Day of Long Shadows~

A break in the week of high winds!  The forecast was correct & the day was a beauty.  Not that the early part of this week hasn't been...  Except for the wearing winds that ripped the rest of the beautiful leaves from our Walnut.  Weather the rest of the week is supposed to deteriorate with even a slight possibility of snow on Fri.

Our shadow~

I thought about going up & riding on the Wabash Trace Trail out of Council Bluffs, a much shorter drive, but the end that Equestrians are allowed on is fraught with road crossings, the noise of traffic etc.  I do still plan to get there again & re-visit the four-miles we can access heading south toward Minneola.

Paw Paw trees turning yellow~

Waubonsie was the place, I was amazed at how many leaves were down in just the few days since we'd been here.  Raylan, the Park Ranger came by as I was heading out onto the trails.  I had to thank him for the great trail work that's been done. 

Along the dry creek bed~

Once we were on the trails - it was great to see both big windfalls had been removed.  A lot of the trail had been bulldozed again & there were piles of dirt in many places.  It was hard to make time, but we moved much faster today.  Farah has reached a new level of maturity this year.  Whether the move, or just that she's finally reached a reasonable age - she's been amazing!  Always so forward, always willing.

More tree trunks & limbs visible~

As you can tell, the structure of the trees is again showing itself with so many of the leaves now blown off.  No more cold than we've had - it still seems to me - we've had some wonderful color.

One of the steep hills~

It's so hard to capture the short steep hills here - but I think the photo above finally gives you an idea.  It's not that there's just a couple, the entire trail system is basically one hill after another. 

Yellows of young Paw Paw trees~

There is one nice long section that's flat & we fly along that.  Today, we spooked a big doe who ran along side us for a second before jumping into the trees!

A colorful down~

We're taking a different route lately, doing one loop, off onto the second, then our break & reversing the second.  We save Tall Trees for toward the end of the ride & since it's low & protected - there's not much color there yet.

A Happy Face!

Returning to the trail-head, we were attacked by swarms of Asian Beetles!  The air was so full of them  it seemed hard to breathe!  I was so thankful I still had Farah's fly sheet in the trailer!  I hosed her down, hosing off beetles the entire time & got the sheet on her.  We were both about ready to go nuts - by the time I had everything thrown back in the trailer.  Farah literally jumped in.  We couldn't get Out of there fast enough!  I pity the people who planned to camp this weekend!

Into the Wind ~

 At the stable I was asked to keep Farah out all day - so that her run could be scrapped.  No problem at all, since my plan was to see the fall colors at Waubonsie.  Dazzling sunshine - a strong wind - at 20 to 30 mph with 40 mph gusts.   Since rain is forecast for tomorrow, today was the day to get out!

Quiet when we arrived, just as I had bridled Farah, a group of four riders returned to the trailhead.  I had my camera off the saddle & caught the image below.  As the years have gone by & I've watched the gold girl mature, I keep thinking she can't be more beautiful.  I'm biased - yes - but with good cause.

Farah~

 Stately & aristocratic - with so much presence - truly a one-of-a-kind mare.  She's adjusted well to life here in Iowa - the bugs, heat, cold etc.  Certainly, a more extreme climate than the one she was used to.  The wind doesn't even bother her - in the spring & fall we get plenty - she hardly twitches an ear.

To the trails!

 I couldn't believe how colorful things were once we were into the timber!  The golds, rusts, oranges, all on a backdrop of the trees that still held onto green leaves.

Down the Trail~

 I let her go at her own pace - the footing was perfect & having her barefoot is so nice.  The trails were littered with the colorful fallen leaves.  It had been a while since we'd done all the hill work, but Farah attacked them with her usual style & tossed in a buck just to keep me on my toes.

Top Trail~

 We'd just rounded the corner when two hen turkeys came out of the brush & started up the trail in front of us.  I slowed down & a second or so later a big tom took flight right over our heads!

Far Views~

 Now, the views are opening up & you get more of the feeling of being up on the higher ridges of the park.  Not really territorial - but pretty none the less.

Trails edge~

 The day went from sunshine, to partly cloudy later in the afternoon.  The filtered light turning the colors of the leaves almost a neon against the gray backdrop.

Ms. Farah~

 We made as many miles as we could, doing each loop twice in both directions & the pretty section I call Tall Trees to finish up the ride.  It was warm, probably upper 70's.  Farah worked up a decent sweat with her newly thickened coat.

A typical yawn~

She asked to stop once & spent a few minutes yawning - something she's done forever.   Back at the trailhead there was only one other rig parked at the far side.  Since the Asian Beetles have hatched out this week & they'd been thick here last year - I was surprised they weren't bad today.  Farah got a bath & dried dry almost faster than I could get her wet!

Farah & Nika~

I made the drive home & turned her out in the yard.  Nika actually laid down nearby for the first time!  Usually, she moves further away.  Back at the stable, the run had not been scraped - with rain tonight - I can only hope it will get done next week.  Another gorgeous ride, I'm hoping to go to Indian Caves before all the color is gone.

Waubonsie State Park!

I was looking forward to my first ride in Iowa!  Our days have been so full - working on the remodel of our new place.  We were both happy to have an excuse for a day off.  After picking up Farah, we drove south for about 40-min. to arrive at the park.

Sunshine day~

What a beautiful place it is! 

Waubonsie State Park

The Equestrian Area is separate from the people side & is pretty much a horseman's paradise.  Today was the Spooktacular Poker Ride, hosted by the Pony Express Riders of Iowa.  This group, coming up on their fifty-year anniversary - donates the proceeds of their rides to a variety of charities.  Well organized, it reminded me very much of a BCH ride.

Juanita, Gina & Connie

After becoming friends on Facebook - Juanita & I finally had the opportunity to ride together.  Gina joined us. The members of the Club were all friendly & the ride was very well organized.  We enjoyed meeting such a great group of people.

In the woods~

Even if the woodland forest of deciduous trees was just past it's prime, the colors were so strong & striking!  Such a change from the Evergreen Forest of the Pacific Northwest.

Trees!

I was a stranger in a strange land!  I must have asked 100 questions!  :-)  It's going to be so much fun to learn about all the trees & plants that are new to me!  I was so surprised & happy to see some that were familiar - like the Maidenhair Fern below!

Maidenhair Fern~

The Paw Paw Trees were really the most interesting so far.  Their striking yellow leaves, even though most had fallen, were easy to pick out.

Paw Paw Trees, with the larger leaves~

 I'm told that they taste like a combination of a banana & pear!   You need to be quick when the fruit ripens, to beat the wildlife to the sweet treat!  I can't wait!

Juanita & Connie

The day was just slightly overcast & the weather warm, but not hot, for late October.  I was surprised at the good sweat the horses worked up. This has been the longest I've not ridden Farah in years!

Farah enjoying the views~

She was still Farah - wanting to lead & her usual ornery self the first few miles, but more mellow that she has ever been.  One spook - at what I think was the only piece of cut log in the forest was almost a joke :-)  These are not easy trails - the hills are much shorter & steeper than what we're used to.  The footing though, is incredible.  Mostly a packed dirt surface with no rock.  No shoes needed here.

What we'd call a wetland in WA!

There was a beautiful pond area & small  creek running.

Rest Area!

Three different Rest Area's, complete with hitching posts & picnic tables were great!  Something I'd not ever seen in Western WA.

Coming back to camp~

This large grassy camp boasts corrals, hitching posts & plenty of parking!  Everyone parked wherever they wished.  Clean & green - it was obvious that even with heavy use, everyone loves & cares for this great park.

Asian Beetles

Farah & I did get an education regarding what I thought were ladybugs, before they started biting!  Even a heavy spray with repellent did little to keep them off!  Thankfully, there was a hose, so after washing the sweat off & giving Farah a fresh spray - they subsided.

Post ride~

 It was such fun to kick back & enjoy the late afternoon sunshine.  The Pony Express Riders had a super dinner with chili, cream of potato soup, rolls, deserts - yummy!  I spent some one-on-one time with my mare, while Butch went up with friends for the prize drawing.  We won a $50. gift certificate to Bronco Billy's tack store in Council Bluffs!

It took just about a week to finish off the hay from home, cutting it 50/50 with the hay here, which is high in alfalfa.  We've cut Farah's supplement in half - since she isn't being ridden as often.  Her weight has stayed about the same & her appetite hasn't diminished!  When I tacked her up & gradually tightened the cinch, I did not get her usual dirty look.  She seemed to have no problem with cinching - a departure that makes me wonder if the alfalfa has helped her digestion?

We headed back toward home just as the sun was setting to the west.  I'm enjoying the wide-open spaces & territorial views so much!  We're both enjoying the new friends we've met & all are so friendly & welcoming!  So much to write about & so little time!  :-)

GREAT ride!