2017 - Our First Year - Settlin' In~

Our first year at the Home Place!  Twelve-months that will go down in our history as a basis of comparison for future years. Whether the routines, the weather, the landscape or the memories.

1-14-17 Our new norm - sunshine!

January, the first couple weeks we were in Boulder. Once we returned home, I was busy hacking, pruning & hauling years of accumulated trash up from the creek area.  The weather was so mild!  Butch was installing cabinets & new sinks in the master bath.

1-21-17 Nika & me - hard at work~

With such nice weather, I started bringing up trash from the bottom of the hillside between our backyard area & the creek.  Projects of one sort or another dominated most of the year.

2-15-17 Butch, Nika & the new fence~

By mid-February, the fence was finally in!  Nika was free to run & was the happiest dog ever!

Butch installed tile backsplash & the new kitchen island.  Farah & I enjoyed trails at Two Rivers, NE & the local Wabash Trace for the first time.  Butch & I joined the newly formed BCHIA, SW Chapter.  Butch was elected Secretary of the Mills County Trails Board - which we both joined.

3-19-17 Clearing~

March, the weather was still wonderful.  I started to clear & clean out the area between our south fence & the creek.  Vines went high into the trees & were covered with thorns.

4-16-17 Dutchman's Breeches

Spring was Grand!  We'd been taking walks around town all winter & continued them into spring.  The local parks were fun to explore & I loved finding new-to-me native flowers!  We took down a large Mulberry tree at the east end of the house.  We were referred to the best deck contractor in the area & John agreed to take on our deck & porch projects.

6-11-17 - Done!

Butch tore off the old deck & John began work on the new one mid-May.  It was complete the first week of June!  The front porch was delayed by our wait for a variance, which we eventually received.  John started the third week of June & by the Fourth of July - it too was done!

7-1-17 Summertime~

Farah & I were busy finding anyplace somewhat local - to ride.  Waubonsie was our usual haunt, but we branched out to Indian Caves State Park, NE, Glen Cunningham Lake north of Omaha, Lake of Three Fires near Bedford & Pierce Creek outside Shenandoah.  All of these places roughly a 100-mile round trip.

Butch was driving the big yellow school bus & doing maintenance at a small apartment property.  Between the two jobs, working full-time.

8-15-17 Mason, Butch, Cassidy & Courtney

August was the month we'd looked forward to all year! Courtney & the kids came for their first visit! We toured the Omaha Zoo & drove to Indian Caves State Park to see the total eclipse. It seemed like every day went by faster than the last... The kids were happy to see the things they remembered were still with us. Farah was thrilled to see them too!

9-3-17 Sliding Door in~

September, Butch installed a sliding door in the family room - where we'd just had windows before.  Huge improvement in the views & accessibility to the back deck.  We had volunteered to help with the BCHIA Poker Ride & camped at Brushy Creek Recreation Area.  Wow - what a great place to ride with miles & miles of trails.  So fun to see all the new to us country!

9-30-17 At Brushy Creek~

October of last year, we were in Sheridan, WY, this year, enjoying our 35th Anniversary weekend at Lake Okoboji.  The drive up was beautiful & the lakes incredible.  So great to find a place that we like so much, easy drive & no traffic!  Yes, we're spoiled now!

10-13-17 Touring the largest of the lakes~

November & fall - gorgeous weather - some of the nicest of the entire year.  Farah & I were on the trails more than any other month & had traveled 400-miles by year's end.  Not the huge number's we used to accumulate, my priorities are changing as the years continue to march by.  We found the north end of the Wabash Trace is closest to home & the longest ride in the area - so we do it often.  We also had fun horse camping weekend with a new friend at Lake of Three Fires.

12-12-17 NW Corner of our second lot~

Though we were still waiting for the survey, I took advantage of the nice weather to start clearing into the timber areas.  After some reconnaissance, it was obvious the area was totally overgrown, forgotten & covered in trash.

December we flew to Washington - then drove south to Oregon - to visit the Grand-kids!  How many ways are there to say how much we miss them?  The two weeks have flown by...  We packed as much fun into each day as possible.  Making memories that will last a lifetime for us & hopefully for them too...

After spending the day at the beach, with the Wrights & loving every minute, they left for home  We drove south - to what was in the past - our favorite get-a-way Cannon Beach, OR.  Though the day had turned cloudy & cool - just an hour before sunset - the sun broke through the low hanging clouds.

We stood witness to a gift from God, humbled to be in such a place, at such a time.  2017 left us in a blaze of glory~

Past Year - 2016~

Lake of Three Fires - Second Day~

 After spending a comfortable night in Margie's motorhome, we fed the mares & I took a short walk - enjoying the fresh air - smells & quiet of a perfect morning.  We had breakfast before saddling up.

Lake of Thee Fires, horse camp - 8:30 on another beautiful December morning~

Margie had been telling me about the unusual things that her horses like for treats.  I of course told her that Farah is very picky & will spit out most things she tries...

Farah trying Margie's banana!

Well!  I could Not believe it when I looked around to see Farah actually taking a bite from the offered banana!  Part of it ended up on the ground - but she didn't instantly spit it out as she usually does :-)

On our way~

The morning sunshine was beautiful!  The temperature was again So mild & there was no wind at all!  Just as we got onto the southern trails, Margie said;  "Look!  Deer!" I looked over into the woods to see a doe not ten feet away from us - frozen in place & staring at us.  Farah saw her at the time & in a flash 180'ed - then did it again!  Needless to say - my stick was the next thing she felt.  I like the 26" length better than my old 30".  It's handier & quicker to use!  I made her stand in place - even as Margie & Coco went up ahead - until she Stood - before I let her move on.  You'd think by now the deer wouldn't be an issue?  Not!

Beaver Lodge

We rode along the cornfield & followed the path along the ponds there.  We found signage that said;  "Open to the public for hunting."  Then - saw a hunting blind in the trees & decided that the best idea would be to turn back & return to the park.

Lodge surrounded by wilted water lilly's~

We hustled back onto the parks trail system, still happy to have seen some new country & nice views.

Fungus Among us!

Margie spotted the unusual looking fungus on our way past the ponds!  There was a second - both looked like animal dung.  I had to get off & check it out with my stick.  When I touched it, a fine stream of spoors were released from the top.

Pond near the Lake~

Views of the Lake were wide-open when compared with my first ride here in July.  The trails were littered with dry leaves, crunching under the hooves of our mares. 

Almost back to camp~

We'd ridden for just over three-hours, the days are getting so short now!  The sun is so low to the south that it seemed like late afternoon most of the day's ride.

Our rigs in the top corner of the park~

We'd done some trotting & racking too!  So interesting to put each mare into her natural gait & see how close in speed they were.  We found after a couple tries, that both could cruise along at about 8 to 10 mph. with Coco in a rack & Farah trotting!  It sounded strange - but sure was Fun!

End of the ride~

Margie wanted to get a photo of us - so here it is.  As we got close to camp, we ran into a group of riders heading out.  There were maybe five trailers parked for day rides, but no one settling in to camp overnight.  We had no complaints!  It was wonderful to have had the park to ourselves!

Sat. route - loop at the bottom out of the Park's boundary.

I think we would have both liked to stay another day - but we had work to do at Farah's barn, before the weather turns.  Sadly, that's what it's scheduled to do.  We badly need moisture, I'd sure prefer a good rain before the temperatures drop below freezing again.

Thank you Margie, for a wonderful riding weekend!

Lake of Three Fires - First Day's Ride~

When Margie mentioned an overnight camping trip to Lake of Three Fires when we were riding on Monday - I was pretty excited!  It didn't take long to work out our plan & early Fri. morning we met up in Tabor for the drive down. 

There was the  usual No traffic & when we pulled in - the campground was empty.  We took the two spots up at the top corner of the park.  I put Farah in a large steel post corral, so nice not to have to high tie.  We had lunch & couldn't wait to saddle up & get on the trails.

Friday evening sunset~

There was a light wind, but the temperature's couldn't have been any more perfect regardless of the season of the year.  It seemed crazy though to think it was the first day of December!

The wetland that was green this summer~

We headed north out of the campground & found there was still water flowing in the creek.  Soon, we were at the first wetland & ponds.  The look of late fall is so different from the lush greens of summertime.

Afternoon sunshine~

We saw deer several times, as they took off at our approach.  Otherwise the woods were very quiet, just the wind - in the timber.

One of the ponds~

The water of the ponds looked So blue!  As blue as the deep blue of the skies above us!  It was as perfect an afternoon as any horseman would dream of.  We felt very lucky to be out riding two great mares & having such a nice time.

South end of the park~

We took the trail at the south end of the park & came the hill into the newly harvested cornfield.  We could see that we might possibly ride further up here & decided to leave it for Saturday.

Farah & Connie~

It was starting to cool off by the time we were back at our camp.  After brushing the mares, we took a walk down the hill so I could get the sunset photo at the top of this post.  We watched a several of what I think were Downy Woodpeckers in the trees.  When looking up photos of Iowa Woodpeckers, I was surprised the state has seven species, six of which have red/black & white!

Our route~

The almost full moon was spectacular rising above the trees.  The quiet of the night was velvety in it's richness~

Not Quite Cool!

First of September!  Already?!  The weatherman promised a cooler day & clouds, but instead I think it was probably mid-80's with a very high dew point.  I spent some time talking with Terry at the stable.  He's such a nice man & tries so hard to keep all the horses comfortable.  He's been working on the steep drop out of Farah's stall door to her run.  I think we'll end up hauling rock & making sure she can't slip a foot under the edge of the stall wall...

In the Timber~

At Waubonsie - as we pulled in - it was hard to miss the only campers in the horse park.  The outdoor shower is pretty slick! 

Nice set-up!

There were no vehicles around.  By the time we'd returned, still no one around.  There was one other family camping.  They said they'd be riding horses tomorrow - no horses with them today.  I was so surprised there weren't more people here - with the three-day weekend upon us!

Bark!

Thank you to Raym for the identification!  This is the bark of an Ash tree - just amazing.

Tree down~

We've had to duck under this tree forever, then the man who's been working on the trails cut the lower branches off.  Now - it had fallen completely over the trail - but a new path goes around it on the left!

Soft Trails!

All the trails had been gone over again & are just SO nice!  You can plainly see why Farah doesn't need shoes here!  Her hind feet step into the depressions left from her front :-)  We do this loop twice usually.

Deer in the bush~

We saw her before she saw us :-)  Talk about blend in!  Farah is actually getting used to the deer jumping out now.  I think we chase them from one end of the park to the other.

More barbed wire~

Our BCH friends Robert & Amy, took out a good section of wire that had caused a couple accidents the weekend of our work-party - but there's more in this spot.   Rusty barbed wire is one of the reasons I don't go off trail.  Too many years of old fences everywhere.

Cool shrooms or fungi~

Today we trotted, galloped & Farah was smooth as silk all afternoon.  When we returned & talked to the couple camping - they mentioned that they liked the trails here better than where they're from.  The Bedford area is near the Lake of Three Fires!  I couldn't imagine why?  Three Fires is so pretty & has more miles of trail.  They explained it's the best place for technical hills & that is So true.  Farah is staying in wonderful condition & I'm sure the dirt footing will add years to her longevity.

The "rear view"~

I love sitting & watching Farah graze, she's so good about staying close.  She's much more relaxed this year.  Butch thinks it's because she's no longer the lonely, only horse.  In WA we rode with friends when we could - so she could socialize.  Now - she has that at the stable & our rides have become our together time.  She's always happy to see me & ready to jump in the trailer.

It will be a working weekend for us - I'm hopeful that Butch will get the sliding door installed in the family room!

First of August~

After our ride last Monday, the rain came & trails were closed :-(  This rain was a nice normal rain - it reminded me of a rainy WA day.  No lightening, thunder, or sideways rain.  Just the moisture the farmers were praying for.

When I walked into Farah's stall, she guided me outside & introduced me to the horse on the far side of her paddock.  He's a very nice handsome, young, dark bay QH.  A friendly fellow & much calmer than the crazy Arab she still manages to ignore.

Farah's new fashion statement~

After the hoards of buzzing bugs that attacked us at Lake of Three Fires & seeing what some of the riders in that area use - I ordered a crocheted fly veil for Farah.  I'm going to see if I can find a pattern & try making one just for fun.  It's been years since I've done any crocheting at all - my hands & fingers are a bit stiffer these days.

Down the trail at Waubonsie

I'd heard rumors that the campground at Waubonsie fills up during the week of the Sidney Rodeo - & it's this week!  But when I pulled in, there was only one group of people, without horses, drinking beer.  I know it was beer, because they left the empties in the box, in a bag, on the table.  They did this - when the dumpster was only maybe ten-steps away.

Big Trees here too come down~

This tree took some work to cut through - there are a few places that need work & BCH is hoping to get some of it done.  Here - DNR is totally against civilians using power tools in the woods.

Heading down~

It was so very muggy & so very humid that Farah would stop after galloping up some of the climbs.  She was covered with a thin sheen of sweat within minutes.  Funny though - the bugs weren't nearly as bad as they have been.

Another tree covering the trail~

This one, riders have been getting around for some time.  We took a trail we normally don't & that's where it was.  Instead of going back into camp after our first loops, we just stayed out in the shade finding what trails we could for a couple more miles.  On many, the Stinging Nettles are so tall that they are taking over.  This would be easy to fix if we could go in with weed whackers...

Butterweed~

I think the flowers above are Butterweed.  They have a yellow center & fit the description.  They were beautiful & bright on a sunny bright day!  

Back~

 Once back at the trailer, I dismounted to find these weird green things stuck all over Farah's chest, neck & upper legs.  They were almost boomerang shaped, green & maybe 1/2 inch long.  Almost like Velcro - both sides of the tiny things covered with little hooks - but they didn't hurt.  After I washed her down, she rolled, grazed a while, then came over to stand by me where I was sitting in the door of the tack room.  She cocked a hind leg & we both enjoyed or quiet time together.  I'm already looking forward to Fall!

Lake of Three Fires~

A cooler day, lower humidly & the yearn to see new trails!  We were on the road early for the 100-mile drive to Lake of Three Fires State Park.  Butch & I first visited here on the fifteenth to help local riders do some trail-clearing.  We saw enough of the park - to make me want to bring Farah & see the trails from the saddle.

 It seemed like a long drive down - but well worth it!

Beautiful camping~

I'd picked up a map.  The trails where Butch & I had cleared were at south end of the lake - I rode out that direction.  What plan I had - was to ride the trails closest to the water all the way around.

Signage~

The signage couldn't have been better.  The Rangers had driven us over the bridge below before dropping us off, so I knew we were heading the right way.

Bridge Ahead~

Farah stopped to look - almost in surprise - then walked across - the concrete making a hollow sound.  At the first fork, we turned right & soon were rewarded with our first view of the lake.

From the south~

There was a footpath & narrow bridge below us, our trail turned to my left.

Another sign - with a notation in red - that the it was eight-miles around the lake!

Looking north~

We were in the shade, the bugs weren't too bad & there was a cool breeze.  The map showed more trails, too fun!

One of the wider trails~

The scenery was stunning!  No, it's not the high country, nor the wild beauty of the Western States, but for the heart of the Midwest - it's a gem.

First of the ponds~

We came upon one of the ponds, there are four on the map, along with two large wetland areas.  Wetlands are so rare here & there's an effort to restore them.

Across the dike~

The day was heating up - we both looked forward to the next section of trees as the trail wound around.  The next pond had a picnic table & we crossed another dike before dropping down to the edge of the lake again.

Looking back south at the lake~

The trail did a super job of winding from up on the hillside, back to the waterfront & we enjoyed several great views from different points along the shoreline.

Close to the north end~

Still following the signposts, we'd found the point where the trail turned almost due south, back toward camp, or up & onto what I'll call the perimeter trails.  My Garmin was showing just over six-miles - I decided to forgo our ride around - for seeing more trail!  We took the left fork at the "Y" that turned north.

Blooming lily's

It took us to yet another pond, where the water lily's were in full bloom!

Going up~

From there, we were on an overgrown two-track that eventually took us back into the woods & past an amazing wetland.

Wetland~

There was absolutely no movement in the water.

From the far end~

I didn't see another wetland?  But we did find the another pond.  We'd been going along the west boundary of the park.

Pond furthest west~

I stopped to take a photo when I heard a dry rustling sound & Farah jumped!  I looked up to see a Huge doe go jumping & running across the hillside on the far side of the fence.  It is Totally amazing how high they jump & how fast they go!

Young buck

By the time I'd collected Farah & got my camera ready - I caught a quick shot of a young buck - following the doe.  Just a short trot further & we made the turn back onto the trail where we'd started our ride.  Once back at camp, I looked around & found a trail heading to the north.

North trail bridge~

When we'd made the turn at the top, I'd ridden down the trail way & could just see a bridge.  Now, after another short trot, I recognized the same bridge, only from the other direction.  I was glad I'd decided to turn & follow the perimeter trails back.

A drink~

There was actually a little creek here that horses could access, with rock, rather than the usual mud.  I think Farah was as surprised as I was.  This is the first time she's been able to get a drink on the trail.

Our route~

We covered twelve-miles & appreciated every one.  Back in camp I used our new hose & nozzle to spray Farah down.  Much easier & faster than using buckets!  She even allowed me to spray her face - a first!

Drying in the shade~

 We'd ridden the trails for a little longer than the round-trip drive time.  A perfect place for a weekend camping trip!