy day all-round, but the sun was shining & Mary & I were both determined to get in another ride. Leaving on Tue., I knew Monday would be too busy to make another trip to the farm. Today would be the day. Besides, it was important for Farah to show Mary her favorite lunch spots! :-)
Connie & Farah on the trail~
I asked Mary to take us on the trails the way she usually rides. It was the beautiful sections through the ever growing Cedars. The day was so spectacular. October was always one of my favorite months to ride. In Washington & in Iowa too (At least until the Asian Beetles hatch.). It's hard not to appreciate the thin, golden light & rich smell of leaves.
Mary & Ollie~
Always appreciative of the sword ferns, I could tell they'd had a very good year. Probably in part to the record rain in July. The trailer parking had been completely full when we arrived, a little later than we'd planned. Mary had to park her rig off to the side, but we didn't see a single rider until our way back.
When we'd finished riding Mary's trails, Farah & I took over as we led the way to Tin Bridge. With the Whitehorse trail closed between Arlington & here, I was glad that the bridge remained open. Farah didn't hesitate a stride!
On our bridge~
Hearing the thud, thud of her shoes on the wooden planks was a music to my ears. We didn't seen any Salmon in the North Fork of the Stillaquamish flowing beneath us.
Shadow Riders~
On the far side, Green Valley opened ahead of us. As beautiful & as green as ever, with the hay all cut.
Stimson Ridge above the valley~
Our favorite riding spot loomed over us on the far side of the emerald valley. I wish I'd had the time to take Mary up there, hopefully on another visit. The picnic table was still there! Mary was pretty impressed that our lunch spot actually had a table :-)
Enjoying the water of the Stilly~
After lunch, it took more than one pass to find the tiny trail through the trees to the river. The start was hard to find, with the weeds five feet tall. Farah remembered - the second time by - we took the turn.
My favorite view~
Being between the ears again was sheer bliss... We rode back to the bridge & across before taking the other trail going under the bridge.
Back to Tin Bridge~
That trail was easy to find & we came out on the much heavier rock. A fisherman had just caught a large salmon & his dog was trying to help him land it.
Fishing!
Mary took some great photos of him & they exchanged information.
Kisses :-)
In the meantime, I was enjoying every minute with my mare. Each minute I knew would have to last me through the months until I can visit again. Butch teased me - saying I would just come home to re-pack for the next trip!
Along the Stillaquamish~
We did try to ride a section of the Whitehorse, I was hoping to show Mary the slide, but the blackberry had taken over the trail. It was just high enough & tangled enough it would catch the horses legs. Farah was still game to go on, but I wasn't.
On our route back, we had our running hill & yes, we did Run! I warned Mary, to beware at the top, telling her the story of the day Dena I blasted up the hill - spooking a flock of turkey buzzards! Both mares had jumped ten-feet sideways. We both narrowly managed to keep our seat!
It was dusk again by the time we were back at the trailer. We decided on dinner in Arlington before the drive back to the farm. It had been so much fun to be back in Farah's saddle, riding our old trails. The horses were happy to be home & stuck their noses in fresh hay. I stood in Farah's stall - in the darkened barn - feeding her carrots as fast as she could eat them. She knows now, that when the carrots come out & I get sad, I'll not be back for a while.
Even sad, my spirit is much lighter, knowing Farah seems happy & relaxed in her new abode. She's back on a hillside with mountain views, has a new friend in Mary's young black filly & is back to her old self. She & Mary seem to get on well. Mary & I did some brainstorming about Farah's future both with Mary & with me too! :-) I'm looking forward to future visits with my gold girl.
Here it was, already my last Sat. in WA. The time, as usual, had gone way too fast! I didn't just spend all my time with Farah! My schedule was planned around Grand-daughter Cassidy's 16th Birthday! The last time I'd here to celebrate, was 2016, just prior to our move to IA.
Mason & Dave had a full day planned & so did we! Up & on the road early, we stopped at Starbucks before heading to Ferry dock. The three of us are all rock hounds, so a day trip to Whidbey Island for walking the beach sounded perfect. We arrived at the Edmonds ferry in record time - traffic was light on a Saturday.
Just light rain, we were so lucky to be one of the last cars loading, without the wait for another boat. Once we'd boarded, I hurried up front to admire the views. The three of us were standing there, when suddenly Courtney said; "We're going to Kingston! We're on the wrong ferry!" It had dawned on me about the same time, we should have been on the Mukilteo ferry to Clinton!
Cassidy & Grammy~ I'm still taller! :-) Not!
You'd have thought we were all newcomers to the state! But, what the heck, it had been a long time since we'd been on the peninsula. The rain had stopped, the sky was clearing & it was going to be one of those days when Washington pulls out all the stops.
Tug boat leaving Kingston~
We gave Dave a call, telling him of our change of plans & decided to make the loop! In all the years we lived Butch's home state, we'd never visited Port Townsend. Courtney started telling me of a beach there - great for finding sea glass! As if I needed any convincing.
On our route, we crossed the Hood Canal Bridge. Butch & I had gone that way with the camper, our last trip with the kids in June of 2015, on our way to Fort Flagler. Crossing this beautiful bridge - new since we first moved to WA in 1981 - is so much fun.
It wasn't much of a drive until we were entering Port Townsend. What a beautiful, quaint seaport town. The Peters family had been there before. Courtney knew of one of the best restaurant for lunch. Clam chowder had been on my list for days & I finally got to indulge! Yum! We took time to walk the town & do a little shopping.
We found a shop that sold rocks, all kinds of rocks, we were there awhile...
Flowers everywhere~
Cassidy & I left Courtney to check out the tea shop & were amazed at the variety of tea's! We both sampled & ended up buying tea to bring home. When Courtney caught up to us, we decided if the purpose of the day had been to rock-hound, we'd better head for the beach!
The parking was far from full, we grabbed our buckets & started hiking along the water. The temperature was perfect, a light breeze, blue water & fluffy clouds. I admired the amazing views at least as much as I searched for agates & glass! Until - Courtney & Cassidy started finding cool stuff!
Out across the water, this guy caught my eye. I had to zoom all the way in, but managed to get his photo, riding on the kelp.
Me & my bucket :-)
All those colored buckets we'd bought the grand-kids over the years, to fill with goodies, are still in use today! I filled mine with rock, I later had to sort down to only my favorites, to pack for the trip home.
By the time we'd loaded on to the Salish, the sun was setting over the Cascades. It was a stunning end to a magnificent day. We stopped in Mukilteo for a quick dinner at Ivars, before heading home. Who can ever get enough seafood? :-)
I met Mary & Farah at Pilchuck Veterinary Clinic. I would have to leave in time to return to Duvall for Granddaughter
Cassidy's Birthday dinner! I had no idea how long the appointment would take. Arriving first, I was watching as Mary pulled in & could see that Farah looked distressed. I called out
to her & she instantly turned her head my direction. As we went to
unload - she was shaking! The first time ever I'd seen her shake...
Both Mary & I think
that she was worried that Mary was hauling her away. The other times
she'd gone in Mary's trailer, I'd been there, or another horse. Once
she realized that I was there & where she was, the trembling
stopped.
It had been September 28, 2016 since Dr. Holohan had seen Farah for a float. Here, in Iowa, we were happy to find Dr. Black at Nebraska Equine. Dr. Black did Farah's yearly physical, float & vaccinations in March of 17. After the problem with vaccinations that year, in 18 we did teeth in April & vaccinations a month later on the farm.
Farah checks out the scale :-)
It had been over a year too, since she'd been seen by a Vet. I was
anxious to see what Brandi found. She had worked diligently, for several years on deep
pockets at the back of Farah's mouth. Dr. Black hadn't said much about
them, so I could only hope they hadn't gotten any worse.
I was right! :-)
First, time to weigh on a scale again in four years! Dr. Black had used a tape & his result was
accurate to what I knew Farah's weight to run in 18. Both Mary & I
thought she had lost condition & gained fat, once back in WA. I
told Mary that she would run between 1070 & 1100 lbs.
Dr. Holohan explained that she had replaced some muscle with fat, but that the muscle would come back quickly. I was surprised that her weight wasn't higher & happy she stayed within her healthy range. Heart rate, 36 :-) Temperature 98, exactly right.
On the scale~
While we discussed her & her weight - Farah stood on the scale with total aplomb!
Farah is sleepy :-)
We had great news on all counts! The pockets were greatly reduced & had partially filled in! The float took about half the time I was used to! We both had a refresher course on the benefits of Adequan, which had always been a part of our yearly maintenance plan. It's always a relief to know that the gold girl is healthy!
Farah loaded back into Mary's trailer like the seasoned traveler she is. I waved goodby & got back to Duvall just in time to leave for Anthony's on Kirkland's waterfront!
With rainy weather & a full schedule for us both, my final ride on this visit, next~
The first day of October & another day of sunshine! We had Farah's trip to Pilchuck Vet scheduled for tomorrow, having already changed it once to take advantage of a clear day. I wanted to ride out from Victoria again to see if I could find our way back to Pilchuck creek.
A golden morning~
Since it's a longer ride, we didn't go around the mountain or up to the Monument. Instead, we started off the shortest way I knew, to reach the eastern trails. I thought for sure the start of the trail I was looking for was overgrown, but no! Just as I'd about given up hope, there it was! There was excitement in my voice, when knew we were on the right track! Of course, it was such an amazing day any ride had to be the Best of rides!
Big Western Red Cedar & Doug Fir & my much loved & missed ferns, aong the trail~
It had always been Farah's favorite summer spot. On hot days, we'd make the long trek through the shaded trails. Once in a while I'd remove my boots & we'd both soak our feet in the creek. Farah would doze off, while I gazed at the pristine, quite landscape around us. I'd promised Farah last winter; somehow, someway, we would ride again on our old trails & she would soak her legs at her favorite spot.
Farah "clearing trail"~
The single track, trail, with young trees crowding in on both sides, is as beautiful as can be imagined. I dismounted to stretch my legs. Farah took
full advantage of all the rain-washed greenery :-)
The turn I'd found, is only the first of several, but from that point
on, memory served me well! We rode through the small stand of cedar
plantings, taller now! Next, through the lush & heavy greenery of the trails along the river. A system where it's easy to get lost, since there's no real high spots to gain perspective. We looked for landmarks over our shoulders, to recognize on the return trip, as we
rode.
With Farah in the lead, she was just ready to step into the creek, when we both saw something splashing in the water! Sure enough, Salmon were spawning in the rock area's just upstream of our entry point. What a thrill! It had been years since I'd seen salmon in this creek. They used to be so abundant in the waterways above the Homestead. In the early 90's - when Butch & I rode - the horses at first - would refuse to enter!
Mary & Ollie
Both horses stepped in & Farah played in the water with her nose. Ollie acted like an old pro & walked right out into the middle.
Farah flipping water~
Farah promptly took up her napping position! Woe to either Ollie or me, if we dared to interrupt her snooze! Ollie's eye's too, were getting heavy as his head dropped lower & lower... I sat in the saddle, watching as the wind blew the tops of the trees. Bald Eagles sailed overhead - finally landing in the very top of the tallest tree. Waiting, I'm sure until we'd leave so they could get back to fishing.
Longer ride? No problem, another lunch break!
I missed a turn on our way back & we did a few extra miles of some truly beautiful trails. New signs with trail names - were hung from the trees. Eventually, I recognized where we'd come out. I knew the relatively easy ride I'd planned, was now going to end with the big climb from the very bottom, back to the top!
This route would include our running hill. Both horses were ready for a run. Farah had already seen people pushing their bikes up the hill & any bike at all is fair game! I gave a shout; "Horses on your left!" as we flew past!
It was dusk as we reached the trailer. We'd ridden thirty-miles in two-days. The horses were loving it, we were loving it & I knew it would all come to an end way too soon :-( By the time we'd returned to the farm & bedded the horses in, I was past my curfew :-)
Courtney said the next morning that granddaughter Cassidy had come downstairs about 9:30 p.m. & said; "Grammy is late!" :-)
