Last of November~

 Here we are - the last day of November.  We've had a couple nice mild days to end the month, even if they included fog & cloud cover.  All that is due to change tonight - over to rain - then wet snow & lots of wind.

My new metal flower~

 I baked a batch of Grandma's sugar cookies & addressed Christmas cards.  With the last of the cookies out of the oven, it was time to take Nika on a walk.  She was so excited & tried to drag me up the street.  No complaints from her though, when we entered the timber.

Last of the color~

Even though invasive, the honeysuckle remind me of the Salmonberry bushes of WA.  They form a short under-story of shrubbery that the birds really enjoy.  Of course it's the birds that spread them far & wide.
We cut up to the salvage yard that is at the far end of our timber.  I knocked on the door & met the owner.  His wife & granddaughter pulled in.  I wish I'd gotten a photo of this cute little girl, in a hot pink coat running for Nika, as Nika took evasive action behind me!  :-) 

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Finishing off our loop~

It was late afternoon, but the color of the day hadn't changed much, except for a few sun-break's earlier.  It's been warm enough, in the high 30's.  The snow & ice from the last storm continued to melt.  The ground was spongy in the timber.

Marsh~

It's fun to walk across this area.  One side still frozen & flat with ice, the other wet & mushy.  Next week we're supposed to drop into the teens again at night - with daytime highs only in the 20's.  I've learned a lot about layering!  My favorite winter riding pants are getting more use than I thought they would!  Of course, I know it's cold if Butch actually puts on a coat!

In The Sun~

Crossing the Long Bridge~

Our weather presented us with an unusual two days of gray - yesterday being a day so reminiscent of western Washington - I mentioned it to several friends.  The weather report did not disappoint though & today was a dazzler.  When I went to pick Farah up, the hill in her run was so slippery we both about fell.

Farah's favorite place along the trail~

If Waubonsie had been my only choice, I'm sure the trails there would have either been closed, or too slick to ride.  Wednesday's are the day the gun range at Pierce Creek is open, no fun going there.  Again, I was thankful we've discovered the Wabash.  Less than half the drive for double the saddle time, works for us.

Interesting~

I'll be sending in my check so I can attach a trail pass to my saddle...  I have to wonder if the mountain bike riders who are also allowed to use the horse trail have to do the same?  Are these fees in addition to the $1. per day or $12. for the annual pass posted on the sign at the trail-head? 

Through the invasive Honeysuckle bushes~

Even if it's Honeysuckle, it reminds me just a little of our old Washington trails where the Salmonberry grew thick & green along side.  The Honeysuckle seems to withstand the freezing nighttime temperatures better than most of the other shrubs.

Last of the Oak leaves in the Timber~

We have about two-miles of traffic noise to get to the 3+ miles of relative quiet.  Our favorite section is through the Timber.  One of my bucket list goals is to visit the some of the remaining stands of Timber in the Midwest. 

About the last mile to Margaretville is actually- almost - just - the pure sound of the countryside.  Quiet, even here - is something difficult to come by.  Having said that, we still enjoy a level of quiet I hadn't appreciated enough our first years on the Homestead.

That it is!

No one was around when we arrived for our lunch break.  I'd let Farah graze several times on the way down.  At most road crossings there's tall green grass & of course we spend time both on our way south & back north at the grassy field.

My good mare at the hitching post~

I walked back a way to check out the trail, too heavily overgrown to go any further, but Butch & I did some exploring last Sunday.  Butch is the one who said;  "If there's a hitching post here, then horses must have been able to access the trail further south."

Farah on-high~

We both have always loved high spots.  Here, high spots are at a premium.  Who can complain about territorial views like these?

Us~

The variety of the leaves on the ground only reinforce the variety of the trees in the Timber.  The oak, maple & others I've yet to recognize.  The sun is on our right side on our way out & at the end of the afternoon, on our left coming back.  Someone tossed in a couple good bucks today!  The wind was pretty fierce when we were returning.  An occasional hard gust put us both a little on edge.  Hearing the trees groan & creak is interesting too :-)

On the final leg~

Butch has promised me new shocks on the Bronco.  That will make a drive southeast to Pierce Creek much more pleasant.  I have to hope the weather holds for more riding, as the sun sets a little earlier each day.  Both daylight & temperatures in the low 50's will come at a premium, soon I'm sure!

Zero G's~

Since our forecast is one of temperatures warming into the 90's by weeks end, mid-80's would have to do.  The air is full of what I think is the dust from all the gravel roads.  This has been about the longest period this summer that we've not had rain.

Carrying a mouthful~

It was nice to pull into Waubonsie & have everything quiet.  Everything except the bugs!  They were out in full force.  Small flies - that were at the stable too, big horse fly's, something that did a lot of buzzing...  Even with spray slathered on us both - we were both bitten more than once.

My Stonewall~

My Stonewall is finally broken in.  It's been almost two-years now & we've had no issues with it - which is a saddle blessing that was a long time coming.  I still wish the seat were a little deeper & the twist a little narrower.  Jackie has reminded me that Farah is not a small bodied mare & requires a medium tree.

Honeysuckle~

Someone was full of energy today - a surprise with the heat.  She attacked the first of the hills with a vengeance.  I'm still not sure just how she accomplished it, but one minute I was in the saddle & the next I was in the air.  Both feet came up in the stirrups, my seat left the saddle & for a long instant I was suspended.  A millisecond later - I reconnected with the saddle - as we crested the top.

Beautiful trails~

It's so nice to have a place to ride that seems so changeable & where almost all the trails are totally in the shade of the deciduous timber.  We weren't out too far when I heard a huge rustle of feather & Farah went sideways.  A turkey had flown up just a foot or two off the trail!  He perched about 40 feet up in a tree as we went by.  The first I've seen here.

Vine on the hitching rail post~

It's been fun too, to play games.  Once the stats are downloaded, it's interesting comparing our time from one ride to the next - doing an identical pattern - or changing it up.

White blooming Nettles?

I'm pretty sure that these plants are Stinging Nettles, or their cousins.  The white blooms on both sides of the trail were beautiful - even if they're not flowers in the true sense of the word.

Ah  Shade~

The photo above is of one of Farah's favorite places to take a break.  Mine too, as it's up on a ridge & there's usually a little breeze that keeps the bugs away.

Young Coyote~

As we turned out on our final loop, I saw something up ahead on the trail.  I got out the camera & got one shot of this young Coyote before he turned into the brush.  He was looking a little skinny - so hope he found a rodent or two for his dinner.

After her bath~

Farah really enjoys her baths on hot days - our new hose & nozzle works great & gets the job done much faster than a sponge.  She gets just enough time to dry - before the bugs find her again & the spray goes back on.

We headed for home & pulled in to wait for Butch.  Farah loves grazing in the yard & walks away when Butch goes to gather her up for the trip back to the stable.  Nika was even OK with it & had the gumption to circle Farah at a run!  :-)  She'd still like to herd her - but is smart enough to know better.

My Red Geranium's & Farah~

My germaniums have done well this summer - they grow much bushier than they did in Washington, but have about the same amount of blooms.  It wont' be long before I have to get them back into pots for the long months of the winter season.  

It's Been a Long Time Comin'

One of our favorite ways to either start or end the day - has been to sit out~

Our view~

Last evening - for the first time, we could sit out & watch the rain!  With Butch working almost full-time between two jobs, we asked around for recommendations & were lucky enough to find John.  His reputation as the best is well deserved!  I had a few special requests - one - to have the railing high enough that when seated - I can see under it!  Having started on the 15th - even with the challenges that the weather created - John said today, he will be finishing up tomorrow!  The deck chairs will finally come out of storage!

Red Fox~

  As we were admiring the view, I saw a fox dart across just behind the swing!  He's the second one we've seen so far.  Butch saved us the demo expense by tearing off the old raised deck.  He started by pulling nails to salvage what decking materials he could - but soon I heard the chainsaw start up!  That made quick work of what was left! 

Butch doing demo - 94 degrees!

We'd hoped to start with the front porch but had to apply for a variance & are waiting for a positive outcome before we can begin.  Since the house faces north - having covered entries will be a huge improvement.   Luckily - John stopped the materials delivery for the front in time & replaced it with a new order for the back!

Walnut & Honeysuckle~

To say it's been a beautiful month is an understatement.  In WA - my favorite months were always May & Oct.  I think here - it's going to be the same.  The bushes lining the backyard are Honeysuckle & the smell has been incredible!  The air absolutely rich with their scent!   How sad I find they are an invasive species & almost impossible to eradicate.   The four younger trees we were worried about - they were so late to bud - are Walnuts!  Our big one out front is just now opening it's leaves!

Wall of Honeysuckle blooms~

I can't see myself investing the years of energy to attempt to remove the Honeysuckle.  The bird population is so large & seems diverse here - they bring in the unwanted seeds.   Instead - I'll try to control their spread & plant what natives I can.

In the meantime - we're thankful to have a new favorite outdoor space.  A place where we can enjoy the ever-changing views - created by the incredible variety of deciduous trees!