Here we were, thankful for one more sunshine day! The original plan had been to ride with Joyce & Chris too, at Taylor Mountain. Sadly, the trails were closed due to wind, rain & downed trees. With over 100-miles between us & even then - not so much the distance as the traffic - we decided to forgo the group ride until my return in June.
It was super that Charlotte & Fancy live north & could join us! It had been several years since Farah & I had see them! The last time had been my favorite ride up Stimson Hill.
Charlotte, Fancy, Mary, Oliver
It was very chilly though! We started out under the clouds, then moved off into the warmer sunshine. When I gave Farah a chance at the lead, she took me bipping & bopping down the trail. I could feel a bit of the unevenness she's experienced with the changes in Farriers, but new shoes were scheduled. She did some head shaking, loosening herself up from her adjustment. I held her back to 20-mph for her little running bursts.
Just past this new-to-me clear cut & around the corner, we heard the sound of water, lots of water! A new waterfall had cut into the hillside. It was back just far enough I couldn't get the photo with my phone. Now, I was wishing for my camera with the zoom!
Charlotte laughing at Oliver trying to make friends with Fancy :-)
By the time we reached the monument, the clouds had again caught us! The air was damp & chilly! My gloves weren't waterproof & I wished I'd brought others. We had a quick snack before going back out onto the roads.
Fancy & Charlotte~
The pair above have always been one of my all-time favorite teams. At 21-years of age, Fancy is coming up on 3,000 endurance miles & still looks as fit & healthy as ever. I can only hope the years are as kind to Farah...
Farah & Connie at the Monument~
We didn't go through the deep, dark, woods. Trails are closed. Those trails are steep in places & can be so slippery. Instead, we cut up the road to the overlook.
Lake McMurray~
It was almost a religious experience, to be here again. Farah felt it too. The trees on the hillside keep growing taller & taller. I can only hope the view remains open, since it's so beautiful. We polished up a very nice ten-plus mile ride!
Our loop~
Google seems to have corrected the issues I was having downloading images of our track. Of course I don't use it very often now!
Farah in a Lark Song cooler~
Mary ordered wool coolers for her farm. This one fit Farah perfectly. I brushed her down as good as I could. (The tail still needs a lot of work...) I've got to order Farah another Epona face cloth, she used to enjoy it on her face after a ride, so much. Her soft brush had to suffice.
Linda met us at the trailhead & we drove to La Hacienda for my birthday dinner! Mary caught us all up on current trail issues. She has many plans & ideas on how to successfully keep horses on the trails, against the mounting number of bikes. The three of us listened.
Linda, Charlotte, Mary & me~
Back at the farm, I put Farah's heavier blanket on, the one she's been in. I brushed her out, since the new cooler had done it's job. Again, I stood in the stall with her for an extra minute or two. She seemed in no hurry for water, or to head out into her paddock. She put the soft side of her muzzle against my cheek. Her way to tell me goodbye...
As yummy as it looks! Dark Chocolate scratch cake!
I hustled back to Duvall in time for a delicious home made chocolate birthday cake & the enjoyment of listening to our grand-kids sing happy birthday!. :-) Courtney helped me pack all the last minute items & lent me a suitcase to fit the large insulator she found for me!
At Sea-Tac, the suitcase with the insulator was sent off on a different conveyor belt for special inspection! The poor TSA agent had to ask me just what it was? When I said; "A birthday present." I think he thought I was daft! :-) Heading home!
Today dawned cool, clear & beautiful. The coolest day in the next few to come. I was on the road for the farm fairly early to pick Farah up. We were meeting up again with Roxi & Sandra at Waubonsie. It's so nice to have the trails there open, since they are the closest & have enough hills for a decent workout.
Farah enjoying the grass~
At the stable, Farah was covered in mud. With the recent rain & the fact that her run had only been partially scraped clear. Debris everywhere - trapped the rainwater - creating more mucky areas & depriving her of the spot where she likes to roll. We pulled into the park early - lots of grooming & finally saddled by the time Roxi & Sondra arrived.
Roxi had filled me in on the day's training pace & I was game. Farah was more than game - she absolutely loved it :-) The first set of loops, my friends rode bay mares, I kept Farah back & since we were moving out - Farah was fine with that. I didn't take pictures! I was too busy riding :-) We finished the first set & our second time out was with the grays!
Roxi in the lead~
At one point, Roxi said; "Watch for the tree." on a sharp corner with a steep hill coming up. I lost a stirrup - Farah felt it & gave me a 1/2 stride to recover it - before blasting up the hill! :-) Such a good girl! I've been riding without my 1/2 chaps, just long socks under my tights. So far - no heat rash & really no rubbing either. Of course today was far from hot & humid - so we'll see how it goes as things heat up.
Speeding along~
I just had to pull out my camera & get a photo. We did well over 12-miles, with a really great average moving speed. The fastest & farthest we've gone since moving here. Our elevation gain was over 1,700 ft. - which I would not have believed possible. I used to get that at Victoria over about the same distance.
Sondra & Roxi
I was determined to get a photo of these two & had to laugh when I saw this one :-)
Our route~
It felt so darn good to be riding so hard! Farah has amazed me with the way she's held her condition. I wish I'd held mine as well! :-) When we got back, she emptied a bucket of water, rolled & enjoyed me sponging her down. I think it was her breakfast that was in her feed bucket when we returned to the stable. She scarfed that down & had another big drink of water.
I came home the most pleasantly sore & tired that I've been in a very long while & it felt darn good! Having great riding partners who enjoy the same sport I do has sure helped. I may find myself doing some endurance in the mid-west before the season is over. A tired, happy wife makes Butch's life a bit easier too :-)
I'm sorry, (Not really!) but there wasn't a one of us who could possibly believe that a day like this could possibly happen in February! It was sunny, warm, light breeze, no bugs, just a totally perfect day to do about anything - especially ride!
Pete, Jo, Sue & Connie
We again went over to the Nebraska side of the river to enjoy the great riding at Two Rivers State Recreation Area. Butch & Nika came too - Butch is still studying - the park is a very pleasant place to read! Since I'd set the bar high - passing the test for my CDL the first time, my husband had to do the same & did! :-)
Ice still in the shaded areas~
I had expected our little group from last week for today's ride, so the surprise was on me when we had a much larger group! Farah - after being so darn nice last Friday - was ornery today. The larger group of horses got her excited - but she was giving me her head & at least didn't buck.
Following Sue & Jaz at the river~
We tagged onto Sue & Jaz - that kept us moving forward - always a good thing! Later on in the ride, we went up front & rode with Taylor on Daisy - a beautiful cream buckskin mare who does a lot of gaming & can move out! :-) Farah of course was all over that! We did some trotting & a bit of cantering.
On the Trail~
We met up with Sue again & this time Farah took the lead & finally calmed down. I gave her a carrot - that gave her something to chomp on besides the bit. Still - she gave me a very nice frame. This is the time of year that we'd usually be conditioning for Mt. Adams - so it's time for me to look at the ride schedule & find one that looks good for us!
Our stalwart group of riders!
We had so much fun! At one point someone said; "Gosh, who could believe that we're riding in February, in weather like this, in Iowa!" The next comment; "We're in Nebraska!" :-) OK, we'll take it! Whatever state we're in - it was the perfect place to be - on the back of a horse!
