stranger things

Our trails have oddities. Remnants of mining operations and dam building have left debris scattered and hidden throughout our canyons.

But when a friend posted a photo of the flying barrels, I had to check that one out myself. And even better, it was less than two miles from my house (as the crow flies).

western fence lizard keeps watch

maybe for measuring water levels as the proposed lake would rise?

This canyon has so many trails, most not marked or noted on many maps, but only found by exploration, word of mouth, and in my case, adventuring to find those crazy barrels!

seriously purple: purple larkspur (I think)

Down, down, down. I knew approximately where the barrels were. There were other finds along the way. But then there they were, floating above our heads, so many barrels on a wire! Kegger at the river!

barrels hanging in the sky!

strange, right?

tree isn't letting go!

Fascinatingly strange. The only clues I can find are people commenting they are from the long-derailed dam construction (it was halted in the late 1970s). The barrels would have floated on the surface of the water, to keep boats from getting too close to the dam. If so, they were WAY ahead of themselves with this project!

river stop, making stacks

After a brief stop by the river, what goes down must come up: 1000 feet in about a mile. Luckily there were lots of wildflowers to use as an excuse to stop and take photos.

taking a breather: look, fringepod!

American River below

This cliffside trail has seen better days, this winter created a lot of erosion, and there are too many low hanging branches for me to want to take my tall horse on it. But some do, as there were occasional hoofprints! I was content on my own two feet to take in the view.

Pardner's rock: Huge granite monolith alongside the trail

But I saw a lot of cool side trails, with more places to explore. And hopefully more places for stranger things.

what goes down...

conversations with major: my day

Hi Major, why are your face and legs all wet?
I was snorkeling!
In your trough? Is that why it was broken last week?
Um, no? 
Well, let's go out and play!
Or just eat grass?
But it's almost your birthday. Let's do something fun.
MY day! Oh Boy!
 

acceptable birthday hat

embarrassing birthday hat

Birthday hat time! Good thing I found it, a little flattened in the trailer.
Yeah…great. Look, I already have a hat.
That is grass on your head. It does not count. It's not so bad, just one photo.
Fine. But I won't smile.
Of course you wont.

So where do you want to go today?
The lake!
You always pick the lake.
The forest is around and about in the mud, not fun.
Well, you're kind-of right.
The lake is fun!
Well, it's a mess this year.
But I want to…
Ok, no whining, off to the lake we go.

mud under the green

NOT the lake, a dumb puddle

where is the trail?

stop taking pictures of orange flowers!

Are we there yet?
We have to get through the forest first.
There is still lots of mud.
Look, the lake.
THAT is not the lake. It is a puddle. It does not count.
But look at all the tadpoles! OK, go this way.
Where is the trail? I just see snacks.
Covered in clover, hopefully we can ride out here more before our trails disappear!
Stop taking flower pictures, the lake is over there! 
 

I see the lake!

sticks…but grass too!

splashy fun

water, a snack, this is the best day

The lake! Oh, and sticks. Yuck.
Yeah, there is a lot of debris this year. Let's find a safe place.
Here! Snacks!
Just a bit father is a clear space.
Splashing! Snorkeling! Oh yeah!
I'm glad you're happy.
I love this!
I know.

seriously, that's the trail?

Flowers are nice, dry trail is better

Ok, let's head back now.
The trail is underwater. I don't like it.
You were JUST in the lake.
Not the same.
But look at all the flowers!

Not. Funny.

We're home, and almost done for the day.
I see my mash.
It is soaking, now you have to as well.
I'm fine.
No, you need a bath.
This is not what I want for my birthday.
It's just more water.
Not FUN water. 
 

heading home to mash

it's got the good stuff

Mash time?
Yes, now it is mash time.
Oh boy, it has the extra yum!
Just some rice bran.
It's my favorite!
I know. It's your day.
I liked my day. Can I have my day tomorrow too?
Always Major. Always.

sour

a full lake, wildflowers, what could be sour?

 The green grass is delicious. Even the flowers are sweet. And Major is sour.

He drags his feet towards to trailhead. Is he ok? Does he feel sick, feet hurt, saddle pain? Turn back towards home…ZOOM!

how to pose your horse when you want a picture of the wall: mouthful of wildflowers

In the last month there hasn't been much riding. After the cancellation of our planned 50, I stopped conditioning (not planning another ride till July). I was tired of dealing with mud, which is still abundant. A few easy rides (and mistakes), but I've mostly been taking him out hiking, trying to heal my own injured elbow.

Well, hikes are only two to four miles. And he gets to stop often and have a grass snack as I catch my breath up those big hills (that I appreciate even more now). Not much real work for Major.

Our last ride was turning into a battle of wills, the minute I'd stop nagging, he'd slow to a crawl. Not working for me. Constant nagging is not an option. So we turned for home.

Not to give up, or give in, but to control the battle. Trot home! Now away from home! Now down this side trail, home, away, repeat! Do what I ask, please, and not later, but now!

Up the hill. And repeat.

I don't know if I do things correctly. I do what works for me. This got Major focused on my requests, got some energy out, but also got me a horse who walked home on a loose rein. The big, steep hill we worked a couple times might have helped too…

why walking home safely is important: pavement

going home: roadside grape vines