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!

Learning my Cues~

We left for Waubonsie around noon & no one was around when we arrived.  It was very warm, mid-80's - or seemed so after the last few days of wonderful, cooler weather.  Since the bugs were already attacking at the trailer when I was saddling up - I decided that Farah could wear her bug bonnet.

On our way~

 After six-years together - Farah has me pretty well trained!  Today - I realized that she has probably taught me as many cues as I've taught her :-)

Sunshine on the leaves~

One of my funniest cues, is when she comes to an abrupt halt - circles her body around my leg, then  turns her head just enough to makes eye contact.  This means;  "There's a bug on my butt!"  Sure enough - every time - there's a horse fly to smack!

Snacking~

 There's the snack cue too - this one comes usually at the top of a big climb, a slow-down, a hesitation & half-halt.  The half-halt is the cue that someone wants to stop for a bite.  If she doesn't find what she likes on the ground...

Foraging~

 There's always the tree leaves!  She really seemed to like the leaves of the Paw Paw tree, but I only let her have a bite or two.  I have no idea if they are good or bad for her.  They say that one of the reasons horses have lasted so long as a species is their ability to forage for food.  They are not classified as grazers, but foragers.

Dry marsh area~

 The area above, usually holds some water, but since we've had no rain for a couple weeks now, it's down to the muddy bottom.

Wildlife prints~

It was pretty interesting to see the different animals footprints in the mud.  All looking for the water I'm sure.

New hole :-(

 I looked down to see that I've worn a hole in the side of my Crazy Leg Tights :-)  Right where my right hand holds my stick.  Maybe I'll ask Diane to make me a pair with a wear patch in this spot?  The cotton don't last as long - but they are the coolest in the hot temps.

Bottom of the middle loop~

 I've finally memorized the layout of the trails - it takes me a while - as Farah well knows!  She made sure today that we took the loop I'd looked for last week.

When we rode into camp, a huge rig was parked right behind us.  Bad me, I'd not checked the campsite sign to see that it had been reserved.  Raylan (one of the park rangers) had just driven in. I apologized to him & moved the Bronco & trailer up & out of the way.

I'd noticed when we'd pulled in - the manure pits were brim full.  We'd cleaned these down to the dirt during our workparty.  I watched as the rigs came in, horses were unloaded into the corrals, but then - people proceeded to clean out their trailers & dump the manure in the already overflowing areas at each end of the corrals!  Is this a lack of education, manners or WHAT?!  It certainly is not in keeping with the Back Country Horseman's Leave No Trace ethics.  We'd had this problem at the tree farms in WA - private property & even there people would clean out their trailers & toss the debris into the woods.

I wanted So badly to say something...  but I really felt it wasn't my place & I'd just end up making people defensive.  I'm going to bring the topic up when I speak to Rayland again - maybe signage would help?  Something to the effect;  "Pack it in, Pack it Out!"  I'm also going to check into obtaining some Leave No Trace pamphlets to hand out.

Update~  Here, using the manure bunkers is a perfectly acceptable practice & the parks allow for it.

Adaptations~

  There's something about Iowa, a richness you can almost taste...   An earthiness that feels so totally different from the logged wastelands of the foothills I was so familiar with in Western, WA.  You can smell it of an evening - when the heat is lifting off the land.  Even under cultivation forever - it has somehow retained it's soul~

Today was forecast to be the coolest of the week, I couldn't let that pass me by, after the last days soared into the 90's.  Farah was very happy to see me.  She had a nasty, crusty thing the size of a dime under her jaw & the fly's are now out in full force.

On the lush green trail~

After a quick grooming & lots of bug spray, we were on our way to what has become our usual hangout - Waubonsie State Park.  It was a surprise to see one couple there, sitting in the shade & getting ready to leave.  Another gentleman pulled in & they all spoke of the heat, so I didn't feel like such a wimp.

Pawpaw Trees~

We were quickly on the trail & into the most welcome shade.  Farah seems to enjoy our time together, as much as I do.  I think we both appreciate the other more - now that we don't see each other every day.  That has been one of the many things we've both had to adapt to.  Just the out & back to the stable is a 15-mile round-trip & I'm lucky she's that close.  Add the 33-mile trip south, once I'm out on Hwy 29 & riding has become an expensive hobby.

Small slide along a Waubonsie Trail

Looking at this little slide today - it reminded me of the area on the Whitehorse Trail.  The Loess Hills being comprised of wind-blown silt from the glaciers.  The Western, WA soils, volcanic.  Each of different composition, but unstable when the rains come.   Here, the trails become so slick as to be unrideable.

Slide on the Whitehorse Trail, Jan. 19, 2015

We did our first set of loops - what's become our usual direction, it was so beautiful & cool in the woods.  I saw a very large Wild Grape vine, that had wrapped itself up this very tall tree.  I'm so glad I got them all cut away from our trees & shrubs along the creek.

Grape Vine~

After going back to camp for our lunch break, I decided that we'd do the loops in the reverse.  This was the first way I'd ridden the trails here & soon realized it's the way the signage directs & most riders go.  You do have plenty of hill work either direction, but going with the signage gives more downhill.  I had a new acquaintance tell me the other day; she felt the hills here are too difficult for a lot of the horses.

Warning sign~

It is steep, no doubt about it, the short ups & downs so different from the very long downs & very long up's of our old favorite place to ride, Victoria.  There, in just two-more miles, we only had 1,482 in elevation gain, compared with 1,717 today.  It seems a lot more fun with more change in the topography & Farah loves it.

In the greens~

Here, most people call the woodlands, Timber.  The same term used in Western, WA by logging companies to describe an area that they plan to clear-cut.  Cedars, Douglas Fir, Hemlock etc.  The Iowa DNR- uses the word for the same purpose.  A description of what they harvest to; "Meet forest management objectives."  I have to wonder what the objectives are to bring back even a portion of our native forest lands that been lost nationwide.

Maidenhair Ferns~

Forget what I said about the ferns not being up!  This hillside covered with Maidenhair ferns was just stunningly beautiful - my camera didn't want to focus on them for whatever reason.  I'll have to try again!

Shell Bark Hickory~

Neither of us thought the loops were as fun this direction, but our pace was faster than our last visit & it was very warm.  By the time we were back at the trailer & as I started to unsaddle, Farah's belly was dripping sweat.  She again didn't drink during our lunch break - but emptied two small buckets on our return!

Tail on the move~

Another bath - for us both!  The flies are horrible now, they swarm the trailer the minute we pull in.  Even spraying inside the trailer didn't deter them.  I've probably spent a fortune on fly spray now & have three different brands. 

Once back at the stable, I used Equi-spot this time & asked how to turn the fan on in Farah's stall.  I'd also bought Shoofly horse leggings long before we left WA.  I got them out - they were supposed to have been smalls - but no - they were large & she walked out of them...  I don't even remember where I ordered them.  A trip to Council Bluffs to buy more - soon!  Yes, we had annoying pests in WA - but not like here.   Farah - who has never liked bugs & been a prima-donna up to now - is learning to adapt too...

Butch & I decided to bring Farah & go through a year - before making any further decisions.  She's my horse-of-a-lifetime, but here, horses stand more than they're used & I now see why.  Riding as much as I was used to - has not happened.  (Most horse people here, take summer horse camping trips to other nearby states.)  With Butch working & the projects we have at home, our priorities have changed.  Realistically - riding in cooking hot summer temperatures & freezing cold winter ones - even if there is any place open within 50-miles to ride - isn't something I enjoy...  I wonder now what further adaptations we may have ahead... 

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!