Saturday was a busy day. Linda & I had planned to leave for the eastside, but I was invited to stay over. Unknown to me, my friends were networking, in the hope of finding someone local who would be a good match for Farah.
A huge load of hay had been delivered, Farah's shoeing had taken a while too. An old
BCHW acquaintance stopped by to chat & admire Farah. He & his wife are almost ready to replace aging mounts. They are one of the few couples, who still pack into the back country. After his departure, the trailer truck & trailer were by the barn, ready to go! Barb packed snacks, we were going to ride!
 |
| Farah, back in black! |
Every aspect of being with Farah, every moment, is golden. Tacking her up with her own tack - was a pleasure. Our only issue came, when I asked her to take the bit. For the first time ever - she refused - clamping her teeth. Barb looked over questioningly? I had to take my time, talk softly & good girl she is, she accepted. We laughed, watching as Farah realized the bit was
hers & started to lick & chew. I used the new little cell phone pouch Joyce made for us - for the first time! It worked Great! Very quick & easy to pull my phone out for photo ops!
 |
| Obscured views~ |
Once we'd gone through the woods surrounding the camping area, it was like a different world. Over four-years - things change. We both remembered this clear-cut.
 |
| An eerily quiet day~ |
We moved on across it & an upper part of what had been such a beautiful forested trail was still there.
 |
| On the trail through the woods~ |
I never ask for a destination when I'm riding with Barb &/or Scott! It would almost be sacrilege, having never been on anything but
amazing rides with them! My mind went into a time warp - I would have been happy if it had lasted forever.
 |
| Barb has the "clip & go" down pat! :-) |
It's been so very dry, the branches of the trees had curled & dropped low. I wished for my clippers, but TSA would not have approved.
 |
| The infamous bridge~ |
Barb wanted us to check out the trail going to the bridge Farah & I had
fallen off of back in June of 2014. I actually spotted the turn - emblazoned in my memory. The bridge had been removed & placed off to the side, shortly after our accident.
A new trail had been cut around the creek/washout bed. Now, someone had put the bridge back across... Probably a bike rider. Much too dangerous now, it becomes another item on Scott & Barb's long list - removing it yet again! We'd had a big work party & cleared the trail to look like a freeway - but years of growth have obscured it again.
 |
| Farah waits~ |
Farah has never forgotten either. When we've come to the area, she lets me know, she does not want to go
that way! We
did cowgirl up & do the
new trail with Joyce - but both of us were nervous wrecks until we were safely past
the spot!
 |
| A smoke filled sky~ |
Above is one of my favorite & most beautiful areas of the climb. Especially in the fall with the huckleberry & vine maples turning color. The views off to the east are amazing too.
 |
| Farah listens~ |
With the blackberries finally ripe, the Bears are about! We stopped for our lunch break in the clear-cut area below, where Scott had installed tie rings into the big stumps. He now has to paint them a matt color, to prevent people from spotting them, pulling them out & stealing them. You've got to wonder at the mind-set of people who do these things?
 |
| Rio & Farah wait~ |
Rio long ago made it plain to Farah - she is ignored :-) So dry - nothing either horse was interested in munching on. The apples Barb brought sure hit the spot though! I got a dirty look for feeding Rio Farah's apple core :-) We watched as the smoke came & went. Once in a while you could just see the outline of the peaks, but then even that would disappear...
 |
| The Sun~ |
It reminded me of the day Linda & I rode just before a big earthquake hit. The quiet was palpable...
We turned back, about 1-1/2 hours to return to the trailer.
 |
| Our route~ |
Once back, I discovered my knees really didn't think I needed to drop to the ground from the saddle. I used the trailer fender for the first time ever to dismount! All the bike riding I've done & my knees said; "No"! :-)
We were just a
little later than Scott had expected us to return :-) Pizza sounded like a really good idea!
