Farah's Second Year in Iowa ~

Our second year - seemed to fly by faster than the first!  It was the unexpected & unplanned that demanded a certain amount of fortitude.   

Farah wanted another selfie, the day after we'd returned from our Christmas trip to WA.  I honestly think she recognized us on the phone!  We were so happy to be together again. Ten-degrees felt cold - at least to me! The New Year seemed filled with promise, shiny & bright!

January 4th~  Happiness is!

 I took advantage of the indoor arena at Farah's stable.  February, we managed to get in a ride at Two Rivers State Recreation Area, NE.  With more snow on the ground than we'd expected, it was slippery, but felt so good to be out!

Two-Rivers, February 17th~

 March, friends offered Farah a home on their farm. It took a lot of work to get the little barn ready.  By month's end, Farah had moved from the boarding stable to the farm!  I'd be able to ride the fields & secondary country roads without trailering to far off parks with limited trails.

Sunset at the Farm, March 3rd~

It was great to have Farah totally in our care again, the farm felt like an extension of home.  I unpacked all the boxes of tack & thanks to my husband - had a real tack room again. I took advantage of every opportunity to ride.  We both enjoyed exploring new places.  Leaving in a different direction almost every day & some days visiting friends who lived within riding distance.

April 27th~

The ride above, was to be the last day I'd have full vision in my right eye.  That evening - the blotches appeared & have never left.  The cause was a blood clot in the central artery (CRAO).  Time & physical therapy helped, but the adjustment is ongoing.  I think of that ride - often.

Lush greens, May 15th~

Early spring was spectacular. The countryside came alive with every shade of green. Summer was hot & humid, with more rain than usual.  By June, with the help of a Village of our friends, the fencing was completed for Farah's pasture!  I was so happy to think that after over a year, she would have a place to enjoy her freedom & grazing.  Sadly, it was not to be so - the bugs off the fields attacked her in hordes every time we took her out.

The Pasture, June 24th~

 The bugs were horrible, Farah appreciated her mask, her leggings & fly spray.  No fan, as there was no electricity to the barn.

6-29-18 Bandaged

The end of June, we received a call.  Farah had jumped her enclosure & escaped onto the road.  We're sure she was driven to it by bugs coming in off the fields to attack her.  A big Vet bill, but the damage was superficial.  This was the first time she had Ever had an injury of any kind. Undoubtedly the scariest thing to have ever happened to her & to us...

Farah's summer look :-) Waubonsie, July 26th~

 July, Butch drove us to Waubonsie, where we rode all our favorite trails.  It was a really fun place to ride the hills & great for conditioning, but not as beautiful as Pierce Creek.

8-15-18 Rain Ridin'

The ability to ride out from the farm was such a blessing.  No trailering & enough riding to keep us occupied.  One of my favorite rides, was in the rain.

8-30-18 Almost to Mineola~

I'd had a plan - to try to ride Farah from the farm, to the Wabash Trail & from there to Mineola.  Horses are not allowed on that section, but no one was ever out during the week & we'd be quick :-)   At Tobey Jacks, Farah was served washed, cut, cold carrots!  Wow!  Now, her favorite restaurant too :-)

9-8-18 Pierce Creek~

Pierce Creek was a favorite for us both.  Farah loved it so much, she'd get excited before we were even close to the trail where I could let her open up!  Here too, with water available, she could have a nice bath after a hot sweaty ride.

September, I made the decision to send Farah back to WA.  After two-years of trying to make riding work here for the gold girl & me - it was over.  We'd given it our best shot...  In the end, I have to pray I made the right decision for the welfare of a superior mare.

Farah, September 8th~

For the first time in almost 30-years, I end this year without a ride...  My long-time riding friends in WA will understand - the massive change this has been for me...  I used to ride the old year out & sometimes, the New Year in...  Time has moved on - life has moved on & I'm moving with it - abet on foot.

Comfort & Joy to you in the New Year!

Two Rivers - A Year Later~

It's nice to have a friend that's also chomping on the bit to get out for a ride.  I was watching the weather all week.  A plan to travel over to Two Rivers State Recreation Area, in NE for a February ride, was put in place.  Another 100+ mile round-trip, but with open trails - we couldn't resist. 

My time in the arena with Farah was well spent.  She was standing in the sun when I arrived & was totally relaxed.  She loaded into the trailer, jumped out, turned, jumped in & we were on our way :-)  I met John & Margie at the new Love's on Hwy 34.  About an hour on the road & we driving in the park gate.  We paid for our passes & went to the horse area to find it covered in snow, ice & slush.  We decided to go park in the paved area just past the cabooses.

The trails~

For whatever reason, I expected to find conditions similar to what they were last year this same weekend, but I was wrong.  The lawn areas were snow covered with ice underneath, from the frequent freezing & thaws. The trails were about 3" deep in snow that was starting to melt.

The Platte River~

It was just a bit slippery to say the least.  We decided to tour around on the paving & I enjoyed seeing all the nice camping that's available here.  Several spots are right along the river.  We crossed over to see the river, where there was no sign of the ice breaking up yet.  I'll take a few more warm days for that to happen & we may not get those quite yet.

Informative signage~

I had never heard of the Oto Indians, they certainly lived in a beautiful spot.  A spot so desirable to the white man, that like all the other tribes, they were soon displaced.

A dry access road~

I found one of the roads we'd ridden last year, it was the driest of the ride & probably just off the park.  The sun felt so warm & there was no wind!

Farah~

This park covers 644 land acres & has 320 water acres, in seven sandpit lakes.  The lakes are stocked for fishing & the park has an active hunting season.  The Rangers mentioned that Geese hunters might be out, so Farah wore her orange rump rug.

Sycamore Tree~

Margie had given me a Sycamore seedball from her tree a couple weeks ago.  Today she pointed out the tree itself.  What a beauty!  The white bark is a nice contrast this time of year & this tree was still loaded with it's seeds.  I picked one as we rode underneath.

Margie & John

We found a couple trails that I hadn't ridden on my last two visits - that was fun!  The big sandy field was fun too!  John menioned that way back when, horses could go anywhere in the park, no trails needed.

The two of us~

Farah gave me a very nice ride, I think she was as happy to be out as I was.  Margie & John were gracious enough to let her lead most of the day.  She is such a good leader - she sets her pace & these two Missouri Fox Trotters have no problem keeping up with her walk.  

Toward the River~

We did want to go ride the river trail & got within 100-ft. when we came to a large depression, full of water & frozen solid.  It extended past the barbed wire fence on one side & into a wetland on the other, so no way around.  We regretfully turned back & found a couple other trails to ride before calling it a day.

With another cold snap moving in - we'll have to hope that things thaw out soon & the ground gets a chance to dry out.  I want to come back when that happens - so pretty here!

You Say February?!

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!

Two Rivers State Park - Birthday Ride!

When the weather forecast was for 60+ degrees, I just kept my fingers crossed that it would be true!  On my birthday no less!  Sue & Jo invited me along to ride at Two Rivers State Park, NE - just about an hours drive from home.  My husband was kind enough to agree to drive us over.  That included hitching the trailer up over the sheet of ice that had formed just in front of the hitch.  It took 4-wheel drive to get the job done!

Farah checks things out!

 After the trailer, Farah comes next!  Butch managed to get the trailer turned & stay on the road - which was sloppy & slippery to say the least!  We used the GPS & pulled into the park right on time.  

Butch talking with Sue & Jo

 Butch & Nika were planning a nice long walk & had packed a lunch & good book!  Sue thougth that the trails might be too muddy, so we'd just planned to ride the roads - until - we saw that the trails were in much better shape than expected!

Sue - with feathers on her helmet :-)  & Jo!

 It was just so beautiful out!  We let the word "spring" spring from our lips more than once!   I loved the tour of another beautiful park!  Horse camping available here too, complete with corrals.

Entry to Horse Camp

 We took the trail along the Elkhorn River!  It was amazing to see all the sheets of ice moving in the current!  We could hear some deep sounds - the ice breaking off & entering the main flow.

Downstream ~

 The first time, the mares spooked, but on our return, even as a large piece broke away - Farah - to her credit - just kept going.

Between Sue's mare's ears :-)  Thank you Sue!

Such different views from those we've known so well - for so long.

Blocks of Ice jammed up against the river bank~

The sun felt So warm, we were soon peeling off layers!

Farah looking ahead!

 We stopped back at the Caboose Parking area to drop off coats, then headed out one more time, to the very north end of the trails & circled around an area where the Boy Scouts have been working to increase pollinators.

Pollinator Habitat Project~

 I'm looking forward to another trip here in the spring to see what has been planted.  The only major spook of the day, was when a couple hiking came around a corner & Farah thought it was a good enough excuse :-)

Returning to the parking area~

 I should have taken photos of the Cabooses!  They are available to rent & have beds, a kitchen area, bathroom with shower etc.  Very nice!  Even air-conditioning in the Summer!  We met with another group of riders, Tammy (Originator of the Great Trailriders Distance Derby) & I actually met face-to-face for the first time!  Too fun!

Our Route~

Here, where there really isn't back-country - the parks must be shared by all.  It seems that this has worked out for everyone & having trails to ride is what counts!  I'm hopeful that our new BCH Chapter can contribute trail-clearing hours at these beautiful park lands.

My first birthday in my home state for many, many years!  It was tough this morning - no happy birthday call from my mother...  But thanks to two new friends Sue & Jo - it was a Wonderful Day!