On the Trail - Bracken~

I've spent an inordinate amount of time watching the weather forecast!  In Washington state, it's about as changeable as weather can be.  Even so, for a few days, we were promised sunshine today!  I was at the farm early to groom Farah & wash her tail.  Two of my favorite tasks & I was determined to get them done while Mary was finishing up a lesson.

Leaving Bracken Parking~

We really wanted to go to the higher country of Victoria, but it was cold & Carrie wanted to ride with us, on a limited time schedule.  It made a lot more sense to ride closer & lower in.  The nice thing about winter riding in WA - which I never truly appreciated when I lived here - is it's possible!  In IA, there are no gravel logging roads & the trails are unusable.

Back between the ears~

 I took a huge breath of the incredibly fresh, rich, air!  Almost sweet, after the much dryer climate I've become used to.  Farah is always so happy to be out.  Now, I think we both cherish every minute & every mile we're together.

Mary, Oliver, Carrie & Remy~

To have riding companions is new to us too, after a few years of riding almost always alone, both in WA & in IA.  Carrie was excited at the prospect of seeing new areas.  Of course we had to take her over Tin Bridge to our Green Valley.

It was a surprise to see the heavy rock on this section of the Whitehorse Trail - had been top-dressed with a much smaller stone surface.  New, since I rode here last October.  It hadn't compacted & I hope it doesn't.  Farah wanted to open-up & away we went!  Flying the mile or so to our old lunch spot!  Perfect footing & yes we did leave some divots that will soon disappear.

My cinch wasn't tight enough & the pad slipped during our gallop :-)

By now, the elusive sunshine had broken through the clouds & the scene was something out of a fairy tale.  I polished off an apple,  Remy finished the core.  :-)

Farah's ears are telling - yes, she wanted to lead!

 Remy, not as experienced on the trail as Farah, tried leading & did well, until she decided she preferred Farah in front.  Poor Oliver, escorting two mares, did his best to let them know he wasn't going to take any guff!  We commented more than once, we were all on very forward horses.

Back at the Bridge~

This side of the bridge, the decking was somewhat dry, but the far side, in more shade, was so slick, we dismounted & let the horses slip & slide over the boards.  When I was still active with the Centennial Trail Coalition, the bridge decking & mitigating the wet season slip & slide, was a topic on our agenda.  I have no idea where it is now.

Through Remy's ears, photo by Carrie~

We had some magnificent gallops!  More than one turned into a in-hand race!  At least we liked to think we had things in-hand!  Mary lead us back to where Carrie knew the way to her trailer.  Mary asked if I wanted to continue on & she needn't of asked!

Later in the ride~

 We did a couple more loops through the trees, staying where we knew the trails would be dry & away from the mud.

Connie & Farah~

 Last ones back to the parking area, what had been Farah & my usual routine.  With the sun down, the air cooled even more & we blanketed the horses before loading them.  We stopped in Arlington for dinner on our way back to the farm.

Unloading our horses, the horses in the barn had been fed & stalls were well bedded. What I did find out, as I turned my head backing out - was my neck was very sore!  Very!  By the time I'd returned to daughter Courtney's in Duvall, I couldn't turn my head.  I'm absolutely sure it was from wearing my helmet for over four hours.

Butch told me I'll need to wear an old helmet around home while I'm working in the Timber!  Can you just see that?  My reputation around town for being a bit eccentric would reach new heights!