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!
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!" :-)
I didn't expect to be flying on my birthday, but my flight was cancelled for Sat. & changed to Sunday. Sunday, at home, we had a fresh couple inches of snow. Washington is in the middle of it's snowiest February on record & we're not even through the first half of the month.
My "ride"~
We arrived at the airport in plenty of time, the highways were fine, but the roads in Omaha to Eppley were covered with slush. The TSA line was a little longer than usual, but I was on the plane with fifteen minutes to spare. Butch got the above photo of the plane after I'd boarded.
Deicing~
The Captain told us that take-off would be delayed a few minutes, while the frost was removed from the wings. It was really fun to watch from my seat in the 8th row.
Pressure wash!
Meanwhile, Butch had the view below.
Wings cleaned~
We were finally off the ground about 25-min. late, but the Captain made up the time in the air. Most of the trip we were above heavy cloud cover, with a glimpse of the west now & then. When we dropped below the clouds & the view was stunning!
I-90 Floating Bridge~
I recognized the first of the two floating bridges. I-90 at the south end of Lake Washington.
Huskey Stadium & the 520 Evergreen Point Floating Bridge, looking east~
Toward the north end, is the Evergreen Point floating bridge. As we landed the Captain said; "I know, it looks like where we just came from, but it is indeed Seattle!" Dave & Cassidy were waiting in the cell phone lot when I arrived. The roads were just wet on the way back to Duvall.
Mason & Grammy~
Mason met me at the door with flowers! The smell of a freshly baked chocolate cake swirled through the cold air! We all went out for dinner in town & it was late by the time I made it out to my RV :-)
We woke this morning to a world of white!
The front yard~
The little birds are everywhere, taking advantage of Courtney's feeder in the back yard! One of the first visitors I saw was a Varied Thrush.
The Backyard from the deck~
I told the kids that I did Not expect to come back to Washington to shovel more snow, but Courtney & I spent a couple hours this afternoon doing just that! It was so beautiful, the snow continuing to come down. We went in for lunch, then less than an hour later I went out to find another 3" covering all our hard work!
Daughter Jentry, son-in-law Joe & the girls drove up from Astoria on Fri. evening. Joe went to visit his grandmother. Jentry & the girls were looking forward to seeing Cousin Mason! Excited doesn't half describe how happy I was to have all five Grandkids together in one place! (We all missed having Papa with us though.)
Ben, Grammy, Cassidy, Mason, Skyla & Josie
It was another bright, warm, beautiful day. Perfect for a walk to one of the neighborhood parks! I took the camera & made the rounds as the kids played.
Josie the acrobat!
Someone left a wiggle board at the park & it only took Ben once to figure out how to use it!
Ben~
Skyla, the fastest girl at her school, is now outrunning the boys!
Skyla on the bars~
Cassidy was designated as our guide & leader - Luna came along too! As with any Beagle, the last thing she wanted to do was go down the slide :-)
Cassidy & Luna~
Josie was willing to try anything, anyway that worked :-)
Josie on the wiggle board~
Skyla about to have a tree fall on her :-)
I could never get enough of this bunch... When I think of how fast the years have gone since Ben was born. Then - Mason & Cassidy in the next three-years following. Eleven-years after Ben; Skyla, the following year, Josie, blessed us with their arrival! Almost a second generation of Grandkids! It was difficult for us all - when the Wright family moved to OR. Now, we all keep in touch through real-time media.
Josie, Skyla, brother Ben, Luna & cousin Cassidy~
We missed having Mason with us too, but the kids had played video games earlier. I'd made another double batch of cookies, they were consumed! Josie drew two works of art that now hang on our refrigerator. I'm looking forward to my visit with them all again next month! Mason has just started his third chemo session - staying strong & brave throughout. We're all so proud of him! I'll be there in time for the fourth & final round - to see him Finish! He's inviting everyone to the party he's planning!
It was with great relief - that I received news from Renee that Farah had arrived at her farm about 3:15 p.m. WA time yesterday. She looks tired & I'm sure she was. The hauler told Renee Farah had; "Saved his bacon." He had loaded a very fractious yearling - he thought was going to "Blow through the side of his rig." Farah calmed the youngster down. That was one of my worries, that she might be injured by another horse, while in the trailer...
Farah is unloaded~
Meeting the farm dogs is as usual, the first thing to happen. Word is that, Farah; "Marched right up the driveway, past the chickens & dogs to her pen & started looking for something to eat." Renee is sure she remembers the farm.
Renee with Farah~
Renee said it was very emotional for her, seeing again a mare she'd bred, then sold at an early age. How lucky can you be to have a breeding experiment go so well & produce such a fine mare. Then - the true blessing of getting her back when you have time to further her training & enjoy her?
In the corral~
Seeing these photos, was emotional for me. I like to think she was looking around for me. I've always been there at the end of any journey... :-( From the photos, it looks like she dropped about 100 lbs. on the trip out. Not unusual at all - as Dean reminded me when we used to haul her longer distances. He explained the loss is mostly water weight & they will pick it back up quickly. We'd soaked beet pulp for over a week before she left & had been soaking Alfalfa for her all summer anyway. She put on a little extra weight for the trip & I'm glad she did.
The green band on her foreleg I bought as a safety idea at one of the horse expo's. It has my phone number in huge letters. While we were waiting for the transport, I remembered it. It gave me a sense of security to know if something happened & she did get away - her owner could be identified.
I'm leaving for Italy tomorrow. I'd planned the trip with our daughter last year, but after losing my vision, felt too disoriented to go. Now that a few months have passed & I've had physical therapy for my balance, I've decided the timing is perfect in many ways. My first trip abroad!
