tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46951205166233587732024-03-17T20:01:38.533-07:00Trails (and Trials)Adventures with Horsesirish horsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11289040711028666546noreply@blogger.comBlogger803125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4695120516623358773.post-3181217620859900012023-12-15T05:16:00.000-08:002023-12-15T05:16:00.129-08:00almost solstice<p><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Almost solstice. And what have we been doing since I last updated back in (mumble, sorry) August?</span></p><p><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFy9_CY_s7XfyyeXQbklFSBNQEmOqTkgUriz3pjPDS6TBnAAfoHoMPW52S9-qp-Ru18CB0OShOzcU_XUmAoqV1WJ1KKf7371NSLmz9adyd9UqLauNuFx8SvYSenE3O0MU7rZmFbiKr_4-yE3yeOuSIltr-8du8vBYr_0TUIUMb1i0GDW-zRrRNUTNBy21F/s600/cute%20miles%20after%20ride.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFy9_CY_s7XfyyeXQbklFSBNQEmOqTkgUriz3pjPDS6TBnAAfoHoMPW52S9-qp-Ru18CB0OShOzcU_XUmAoqV1WJ1KKf7371NSLmz9adyd9UqLauNuFx8SvYSenE3O0MU7rZmFbiKr_4-yE3yeOuSIltr-8du8vBYr_0TUIUMb1i0GDW-zRrRNUTNBy21F/w300-h400/cute%20miles%20after%20ride.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">how cute am I?<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>First the bad: everyone in my stable (that had it's issues but was pretty damn good) was given 30 days notice. No options. Now the owners had done this before, saying (fill in the blank) insurance, cost of hay, maintenance, etc. We boarders asked if we could pay more, etc. Nope, get out. Now a nice facility with turnout and direct trail access sits empty. Probably to be sold to someone who’ll turn the pastures into an ego vineyard or some such. Sigh. <p></p><p><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4,"writingDirection":1}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib7503HdsL3pnOUO68UhYWQkWl-62XJSA8PIVyuQmZMI-DGk-V6QIWIlUKT4FrHr_LFlFo7CXN_tAa8P6sBUM06hju2TDieMNSbOHnZ4Lg5JkWiA43CDxtl-rk8ycv0phZvZ7j1D2_ITbCH0rT0tIDcLqcLqPYNQRqHk9q8oe3exXP935-15Ta1kdXBFmd/s600/miles%20waiting%20new%20pasture.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="444" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib7503HdsL3pnOUO68UhYWQkWl-62XJSA8PIVyuQmZMI-DGk-V6QIWIlUKT4FrHr_LFlFo7CXN_tAa8P6sBUM06hju2TDieMNSbOHnZ4Lg5JkWiA43CDxtl-rk8ycv0phZvZ7j1D2_ITbCH0rT0tIDcLqcLqPYNQRqHk9q8oe3exXP935-15Ta1kdXBFmd/w296-h400/miles%20waiting%20new%20pasture.jpg" width="296" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miles waiting for me in his new pasture<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjok1ybNlUoMkC14klo0s3HBkjpLlnTNcL8gbciXloGo-_0eBj4I5llemkSalASWSIQeD9O53zS1qrcCNA2P-DAcreM2juHModzPD3ensHZdQLB2dIJLEAZtNZoR9VHF0S0WF1XyUCNrx8U8uP5JJ5i3uVwF7rl5LCEhxy4T9nrBmOEYPtAjoJfPbWfIDUK/s600/new%20pasture.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjok1ybNlUoMkC14klo0s3HBkjpLlnTNcL8gbciXloGo-_0eBj4I5llemkSalASWSIQeD9O53zS1qrcCNA2P-DAcreM2juHModzPD3ensHZdQLB2dIJLEAZtNZoR9VHF0S0WF1XyUCNrx8U8uP5JJ5i3uVwF7rl5LCEhxy4T9nrBmOEYPtAjoJfPbWfIDUK/w400-h300/new%20pasture.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hanging with new buddy Copy<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>I desperately called up my friend S, who lives close to the old stable, hoping to have her place be a stopgap measure. But it’s worked out! I was worried about mixing friendship and boarding, but we’re both quite reasonable people (sometimes unusual in the horse world!) and things are good. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoSorqs-ygZVwOeIjJbCGBOkUpHpeWiOK7Okf5gnt61bJSDPMnWP5MR0hh0AGE637ifXxPzqY0P2HvdV3_u4GLZaYQOcuhl3MVraZnNgG8mJhq_uRZAmnuLTA9M5zeqKsbjsgcnY26_WZxxH8DywzLBeK6kdeoqOM3d2-cRhpNb0FstYEXDk9__29ksK5d/s600/miles%20and%20guiness.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoSorqs-ygZVwOeIjJbCGBOkUpHpeWiOK7Okf5gnt61bJSDPMnWP5MR0hh0AGE637ifXxPzqY0P2HvdV3_u4GLZaYQOcuhl3MVraZnNgG8mJhq_uRZAmnuLTA9M5zeqKsbjsgcnY26_WZxxH8DywzLBeK6kdeoqOM3d2-cRhpNb0FstYEXDk9__29ksK5d/w300-h400/miles%20and%20guiness.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">eating snack with new friend Guinness<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Except the move really stressed Miles out. Who acted colicky one morning (except ok on gut sound and EDPP) so what was going on? Ulcers. A month of treatment made him much better (though not my pocketbook).</span></p><p><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiju_1TaVyUEhAsH5ktj1gSYee0B-NRhn27YLwqu4bumCLcu9g4MVZIiUt6Vh4TCtmW-FnazF2tfWAwnL0R087Yq38W83C20Sw3vBCXyinXRFdbKdesLRY2-S3SrJi4-Nt7OdUsgx5-12jASGsw-34hOmg_gY-AOdU57vgSU4sf72VjJNSxNXsqz0mZMctl/s600/miles%20silly.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="600" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiju_1TaVyUEhAsH5ktj1gSYee0B-NRhn27YLwqu4bumCLcu9g4MVZIiUt6Vh4TCtmW-FnazF2tfWAwnL0R087Yq38W83C20Sw3vBCXyinXRFdbKdesLRY2-S3SrJi4-Nt7OdUsgx5-12jASGsw-34hOmg_gY-AOdU57vgSU4sf72VjJNSxNXsqz0mZMctl/w400-h311/miles%20silly.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">when your mom tries to take a nice picture…<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Oh, and that saddle I got from the saddle fitter? Big fat white-mark on shoulders nope. Damn. I’m back in the Freeform for now, Miles likes it and I’m used to it now, though still keeping my options open. </span><p></p><p><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHaO4EJCgAbiTgJ9PLLpnGKaEeK_Xrgkxhhdcf62rDXF761PWGNNgnqsciNF3iMEWwfFhaiRRM1Rsd3RMd7j36IVK_IkJcI_nRkP7u4ssO56sVQfFuODQLlpoHNcSSGhTJqcIP0KpyVJC0Qzmi8s5R1FDNCSW6AoVSsEuKtn60tanST9FxtcXPPLEyVT8H/s600/miles%20and%20no%20hands%20sm.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="511" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHaO4EJCgAbiTgJ9PLLpnGKaEeK_Xrgkxhhdcf62rDXF761PWGNNgnqsciNF3iMEWwfFhaiRRM1Rsd3RMd7j36IVK_IkJcI_nRkP7u4ssO56sVQfFuODQLlpoHNcSSGhTJqcIP0KpyVJC0Qzmi8s5R1FDNCSW6AoVSsEuKtn60tanST9FxtcXPPLEyVT8H/w341-h400/miles%20and%20no%20hands%20sm.jpg" width="341" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the usual no hands view<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNHkxJHCT7DT83oCIMjZ3Oj9vv6X1asl8i80p-4eSzNmhLy0WGo2WtU1PBSxkwRizBX-joZfz2Gn_c8Mq4SHYRGMnylqDF9l8WYiHi6k8i29ZJpkns8eUaU3L17giFKaD24Y75oX-J1IazH8fBCyRiqUslmzYhs1aK2KQMHBv6Sv_H9G6aoIXEWNGCnVi9/s600/miles%20bay%20boys.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="600" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNHkxJHCT7DT83oCIMjZ3Oj9vv6X1asl8i80p-4eSzNmhLy0WGo2WtU1PBSxkwRizBX-joZfz2Gn_c8Mq4SHYRGMnylqDF9l8WYiHi6k8i29ZJpkns8eUaU3L17giFKaD24Y75oX-J1IazH8fBCyRiqUslmzYhs1aK2KQMHBv6Sv_H9G6aoIXEWNGCnVi9/w400-h284/miles%20bay%20boys.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hanging with some bay boys before a ride (he's in the middle)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimOFclbKnxtQT9WUt5J6DYORKDs2h6vgaESc4FNsBiqGsZglnAGZ28-Hb7s5nx2XT8nq9w0U2rXTuASeLnrCreG-xi0ziVYXYYDKTwOHVjC1hAT3S3LcMTjaV-LqaCRbpf73JedEKdpfaajCDzcGYMplQbvPhpCJMO8B5T8jCWzmePxhSLfHKUB1SNMQpw/s600/ikea%20bag%20hay%20snack.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimOFclbKnxtQT9WUt5J6DYORKDs2h6vgaESc4FNsBiqGsZglnAGZ28-Hb7s5nx2XT8nq9w0U2rXTuASeLnrCreG-xi0ziVYXYYDKTwOHVjC1hAT3S3LcMTjaV-LqaCRbpf73JedEKdpfaajCDzcGYMplQbvPhpCJMO8B5T8jCWzmePxhSLfHKUB1SNMQpw/w300-h400/ikea%20bag%20hay%20snack.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">learning the Ikea bag is full of yummy<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>But the good! So we’ve been riding hither and yon. Lots of riding from the stable, short and long, to work on his anxiety and learn to deal with life! </span><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Our local Folsom Lake beach trail is gorgeous, even with the water low now, fall in the foothills means the grass has gone green, which Miles is all about! </span><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><p></p><p><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJW8CduWx0Do_0SgcxESyKaI2uXsIdbFcS4Qg3D3HGmKZkqsVHsms5cD6iy_6jpeYEO6uUAFMoVvDPDv8pZZuaS_PzEv4CnW5QzsAyrmkGCOKV3w9FR9KJWnksGNbZBtTs08E8enZ4AVg40AOeolyQLBjyFRPN5k18Uj2rqafc_G3FoFbC7R5Md0scauCg/s600/blue%20sky%20days.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJW8CduWx0Do_0SgcxESyKaI2uXsIdbFcS4Qg3D3HGmKZkqsVHsms5cD6iy_6jpeYEO6uUAFMoVvDPDv8pZZuaS_PzEv4CnW5QzsAyrmkGCOKV3w9FR9KJWnksGNbZBtTs08E8enZ4AVg40AOeolyQLBjyFRPN5k18Uj2rqafc_G3FoFbC7R5Md0scauCg/w400-h300/blue%20sky%20days.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">blue sky days at the lake<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We did have a fun, short trip camping at Skillman horse camp in Nevada County. Another camping trip in Pt. Reyes (where it was fun but Miles felt crummy and we went home early, that was the ulcers showing up). Really would like to do more camping next year, already penciling in some new places to check out.</span><p></p><p><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEfQZVnVcE8ybpM9hNq-hoVgwy_eVzrPcTGNRY1xN7L1gmvnFiHn898oISc45SCBFQdL4mReobHZiseY9I_QxP7cK13UM5zDJKYmk_p7vdeNm-EFLJ9ev3rugzmh0gTj8uGGFlo5aA4eSOUtaHSF3an87iuJ-ic_jNB2fpEGQMTb4w4zAqEfN6uaJ5DUy8/s600/skillman%20trails.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="507" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEfQZVnVcE8ybpM9hNq-hoVgwy_eVzrPcTGNRY1xN7L1gmvnFiHn898oISc45SCBFQdL4mReobHZiseY9I_QxP7cK13UM5zDJKYmk_p7vdeNm-EFLJ9ev3rugzmh0gTj8uGGFlo5aA4eSOUtaHSF3an87iuJ-ic_jNB2fpEGQMTb4w4zAqEfN6uaJ5DUy8/w338-h400/skillman%20trails.jpg" width="338" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skillman trails<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgixxpge8Iw8TsMJfUMNDi9N_cG1UkxnDuJ1MQPYDGgLbKDeac52WmXVI7ipYz9TyxlcAQLJY_Y90n9Rd1PaF353R0mfFX_fOfxgwpssBLIB8GGa685AOzIJoTxG9QvgQ5S1x0CRdoXczJd-5CoH9Dt5PWMHOyeIGCfR2FddjDONnRH3VWxybRD1at-QFxl/s600/camping%20skillman%2023.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgixxpge8Iw8TsMJfUMNDi9N_cG1UkxnDuJ1MQPYDGgLbKDeac52WmXVI7ipYz9TyxlcAQLJY_Y90n9Rd1PaF353R0mfFX_fOfxgwpssBLIB8GGa685AOzIJoTxG9QvgQ5S1x0CRdoXczJd-5CoH9Dt5PWMHOyeIGCfR2FddjDONnRH3VWxybRD1at-QFxl/w300-h400/camping%20skillman%2023.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skillman camping (pens are nice!)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_PCYA5CqFu4DVg_TJV4YTHAFdw1JrCcFPUaIQ2KkiIKl9ELeScLtk98xGZs37ItPVU0dLyqx2plbJl_B9g10h0udL0eaGHoprqYVDpVK3YCBJrdY5MigHaDAJRoKGpfbKiv98hpEo482GOqQ1Ia1LFM2e3lnI7TSWkGha1h9Ze4LCZvtHF37qroN6j60N/s600/skillman%20s%20and%20rocky.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_PCYA5CqFu4DVg_TJV4YTHAFdw1JrCcFPUaIQ2KkiIKl9ELeScLtk98xGZs37ItPVU0dLyqx2plbJl_B9g10h0udL0eaGHoprqYVDpVK3YCBJrdY5MigHaDAJRoKGpfbKiv98hpEo482GOqQ1Ia1LFM2e3lnI7TSWkGha1h9Ze4LCZvtHF37qroN6j60N/w300-h400/skillman%20s%20and%20rocky.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">S and Rocky in Skillman pines<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ewOVPUJk04WqQ8A-9kpzkUxMYCiMuwcmnNLFk_vqQJE2aTmwHlP3Axy5p9HtSvwQqDfmkSA4oYfj1EEvIlaB79fs-qh6kum1Pq06GHqlD2issYU0JOjM8O72UoOUUPAFtUYSTUvc64V107Iu2vUYhVTN9NNIBjTgsf60IEyUSPrAu2irJhjTk1Lu5AW-/s600/pt%20reyes%20fog%20trail.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ewOVPUJk04WqQ8A-9kpzkUxMYCiMuwcmnNLFk_vqQJE2aTmwHlP3Axy5p9HtSvwQqDfmkSA4oYfj1EEvIlaB79fs-qh6kum1Pq06GHqlD2issYU0JOjM8O72UoOUUPAFtUYSTUvc64V107Iu2vUYhVTN9NNIBjTgsf60IEyUSPrAu2irJhjTk1Lu5AW-/w300-h400/pt%20reyes%20fog%20trail.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Point Reyes fog<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM6LaQGNZEZ1fMobX6wRAgxb5ZlKHV4dni7eCdkdPpQx5twnDCobMV0V16dbh1v0cPKKfO-0PWUdeAFoPlxNN1a6vARzYZzsauZxEfzDoUiYH-JmMmoYrAN1foPtRNMxyciogxXt99ZVQNieZt4MJjlTsEb6fV7cV1Hvaw_o_pSWLED5h-IcGK6gk8NWCq/s600/pt%20reyes%20ridge%20trail.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM6LaQGNZEZ1fMobX6wRAgxb5ZlKHV4dni7eCdkdPpQx5twnDCobMV0V16dbh1v0cPKKfO-0PWUdeAFoPlxNN1a6vARzYZzsauZxEfzDoUiYH-JmMmoYrAN1foPtRNMxyciogxXt99ZVQNieZt4MJjlTsEb6fV7cV1Hvaw_o_pSWLED5h-IcGK6gk8NWCq/w300-h400/pt%20reyes%20ridge%20trail.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Point Reyes Ridge trail<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvQqlkqcD5a-YiiPJ8Y6tkSo_xeRjDraCarZPS3wNfCkJByZjBWagANCViq_3P3XcpMYVjGJfEh5N1PnGTRfcRfsQtwWeeLKrtXKTr1EQXE5lkcq7uKv1lXZWiOJ3j-js1wVzzXWpU_fvd3pfhWWE4nKZ9Pwfm2nlkOxVvfkTg8QZRJZgvkIm3kPebGvG/s600/pt%20reyes%20messy%20campsite.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvQqlkqcD5a-YiiPJ8Y6tkSo_xeRjDraCarZPS3wNfCkJByZjBWagANCViq_3P3XcpMYVjGJfEh5N1PnGTRfcRfsQtwWeeLKrtXKTr1EQXE5lkcq7uKv1lXZWiOJ3j-js1wVzzXWpU_fvd3pfhWWE4nKZ9Pwfm2nlkOxVvfkTg8QZRJZgvkIm3kPebGvG/w400-h300/pt%20reyes%20messy%20campsite.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">messy camp at Point Reyes<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>But on our rides Miles is being pretty damn good! We have some triggers we’re working on (horses cantering off). But we can even trot towards home on a loose rein (some days! There are others that are E ticket rides!). He is slowly getting better at the extended trot, but prefers to canter. Which I let him IF he is listening. Big IF there. Now to figure out a big walk, which he'll sometimes do, other times it's tiny mincing stupid steps until he figures we're not getting anywhere. It's a process.</span><p></p><p><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW3yQ-D4AE94u064r4SXN2OxjuxSkxCoVdL15MIH1B4eLPU-5H2glH_TyYvWz4ikdR4UmFOJ4Xd5HWLC0PFHMmGWuMKokvkpnyC8mpKZqK7xUXNOdgSEWAvpCE-QzwpPfhtk7ndjxlMhusXTRk-4omxmpWKyM2kTI_3SwB_Cj8q3QoNn8NIlgQPe30H0M2/s600/lake%20evening%20ride.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW3yQ-D4AE94u064r4SXN2OxjuxSkxCoVdL15MIH1B4eLPU-5H2glH_TyYvWz4ikdR4UmFOJ4Xd5HWLC0PFHMmGWuMKokvkpnyC8mpKZqK7xUXNOdgSEWAvpCE-QzwpPfhtk7ndjxlMhusXTRk-4omxmpWKyM2kTI_3SwB_Cj8q3QoNn8NIlgQPe30H0M2/w400-h300/lake%20evening%20ride.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evening shade along the lake<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEwPiAWYEycpRtokvOhfMjVVDG4A6flW41rHdRkVrNBxD_LGU6FJXulxrhBKXh_8CBDOCpTZx37SX2NIMw9rgrwMMP1Yey6U4wVEt-3eZgaDXHY-maN-v6ZtTeYvg6jbOWlZhnJIAk7iB3foggiIw3kkI-lx0YEwDr6GYA27AhzI2snlQ12F6vo_trAvso/s600/fall%20colors%20at%20empire%20mine.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEwPiAWYEycpRtokvOhfMjVVDG4A6flW41rHdRkVrNBxD_LGU6FJXulxrhBKXh_8CBDOCpTZx37SX2NIMw9rgrwMMP1Yey6U4wVEt-3eZgaDXHY-maN-v6ZtTeYvg6jbOWlZhnJIAk7iB3foggiIw3kkI-lx0YEwDr6GYA27AhzI2snlQ12F6vo_trAvso/w400-h300/fall%20colors%20at%20empire%20mine.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Empire Mine in the fall<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_DKoFweF0Sv1jH-mFy6BvDg7bW0J2dSEz_JdknlQshZqfDQiJ4TLNBcfmN6rrYR2F5tkA73yNfX91JqCY-iQgyd50vO9FBXVXS6FQhoSdG9PEi_LmUIrLrKuX7-jXttxYU55VZuFzwUTRXhFMP1DgjlweVLveMzOhKyldE8v6K_6_2n5EIjhPHtsZ3qD/s600/hidden%20falls%20bridge.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_DKoFweF0Sv1jH-mFy6BvDg7bW0J2dSEz_JdknlQshZqfDQiJ4TLNBcfmN6rrYR2F5tkA73yNfX91JqCY-iQgyd50vO9FBXVXS6FQhoSdG9PEi_LmUIrLrKuX7-jXttxYU55VZuFzwUTRXhFMP1DgjlweVLveMzOhKyldE8v6K_6_2n5EIjhPHtsZ3qD/w400-h300/hidden%20falls%20bridge.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bridges of Hidden Falls<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_KXiPl7wHXtMQM98zf2goh1hc8YraQU4zTupmDgjSXKo1oDIyATCsME6nbjdgWWwKQp2Khpf3HVc0Ne3ajleVUkRuuUAEi39CB4MvC9u0I0H21fyTJayrE10Jd1VyMdL-pkGXNVQ_1iHVjwKTQhANNq7ivWB0Cj_mpXrsPTJJnuKuvu5iIeQdQCkX17CF/s600/no%20hands%20s%20and%20beau.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_KXiPl7wHXtMQM98zf2goh1hc8YraQU4zTupmDgjSXKo1oDIyATCsME6nbjdgWWwKQp2Khpf3HVc0Ne3ajleVUkRuuUAEi39CB4MvC9u0I0H21fyTJayrE10Jd1VyMdL-pkGXNVQ_1iHVjwKTQhANNq7ivWB0Cj_mpXrsPTJJnuKuvu5iIeQdQCkX17CF/w400-h300/no%20hands%20s%20and%20beau.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">S and Beau on No Hands with it's stupid new, huge, non-historic railings WTF?<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvHJkSmGaiGw76cKjwN8b0BKEqbp15KkVf6t-Jg_R-dfpy9CUvGk05LOttxu-jrxWk7T_ECYJQnER3bFQfJOWHmYoNNhHvRTQVYRkq6hS-zlh9C6FQ_wd8B7hB5hDLU1Rm2F_XegknKCcYtkGgy32GaEkzSc6oq0C5toIYYhelzlkJqZEffwgU_gT-M53l/s600/pine%20cone%20trail%20marking.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvHJkSmGaiGw76cKjwN8b0BKEqbp15KkVf6t-Jg_R-dfpy9CUvGk05LOttxu-jrxWk7T_ECYJQnER3bFQfJOWHmYoNNhHvRTQVYRkq6hS-zlh9C6FQ_wd8B7hB5hDLU1Rm2F_XegknKCcYtkGgy32GaEkzSc6oq0C5toIYYhelzlkJqZEffwgU_gT-M53l/w400-h300/pine%20cone%20trail%20marking.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">someone lined the trail with pine cones<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>We do “boring” walking rides that aren’t his favorite but he can deal with his oh-so-difficult life. Sometimes we go out with barn buddy Rocky, who is unfazed by everything and such a very good boy. (Even when Miles tried to nip him in the butt which he would NEVER do at home since Rocky is in charge in the pasture). Because then we have fun faster rides alone, or sometimes with old barn buddy Beau. (A slower ride with Beau completely annoyed them both, to which we said good, deal with it!)</span><p></p><p><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLs8-6R0v3fFBtTG6NOfziID_zYP5ccvOezUWXIlBB9j79peEHs38j3U-9avxRN67pwQf8b75CSfw9yc7FHtEB4aMu2qBWLAjy8wInUTAXA7HJx1AA1hbQAslqqNUDdQaUxK8ycWS27QtLU0x23a2sM2M4w82b9OGONeBQPOBMG2pU-SZdwKB3WDcgfUHf/s600/lake%20drink.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLs8-6R0v3fFBtTG6NOfziID_zYP5ccvOezUWXIlBB9j79peEHs38j3U-9avxRN67pwQf8b75CSfw9yc7FHtEB4aMu2qBWLAjy8wInUTAXA7HJx1AA1hbQAslqqNUDdQaUxK8ycWS27QtLU0x23a2sM2M4w82b9OGONeBQPOBMG2pU-SZdwKB3WDcgfUHf/w300-h400/lake%20drink.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lake drink, good boy!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwOcCLr-HD0hry924x8HR84c6T8xTXjWvVTlv2BKbA_fBFrH-ytKOPRBQGqxwo6pqLrDa_6y77lihsqbH2vlYq-0cQg8RFKm7xn-EWRK90vPYE69eZQOA80V5INKXUuJDswh1Ml3J7REJYoMm4JyK241OExtUxkuSWt8s2tZhgyEIqhFCq2H93eVVWcO1B/s600/learning%20to%20tail.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwOcCLr-HD0hry924x8HR84c6T8xTXjWvVTlv2BKbA_fBFrH-ytKOPRBQGqxwo6pqLrDa_6y77lihsqbH2vlYq-0cQg8RFKm7xn-EWRK90vPYE69eZQOA80V5INKXUuJDswh1Ml3J7REJYoMm4JyK241OExtUxkuSWt8s2tZhgyEIqhFCq2H93eVVWcO1B/w400-h300/learning%20to%20tail.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">learning to tail<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBJYNESb7uHvXlrCmpvTjpKdiTcH_T6NIB3b6hiV2AyOJsRY_nmpVFT68JDRy1DcbOjts6ew7YylQE7hQ88vwtop1XOo6RWKvLEHPwNXNmhbFcWgIk3EfrNtKuCaPUYbpUyI4r9fQL-DFGxJM3_6CNvq0u8GsNd3NfYP9cf4XZQGUp-8nDoUxlC60apmtF/s600/cloudy%20walk.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBJYNESb7uHvXlrCmpvTjpKdiTcH_T6NIB3b6hiV2AyOJsRY_nmpVFT68JDRy1DcbOjts6ew7YylQE7hQ88vwtop1XOo6RWKvLEHPwNXNmhbFcWgIk3EfrNtKuCaPUYbpUyI4r9fQL-DFGxJM3_6CNvq0u8GsNd3NfYP9cf4XZQGUp-8nDoUxlC60apmtF/w300-h400/cloudy%20walk.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a cloudy walk after work<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsMxHQfBok0ekDkanlahK4pIh4EdoLkxurtCsDQOVfs1NtALexnxZsTVNVSpAXmDWCjfD6pmTvjRsfR4wLv_Bo0IP0t2v2pRHoj84GawmhtsIqWKH8SstJjMjDQBsG6cBpSjuLIRF7Mn-isR9UuSm5HWoFPWuaa3piMkV5W6k1XsfjhB0vBOaCFkycY1_T/s600/low%20lake%20my%20rock.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsMxHQfBok0ekDkanlahK4pIh4EdoLkxurtCsDQOVfs1NtALexnxZsTVNVSpAXmDWCjfD6pmTvjRsfR4wLv_Bo0IP0t2v2pRHoj84GawmhtsIqWKH8SstJjMjDQBsG6cBpSjuLIRF7Mn-isR9UuSm5HWoFPWuaa3piMkV5W6k1XsfjhB0vBOaCFkycY1_T/w400-h300/low%20lake%20my%20rock.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">low lake and "my" balancing rock<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_I2GqmO7OKHz5AzeVf_AqTdrppA54fTHXwGwQ57vzIdvIz-nLhDP80wcA55DwVhnXar0XGNoA3iFJaPF4CFhl6_D0te89pe4Ha4zRzLcrUIeT7i9Be5ZEeIho0WRfaxW7dUXa8jMmLxKCGA9md8I2LqQLqbBMMuDkTBvOTldidJUZtRXDXU-EiCpXuDh-/s600/trails%20greening.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_I2GqmO7OKHz5AzeVf_AqTdrppA54fTHXwGwQ57vzIdvIz-nLhDP80wcA55DwVhnXar0XGNoA3iFJaPF4CFhl6_D0te89pe4Ha4zRzLcrUIeT7i9Be5ZEeIho0WRfaxW7dUXa8jMmLxKCGA9md8I2LqQLqbBMMuDkTBvOTldidJUZtRXDXU-EiCpXuDh-/w300-h400/trails%20greening.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ears say "dinner is in one hour we should go home now."<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Of course I have all next week off to ride, and it’s supposed to rain all week. So much for a Solstice ride! An expected El Niño winter calls for more rain than usual…sigh. But we had a fall with no major fires in my part of Nor Cal, so I’ll take it and let the forest recover some moisture from the long drought. </span><p></p><p><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixOkG1GoBlH27_PzTCYfrHyACbmNlCiVZ3cVJB3eOq25T2e_yoSd1jFDhK05_IHZSQCkn5S2fVZcf9twQfsbdCDBbo6OnJj2ysdU1DHPNH476zJn1aNlIqLVRecPNxCO8LlsF_TeLm5ivTHZduoc2VjIfgUhIyTlI3BdzwYMPDUF24ddOsOIXPg-QgVmNM/s600/low%20sun%20at%20lake%20ride.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixOkG1GoBlH27_PzTCYfrHyACbmNlCiVZ3cVJB3eOq25T2e_yoSd1jFDhK05_IHZSQCkn5S2fVZcf9twQfsbdCDBbo6OnJj2ysdU1DHPNH476zJn1aNlIqLVRecPNxCO8LlsF_TeLm5ivTHZduoc2VjIfgUhIyTlI3BdzwYMPDUF24ddOsOIXPg-QgVmNM/w400-h300/low%20sun%20at%20lake%20ride.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">low sun and lake on my ride Wednesday<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">After December 21 an added minute of daylight doesn’t seem much, but every day it will add up quickly. </span><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">I hope you can ride or at least enjoy the Solstice in warmth and comfort. </span><p></p><p><span data-tt="{"paragraphStyle":{"alignment":4}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4yZgPPzqj_JXI13jyOFRj8GwAmWVFA55U2r4Zr81iXrdo25PggkofXqNs_Yyt_BfEI7sGL7nQPi3qMNCaszJOQi9uSfvaYNt9yMMPIJewDHrbq1KpOVHd3tredmjsNQNnbhOdKlcb0RMWFFmNmllfTmHFNHSnslq2PpRlx_YL7nWB34QZv5YfAwmQtv5u/s600/wesley%20face%20f23.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4yZgPPzqj_JXI13jyOFRj8GwAmWVFA55U2r4Zr81iXrdo25PggkofXqNs_Yyt_BfEI7sGL7nQPi3qMNCaszJOQi9uSfvaYNt9yMMPIJewDHrbq1KpOVHd3tredmjsNQNnbhOdKlcb0RMWFFmNmllfTmHFNHSnslq2PpRlx_YL7nWB34QZv5YfAwmQtv5u/w400-h300/wesley%20face%20f23.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wesley says Hi<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUM_3z01HUxWROUUQCvks4Cy2CnGzH0BVUAuCXOCF5MpFNbddeXsVeC6cQCGYhX5ODG0ON_i2OwhWhR1fJob3QSPgn_kZa-ngZb9wuWQ1UbR6aGm4DQwn8PSmKZReSAcM5S8h7ahtn84OpcspxT8UdS6uGzrxRt_7KtkrSp8d5vfK_o1ww0cgJ19Vv4B-W/s600/wesley%20uniform.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="351" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUM_3z01HUxWROUUQCvks4Cy2CnGzH0BVUAuCXOCF5MpFNbddeXsVeC6cQCGYhX5ODG0ON_i2OwhWhR1fJob3QSPgn_kZa-ngZb9wuWQ1UbR6aGm4DQwn8PSmKZReSAcM5S8h7ahtn84OpcspxT8UdS6uGzrxRt_7KtkrSp8d5vfK_o1ww0cgJ19Vv4B-W/w234-h400/wesley%20uniform.jpg" width="234" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wesley in his uniform for Halloween<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />irish horsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11289040711028666546noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4695120516623358773.post-78967733622066955492023-08-02T06:13:00.000-07:002023-08-02T06:13:00.142-07:00make a wish<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT6-_yUpOwX810Y-sZvWUpe4xi2VoaLg_3YC9TYSS5gnvAYcMc0TgIZ53j002B3d6n1KxjDmVY1FCjk2gyfv0HEJFW-27FQrCm8OBZnq65zQutiOHmigcjdAGKRJ1VkMWNaoA200f25Xk4zbxsi97jgHqWJtjAbtCGEX1V4IFGQzc8J10I78G1ry6_VFyq/s600/miles%20wish%20ezgif.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="382" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT6-_yUpOwX810Y-sZvWUpe4xi2VoaLg_3YC9TYSS5gnvAYcMc0TgIZ53j002B3d6n1KxjDmVY1FCjk2gyfv0HEJFW-27FQrCm8OBZnq65zQutiOHmigcjdAGKRJ1VkMWNaoA200f25Xk4zbxsi97jgHqWJtjAbtCGEX1V4IFGQzc8J10I78G1ry6_VFyq/w255-h400/miles%20wish%20ezgif.gif" width="255" /></a></div>I found a big, pretty dandelion. Miles thought otherwise.<p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZpu0e25A8Q7HumyKtw68oJptJhia79FUnA35gV6AZKMUSMg2-1Sg9KfRkyn1AxISAGMRYl1sak1t7b-v4q3O5scj0xZQLZLJrOxTOtxhBmw5ADppnKM3RftXUozAy7v4172hG24xANFpV-TKfCbtK_gnXwiXDtYW5SNxGMdepICZeSs4ycEcl7Wv3woyv/s1130/miles%20wish.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="1130" height="103" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZpu0e25A8Q7HumyKtw68oJptJhia79FUnA35gV6AZKMUSMg2-1Sg9KfRkyn1AxISAGMRYl1sak1t7b-v4q3O5scj0xZQLZLJrOxTOtxhBmw5ADppnKM3RftXUozAy7v4172hG24xANFpV-TKfCbtK_gnXwiXDtYW5SNxGMdepICZeSs4ycEcl7Wv3woyv/w400-h103/miles%20wish.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p>irish horsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11289040711028666546noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4695120516623358773.post-90371166140409824022023-07-27T05:34:00.000-07:002023-07-27T05:34:00.142-07:00saddle fitting<p>My saddle fitting saga continues. Originally I had Miles in the Solstice I used for Major (which I love, love love!), but it left white marks
under the stirrup bars. Too narrow on meaty shoulders? I had it reflocked…and he hated it even more!</p><p>So
I tried my old standby Wintec 2000. I put in the widest gullet…nope,
too pinchy on wide shouldered Miles. Wintec endurance same problem, and also too long. </p><p>How
about my almost new Freeform dressage? Miles likes it, I hate it, feels
like I'm perched. And I don't even have the added panels installed.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhssxIVW5YFO7x63icKX5D3JgHrmSl0jBuiosX1Q3asIOTTlNsy1K2gCT_Bp1z02A1y7vRL7qVP6pj0QbpTXK2UGad0qOoTupFs6c-36F1KA_S7RV_amJPKWZYpOIm5MBS9AlS9yRJRzjEfn6-vOOhqECaMacSoy2BOBxpQfczzugB9DmZfpzMeqQVnHiII/s600/freeform%20ok.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhssxIVW5YFO7x63icKX5D3JgHrmSl0jBuiosX1Q3asIOTTlNsy1K2gCT_Bp1z02A1y7vRL7qVP6pj0QbpTXK2UGad0qOoTupFs6c-36F1KA_S7RV_amJPKWZYpOIm5MBS9AlS9yRJRzjEfn6-vOOhqECaMacSoy2BOBxpQfczzugB9DmZfpzMeqQVnHiII/w300-h400/freeform%20ok.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">what saddle will work?<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>I had liked the standard Freeform I tried a long time ago so I
found an inexpensive one to try. A few times around the arena, felt
semi-secure (though I'm really missing some knee rolls), so let's hit
the trail! Once I got used to the treeless thing (I think I had to re-learn how to ride!) it was OK. Not great, but OK. I've been using it for about six months. But Miles didn't seem to like it. Didn't move out very well, sometimes a sore back. And this is with a couple different tests of good treeless saddle pads.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8AMCYlIJs1FQ8knVDIheO5jvoB96H1N0zTWJ7CShSGbwZ5nONwTJ5tdCIJ73AweHEFCzwxBmdtx2_LHmbcqPKPPh1AyqPJacq1O9rwQ-aFtZTP9JGs5HS-zTkkBp5F661cOrSZSkHJf1F0V_utFLXQibBtN8n_WSAZ8xSWksSlVAdahK2SfNithJNUW8-/s600/saddle%20problem.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8AMCYlIJs1FQ8knVDIheO5jvoB96H1N0zTWJ7CShSGbwZ5nONwTJ5tdCIJ73AweHEFCzwxBmdtx2_LHmbcqPKPPh1AyqPJacq1O9rwQ-aFtZTP9JGs5HS-zTkkBp5F661cOrSZSkHJf1F0V_utFLXQibBtN8n_WSAZ8xSWksSlVAdahK2SfNithJNUW8-/w400-h300/saddle%20problem.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Five saddles and three nice saddle pads…one horse<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>I'd exhausted my saddle collection (please don't count, yes, that is one horse and five saddles) so I had an independent saddle fitter out. She suggested a hoop tree (and losing weight, which Miles is working on through diet and more riding which I can't do without a saddle that fits, arghh!). I tried an Ideal saddle, super comfy, but would rather not order a new one (used are hard to find) until we get in a little better shape at least. I borrowed a Duett Tempo, size 34, from the local used saddle shop. (Of course I used to have a Duett Tango 38 for Q, the mare I leased, and I sold it, it's all quite comical).<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49kjPbcMMM4JJJhvePlhXBPYg3oYkClxkNCGVxE3sfYXsOksViag1we2HIr_lnJ2XeY6yJluM4FcLiuNOhHJHe7mJyaPm4phTBrkx0zaXF6GSGtbupByF8Kh9Oent6vbssX6KHjhy1LjG5ddlr0u0Km9OLVEFN1R7Mhk4Qd2DWU5k4ZkKJGnM4e26fuNK/s600/pretty%20ideal%20TT%20saddle.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="443" data-original-width="600" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49kjPbcMMM4JJJhvePlhXBPYg3oYkClxkNCGVxE3sfYXsOksViag1we2HIr_lnJ2XeY6yJluM4FcLiuNOhHJHe7mJyaPm4phTBrkx0zaXF6GSGtbupByF8Kh9Oent6vbssX6KHjhy1LjG5ddlr0u0Km9OLVEFN1R7Mhk4Qd2DWU5k4ZkKJGnM4e26fuNK/w400-h295/pretty%20ideal%20TT%20saddle.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ideal TT saddle seemed very nice<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>The 34 was too small but saddle fitter noted that she had a used Duett Rondo 36 that she had not brought that time, that I could trial. She delivered it the next week and evaluated it on Miles. It seems to fit pretty good. Wrong color, I don't love the short billets and wish it had a longer leg panel. But if it fits him I decided to see if I can figure it out! I did have to go buy a longer girth (love the used tack shop!).</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA1vD7QaJPZRKI8vX7L9bqDSfNE0h9W_yO7AqqzMw7UmUio4bT74iJdMVKZ-ts8uyMTcYwpvctakMHpNBDxGIB9f77CGncNyWIUGdWOYmY3Ob59tvA-jBEi7HO4rl7bcve74oyobEgP5-7sx76SwvS60YuD2GnmTL4dQQOQljts53rIJvrLAz8cEuB9juU/s600/duett%20rondo1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="403" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA1vD7QaJPZRKI8vX7L9bqDSfNE0h9W_yO7AqqzMw7UmUio4bT74iJdMVKZ-ts8uyMTcYwpvctakMHpNBDxGIB9f77CGncNyWIUGdWOYmY3Ob59tvA-jBEi7HO4rl7bcve74oyobEgP5-7sx76SwvS60YuD2GnmTL4dQQOQljts53rIJvrLAz8cEuB9juU/w269-h400/duett%20rondo1.jpg" width="269" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">how cute am i?<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeftUHV4T5sdWLb09jM-XCNnRxp5pf870ZhHURc-00DmTdQpCbQcfgH-ca2Id_aDsILOwYdGJTeE3KHWtzZPfGCfLIGUO5CZKFFJ3qDsCZiz_0XNlH82ry1ts_j_OLw4bBooAYR6moHMc5bHIenkoE6a-_Fwr3Cmw6ngyaZs1ugXHpkp1MqrzyrmcMRN6o/s600/duett%20rondo2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="484" data-original-width="600" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeftUHV4T5sdWLb09jM-XCNnRxp5pf870ZhHURc-00DmTdQpCbQcfgH-ca2Id_aDsILOwYdGJTeE3KHWtzZPfGCfLIGUO5CZKFFJ3qDsCZiz_0XNlH82ry1ts_j_OLw4bBooAYR6moHMc5bHIenkoE6a-_Fwr3Cmw6ngyaZs1ugXHpkp1MqrzyrmcMRN6o/w400-h323/duett%20rondo2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">chunky monkey in the Duett Rondo<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>It's been three rides, longest of eight miles, with some good hills, cantering, etc. While I don't love it, it is fine, and Miles seems to be pretty enthusiastic and happy with it. Since I now have my sheepskin cover on it and my pommel bags attached it seems suitable for now. </p><p>I still think I'll look into the Solstice extra wide, at least just to try! But I think I need to sell a few saddles first…</p><p>The rest of my tack I'm happy with. Love the snap-on bridle, reflective rope halter, beta grip reins and the padded breast collar. And I finally got Miles his own pair of sparkly boots!</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHhUYHfocDM3odz4leoCuYdKeUcnk8L1E7HPw1Kgb-hJgzcpmBW7S6aVNQCXvObiL-XA4EEob_s7GRn67TX2m5t_GXCCq9kyBfPby8VPzZwtDLkRGTQF_fq4NmO9Q99NUonGwWj3LA-ecInVfIiw4b2klvwuU3K9bNCojBJUWK35588L5qzn9czOGmRnHT/s600/new%20shoes.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHhUYHfocDM3odz4leoCuYdKeUcnk8L1E7HPw1Kgb-hJgzcpmBW7S6aVNQCXvObiL-XA4EEob_s7GRn67TX2m5t_GXCCq9kyBfPby8VPzZwtDLkRGTQF_fq4NmO9Q99NUonGwWj3LA-ecInVfIiw4b2klvwuU3K9bNCojBJUWK35588L5qzn9czOGmRnHT/w300-h400/new%20shoes.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sparkly new copper boots (old Freeform on him here)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>But I needed to go through all my old boots. Once all in one place…oh my, I never throw anything out! A few pieces were beyond repair. Most are just worn, though some are more serviceable than others. I'm thinking about offering the used ones up for giveaway, just pay shipping, on some Facebook groups, but then that seems like work too. Maybe when it gets cooler and I don't want to ride and the garage is not 110 degrees.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSaoUQIZWC9H6pDbUnjMwSqjLaGYSYm5uT39v-XUx_vPUSWo7502ENvGW1exN26egYrt0FoUzHZFZZ-7kYVScdTmPYRmJzh89Y6iu-nlRKFRoWrsjuk37pei_aOySz3w33hF0YyaFcPRVrkLD4cvKvPGsM-UttDKefSwpfLntYrpK55Gt_iyE680PYpE3/s600/boots%20galore.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSaoUQIZWC9H6pDbUnjMwSqjLaGYSYm5uT39v-XUx_vPUSWo7502ENvGW1exN26egYrt0FoUzHZFZZ-7kYVScdTmPYRmJzh89Y6iu-nlRKFRoWrsjuk37pei_aOySz3w33hF0YyaFcPRVrkLD4cvKvPGsM-UttDKefSwpfLntYrpK55Gt_iyE680PYpE3/s320/boots%20galore.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Anyone else have any saddle suggestion to look into? I like the idea of Reactor Panel but it's an entirely different system and seems complicated. I'd like to stick with more dressage-style, the longer leg is better for long rides, and I know that I am not a fan of Specialized. Other than that, there is too much info out there and a million opinions! While Miles works on losing weight I'll keep doing my reaseach just in case…<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvVJ4rIABshfYDQ4U43_1jy6_vp1egDDe93PKbhNmgY0LtIHGoeMvwFjul1-79trzVxpEZMwqdFvuxKCJ3zeW3MH87Ag9NF7MFehdfU-S89rCNlCBKnaFpR9HFE0lVgr6kyWC6bKRrRzu4gmjyF8XgYLjAkHf9GKPcYW6DUul-kxzha4nju32XpCdCAUVC/s600/wesley%20supervisor.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="434" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvVJ4rIABshfYDQ4U43_1jy6_vp1egDDe93PKbhNmgY0LtIHGoeMvwFjul1-79trzVxpEZMwqdFvuxKCJ3zeW3MH87Ag9NF7MFehdfU-S89rCNlCBKnaFpR9HFE0lVgr6kyWC6bKRrRzu4gmjyF8XgYLjAkHf9GKPcYW6DUul-kxzha4nju32XpCdCAUVC/w289-h400/wesley%20supervisor.jpg" width="289" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my supervisor<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p>irish horsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11289040711028666546noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4695120516623358773.post-74030320139431998642023-07-20T12:38:00.000-07:002023-07-20T12:38:42.113-07:00ups and downs<p><i>(Photo spam post. So much for "I'm going to update more." I say it's because I've been riding and it's too damn hot to work in my office on the computer, but…)</i></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjrQLeyKpMBKCLEZ_FrT_hw1nS6nx-22bG9-MB0IuuFxM_fTCqD7qc0MpdrNZLhpuU9NCFi7ZY3_XVznSL94_3vtoEzqAgWM9XXUZgeLWL36_QVqRCljn5l3NEASBqzSMVyQqU161Zu0B9W2fxIYfyfKVJJv7_ivzV5uaCH5PGY5SWFf8TjeEcuU2xjh6A/s600/lake%20overlook.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjrQLeyKpMBKCLEZ_FrT_hw1nS6nx-22bG9-MB0IuuFxM_fTCqD7qc0MpdrNZLhpuU9NCFi7ZY3_XVznSL94_3vtoEzqAgWM9XXUZgeLWL36_QVqRCljn5l3NEASBqzSMVyQqU161Zu0B9W2fxIYfyfKVJJv7_ivzV5uaCH5PGY5SWFf8TjeEcuU2xjh6A/w400-h300/lake%20overlook.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a favorite view<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbGoRcw-6wMzcQdyZ7DgkExwKmPMD07spK4BDXJMsZR6wDkhQzZ4vO-Ur5pe_ezokn_NQA0r7NBVei1Kxel139FT1vutDPcaRm5hlPNyaF_omNu9EqiVGR-OL7i1W4tw-iRKv3U1Jze1b9r0l3FIk9otRu5pgPDbuH-NPMpVOnWsbY0rlr8drNPt_KU01O/s600/summer%20arrived.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbGoRcw-6wMzcQdyZ7DgkExwKmPMD07spK4BDXJMsZR6wDkhQzZ4vO-Ur5pe_ezokn_NQA0r7NBVei1Kxel139FT1vutDPcaRm5hlPNyaF_omNu9EqiVGR-OL7i1W4tw-iRKv3U1Jze1b9r0l3FIk9otRu5pgPDbuH-NPMpVOnWsbY0rlr8drNPt_KU01O/w300-h400/summer%20arrived.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeah, I'd say summer is here!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>In the last month we've ridden 70 miles with 7,300 feet of elevation gain, but our ups and down aren't just elevation. Miles had too much fun camping and after we came back needed a refresher on not being barn sour on rides from home. I had a couple epically annoying, jiggy rides. Dragged along poor S and Rocky for a couple of them. Thank goodness for good friends with solid horses!</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjInMucFVuwbkf6nU94BiBtuwKN1zFzvPiiTCTYL9PM7gwJWFbLHqVAU6BbPFIvverifSdH9GSZw11I8EF-LLphvbNHcgITggx0Lh_Iz9khCyN0BcQX7INP20qGMeY_f02WRMQCcY381v5wzI9gr_L3NRWSyD8nYRawLQU_ZGookaP0XiZ1P0HCq6YPHtUh/s600/naughty%20no%20regrets.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjInMucFVuwbkf6nU94BiBtuwKN1zFzvPiiTCTYL9PM7gwJWFbLHqVAU6BbPFIvverifSdH9GSZw11I8EF-LLphvbNHcgITggx0Lh_Iz9khCyN0BcQX7INP20qGMeY_f02WRMQCcY381v5wzI9gr_L3NRWSyD8nYRawLQU_ZGookaP0XiZ1P0HCq6YPHtUh/w300-h400/naughty%20no%20regrets.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pony does not give *uck about my opinion<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>One morning we headed out early to Granite Bay. The lake is so high some of the trail looks very different (water below instead of rocks). This is the highest the lake has been in many years, which is good, though the lake trail being underwater is disappointing. On this ride we switched off and on who was in front, with Miles losing his privilege when he got too stupid. I take him out enough alone that I think using the other horse to remind Miles we're not doing what he wants (as well as my instruction from the saddle) is ok, though I may be wrong about that!<p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-dFmOfe1GHMXsiPvTqHPbe32cWo6JHxTcfYWo6s1u7nGPm-wk0UlV-QDX6-vy_GEmQk7IauvmIHfuYs21lgaK0Y7dc6g3b5UC3byEXwBpgUFGqXuTPItdMFU8ahM87xe27WrYM8PxHiLPK_xdJ5yEvkCnKlWnHQLvSqA-lAWNXdfqU2cQtfcQXwTjeUzQ/s600/following%20dropoff.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-dFmOfe1GHMXsiPvTqHPbe32cWo6JHxTcfYWo6s1u7nGPm-wk0UlV-QDX6-vy_GEmQk7IauvmIHfuYs21lgaK0Y7dc6g3b5UC3byEXwBpgUFGqXuTPItdMFU8ahM87xe27WrYM8PxHiLPK_xdJ5yEvkCnKlWnHQLvSqA-lAWNXdfqU2cQtfcQXwTjeUzQ/w400-h300/following%20dropoff.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one of the lake drop-off trails<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggXh2sfHjeR4yGms4w1ZVzzWmBX_ofbG9KjDDORph23QMYr4QHwoyGuPfbc3tZCgf-38gdWU1AWzTKyCfE3_uEdhM1g8Tt_N3IN0gs8wr3DEJCjsRWRf0_nLFku2cueLejuSljN4a6jMfuKjwN2ufRVF38rsYxnx09dZZJgHhM2eYA1xtj5oA0Wjeom__Y/s600/beals%20overlook.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggXh2sfHjeR4yGms4w1ZVzzWmBX_ofbG9KjDDORph23QMYr4QHwoyGuPfbc3tZCgf-38gdWU1AWzTKyCfE3_uEdhM1g8Tt_N3IN0gs8wr3DEJCjsRWRf0_nLFku2cueLejuSljN4a6jMfuKjwN2ufRVF38rsYxnx09dZZJgHhM2eYA1xtj5oA0Wjeom__Y/w400-h300/beals%20overlook.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beals Point overlook<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div>I tried a longer ride to see if that would help, or just enforce, not rushing home. I also stopped for pictures, to just make him deal with his life, and to drink some water, keeping it chill. I don't think the 11 mile out-and-back to Avery Pond tired him out, but
he did have 5.5 miles of coming home to be reminded not to make poor
choices. And he did ok! <p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifPBlkMPZWhZMKguWAyOjJ_ihzCy_2jwj9pYsEYUzc08KTl7zveEO1SIsO-7kvDhox5MnKkPBJd74cy4XCbUsg_Bzn5jUljqzTEyR4r1OEoEg3SmaSsg9w0AyMlI3_NO9wDAdVabpVS2EjnLnsW_268lFV27_iTyBphRdtqC7u8ZIXHx4_TA2Lv6gPQb8z/s600/mask%20help.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="414" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifPBlkMPZWhZMKguWAyOjJ_ihzCy_2jwj9pYsEYUzc08KTl7zveEO1SIsO-7kvDhox5MnKkPBJd74cy4XCbUsg_Bzn5jUljqzTEyR4r1OEoEg3SmaSsg9w0AyMlI3_NO9wDAdVabpVS2EjnLnsW_268lFV27_iTyBphRdtqC7u8ZIXHx4_TA2Lv6gPQb8z/w276-h400/mask%20help.jpg" width="276" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">new fashion, looking out through the ear holes?<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUYQTldX4XRAbaJEMj5wcXXPGo6kpKroWQvDGkjcE6FPNDKT4Cc6xITmd_9SCiI-OJxxjizJ1ovcbJdKqutgMXoSDn3zZFu4ulJtO4dcOnxqi5yIys3LUpvVdvDBm-_lJUWZXy7FSEYGNCT7FhpLevsqKhSlWKgox25BvH6TTLZzVv7PC4Xl8JQaQFiWeM/s3541/snow%20trail.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3541" data-original-width="2564" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUYQTldX4XRAbaJEMj5wcXXPGo6kpKroWQvDGkjcE6FPNDKT4Cc6xITmd_9SCiI-OJxxjizJ1ovcbJdKqutgMXoSDn3zZFu4ulJtO4dcOnxqi5yIys3LUpvVdvDBm-_lJUWZXy7FSEYGNCT7FhpLevsqKhSlWKgox25BvH6TTLZzVv7PC4Xl8JQaQFiWeM/w290-h400/snow%20trail.jpg" width="290" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">trail covered in cottonwood "snow"</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKQ8_ulv3yQjXM0o0Kh1_KAieDFd2QqT7ta-lmjIfqSmwDOuc2tzznjo9mkvpJvwJVkFlO5vut8iO01yU0aXtVBZCYX5x9O6m_rpddEtsm9PZF8TW2Nxc79m5HwDpDRooagiZLKXKMR4rS6OMHdEbW8PDTefQ04oNzt8TCuu3nDLjbKIHcd6U49Z8VDZhG/s600/star%20thistle.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKQ8_ulv3yQjXM0o0Kh1_KAieDFd2QqT7ta-lmjIfqSmwDOuc2tzznjo9mkvpJvwJVkFlO5vut8iO01yU0aXtVBZCYX5x9O6m_rpddEtsm9PZF8TW2Nxc79m5HwDpDRooagiZLKXKMR4rS6OMHdEbW8PDTefQ04oNzt8TCuu3nDLjbKIHcd6U49Z8VDZhG/w400-h300/star%20thistle.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">star thistle pokey trail<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ53CwFsEUYfvpH_1O95EhJrTs9MffGZ2BHPRzWUSI2E64yuZY6N9ypGyFeSu4FjyDHGX09TRQKdAdKP6wscOZsKU1n7_Ac9MGOrhdMXVHsjyOske7Wt2PVEifJgxCLKW8ATB1sSjlC7wcO6whGnfK3BTPr4l5tU62eSs7_GhwCH9OyXIqRuyHmFd7AxhW/s600/avery%20trough.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ53CwFsEUYfvpH_1O95EhJrTs9MffGZ2BHPRzWUSI2E64yuZY6N9ypGyFeSu4FjyDHGX09TRQKdAdKP6wscOZsKU1n7_Ac9MGOrhdMXVHsjyOske7Wt2PVEifJgxCLKW8ATB1sSjlC7wcO6whGnfK3BTPr4l5tU62eSs7_GhwCH9OyXIqRuyHmFd7AxhW/w400-h300/avery%20trough.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Avery trough, so nice but no drinking today<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWpozd9ant3WmhVDuE9KNl51dTNv-7NK2vl4x-NvOeiduZX1-KKXGy5-gnEgJc6Bbf1dO82PfYA5kDAPWjOMDTupD14f5rKXu9FmYd50lC3iA7WVBWOr0nNdVUamFEy7QlK9IpzSlyQIPICd6BTONNFPWGMqjsw1ztFmF60hy309EeNlR3bZ6PAShVmuS8/s600/river%20now%20lake.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWpozd9ant3WmhVDuE9KNl51dTNv-7NK2vl4x-NvOeiduZX1-KKXGy5-gnEgJc6Bbf1dO82PfYA5kDAPWjOMDTupD14f5rKXu9FmYd50lC3iA7WVBWOr0nNdVUamFEy7QlK9IpzSlyQIPICd6BTONNFPWGMqjsw1ztFmF60hy309EeNlR3bZ6PAShVmuS8/w400-h300/river%20now%20lake.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">river so high it is the lake here now!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>I get bored doing the same rides over and over. So we wandered about in the forest one day, then went to Auburn the next time. I hadn't ridden to Cool since last fall I think. I rode with S and C down to No Hands Bridge, then split up. I wondered how that would go…but Miles didn't look back. See ya guys! We went up to Cool and relaxed a bit at the staging area.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGDGh6tKSuVN-bNvE4VpQcAOiowJjekwIpw50ZKxB_0-oHzxEnREm-ZRyXhrQIF4dcCJAoDF1msBJ1mYieoZZ_uX9i9NftnZ-Xxs4ydlCRLrFw_WpkPAicARo7yzTjKqlV15pZTkFcHmPJTzpmlEYVm2Rk5gUljmH4oSR80xRbxrcZIRbbn24gDykbOBsB/s600/rerouted%20trail.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGDGh6tKSuVN-bNvE4VpQcAOiowJjekwIpw50ZKxB_0-oHzxEnREm-ZRyXhrQIF4dcCJAoDF1msBJ1mYieoZZ_uX9i9NftnZ-Xxs4ydlCRLrFw_WpkPAicARo7yzTjKqlV15pZTkFcHmPJTzpmlEYVm2Rk5gUljmH4oSR80xRbxrcZIRbbn24gDykbOBsB/w400-h300/rerouted%20trail.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">rerouted trail doesn't parallel the highway any more!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi5-tFRqPHiU8jqvQQvOXKJe8E3cOepw7BY7536OgsuUWWSMwFqWbTZHZlsEtnX0m3OvZavKS6aZhjwzHPyQOFJLm35G4JyeLlZHBTC1kfew1OpxVtzVQD1cgw9VSDNV6exMlhB2DFP3IzwmKNnBiSmBrVyPHf8kcvmGQ4rgf_L_TMpo5EUtAgsNxsecrW/s600/important%20snacks.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi5-tFRqPHiU8jqvQQvOXKJe8E3cOepw7BY7536OgsuUWWSMwFqWbTZHZlsEtnX0m3OvZavKS6aZhjwzHPyQOFJLm35G4JyeLlZHBTC1kfew1OpxVtzVQD1cgw9VSDNV6exMlhB2DFP3IzwmKNnBiSmBrVyPHf8kcvmGQ4rgf_L_TMpo5EUtAgsNxsecrW/w300-h400/important%20snacks.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">gotta snack for the long ride ahead<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-vT4WmVmvzbss_RBndEzOMz5ie_bxthL83Tp174u1Bki_bxP29e2-1861YXdY4Y6siN4qKKN_FH19NKf33Erxut23iy3dZQkny5BxjkwUYRJmyRHHWvvO07zX_i2GRScGNtE2uz7RemQY1IJORaANQ-rakYhBuiGDnbcF448c88MsfEEBU4W1s9OmVHmu/s600/foresthill%20traffic.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-vT4WmVmvzbss_RBndEzOMz5ie_bxthL83Tp174u1Bki_bxP29e2-1861YXdY4Y6siN4qKKN_FH19NKf33Erxut23iy3dZQkny5BxjkwUYRJmyRHHWvvO07zX_i2GRScGNtE2uz7RemQY1IJORaANQ-rakYhBuiGDnbcF448c88MsfEEBU4W1s9OmVHmu/w400-h300/foresthill%20traffic.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Foresthill bridge (but traffic is SO loud!)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>The trail has gotten especially rocky after the last wet year. On our way back I hand-walked most of the way down the Cool side of the river, taking it easy and giving him a break. I'm having a hard time figuring out Miles' fitness. Since coming back from Cool includes about a 1000 foot climb at the end, I didn't want him to over-do it, so I tried to keep him to walk and easy trot. He did chose to canter up Robie Point (and was behaving himself), then I got off and walked down (and found a toy, he was not impressed). We came back with plenty of energy, I'd rather be cautious than burn him out!<p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNPnjH3h85ou5Xg-HwgrCbv3B5noSuQBY9TigwonGPjwiPGEB2HJrxfGUD8zfH70mURa4JW3VeO92LCmvrJ8_uPDPz6JtMYTE5NqFfCKDEQkgU0Yg3o90mpPUPWD5SVG7nHeVMi5wkpQBJOxjsuAISq0zl0kVNGnrEPR1UxMJD3ZRAUOnYlAorT4pQvj6/s600/awful%20no%20hands.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNPnjH3h85ou5Xg-HwgrCbv3B5noSuQBY9TigwonGPjwiPGEB2HJrxfGUD8zfH70mURa4JW3VeO92LCmvrJ8_uPDPz6JtMYTE5NqFfCKDEQkgU0Yg3o90mpPUPWD5SVG7nHeVMi5wkpQBJOxjsuAISq0zl0kVNGnrEPR1UxMJD3ZRAUOnYlAorT4pQvj6/w300-h400/awful%20no%20hands.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">terrible No Hands railings now<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHr1tS7A76itKfoJmYDEif97yhlbn-C0xi-X5VSaRiz4AoZg81YJhV4V0pd6OVjeoDrrbW3ZxsarK9m5bLTJunoU8UL0WZMSf02iVeEPS3AOMnNFbYUiWy9koH92EggUzjExauAoVKTJFTyVbwuDGfrBHeZxfGyhmyk6NKvnt9I5jd-urMGlpgIEDgPWdK/s874/found%20this%20toy.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="874" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHr1tS7A76itKfoJmYDEif97yhlbn-C0xi-X5VSaRiz4AoZg81YJhV4V0pd6OVjeoDrrbW3ZxsarK9m5bLTJunoU8UL0WZMSf02iVeEPS3AOMnNFbYUiWy9koH92EggUzjExauAoVKTJFTyVbwuDGfrBHeZxfGyhmyk6NKvnt9I5jd-urMGlpgIEDgPWdK/w275-h400/found%20this%20toy.jpg" width="275" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">found an alligator!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibvKrnugRxm86J1cI6kNecLC1DMUlOYEXoPTADz82AIFeOMHQ9yLzXm364W2CxP057eGt8qXkvcn2JkzHf2lZ9q54cC3CH7KcLlzlS5Yu6NqWxqAsorQKHDgolCLw5tD4mqqkhR014ACEQKk5k-nlWVyp2EtJC6UYdhde8161E7lnVPu_JlQjlP75oSybx/s600/almost%20back.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibvKrnugRxm86J1cI6kNecLC1DMUlOYEXoPTADz82AIFeOMHQ9yLzXm364W2CxP057eGt8qXkvcn2JkzHf2lZ9q54cC3CH7KcLlzlS5Yu6NqWxqAsorQKHDgolCLw5tD4mqqkhR014ACEQKk5k-nlWVyp2EtJC6UYdhde8161E7lnVPu_JlQjlP75oSybx/w400-h300/almost%20back.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">almost back to the Auburn staging area trough (Tevis finish line)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilfh40T5IoB4wlBCIKokHYYRBrk7lYAcuJQc7Notf7SFPa9-TzZ1YhZmq8kbl6SAd1Th-tlmw3Aa1zT30CcoGFIZyZejLWKAB3BB5pXS9jBPjlxTKf6Po7_vnlSoe4X2REoTzV_RRbFl9eHGK2wsiDMe5aZCq9n6eVvwP4-ZXGoCEUfF2tX7_UkPt5loTV/s600/playing%20with%20big%20boys.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilfh40T5IoB4wlBCIKokHYYRBrk7lYAcuJQc7Notf7SFPa9-TzZ1YhZmq8kbl6SAd1Th-tlmw3Aa1zT30CcoGFIZyZejLWKAB3BB5pXS9jBPjlxTKf6Po7_vnlSoe4X2REoTzV_RRbFl9eHGK2wsiDMe5aZCq9n6eVvwP4-ZXGoCEUfF2tX7_UkPt5loTV/w300-h400/playing%20with%20big%20boys.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">playing in the big boys pasture<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>The next time out in the forest I decided to do some bushwhacking. I love this one trail that only I use, so it's pretty overgrown! I spent some time trimming some bushes and trees, then out to the oak knoll overlook here, one of my favorites. Then randomly decided to go see what the lake was like. The access I use had a small footpath alongside, completely overgrown and squishy, so it is now just a slab of rock. I think Miles is part goat! He needed to be reminded not to rush but did fine. There was no lake trail, and no getting to the water with the shrubbery and washed-up debris piles, so time to head home. So I tried letting him trot a bit home…a few big reminders where I just turn him around and we go back, past where he was naughty (breaking gait, not listening) then we start again like nothing happened. He is making better choices more often! </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi621VNtOy1Na6pxoNrIT51s9z5SjSuvzuLd1YjTp_p_9LsI5iJdoqd0-2QOZi_ZeIHUYtDAaiYErMwshFS-I285nfYHFKsGy-VyqNnvenVEXYag44oZ4xihGjorbhyBbX0LnxHrnfi3dmiyKKzu0eMxClYd2Jo3cSW3CBRj_zdJG9rxLv9bhuvyN37ab_-/s600/oaks%20dont%20mind.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi621VNtOy1Na6pxoNrIT51s9z5SjSuvzuLd1YjTp_p_9LsI5iJdoqd0-2QOZi_ZeIHUYtDAaiYErMwshFS-I285nfYHFKsGy-VyqNnvenVEXYag44oZ4xihGjorbhyBbX0LnxHrnfi3dmiyKKzu0eMxClYd2Jo3cSW3CBRj_zdJG9rxLv9bhuvyN37ab_-/w300-h400/oaks%20dont%20mind.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">oaks don't mind the heat<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqvL-SsHwEgoDTXkj9Ig3_9NZ1CsJnvm_CTPsoTze7ER5Rkikbaq6laqsdkTvFDukjAQl2hkyAU2s2WMtiRh2YPfyUSHUzOJDjrcxohjIQ138YKY-QK6V5Y9mMFjz1ddOFrtJGNDVZzvKWIqoDyWnOX1BGJMtT3gNIRDuOl1SNp0Fh2_U0UfICUewOJL7n/s800/cracker%20alley.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqvL-SsHwEgoDTXkj9Ig3_9NZ1CsJnvm_CTPsoTze7ER5Rkikbaq6laqsdkTvFDukjAQl2hkyAU2s2WMtiRh2YPfyUSHUzOJDjrcxohjIQ138YKY-QK6V5Y9mMFjz1ddOFrtJGNDVZzvKWIqoDyWnOX1BGJMtT3gNIRDuOl1SNp0Fh2_U0UfICUewOJL7n/w300-h400/cracker%20alley.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">down one of my favorite trails<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0FfhmmtdlaVYVb0f4-2urrBP4X4JgEi939Yd3RdG-YhoTQktGFFdF4hdz_6CorF-eYCtgDYqXb7rBz_0YyMAuj1bwQfzS0OCjM3xdvO4KOv_EU64je8Gd58M-Vx7lC6Zze1ofgMjOsKDFax_SgjxxYoru7uNxthgfjZ3zEhFDeIoqoPktNCEYPZEkiWyO/s600/cracker%20alley%20sign.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0FfhmmtdlaVYVb0f4-2urrBP4X4JgEi939Yd3RdG-YhoTQktGFFdF4hdz_6CorF-eYCtgDYqXb7rBz_0YyMAuj1bwQfzS0OCjM3xdvO4KOv_EU64je8Gd58M-Vx7lC6Zze1ofgMjOsKDFax_SgjxxYoru7uNxthgfjZ3zEhFDeIoqoPktNCEYPZEkiWyO/w400-h300/cracker%20alley%20sign.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">it has a newly installed trail sign (by bike riders I think). Hmmm?<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOyLCit1sXU4aL7Ks96LJhZ1VV-BLk03AsKmYw7A8fnVNZBiR8UT-UhEWBu03R6C5pwa5-o7yqmIxxamFoIJ1260Ay9gUUMnDmrz6P27cA2bA2WdmkdT_HO47st_750n1u5RVXlkY7B4rh8m6jZmv5_d7MAht7rq2Q54emwMwzd6vyafpZRfuw9KpsXrA8/s600/three%20oak%20knoll.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOyLCit1sXU4aL7Ks96LJhZ1VV-BLk03AsKmYw7A8fnVNZBiR8UT-UhEWBu03R6C5pwa5-o7yqmIxxamFoIJ1260Ay9gUUMnDmrz6P27cA2bA2WdmkdT_HO47st_750n1u5RVXlkY7B4rh8m6jZmv5_d7MAht7rq2Q54emwMwzd6vyafpZRfuw9KpsXrA8/w400-h300/three%20oak%20knoll.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">three oak knoll<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBsW8Uch8yN_FW4L9pj0Z2Xb0CxFiCaIHtZ0fYXEi6MMtmE8hLHIBMyQRA4svcVY-okyCX69YpqSFtNitRPBtEYExXEDP7N5osESaczVTPn95_RkmngQF6akyu0oAbcWRElNM7nLjDJcJzu8EyLyk3R9UklKI0MhoezQtFsWYhYBKDN3sOTVEVPezSKfjL/s600/granite%20scrambling.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBsW8Uch8yN_FW4L9pj0Z2Xb0CxFiCaIHtZ0fYXEi6MMtmE8hLHIBMyQRA4svcVY-okyCX69YpqSFtNitRPBtEYExXEDP7N5osESaczVTPn95_RkmngQF6akyu0oAbcWRElNM7nLjDJcJzu8EyLyk3R9UklKI0MhoezQtFsWYhYBKDN3sOTVEVPezSKfjL/w400-h300/granite%20scrambling.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">climbing over granite<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgByF260k4zbajS7S8rgC5CUWsM2r2BjdC5tV8pJl-PFz-cKwUE6ES5yLxswHCRjZ4gB3_kj4J4AwI51L0epsksKS2Ir3xXLqaKrEbrhnXJV-EBh9YjDjtoYHWgLW-udxoLMJbVK_DFL09PTfmfPTyemQJTOowr3qZdHvlpY4eKzEY0BQ7-gZc__NAIR5Z2/s600/no%20lake%20trail.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgByF260k4zbajS7S8rgC5CUWsM2r2BjdC5tV8pJl-PFz-cKwUE6ES5yLxswHCRjZ4gB3_kj4J4AwI51L0epsksKS2Ir3xXLqaKrEbrhnXJV-EBh9YjDjtoYHWgLW-udxoLMJbVK_DFL09PTfmfPTyemQJTOowr3qZdHvlpY4eKzEY0BQ7-gZc__NAIR5Z2/w400-h300/no%20lake%20trail.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">no getting to the lake here!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Until the night ride. S wanted to try going out at night as she is sweep riding a night section of Tevis in a few weeks. Maybe Miles was mad he didn't get to finish dinner, maybe it was being out at night. But the jigging home on a three mile ride was arghh! (And I didn't get to do as much correction as I'd like, it being dark and being with S).<p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5hSbMGEVySwSVqr0FU_FvN1V3QwlB1yofVBY50gAozW2jyBsa6b8ZlokeHtDvyypecTRiE6NiFPRwD4f9QyFlxsNA-YM9zgEZfx7ehocDZuAVO8bWb_25fsidUyGeegG2JqeJpUVMARnhqAQQhbnMMEpV0vKEFx9YzroYIDsOxf3cmZyEbxLD2RDYA1r-/s600/night%20ride%20sunset.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5hSbMGEVySwSVqr0FU_FvN1V3QwlB1yofVBY50gAozW2jyBsa6b8ZlokeHtDvyypecTRiE6NiFPRwD4f9QyFlxsNA-YM9zgEZfx7ehocDZuAVO8bWb_25fsidUyGeegG2JqeJpUVMARnhqAQQhbnMMEpV0vKEFx9YzroYIDsOxf3cmZyEbxLD2RDYA1r-/w400-h300/night%20ride%20sunset.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">night ride sunset<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN5NwRqMPuoGiwh0IOUA9rpivg9U7DC2pzZ2HGMxNM_x8Qu2imaLmYuNh23ocoX183P9MwlgU-znoAGZPu5cLXcnJ6zASSrLG7UrmhIFH2Z8POEr3geAgAMGZD63lfJKJZGlDXX5mLzXcfCMF7UUnEQhmPwXim66vXozyOopV94KoCra9yUWd6dKE_qHNn/s600/night%20ride%20blur.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN5NwRqMPuoGiwh0IOUA9rpivg9U7DC2pzZ2HGMxNM_x8Qu2imaLmYuNh23ocoX183P9MwlgU-znoAGZPu5cLXcnJ6zASSrLG7UrmhIFH2Z8POEr3geAgAMGZD63lfJKJZGlDXX5mLzXcfCMF7UUnEQhmPwXim66vXozyOopV94KoCra9yUWd6dKE_qHNn/w300-h400/night%20ride%20blur.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">camera still sucks at night photos!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>So I set off early this morning with the intention of recreating that ride (but during daylight). We left breakfast at home (he had a small snack only) and he was super good, we trotted home on a loose rein. Seriously? I'll take it, but double arghh for inconsistency!<p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAuMCakY0sSOnlvkEuhtZuTG-IlwYs1vQgCwvtSEa1q8_latdprVvJnPqfDBxIJEQYYnn9_P1uCpXTeVZ_Mhn8YjJc5qphB6VX0EeqYi844uzcrY2diZwWaP3h_ZnULpnOA62DXFtjPUszXlQwzuTVyQISeA7xLv1xP3qnV7TYZQdDEOVsZZO0fmjePqou/s600/morning%20flowers%202.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAuMCakY0sSOnlvkEuhtZuTG-IlwYs1vQgCwvtSEa1q8_latdprVvJnPqfDBxIJEQYYnn9_P1uCpXTeVZ_Mhn8YjJc5qphB6VX0EeqYi844uzcrY2diZwWaP3h_ZnULpnOA62DXFtjPUszXlQwzuTVyQISeA7xLv1xP3qnV7TYZQdDEOVsZZO0fmjePqou/w400-h300/morning%20flowers%202.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">morning field of flowers<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzhxkGc3jiJq8PBdpS4Z80fQZcn5-TYm4E58u-5oyAwa0DzvsVzDoiA8es2-WjS9Tt1xkG63hIZLpGOUU8vOzjjLpY2mc05g021-nJdjjlBMkkMOxs2dj8hHwq0GHM-3N54uxfqtQ7NiZEumMI04FOuLMP-F9gasxr_LDlI3aO9EI5OuISKPTnCjTbvaEy/s600/morning%20flowers.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzhxkGc3jiJq8PBdpS4Z80fQZcn5-TYm4E58u-5oyAwa0DzvsVzDoiA8es2-WjS9Tt1xkG63hIZLpGOUU8vOzjjLpY2mc05g021-nJdjjlBMkkMOxs2dj8hHwq0GHM-3N54uxfqtQ7NiZEumMI04FOuLMP-F9gasxr_LDlI3aO9EI5OuISKPTnCjTbvaEy/w400-h300/morning%20flowers.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miles does not think we should stop for photos<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>So the ups and downs continue. The temperature is pretty limiting right now, but we have another camping trip planned, and a lot of summer riding left to go. I'm not feeling the need for a goal, but sure do like thinking of some long rides I can take!<br /><p></p><p>Also, I got another new pony, what do you think1? I had one just like it as a kid. I need a name, he joins another one (all white) in my yard. I guess I've got a thing for bays…</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdYEcHAYYxDyyUWY7dIIs7HmHZ0Ja4HHw1AZ4JWlOlUzfB3bio46-MqJx8faRQStyL9BkUJcWgbk6UJF1FjWdxdAHOKGA_7SAOaoCibt9FbaCN6lnwNgo9JJFMKj1ujrx7QESFO_2VXEznzVkVwdWzBZB3IUQYzD4H3rUvW0snDy4fNfvtn9UqDOJgL2s/s600/new%20pony.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdYEcHAYYxDyyUWY7dIIs7HmHZ0Ja4HHw1AZ4JWlOlUzfB3bio46-MqJx8faRQStyL9BkUJcWgbk6UJF1FjWdxdAHOKGA_7SAOaoCibt9FbaCN6lnwNgo9JJFMKj1ujrx7QESFO_2VXEznzVkVwdWzBZB3IUQYzD4H3rUvW0snDy4fNfvtn9UqDOJgL2s/w400-h300/new%20pony.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">another bay pony for me!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLQLZ_uyvCRDZcxkIPSLKlCgYylOEFoqy13n3HD4cnYGK5oZehSq4CnFV9hScUokO8CAN1Yj8SZtEzuLci7vtJ5haRxlFseeF5pLXxNqHvXTBbeyebLDQyvJl7sPsiEujvsqTe9s5X80xfNIh9qfuMwOAlvPqkz2cLp3eorSfxGZgz7tVYjQJDx_l1RBh/s600/cat%20is%20weird.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="494" data-original-width="600" height="329" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLQLZ_uyvCRDZcxkIPSLKlCgYylOEFoqy13n3HD4cnYGK5oZehSq4CnFV9hScUokO8CAN1Yj8SZtEzuLci7vtJ5haRxlFseeF5pLXxNqHvXTBbeyebLDQyvJl7sPsiEujvsqTe9s5X80xfNIh9qfuMwOAlvPqkz2cLp3eorSfxGZgz7tVYjQJDx_l1RBh/w400-h329/cat%20is%20weird.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think my cat has melted. How Wesley?<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p></p>irish horsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11289040711028666546noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4695120516623358773.post-13412809785816049792023-06-22T04:35:00.001-07:002023-06-22T04:35:00.140-07:00horse camping: skyline napa<p>Horse camping is fun again! There are too few words and too many photos, though I randomly did not capture some of what I wanted (epic rocks, camp set-up) I think there are enough to tell a (long) story!</p><p>I headed out Friday afternoon with Miles, and C with Francisco and S with Rocky, for Napa, California and the Skyline Wilderness park. I'd read a little bit about it (rocky, lots of bikes, but horse camping!) and often would scout somewhere first but I'd read enough and it is pretty local (less than two hours drive). Having very little idea of what to expect was actually a good thing (less to worry about). </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZkIqDLvrxILjRnWounJDbmyajnJ75oodtiaFRBtSHA83bN-s8wvJLR_fktGfd2dLby876o2V2TqceAxqUcNfHmlTRJziPSUNxKoqMOUOt-Pk6HQNUpyOCcjcK2us7H9p8TYpzUtzP9d2irlaESdUvyQNItLxISoal-i6_Dt74OBjfH2SouHVP0DDwuFT/s600/1-camp%20setup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="600" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZkIqDLvrxILjRnWounJDbmyajnJ75oodtiaFRBtSHA83bN-s8wvJLR_fktGfd2dLby876o2V2TqceAxqUcNfHmlTRJziPSUNxKoqMOUOt-Pk6HQNUpyOCcjcK2us7H9p8TYpzUtzP9d2irlaESdUvyQNItLxISoal-i6_Dt74OBjfH2SouHVP0DDwuFT/w400-h309/1-camp%20setup.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">camp setup<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />We all arrived safely (after a lot of traffic) and laughed while I backed my trailer (I'm still very bad) and after a quick set up (new camper is nice for that) decided we wanted to see the trails ASAP! I had a print out of a map and them downloaded into my phone, but the trail system is pretty basic. (However, it did not show topography lines…that will come up later!). We headed out the wider Lake Marie Road trail, and were encouraged by gorgeous views right away! The trail wound up the canyon, but in a manageable way, to the lake.</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEtJadP72eTwziTWJBq7ClR-ucE9xfpTUGfPZ2WztKctEZQyrtjKIqFOAL_PcE6s2kEhuSzeCnWxkfIO5o8JAVYse53-hLO9Mti2vT-Wp80eSOrGbpeVFyT7ZsgeZTRGfiKSWqgMcVQ6zr382dq92gIF8tpLb41nZ494vakb0S1W7aeYMsYXNirqrkHSBA/s600/1-view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEtJadP72eTwziTWJBq7ClR-ucE9xfpTUGfPZ2WztKctEZQyrtjKIqFOAL_PcE6s2kEhuSzeCnWxkfIO5o8JAVYse53-hLO9Mti2vT-Wp80eSOrGbpeVFyT7ZsgeZTRGfiKSWqgMcVQ6zr382dq92gIF8tpLb41nZ494vakb0S1W7aeYMsYXNirqrkHSBA/w400-h300/1-view.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">first view</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYHwHPchq0C9itCLYGNrwyZ95ZgVWtXJVJP-n3gyx-Oy6ngU2Dyj65NunZP8jkBirjxwu5QDB-m21oVvnGUYN5QH5A16d2ULzpCsWduYr5fOwARdsKQPZ3-NMDCv12lqtguOEs7TA-ynEaGKYXLCR8b4ly6TWs4EbDh8matVslhQxPEUmOyC0mYwkBeHY5/s600/1-trough.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYHwHPchq0C9itCLYGNrwyZ95ZgVWtXJVJP-n3gyx-Oy6ngU2Dyj65NunZP8jkBirjxwu5QDB-m21oVvnGUYN5QH5A16d2ULzpCsWduYr5fOwARdsKQPZ3-NMDCv12lqtguOEs7TA-ynEaGKYXLCR8b4ly6TWs4EbDh8matVslhQxPEUmOyC0mYwkBeHY5/w300-h400/1-trough.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">trough with a view<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0z6i62EE7WNVDshUOFP36qv9Ed6mn1gDTnhojwWcVWFDx4eNdGzBq8yT66alRrlUEmz6LAp1WjTD7ITChPeUPMyqelIxENkX9tWVoIhi3ljW5obJMNuLa4wiuHkGJdJDd4Oqw_ILt76fBtorx8O8MH0AmrH6UjOmA0On4Idf5ojGd_2eaH97SkVySOZx8/s600/1-trail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0z6i62EE7WNVDshUOFP36qv9Ed6mn1gDTnhojwWcVWFDx4eNdGzBq8yT66alRrlUEmz6LAp1WjTD7ITChPeUPMyqelIxENkX9tWVoIhi3ljW5obJMNuLa4wiuHkGJdJDd4Oqw_ILt76fBtorx8O8MH0AmrH6UjOmA0On4Idf5ojGd_2eaH97SkVySOZx8/w300-h400/1-trail.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">heading up the hill<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSbmsmG5_GW2DF_KcDIWQmyhDkbnV8Ms0AiOlMHqsJRK7rMtQ2MVP5n3b01QpHIE6gdmD7oVhzHg6pUGQeHTluLZVKOkoiEqpBVmMHzwB-BRvJB3zG0sN8CZ38DuA0v22jMLc7RpPKZmx2VeD1sVgA-WHW25AqQXOByGWnShuz4hh_hXwCoSXyP9dQBvTG/s600/1-ferns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSbmsmG5_GW2DF_KcDIWQmyhDkbnV8Ms0AiOlMHqsJRK7rMtQ2MVP5n3b01QpHIE6gdmD7oVhzHg6pUGQeHTluLZVKOkoiEqpBVmMHzwB-BRvJB3zG0sN8CZ38DuA0v22jMLc7RpPKZmx2VeD1sVgA-WHW25AqQXOByGWnShuz4hh_hXwCoSXyP9dQBvTG/w400-h300/1-ferns.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">love these ferns!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRjkJW2wt19tVECZSG8grDsJctnVsWNzhRhs2-Sw5AD35qMmvQDhx4rhxUfs7uHxQabIzKKL4hCYCcI92rhqk-YdqoOuPot9E1V4nd-7aqjdxqf1TSzldu8YEDg_RBPz6XVrfBbuP2eIut0mWlCewcJiXaLs3wwCBSFF_AWrK_70TqfZ-dfgshiTBXlII3/s600/1-lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRjkJW2wt19tVECZSG8grDsJctnVsWNzhRhs2-Sw5AD35qMmvQDhx4rhxUfs7uHxQabIzKKL4hCYCcI92rhqk-YdqoOuPot9E1V4nd-7aqjdxqf1TSzldu8YEDg_RBPz6XVrfBbuP2eIut0mWlCewcJiXaLs3wwCBSFF_AWrK_70TqfZ-dfgshiTBXlII3/w400-h300/1-lake.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Marie (and right, blooming buckeye tree)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>We didn't want the ride to be too long, so we headed back on the Buckeye trail to Passini Road trail. Buckeye was lovely single track with blooming flowers, and some knee-knocking trees, but Passini was very steep and rocky. I got off and hiked that one! Coming back we were perfectly set-up to enjoy the afternoon views out into Napa, grapevines and mountains, it was beautiful. </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5fWNg5z69dAZ52CiSOLeC16aaQI3aic0Ite-tYDgbcpVxQmZhhDjzu674CFIjBWnTWHMGtRLAFOBzYPyBuZxE9vRKDzq9yFcYeTdxt8vsImZcwOR1swTrSrn9GWfw-JE1KMUouMH2hYdsU4eYplroPi7l_GuK_VsBTUy4M7dFBTx9iGpltfvIeDZ_Ansp/s800/1-hill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5fWNg5z69dAZ52CiSOLeC16aaQI3aic0Ite-tYDgbcpVxQmZhhDjzu674CFIjBWnTWHMGtRLAFOBzYPyBuZxE9vRKDzq9yFcYeTdxt8vsImZcwOR1swTrSrn9GWfw-JE1KMUouMH2hYdsU4eYplroPi7l_GuK_VsBTUy4M7dFBTx9iGpltfvIeDZ_Ansp/w400-h300/1-hill.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">down Passini road<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5GkQvqyqF_mphQFavOIuIhz6aszCQq25eAtcD26iG1qtEdZsp-AGaCBTgLJFc8AYgTrUdwRtLdUJAzNi1pBNpwb7j1NzG0pD_fFGp8g8vFwWpSrfs3yHctwP7cmgk1j_w8KMDcyM6CKDXTciqb9GVOs7qFqzIiHAOltugxNw5ZRRgTNwV9pa3Im7X2QB/s600/1-trail%20sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5GkQvqyqF_mphQFavOIuIhz6aszCQq25eAtcD26iG1qtEdZsp-AGaCBTgLJFc8AYgTrUdwRtLdUJAzNi1pBNpwb7j1NzG0pD_fFGp8g8vFwWpSrfs3yHctwP7cmgk1j_w8KMDcyM6CKDXTciqb9GVOs7qFqzIiHAOltugxNw5ZRRgTNwV9pa3Im7X2QB/w400-h300/1-trail%20sign.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miles inspecting the signage (it was well done everywhere)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgf-nlLvfo_-9Rc1nOIwkR6AqRzoafFTP50yO3lDEVktk0wag_6vPyGOTcpTXH5C_5bmaQS-IvsLBC4kPqLC8tLY0SznDFjduUwBRaI8dYEwv-2UpOap3NmBX2gR8ZAysc6fgGxOjPIYr3nptI8gD2hXQs8tIadGOEKxog_r3PtbsZ6UGQ2FUAsTCOTDSR/s600/1-coming%20back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgf-nlLvfo_-9Rc1nOIwkR6AqRzoafFTP50yO3lDEVktk0wag_6vPyGOTcpTXH5C_5bmaQS-IvsLBC4kPqLC8tLY0SznDFjduUwBRaI8dYEwv-2UpOap3NmBX2gR8ZAysc6fgGxOjPIYr3nptI8gD2hXQs8tIadGOEKxog_r3PtbsZ6UGQ2FUAsTCOTDSR/w400-h300/1-coming%20back.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our homeward view<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>I am always a bit anxious that somehow Miles will get loose and run away, though I doubt he'd go farther than the next food source. But this camp I did braid an ID into his mane, and secured his lead overnight with an extra clip, since on the last trip he did untie himself. I only woke up about 30 times in the night listening to him eating, laying down, playing in his water, pawing, chewing, pooping, peeing, nickering to his friends, and all the horsey sounds he manages overnight. Does he sleep at all?</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1bZQei-1oadL7i-Rpe9MKvu4h4UXSi0Dpqjl7MUA1kk6S2JaGsZW8m_-UhINUooz9qa3KytuHqITVVVxrw9N1GO3ZaUN7hBlh6VWGsuHwxy1fLmlTrx8bQoNI9vtdyZp1W01Ex_95-roHa-qUSzQgkCGYtgGuypVVs775wx0dMcJYZU5sWF7CGds95AL/s600/1-hi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1bZQei-1oadL7i-Rpe9MKvu4h4UXSi0Dpqjl7MUA1kk6S2JaGsZW8m_-UhINUooz9qa3KytuHqITVVVxrw9N1GO3ZaUN7hBlh6VWGsuHwxy1fLmlTrx8bQoNI9vtdyZp1W01Ex_95-roHa-qUSzQgkCGYtgGuypVVs775wx0dMcJYZU5sWF7CGds95AL/w300-h400/1-hi.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hi, I will be annoying you this weekend.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0GUqyors44TEt_C1tMrvN-sff4jLRICLEd-XFj4t_QjGWkwCvm8JbrxhKTla1io4Rbm04fs6s6mSE6Pj9SX2PyJYq-ZhzZVvu-Zio5zmppDYQvbttbtnzevYON9zoEzUIW0-b1J5g-EebP4gDBd8hlzLz6adIX0dAlG8tBGu5dioQxpvo93gm_PpDqCCd/s600/1-ID.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0GUqyors44TEt_C1tMrvN-sff4jLRICLEd-XFj4t_QjGWkwCvm8JbrxhKTla1io4Rbm04fs6s6mSE6Pj9SX2PyJYq-ZhzZVvu-Zio5zmppDYQvbttbtnzevYON9zoEzUIW0-b1J5g-EebP4gDBd8hlzLz6adIX0dAlG8tBGu5dioQxpvo93gm_PpDqCCd/w300-h400/1-ID.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ID braided into mane<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>The morning was a bit overcast, though not cold (we're having an unseasonably cool spring here in Nor Cal). We wanted to wait until it cleared a bit to ride (for the views!) and decided to play on the obstacle course. I didn't take enough photos but there were tires at different heights, a bridge, a teeter-totter bridge, poles, and a car-wash (fire hoses hanging down to walk through). Miles did them all (even the teeter-totter!) but did not like the car-wash!</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwNxQkPaK6F1aJQLXnXndyz3vlCK07DNhmIOAoJz9TWR5UQETaEq4LvNeSR0DSDXy2RAe0sidOzGEDZ6kJuByH6kLd0bJwzqeepnUzb7Yf5vu8pHPlOCPZdNwSKGZZQ-0L4MP4pLJklQ6DRWqpilxHxK7m5g5ccOwKdu_1jISHwrr7aAgl9zF3goGa7cvx/s600/2-morning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwNxQkPaK6F1aJQLXnXndyz3vlCK07DNhmIOAoJz9TWR5UQETaEq4LvNeSR0DSDXy2RAe0sidOzGEDZ6kJuByH6kLd0bJwzqeepnUzb7Yf5vu8pHPlOCPZdNwSKGZZQ-0L4MP4pLJklQ6DRWqpilxHxK7m5g5ccOwKdu_1jISHwrr7aAgl9zF3goGa7cvx/w400-h300/2-morning.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">morning in camp<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9M5TWYEuY8sXotZLAo13GnGF18dDrw88NPwnFNdxS_QiQCfBAWvD3YmlkUE6-WILiWTuz9UDmHJLIUHprv9PhM1Ge3qx1KymFaHz8YdGNLp3Oi7p97_tWqrgR-2My8m5WoQQuSZ-QpNJOlayoUkaLDGi0Cj2JXWxpW3QGP2OKxWgZFzHoOu6fmhAqyFYz/s600/2-morning%20trail%20course.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9M5TWYEuY8sXotZLAo13GnGF18dDrw88NPwnFNdxS_QiQCfBAWvD3YmlkUE6-WILiWTuz9UDmHJLIUHprv9PhM1Ge3qx1KymFaHz8YdGNLp3Oi7p97_tWqrgR-2My8m5WoQQuSZ-QpNJOlayoUkaLDGi0Cj2JXWxpW3QGP2OKxWgZFzHoOu6fmhAqyFYz/w300-h400/2-morning%20trail%20course.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">obstacle practice<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmV4KAqENSoxPHgUKgdURcOc92GE-_ilum1oDNVhfC7Iore4Q6dkgz98Teh6S1jLFdU8Of2pi936BRZGgRSBknq7DrcVrNpPcr0Pibp0ig6ulAso4jR90QoLLnjThfg-M0catN5baxaQKtkH8S3Hsm4svDNqzrpHvVVaOuTjuDSPjUah2FhABf_viIRI4A/s600/2-ready%20to%20go.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmV4KAqENSoxPHgUKgdURcOc92GE-_ilum1oDNVhfC7Iore4Q6dkgz98Teh6S1jLFdU8Of2pi936BRZGgRSBknq7DrcVrNpPcr0Pibp0ig6ulAso4jR90QoLLnjThfg-M0catN5baxaQKtkH8S3Hsm4svDNqzrpHvVVaOuTjuDSPjUah2FhABf_viIRI4A/w400-h300/2-ready%20to%20go.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ready to head out<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>The sun was starting to peak out when we headed out. We decided on Skyline trail, and it was a very tough climb at first! The first part goes up and up, and is really, really rocky! I should have realized this is a canyon. Any trails other than the center one are going to have to go up the side of the canyon and come back down! But once up we were rewarded with great views. We did start encountering our first bikes of the day. They were all very nice and the trail was easy to share. There were cool old stacked rock walls, views for miles and lots of native plants blooming. We did detour off Skyline to Buckeye when we saw that the next part of Skyline went straight up and then back down (on the map), we decided we didn't need to prove anything. Miles was doing great, we were putting the horses in different positions, and while he does not like to be in the back, he did it (and we worked on not tailgating).</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL6LhKWkAqaCi1DMs7gBVK7lt0CA_8xC2Vowdb-zLH4mPrJFN3EUE12LtR-WU8Bq4pTypB7mauaiNPZgTTGWlmhQCHTaq1slyy9LWd5Z--SriaeCB5-_VPCJzYyqCqrYIZ-tgReB6xN9-DfRgPv_E28GdpdemPqftz-78XHqM_-WbX3VXVmschRsO790b3/s600/2-skyline%20climb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL6LhKWkAqaCi1DMs7gBVK7lt0CA_8xC2Vowdb-zLH4mPrJFN3EUE12LtR-WU8Bq4pTypB7mauaiNPZgTTGWlmhQCHTaq1slyy9LWd5Z--SriaeCB5-_VPCJzYyqCqrYIZ-tgReB6xN9-DfRgPv_E28GdpdemPqftz-78XHqM_-WbX3VXVmschRsO790b3/w300-h400/2-skyline%20climb.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">S coming up Skyline<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSMKGArLzfFYIVpT0K9tmo-EEAe8k4JrQIjJT18mL5pjiAqtAExaz4TNBqRfF3YpuX8v6aLmgu3vIOOE_OD9i4mnNvSVVH8xJaymFaHWjmAhCCBE_yHEcze1TojZ0aEVi-Slr9nceDNeVzcx8c91So2gdxIltHY68JEkuqkgDYkp2pn5l3pB1o5yeo_-2R/s600/2-skyline%20view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSMKGArLzfFYIVpT0K9tmo-EEAe8k4JrQIjJT18mL5pjiAqtAExaz4TNBqRfF3YpuX8v6aLmgu3vIOOE_OD9i4mnNvSVVH8xJaymFaHWjmAhCCBE_yHEcze1TojZ0aEVi-Slr9nceDNeVzcx8c91So2gdxIltHY68JEkuqkgDYkp2pn5l3pB1o5yeo_-2R/w400-h300/2-skyline%20view.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">vineyards views<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSDNdDX4g57QFKXWKUIXFOHjXf6EOzKHGOkIal0XQhvzH-WwcKqtNqdPmCO6HKhmPaojNbXGXtbZ2tRrE2mKEa-wFNrIxXSZmEtvUvGxONBSZ6m_GbbhmLQiTzxxccJ2sZB8mOG3K45L_vfD9PgMx3KbFF2KLHUIcdsrBiYCIoPbpaYJYy3lODHjIihLuG/s600/2-skyline%20view%20ears.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="410" data-original-width="600" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSDNdDX4g57QFKXWKUIXFOHjXf6EOzKHGOkIal0XQhvzH-WwcKqtNqdPmCO6HKhmPaojNbXGXtbZ2tRrE2mKEa-wFNrIxXSZmEtvUvGxONBSZ6m_GbbhmLQiTzxxccJ2sZB8mOG3K45L_vfD9PgMx3KbFF2KLHUIcdsrBiYCIoPbpaYJYy3lODHjIihLuG/w400-h274/2-skyline%20view%20ears.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the panoramas were awesome<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEqF_HZczS7I0BsIxE_JjO9htpZkXKL_JX-xJ_b__Pv02-xWt8zl73CFLoQKIKCfw3zRWqgJDaDVKJGV5D7ggIjieoxMaBrwnw_nD9XKGCIZbvrNnu00pXjZGkGhKEWTaaptcslkds-a9Ip2LNNzH3caQZxkjzxkzTSzkLCSBopYFLq0VSYfjXcLYlE_Ru/s600/2-rock%20wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEqF_HZczS7I0BsIxE_JjO9htpZkXKL_JX-xJ_b__Pv02-xWt8zl73CFLoQKIKCfw3zRWqgJDaDVKJGV5D7ggIjieoxMaBrwnw_nD9XKGCIZbvrNnu00pXjZGkGhKEWTaaptcslkds-a9Ip2LNNzH3caQZxkjzxkzTSzkLCSBopYFLq0VSYfjXcLYlE_Ru/w400-h300/2-rock%20wall.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">stacked stone wall<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYfIhxVa6_wLrGnVSarA7i21b940blvbTj0WmTjnr-gcz0-fU6lazOrJ1zrQ1Z7kwmuY1GTQLJZZG4-7s0z9D4CDaY1UCZ9cgK1rF54n54xt9mV5iGaHioA8hWtjd3F9PFh6TwhG62UyMgPwojS3FvOvlQO_1AmStsBHqMVYyspmLTOiMmh-9ksNkV5JNv/s600/2-epic%20tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYfIhxVa6_wLrGnVSarA7i21b940blvbTj0WmTjnr-gcz0-fU6lazOrJ1zrQ1Z7kwmuY1GTQLJZZG4-7s0z9D4CDaY1UCZ9cgK1rF54n54xt9mV5iGaHioA8hWtjd3F9PFh6TwhG62UyMgPwojS3FvOvlQO_1AmStsBHqMVYyspmLTOiMmh-9ksNkV5JNv/w400-h300/2-epic%20tree.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">epic tree and wall<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChbgLmXSTXtCc8uLAYTVKAfQGcmNG7ewEjPCy73_gE8uB0UwtKOWy6sAW6dX94-EX1Lu9T48yfwXO9qO_DPS57Vz2PCxzpUsElnMRgENMEGD_XRg-I1ytTmZoR55Rh8K7G-h8rK5Qygc6M9OJs_myM-r8Nk8Jg9BCEZ7VKAXDoi6cOe8zXO55OfIArRdr/s600/2-flowers%20wall%20view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChbgLmXSTXtCc8uLAYTVKAfQGcmNG7ewEjPCy73_gE8uB0UwtKOWy6sAW6dX94-EX1Lu9T48yfwXO9qO_DPS57Vz2PCxzpUsElnMRgENMEGD_XRg-I1ytTmZoR55Rh8K7G-h8rK5Qygc6M9OJs_myM-r8Nk8Jg9BCEZ7VKAXDoi6cOe8zXO55OfIArRdr/w400-h300/2-flowers%20wall%20view.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">flowers, views, stone walls, so lovely!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLMUUub6sYVkQK34aIkihRiwHs_krl0iAKJ-cANeFJ3Gtmh9p9vpNVt4WUmr0y9uixwY_yxa2XYOuuhOY2p35NkqVxi9SiVNCM40qeQMgjzPw5y6MxKnZ5wU8wCLqi4c4agZdZB4VG7lISy2LT6Cp9Ax3ZsRG5XOE4hiC4e04OxKSRZMjvN2KxJR5mVTwB/s600/2-view%20south.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="369" data-original-width="600" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLMUUub6sYVkQK34aIkihRiwHs_krl0iAKJ-cANeFJ3Gtmh9p9vpNVt4WUmr0y9uixwY_yxa2XYOuuhOY2p35NkqVxi9SiVNCM40qeQMgjzPw5y6MxKnZ5wU8wCLqi4c4agZdZB4VG7lISy2LT6Cp9Ax3ZsRG5XOE4hiC4e04OxKSRZMjvN2KxJR5mVTwB/w400-h246/2-view%20south.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view to the other side from the ridge<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Back at Lake Marie we took the pleasant sounding Lake Marie Creek trail which was not as pleasant as we expected. It was just rocky single-track in the beginning, and we wanted to let some bikes go past but there was no where to pull off. But they were nice and we did finally find a place. This happened a couple times. The trail did finally drop down by the creek, and the horses could get a drink, and that was very lovely with ferns and babbling creek.</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYEUwl6xJuoXM0EoIkU4zPuaWddqfjtYdfGkswznBlf2sMcdX2X8MM8SG3hkGsf_0-ozKNEIb0pKcZdM42An1BAkwkQsou9zw0u2z6z5NX9E2HX-YMy0F_b1-sKSaxiYIoCRfLczQRQpzQ98-_n9ehlewpSU7Gn_85UI8FZB22_6Giu4J6bQ_tT5AfgSxM/s600/2%20dam%20crossing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYEUwl6xJuoXM0EoIkU4zPuaWddqfjtYdfGkswznBlf2sMcdX2X8MM8SG3hkGsf_0-ozKNEIb0pKcZdM42An1BAkwkQsou9zw0u2z6z5NX9E2HX-YMy0F_b1-sKSaxiYIoCRfLczQRQpzQ98-_n9ehlewpSU7Gn_85UI8FZB22_6Giu4J6bQ_tT5AfgSxM/w400-h300/2%20dam%20crossing.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Marie dam crossing<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZ72phjQUzj9_1PPYJuFcsVXIfY8ujE0QAgem6lHItWh2yrMTVBKSGLxyMKZP5jsWFxpZt1Y01ZY4WBfhXaFgjcJK7oe9mY6ROMNj1SrCaxLWHcIgw0c8oW9W1888nQEA0FHgXWP6fgHqkjdMk3dzK9HS4W4-0VxuDVm78Jcq4DW5PhaAHry5WJFsfdpr/s600/2-lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZ72phjQUzj9_1PPYJuFcsVXIfY8ujE0QAgem6lHItWh2yrMTVBKSGLxyMKZP5jsWFxpZt1Y01ZY4WBfhXaFgjcJK7oe9mY6ROMNj1SrCaxLWHcIgw0c8oW9W1888nQEA0FHgXWP6fgHqkjdMk3dzK9HS4W4-0VxuDVm78Jcq4DW5PhaAHry5WJFsfdpr/w400-h300/2-lake.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Marie, looked very tempting<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>We could have taken the road back, but Manzanita trail didn't look too bad on the map. I was wrong. It might have been better going the opposite way, but there were big sections of slick rock, and big rock steps, and we were going down the 19–24% grade (I always prefer going UP over steep rocks). So it was slow going. I lost a boot somewhere in there, replaced it with my backup (wet boot after creek crossing then rock hopping is my recipe for lost boots. I was not going back, it was an old boot with my phone number on it. Maybe someone else will find it!). More difficulty in passing bikes (but everyone was still nice). Your horse better be ok with bikes and walking sticks for this park! I didn't take enough pictures of the rocky trails because I was trying to lead Miles, not fall myself, and worried that I was taking my friends on some sort of death march!<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7pHcuSOcK44oKXO9KuqQxymqhXWgzASLiC9rTbOvRrY6-5DBBvQlkMcEup44lZSKjPxhnMVJh1F6e11ZyUyyHeXHhcSmqQYL7dGlGzA7xXXPIHH1KUC1hue94tkmmg0MesXPLHlnyJaf-9RHBHcspzYJU8DW_zQihjsFyQSeDuqwgH54eheGYGzRB_4CE/s600/2-following.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7pHcuSOcK44oKXO9KuqQxymqhXWgzASLiC9rTbOvRrY6-5DBBvQlkMcEup44lZSKjPxhnMVJh1F6e11ZyUyyHeXHhcSmqQYL7dGlGzA7xXXPIHH1KUC1hue94tkmmg0MesXPLHlnyJaf-9RHBHcspzYJU8DW_zQihjsFyQSeDuqwgH54eheGYGzRB_4CE/w300-h400/2-following.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">following, not tailgating<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiNnXslmIfa18l8ZiwfxkU2JlxaEQuabu6pedIZUqyTPqWuFpjirBMuMsKIUi8mBVeVtEESARPAFi5TGaqg4snGKPwrtDkR5ps0w0Jvt_J8yHaA5RmOH4pT-Zr9ypkusZy0MAuLSZ2vUzsWqYeUcNo7kEP6p4oSeQHCFQQ2Wb5r5IA5EKTG4f8I4mZRpRs/s600/2-trail%20steep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiNnXslmIfa18l8ZiwfxkU2JlxaEQuabu6pedIZUqyTPqWuFpjirBMuMsKIUi8mBVeVtEESARPAFi5TGaqg4snGKPwrtDkR5ps0w0Jvt_J8yHaA5RmOH4pT-Zr9ypkusZy0MAuLSZ2vUzsWqYeUcNo7kEP6p4oSeQHCFQQ2Wb5r5IA5EKTG4f8I4mZRpRs/w300-h400/2-trail%20steep.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">it doesn't capture it, but very steep dropoff!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFiWOw2KSjOMkMYLXHWzeRGYIELxIyTIhYe2sHBFD9FSTN58DLfUkc8HM6X6ao9VB531yuPWk2Y04YmcaliqTHt6Q0EpfNG-_FCD93h7j1L_oQFc84qcZMchlNY2yMbAZNAcx6gpSkipK-hOWbh5-zARrnL7-b5UDTnYTfhPKM39X3xBytSH5IXV28j69R/s600/2-burned%20ears.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFiWOw2KSjOMkMYLXHWzeRGYIELxIyTIhYe2sHBFD9FSTN58DLfUkc8HM6X6ao9VB531yuPWk2Y04YmcaliqTHt6Q0EpfNG-_FCD93h7j1L_oQFc84qcZMchlNY2yMbAZNAcx6gpSkipK-hOWbh5-zARrnL7-b5UDTnYTfhPKM39X3xBytSH5IXV28j69R/w300-h400/2-burned%20ears.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">heading into the burned area<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhisL3-PrBItXcDuH9a3cT91UYyx03CXoc4Unu-pmYkQIR1zrfDJKRNlGBGh1qHanbL2ogHqYEQ16siMABK9n99zUrPatp0OTpa_dvyAoKwvNUu0XLBaZEvJ1xgM2S5DYHWkTIR1MTc2NOn-MI5SwvMd0E1P3HcQBxaH61AQj8Mhmv7g7XVd2C9R2FDKky-/s600/2-manzanita%20trail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhisL3-PrBItXcDuH9a3cT91UYyx03CXoc4Unu-pmYkQIR1zrfDJKRNlGBGh1qHanbL2ogHqYEQ16siMABK9n99zUrPatp0OTpa_dvyAoKwvNUu0XLBaZEvJ1xgM2S5DYHWkTIR1MTc2NOn-MI5SwvMd0E1P3HcQBxaH61AQj8Mhmv7g7XVd2C9R2FDKky-/w300-h400/2-manzanita%20trail.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manzanita trail<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs3WW6taflRQ9oTAS588IAoNfJhjidAQWqrKmOh9ska5KVeu3LLjQBiQD-CL8l8CQC2sB-8cDienuF7GvDhariHUm2eCb5Zt4z5TG996GL4EElGIcZzAWrLiBNXbwHJXMcajsTVufKosM1LK9rDwZ0qKYR8UPmECdom9WH-_TTSdtN2ps3wWWsHD_r4HxX/s600/2-burned.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs3WW6taflRQ9oTAS588IAoNfJhjidAQWqrKmOh9ska5KVeu3LLjQBiQD-CL8l8CQC2sB-8cDienuF7GvDhariHUm2eCb5Zt4z5TG996GL4EElGIcZzAWrLiBNXbwHJXMcajsTVufKosM1LK9rDwZ0qKYR8UPmECdom9WH-_TTSdtN2ps3wWWsHD_r4HxX/w400-h300/2-burned.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">amazing to see the recovery that has happened<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>It was interesting to see this part of the park, which was burned in the 2017 fire storms in Sonoma and Napa counties. There are old rock walls that can be seen, and the undergrowth is coming back. But the manzanita that the trail is named after is just burned trunks, it is very slow growing and will take a long time to come back. But this trail seemed long and hot, and C had her saddle slip and took a fall! That part was terrible. But she sat it out a bit and seemed ok. I left Miles in between horses while I checked on her (she was in front) and he just stood there, sad there was nothing to eat but scrub. We walked a bit after that, and it seemed never ending, but soon we heading down a hill (steep switchbacks on slippery dirt) and were pretty close to home. Phew!</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOFXdshjHX2QKtEJbR7fzRJUqVQcaFTwzSM6varsTRSk4Q1lTYkWgT61YK8_bPFFFiizaWNjn-SAlUNRc8SJuRvRrdfsiQlGdnu2V7-sd9SI8_aRTigAnCtx8Pq2MVqtECwCYOOIElpCYNWXdWgdN89KWHqcacFxiHwQz5IT8puUBprnUOPELU6HyYu-mN/s600/2-shade%20trail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOFXdshjHX2QKtEJbR7fzRJUqVQcaFTwzSM6varsTRSk4Q1lTYkWgT61YK8_bPFFFiizaWNjn-SAlUNRc8SJuRvRrdfsiQlGdnu2V7-sd9SI8_aRTigAnCtx8Pq2MVqtECwCYOOIElpCYNWXdWgdN89KWHqcacFxiHwQz5IT8puUBprnUOPELU6HyYu-mN/w300-h400/2-shade%20trail.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">shady singletrack, much better<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjN9bWXBRV2NkQpqgXq_EVKBdh1AaFgI5cKRZHpo_Ghuem7bZ-qX-3RvV3DFnwU21tfrO2WPse22eFwesCUjYn3VwFHvOs29_pz8RAqkCgIjch0TvIqXjJ7CIB9s2zmZq0L5uFCBodQn-tJW3jAKC5Lmq03lxavgSBKTyDr4PoeEkeaqyWdqTd3vhTG_N/s600/2-almost%20back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjN9bWXBRV2NkQpqgXq_EVKBdh1AaFgI5cKRZHpo_Ghuem7bZ-qX-3RvV3DFnwU21tfrO2WPse22eFwesCUjYn3VwFHvOs29_pz8RAqkCgIjch0TvIqXjJ7CIB9s2zmZq0L5uFCBodQn-tJW3jAKC5Lmq03lxavgSBKTyDr4PoeEkeaqyWdqTd3vhTG_N/w400-h300/2-almost%20back.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">almost back to camp<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>That night I cooked up a spaghetti dinner in my camper (so easy), and C and S provided salad, bread and dessert (homemade pound cake with strawberries!). Camping food always tastes amazing. We took the horses for a walk, over to the obstacle course, and then just around the property. The camping isn't amazing, but it's a nice open field, with water, a clean porta-potty within easy walking distance, showers (could be cleaner) a bit farther away, and easy trail access. But the sunset was spectacular, worth the price of admission!</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBFLBzsuLfOZhSzN73yPpc2scKCD1uxqija-0uQDzephNTiJpJ8IeUAvkRtIzx4kbLL2-o5ETnaHWI0lb3CjqZCSGqlDUe4ouTyOdqL_hjhCrKN-bwi33A98Ps7BlQeWNMOqc-RE5cHXOH3RqJ3xLxjnAS2BNkiWyQrlrgtsVTIbpmYja6pFw_BYPbWOZg/s600/2-dinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBFLBzsuLfOZhSzN73yPpc2scKCD1uxqija-0uQDzephNTiJpJ8IeUAvkRtIzx4kbLL2-o5ETnaHWI0lb3CjqZCSGqlDUe4ouTyOdqL_hjhCrKN-bwi33A98Ps7BlQeWNMOqc-RE5cHXOH3RqJ3xLxjnAS2BNkiWyQrlrgtsVTIbpmYja6pFw_BYPbWOZg/w300-h400/2-dinner.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mmm, spaghetti…<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmeTlmcrozJjI7AIOEN8WTrTnn5mXmQ7_7H8CgS5srRihKkqIj0Mfxln_IQAzWeG96BLd5iEXx61Kbcz4MuqEas6SmdafYTwB9dt1VHTq5X4dp-Mod4VR-BcHdddkQsPdqiQ-kTt_Hoq5K7rOuzkn-c8oWe8043GbDbrMwTcmoUtzMAQEoCd-5We0ujO8e/s600/2-rest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmeTlmcrozJjI7AIOEN8WTrTnn5mXmQ7_7H8CgS5srRihKkqIj0Mfxln_IQAzWeG96BLd5iEXx61Kbcz4MuqEas6SmdafYTwB9dt1VHTq5X4dp-Mod4VR-BcHdddkQsPdqiQ-kTt_Hoq5K7rOuzkn-c8oWe8043GbDbrMwTcmoUtzMAQEoCd-5We0ujO8e/w400-h300/2-rest.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">restful view<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxOQeeQ5lH6NMXDCF6iYZf33CS4znRdGJpliQi3qOQ728Xg47S0pshwj6Z1r8lGeJ5I7Qw-Iald1VXI2yKYx1gMovUF1H9dGZcIefoxJXaniRMXtNSo3kn6zbtAwXIBPpjcoQmhurPfWUb68JqjkEX1aK_aZI_ur7OwPFDL2YyW2bZjiMibbac9eWIayHn/s600/2-trail%20course%20sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxOQeeQ5lH6NMXDCF6iYZf33CS4znRdGJpliQi3qOQ728Xg47S0pshwj6Z1r8lGeJ5I7Qw-Iald1VXI2yKYx1gMovUF1H9dGZcIefoxJXaniRMXtNSo3kn6zbtAwXIBPpjcoQmhurPfWUb68JqjkEX1aK_aZI_ur7OwPFDL2YyW2bZjiMibbac9eWIayHn/w400-h300/2-trail%20course%20sunset.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miles liked to stand up and take in the new view from up higher<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMpykGs5gxep2UvaZ_6APmyrMZN5kJRXfHrPt9gvi53t__qCORgXsWybaDYlgZTegZ4ASVVTKFrFjyuMXGrxvvpFWiwGXpASmLxkMnxtLDdtVBganvppIxH--IeMfdOFLKe5qwpD9Gw5nG0ngTIwnJ61difUMF_xJAFSjGFqBqeSn_nkHqxNYyLjqcZrO-/s600/2-sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="474" data-original-width="600" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMpykGs5gxep2UvaZ_6APmyrMZN5kJRXfHrPt9gvi53t__qCORgXsWybaDYlgZTegZ4ASVVTKFrFjyuMXGrxvvpFWiwGXpASmLxkMnxtLDdtVBganvppIxH--IeMfdOFLKe5qwpD9Gw5nG0ngTIwnJ61difUMF_xJAFSjGFqBqeSn_nkHqxNYyLjqcZrO-/w400-h316/2-sunset.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miles sunset<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4wSJmcEADn6zr8egNhob5LEL4RflSeimEI31KKZGb-o3hPvH7SsJypeNi758duOj8VcLUctWyD1RHyCc2trPjOrBMYWNLoBeItLW_h6PurSWaIpo6IZO2v0qa3TrhV_ZfwZwRBlWpzIhWsNOqbEPPx2uLPEJpVa1t9FVzMiYxONoUnk-MnXGMB6dQOFh/s600/2-sunset%20camp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4wSJmcEADn6zr8egNhob5LEL4RflSeimEI31KKZGb-o3hPvH7SsJypeNi758duOj8VcLUctWyD1RHyCc2trPjOrBMYWNLoBeItLW_h6PurSWaIpo6IZO2v0qa3TrhV_ZfwZwRBlWpzIhWsNOqbEPPx2uLPEJpVa1t9FVzMiYxONoUnk-MnXGMB6dQOFh/w400-h300/2-sunset%20camp.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">camp sunset<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>I slept marginally better (since Miles hadn't killed himself the first night). We needed to leave by 11, but that means I could fit an early ride in. S wanted to ride in the giant arena that they have there, and C wanted to do the obstacle course and round pen. So I headed out for a trail ride by myself, planning on just taking the main easier trail. I'd been worried that the rocks and hills were more than he was used to, so didn't know what kind-of horse I'd have. Plus taking him away from his now best friends!</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBFJrVyWWeA9MN6bJDoUnhadwaeYADy0RHTX-BmhK33MG4SO9lpqv1c1me4AO1CAUP3jw7e6ePcWir4mJYSYl6hwUlUGDWN_66Vsh90WoGjA-AIENulNcdQYyXmZCi0RScK66d2PmKfmXQCjJA4a6nXc77Js8hnfMhNokoFOLzaBTrJ2sOqT8ZS5--Tubx/s600/3-morning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="382" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBFJrVyWWeA9MN6bJDoUnhadwaeYADy0RHTX-BmhK33MG4SO9lpqv1c1me4AO1CAUP3jw7e6ePcWir4mJYSYl6hwUlUGDWN_66Vsh90WoGjA-AIENulNcdQYyXmZCi0RScK66d2PmKfmXQCjJA4a6nXc77Js8hnfMhNokoFOLzaBTrJ2sOqT8ZS5--Tubx/w255-h400/3-morning.jpg" width="255" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">morning, and Miles dunking hay<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVp4lbKLXQf_V16fu-Cap_ltOcHTwOod0HNMbVHG80h-YDvQRgPoWCA4hAfMuPzh4kZhtSJeZCFxhnGKWBpC2aJw7Z9Ze1dEHDuluAV7sfdDBU_Crtj8f2N_W0zvYavLDLam2XDVfaaCcqRKEahP9dhPWGxTjRTLOIVMDLhqIHqcLXAE1bFYNFptqzscnQ/s600/3-gauntlet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVp4lbKLXQf_V16fu-Cap_ltOcHTwOod0HNMbVHG80h-YDvQRgPoWCA4hAfMuPzh4kZhtSJeZCFxhnGKWBpC2aJw7Z9Ze1dEHDuluAV7sfdDBU_Crtj8f2N_W0zvYavLDLam2XDVfaaCcqRKEahP9dhPWGxTjRTLOIVMDLhqIHqcLXAE1bFYNFptqzscnQ/w400-h300/3-gauntlet.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">weird fenced gauntlet you had to ride through<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilY-Z6u8Xf3Vf1DyYtM_yGuB4pK-1E_C9yx9LO2ro-uhChyYj7S0YGml3YV65QEXDhP_lyq-7jp6i64tXYqXatrThblFv9FmFVhtnNWhXQTYs2-XZD3-Zrxgh2rWJZlvlBaYW9vuuuiVU1seWUaNsWpuCVMSUrxOLF6ApgaGmN5EnPyZ2PmKxIFcWLz3Ef/s600/3-inaccessible%20lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilY-Z6u8Xf3Vf1DyYtM_yGuB4pK-1E_C9yx9LO2ro-uhChyYj7S0YGml3YV65QEXDhP_lyq-7jp6i64tXYqXatrThblFv9FmFVhtnNWhXQTYs2-XZD3-Zrxgh2rWJZlvlBaYW9vuuuiVU1seWUaNsWpuCVMSUrxOLF6ApgaGmN5EnPyZ2PmKxIFcWLz3Ef/w400-h300/3-inaccessible%20lake.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">beautiful, but inaccessible, lake<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ2n7pkiZxUgklVlT7AIZYnxQBZ_0f_-NdkPh6uDp0vp_kY7eI9IrtfRIQaAPqxgErTKZxQlD_sQBpIPm_UwSPqGBCOdyFynZllBVFzLq4ffYj209xqOr4aUghYcxJ2ySFDevKb-f2nUw4E5FPjcjA_KyftRflyURZM7r165B7_b3u4DDoPUVcAkThlJsM/s600/3-old%20sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ2n7pkiZxUgklVlT7AIZYnxQBZ_0f_-NdkPh6uDp0vp_kY7eI9IrtfRIQaAPqxgErTKZxQlD_sQBpIPm_UwSPqGBCOdyFynZllBVFzLq4ffYj209xqOr4aUghYcxJ2ySFDevKb-f2nUw4E5FPjcjA_KyftRflyURZM7r165B7_b3u4DDoPUVcAkThlJsM/w400-h300/3-old%20sign.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">property was originally part of the Napa State Hospital<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>I shouldn't have worried! He was full of it. No problem leaving his friends, and wanted to trot. So we did! We even got in a canter up the lovely shaded hill. I did make him stop and inspect some ruins (old foundations?) of a little house/shack and a weird area, carved out from the hillside, that had a doorway in the back? I've got some researching to do! </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjer2D79LubQHmwIGOtx3cDKP0VMKo17z_rPWQ8csWIFunYKCacwmn1qG10-auXYOsgwjhB0rkLRjgzrTmhsaLaAB3mfTr_PJ0fR5jo2x-Q6tMumW9I8U6HEdFI9qaZumQsO9KB4GbL6W5FTZ5uphV1cV0RDyLFNHYClQ1szPVqCN04DyyeDsfe0dNbs7XQ/s600/3-top.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjer2D79LubQHmwIGOtx3cDKP0VMKo17z_rPWQ8csWIFunYKCacwmn1qG10-auXYOsgwjhB0rkLRjgzrTmhsaLaAB3mfTr_PJ0fR5jo2x-Q6tMumW9I8U6HEdFI9qaZumQsO9KB4GbL6W5FTZ5uphV1cV0RDyLFNHYClQ1szPVqCN04DyyeDsfe0dNbs7XQ/w300-h400/3-top.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">heading up!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijprKnVGuDFln5V0nh_jTvBYYRdDUMScu076P23Na2kV9Wa6fuyqME4VLLO6S7L1tRpzWAFhz9k5RouRJSm_qRuTmUhI_AuRVG9ZoLo6qWSYN9cWjjXhSc9XYnYe_123mpHY5A123XrtxQjOniVGtgi6ui9motPf3AZdLen05kuHPYCGipilZc2RKQ2C3e/s600/3-wall%20carving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijprKnVGuDFln5V0nh_jTvBYYRdDUMScu076P23Na2kV9Wa6fuyqME4VLLO6S7L1tRpzWAFhz9k5RouRJSm_qRuTmUhI_AuRVG9ZoLo6qWSYN9cWjjXhSc9XYnYe_123mpHY5A123XrtxQjOniVGtgi6ui9motPf3AZdLen05kuHPYCGipilZc2RKQ2C3e/w300-h400/3-wall%20carving.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">what's this weird carved doorway?<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8pL4Lex2n-9tYJYEZORxh1P3NkQQTtXaHEKfVspYrBVUrmNwkDplIWS4OsLeanT3eygC6sxOkayXTGOmkBQL0-FrHuIUvd5G1Lp5EHRyBofA4RT56wSEsuWeSHYV45ceDWRSwK-lwoZZd3vZT_Cs7ia_m_C5YJFBeh74CDGIf5ArkDJNzJQthtLWfnpP/s600/3-old%20homestead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="446" data-original-width="600" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8pL4Lex2n-9tYJYEZORxh1P3NkQQTtXaHEKfVspYrBVUrmNwkDplIWS4OsLeanT3eygC6sxOkayXTGOmkBQL0-FrHuIUvd5G1Lp5EHRyBofA4RT56wSEsuWeSHYV45ceDWRSwK-lwoZZd3vZT_Cs7ia_m_C5YJFBeh74CDGIf5ArkDJNzJQthtLWfnpP/w400-h297/3-old%20homestead.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">an old carved stone foundation? Steps (right) and fireplace and chimney (left)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0wqbnHdHmnqJbj6ytVbW17n9-rl2EAeIBQiRtoI7jdTKJ0Dyh8cNW1rK33HuP1cVXS5WYRUL_atk6PxX0aCrye5WY_vvTJW9XbeKcIzOPpdDOyv7sjW2UmrBgBW-Q3oILSnnkjm3VyiWFY3-Nd0sn3sDiK7gQa8C1DE4h8mru5sIQtMajSUtyTChr4G4m/s600/3-spring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0wqbnHdHmnqJbj6ytVbW17n9-rl2EAeIBQiRtoI7jdTKJ0Dyh8cNW1rK33HuP1cVXS5WYRUL_atk6PxX0aCrye5WY_vvTJW9XbeKcIzOPpdDOyv7sjW2UmrBgBW-Q3oILSnnkjm3VyiWFY3-Nd0sn3sDiK7gQa8C1DE4h8mru5sIQtMajSUtyTChr4G4m/w400-h300/3-spring.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">spring seeping from under the hill, or where trolls live<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN3JiRN6gVyjweiSRloXS7kMsR_PIAVOvLnkCDA8FaLii8L3H45XF6F87MrTMeUa66WBGURaoRXWMKK9DAs2L-DZBYkmAyeSTN81VSZkjQAmvjsyIQHewPysXQe11tL1b1A6NHSda18hhJMEZxRhqSFEzMkmLFo8A-1lK3RfBnsHXNXRkNeoOPNjzcNJjF/s600/3-heading%20out.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN3JiRN6gVyjweiSRloXS7kMsR_PIAVOvLnkCDA8FaLii8L3H45XF6F87MrTMeUa66WBGURaoRXWMKK9DAs2L-DZBYkmAyeSTN81VSZkjQAmvjsyIQHewPysXQe11tL1b1A6NHSda18hhJMEZxRhqSFEzMkmLFo8A-1lK3RfBnsHXNXRkNeoOPNjzcNJjF/w400-h300/3-heading%20out.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fields of gold<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>As we turned around I wasn't sure if I'd have the sensible horse or the barn-sour one. He wanted to be a little rushy but with a little discussion we kept it to a trot (when sensible) or walk. There were a few groups just heading out on the trail, we passed bikes heading out and a couple families. Miles is very good and likes to say hi to the kids, but I could tell he wanted to get back to his buddies.</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-HSpzU8xkWYVrvqetswgXmy_ggJrSFuu-w3JtWSLux78mWdBXgw5PCG7okuAnvpggXCvkB745u3ae97WThS5ajh4KP0qeK-LOuT6TrygzZSe1Jhis_kC53Y8XiaqsjL7OJi5vpGd7SSK_I8yGIXLnzkkhoFZ-L2gPGcWIruvFI5sCT5ss6AHaUgO_GxmA/s600/3-heading%20home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-HSpzU8xkWYVrvqetswgXmy_ggJrSFuu-w3JtWSLux78mWdBXgw5PCG7okuAnvpggXCvkB745u3ae97WThS5ajh4KP0qeK-LOuT6TrygzZSe1Jhis_kC53Y8XiaqsjL7OJi5vpGd7SSK_I8yGIXLnzkkhoFZ-L2gPGcWIruvFI5sCT5ss6AHaUgO_GxmA/w400-h300/3-heading%20home.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">heading back home<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho7Fg2Dk2if3uJR5y0rAdw_kn0kTrzQvyAg05BvvXC10mMozitpY9_k40HZ-eYzmOoLcUxLKnHHXPSB1N98ua1VFwc_tjE4_Hm2-rw5Ff4TAr9dkgfaMTULXaczSCfjcdd14QMK6tqZzi9nWVbM3nzYvos8363zY9K6tJ_SPd0SGFuxCyB-4ATqXAEZvBu/s600/3-home%20with%20view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho7Fg2Dk2if3uJR5y0rAdw_kn0kTrzQvyAg05BvvXC10mMozitpY9_k40HZ-eYzmOoLcUxLKnHHXPSB1N98ua1VFwc_tjE4_Hm2-rw5Ff4TAr9dkgfaMTULXaczSCfjcdd14QMK6tqZzi9nWVbM3nzYvos8363zY9K6tJ_SPd0SGFuxCyB-4ATqXAEZvBu/w400-h300/3-home%20with%20view.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">rocky and walking this part!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh42CXgC4dm7rqhW95RHA8y_4tcUU_YxN3GumkAR8BRRS6bhaPITRbGAF9FzdWkhpy30ff4KK8kLWGqQZgw6Uop7i29J3LxS-KpKFu1prJsK4nIWnKLGNQg2rYBwB7aTialba9a9-iskVaXZynbMez0qwJqRiSaEBxhl894ZBtTfRGJ8GJAjZvZdX_BQadW/s600/3-ready.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh42CXgC4dm7rqhW95RHA8y_4tcUU_YxN3GumkAR8BRRS6bhaPITRbGAF9FzdWkhpy30ff4KK8kLWGqQZgw6Uop7i29J3LxS-KpKFu1prJsK4nIWnKLGNQg2rYBwB7aTialba9a9-iskVaXZynbMez0qwJqRiSaEBxhl894ZBtTfRGJ8GJAjZvZdX_BQadW/w400-h300/3-ready.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miles is ready to go home, lined himself up!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>We got back to see S practicing her cantering in the huge area, and C just finishing up. We got packed and ready to go, and had a simple drive home. A successful weekend of only about 18 miles, but they were tough miles and in a new place. More importantly I had fun, my friends don't hate me for choosing the rock trail (they did have fun!) and I think Miles did too! I'm super proud of Miles and impressed by how level headed he was about the trail, and camping, and that he seems to take care of himself really well. I honestly came back wanting to plan another camping trip and looking at my schedule for July. Any suggestions?</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8kHyurmfgoCgi1zfY8vANxMDJjZxJ4sAxJY8_V_HuiHNar4me_xb-HhfzqUzENI5BMhtxz7B4idFFZpDvVWMpmFNlwBZPYs9dQM2Tcl2kXUXLY16hueP6G78Fx0pQZQM_CKCaXed9kcI2YikICZQC3e9fmfaPUf0IBall2ZTGSUs2KIh7dlKFpZ68Bbzk/s600/3-again.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8kHyurmfgoCgi1zfY8vANxMDJjZxJ4sAxJY8_V_HuiHNar4me_xb-HhfzqUzENI5BMhtxz7B4idFFZpDvVWMpmFNlwBZPYs9dQM2Tcl2kXUXLY16hueP6G78Fx0pQZQM_CKCaXed9kcI2YikICZQC3e9fmfaPUf0IBall2ZTGSUs2KIh7dlKFpZ68Bbzk/w400-h300/3-again.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">that was fun, can we go again?<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>irish horsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11289040711028666546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4695120516623358773.post-84775967726964885582023-06-09T04:59:00.005-07:002023-06-09T04:59:00.139-07:00friday fun: hidden falls<p>My work transitions to a 4-day-a-week schedule in summer, which means free Fridays! I've already got the next month of Friday's planned out, and of course they're mostly riding!</p><p>Our first foray was to Hidden Falls, which is pretty close but not the same-old trails I've been doing in Auburn. While it isn't my favorite it is fun sometimes and always good to see some new scenery. My friend S brought her good boy Rocky, who has upped his fitness and enjoys keeping up with Miles when we want to have a faster ride.</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7MdQSRjRbKk1TsZ6A2uWC834GXIMb2lcnnhMSSRgZW091uZSM4YZxYItj8AhXrZZyqKgZ8H7lDybM3GnDZKy6IyEuoKFJ0afXXpA_k6X8rAjJlHh8-A3nqn8lzErRyu8-bROsQj1vISikMo5yqnVPhIiZiWdDNSerwhU7AwtVg03woY8glRzkaeq_-g/s600/1-shady%20hidden%20falls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7MdQSRjRbKk1TsZ6A2uWC834GXIMb2lcnnhMSSRgZW091uZSM4YZxYItj8AhXrZZyqKgZ8H7lDybM3GnDZKy6IyEuoKFJ0afXXpA_k6X8rAjJlHh8-A3nqn8lzErRyu8-bROsQj1vISikMo5yqnVPhIiZiWdDNSerwhU7AwtVg03woY8glRzkaeq_-g/w300-h400/1-shady%20hidden%20falls.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">still some green even in June!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>From the staging area the trail goes down some switchbacks and along a creek. We continued on the shady creek trail, I like this one because it is more technical but with some pretty views of the creek from above (horses can't go to the main falls area). A couple sets of bikes came up from behind on this narrow trail, both horses didn't care, and we squeezed over to let them past. Other than that we almost had the place to ourselves!</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg88swxtaBxFiOdLdtb7MYl7m9TcpphaOFkWXu3MWU8FkRGwY6jQRkAScJyFH-5y3QW8MVJvmo9QugR6a4ZhO4R7xxc0x7PZlZ0wJgdQft97vO8uz4UMIksyNQJQ8OGoxYZ7_7UyatzV-DYgmoqxs6OumBdGNNgVFcbRvIRQId72ck8V9HjtOtu5gR-Kw/s600/2-bridge%20hidden%20falls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg88swxtaBxFiOdLdtb7MYl7m9TcpphaOFkWXu3MWU8FkRGwY6jQRkAScJyFH-5y3QW8MVJvmo9QugR6a4ZhO4R7xxc0x7PZlZ0wJgdQft97vO8uz4UMIksyNQJQ8OGoxYZ7_7UyatzV-DYgmoqxs6OumBdGNNgVFcbRvIRQId72ck8V9HjtOtu5gR-Kw/w300-h400/2-bridge%20hidden%20falls.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one of the many little bridges, this at least had water under it<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>The trails on this side of the creek are bird names, so we took Pheasant to Golden Eagle to Warbler to Coopers Hawk (only missing Mourning Dove). There are so. many. little. bridges. They are short, and nicely built, and at most parks would just be a dip in the trail. But here they went all out and put bridges. I completely lost track of how many of them but kept taking pictures (I think it was because we slowed down over them). I will not spam this post with all the Miles' ears and bridge photos I took!</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQPdVqtleOm7irayEc4bUW3_64ir6aV970MlbbDe2q89v4erxON9rx6tfmdKkV_PtpX8yfHJNwcIHO7-bXybXKZUzKQeYhhE8VNTVVXuKyPwhzgaq5UC38D4TB1cA1Gp5PAPeFptbLAAyNtkmq_hs7hcrlfqBRiH8dMYiFXKq9HwjQJKWbvers_Nbxg/s600/7-another%20bridge%20HF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQPdVqtleOm7irayEc4bUW3_64ir6aV970MlbbDe2q89v4erxON9rx6tfmdKkV_PtpX8yfHJNwcIHO7-bXybXKZUzKQeYhhE8VNTVVXuKyPwhzgaq5UC38D4TB1cA1Gp5PAPeFptbLAAyNtkmq_hs7hcrlfqBRiH8dMYiFXKq9HwjQJKWbvers_Nbxg/w400-h300/7-another%20bridge%20HF.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">yes, a tiny bridge<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYddn6XhHtu0Tw38WqfTzcH7KklFvCtAzIBsWJIeVPc_YhL8-t24f5TKIdAO3LlEc_nyjc2ixODXrTN4ekSpTUAWkF7hEIOxZE_Ckh_j-kyCjAfhy7eoHjge2kgfrWCaKfk15Xl8_p27IdL7bDls1bS5u5Du0YXlDTh9VUgGQMsEgpll6tWg9xflScQ/s600/3-heavy%20load%20HF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYddn6XhHtu0Tw38WqfTzcH7KklFvCtAzIBsWJIeVPc_YhL8-t24f5TKIdAO3LlEc_nyjc2ixODXrTN4ekSpTUAWkF7hEIOxZE_Ckh_j-kyCjAfhy7eoHjge2kgfrWCaKfk15Xl8_p27IdL7bDls1bS5u5Du0YXlDTh9VUgGQMsEgpll6tWg9xflScQ/w400-h300/3-heavy%20load%20HF.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No, Miles, 36 tons is not close to what you weigh<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />We did cross the big bridge at the far side of the park (where Miles had his only small spook-in-place at light gray rocks that he was offended by) and went down to the creek and watered the horses. This park is pretty easy to figure out mileage. If you've gotten to this end you're at 5-6 miles, then have to go back. </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEismRQE3RLWHYxp-c7moGRqeQZCuAtpiQDaY9NhsPeXPL9z_vV2gblWvIb--zSIiVASpF44jwNzJnVHtDn20RUgefXln2ZORSo0uiURzSuA_8oMw14byDqKbbUR6saFEVtnzw6Fle6sBAhgHqt4_Ek0zidBzeEua8cfv7tl4oC4qPJF-GOYltFyV56EYA/s600/4-water%20drink%20HF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="600" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEismRQE3RLWHYxp-c7moGRqeQZCuAtpiQDaY9NhsPeXPL9z_vV2gblWvIb--zSIiVASpF44jwNzJnVHtDn20RUgefXln2ZORSo0uiURzSuA_8oMw14byDqKbbUR6saFEVtnzw6Fle6sBAhgHqt4_Ek0zidBzeEua8cfv7tl4oC4qPJF-GOYltFyV56EYA/w400-h284/4-water%20drink%20HF.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">tasty creek water<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUzyPFQrNnI4nUUpY825pYDAxFsRdyEG8DOBLxMKbK8yHfy4YC7-PXhscVNMaS5lKtdCJkRHDTIIsZ-KrtFPVZITx-i9Qg1xc4ksSaWcmwWZpvCzrUL-0Cp-nfa8nAaxbIFuC1N3Ub5ngSeL_nKQgqd9gJuhSerWIjLXnsyLSGU-fEMSTOs5lZhqnlWg/s600/5-pretty%20creek%20HF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUzyPFQrNnI4nUUpY825pYDAxFsRdyEG8DOBLxMKbK8yHfy4YC7-PXhscVNMaS5lKtdCJkRHDTIIsZ-KrtFPVZITx-i9Qg1xc4ksSaWcmwWZpvCzrUL-0Cp-nfa8nAaxbIFuC1N3Ub5ngSeL_nKQgqd9gJuhSerWIjLXnsyLSGU-fEMSTOs5lZhqnlWg/w300-h400/5-pretty%20creek%20HF.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">upstream pretty view<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhehEMnO-aKizYveRe8IL57ek8OVVnWcCelMaLkIjLF4-FniFY47P1rthyMvNgjlCFrwJ2Mz01UoGrJn-dTdVQ-CFKfIyxKfKRD5gbOtWjwsZptryOp3mbw5OVq0kFStfZ3-8RGvamrWt08Qmp58XO96gbJDh9S2gQ3vZNdIyZ8ihmhFCQp1sBOTdWFOA/s600/6-rocky%20water%20HF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhehEMnO-aKizYveRe8IL57ek8OVVnWcCelMaLkIjLF4-FniFY47P1rthyMvNgjlCFrwJ2Mz01UoGrJn-dTdVQ-CFKfIyxKfKRD5gbOtWjwsZptryOp3mbw5OVq0kFStfZ3-8RGvamrWt08Qmp58XO96gbJDh9S2gQ3vZNdIyZ8ihmhFCQp1sBOTdWFOA/w300-h400/6-rocky%20water%20HF.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">S and Rocky and the big bridge<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>The trails on this side are mostly mammal names, but we avoided those and took Creekside all the way back. It was just too pretty to not ride alongside. The trail is at different levels above the creek, and is pretty easy, I did get a little canter in here (which I haven't done much) which was pretty fun! There is a one-way section that has some cliffy drop-offs and S wasn't sure about those, so I said we could cut over to another trail, which is always fine. But she was brave and we did it no trouble, yeah! <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg63ICqwXtiUEMw6KVnZLbp-DhQCxIBMFTf8Yo4HT44wYonyK2i3IGCa5QCcTUMjIYm7-azYw68SowCFRYtccGpM_j84510kiflq4tYlsEvMtZ2vazOjljdjdEcNI7XOazUle2jCv6ROf-N47juWxDJamezsUJJExmCFN9zzuBBkcGAzClhbAfo6PaTPQ/s600/8-s%20behind%20HF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg63ICqwXtiUEMw6KVnZLbp-DhQCxIBMFTf8Yo4HT44wYonyK2i3IGCa5QCcTUMjIYm7-azYw68SowCFRYtccGpM_j84510kiflq4tYlsEvMtZ2vazOjljdjdEcNI7XOazUle2jCv6ROf-N47juWxDJamezsUJJExmCFN9zzuBBkcGAzClhbAfo6PaTPQ/w300-h400/8-s%20behind%20HF.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">it's not too scary if I can take one-handed photos<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Y0GD-0loUemciUHfDR33scbqKdgLwhY5lPRA4vHW_gJCM6N4MMJrp_LQQfUuu6wpyprs7T1X7XJX3kUSPtnGTUj8s-gLmEvx7pNO6SmbnTEuNsMmIK32Zd-Dsa_k-bLXIadC3n60utfyjAmnh27Y017zUc3zqCklcUa9iXcenhwjiwp72ZCU_w4Tmg/s600/9-creek%20below%20HF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Y0GD-0loUemciUHfDR33scbqKdgLwhY5lPRA4vHW_gJCM6N4MMJrp_LQQfUuu6wpyprs7T1X7XJX3kUSPtnGTUj8s-gLmEvx7pNO6SmbnTEuNsMmIK32Zd-Dsa_k-bLXIadC3n60utfyjAmnh27Y017zUc3zqCklcUa9iXcenhwjiwp72ZCU_w4Tmg/w400-h300/9-creek%20below%20HF.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">water below looked so refreshing<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>After that there is a little slog on a wide, hot, gravel road, where there was a bike just laying there. The guy was standing off to the side. I asked him if he was OK, but he said he'd just seen the hugest rattlesnake! Glad he scared it off and not us. We continued across one of the other big bridges they have (there is a cool overlook for humans above the creek).</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqgE4wKZ5I1ahHwohFWcAboXnR8qqFWn3szyn_PWoQwUlDO_9siaQcvqHA68V5LKej5WQjABwvzX2Qt2cBkERQBtEWhdv3Z2xA2vXYsYAK-oZ8aDaRxwC24XxcHsL3Ce5fliD8QdXOjrf8V-jVyG2PGJ4MDmXF3pIXuu4tyTV2sjuiDz7rLGQN-SX_GQ/s600/10-bridge%20and%20overlook%20HF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="393" data-original-width="600" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqgE4wKZ5I1ahHwohFWcAboXnR8qqFWn3szyn_PWoQwUlDO_9siaQcvqHA68V5LKej5WQjABwvzX2Qt2cBkERQBtEWhdv3Z2xA2vXYsYAK-oZ8aDaRxwC24XxcHsL3Ce5fliD8QdXOjrf8V-jVyG2PGJ4MDmXF3pIXuu4tyTV2sjuiDz7rLGQN-SX_GQ/w400-h263/10-bridge%20and%20overlook%20HF.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bridge with overlook above<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZ4kdHMOpmhFMDXTlyl8IsJ7fC9K5SQvLya4xSTQKUJ7pgez7h2opVVClSf4bbZbuxQOyujxuMi_lDGWpEu7Zbcayy4eMg_JmDqa4WW_xnyw6-8fLevFvoXaRqmMKebkANsVwKHoAvgEdsR1-OsCI8jOtKohlr2-vDeg5yS4nShulTB3L-KUq0RH3Ig/s600/11-big%20bridge%20HF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZ4kdHMOpmhFMDXTlyl8IsJ7fC9K5SQvLya4xSTQKUJ7pgez7h2opVVClSf4bbZbuxQOyujxuMi_lDGWpEu7Zbcayy4eMg_JmDqa4WW_xnyw6-8fLevFvoXaRqmMKebkANsVwKHoAvgEdsR1-OsCI8jOtKohlr2-vDeg5yS4nShulTB3L-KUq0RH3Ig/w400-h300/11-big%20bridge%20HF.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is a big bridge (they helicoptered them in sections!)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>You can continue on the wide, gravel road to the staging area, but that is boring. We took the smaller single-track technical trail back to yet another large bridge (stopping underneath to water them again), then back up the big hill. Miles knew we were going back and thought we should go faster, but settled for a trot instead. Back at the staging area he was more interested in his hay, and our ride was complete! </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwJuLAvhhh2ue1D6a6Ww-3ZWuYZD2epj0NVWBz4Vi4bUBWFl32SEYVS-vuV39kPpUgGBNbUU-YVTCtfAIPjeLk9AovZTdMlfoqLt0GplReJwZfSYR5imwElReLnu-VccJQWfQjTKF_chKFa8obCZuZy1SZxcuNCshU-i1mtoJQdx2cDZ3__wLecBOA7Q/s600/12-almost%20home%20HF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwJuLAvhhh2ue1D6a6Ww-3ZWuYZD2epj0NVWBz4Vi4bUBWFl32SEYVS-vuV39kPpUgGBNbUU-YVTCtfAIPjeLk9AovZTdMlfoqLt0GplReJwZfSYR5imwElReLnu-VccJQWfQjTKF_chKFa8obCZuZy1SZxcuNCshU-i1mtoJQdx2cDZ3__wLecBOA7Q/w300-h400/12-almost%20home%20HF.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the buckeye trees are blooming gorgeous!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVtL-PGU2o355ylxpQZ3_ZA1s__qaZ25loO36zMN5GPxhh5PAYcTh17Y7wYbCih2utqo1tY33gtmIWAve0pK0z93W3BnLiTj-apR89mrtoZ4oKhADsRFRsabkDfkpL6ljMs44yc-ZvfjCLuzm137JWitRnp0K2UJaiABfCV3M2nMq0S-ry_6OEZONo5g/s600/13-back%20at%20trailer%20HF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="439" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVtL-PGU2o355ylxpQZ3_ZA1s__qaZ25loO36zMN5GPxhh5PAYcTh17Y7wYbCih2utqo1tY33gtmIWAve0pK0z93W3BnLiTj-apR89mrtoZ4oKhADsRFRsabkDfkpL6ljMs44yc-ZvfjCLuzm137JWitRnp0K2UJaiABfCV3M2nMq0S-ry_6OEZONo5g/w293-h400/13-back%20at%20trailer%20HF.jpg" width="293" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">priorities (he got a sponging too)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>I still find this park a little boring, like a trail Disneyland, with everything labeled and neat, but maybe that is just because I'm use to wandering about not knowing where I'll go. I'm also still not loving my Freeform saddle. Miles loves it, my hip after about eight miles does not (and I miss my big knee rolls). For now I'm just seeing how it goes because I really don't want to get into the saddle fit dilemma, but I'm sure that is looming. More Friday adventures to follow!<br /></p><p><br /></p>irish horsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11289040711028666546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4695120516623358773.post-30711327533103114432023-06-06T04:43:00.002-07:002023-06-06T07:03:20.552-07:00camping<p>I packed for our trip with all my usual worries: how would Miles do camping? Will he be ok on the high-tie? How about the group ride with so many horses? The anxiety is awful. I did this before every endurance ride (it never got better) and this wasn't even a competition!</p><p>I headed up to Georgetown's Dru Barner campground with Miles in my trailer, and also J's horse Amirah. We hadn't ridden together but talked a lot and I thought they'd be fine together. We'd already practiced teaching Amirah about the straight load trailer (which was a process!). I hate the drive, up and down the steep canyon in Auburn, then up to Georgetown and a small, windy road (complete with logging trucks) to the campground. But we arrived without incident, and a sigh of relief!</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheXSxvB5eem7D6ZwOcmLL8liQXVrWSyNDz1l1tCYY5KRPts-vRX6IxJx2tjHkUJWl9bDHW0BxvEj6ayM7EjFrXDLcid_l6055LbOcmI9iLYerOSFEPCfU6kbdXQUoVT05y6JlKbhDkQO15PYIsChDQlieZOrAmadEwgIOCEd4gNprqsKIpVnoolnveeg/s600/camp%20setup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="434" data-original-width="600" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheXSxvB5eem7D6ZwOcmLL8liQXVrWSyNDz1l1tCYY5KRPts-vRX6IxJx2tjHkUJWl9bDHW0BxvEj6ayM7EjFrXDLcid_l6055LbOcmI9iLYerOSFEPCfU6kbdXQUoVT05y6JlKbhDkQO15PYIsChDQlieZOrAmadEwgIOCEd4gNprqsKIpVnoolnveeg/w400-h289/camp%20setup.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">two horses, two high-ties, works great!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLxUqOxnPWB6LgBmTWDXHSZFVu5zPv2xddeuGTxGtSfVWQIiGdkAVhVz_9CnyNoSXBIouJhv57l-33QBw8dbB0rN4V1821814mzYbAswrV44bDHudsfhi_VijzDlYlaaFuXlDGuvO7L-aTr7cdsDuEPMXvXqzX49BBhB-eG6JB6BryzkEApqDlFdYsiA/s600/camp%20setup2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="600" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLxUqOxnPWB6LgBmTWDXHSZFVu5zPv2xddeuGTxGtSfVWQIiGdkAVhVz_9CnyNoSXBIouJhv57l-33QBw8dbB0rN4V1821814mzYbAswrV44bDHudsfhi_VijzDlYlaaFuXlDGuvO7L-aTr7cdsDuEPMXvXqzX49BBhB-eG6JB6BryzkEApqDlFdYsiA/w400-h299/camp%20setup2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">home sweet home (for the weekend)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>The horses unloaded without a problem, the trailer was parked and Miles was more interested in his hay bag then any of the surroundings. A few times when trailers with horses would go by (or someone riding a fast horse) he'd jump around a bit on the high-tie, but otherwise took to it all like an old pro! Including dumping his entire huge water bucket while playing with it. Sigh…now the water bucket is strapped to the trailer!<br /></p><p>Since we were there early, we decided to do a short ride on the "Enchanted Forest" five-mile loop. Since this was part of the ride the next day we figured it would be marked. It was not! But the Georgetown Divide Equestrian Trails Foundation who was putting on the ride had uploaded maps for Avenza, which worked great (when I looked at them…). The scotch broom (highly invasive and non-native but so very pretty) was putting on a yellow show, and the mountain misery was covered in tiny white blossoms (though it smells like cooking artichokes). This area burned a few years ago, opening up some views, which were gorgeous. I did not pay attention and took a wrong turn, so our five mile ride turned into seven, but we got back just fine. </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzVGZzzfP1aLnCqblrO-TimbCjswzVRC4hTAaqz2hpO2HB5P810AuNRe7I8UPonryAYjB3tEiC30yTXCYaQw46_G4dcfMeS1JAwLRJMLeJx5C4DM_02VCPc6zBiinmW2iqC3NjCJsh-_I6VJkDCn3yvpUbjVlXVqKXYlsEeuHe55w6XGVPyoG1np2HxA/s600/enchanted%20view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzVGZzzfP1aLnCqblrO-TimbCjswzVRC4hTAaqz2hpO2HB5P810AuNRe7I8UPonryAYjB3tEiC30yTXCYaQw46_G4dcfMeS1JAwLRJMLeJx5C4DM_02VCPc6zBiinmW2iqC3NjCJsh-_I6VJkDCn3yvpUbjVlXVqKXYlsEeuHe55w6XGVPyoG1np2HxA/w400-h300/enchanted%20view.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">some great views!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1vSQQMcWNMeJosD-ATbe1Trhzw3xQzHgu4Ej6loTOxzjJqOqXSBNgYRyHpy1yIVryGKPAe-Awq-M7fTT4OEGK_6Y-u0RXEagIAJgcdx3k_2gyoGZi7ziqiyR35HAoCa4BQXpvgTa-ddRyy2x1yVX54WwSbe9zA73yYaCCKtYZYh3tn4H_cU_evRKyQw/s600/scotchbroom%20pretty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1vSQQMcWNMeJosD-ATbe1Trhzw3xQzHgu4Ej6loTOxzjJqOqXSBNgYRyHpy1yIVryGKPAe-Awq-M7fTT4OEGK_6Y-u0RXEagIAJgcdx3k_2gyoGZi7ziqiyR35HAoCa4BQXpvgTa-ddRyy2x1yVX54WwSbe9zA73yYaCCKtYZYh3tn4H_cU_evRKyQw/w300-h400/scotchbroom%20pretty.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view through scotch broom-filled trails<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLh02dehSTvPveFz-m_SwUVeFlIE-I61x3AtZntFqYDXuYVOazFHi2WK1llsWmEo88KSSlsO9b3VpYYUiucTkms51cyQgirHq0pEpRZCwohLYfq2GyiZMJqdhKQmR0Jw6G9g5VSu9LqJAoJeoTPHE8OqAcgmKeaV5q_AJ9qUwVkjEW_y4j5E6-bHssA/s600/miles%20between%20ears.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLh02dehSTvPveFz-m_SwUVeFlIE-I61x3AtZntFqYDXuYVOazFHi2WK1llsWmEo88KSSlsO9b3VpYYUiucTkms51cyQgirHq0pEpRZCwohLYfq2GyiZMJqdhKQmR0Jw6G9g5VSu9LqJAoJeoTPHE8OqAcgmKeaV5q_AJ9qUwVkjEW_y4j5E6-bHssA/w300-h400/miles%20between%20ears.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miles and me though Amirah's ears<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZI6qsgmBI3yOReJm1RxS2yv4JCoZgoWzpYP7JZoy73obNoLL2AMeMBbqBPtmSUDv61vePLXMtFhS3vbh1EhsamwcNs0Oru7HK3BB6yqYE70hnPbBqayA4DfNegXhGbALT7xsWYp9sOX7v9eGXDO_bqqGG-_neM3PKXmHJTFYNP5ZFUyKjQmjhQFE0Hg/s600/mountain%20misery%20plant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZI6qsgmBI3yOReJm1RxS2yv4JCoZgoWzpYP7JZoy73obNoLL2AMeMBbqBPtmSUDv61vePLXMtFhS3vbh1EhsamwcNs0Oru7HK3BB6yqYE70hnPbBqayA4DfNegXhGbALT7xsWYp9sOX7v9eGXDO_bqqGG-_neM3PKXmHJTFYNP5ZFUyKjQmjhQFE0Hg/w400-h300/mountain%20misery%20plant.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">slopes filled with mountain misery plants<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnFUmLYNf5KAKEiZiQQJuBRSGa7koPIBqOf0_GBiPM9EzxErw0Tj4puK3sL42OsUiW9r6ZVf6vFKcro2-hm10C2bvoUVdEjmrgcYktnUqnYL9MFyDTCpfK0CZMhXTzFEhLq5RcCI_7mjgWPGXnRJhwhfHUIX5La7pbC2moYvJ1gAbPbcQGhECge2wVA/s600/miles%20view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnFUmLYNf5KAKEiZiQQJuBRSGa7koPIBqOf0_GBiPM9EzxErw0Tj4puK3sL42OsUiW9r6ZVf6vFKcro2-hm10C2bvoUVdEjmrgcYktnUqnYL9MFyDTCpfK0CZMhXTzFEhLq5RcCI_7mjgWPGXnRJhwhfHUIX5La7pbC2moYvJ1gAbPbcQGhECge2wVA/w300-h400/miles%20view.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miles prefers the snacks to the views<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>I rested and tried to relax, we took the horses for some walks, and I went to bed. Only of course to stay up most of the night thinking every clunk was Miles escaping, or hanging himself on the high-tie. But it was mostly him noisily eating and dunking his food into the water bucket (didn't know he liked to do that!). </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3AMc8fYdwfjyjVsApsFZfeR3NzSfDezFueVYE3Lo4xhMa2VmLAPJbxdaIdi3cKciGbiLNRdABvlkd1aAWRZVl4ppKoRp-lXezm9Z76Bpgp6exzgxMBC6gshQkIN_NCV9L371o8tS0qHvVu1ltAys63SSrnbhnuIx2CRRy8-14B6G4ZKprvo5MWhDuwA/s600/morning%20ready.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3AMc8fYdwfjyjVsApsFZfeR3NzSfDezFueVYE3Lo4xhMa2VmLAPJbxdaIdi3cKciGbiLNRdABvlkd1aAWRZVl4ppKoRp-lXezm9Z76Bpgp6exzgxMBC6gshQkIN_NCV9L371o8tS0qHvVu1ltAys63SSrnbhnuIx2CRRy8-14B6G4ZKprvo5MWhDuwA/w300-h400/morning%20ready.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">good morning sunshine, ready to go!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsXAVhyDDfc_iPGXmoTQa5vn9W3RAVp5u_uf0gjc8U9Z9UUni2OSFQr20yLVNe8h9eVKgASNXo659cELOsny2alf6FZP5JGm5ifHHcV5cuKhzK6uXIwWMNjBO46h6nctYJJiTj81QqzePv2mdQaLwm5Iz8gNvZ2n5Re-Mctfc4fDWVWfv0QwMustkdjw/s600/tack%20setup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsXAVhyDDfc_iPGXmoTQa5vn9W3RAVp5u_uf0gjc8U9Z9UUni2OSFQr20yLVNe8h9eVKgASNXo659cELOsny2alf6FZP5JGm5ifHHcV5cuKhzK6uXIwWMNjBO46h6nctYJJiTj81QqzePv2mdQaLwm5Iz8gNvZ2n5Re-Mctfc4fDWVWfv0QwMustkdjw/w300-h400/tack%20setup.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">current tack set-up<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>There was no set time for the 12-mile riders to head out, just between 8am and 10am. There was also a 20-mile course (and the five-mile we did the day before, though it was in a different direction). I think we headed out about 9:15am, just walking, not catching up to the group ahead. My whole goal for the day was to keep Miles calm, see how he managed the groups, and mostly just leisurely walk/trot our way down the trails. I rode with J and Amirah, and switched leaders a lot. We passed a few slower walking groups, and slowed to let some faster-paced folks come by. Miles just watched them go by, not anxious, which was great. One group went by with very spirited (almost out-of-control) horses, and I swear he looked at them "that is way too silly, I'm not doing that." </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3DC-SYb2RTWl3017fKQ_-Wb3lr6vLhNjcvzfwrSjOQhABgz6n49YhGAdD8fLDQhLj9xSw4yDyWOl4NcbY6eAvS6mYL4XDaAZaaR-N6Tl6OMu-OBUqH2UFLFrrsSQ2ADC2VmzvOULnXGqxDceznYLCZC693njzY58yjJFXzXOFT5Lw-wifMA6nXwMAXw/s600/manzanita%20trail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3DC-SYb2RTWl3017fKQ_-Wb3lr6vLhNjcvzfwrSjOQhABgz6n49YhGAdD8fLDQhLj9xSw4yDyWOl4NcbY6eAvS6mYL4XDaAZaaR-N6Tl6OMu-OBUqH2UFLFrrsSQ2ADC2VmzvOULnXGqxDceznYLCZC693njzY58yjJFXzXOFT5Lw-wifMA6nXwMAXw/w300-h400/manzanita%20trail.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">manzanita tree tunnel<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGhfo6ad72_dgyT8nz7tDEI73HB1dyeP_f086SHm8NmP6HaMlRMYf-RUu3Xu_5pCH1CIGKhYAzfhTRiIgdGv0JlK0IQd2QRyP0lmeyu1kA-8NxmrtWY8MKYP0FA6qfFA5FGWq5Gekn_cJIKYSm5qNT0Pt3DGLCXCq-f9rEyB1ccvDuQOO_EuR_t3Y6dg/s600/puddle%20drink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGhfo6ad72_dgyT8nz7tDEI73HB1dyeP_f086SHm8NmP6HaMlRMYf-RUu3Xu_5pCH1CIGKhYAzfhTRiIgdGv0JlK0IQd2QRyP0lmeyu1kA-8NxmrtWY8MKYP0FA6qfFA5FGWq5Gekn_cJIKYSm5qNT0Pt3DGLCXCq-f9rEyB1ccvDuQOO_EuR_t3Y6dg/w300-h400/puddle%20drink.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">yes, he drank from this gross puddle<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>We got to the halfway point where there was water and hay (and human snacks too). Miles drank, tried to eat everything in sight, and loved his small handler (who would hold your horse for you while you were getting snacks, restroom, etc.Very helpful!). <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitt_tKEyJhhEQXo_ZErwlE6lF0xd53OVTBp5Ri2ZlHU9YgloWu8DSy0k5_AFRwqn8ixfJF0M6BYJHAGmiDPEs8LA9fY1zYXXNm6vNPuc5QmZ9A7VfvrfhbsfPjz9U1Uf_Sm83SpDWHetGP0cnuQTW9m3sPfw4lvbKs-kBnp5B0TZKyNpwcordVL8xZ0A/s600/rest%20stop%20me%20and%20miles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="414" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitt_tKEyJhhEQXo_ZErwlE6lF0xd53OVTBp5Ri2ZlHU9YgloWu8DSy0k5_AFRwqn8ixfJF0M6BYJHAGmiDPEs8LA9fY1zYXXNm6vNPuc5QmZ9A7VfvrfhbsfPjz9U1Uf_Sm83SpDWHetGP0cnuQTW9m3sPfw4lvbKs-kBnp5B0TZKyNpwcordVL8xZ0A/w276-h400/rest%20stop%20me%20and%20miles.jpg" width="276" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">taken by a volunteer at the rest stop<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnQZy-gBnjjXJCRPvV8WE252kKNu4rSfrIWLS_3QG6YR7bcjk7BCzIxTwsG7AgvWabXxfurHVtvbBsoTa1OK72ANh6P-zpzp13qHsS66qmBAwpBEaFDWFvgsfHDBO_MxoS5JgLe2fGdChNDiTz_g9zM92UxTNjMVQ6t45Yzr1Fd7oHRtKDa9Q3lseg2w/s600/best%20helper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="384" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnQZy-gBnjjXJCRPvV8WE252kKNu4rSfrIWLS_3QG6YR7bcjk7BCzIxTwsG7AgvWabXxfurHVtvbBsoTa1OK72ANh6P-zpzp13qHsS66qmBAwpBEaFDWFvgsfHDBO_MxoS5JgLe2fGdChNDiTz_g9zM92UxTNjMVQ6t45Yzr1Fd7oHRtKDa9Q3lseg2w/w256-h400/best%20helper.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our best helper!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>We headed back out to finish our loop. Only at the last part did Miles get a bit strong, this was the part of the trail we'd done already so he knew we were going home. We'd just walk it or slow down the trot, he still didn't care if people passed us! We got back after a little over three hour ride (and half hour break). The ride wasn't easy with almost 1,400 feet of elevation gain, but since we'd taken it easy both horses looked great. Amirah was ready to go out again and did a lot of high-line dancing (her only camping had been years before at endurance rides) but Miles settled with his hay bag, while I cooled down and ate my camping food (Pringles! and PB&J).</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLYJPK01P_YaJEzmZnHyd9pDvGvzQHPYWrPh9UJ1e_dt9f3vYgnQYOGWhglLGPIiKxntjk5Bibb1NXKl2VWj7FSC5q4jzL4kKToGMKeJQWq_x8fdXbep9CSVPFEUzexfDcNMTcn0HalASWBr8VO-qh5Xh_5OGY9Y4XfG1V8o_j99zKmVy9yPbVXUdwPg/s600/more%20scotchbroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLYJPK01P_YaJEzmZnHyd9pDvGvzQHPYWrPh9UJ1e_dt9f3vYgnQYOGWhglLGPIiKxntjk5Bibb1NXKl2VWj7FSC5q4jzL4kKToGMKeJQWq_x8fdXbep9CSVPFEUzexfDcNMTcn0HalASWBr8VO-qh5Xh_5OGY9Y4XfG1V8o_j99zKmVy9yPbVXUdwPg/w300-h400/more%20scotchbroom.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">damn, so yellow!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDGWkTQCsmgKS29kyvGIK_d3XJWNiMQEsShVvy9Qg5Kdae7unmARSXXYRTjTkg6FctV-Rnn4Pgro83zfDu3yGy1TvPBvVUi7qmjfCHx7CJ399DK50W8AxpjOjaaEK-rtyQqXF_Ao_Z1NdvX2Uga0N3IRb8MEuln4VMOC7S4MWXDo-aD8Dt2lVJS8nVQ/s600/still%20from%20video.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="338" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDGWkTQCsmgKS29kyvGIK_d3XJWNiMQEsShVvy9Qg5Kdae7unmARSXXYRTjTkg6FctV-Rnn4Pgro83zfDu3yGy1TvPBvVUi7qmjfCHx7CJ399DK50W8AxpjOjaaEK-rtyQqXF_Ao_Z1NdvX2Uga0N3IRb8MEuln4VMOC7S4MWXDo-aD8Dt2lVJS8nVQ/w225-h400/still%20from%20video.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">video still to see the views<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6uN_TG2nEpLwgC88wwezj5GgGV2vo_T56i20XneqxlBag6_Bov_--6nlO_o0BDXblqbnQTMr3Z9AkhOHQDILoWap1mw7ndwfHIL6VfRrcZLzqr9HvJ4KGgV83j27hXywZrHIkQMzft1ZBbzMPoCxDGwzTyCAj1ERQYHQGKXs9o-J4vQnlysq_xleg5g/s600/almost%20back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6uN_TG2nEpLwgC88wwezj5GgGV2vo_T56i20XneqxlBag6_Bov_--6nlO_o0BDXblqbnQTMr3Z9AkhOHQDILoWap1mw7ndwfHIL6VfRrcZLzqr9HvJ4KGgV83j27hXywZrHIkQMzft1ZBbzMPoCxDGwzTyCAj1ERQYHQGKXs9o-J4vQnlysq_xleg5g/w400-h300/almost%20back.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">walking and almost back to camp<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Later there was a BBQ for all, and a raffle and music. I went down for the BBQ but didn't stay, because you know, people (it's just too many for me. I try to be social but totally fail and forget everyone's name even when I've met them multiple times). That night I slept a bit more, though I did wake up when Miles laid down (Imagining he's colicing and dying) but he was just resting. I didn't wake up when he untied himself! Luckily J (sleeping in her truck) did because Amirah was saying something was wrong. Miles had unclipped the emergency release and was over eating grass. J tied him back up. (The next morning his hay bag was empty, he was bored, and I watched him do it again. So now the emergency release has been relocated to where he can't reach, though I'm sure he'll try something).</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxKjilZWBPB5trm1CbxDd84e9iiChh904Q8-n05Kwy-g210v58taomic3D68xX-aw369mztq4RqOX_ajuQXckIAH786YJA4KZ_lhgWeUfp6otgMOR7SbkdJ1ip0CqLYC1bo5luMeNp9kATmCDxj2SR00fxhjW3bcRB8Qi7e_-KyDxbJVYLBsdpjpM2AA/s600/evening%20going%20to%20bbq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxKjilZWBPB5trm1CbxDd84e9iiChh904Q8-n05Kwy-g210v58taomic3D68xX-aw369mztq4RqOX_ajuQXckIAH786YJA4KZ_lhgWeUfp6otgMOR7SbkdJ1ip0CqLYC1bo5luMeNp9kATmCDxj2SR00fxhjW3bcRB8Qi7e_-KyDxbJVYLBsdpjpM2AA/w300-h400/evening%20going%20to%20bbq.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">just chillin' before bed (and awaiting a newly refilled haybag)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYOj6zIFZNWmBtkU2aUPxQSWCBm8Vznv5lpydF3QNMBMpqeaEaRterKzYrC1UxX3FwQKjkaphQ_7cq-EmslVgKvPPc9ji1uGJvIHa7_evGnof21TtSo8NmXj-fJVhzdL53sUvFs7Rd49ORhVbUjLzEJKy_KC6woGw-w7J45_u_CCc11m-D2f7wFf_rrg/s600/bbq%20visitor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYOj6zIFZNWmBtkU2aUPxQSWCBm8Vznv5lpydF3QNMBMpqeaEaRterKzYrC1UxX3FwQKjkaphQ_7cq-EmslVgKvPPc9ji1uGJvIHa7_evGnof21TtSo8NmXj-fJVhzdL53sUvFs7Rd49ORhVbUjLzEJKy_KC6woGw-w7J45_u_CCc11m-D2f7wFf_rrg/w400-h300/bbq%20visitor.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my BBQ friend, he was so cute!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMOIp6imEfDYfCJq_YdLCmcpVg6z8RFw7bpN4_nSq83iQ-owf9upQRehd2zJwkz0g36IcrWF6Bt0A_5WKsJXjLS3nwQIP1_TYrnZDMTeTIs_kYQQUTA_qWqg5wMrWqDBpZxaS1yzIF8zsFryfBcqE2oosbyuNYRbDZq8p1w8fEBSh6pS0TeEzebXXYxg/s600/playing%20with%20high-tie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMOIp6imEfDYfCJq_YdLCmcpVg6z8RFw7bpN4_nSq83iQ-owf9upQRehd2zJwkz0g36IcrWF6Bt0A_5WKsJXjLS3nwQIP1_TYrnZDMTeTIs_kYQQUTA_qWqg5wMrWqDBpZxaS1yzIF8zsFryfBcqE2oosbyuNYRbDZq8p1w8fEBSh6pS0TeEzebXXYxg/w400-h300/playing%20with%20high-tie.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">what is he doing? The emergency release clip is in his mouth and he's untying it!</td></tr></tbody></table>We trailered home on Sunday, the people tired, the horses seemed quite chipper! My trailer was a huge mess, so I cleaned it up this week…and planned another camping trip! This one is not an organized one but just with some friends. I was so very impressed with Miles' behavior on his first big campout, he seemed to like to hang out with all of us (he certainly talks a lot, like when he'd hear me in the camper), so I'm hoping for more successful adventures!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaSiv6tAeVnIQut2HiYrFAGFaYLmaDhsdZ3OsE4oDO95QLsNUsWwjtzMs8AUMSl3z3epRt4TzK_k_QMqE6B4wA0y3OTnqcJUEGS-ohLP8nm0y4j4MOMTFmt01O2Fi4fxTs7XnYIgKBZKisa18c473D_8tVf76HImPRBXDY0VjyxOp33UHjX8Vo0hwnBg/s600/trailer%20aftermath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaSiv6tAeVnIQut2HiYrFAGFaYLmaDhsdZ3OsE4oDO95QLsNUsWwjtzMs8AUMSl3z3epRt4TzK_k_QMqE6B4wA0y3OTnqcJUEGS-ohLP8nm0y4j4MOMTFmt01O2Fi4fxTs7XnYIgKBZKisa18c473D_8tVf76HImPRBXDY0VjyxOp33UHjX8Vo0hwnBg/w400-h300/trailer%20aftermath.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">thanks Miles, my trailer needed that<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUYQkK18IHuYPDXnjwjtJoCojuYnz88k5_BcgfHvgI_gCZXUra3OghxkHwrc9j2Fhp4jy0Vg7L8EPHAGE6yl6XNMdpknApzhpPAZCIGqOuTGRc1vqyzsvX0N4QGajIiOMfAPH-KsbcOvnhR6OLIa8tXSQofv1JF21jUmrflEYQZXgpztlZu8R3euhhOg/s600/miles%20face.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUYQkK18IHuYPDXnjwjtJoCojuYnz88k5_BcgfHvgI_gCZXUra3OghxkHwrc9j2Fhp4jy0Vg7L8EPHAGE6yl6XNMdpknApzhpPAZCIGqOuTGRc1vqyzsvX0N4QGajIiOMfAPH-KsbcOvnhR6OLIa8tXSQofv1JF21jUmrflEYQZXgpztlZu8R3euhhOg/w300-h400/miles%20face.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">let's go again!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>irish horsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11289040711028666546noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4695120516623358773.post-48323875370337772002023-05-16T05:03:00.002-07:002023-05-16T10:55:31.675-07:00steady<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ-rrW57gIoID5CuXQWYMgk8ubW-q7__t0oR3ko9wQUhtNiPd686JXhbzeZ1gljwB_xPKiDxz10WUUDe5FpDkEQIzp7WdE19_uPU5mhg64U7ISr_q3JRiuhkVWmydfN3WN1TbIxwl04QLOCiRs87sF2r16Mj86k_c-rgzN_V_VQFH_qXubDgtCmIS-Dw/s600/whats%20up.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="miles face says hi" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ-rrW57gIoID5CuXQWYMgk8ubW-q7__t0oR3ko9wQUhtNiPd686JXhbzeZ1gljwB_xPKiDxz10WUUDe5FpDkEQIzp7WdE19_uPU5mhg64U7ISr_q3JRiuhkVWmydfN3WN1TbIxwl04QLOCiRs87sF2r16Mj86k_c-rgzN_V_VQFH_qXubDgtCmIS-Dw/w300-h400/whats%20up.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">what's up?<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Incremental, steady progress does not seem to make me motivated to write. But some of our rides have been so pretty this (delayed) spring, so I'll try to catch up. The weather finally cleared (though some of the trails are still muddy mess) and we've done some local and other exploring. <p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMGp-gz34kOEFPqgspc7EoaMGpMcE-DrsotEGRyMMpqy-w5BExg4aQCibOyr0frfrkZB1kwqRA1wruJG0fIb_euG3cm0PiZkDEewExSE1_3UvNL7si5Bv6qmoIwm_mnBJNw8hGB9g4p1DxeJqKop32v8t5A3DITCw6i2i_sYasRftzIw8HjTUrVB9i2Q/s600/green%20everywhere.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="green trail" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMGp-gz34kOEFPqgspc7EoaMGpMcE-DrsotEGRyMMpqy-w5BExg4aQCibOyr0frfrkZB1kwqRA1wruJG0fIb_euG3cm0PiZkDEewExSE1_3UvNL7si5Bv6qmoIwm_mnBJNw8hGB9g4p1DxeJqKop32v8t5A3DITCw6i2i_sYasRftzIw8HjTUrVB9i2Q/w300-h400/green%20everywhere.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">so. much. green.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxf4O9YV_etOPC2PNEKsEqMXDnKBCh57oLdgSWjtsYgIqo2-lO4LxioaB4FPjyjmKHyQ0MBJVntjnwI-RBz1INVWQQ2DLcbj0Tt0Kd1vysE7-HJghVp8TDfLdbXG3eIWGyfjZu-DppXvVbcc2GmBHFpbYkNXdyPj7yjafGLIb9K2PFiNfeHHGW6enATg/s600/miles%20lupines.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="miles in a little bit of pretty lupine" border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxf4O9YV_etOPC2PNEKsEqMXDnKBCh57oLdgSWjtsYgIqo2-lO4LxioaB4FPjyjmKHyQ0MBJVntjnwI-RBz1INVWQQ2DLcbj0Tt0Kd1vysE7-HJghVp8TDfLdbXG3eIWGyfjZu-DppXvVbcc2GmBHFpbYkNXdyPj7yjafGLIb9K2PFiNfeHHGW6enATg/w400-h300/miles%20lupines.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">little bit of pretty lupine<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIbOD0RAcVuW7ua_Y5iT_hv9zgKnU52Tk0t7QDzg9SWm3LpYdokTyYjE_IpQTeTJ6rHQyXOjUK5XYsbj1sACAymyn9c24ZnDxz7WP_47T_W5pv3gqzX4V99Mu5mHHdvr-jeCSQOWI6WHMRjiJwAoPdg_dP_IISC-o99ly7U7t9U8jwibCfp2mkrrmZ8A/s600/stupid%20mud.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="boots somewhere under the mud" border="0" data-original-height="434" data-original-width="600" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIbOD0RAcVuW7ua_Y5iT_hv9zgKnU52Tk0t7QDzg9SWm3LpYdokTyYjE_IpQTeTJ6rHQyXOjUK5XYsbj1sACAymyn9c24ZnDxz7WP_47T_W5pv3gqzX4V99Mu5mHHdvr-jeCSQOWI6WHMRjiJwAoPdg_dP_IISC-o99ly7U7t9U8jwibCfp2mkrrmZ8A/w400-h289/stupid%20mud.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">boots somewhere under the mud<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>The lake trail went underwater quickly, with all but a few lupine sections submerged. We went out one day to enjoy the lupines and spent twice as long coming back when someone was overly barn sour. But somehow his boots stayed on through his antics in the sucking mud! Miles has reverted to the barn sour behavior since we didn't ride from home much this winter. The first ride he was terrible. I figured out what works best for him is literally just turning around and going back, then trying again, staying totally non-concerned about the process. He has been improving and figuring it out surprisingly quickly.<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirg2YcWFlMt_2JYu1RP8ZWvwdyuIxiQxu-h6GDsJXWdn_eZJEVrj0hr5jSP7J_su4pnjeHoOXe8v-fYtVYJ7xLv7Whb4WN9a6uqZUjhWuEQMZtlv0Ah9TYVcbDN9FW-LpEpWEic6FVW1W2A3a8HsRG06MOC8dpNf2tgVjPwl2W7qqBGqHEhzaVGNUYGA/s600/miles%20being%20ponied.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Miles being a good pony horse" border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="600" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirg2YcWFlMt_2JYu1RP8ZWvwdyuIxiQxu-h6GDsJXWdn_eZJEVrj0hr5jSP7J_su4pnjeHoOXe8v-fYtVYJ7xLv7Whb4WN9a6uqZUjhWuEQMZtlv0Ah9TYVcbDN9FW-LpEpWEic6FVW1W2A3a8HsRG06MOC8dpNf2tgVjPwl2W7qqBGqHEhzaVGNUYGA/w400-h285/miles%20being%20ponied.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miles being a good pony horse<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDE4c_R3fenEdgpw5pdo7UMKB2923u8QiSO0nAMCKNwlLTX2_B6tFMG_Yq2AYrP3hqYMygt8-RCKpmkJvd-hlbAmYTGEMXqSasEs4OMnxVFHzOedm7VPSVkLRcJHD6XkSrhLe4hYlf-g497Jp95YU1VRQUou_yOTzRIrlWubOCbtSDqdHQqhpOSFJ_0g/s600/arena%20practice%20with%20Rockly.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Rocky and Miles surveying the arena" border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDE4c_R3fenEdgpw5pdo7UMKB2923u8QiSO0nAMCKNwlLTX2_B6tFMG_Yq2AYrP3hqYMygt8-RCKpmkJvd-hlbAmYTGEMXqSasEs4OMnxVFHzOedm7VPSVkLRcJHD6XkSrhLe4hYlf-g497Jp95YU1VRQUou_yOTzRIrlWubOCbtSDqdHQqhpOSFJ_0g/w400-h300/arena%20practice%20with%20Rockly.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rocky and Miles surveying the arena<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>We've even done some arena practice when my time is short. My friend S needed to learn to pony (for sweep riding). I hoped Miles knew how? I assumed he'd be fine and he was, though he certainly questioned why I was over in the corner?</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpYrgxJF6_JPfoEHEaFH7iUJcgdJPxmRma4MAfwKk3_6LvrvKUfVOdhS5WKl9sFRSvExcSH4MpWvLTkMJMSsVXdgrzACOj1w7Y4tU1yVRwHvhzMlRhdKm-r-eA__7bQMDcT_IsUzItjaTL5QGd5-_azL1jNZNeQJbzdI_MdOY6VO8uDXoYhSGeeW0quQ/s600/miles%20and%20francisco2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpYrgxJF6_JPfoEHEaFH7iUJcgdJPxmRma4MAfwKk3_6LvrvKUfVOdhS5WKl9sFRSvExcSH4MpWvLTkMJMSsVXdgrzACOj1w7Y4tU1yVRwHvhzMlRhdKm-r-eA__7bQMDcT_IsUzItjaTL5QGd5-_azL1jNZNeQJbzdI_MdOY6VO8uDXoYhSGeeW0quQ/w400-h160/miles%20and%20francisco2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">run? no eat!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH9n1g8PgBydqdKg7sg_y2kWWPxLI4vufOZl1-iWUE7XKsTD9BD0NzbgmpupEarhwVm1pSlO-kH7CQExf7MRQMljqQYAFhAOaMVSXtHHuD1YPqJna14aKAvBYt8DyIO94TsXPg-klmlWNjZM8Mb3vRqFnhYuCuhPgt_pVQyYIgqQLmsXlPi_8i_jhQgg/s600/new%20place%20lets%20eat.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="miles eating at the trailer empire mine" border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH9n1g8PgBydqdKg7sg_y2kWWPxLI4vufOZl1-iWUE7XKsTD9BD0NzbgmpupEarhwVm1pSlO-kH7CQExf7MRQMljqQYAFhAOaMVSXtHHuD1YPqJna14aKAvBYt8DyIO94TsXPg-klmlWNjZM8Mb3vRqFnhYuCuhPgt_pVQyYIgqQLmsXlPi_8i_jhQgg/w400-h300/new%20place%20lets%20eat.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">new place, let's eat!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg48Bpk-LXloPFor4Qhlw1_SyJuKl-l70R3j_vJ0wycG_4_ezB4eiueau3vn6ci9wHEYE_UPdT9WO8Gfe0FZg4eE8W0mzDRyOM2jUo1uQ22d0Yl67YD_bRq5M44FTBDELOmVcK0cgBB2stgIqiUUCIReXk7BalqDugmnlopgZxysUj-2hgKbO6JBpQnpw/s600/new%20place%20lets%20drink.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="miles drinking empire mine" border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg48Bpk-LXloPFor4Qhlw1_SyJuKl-l70R3j_vJ0wycG_4_ezB4eiueau3vn6ci9wHEYE_UPdT9WO8Gfe0FZg4eE8W0mzDRyOM2jUo1uQ22d0Yl67YD_bRq5M44FTBDELOmVcK0cgBB2stgIqiUUCIReXk7BalqDugmnlopgZxysUj-2hgKbO6JBpQnpw/w400-h300/new%20place%20lets%20drink.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">new place, let's drink!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1OASFzg7x9UDUhd5sI4NKZcHxzIPw6xDwQoCi8ioYnNDTZd6BDuEU3sukHNj1VNYdjOeq3LKqwMh0KU8rY1mrEKFAefCZEDpzcUploNz3VZE9xZBp2W1J-GLiHMv3AUdd53cN7MSABXONUdNl9ynsvFciVyaG3yufmJ5Hvx_LKEqniJZ-K2HMP_C0pQ/s600/miles%20and%20francisco.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="miles and francisco at trailer" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1OASFzg7x9UDUhd5sI4NKZcHxzIPw6xDwQoCi8ioYnNDTZd6BDuEU3sukHNj1VNYdjOeq3LKqwMh0KU8rY1mrEKFAefCZEDpzcUploNz3VZE9xZBp2W1J-GLiHMv3AUdd53cN7MSABXONUdNl9ynsvFciVyaG3yufmJ5Hvx_LKEqniJZ-K2HMP_C0pQ/w300-h400/miles%20and%20francisco.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">no idea what he saw, he wasn't scared…<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>We went to Empire Mine with C and our new friend Francisco. First we let them in the arena, where they ran for about half a lap and figured out food was more interesting. Not surprised! We had a completely uneventful ride, the best kind!<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVAPNCwEjA_r4DS7x_fYN37hReHEi3vnpg4k_PGA8R_ajN95434Q2dlaUwu_VVg6QpBOgjaQKYkywKPkEfe7I6vEz7_RNzfrctd4K63dW9g8n6VOHX3PUEIub_6lPc1jKVaNCZvk8UcxIElFJIBKZmbG2OLuSwoL7J1Ecq5uyg7p4puefPV4e29lm7uA/s600/7%20bday.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVAPNCwEjA_r4DS7x_fYN37hReHEi3vnpg4k_PGA8R_ajN95434Q2dlaUwu_VVg6QpBOgjaQKYkywKPkEfe7I6vEz7_RNzfrctd4K63dW9g8n6VOHX3PUEIub_6lPc1jKVaNCZvk8UcxIElFJIBKZmbG2OLuSwoL7J1Ecq5uyg7p4puefPV4e29lm7uA/w300-h400/7%20bday.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">happy 7th birthday Miles!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjeEu31PGJcAd2ZnFf_48tQ3iQevSqMwWAZjNikxksdrRElMqTr3m8k3iJYgfEuW4YDofGJotQDHKRjfcVk9-8NMOIHCTeUtmyrQugd7-bRsWz1jzVPwj_wc3l-9CO8lQpB8UhRwvTzh3j-D_9i0S-sqSYb345xKlVRCbQ849Y56tGc4-JFibIzlDTg/s600/miles%20poppies.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjeEu31PGJcAd2ZnFf_48tQ3iQevSqMwWAZjNikxksdrRElMqTr3m8k3iJYgfEuW4YDofGJotQDHKRjfcVk9-8NMOIHCTeUtmyrQugd7-bRsWz1jzVPwj_wc3l-9CO8lQpB8UhRwvTzh3j-D_9i0S-sqSYb345xKlVRCbQ849Y56tGc4-JFibIzlDTg/w400-h300/miles%20poppies.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">perfect birthday poppies!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Miles turned seven years old! I could not find the birthday hat I'd made years ago, so he just got some carrots and a photoshoot in the poppies. Which yes, he tried to eat. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr1-dvX17X9v9TSasoT5ZuiEwDUXc0sA4IUwQqguNVP5gtio1DucpC_lrmVVIyRkF6Fhf1LVlSKJo1-Ai4M9atYB1f7ki16fuqrj7ulJRIgh7oEmHjnGeptrO8yI27Tzj2yCwrOcHZjW-gQA0V0ZU_2i8BshivEfEA9NLLNZ925D9OWGM7HDOAotBAxw/s600/threatening%20skies.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr1-dvX17X9v9TSasoT5ZuiEwDUXc0sA4IUwQqguNVP5gtio1DucpC_lrmVVIyRkF6Fhf1LVlSKJo1-Ai4M9atYB1f7ki16fuqrj7ulJRIgh7oEmHjnGeptrO8yI27Tzj2yCwrOcHZjW-gQA0V0ZU_2i8BshivEfEA9NLLNZ925D9OWGM7HDOAotBAxw/w300-h400/threatening%20skies.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">heading home as the skies got darker<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcswqKG9wIxSE8rmwwDAZFnxUfp75Y8H3ez_VlSvhEDiOscvYK6MWOxO1wXREknqWuwzOyOsdL0GsSLhEMpiR82135_NB_HodoqiL7fj42yqdWwRbhdruzsHfpGAzh-3tmV3jWHcMuqyM3qvZBYyoF7A5Dti8LzXk4pngxbP0b6hQUZogoLcr-SjlgYQ/s600/trail%20under%20water.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcswqKG9wIxSE8rmwwDAZFnxUfp75Y8H3ez_VlSvhEDiOscvYK6MWOxO1wXREknqWuwzOyOsdL0GsSLhEMpiR82135_NB_HodoqiL7fj42yqdWwRbhdruzsHfpGAzh-3tmV3jWHcMuqyM3qvZBYyoF7A5Dti8LzXk4pngxbP0b6hQUZogoLcr-SjlgYQ/w400-h300/trail%20under%20water.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">underwater grass is delicious!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>The weather has still been weird for here, as usually once it stops raining it is done for the next three months. But we've had some stormy and cloudy days, even in May, one ride I cut short as it was getting darker and windier and we got back to the stable, just missing the rain. Yes, I can ride in the rain, but I sure don't want to if I can avoid it! Some of the lower trail is accessible, and it is great water practice. Miles thinks it is best for playing with water, grabbing sticks, and trying to eat underwater grass. </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgytcbQUj07remb8tJRa5WqFL9uSfzG7yn6g5-a6NMMqPnRkJ93VrJsiRBrvvi6d1c_B6P41wEeHO347jFrINuEYom62SSUGZECSPmBwQeefNV_gCzq8IgU9FzPHdfohRKqCPdjku-k2IPFBgY4TVWNDBczef2B2pOfzvWRd9ES2XgkqlqgvzVNoXnenw/s600/rear%20posing.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="miles in auburn" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgytcbQUj07remb8tJRa5WqFL9uSfzG7yn6g5-a6NMMqPnRkJ93VrJsiRBrvvi6d1c_B6P41wEeHO347jFrINuEYom62SSUGZECSPmBwQeefNV_gCzq8IgU9FzPHdfohRKqCPdjku-k2IPFBgY4TVWNDBczef2B2pOfzvWRd9ES2XgkqlqgvzVNoXnenw/w300-h400/rear%20posing.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">does this human make my butt look big?<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnUcTHRWbl3cd-k4qTw3c2qeQCjimRstvSQKMmjEPZASgzbQKWn2Dl-NKCcA8Av2_tVnpVzzbmu4uFwOwUSYKhjjTxXmhXEiFi103AMYGh4bQelOGK8wuXzBGJhLg3YisJpLXNa3c5v73iLVHkHtVh39VwcJ0BLoUPVI3GJdfjDe3iZfsLN9bNCqQPtQ/s600/suspicious%20no%20hands.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="miles on no hands" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnUcTHRWbl3cd-k4qTw3c2qeQCjimRstvSQKMmjEPZASgzbQKWn2Dl-NKCcA8Av2_tVnpVzzbmu4uFwOwUSYKhjjTxXmhXEiFi103AMYGh4bQelOGK8wuXzBGJhLg3YisJpLXNa3c5v73iLVHkHtVh39VwcJ0BLoUPVI3GJdfjDe3iZfsLN9bNCqQPtQ/w300-h400/suspicious%20no%20hands.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">suspicious and a bit cautious on No Hands<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Our best rides have been in Auburn, where he knows the trails, it totally brave, and though he knows exactly where the trailer is from any trail seems happy to be out exploring. it probably helps we never take the same route twice! This time we introduced S and Rocky to No Hands bridge, though I sure wish she had gotten to see it before they covered the railings up with tall, tiny mesh panels. It looks terrible. (I got off and walked because Miles seemed a bit suspicious of it all, there was a lot going on the bridge that day, with people, barking dogs, running children, and a trail run support booth).<p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFFm7tDUvXBVdYPTze8gTHyCJuJ-zDtuwwcEIEMT0R9vjvNfhHSYSMh0RHQcy1lZGzEfMyz_IbOtKxBndDcw7JFvSVgTOj5qNbD8K5d1824LjqVUaRTS98z01YeeaaUiWOCIbG9SWFuQIP6rvazhf-vUO4s_fteYGYoEkoTzzzwBxj5pdavte1um6x5Q/s600/new%20adventure%20camper.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="truck camper" border="0" data-original-height="389" data-original-width="600" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFFm7tDUvXBVdYPTze8gTHyCJuJ-zDtuwwcEIEMT0R9vjvNfhHSYSMh0RHQcy1lZGzEfMyz_IbOtKxBndDcw7JFvSVgTOj5qNbD8K5d1824LjqVUaRTS98z01YeeaaUiWOCIbG9SWFuQIP6rvazhf-vUO4s_fteYGYoEkoTzzzwBxj5pdavte1um6x5Q/w400-h259/new%20adventure%20camper.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">new truck camper!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>But some summer adventures are planned! And I will write about them, as I do like to document, for myself (though anyone who read this far gets a blue ribbon!) what we're accomplishing (or not!). We'll be camping in a few weeks, and I have a new-to-me truck camper, feels so fancy compared to sleeping in the back of the truck for the last 10+ years.<p></p><p>Miles hasn't quite let me find his "voice" yet. He is brave on trail and silly one-on-one, but also quite cautious and sometimes suspicious of new things/movements/people. Most certainly a challenge, but he is trying to hard to be a good boy, and that treat face, who can resist?</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjpUCcf9qh_73iCftg8mpzK_dmJW9XU9fKL7SP3xRW2-otHsYm3ER8tB0Jh1sxKSzlrRA2czerelBl5diKtleeVYkZ4Qu0SdCqOM66BwjUj2JazuSzaWgy2I9mqkiaPkbPXM_j3aZkCHskpNNwNNMnQLputCcZUZEwLUSUJAm0onjesidoO2gOuTyykQ/s600/treat%20anticipation.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="miles wanting a treat" border="0" data-original-height="516" data-original-width="600" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjpUCcf9qh_73iCftg8mpzK_dmJW9XU9fKL7SP3xRW2-otHsYm3ER8tB0Jh1sxKSzlrRA2czerelBl5diKtleeVYkZ4Qu0SdCqOM66BwjUj2JazuSzaWgy2I9mqkiaPkbPXM_j3aZkCHskpNNwNNMnQLputCcZUZEwLUSUJAm0onjesidoO2gOuTyykQ/w400-h344/treat%20anticipation.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">after ride treat please?<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGdOk4HFM53Ov7jFy8NbahaPLWbsalan-jIXXDPjMrbZW3GXDY_2fKo9-V9SdptLdzc4nhanJMdbX4zkvO516DXnMqdNzsPPm2NXb8jr3lygE-ACjK1lSiQSvwm011hvc1v5JDvp3uYW-MpccGrktv0FCTZyONvTiwSqy-l0qFwzgU5k5fj7H2f1C6JA/s600/just%20handsome%20miles.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="miles posing" border="0" data-original-height="454" data-original-width="600" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGdOk4HFM53Ov7jFy8NbahaPLWbsalan-jIXXDPjMrbZW3GXDY_2fKo9-V9SdptLdzc4nhanJMdbX4zkvO516DXnMqdNzsPPm2NXb8jr3lygE-ACjK1lSiQSvwm011hvc1v5JDvp3uYW-MpccGrktv0FCTZyONvTiwSqy-l0qFwzgU5k5fj7H2f1C6JA/w400-h303/just%20handsome%20miles.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">just posing<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>P.S. Wesley is so ridiculous he could probably have his own blog! But for now just an orange kitty enjoying the morning sun.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaCPb7JqH3R9QDKZsT_BxOaFpg8nrLoZeOhKY8eqhfpVcDYUL6z0aRd_OLwhsFtAPgXz0jvI3D0EAvPhHcxWabgutjyyINaylXVy5QBkytLirFJPBLf2ggh5oz7TEtWixnruSG70wqqkT17bZpeGy8bSSdekzbLjBrA-_DuIBqnfQ5QVBgBDUi1CSWCQ/s600/wesley%20morning%20sun.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaCPb7JqH3R9QDKZsT_BxOaFpg8nrLoZeOhKY8eqhfpVcDYUL6z0aRd_OLwhsFtAPgXz0jvI3D0EAvPhHcxWabgutjyyINaylXVy5QBkytLirFJPBLf2ggh5oz7TEtWixnruSG70wqqkT17bZpeGy8bSSdekzbLjBrA-_DuIBqnfQ5QVBgBDUi1CSWCQ/w400-h300/wesley%20morning%20sun.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><p></p><p><br /></p>irish horsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11289040711028666546noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4695120516623358773.post-42338421755729912322023-03-16T04:23:00.021-07:002023-03-16T04:23:00.159-07:00weather, enough<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAW-Mb3-aG9Qc68ERs4tQ5yy7H4g-Deg-MdaWwAFTaetY1xRaoYDDO_5UDPsPOpT4MCXxazerryM8_JHzn3faIKZ4Ps2_eJVJGu1C7RgcyvIwiqrTWaFI2e9Vxvn0mEHGXmNJrg1ho7XYzherLIULQ7aAl9CzQAvYnVjfGqP9GybZN4g52T1iBSS3BVg/s600/tasty%20snack%20grass.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAW-Mb3-aG9Qc68ERs4tQ5yy7H4g-Deg-MdaWwAFTaetY1xRaoYDDO_5UDPsPOpT4MCXxazerryM8_JHzn3faIKZ4Ps2_eJVJGu1C7RgcyvIwiqrTWaFI2e9Vxvn0mEHGXmNJrg1ho7XYzherLIULQ7aAl9CzQAvYnVjfGqP9GybZN4g52T1iBSS3BVg/w300-h400/tasty%20snack%20grass.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">grass snacks are never boring<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOjPUa-5KctZ7Bg5ou_oT7N_g4f4nMaxT8q24a4ALs-A2hvTNuFXc8W6X5tTMTOEk2dtynXuxWtNAI18LIAMezDSTHu2rW9F0TQutyS2Vu0t3_cch01ZDS12qBV8Hxovl_9JZVI0ffJkMFkGhPTDn17u5g73Glnpn59gr_0MqyY8eFbVP8_bZ0POSLJQ/s812/salamander23.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOjPUa-5KctZ7Bg5ou_oT7N_g4f4nMaxT8q24a4ALs-A2hvTNuFXc8W6X5tTMTOEk2dtynXuxWtNAI18LIAMezDSTHu2rW9F0TQutyS2Vu0t3_cch01ZDS12qBV8Hxovl_9JZVI0ffJkMFkGhPTDn17u5g73Glnpn59gr_0MqyY8eFbVP8_bZ0POSLJQ/w295-h400/salamander23.jpg" width="295" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">found this friend on my patio!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Atmospheric rivers. Snow. Flooding. Damaging wind storms. I'm supposed to write about riding but that hasn't been happening! What have we been doing?<p></p><p>I dig ditches to try and redirect torrents of water, in the pouring rain, while Miles watches from under his shelter. I try to scrape up some of the mud, between rainstorms, while I put Miles into the empty paddock to eat some grass. I take Miles for a walk to eat some more grass in (what seems like) the five minutes between storms, then we get caught in hail. It's been fun. </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb_1QlwSYUwQn6x2WRsnQAq6FpsTbrlxhCFKOQKEpZ8D3X8eucxJkr-PL2vvRiG0wuzTpLB7tfKs29dq6f0NLw1MyOnLaM72qYVKI5CZ5S2_bPcfG1nPuSucD1YfmxiZ3mejI-OPameyuhrB24I07_1oDfHLXAH3zP17SJL0y-fmrHjVrCvoUAPIkkKA/s600/field%20walk.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb_1QlwSYUwQn6x2WRsnQAq6FpsTbrlxhCFKOQKEpZ8D3X8eucxJkr-PL2vvRiG0wuzTpLB7tfKs29dq6f0NLw1MyOnLaM72qYVKI5CZ5S2_bPcfG1nPuSucD1YfmxiZ3mejI-OPameyuhrB24I07_1oDfHLXAH3zP17SJL0y-fmrHjVrCvoUAPIkkKA/w400-h300/field%20walk.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I might be late for dinner<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>In the last month I got in one short forest ride that was terrible. He was so stupid about wanting to turn home, so we did! Back and forth, out and back, into the arena, back on the trail, repeat. If I could get any consistency I'm sure we'll improve. But not right now.<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZcwZDqbCNqStZkjcFEK-46GKzOpCv95rqf_Ulssc1jIL2uHH-kGZ7h2cR4VmQhKrINnLP-2Y4nP8FXG5Ug8UIJagCmxDK3Q9Fkk-6WzdQTVBiSk5aCWq_oq9jxdyz4rUfysU9wVDGs3CVI3OaRryr23R76CBmyzM_k5ic8-v1cbwm0wbdrfwy-YdxA/s800/stus%20trail.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZcwZDqbCNqStZkjcFEK-46GKzOpCv95rqf_Ulssc1jIL2uHH-kGZ7h2cR4VmQhKrINnLP-2Y4nP8FXG5Ug8UIJagCmxDK3Q9Fkk-6WzdQTVBiSk5aCWq_oq9jxdyz4rUfysU9wVDGs3CVI3OaRryr23R76CBmyzM_k5ic8-v1cbwm0wbdrfwy-YdxA/w300-h400/stus%20trail.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">stu's trail<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZ7iwNH3QvIFYBPud0Qjv4pwXk-s7bGvNmx2XRGZqE3IKPigAtD-Q02yvz1hT2xmhNXeB7n6CWysXdywXsoeA7yFu4x4h7skVyNnwCd5ckCSJvZxBaPUU4VVZkHX--UT67q7zDthId_nKSaLZ3dtc8c5UoaikSzBG9LIC5qwXXfUHVMkZfmW96BoEFA/s600/downstream%20view.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZ7iwNH3QvIFYBPud0Qjv4pwXk-s7bGvNmx2XRGZqE3IKPigAtD-Q02yvz1hT2xmhNXeB7n6CWysXdywXsoeA7yFu4x4h7skVyNnwCd5ckCSJvZxBaPUU4VVZkHX--UT67q7zDthId_nKSaLZ3dtc8c5UoaikSzBG9LIC5qwXXfUHVMkZfmW96BoEFA/w400-h300/downstream%20view.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this, more please<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>I did do one more ride, and it turned out to be a good one! I sneaked out of work on a randomly gorgeous day during the week. No one else was about, the gravel roads were clear, and we had an enjoyable 10 miles along the river. After the ride I wanted to see if Miles would eat from the bucket on the trailer. He certainly will, and make a huge mess! Back to a mash pan on the floor!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL8dGEVzCQQUFMVuMWsu1N9gGRUV9j2NL6tjRlh7eUjpha8eKzflQRS6YSxq2TwGVk5GbIRsWxBrm-TINZlHwya9tKIuHxo0pOw15l5lPM_Eg2qYonoo0bLNvY1N2VWNs-7r4za0VveXQXHAtd6zIj1K1_bobfQhxa9BKcyzBHxBPkJJqDv2ydyY6j9g/s600/river%20view%20blue.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL8dGEVzCQQUFMVuMWsu1N9gGRUV9j2NL6tjRlh7eUjpha8eKzflQRS6YSxq2TwGVk5GbIRsWxBrm-TINZlHwya9tKIuHxo0pOw15l5lPM_Eg2qYonoo0bLNvY1N2VWNs-7r4za0VveXQXHAtd6zIj1K1_bobfQhxa9BKcyzBHxBPkJJqDv2ydyY6j9g/w400-h300/river%20view%20blue.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hopefully we'll try the trails on the other side when it dries up<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigoVfSzTPog1K3JU2aN6ovHM0Db8HdOxC4_14_oiRVQ8jk0e4rlGG0J2AcvZ82nIYp7cPTEJwvfgQuCQyUx6bEhHrPGzxkgeDnzcFcztV_kf6D9A3djHg19P_UfK1gHBtpeKaAMfe3NcetbYaPpC_rOL2hDqJbzjz6yJHEygjnTe_3C2o3v5xgQ7XXhA/s600/be%20mine%20writing.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigoVfSzTPog1K3JU2aN6ovHM0Db8HdOxC4_14_oiRVQ8jk0e4rlGG0J2AcvZ82nIYp7cPTEJwvfgQuCQyUx6bEhHrPGzxkgeDnzcFcztV_kf6D9A3djHg19P_UfK1gHBtpeKaAMfe3NcetbYaPpC_rOL2hDqJbzjz6yJHEygjnTe_3C2o3v5xgQ7XXhA/w400-h300/be%20mine%20writing.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this was the only thing that spooked him all day, writing on the road<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx217nLVFJnZMo1Dm9BHDtV9aH2K06sUo-86WSfWGubzKcbMT_dNzRihwUjtk4rgk_frHDadBuEZ009_DxfWl_AhmmCaM-iCUp7VeUAz7nE5d2nwr5o2q6p1-ntu3dLL_i6L9t02WGYO4vgMpi9sm4auJqfHRaCFtvRBpf7qUFJVD0gLqir4Aarn5BBg/s600/trailer%20snack.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="470" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx217nLVFJnZMo1Dm9BHDtV9aH2K06sUo-86WSfWGubzKcbMT_dNzRihwUjtk4rgk_frHDadBuEZ009_DxfWl_AhmmCaM-iCUp7VeUAz7nE5d2nwr5o2q6p1-ntu3dLL_i6L9t02WGYO4vgMpi9sm4auJqfHRaCFtvRBpf7qUFJVD0gLqir4Aarn5BBg/w314-h400/trailer%20snack.jpg" width="314" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">seriously? <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>There have been a couple of nice days with blue skies, where I'm trapped at work and only get out in the afternoon to take him for a walk. But I'm glad for those days (and being light later, yeah!) and I think Miles likes to get out as well. He always whinnies back at my whistle when I arrive at the stable.<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinzf7QputbtSZUhLt_jo80PW6mcO0B6OQY5auDjiAVwm7Bqkkju6V8NomXGpvZNmo3pSqrgxFbIoGBb6KkQYLgzi5vROSKdaKBvhOaEWL7pF-D_SW09diA39DjO4UHegdm1wVnpglXtY_5ncd-HEevNu-cc8mdxEAnMQcWD346zq48qJWKB4697O4scw/s600/clear%20blue%20walk.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="492" data-original-width="600" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinzf7QputbtSZUhLt_jo80PW6mcO0B6OQY5auDjiAVwm7Bqkkju6V8NomXGpvZNmo3pSqrgxFbIoGBb6KkQYLgzi5vROSKdaKBvhOaEWL7pF-D_SW09diA39DjO4UHegdm1wVnpglXtY_5ncd-HEevNu-cc8mdxEAnMQcWD346zq48qJWKB4697O4scw/w400-h328/clear%20blue%20walk.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a few minutes of gorgeous<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvDpxKWiNsSniicXd0fK3z2FITojmbcdAdVSqXz5ZR7z6weEiqmM2p8yt2o_pyhGoRNSu6PYUjAJCPkMP28P6TcHYSyci77637uRjzJmjelq3a1M6fRQMK6FdScaf4YodWfBJFF-8K1kDjtMEL10B9IC7UpOr4cqXVPV4NFM8QcPULiUTm3dNKZ_S1qg/s600/shedding.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvDpxKWiNsSniicXd0fK3z2FITojmbcdAdVSqXz5ZR7z6weEiqmM2p8yt2o_pyhGoRNSu6PYUjAJCPkMP28P6TcHYSyci77637uRjzJmjelq3a1M6fRQMK6FdScaf4YodWfBJFF-8K1kDjtMEL10B9IC7UpOr4cqXVPV4NFM8QcPULiUTm3dNKZ_S1qg/w400-h300/shedding.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">so much shedding, I take a brush on every walk<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQP7HoBpLN-yBvSI04HwW-M8bmB34gOGoPOK5yZtAfNw1l890IoUijDiC8buuNtmugeA0_TPw9UWOm2l6n1C3MnL-z5IpohAMC8qvgBcLzTq6FFaiOUXxuXeg81KCr8Gd4qbTX4uqvU1Lt2gdeH_WUugzuG0jtMdTfWs3wsVFLwhXbbyP3X_mtLimHA/s600/just%20a%20flesh%20wound.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQP7HoBpLN-yBvSI04HwW-M8bmB34gOGoPOK5yZtAfNw1l890IoUijDiC8buuNtmugeA0_TPw9UWOm2l6n1C3MnL-z5IpohAMC8qvgBcLzTq6FFaiOUXxuXeg81KCr8Gd4qbTX4uqvU1Lt2gdeH_WUugzuG0jtMdTfWs3wsVFLwhXbbyP3X_mtLimHA/w300-h400/just%20a%20flesh%20wound.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">just a flesh wound…<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Oh, and to top it off Miles did manage to scrape his leg up against the wood floor frame of his shelter. It is not deep, but he won't keep a wrap on. Luckily it is still healing fine. This weekend was more moving sandbags and yesterday, during the wind storm, while I was checking on Miles, coming upon the gorgeous, huge oak at the ranch fallen over, crushing fences and cross-ties (luckily no horses or humans hurt).</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmDXjK_TZ0UBugr9S1ltyRKZxaCwff98RQXPjokeSQ3qaQcEBektjgGPsDiFbgNOPVxQINH-YgwjAGWRj6BJdaAp8xOnibjtwomhg_zexEUI_AXwzmdjkMe_r7yOAN4s7B-toFXRyiZkor2Mw13sow51DzT1aXKHwb_R0E465g68h9P1enhTLIxmeCiA/s600/cross%20tie%20rain.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="600" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmDXjK_TZ0UBugr9S1ltyRKZxaCwff98RQXPjokeSQ3qaQcEBektjgGPsDiFbgNOPVxQINH-YgwjAGWRj6BJdaAp8xOnibjtwomhg_zexEUI_AXwzmdjkMe_r7yOAN4s7B-toFXRyiZkor2Mw13sow51DzT1aXKHwb_R0E465g68h9P1enhTLIxmeCiA/w400-h279/cross%20tie%20rain.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">not enjoying the rain, the oak tree that fell pictured behind<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGAXC2pzHDW8LW_LqK9yK53yDCg9CWt7ExNE2o_RkLK4hQG8a6rlms8WUWR-7dJll7yZ3x3p1-NiqfabTNeKHBEcuj5SvLa84MukQU76JhUG3bb0zXqyFx6il3nOJiJBVQ3s48cirylgU_W0sfDHJ4GBZVrbr5l_wLDwnEcYrvezCfwFXgXuOllY3r1Q/s600/evening%20goodnight.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGAXC2pzHDW8LW_LqK9yK53yDCg9CWt7ExNE2o_RkLK4hQG8a6rlms8WUWR-7dJll7yZ3x3p1-NiqfabTNeKHBEcuj5SvLa84MukQU76JhUG3bb0zXqyFx6il3nOJiJBVQ3s48cirylgU_W0sfDHJ4GBZVrbr5l_wLDwnEcYrvezCfwFXgXuOllY3r1Q/w400-h300/evening%20goodnight.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one last treat before you leave?<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>I am making no short-terms plans. I'll read some more books, wander some thrift stores, and plan for summer. But I'm hopeful that spring will surely arrive sometimes soon…after the next series of cold, wet storms coming next week…. Are we done yet?</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPR87JaCtzDNFNBy67WpSe8LSFBYl3GukT8V042Kae6LsRYy31RrRyFb2mjXuJEZqRq58JdyJFUsittw5tFmWAg9TQnm8MLv1Utjxb0KkTSGro_QSUS_fL7QQ0MyQNcLWVM1BM0w1WSU0eTEjtK7SZswZFD-2ZJQfmmURS16WHsdN3FIGS9vZ5bsbEkQ/s628/thrift%20store%20square.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPR87JaCtzDNFNBy67WpSe8LSFBYl3GukT8V042Kae6LsRYy31RrRyFb2mjXuJEZqRq58JdyJFUsittw5tFmWAg9TQnm8MLv1Utjxb0KkTSGro_QSUS_fL7QQ0MyQNcLWVM1BM0w1WSU0eTEjtK7SZswZFD-2ZJQfmmURS16WHsdN3FIGS9vZ5bsbEkQ/w383-h400/thrift%20store%20square.jpg" width="383" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">thrift finds (that I did not buy): interesting clock, paint-by-number (I have a half-finished one at home already), pegasus fantasy book, huge play horse trailer!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6G4MvGTuGBHKLsS86JRBAOU74uPn-d_bjTbR8lPkd4hfY24BxV_RkFAllKJ6wYS856AGqhONVy3w22gKHW3Xr_M5R_u8-i44pTyHdyB0T73zsMg0MrcVTJsEiaTv7oqE6vZLOclF2rk1qkbcA-gx12pksKidvhhQcjeijR--lxo-DIM8dxlqUXyrj5w/s600/wesley%20dark%20side.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="600" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6G4MvGTuGBHKLsS86JRBAOU74uPn-d_bjTbR8lPkd4hfY24BxV_RkFAllKJ6wYS856AGqhONVy3w22gKHW3Xr_M5R_u8-i44pTyHdyB0T73zsMg0MrcVTJsEiaTv7oqE6vZLOclF2rk1qkbcA-gx12pksKidvhhQcjeijR--lxo-DIM8dxlqUXyrj5w/w400-h306/wesley%20dark%20side.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wesley, gone to the dark side (helping me make the bed)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />irish horsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11289040711028666546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4695120516623358773.post-21225831132572182152023-02-20T04:36:00.002-08:002023-02-20T04:36:00.167-08:00cronan firsts<p>I am fully taking advantage of the lull in our winter to get some rides in. California weather does this almost every year, a false spring, but after the deluge of December and early January I'll take it!</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbJn9lT_A1RRQtWRmXghErbTkbxg2DnqOhFZKQD3PFjbNcAhBWwu_xcLhPNbv6pztiz91Sn-3wZmZETjVBYbG6TBdrShUlqQa44RpumD1mhtEgbD6VikH4ZukQcolzxwE35xxWqfqhz1KEeQi5MTUDMNa9t4mbepOqHfX8o7WSNt8mhRp1O2Ag0WTpWA/s600/ready%20to%20go.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="433" data-original-width="600" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbJn9lT_A1RRQtWRmXghErbTkbxg2DnqOhFZKQD3PFjbNcAhBWwu_xcLhPNbv6pztiz91Sn-3wZmZETjVBYbG6TBdrShUlqQa44RpumD1mhtEgbD6VikH4ZukQcolzxwE35xxWqfqhz1KEeQi5MTUDMNa9t4mbepOqHfX8o7WSNt8mhRp1O2Ag0WTpWA/w400-h289/ready%20to%20go.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">filling up before the ride<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>This time Miles and I teamed up with Rocky and S to explore Cronan ranch. I've been there many times but not with Miles before. I was happy to be showing S around as she'd been, but not on very many of the trails. And Rocky is the absolute best boy! Such a good role model for Miles. The parking lot was packed with cars, I'm assuming runners and bikes, as we were the only trailer there. <br /></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJqe_nUVnkdHOZpIoxyLwvwKJrsFYMdyiTbxOqvypvlX43Sftsqgxdg8AKo4lDPsJB5nK87FfyUoch1sAqauWh561nSzpX9mWWawK513xdoCC5icu7YrXJGJpba5PktL6HFRasb1_UDo6WzO9JbAMtw8BDzLZT35pzwvDhhtErsou5bwgxJX7V4Lf1rA/s600/conifer%20forest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJqe_nUVnkdHOZpIoxyLwvwKJrsFYMdyiTbxOqvypvlX43Sftsqgxdg8AKo4lDPsJB5nK87FfyUoch1sAqauWh561nSzpX9mWWawK513xdoCC5icu7YrXJGJpba5PktL6HFRasb1_UDo6WzO9JbAMtw8BDzLZT35pzwvDhhtErsou5bwgxJX7V4Lf1rA/w300-h400/conifer%20forest.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">love this conifer section by the creek<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>We first split off the main trail out and do a nice single-track trail called Gerle Loop, then head out on the still-misspelled "Connecter trail" (sigh…). There is a long, fairly narrow bridge across the creek now, I've never done anything like that with Miles. I had him go first, and I'm not sure if it is smart or foolhardy, but I just assume he can and don't worry about it and he does! He certainly takes leadership from his person, but is naturally brave anyway.</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdQMoSZbZlBRm5B5sDHOq7-l5w1LfG6TdE3SiUrlCPwuEBCb3tmEMwx9pTixD-zZijxIMiUwlOkaIgwqrkEchHDSgre5EfEEvUSwvjDosn_sKNrpbT967t9fSywuTUKUdrSBByYztEUwmspX46vpTJeZ3fWZ4Ttps0O3_rBns834w2Us8m7kvvdBt74Q/s600/connector%20view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdQMoSZbZlBRm5B5sDHOq7-l5w1LfG6TdE3SiUrlCPwuEBCb3tmEMwx9pTixD-zZijxIMiUwlOkaIgwqrkEchHDSgre5EfEEvUSwvjDosn_sKNrpbT967t9fSywuTUKUdrSBByYztEUwmspX46vpTJeZ3fWZ4Ttps0O3_rBns834w2Us8m7kvvdBt74Q/w400-h300/connector%20view.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">love this viewpoint<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpPPvDZGAMn-bxsuawZYaTSorAuDQxRbS0mCmZy-TvooGvmUK9SuR4NYsK2JGf5Am_oEO9qbbrrEAz5jpcSADl-wUAHBLSrfv2P5odQyoGfM7E3r2csrE0rjRFV4UO-ON2hal6gFrqWPBeRZSnkkIypD900RnadbAViUCCpH9zUgrZlO8xtUhE9Um73w/s600/miles%20drinking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpPPvDZGAMn-bxsuawZYaTSorAuDQxRbS0mCmZy-TvooGvmUK9SuR4NYsK2JGf5Am_oEO9qbbrrEAz5jpcSADl-wUAHBLSrfv2P5odQyoGfM7E3r2csrE0rjRFV4UO-ON2hal6gFrqWPBeRZSnkkIypD900RnadbAViUCCpH9zUgrZlO8xtUhE9Um73w/w300-h400/miles%20drinking.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">good boy drinking<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1RsjQhmEKby0hQEP9enfJeAvHRr3Le-ycnSXuPyoRrUSOJQCIqgqph-Uxnpic-vF5noq_elYQ6J-4qTpn6_LoQSmszCr-hUIbSuC9jlKXQA-KJZLJgtcDInK0QHg4PkwpS7yXkVAPi8SN4cIiyXL8-FQgW3ENTTXQwS8m_wypXLz4bke1VzxV7lGaYQ/s600/miles%20first%20at%20cronan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="401" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1RsjQhmEKby0hQEP9enfJeAvHRr3Le-ycnSXuPyoRrUSOJQCIqgqph-Uxnpic-vF5noq_elYQ6J-4qTpn6_LoQSmszCr-hUIbSuC9jlKXQA-KJZLJgtcDInK0QHg4PkwpS7yXkVAPi8SN4cIiyXL8-FQgW3ENTTXQwS8m_wypXLz4bke1VzxV7lGaYQ/w268-h400/miles%20first%20at%20cronan.jpg" width="268" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">at the river for the first time<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>The views are always beautiful. I practiced having Miles both lead and follow, at the walk and trot. A small storm was rolling in, the wind increasing as the day progressed, but the footing was great and we headed down to the river. We followed the river trail, seeing from debris piles how high the river was in January. There were quite a few people on the trails but there are many miles of trails and everyone was pretty spread out. And everyone was so nice. We gave
trail when we could and graciously thanked everyone who stopped for us.
(And Miles even got a treat from a cyclist, his favorite thing!)We headed back into the valley floor. There is a nice, long level trail that we worked on some leapfrog exercises as well as trotting side by side (Mr. Competitive showed up for that one).<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNP7PIA_DEfRodIhxaIzOJjHCgJWl1KXZmQCVbECl-bwl6mO_cX5t_iJv8lSPIsvpYCaqxYe7wBHbC3LOyVoaVIhv2OVyat5dtwfL6_jcTwvTAZMCD0NdgHYWq6NITUZfgAPFnhcusunvdo9a9znF8iKUJKoiZS3sMoPcOkKW5pesz9GssjR4TNnHt5g/w300-h400/good%20hair%20riding.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">good hair day riding<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNP7PIA_DEfRodIhxaIzOJjHCgJWl1KXZmQCVbECl-bwl6mO_cX5t_iJv8lSPIsvpYCaqxYe7wBHbC3LOyVoaVIhv2OVyat5dtwfL6_jcTwvTAZMCD0NdgHYWq6NITUZfgAPFnhcusunvdo9a9znF8iKUJKoiZS3sMoPcOkKW5pesz9GssjR4TNnHt5g/s600/good%20hair%20riding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVL3Ffno_biYrfM7CwKMn3vlKhVh1bIHz1ajwCW5S-sir_haZBCPQtGAcW1rN0UMwhDY7cLxRnBxdNSQF8d2A-rTyO5Z2kZ8CniB2iWnw4aWPYep3UnwBsMcQ1LTv-xDBeXyWUyj8CDnFVfUW3BvL6GIU9yTXOMMKj0hOjmATQzGYbgV6MvhEa6T0ezQ/s600/good%20hair%20day%20walking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVL3Ffno_biYrfM7CwKMn3vlKhVh1bIHz1ajwCW5S-sir_haZBCPQtGAcW1rN0UMwhDY7cLxRnBxdNSQF8d2A-rTyO5Z2kZ8CniB2iWnw4aWPYep3UnwBsMcQ1LTv-xDBeXyWUyj8CDnFVfUW3BvL6GIU9yTXOMMKj0hOjmATQzGYbgV6MvhEa6T0ezQ/w400-h300/good%20hair%20day%20walking.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and good hair walking too!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></a></div>We came to the steep Up-Down Trail and hand-walked the horses down. Bikes came past, slowly both directions, and the only glitch was a loose dog, luckily friendly, but really? (This park is managed by the Bureau of Land Management, which allows off-leash dogs, but the owner should be in sight at least!!)<p></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTqX1laH2oWhP_bXJvPDv3wff_NMu_m7wzpkIpjA-JkNG5iYFYQF-OyCqFvPfKS0EUdiugfGs6WaawZZAeNFqrM7HerVBxKQLGM5ntn5lzrj4Vs0eTL0FevJgLWUmz_RaBvS8nh0Mnvq0jWU5ptCrywLUS9_yRUFJI401yxXfUO9gPgzP_0G4DF0s-Q/s600/hillside%20rocky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTqX1laH2oWhP_bXJvPDv3wff_NMu_m7wzpkIpjA-JkNG5iYFYQF-OyCqFvPfKS0EUdiugfGs6WaawZZAeNFqrM7HerVBxKQLGM5ntn5lzrj4Vs0eTL0FevJgLWUmz_RaBvS8nh0Mnvq0jWU5ptCrywLUS9_yRUFJI401yxXfUO9gPgzP_0G4DF0s-Q/w300-h400/hillside%20rocky.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rocky following, this looks epic, I love it.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Back on Connecter trail we headed home. Miles was a bit more forward but I made him wait when his faster walk outpaced Rocky. The funniest part was when we got to where the Gerle Loop split off. He was convinced we had to go back that way, and I let him lead just to see what he'd do. He turned across the trail and started heading that way! We can literally see the parking lot in the distance, but he knew the way we'd come, so it must be the way we had to go to get home! He grudgingly walked down the main trail, but I still don't think he figured it out till we were almost back. He won't forget again, he is very smart about finding his way home.</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOj8W5vkFb3mIfUjvPMiuWg30WqEwgX1ZDW1UW8BAFjfBQywt3AF3zlVvYcyLg5DlzkssoelZ5fQDozRc9F3nuSZm87SNOwaIwMhxrJEo-OGXQ_p4JcZxQVIUlY2B2zdU2EBV4H3mBV5L1ZIhYF-EqmT8bToLf85foBAFHUeYsdnhOp8AVRt_AmpI3aQ/s600/cronan%20threatening%20skies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOj8W5vkFb3mIfUjvPMiuWg30WqEwgX1ZDW1UW8BAFjfBQywt3AF3zlVvYcyLg5DlzkssoelZ5fQDozRc9F3nuSZm87SNOwaIwMhxrJEo-OGXQ_p4JcZxQVIUlY2B2zdU2EBV4H3mBV5L1ZIhYF-EqmT8bToLf85foBAFHUeYsdnhOp8AVRt_AmpI3aQ/w400-h300/cronan%20threatening%20skies.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">threatening skies<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUULkFyYrD0lRvb7WVBvUjkoP8pzn0kDvER8UgagFsMChGahsGCOT_hLky1U-lOe1T62Wo4wvEPlbALH6fztiIj3Y103KaZtR2Y0kk8ZLAd9YCitP8XBEsJFS_CSZsDAfitSgcjLv1-onC9IPSMiFRzx1RQSTr4YRAyiZWIw54mhygK2Lo8cxYjYGc9A/s600/cronan%20going%20home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUULkFyYrD0lRvb7WVBvUjkoP8pzn0kDvER8UgagFsMChGahsGCOT_hLky1U-lOe1T62Wo4wvEPlbALH6fztiIj3Y103KaZtR2Y0kk8ZLAd9YCitP8XBEsJFS_CSZsDAfitSgcjLv1-onC9IPSMiFRzx1RQSTr4YRAyiZWIw54mhygK2Lo8cxYjYGc9A/w300-h400/cronan%20going%20home.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">heading home<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Back at the trailer the boys were grateful for their haybags while we had a snack too. This was a good adventure for us all. Rocky was pretty full of it (for him!), S is learning a lot, and I am lucky to have a good training partner. Our ride home was extra long due to a traffic accident, but we can all sure talk horses for a long time! The rain started just as we got everything unloaded, perfect timing for a successful ride.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUUmHZfVUidvMZHJvfLToQb15KIGt3KHo9kw_buM6SdmO1Ex_7JGnwtc4ggfpziv8Dt2dG1kNjxSHqI6uusJH4N0F0hXPf2dDRiu2zKhkuam2IN9nsBxN9nl80BeRLlrzJnOMUM2TmMCzt1h9GcDZGfDnEcv8uxRwlhdYxM3EpCsspMFUT4qbC9MiQ4A/s600/back%20before%20rain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUUmHZfVUidvMZHJvfLToQb15KIGt3KHo9kw_buM6SdmO1Ex_7JGnwtc4ggfpziv8Dt2dG1kNjxSHqI6uusJH4N0F0hXPf2dDRiu2zKhkuam2IN9nsBxN9nl80BeRLlrzJnOMUM2TmMCzt1h9GcDZGfDnEcv8uxRwlhdYxM3EpCsspMFUT4qbC9MiQ4A/w400-h300/back%20before%20rain.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'd like to request more alfalfa please<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>irish horsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11289040711028666546noreply@blogger.com1Auburn, CA, USA38.8965654 -121.076890110.586331563821155 -156.2331401 67.206799236178853 -85.9206401tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4695120516623358773.post-81533039626582153712023-02-15T05:13:00.009-08:002023-02-15T05:13:00.178-08:00Miles: one yearOne year ago I decided to risk it and take a chance on (another) young, bay, Arab gelding. <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXyoSJtaDSFFLjPxiQLhHP-S73d47JZ2xiICNSVnMEPWP46WoZc-Sj7qy4g2m4TtQ3IL69R4ga_08GTfoHqmFoFED7uCQL8ges2SBP49PbIIE1U8n8ShTa38Cj6luf5ZJLJOh4l0CC43hPu9rAVHmLiKfDDJ4iJ1oSv8lI7TcXcEbO-WEFGf5eJtD4ng/s600/miles%202-15-22.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="407" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXyoSJtaDSFFLjPxiQLhHP-S73d47JZ2xiICNSVnMEPWP46WoZc-Sj7qy4g2m4TtQ3IL69R4ga_08GTfoHqmFoFED7uCQL8ges2SBP49PbIIE1U8n8ShTa38Cj6luf5ZJLJOh4l0CC43hPu9rAVHmLiKfDDJ4iJ1oSv8lI7TcXcEbO-WEFGf5eJtD4ng/w271-h400/miles%202-15-22.jpg" width="271" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">February 15, 2022. Looking a little cautious.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>We've both learned a lot, and have a lot farther to go. (Though we did go 575 miles this year, I was surprised at that!)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYUVn4OBxGhl3fnFhrN4UC3zAUbMaooAyk-yW8f7Ef9AJb3VcmA-1RG5J7dfVFCnVLRzFGY4rJ3JM8fyRk_xfn_wA-BbXuGBxFp1mV3AAfGvVteoijMHkwLqBrbedTsdhuXwdFcB6-c8IqUeHMRXWk-cRST_cPM8vVRFpci2wXv-QHNgwVoHOgs43MYw/s600/miles%202-15-23.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYUVn4OBxGhl3fnFhrN4UC3zAUbMaooAyk-yW8f7Ef9AJb3VcmA-1RG5J7dfVFCnVLRzFGY4rJ3JM8fyRk_xfn_wA-BbXuGBxFp1mV3AAfGvVteoijMHkwLqBrbedTsdhuXwdFcB6-c8IqUeHMRXWk-cRST_cPM8vVRFpci2wXv-QHNgwVoHOgs43MYw/w300-h400/miles%202-15-23.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p>So here is to many more trails, happy Gotcha day Miles.</p><p><br /></p>irish horsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11289040711028666546noreply@blogger.com3Auburn, CA, USA38.8965654 -121.076890110.586331563821155 -156.2331401 67.206799236178853 -85.9206401tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4695120516623358773.post-82003292825811119832023-02-11T04:43:00.004-08:002023-02-11T04:43:00.229-08:00two times<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-4ea0BqnxZ37KRfkOmHAXgZR7isLEDWRVQZKEDKF7THsfkB7QznsMZJDgoWvZUdI0jpnzim0G0GBGuBLSmLrVOl4yia7co2GfsbZP190hmiTwpBz7tI1VNFwLVSegIWoRTUfnqjRpR0QWxIxLeb4hyNB1LSHv0q2goxvAepqNZsDsIIQiOxGSNz6haA/s600/with%20beau%20dam%20pose.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-4ea0BqnxZ37KRfkOmHAXgZR7isLEDWRVQZKEDKF7THsfkB7QznsMZJDgoWvZUdI0jpnzim0G0GBGuBLSmLrVOl4yia7co2GfsbZP190hmiTwpBz7tI1VNFwLVSegIWoRTUfnqjRpR0QWxIxLeb4hyNB1LSHv0q2goxvAepqNZsDsIIQiOxGSNz6haA/w400-h300/with%20beau%20dam%20pose.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Staying off of delicate trails while they dry is so hard when the sun is out and it is perfect riding weather. Luckily the roads in Auburn are great for that, though maybe not as interesting. I rode very similar trails twice, and I rode two different horses. Both of them were Miles, but first was Miles with Beau, the second one was Miles by himself. I sure like the second Miles better (we have work to do).<p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-3nSZJv1lciQCPVMalDs3xBxEUtk9p25m4WHyermvXoHpZ-nDOnbAOVY1BzB6vTSS6xVb53qDxhp9gnCfT94uMnnVE_lOgpeCkqPH-zAE9Ftwga861PXRGTmhlYhqPFAOU289VOPmgDevmemVN3yvAsvTsU3pKbp5BWHF0Rfuj06R569ih1rVlawg2A/s600/following%20beau.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-3nSZJv1lciQCPVMalDs3xBxEUtk9p25m4WHyermvXoHpZ-nDOnbAOVY1BzB6vTSS6xVb53qDxhp9gnCfT94uMnnVE_lOgpeCkqPH-zAE9Ftwga861PXRGTmhlYhqPFAOU289VOPmgDevmemVN3yvAsvTsU3pKbp5BWHF0Rfuj06R569ih1rVlawg2A/w300-h400/following%20beau.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">remembering to follow at a respectful distance<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhExdIEP7jLki2L01ovPbociMyUhhY2h4bL9rxs5LEoxev2M7JsNIf7kg92aw-TN2KDNEue-RXpsKuhufVRtmibOP77Z05RLc9ay61pyZYdSeIDtdtdhfqWuuBuuwTc488PIYQlJ0AEdnH_ZlDhzyjmg4qR0yEGsBMmlfUGvPaoVGR90nRjg0CMqdLq1w/s800/shady%20alone.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhExdIEP7jLki2L01ovPbociMyUhhY2h4bL9rxs5LEoxev2M7JsNIf7kg92aw-TN2KDNEue-RXpsKuhufVRtmibOP77Z05RLc9ay61pyZYdSeIDtdtdhfqWuuBuuwTc488PIYQlJ0AEdnH_ZlDhzyjmg4qR0yEGsBMmlfUGvPaoVGR90nRjg0CMqdLq1w/w300-h400/shady%20alone.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">it was icy in the shade<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>We went out with Beau to explore how dry the trails were and how the boys would behave together. Short story: they don't very well! So we will need more practice with others (which I knew). Beau has not had enough work after pulling from Tevis last year, and is full of it. Miles just feeds off of all that. So there was walking and circling and lagging behind (on purpose), separating and dealing with it, for horse and human! Going home Miles finally settled down. It was half walking and half riding, but we have a lot to improve on.</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX9N5sHl8b0FzX5EB-c8agrIumMRXMwWNMgtMQtn8BuX11aOrxHb2HdP5JJQW_duw4Bcrfcu5X1GT-t0vRze-bM3Bkp9FGPur2COzPInUPfi4p-kJS2TRlxL-A9ITpZuQdqe4tmGKJSo9gnbGwfp9aB3HOvZ-1IXuHg4C6HSFe7wKbSfI-wY0ObqulWw/s600/other%20pasture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX9N5sHl8b0FzX5EB-c8agrIumMRXMwWNMgtMQtn8BuX11aOrxHb2HdP5JJQW_duw4Bcrfcu5X1GT-t0vRze-bM3Bkp9FGPur2COzPInUPfi4p-kJS2TRlxL-A9ITpZuQdqe4tmGKJSo9gnbGwfp9aB3HOvZ-1IXuHg4C6HSFe7wKbSfI-wY0ObqulWw/w300-h400/other%20pasture.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">now that we're home, can I play with Beau?<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Then we headed out the next weekend by ourselves (also in a new-to-me saddle, having fitting issues). Beau was at the trailhead with another horse, and Miles didn't care at all. We left and rode our own ride, and damn, what a good boy!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLlowSB_jtrgmmuZbq1ncQasxyahWiqYjrsp1M8OuFpNR5nlGuFDe0qoiS3_66tzG7ITCy8nSkY9Ge1SqbHhgDxKxXeLHGMLYXeIN0aB-SeWZQoCbXVX94JigR02PuEBJwxWdjjD2ukj44u0CzxW0X7vu9sRXjigfFg2Hbx79zFfeQ6GciTDN4IPtY7g/s600/obligatory%20barrels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLlowSB_jtrgmmuZbq1ncQasxyahWiqYjrsp1M8OuFpNR5nlGuFDe0qoiS3_66tzG7ITCy8nSkY9Ge1SqbHhgDxKxXeLHGMLYXeIN0aB-SeWZQoCbXVX94JigR02PuEBJwxWdjjD2ukj44u0CzxW0X7vu9sRXjigfFg2Hbx79zFfeQ6GciTDN4IPtY7g/w300-h400/obligatory%20barrels.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">obligatory weird barrels, just cool<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkh8P--7gVOVBiAcZ_xQ70R2u5kwIDP5WFD5SxcnNxXzSxb7fEXgE3lo3JoEc2dDK7-wvtQkWMVWtm0MqUdhTJDeQE-NcSDLawz0ha071arTmWRboQH5WacGNQY3Ehoo98bgtScXAOcTw9ZM03tXoo_LCnI02sEbxudm3itojlGW8bJ2QlW-RvNw0fcg/s600/down%20tamaroo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkh8P--7gVOVBiAcZ_xQ70R2u5kwIDP5WFD5SxcnNxXzSxb7fEXgE3lo3JoEc2dDK7-wvtQkWMVWtm0MqUdhTJDeQE-NcSDLawz0ha071arTmWRboQH5WacGNQY3Ehoo98bgtScXAOcTw9ZM03tXoo_LCnI02sEbxudm3itojlGW8bJ2QlW-RvNw0fcg/w400-h300/down%20tamaroo.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">heading down to the river<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgemu4Lnm0xHkPNj8062Xngzml1n3mTAsx74G13DaJZzgVDS-zUE6IrALNcdJ9_v8vUxS-wwldxF_NZhoukeDoldiERo9-oM0F5LEHPSl3XD4wihSadjiUx94CHo4U7WRapB3vBH4GJRnTMfav7z-uv3bPMEDSy3SdOlKkF-h9XhwM4_81AjA4qbhFf1g/s600/tamaroo%20gorgeous.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgemu4Lnm0xHkPNj8062Xngzml1n3mTAsx74G13DaJZzgVDS-zUE6IrALNcdJ9_v8vUxS-wwldxF_NZhoukeDoldiERo9-oM0F5LEHPSl3XD4wihSadjiUx94CHo4U7WRapB3vBH4GJRnTMfav7z-uv3bPMEDSy3SdOlKkF-h9XhwM4_81AjA4qbhFf1g/w300-h400/tamaroo%20gorgeous.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">can't we just stay out here?<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUBhloOKaem47PI3Tv063CvPo16z_6u_vn9Je2mGUA_cSVAflfXp7PxPV5E_hi2mhuHcCP1iq-RzD0tDOzJOsshLZMGcyulhxKCzCLjwb9Lq9dJJYYUuPQGA5kKS5PoOboTsj5dOXLl6nMTWFzGAxIIz5pi2qguEihXrvGSpOw2ku_4qa17e7pzOHs-A/s600/river%20view%20jan23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUBhloOKaem47PI3Tv063CvPo16z_6u_vn9Je2mGUA_cSVAflfXp7PxPV5E_hi2mhuHcCP1iq-RzD0tDOzJOsshLZMGcyulhxKCzCLjwb9Lq9dJJYYUuPQGA5kKS5PoOboTsj5dOXLl6nMTWFzGAxIIz5pi2qguEihXrvGSpOw2ku_4qa17e7pzOHs-A/w300-h400/river%20view%20jan23.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">all the green starting to peek through<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>He was forward but rateable, went everywhere and at everything I pointed him at, no spooking or much silliness. Best part: he drank out of everything he saw. Random weird spring that funnels into a tiny bucket, sure! Old trough with running water, sure! Puddles? Ok!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnhZrtFRxsNYYqPsXkZYWrz_iDcs22JEB2RSzq6VlrS9az1ckiVpJqvvU8-lqLpoSj8PE_lKNDEIxxRACFQxvH2KmaQu3-H0ThrU0FznKQtnbL1sxcg5Pe5EhPeIEnt9yEA7W7iS136Ufh7dBdVbrOdn6kWNWyT5QlKOzNl7KS-juNJZFaeweIeIwtBw/s600/spring%20water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnhZrtFRxsNYYqPsXkZYWrz_iDcs22JEB2RSzq6VlrS9az1ckiVpJqvvU8-lqLpoSj8PE_lKNDEIxxRACFQxvH2KmaQu3-H0ThrU0FznKQtnbL1sxcg5Pe5EhPeIEnt9yEA7W7iS136Ufh7dBdVbrOdn6kWNWyT5QlKOzNl7KS-juNJZFaeweIeIwtBw/w400-h300/spring%20water.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">weird spring, yummy!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8nCDFLqBsvEGZhXNOAUEDViP3IUR4RTLXKLBAB9BTVq2DStRbjYiU6tXOoPHSBVEZ8797AExtcZzjntr2zKXphKL81mLUrjcmeagL62Z0B0sZNDrc1rF31m27bacNke359OOuplo2MtWdbgGt9OACjQ9DZThrQso5WheVYIk4mAgnn-bn0F9HXtdo9Q/s600/water%20trough%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8nCDFLqBsvEGZhXNOAUEDViP3IUR4RTLXKLBAB9BTVq2DStRbjYiU6tXOoPHSBVEZ8797AExtcZzjntr2zKXphKL81mLUrjcmeagL62Z0B0sZNDrc1rF31m27bacNke359OOuplo2MtWdbgGt9OACjQ9DZThrQso5WheVYIk4mAgnn-bn0F9HXtdo9Q/w400-h300/water%20trough%202.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">roadside trough, all good!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Plus is was just gorgeous out. The river trail has really good footing, and the rest was gravel roads. We could have stayed out longer but I'm cautious of bringing him along slowly, We did 11 miles with 1300 feet of elevation gain, and he was never tired, though he was very sweaty!</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibGPDP_qT8f2pH2lWh0gQo5hgAX6TH8p_mdMBe6GDiMcvWYWxPCkxs020BBlRUoyZ1AEe5xX0le4STErRxhj4hfPjSwEJNN-QaZQA_xm0VPbmUk99G57z2k9W8AVKAIzYJbwTZ6eFLFUdoTZYn65Qb8XR8CbZ9f3pkI9MJF3M2XdQ-UmAOQes9nEsQuw/s600/dam%20view%20jan23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibGPDP_qT8f2pH2lWh0gQo5hgAX6TH8p_mdMBe6GDiMcvWYWxPCkxs020BBlRUoyZ1AEe5xX0le4STErRxhj4hfPjSwEJNN-QaZQA_xm0VPbmUk99G57z2k9W8AVKAIzYJbwTZ6eFLFUdoTZYn65Qb8XR8CbZ9f3pkI9MJF3M2XdQ-UmAOQes9nEsQuw/w400-h300/dam%20view%20jan23.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dam view does not get old<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimNgJlhQFkAcPNYAVuEe_rQkAFZTO-3TXOF1EIiB714zmI7eC5u75lmvSD_e_MbiVD_sA8pb7UAvu6eb1ejN_XoMHwneYN8OlpNfZQlewM0EHK5WNR9QqtojryBEL6Dgg9yPQrjBBz5FDXsRK-Oqcai87XZF_bmvFbZgQ9Tda2xJ4TE9QxUb4U83MIYQ/s600/going%20up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimNgJlhQFkAcPNYAVuEe_rQkAFZTO-3TXOF1EIiB714zmI7eC5u75lmvSD_e_MbiVD_sA8pb7UAvu6eb1ejN_XoMHwneYN8OlpNfZQlewM0EHK5WNR9QqtojryBEL6Dgg9yPQrjBBz5FDXsRK-Oqcai87XZF_bmvFbZgQ9Tda2xJ4TE9QxUb4U83MIYQ/w300-h400/going%20up.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">going up<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmlIfP_R-KlcU_vqaaj3f3b636VAUN-k6LEqdFgOtkhxTUtx2hiX16wXSYzFdNg-grfjITIEXJqQ3jdaTmX6Dlsz66CuiYUyj2qOaIz60x6FmQsz0xU0s7lvlbCQMs2G2_klY5oWWT2_bZYYSKsPUzaUgGqTq_gsDh8cta9CPPj0atOxNJ20kGU-9Mw/s600/downstream%20jan%2023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmlIfP_R-KlcU_vqaaj3f3b636VAUN-k6LEqdFgOtkhxTUtx2hiX16wXSYzFdNg-grfjITIEXJqQ3jdaTmX6Dlsz66CuiYUyj2qOaIz60x6FmQsz0xU0s7lvlbCQMs2G2_klY5oWWT2_bZYYSKsPUzaUgGqTq_gsDh8cta9CPPj0atOxNJ20kGU-9Mw/w300-h400/downstream%20jan%2023.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">looking downstream<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0mj7TXry-WclTSpMkfYfBYUmxZhS28O7guhdyAlEKXAqJ_GXqsw9kFZcRk6UtHl8H9kof1DC2B7aIgLClaYgCE9DkfAeeyQGxlybjYuhFqRH7NNhqZ3gmNcegziB8g93xifwCE5AS4Ne_OMUALkFZi-xcD2luPEbRdTW-tnPLJ24JoCsi3LzIljkYpw/s600/happy%20after%20ride.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0mj7TXry-WclTSpMkfYfBYUmxZhS28O7guhdyAlEKXAqJ_GXqsw9kFZcRk6UtHl8H9kof1DC2B7aIgLClaYgCE9DkfAeeyQGxlybjYuhFqRH7NNhqZ3gmNcegziB8g93xifwCE5AS4Ne_OMUALkFZi-xcD2luPEbRdTW-tnPLJ24JoCsi3LzIljkYpw/w400-h300/happy%20after%20ride.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">what else are we doing? We're done buddy.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>I think moving forward a balance of rides with others to trainhis brain to that and rides alone will be a good compromise. The weather still looks perfect for another weekend, so off to find more trails!</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggwqqfHTgD_dGLQRBL36DfyZizzsqtwTXgHQp_b7n_OyT0sG5bqoJt6aiZ2iZrqzNmR-wBr-QbB65leL_Y3iyVoC4LXc5SX2z-V2LrdcQjVmHbsZChaDXHgMu0nKHJ6jRCpVLIsnAbWJMSXYRHZgAUOKVKEErKklNnz2b6l1zO6-wnPJ8zJ22rztxNVw/s600/cooler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="600" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggwqqfHTgD_dGLQRBL36DfyZizzsqtwTXgHQp_b7n_OyT0sG5bqoJt6aiZ2iZrqzNmR-wBr-QbB65leL_Y3iyVoC4LXc5SX2z-V2LrdcQjVmHbsZChaDXHgMu0nKHJ6jRCpVLIsnAbWJMSXYRHZgAUOKVKEErKklNnz2b6l1zO6-wnPJ8zJ22rztxNVw/w400-h299/cooler.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">drying off after eating grass snacks<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>irish horsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11289040711028666546noreply@blogger.com3Auburn, CA, USA38.8965654 -121.076890110.586331563821155 -156.2331401 67.206799236178853 -85.9206401tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4695120516623358773.post-33333913078813090792023-01-23T04:43:00.003-08:002023-01-23T04:43:00.171-08:00miles monday: hello<p> Miles would like to say hi to everyone out there. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-zKwl1PGwuFgalvjyW9PyoVW-5bBVkA6PpL7y25RJcOv6YkCn0z6pCA21j8YXr_VfOjKXPfc0GRrN6xYlwVXgVXzGjyqho-1cHX8LTq3nuIiBTOB9rVWewzJDNu1_80q01bEHWnHdo_v9D0ppKRipASamarermFfHUT3lHGO-je8sohJGg_WMsxkVQg/s600/hello%20miles.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-zKwl1PGwuFgalvjyW9PyoVW-5bBVkA6PpL7y25RJcOv6YkCn0z6pCA21j8YXr_VfOjKXPfc0GRrN6xYlwVXgVXzGjyqho-1cHX8LTq3nuIiBTOB9rVWewzJDNu1_80q01bEHWnHdo_v9D0ppKRipASamarermFfHUT3lHGO-je8sohJGg_WMsxkVQg/w300-h400/hello%20miles.gif" width="300" /></a></div><p>And do you have a treat?</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvpDwQ0_v2ADSZgVvSj_Rj6XHyU0Z9acOxA0tG1FKbCxTTdCxglCJfP1met30zE9Gil-ygU0QJtO1Qp93phEOhnyLwFYfCXcv53-twx69mWTPhRRpd4OIjZ33E8S6zGGP3M6rHYMHzipv2_Mx9-6PeFp8SuyMRF3pYmzR704pzH9oxVedIZA80j7zbMQ/s2674/hello%20miles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="2674" height="90" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvpDwQ0_v2ADSZgVvSj_Rj6XHyU0Z9acOxA0tG1FKbCxTTdCxglCJfP1met30zE9Gil-ygU0QJtO1Qp93phEOhnyLwFYfCXcv53-twx69mWTPhRRpd4OIjZ33E8S6zGGP3M6rHYMHzipv2_Mx9-6PeFp8SuyMRF3pYmzR704pzH9oxVedIZA80j7zbMQ/w400-h90/hello%20miles.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><br /></p>irish horsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11289040711028666546noreply@blogger.com3Auburn, CA, USA38.8965654 -121.076890110.586331563821155 -156.2331401 67.206799236178853 -85.9206401tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4695120516623358773.post-27186310430689526542023-01-18T05:03:00.005-08:002023-01-18T05:03:00.165-08:00sun recovery<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfPjMqvYSgxmi4I5sZObrcPVXSzDmvPHggsydcqad-XiXNMGNG8TAIsbF65WteY6B_CJfRIQ8W3Kd53M3VJufNEMkol91cz7WzTOy5p-l1CtxoUMYnFrXVLkC4lAfxDH1O-UiaG8dFgXt2Mk6yA3lvmqAUN4-I_71szLgYkDUZt4B3psp5nG8E3f-XBA/s600/miles%20done%20with%20it.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfPjMqvYSgxmi4I5sZObrcPVXSzDmvPHggsydcqad-XiXNMGNG8TAIsbF65WteY6B_CJfRIQ8W3Kd53M3VJufNEMkol91cz7WzTOy5p-l1CtxoUMYnFrXVLkC4lAfxDH1O-UiaG8dFgXt2Mk6yA3lvmqAUN4-I_71szLgYkDUZt4B3psp5nG8E3f-XBA/w300-h400/miles%20done%20with%20it.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miles is done with it<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>The deluge is abating. Almost 15 straight days of rain, and not just a little, buckets and torrents! And intense wind storms, thunder and lightning (which we almost never get), pretty much all of our winter packed into two weeks, with more to come! Miles is done with it, as he proved by running, bucking and sliding about when I turned him out into a less muddy pasture yesterday.</p><p>During the storms Miles seems sensible if irritated, staying under cover for the worst of it. I visited with a wet mash, though chunky boy doesn't need it, the water and salt are best during weird atmospheric rivers. He wholeheartedly approved and I just watched him eat in peace, me sitting in the drizzle on a wet chair, surveying the mud (after already digging lots of ditches, diversions and bringing in sandbags).<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDFn6cklnRan7Ql5XX_xagqgqKvkpn3mBtaeVUj7RP5AvseZxW52eQVjeR4LF-YhVqyngXo_HmBGrNmCiGxQ28mY_hGZ8KuVXEq9gG2uXwpNJvFJctsnhcRJxOfWRFLjM_46WS8GSd0VuqJvPbaTDljyY6mBd6WlDXkEpScL9vjq-snuukxrhNMbRoA/s600/muddy%20mess%20but%20mash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="600" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDFn6cklnRan7Ql5XX_xagqgqKvkpn3mBtaeVUj7RP5AvseZxW52eQVjeR4LF-YhVqyngXo_HmBGrNmCiGxQ28mY_hGZ8KuVXEq9gG2uXwpNJvFJctsnhcRJxOfWRFLjM_46WS8GSd0VuqJvPbaTDljyY6mBd6WlDXkEpScL9vjq-snuukxrhNMbRoA/w400-h260/muddy%20mess%20but%20mash.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">muddy mess, but mash!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p>There was one clear afternoon last week and I took off work early and got Miles out. He was quite spicy, so a little lunging to remind him that he does actually have a job, and he was pretty good. I rode in the arena (wet but drains well) and then just up and down the graveled lane. I did go to the creek crossing and about 30 feet into the woods, just to see how it was. The trail was a slick mess and we turned around before we rode the slide-and-slide any longer.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF0GD050ewBP64BzKJUX9iSIiljIWYbYWFIlZu-vijr63hLbk4hUDAQ7KSqfgKehfWgp_KzYdo-xRsfrpQDl7J7YO1GUiGbITAB3_7zv9cKpEEcsZByvcIOPn_VuSh0TirEkBdJK0rNmotXcLoXTGFkEzUctTLdVrhHlQXq7Ql-SEN_ROHpmNVrquhjA/s600/shortest%20walk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF0GD050ewBP64BzKJUX9iSIiljIWYbYWFIlZu-vijr63hLbk4hUDAQ7KSqfgKehfWgp_KzYdo-xRsfrpQDl7J7YO1GUiGbITAB3_7zv9cKpEEcsZByvcIOPn_VuSh0TirEkBdJK0rNmotXcLoXTGFkEzUctTLdVrhHlQXq7Ql-SEN_ROHpmNVrquhjA/w400-h300/shortest%20walk.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">trail slip-and-slide<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p>But the damage has been done. I haven't seen much of the trails but what I've seen (I went hiking on one of the rainy days, just to get out!) is a mess. A huge tree across one of our main access points, who knows how long before state parks can come to clear it.</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgC2KDuwvreE7zNENcS6mOkXLVZ3HLKn1CErcx1RNOX2Xi4cS6peYt2Z2nT8IgeA9wcTHD_pCf3wtzKstDM-Wp2XVnSplp3EY8pMRwUJ9T8n9gVlV6PbsaBSrXofomIHT3ubA_iNPiyhzlMLwITlDAmaufZ1pD3cZw7Hu1Of0Wi3IzvLOO5rljQboHoA/s600/huge%20tree%20across%20access.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgC2KDuwvreE7zNENcS6mOkXLVZ3HLKn1CErcx1RNOX2Xi4cS6peYt2Z2nT8IgeA9wcTHD_pCf3wtzKstDM-Wp2XVnSplp3EY8pMRwUJ9T8n9gVlV6PbsaBSrXofomIHT3ubA_iNPiyhzlMLwITlDAmaufZ1pD3cZw7Hu1Of0Wi3IzvLOO5rljQboHoA/w400-h300/huge%20tree%20across%20access.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">huge pine blocking the trail<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsgmlFOzfRrTfPn4oxT4ZcYLQOcD1di3chkO3EKfyDftfS2F6bYJvZUpRkRWnIOnSUcsucOzTbsLNiUkbMfnw1Casyn3X21XUNBDOpdmwhmJk6N62BgWikvRXfPkM64tPE6XRqfPA9mfws_t_VUXtyLKKbGvL0IDb9MVCN0SeTMKmk2N7nGrIkMrrsgA/s600/lower%20trail%20pond.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsgmlFOzfRrTfPn4oxT4ZcYLQOcD1di3chkO3EKfyDftfS2F6bYJvZUpRkRWnIOnSUcsucOzTbsLNiUkbMfnw1Casyn3X21XUNBDOpdmwhmJk6N62BgWikvRXfPkM64tPE6XRqfPA9mfws_t_VUXtyLKKbGvL0IDb9MVCN0SeTMKmk2N7nGrIkMrrsgA/w300-h400/lower%20trail%20pond.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lots of water (there is a trail under there)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjBkXuFaNQ7owYWb61KdP50dsbq13mV9Buh4z5Ce_fmYWvE-DLd0c92jjfHc3N5-msxPfFcWJ63xBrDFFnDBfDSaOC5m-AGPR1qPeb5bDno_y4SuyP-u5E4EYeghuiMpUzibPZEBnMHxUbSN6XJsu3r57RIFsuZLwYn2HBFSKyZQpg2UwF_yIm4R5rA/s600/access%20creek%20now.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="429" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjBkXuFaNQ7owYWb61KdP50dsbq13mV9Buh4z5Ce_fmYWvE-DLd0c92jjfHc3N5-msxPfFcWJ63xBrDFFnDBfDSaOC5m-AGPR1qPeb5bDno_y4SuyP-u5E4EYeghuiMpUzibPZEBnMHxUbSN6XJsu3r57RIFsuZLwYn2HBFSKyZQpg2UwF_yIm4R5rA/w286-h400/access%20creek%20now.jpg" width="286" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is a trail access, now a dangerous deep (about 18 inch) eroded gully<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>And the erosion! Usual puddles fed by trickles are now streams of water cascading down hillsides, and across the trails, turning them into eroded, dangerous holes.</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbzDb8XeyeAzMIRJ83XulzztOdklCXRtbz6SI1SyzomoYxLaPBS9CX8ovPKKtkMVjUGjXjlC5F-V15ANz088BPtBx56VBdKl185xj0uXIPEV3-29cdXYDa1LJnjT_xlM6jx9LITXjqBnsM4QzxvRUaM8mmNto0JsLXad839FCsEyXL-QYhuxZXl6Xeqg/s600/manzanita%20and%20moss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbzDb8XeyeAzMIRJ83XulzztOdklCXRtbz6SI1SyzomoYxLaPBS9CX8ovPKKtkMVjUGjXjlC5F-V15ANz088BPtBx56VBdKl185xj0uXIPEV3-29cdXYDa1LJnjT_xlM6jx9LITXjqBnsM4QzxvRUaM8mmNto0JsLXad839FCsEyXL-QYhuxZXl6Xeqg/w400-h300/manzanita%20and%20moss.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mossy manzanita and old stacked stone<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6ulteDrdksBES50wPzi5Ew44d3VvOX-ZI9MgFxYmsXjW8eIgNszVoDafT9X_JWsT1JOscACoU7Kt_GyfG7P7o1jI5a_O56JxZTxfw3H4imHPyShuYjgffAMDFWfnrQ-KtXhFjiMaPoDAQ-fxkhJBB6pLlo3EtEdKGQb_4_dn5UL0I6n44czx_gwEhw/s600/tiny%20mushrooms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6ulteDrdksBES50wPzi5Ew44d3VvOX-ZI9MgFxYmsXjW8eIgNszVoDafT9X_JWsT1JOscACoU7Kt_GyfG7P7o1jI5a_O56JxZTxfw3H4imHPyShuYjgffAMDFWfnrQ-KtXhFjiMaPoDAQ-fxkhJBB6pLlo3EtEdKGQb_4_dn5UL0I6n44czx_gwEhw/w300-h400/tiny%20mushrooms.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mushrooms and moss<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQVbzy5HToSgzmjxpLkh5hJy-v-VSSK8u5uOFNsVTXydaoJ_9Q4KvoGsXs8UEMadOhNGk7zFwG1_ICllHw9dPRHQSrF5y8GFzE3VLTGEp9SDCCS1nzRY-wzqJhwXllDQAlsjken8S-g5mlEFzwhouFzlxOIwTeMjsZZ13gyc_VPK8cUD6UKhe_hLSsRQ/s600/weird%20vertical%20rock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="443" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQVbzy5HToSgzmjxpLkh5hJy-v-VSSK8u5uOFNsVTXydaoJ_9Q4KvoGsXs8UEMadOhNGk7zFwG1_ICllHw9dPRHQSrF5y8GFzE3VLTGEp9SDCCS1nzRY-wzqJhwXllDQAlsjken8S-g5mlEFzwhouFzlxOIwTeMjsZZ13gyc_VPK8cUD6UKhe_hLSsRQ/w295-h400/weird%20vertical%20rock.jpg" width="295" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my new favorite, I'll call it Clam rock <br /></td></tr></tbody></table>But there were some small moments of nature looking her best. And the sun looks to be shining for a few days. It will be a long process to get the trails cleared, and winter isn't even close to over. Sigh. But this too shall pass. </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_9sevDay52jr_2FUti1SPuUv0urneOKN-__q_CoVZ8oeX4h9RGyOvf-w0jToWaGeVdUBKHFQzS6bkTxK4VXUWKNzLyYATgP83C7YfOKYBEXThGO-ntGcKX-eUvzutTnYahuMUezfi2o_4zF7q427oXL85E3LeQW5k98baBLoU0O1vD6kpfbQAVDeQw/s600/wesley%20hammock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="397" data-original-width="600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_9sevDay52jr_2FUti1SPuUv0urneOKN-__q_CoVZ8oeX4h9RGyOvf-w0jToWaGeVdUBKHFQzS6bkTxK4VXUWKNzLyYATgP83C7YfOKYBEXThGO-ntGcKX-eUvzutTnYahuMUezfi2o_4zF7q427oXL85E3LeQW5k98baBLoU0O1vD6kpfbQAVDeQw/w400-h265/wesley%20hammock.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wesley is just going to stay in his hammock…<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </p>irish horsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11289040711028666546noreply@blogger.com2Auburn, CA, USA38.8965654 -121.076890110.586331563821155 -156.2331401 67.206799236178853 -85.9206401tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4695120516623358773.post-63589955740765347042023-01-04T04:03:00.002-08:002023-01-04T04:03:00.172-08:00blunders<div style="text-align: left;">“You fool! You fell victim to one of the classic blunders! The most famous is to never get involved in a land war in Asia. The second is to never argue with your mother when you're supposed to slow down!” <i>(apologies to the Princess Bride).</i><br /> <br />Poor Miles, that he has to put up with my ridiculousness. He just gets very silly coming home, so we circle and back and sidepass. He seems to doubt that I will actually circle him on a single-track muddy blackberry-lined trail. But I know he is very good with his feet and just needs a reminder to slow them a bit before we slip-and-slide. So we circle and he stops after a bit of disbelief and then we continue on, often with no repeat (he remembers pretty well).<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWR6LXzYvuLUKuF_cKbQ-ZBX5GrEXp0tj8hZpncZ4k3vzGD0bcQvGB2UYtVu_v6HHMga-wg10lAoDd7uxgSA4LXWFY8KoSjzTRcKabfTNBlADJlMnHfgzsXR33MLGPFkALBBM9PSpJpZtYVoX0w_MZeLvXXR0knB_UJXP6PN1ZS9zHJ-Rtgl8nE14b-w/s600/blue%20skies%20before%20rain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWR6LXzYvuLUKuF_cKbQ-ZBX5GrEXp0tj8hZpncZ4k3vzGD0bcQvGB2UYtVu_v6HHMga-wg10lAoDd7uxgSA4LXWFY8KoSjzTRcKabfTNBlADJlMnHfgzsXR33MLGPFkALBBM9PSpJpZtYVoX0w_MZeLvXXR0knB_UJXP6PN1ZS9zHJ-Rtgl8nE14b-w/w300-h400/blue%20skies%20before%20rain.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">low lake (not for long!)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIZk-O-JShbYUZGlteA8m8KjKsqaw-zS2AYyt2dBbtWV_EDS7XwzigpDFGKtl-4ZspEulW5aG8LXdahn9BzD-yjw7-MwXtnBVyY3dC9l3SRQufspK3yY44ycz9kSWZt-ygoQMI0H0y36Pk5wWUzJvtSEPtunUYEHnWVemoRWUzxi2tKP7rKt5b2qujQ/s600/blue%20sky%20ride%20me%20and%20miles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIZk-O-JShbYUZGlteA8m8KjKsqaw-zS2AYyt2dBbtWV_EDS7XwzigpDFGKtl-4ZspEulW5aG8LXdahn9BzD-yjw7-MwXtnBVyY3dC9l3SRQufspK3yY44ycz9kSWZt-ygoQMI0H0y36Pk5wWUzJvtSEPtunUYEHnWVemoRWUzxi2tKP7rKt5b2qujQ/w300-h400/blue%20sky%20ride%20me%20and%20miles.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">end-of-year adventure<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>We had a nice ride before Christmas where he was very good for about 95%! Coming back the trail was slippery and downhill and he wanted to be home already so I made good old Rocky stop and wait while we worked it out. Then we just carry on!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRyhm0eJLI1NJyap3vFteX_eD97Mu02H90ygBAJo80LtL1ZS-Bmk92W3Euv8Cs6GzS2_x2aVm1gvrVNMXS0_DD9bQak3dl1ff-PbR8UNCwZHAduG3dvDHZiAADhMJNEkQl0UNhs2v18KEbLaWvYS_hWu1rjG_FIZpN4y_L-rkzzGaANA6LRlb1TJkh3Q/s600/stormy%20sea%20and%20rock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRyhm0eJLI1NJyap3vFteX_eD97Mu02H90ygBAJo80LtL1ZS-Bmk92W3Euv8Cs6GzS2_x2aVm1gvrVNMXS0_DD9bQak3dl1ff-PbR8UNCwZHAduG3dvDHZiAADhMJNEkQl0UNhs2v18KEbLaWvYS_hWu1rjG_FIZpN4y_L-rkzzGaANA6LRlb1TJkh3Q/w400-h300/stormy%20sea%20and%20rock.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">high tides made for some great waves<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXuu7gkCyjHI0JFz2vpiC3vwAQebeNyWtdaqZ89YdlN0Mq0fGkPItSidnkEbBsm_anU1esVPwnGX9ngIICtwpIYlOgW9auc2iHOaYXXtBAZH8hRfA695YWc5m3yN4O4qaN6gGODwUhyU_zvvmGzSioJbGP5uQvV7L5ESiabueLvap6Knuat_ANvcLpQ/s600/bodega%20head%20fog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXuu7gkCyjHI0JFz2vpiC3vwAQebeNyWtdaqZ89YdlN0Mq0fGkPItSidnkEbBsm_anU1esVPwnGX9ngIICtwpIYlOgW9auc2iHOaYXXtBAZH8hRfA695YWc5m3yN4O4qaN6gGODwUhyU_zvvmGzSioJbGP5uQvV7L5ESiabueLvap6Knuat_ANvcLpQ/w400-h300/bodega%20head%20fog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sometimes the coast is a bit foggy!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZcS6n6uOSg9sdDiyFhSkoK5W95nq8IdVNpMdQPyMAqqDRBgALs2gABMYMUZjpkEQZ7AKde0Uzhdht6iiyMFo7YzhfJzSL9NHm7GGsipusTPohRLXccB6bmocyx-8pi_5p_CIlwRFHuYnoIW5Q0YgPeKL9aBjgfOcDNB4yupyBFjt6Qu2QASJN-qCEQ/s600/carmet%20stairs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZcS6n6uOSg9sdDiyFhSkoK5W95nq8IdVNpMdQPyMAqqDRBgALs2gABMYMUZjpkEQZ7AKde0Uzhdht6iiyMFo7YzhfJzSL9NHm7GGsipusTPohRLXccB6bmocyx-8pi_5p_CIlwRFHuYnoIW5Q0YgPeKL9aBjgfOcDNB4yupyBFjt6Qu2QASJN-qCEQ/w300-h400/carmet%20stairs.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">stairs down to the beach<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvfuarh-B2peZVqFZCVSVP0hL-nHAa4-s83_ixLlWz-LnQUaqFrOm7TG6CNhtoV7pIiuaLFVx5khRqEQLjaMIYumLS9x9moPFGm8K0iDu1xphCpVFvgn2_xgdcClAWP0DBk0cHU51QGAh6MgbkmFAJ6lh4ksNtp8_gJrZOCo076Gx47xGUTBSjVpCedA/s600/archie%20toy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="388" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvfuarh-B2peZVqFZCVSVP0hL-nHAa4-s83_ixLlWz-LnQUaqFrOm7TG6CNhtoV7pIiuaLFVx5khRqEQLjaMIYumLS9x9moPFGm8K0iDu1xphCpVFvgn2_xgdcClAWP0DBk0cHU51QGAh6MgbkmFAJ6lh4ksNtp8_gJrZOCo076Gx47xGUTBSjVpCedA/w259-h400/archie%20toy.jpg" width="259" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Mom's super cute naughty dog, Archie!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p>But that was the last ride for a week! It rained (a lot!) between Christmas and New Year. I went to the coast to visit my parents, celebrate a bit, and came home to a muddy mess. New Years’ day dawned blue skies but the trails had six inches of rain in two days. No riding (bad for the trails) so it was just welcoming the new year with a good walk and treats.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbE0WuowxYapIGyS0t_I3KuiIp3bElLht-OriKzpah2y7dxdS7YnbBvJ1bVWdrGvHL3W9qTuI2p8_l1YgJI2liMku5OFEZ9ueFyVRkOXbUjBLdfHDaWtRHr14du3LPevvYb6nNJdSAAXB83BwgWUFGhFfXzYtNrRWg19CoRhM10D9o0_kHGHd_rvUq6g/s600/new%20years%20hat%20miles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbE0WuowxYapIGyS0t_I3KuiIp3bElLht-OriKzpah2y7dxdS7YnbBvJ1bVWdrGvHL3W9qTuI2p8_l1YgJI2liMku5OFEZ9ueFyVRkOXbUjBLdfHDaWtRHr14du3LPevvYb6nNJdSAAXB83BwgWUFGhFfXzYtNrRWg19CoRhM10D9o0_kHGHd_rvUq6g/w300-h400/new%20years%20hat%20miles.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">still wearing a new year's eve party hat…a stick!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_GRHKNnL3auibKurU5QSBJ6VqD5yXUiFTutAQ4h-TtZW-mB_ZhtA-k16Qt0b292t2xUC4KCcdmqwcCwkNCrdDU86V5xFOeH7jgVw3i1wzMcAfYHg7KT8ZffRbtxIYcsNbbJZKkNNCsROgIMvJQAojWRMm83BwZGSRUawtDLkC4vuVXDDkI3ZRePc8Q/s600/too%20muddy%20new%20years.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_GRHKNnL3auibKurU5QSBJ6VqD5yXUiFTutAQ4h-TtZW-mB_ZhtA-k16Qt0b292t2xUC4KCcdmqwcCwkNCrdDU86V5xFOeH7jgVw3i1wzMcAfYHg7KT8ZffRbtxIYcsNbbJZKkNNCsROgIMvJQAojWRMm83BwZGSRUawtDLkC4vuVXDDkI3ZRePc8Q/w300-h400/too%20muddy%20new%20years.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">too muddy for riding, though some did, we turned around on this walk<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4poZLbQM7ETxe8-mO9LQoVxPhsaj3ssOJM2_BRLg5UaHKvgx9g4Zgd7FuaKP4YhYPWxkrG4Hjrw1CEbXMu_7asVM6BbTQGhiymHfhWE3STMO1I871K5HxGjJ0oK_m9y0ocMUY8_zDdGuhR3RevZDEKScDNaazCxgcGUqSMinD7B1IW17dK6H1Iet5dg/s800/muddy%20and%20bored.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4poZLbQM7ETxe8-mO9LQoVxPhsaj3ssOJM2_BRLg5UaHKvgx9g4Zgd7FuaKP4YhYPWxkrG4Hjrw1CEbXMu_7asVM6BbTQGhiymHfhWE3STMO1I871K5HxGjJ0oK_m9y0ocMUY8_zDdGuhR3RevZDEKScDNaazCxgcGUqSMinD7B1IW17dK6H1Iet5dg/w300-h400/muddy%20and%20bored.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm muddy and bored<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>But more storms are coming and I hoped to get a ride in before Miles goes feral. Luckily the trails drain very well, so I headed out yesterday hoping for just an easy ride. We stuck to the decomposed granite upper trails. The footing was nice enough to trot on the ridgelines to the overlook spot. From there I can still see the lower lake trail unsubmerged by the rising lake, but not for long!</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEfDw9La-sWpsNeoSNXEiqPs09Ld3O2fyTHkSyijm7IKPsYxzAeTFRG1a4veX-zTdykoc3ABDG2eoG2bl30kD91N2MwgwtW2hOVxtWqAKumV9je4quyyHUfE7TTGx3pYIFKDp6eOA7QHIzSLAgvTP1fbXNjo9X_qQioZ953JFXiW8fr0KA6a2c_hgCBw/s600/muddy%20lake%20overlook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEfDw9La-sWpsNeoSNXEiqPs09Ld3O2fyTHkSyijm7IKPsYxzAeTFRG1a4veX-zTdykoc3ABDG2eoG2bl30kD91N2MwgwtW2hOVxtWqAKumV9je4quyyHUfE7TTGx3pYIFKDp6eOA7QHIzSLAgvTP1fbXNjo9X_qQioZ953JFXiW8fr0KA6a2c_hgCBw/w400-h300/muddy%20lake%20overlook.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the lake rose 30 feet in a week!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeXCMCILImSDxNaHbKLz1EciCpHmpnoYvArXX_5-b39fpMHQ1c6zkUDtD5hsPn7g0vLHnWOmq_5pAWQuhmNMBzxGwysjCa0gLLFg0vrL8dIvQmMHr-rld7g1RPZktUcTfj_kgwnUvdjtjgKsklSdPpyXEt6Emr2sujrAkDl9iM716Cm8J2kwiv3rgp9w/s600/anticipation%20going%20home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeXCMCILImSDxNaHbKLz1EciCpHmpnoYvArXX_5-b39fpMHQ1c6zkUDtD5hsPn7g0vLHnWOmq_5pAWQuhmNMBzxGwysjCa0gLLFg0vrL8dIvQmMHr-rld7g1RPZktUcTfj_kgwnUvdjtjgKsklSdPpyXEt6Emr2sujrAkDl9iM716Cm8J2kwiv3rgp9w/w300-h400/anticipation%20going%20home.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">anticipation ears, are we going home now?<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: left;">But from there all trails lead “home.” While Miles found it a bit hard to contain himself (there was some enthusiastic jigging, argh) he was very good, even marching through the center of the puddles (because I seem to have won that battle for now). We were heading back on the final single-track with too much enthusiasm and also slippery mud, so he needed to slow. He fell for the blunder of trying to argue “let me do it we’re almost home!” We stopped, backed, and turned around, retraced our steps about 30 feet and tried again. My, it IS possible to walk through here!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy6rUkhmg7Anv2jQsRXMHVGD-fARSTR8JuYziEkYqygph-iuMrrd3aPZw_iuiYAipynES7bzolFmWkxEyrRR40c2UQ2kfiwBbLsHdRaM0oeiSbjVcwLXZk5OcptXZuGrtlbgEqoXXrXqmp52NFrw-stzV99CZEdz4jgc80D2y1SAYk0vv57wchrCaiow/s600/puddle%20question.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy6rUkhmg7Anv2jQsRXMHVGD-fARSTR8JuYziEkYqygph-iuMrrd3aPZw_iuiYAipynES7bzolFmWkxEyrRR40c2UQ2kfiwBbLsHdRaM0oeiSbjVcwLXZk5OcptXZuGrtlbgEqoXXrXqmp52NFrw-stzV99CZEdz4jgc80D2y1SAYk0vv57wchrCaiow/w400-h300/puddle%20question.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">quietly standing in the last big puddle crossing<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: left;">He can be very smart when he decides to listen. We got to the final water crossing, where I, his dreadful owner, made him stand and wait. And he was good and patient so we finished the ride nicely. Some grass snacks on the way home made it all worthwhile. Now we’re looking at an atmospheric river or pineapple express or some such storm with lots of rain coming for the next couple weeks, oh boy.</p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTaEuPOfR5yB-podR12pVdSXso2hD-PbU6rNfiOpDTntIEDdiTNeSmY_VBBUs2Un70RJYo1E7RWqEtJv7fI0DGhavyjtmcZG6sLc0i7R-Cd_chbE5uUDQD07I3c8CZ4Q_g0AGUZ4RJEEPAwwcsybJCjE0oAfVXHrvlAXPkDB-NC2TE1mr0M80V0KNkJQ/s600/january%2023%20weather.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="427" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTaEuPOfR5yB-podR12pVdSXso2hD-PbU6rNfiOpDTntIEDdiTNeSmY_VBBUs2Un70RJYo1E7RWqEtJv7fI0DGhavyjtmcZG6sLc0i7R-Cd_chbE5uUDQD07I3c8CZ4Q_g0AGUZ4RJEEPAwwcsybJCjE0oAfVXHrvlAXPkDB-NC2TE1mr0M80V0KNkJQ/s320/january%2023%20weather.png" width="228" /></a></div><p></p><div style="text-align: left;">I don’t need to go up a girth size on my already porky pony, so hopefully I can get Miles out for some January adventures, and keep learning from our blunders.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUvmwCQO9ZWE7IyaZjXVmBR9qHrwt5wzW3m3ktQLeZZVAWfy9kVgAu_tZ1prD5pblO8-P99db4JLAkbNjuOcAUllTd6CQECfduPqQ5nSOEDRFBlYNVEQImH5Qx8y6D0mQcahXQezN5E93fpm4GAVNmMz9DBN0wq8Ng5FZXLKmDA8NNQ_d9N4W8tBB_kg/s600/wesley%20and%20jack%20on%20pillow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="600" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUvmwCQO9ZWE7IyaZjXVmBR9qHrwt5wzW3m3ktQLeZZVAWfy9kVgAu_tZ1prD5pblO8-P99db4JLAkbNjuOcAUllTd6CQECfduPqQ5nSOEDRFBlYNVEQImH5Qx8y6D0mQcahXQezN5E93fpm4GAVNmMz9DBN0wq8Ng5FZXLKmDA8NNQ_d9N4W8tBB_kg/w400-h255/wesley%20and%20jack%20on%20pillow.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wesley and Jack like MY new fireside pillow (but not together!)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />irish horsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11289040711028666546noreply@blogger.com0Auburn, CA, USA38.8965654 -121.076890110.586331563821155 -156.2331401 67.206799236178853 -85.9206401tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4695120516623358773.post-74276211191681474602022-12-24T04:33:00.001-08:002022-12-24T04:33:00.165-08:00happy solstice<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyl0kEyzgAyoGp82wRF3aKySbO86jeLY6tOeuNhn0iJcASjYcHgjfFRY1kxXQ0d-8q2lEn1c-0PECA9Sb321ICpQlIYuKfs6bseP_7MkHI9ONE9K5JZewbXihSrDSdfkQcEojOdHmKb0bTuQLIWRbvSIR-ZozvaU3e5N-_tjWaATD_-HTRLAR1ttovqA/s600/open%20lake%20good%20ride%20solstice.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyl0kEyzgAyoGp82wRF3aKySbO86jeLY6tOeuNhn0iJcASjYcHgjfFRY1kxXQ0d-8q2lEn1c-0PECA9Sb321ICpQlIYuKfs6bseP_7MkHI9ONE9K5JZewbXihSrDSdfkQcEojOdHmKb0bTuQLIWRbvSIR-ZozvaU3e5N-_tjWaATD_-HTRLAR1ttovqA/w400-h300/open%20lake%20good%20ride%20solstice.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">glorious day after Solstice at the lake</td></tr></tbody></table>Maybe Miles knew we had a few extra seconds of daylight. Or maybe it's the training, but either way I'll take a quite successful ride today! Trotting along the lake, big walk heading home, and only when I pushed my luck and asked for a trot very close to home did I get some quite sprightly shenanigans (quickly shut down).<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1mATbHjQ-3fkql8H0J8wNb-DrNWz0c_Yg1u0YRdwz9NUMBdQfB1eavGfE4beaS4drl42WCl_l5wff8yFxnJ8EaHPK5kbhh35Ceresj44_4ndTiJ3PXyQagILN5UIAIpQavRfJ059qK6DyND5AxkYN8uq12ayKnyAVvxnqe0VZaYBnE1cp5VQSTxmcBg/s600/leaf%20mane.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1mATbHjQ-3fkql8H0J8wNb-DrNWz0c_Yg1u0YRdwz9NUMBdQfB1eavGfE4beaS4drl42WCl_l5wff8yFxnJ8EaHPK5kbhh35Ceresj44_4ndTiJ3PXyQagILN5UIAIpQavRfJ059qK6DyND5AxkYN8uq12ayKnyAVvxnqe0VZaYBnE1cp5VQSTxmcBg/w400-h300/leaf%20mane.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the last of fall</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhigbVXtf0z-TNgMNl_zU5FHnGe7f-QKT_s8NRmLZdbjgz3qDEwTrzvr5CT3TT5kSH5AqQ2XCBXWSTi2C4FC38iE-fELuKwY63WXepJdoR8nYcS4Hht6jgCubADg8zVmCqHhPw9Kl6PNGOY6gH3ad3VvaSIh1hBXQyZHkoxM9ytWncjaVb_zCZgC6mDOg/s600/last%20sunset%20miles.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhigbVXtf0z-TNgMNl_zU5FHnGe7f-QKT_s8NRmLZdbjgz3qDEwTrzvr5CT3TT5kSH5AqQ2XCBXWSTi2C4FC38iE-fELuKwY63WXepJdoR8nYcS4Hht6jgCubADg8zVmCqHhPw9Kl6PNGOY6gH3ad3VvaSIh1hBXQyZHkoxM9ytWncjaVb_zCZgC6mDOg/w400-h300/last%20sunset%20miles.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">trying to get home before dark (at 4:45pm!)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2blYlO1V5ih9cHRqSfVYoF2u6rlplGO0MnfjtnH2-2hgZyfhlCGit6nbE5WfX2GkNKEcR0h14uSZTX-wJ28ykkyZrFSdV6YB2CoxrQEieb9QZSsjE89Mr3YM41C6ai1HOUtiF7CZVJhbsabn8GEZtTup-_3NLQ52QyD2g4sJTRGV5Ep3G8FNAl-vM1w/s600/barn%20sunsets.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2blYlO1V5ih9cHRqSfVYoF2u6rlplGO0MnfjtnH2-2hgZyfhlCGit6nbE5WfX2GkNKEcR0h14uSZTX-wJ28ykkyZrFSdV6YB2CoxrQEieb9QZSsjE89Mr3YM41C6ai1HOUtiF7CZVJhbsabn8GEZtTup-_3NLQ52QyD2g4sJTRGV5Ep3G8FNAl-vM1w/w400-h300/barn%20sunsets.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">barn sunsets (at 5pm!)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>I needed this ride. Seasonal craziness and not enough daylight all conspire to make me a bit, well, dejected. We've had some pretty good training rides in the last month, though we also had a 20 minute discussion about walking through a puddle. I succeeded and Miles did not die of getting his feet wet.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimNziOllkTC8d-v0fcX7kS9eD000XQTdNEjnxFyp8N22V-8RYtfJGS5G8jT8RUXFhq7Zr627GGVwzo6T5iZ3eYwgmAjfb-AJ_krWSSkQJB9cc1CJRY1SR6cahf4RPrcsCGh5-WzUaPJHQsRdbsldrMgl_0mptcmqJcqhnY2svLHA2aa4g8TMyAeXftNw/s600/miles%20and%20beau%20buddies.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimNziOllkTC8d-v0fcX7kS9eD000XQTdNEjnxFyp8N22V-8RYtfJGS5G8jT8RUXFhq7Zr627GGVwzo6T5iZ3eYwgmAjfb-AJ_krWSSkQJB9cc1CJRY1SR6cahf4RPrcsCGh5-WzUaPJHQsRdbsldrMgl_0mptcmqJcqhnY2svLHA2aa4g8TMyAeXftNw/w300-h400/miles%20and%20beau%20buddies.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miles and Beau, buddies</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmAFPGwNEemE27bISIiMX_wTUMR63IVy3H8i_l5ZwN7dDhBSf4ywvIRa0isr7NVR8EB6T-nOECAykGhLOoc-GQfOv4H09F2kNAHEYbyUo6LNBfjswN4Jm0X1G4yebNnlTMZeSa9NUnv_yPe0muD31jzIWdKUPd5qrKGnX8LJmdjorbIKa6yD26EpyuLg/s600/moss%20yum%20miles.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmAFPGwNEemE27bISIiMX_wTUMR63IVy3H8i_l5ZwN7dDhBSf4ywvIRa0isr7NVR8EB6T-nOECAykGhLOoc-GQfOv4H09F2kNAHEYbyUo6LNBfjswN4Jm0X1G4yebNnlTMZeSa9NUnv_yPe0muD31jzIWdKUPd5qrKGnX8LJmdjorbIKa6yD26EpyuLg/w300-h400/moss%20yum%20miles.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">moss is delicious</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYcdQzRFPxJiYXGmOsokNoqNIk3btf2Sd4TPnt7OK1R-9il4YZT-SWnWOz7IsWR_yiTrGPpdOB50ZdCTC5u-C2I8no9DXq6_AG_ZFp1ydt_HcE3X7ZYZV0G3XRggIbqryikGKECIWDueXwXBgi1TGPBebto0GXOqAevLevVE2zklCxr38NEm1VROX0IQ/s600/lake%20view%20miles.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYcdQzRFPxJiYXGmOsokNoqNIk3btf2Sd4TPnt7OK1R-9il4YZT-SWnWOz7IsWR_yiTrGPpdOB50ZdCTC5u-C2I8no9DXq6_AG_ZFp1ydt_HcE3X7ZYZV0G3XRggIbqryikGKECIWDueXwXBgi1TGPBebto0GXOqAevLevVE2zklCxr38NEm1VROX0IQ/w400-h300/lake%20view%20miles.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Folsom Lake view does not get old</td></tr></tbody></table>We also had a good adventure over in Cool! Miles had his friend Rocky along, an old sensible guy who still likes to move out. The trails were icy and muddy, but Miles pretended to be a most sensible pony for the day, even walking through all the water with no fuss.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC3Q89Nih9bx_J6Nu2bV-Me7QMT00CR7vGbQ0t7HZ0md_u09FrzamfesSarY_FuaXGTvAQpgqIl4CLSmcCs9MLclYQXEr231_-DnNcifs99xl1TtswETrQGkvTSKVrIWE6prP20gVX-OyfZL_HkbiLmrlSLs3xvOIdEknyg3-oFwFfSPQ48nEfV1jicw/s600/knickerbocker%20creek%20miles.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC3Q89Nih9bx_J6Nu2bV-Me7QMT00CR7vGbQ0t7HZ0md_u09FrzamfesSarY_FuaXGTvAQpgqIl4CLSmcCs9MLclYQXEr231_-DnNcifs99xl1TtswETrQGkvTSKVrIWE6prP20gVX-OyfZL_HkbiLmrlSLs3xvOIdEknyg3-oFwFfSPQ48nEfV1jicw/w300-h400/knickerbocker%20creek%20miles.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Knickerbocker Creek</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMhvhsEiAGTIQ7oPR_viI3fSQY9HvIs5vmU-G1bmU9J0IflAwYJL12r6eAnLYuciH5RH4dk0Wbc7CZU9Zc8UBWdGtleZOOiKeb5Ek6xQi7U9goa6OSR-osNL4yHU9vasezOUFJGiAGquLu6ihKw7j3JY-stvxTXgr4Vu8MCtbt-bzqz91GOsZjsJR0cw/s600/olmstead%20miles.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMhvhsEiAGTIQ7oPR_viI3fSQY9HvIs5vmU-G1bmU9J0IflAwYJL12r6eAnLYuciH5RH4dk0Wbc7CZU9Zc8UBWdGtleZOOiKeb5Ek6xQi7U9goa6OSR-osNL4yHU9vasezOUFJGiAGquLu6ihKw7j3JY-stvxTXgr4Vu8MCtbt-bzqz91GOsZjsJR0cw/w300-h400/olmstead%20miles.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">enjoying the trails in Cool</td></tr></tbody></table>I am looking forward to more winter adventures, though we are expecting a lot more rain soon (of course on my holiday time off). We need the rain, and Miles is happy for the new green grass. Every extra moment of daylight will be savored, I hope you all do the same. Happy Solstice and all the holidays, here is to more adventures in the new year…<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_IfVDXgpTdvpefioKDTtn3SGszvNW3Mk2D2BLQ88q7nGFyva_WMdoOlmux3QGXpz1ShARMuwkPeYSsgGePiZRIFR2Egc4yrKmA0herAGlQRlAnHfAjgHmtJ_9sg34vDMHE7cQfUSHWic_b093rV3iWgOpcX-Inyyc1PJiK6Y6FICtbeBPKjK9jPzVw/s600/miles%20elf.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_IfVDXgpTdvpefioKDTtn3SGszvNW3Mk2D2BLQ88q7nGFyva_WMdoOlmux3QGXpz1ShARMuwkPeYSsgGePiZRIFR2Egc4yrKmA0herAGlQRlAnHfAjgHmtJ_9sg34vDMHE7cQfUSHWic_b093rV3iWgOpcX-Inyyc1PJiK6Y6FICtbeBPKjK9jPzVw/w300-h400/miles%20elf.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">quite a tolerant elf</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsoPOhM2QPRWzUacLUPD3jEqc_jEY0zb8TEQsufVT1HQ6u6dSHkK0xKPVnSRzyDpzshDuMlZlxLCPtETi-Ujcn3ZpEF1Ei9y0f8FCC9sfxJx2Tb9W4yJXWKaKOauNgr9l4d47Oegi_lRS8AQoEf4TEM8LG37kOSsMdLpPxjbvavobz7ZbVbUoblGb73w/s600/wesley%20santa.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="461" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsoPOhM2QPRWzUacLUPD3jEqc_jEY0zb8TEQsufVT1HQ6u6dSHkK0xKPVnSRzyDpzshDuMlZlxLCPtETi-Ujcn3ZpEF1Ei9y0f8FCC9sfxJx2Tb9W4yJXWKaKOauNgr9l4d47Oegi_lRS8AQoEf4TEM8LG37kOSsMdLpPxjbvavobz7ZbVbUoblGb73w/w308-h400/wesley%20santa.jpg" width="308" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">yes, see those ears and that look, there was some zoomies with the hat on!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-kXukV12xzOTHjVpvYRcZfx9n0k7XfsY1G8whT3pKO2Fhs4IRpjniarlW1r0CTLj1gw3uEkoJbyDYhOzk3wdusO1AxplsZz1-B5QqYoq691BGowq2QrdzEqoAHSl0KeRdgG6WWdjAwlYUWKAdgNG7WAlhbuLk6ut7QWpt873sfh4XoxcCmFhx_lDP5A/s600/lion%20wesley.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-kXukV12xzOTHjVpvYRcZfx9n0k7XfsY1G8whT3pKO2Fhs4IRpjniarlW1r0CTLj1gw3uEkoJbyDYhOzk3wdusO1AxplsZz1-B5QqYoq691BGowq2QrdzEqoAHSl0KeRdgG6WWdjAwlYUWKAdgNG7WAlhbuLk6ut7QWpt873sfh4XoxcCmFhx_lDP5A/w400-h300/lion%20wesley.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wesley and his best Simba impression</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><br /><br />irish horsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11289040711028666546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4695120516623358773.post-53133835891428758042022-11-09T04:53:00.001-08:002022-11-09T04:53:00.172-08:00good boy Friday<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDX86EcdHrpv33C-f8qN_UUpIzatYkSQeJN98RAIBLge9gIvz6q-MSIC-CVO6XQ6gFgqSxVFbeLnOkejtfrnWtp3ujXPCEz_9V44TEiSroYrgDEAQg7mOMTSWRc7c0Wdfj6bcl9bVWxGNrh53Pb91nH2X-wqBVhW5dQNP6SIUKYzpPnjfxZFwzVYCrkw/s1092/Friday%20and%20his%20mom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1092" data-original-width="750" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDX86EcdHrpv33C-f8qN_UUpIzatYkSQeJN98RAIBLge9gIvz6q-MSIC-CVO6XQ6gFgqSxVFbeLnOkejtfrnWtp3ujXPCEz_9V44TEiSroYrgDEAQg7mOMTSWRc7c0Wdfj6bcl9bVWxGNrh53Pb91nH2X-wqBVhW5dQNP6SIUKYzpPnjfxZFwzVYCrkw/w275-h400/Friday%20and%20his%20mom.jpg" width="275" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my favorite picture<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Losing them is so very hard. </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlAjHb_l-3A1OkdJ--5LnH0UTl2Z-02rzQaeFXfeirX5dutwl4YL0BghhBfCKnob-GZXMzUC7X3fAWy52CZGVf3wDnvM-E154BJC0Gj6mjwbbNTzvmCMtj2P5vVAlDIQoqrmKCsXPVvpwmtMQeqagkove3Tj7RjVyYHqOsNE2SJMbLAafagI88ArfCuQ/s750/friday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="750" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlAjHb_l-3A1OkdJ--5LnH0UTl2Z-02rzQaeFXfeirX5dutwl4YL0BghhBfCKnob-GZXMzUC7X3fAWy52CZGVf3wDnvM-E154BJC0Gj6mjwbbNTzvmCMtj2P5vVAlDIQoqrmKCsXPVvpwmtMQeqagkove3Tj7RjVyYHqOsNE2SJMbLAafagI88ArfCuQ/w400-h300/friday.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">spring ride<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>My good friend C had watched her good boy Friday get more blind and deaf, and while he physically looked OK from a distance (he still had an amazing, glorious trot!) he was falling apart. We talked and worried about winter, and rain, and what if he fell, or spooked into someone he couldn't see and hurt them (he was never the bravest anyway, make worse by his failing sight and hearing).</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisEXjsg2qUFu5pdxekKRn3tfdT95ZzbjTP3dyQSPupiZZzkLkLKzYrdA1xWaB3-CXNBPZ-Rz5lWLtAfKx-ThD0x1rcA1fpiSbX0sVP58FF3OzVf-qsNp9LgAasMmHlvQO3qC-PhIyvk0AGcLP_4QOVpKceopcTkygIMvilF1B4BL1VyBIayIIfaJKnvQ/s600/christie%20friday%20loney%20lake%20culbertson%20blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisEXjsg2qUFu5pdxekKRn3tfdT95ZzbjTP3dyQSPupiZZzkLkLKzYrdA1xWaB3-CXNBPZ-Rz5lWLtAfKx-ThD0x1rcA1fpiSbX0sVP58FF3OzVf-qsNp9LgAasMmHlvQO3qC-PhIyvk0AGcLP_4QOVpKceopcTkygIMvilF1B4BL1VyBIayIIfaJKnvQ/w400-h300/christie%20friday%20loney%20lake%20culbertson%20blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">camping and lake culbetson<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimLZTSu0tzoz9iTp7i-vaYZYUqKHik69RgRiTNF5a1rc_DOPCY2kpUyWDudpcTZz5WsLYn1nY9-jgblQc-LjY2IbXGQqXDb1SighEsJYMLLI3ArOQexxo_Ox07e-wn_i4XdCr22RzPEWhy5pZpucAXk2dzIBtFKwT_lnnE3ZEaR-e8yFgPx5KhsxwjRw/s600/friday%20and%20christie%20LBHA3%20blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="522" data-original-width="600" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimLZTSu0tzoz9iTp7i-vaYZYUqKHik69RgRiTNF5a1rc_DOPCY2kpUyWDudpcTZz5WsLYn1nY9-jgblQc-LjY2IbXGQqXDb1SighEsJYMLLI3ArOQexxo_Ox07e-wn_i4XdCr22RzPEWhy5pZpucAXk2dzIBtFKwT_lnnE3ZEaR-e8yFgPx5KhsxwjRw/w400-h348/friday%20and%20christie%20LBHA3%20blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">local show<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ovwUAPj5t59PkU7gPumeO29a0h_J6iiczHlU83L5xSuA6jr9HRIl0PQoH-AHpkLoskDR0hWeNupBy6k8cnQ9VwGzD0tHnOBq7mSD5LqRVg8rgPYdsvJEOK6LazMqw0e5RrvQBv0ZTJw5_mdG3icuGZHj_hMJtBy2NmGSJBgl07FZc3PzjBwXznyShw/s600/friday%20lake%20pretty%20blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ovwUAPj5t59PkU7gPumeO29a0h_J6iiczHlU83L5xSuA6jr9HRIl0PQoH-AHpkLoskDR0hWeNupBy6k8cnQ9VwGzD0tHnOBq7mSD5LqRVg8rgPYdsvJEOK6LazMqw0e5RrvQBv0ZTJw5_mdG3icuGZHj_hMJtBy2NmGSJBgl07FZc3PzjBwXznyShw/w400-h300/friday%20lake%20pretty%20blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Folsom Lake<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9xFoQLk3DVHkeszzBEXN3oXONjrgsZT07lA0APpYIUPP1HUh5gnf_E7upgwqhzTKvGn49XW5JhQ_ScpK2ilsLKbYOK5gKT24epXejMZOKio0W0v_s4ofok_4SNwNN6Hv7Wqh4W54cWkHnxEMeiEqRhoTc50ui0bWGjr7xjMPhdO_gJGU5lJQXpLTIA/s600/friday%20mini2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="552" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9xFoQLk3DVHkeszzBEXN3oXONjrgsZT07lA0APpYIUPP1HUh5gnf_E7upgwqhzTKvGn49XW5JhQ_ScpK2ilsLKbYOK5gKT24epXejMZOKio0W0v_s4ofok_4SNwNN6Hv7Wqh4W54cWkHnxEMeiEqRhoTc50ui0bWGjr7xjMPhdO_gJGU5lJQXpLTIA/w368-h400/friday%20mini2.jpg" width="368" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">putting up with my shenanigans with his mini-me<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-PlsVFP2UgvX7tV_d5zDjOx09OSfGQJIpkqRy7cIlFGtFKJFQsZ7J0et4LMhRnd2r2T_CPNSio2ivUx_XFyy60oT2iVJ7EH00kYQaPr0KNDypiVlwja-ivAumIazbZTxkp6tzNXPzn4rbt3giNA5PwpvezIEqJSlmLT6Vyzf4s8-S_aWjPdqNIK6W2A/s1000/friday%20posing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-PlsVFP2UgvX7tV_d5zDjOx09OSfGQJIpkqRy7cIlFGtFKJFQsZ7J0et4LMhRnd2r2T_CPNSio2ivUx_XFyy60oT2iVJ7EH00kYQaPr0KNDypiVlwja-ivAumIazbZTxkp6tzNXPzn4rbt3giNA5PwpvezIEqJSlmLT6Vyzf4s8-S_aWjPdqNIK6W2A/w300-h400/friday%20posing.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">so handsome on a camping trip<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>She did the hardest, best thing. She let him go on a beautiful fall day,
before cold winter set in, and he did not have many bad days. He was Major’s best friend, and it is so very hard to have them gone. We had so many awesome adventures, and they are so loved.</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVCJj_2GbAWtciJsBx1t9EAMz-9gMkHFC3WU5Cw3PWWEpEObQn1JMPwOu8XCitQWzMVcl5zBO-4mO2_I-HkgFuraSlA7w8z7wbmXFkLI6N9qgwZR2CCFHyhA4CRJuw5hDNR8sMii3FGYKw-zrBbgpp0FlCKU6k8i7Db0sUGWKjgTYut8b5NQw7xDpS0g/s600/horses%20thoughts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVCJj_2GbAWtciJsBx1t9EAMz-9gMkHFC3WU5Cw3PWWEpEObQn1JMPwOu8XCitQWzMVcl5zBO-4mO2_I-HkgFuraSlA7w8z7wbmXFkLI6N9qgwZR2CCFHyhA4CRJuw5hDNR8sMii3FGYKw-zrBbgpp0FlCKU6k8i7Db0sUGWKjgTYut8b5NQw7xDpS0g/w400-h300/horses%20thoughts.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">adventure at blue hole<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVDXLm23XN6EUGUgjxL6Mn1mAwWX9CHCmegXr4uKACGYGP1hlOrBa62uz7TlbWdVkzbJGU8EtuaeLXGSSVBji7dlYDKMcSvfurJ32GNsUo8X7i0O3f83Tn226AeyLn_Oqh5dDWE32hzrkYzkvEb5pxaBU9K0IwEVU1262sIllsJUBgivaytKpSZmSOQQ/s600/Major-Friday-fence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="459" data-original-width="600" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVDXLm23XN6EUGUgjxL6Mn1mAwWX9CHCmegXr4uKACGYGP1hlOrBa62uz7TlbWdVkzbJGU8EtuaeLXGSSVBji7dlYDKMcSvfurJ32GNsUo8X7i0O3f83Tn226AeyLn_Oqh5dDWE32hzrkYzkvEb5pxaBU9K0IwEVU1262sIllsJUBgivaytKpSZmSOQQ/w400-h306/Major-Friday-fence.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">best friends<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC9zSysceu5lj_OScdzgb_iqscU7UTXXmhJ40ebCtrmQFUDMqgpGDVwjZ8o-ojFyogAZpaId4xro17_DxZKpXtg9DGJ5aRcGR0mA-YF8zT-yujoJ9QGkp35E8-7klGafMn-rck-6NPruwUZeBxiXlKETyksPBq8S0NJwUBmR3hRCHPW2I40ZXPsQuxoQ/s600/major-friday-handsome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC9zSysceu5lj_OScdzgb_iqscU7UTXXmhJ40ebCtrmQFUDMqgpGDVwjZ8o-ojFyogAZpaId4xro17_DxZKpXtg9DGJ5aRcGR0mA-YF8zT-yujoJ9QGkp35E8-7klGafMn-rck-6NPruwUZeBxiXlKETyksPBq8S0NJwUBmR3hRCHPW2I40ZXPsQuxoQ/w400-h266/major-friday-handsome.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">free</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>irish horsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11289040711028666546noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4695120516623358773.post-23285200384572549932022-11-04T10:46:00.002-07:002022-11-04T10:46:22.229-07:00mea culpa<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji4kgzVSLLpe9HGh8iIGft-VHjAzWCgo1B19orp_LcYRRie6uxm3nDYaVEi63Rj2ngYoZjKrZO8sUtTzMs1_b_qfMUIQvRClB7qkB691qd2rxGILnkDfD2DI0YbzZXaZnnKcFi8M00LMKJajKIVVWT9pUVqdTpELC4IbWHq1maqgi3lW_PYB_nnki3Lw/s600/handsome%20miles.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji4kgzVSLLpe9HGh8iIGft-VHjAzWCgo1B19orp_LcYRRie6uxm3nDYaVEi63Rj2ngYoZjKrZO8sUtTzMs1_b_qfMUIQvRClB7qkB691qd2rxGILnkDfD2DI0YbzZXaZnnKcFi8M00LMKJajKIVVWT9pUVqdTpELC4IbWHq1maqgi3lW_PYB_nnki3Lw/w400-h300/handsome%20miles.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>If there is anyone still out there, I'm sorry for my extended absence! I can't seem to get back in the writing groove. While Miles is coming along I fear that I lost something more of myself when Major died. I can't even put it in words, but I'm trying to push past it and get out on the trails, and remind myself to write about it!<p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisvUI8lAxec0WrMM0aDIFpeTT9VWWVSXsoFC8BvR2qtAQJK0eytSD6bjLiY9-ziX-ElcFj37LjoCFsq5aQjplRR-hAXI3wBmLx5orMX3q43Mwdaw_UsUaqERaB2xwqymFi4cIClqNimaaOMiw48n3LWC-l4Cs9zQlpSKYJpE5E1CF6uEXJ8GqvCyUtwQ/s600/auburn%20clouds.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisvUI8lAxec0WrMM0aDIFpeTT9VWWVSXsoFC8BvR2qtAQJK0eytSD6bjLiY9-ziX-ElcFj37LjoCFsq5aQjplRR-hAXI3wBmLx5orMX3q43Mwdaw_UsUaqERaB2xwqymFi4cIClqNimaaOMiw48n3LWC-l4Cs9zQlpSKYJpE5E1CF6uEXJ8GqvCyUtwQ/w300-h400/auburn%20clouds.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">amazing clouds along the river<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUDeQUshkF6-YjyWDO25xFRBZA1XBAp-1-aV3u42BmgBqYGH2e5OkAfCGl7R86h8LNd9LU4yaV6OLH6-U7ry7FFpTeaQLhdAcAmG4A4eUBx0csmagsG0lFat55M__RkA5-l3YUIT8cnSSsqI5zfgl0hMBcslJgElxHE-YRsFfMYXqRfdC0rfiefLyy6Q/s600/avery%20pond%20ride.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="397" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUDeQUshkF6-YjyWDO25xFRBZA1XBAp-1-aV3u42BmgBqYGH2e5OkAfCGl7R86h8LNd9LU4yaV6OLH6-U7ry7FFpTeaQLhdAcAmG4A4eUBx0csmagsG0lFat55M__RkA5-l3YUIT8cnSSsqI5zfgl0hMBcslJgElxHE-YRsFfMYXqRfdC0rfiefLyy6Q/w265-h400/avery%20pond%20ride.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">low river at Avery Pond<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwupkEd7wgOgwASwCmrsFz0hEpufFzXvBTnPVu11ZXsmaAY_EItuAWouXvglbNEe-EPVg-3uFq2fC2XR9yRlYVmjMUTUZsInmc2_PRyr2cd1fXswVfq-5o2v4hH9XLUwJKr1mGxdxQ18-D5ruoSjE15WvEQLtve8in6cYJHikY-Ej-TAjEbuShyk3M0Q/s600/cool%20home%20hike.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwupkEd7wgOgwASwCmrsFz0hEpufFzXvBTnPVu11ZXsmaAY_EItuAWouXvglbNEe-EPVg-3uFq2fC2XR9yRlYVmjMUTUZsInmc2_PRyr2cd1fXswVfq-5o2v4hH9XLUwJKr1mGxdxQ18-D5ruoSjE15WvEQLtve8in6cYJHikY-Ej-TAjEbuShyk3M0Q/w300-h400/cool%20home%20hike.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hiking down from Cool<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPCOZcPQ1bHIxG4TPQIklX2rVOVDsATs_yHPz99wgtJBf16BMVEozKSoGAma5QESABA1-SjXajJF9NbgEdJTlvoicY7ZZdL3HOL2r8q5S7kQqrqRtXwcvpIwgZ5FRLUZoyzuL5_HC-lADL2_QOPtoYzAV9KfOmkU7fPKMD0I6gci6zma5-5D6dOCx2w/s600/obligatory%20no%20hands.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPCOZcPQ1bHIxG4TPQIklX2rVOVDsATs_yHPz99wgtJBf16BMVEozKSoGAma5QESABA1-SjXajJF9NbgEdJTlvoicY7ZZdL3HOL2r8q5S7kQqrqRtXwcvpIwgZ5FRLUZoyzuL5_HC-lADL2_QOPtoYzAV9KfOmkU7fPKMD0I6gci6zma5-5D6dOCx2w/w400-h300/obligatory%20no%20hands.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">obligatory No Hands bridge photo!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>This summer we had some really nice, even quite long, trail rides. Miles has NO problem with 16 miles Auburn to Cool, though we are not traveling quickly. He loves getting in the trailer, and has not put a foot wrong when we're out on an adventure. We drove into Hidden Falls and there were hundreds of goats next to the parking. I thought "oh crap, this should be fun." Miles unloaded, looked at the goats, and went to his haybag, "Whatever, there are snacks here."<br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnUliZc-m4jtPjUOc-OukacH5uC4lOS3Lv25r2STp78-1H8h7hfbqgunQ_kBId6hd7fYd1fu5CQ_uPHFfnmU9rWXRFgwunwzEPHde_n2bAVKWhZ2JhWVNVE6rIMCVJptIfrr7xVWDOqXsweMZrXODWk1KllxjDnkyofLWjEPGtMomEn1vVd6b5CA2krQ/s600/hidden%20falls%20goats.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnUliZc-m4jtPjUOc-OukacH5uC4lOS3Lv25r2STp78-1H8h7hfbqgunQ_kBId6hd7fYd1fu5CQ_uPHFfnmU9rWXRFgwunwzEPHde_n2bAVKWhZ2JhWVNVE6rIMCVJptIfrr7xVWDOqXsweMZrXODWk1KllxjDnkyofLWjEPGtMomEn1vVd6b5CA2krQ/w400-h300/hidden%20falls%20goats.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hundreds of goats? no big deal.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1dNjcNRCqjYqkoKpwkYL5mhkF_QS3qiLFFBmJM-0bnLs91633r_absNq0xkwJ8490xkm_3j6Vho7btiUxP1RpO9GrBd1mzovRu2eXupfeSo6V1v5hTRYq99Rgdrjxp40wAQ0P8iPthvqWiiRf6uB85o0O42ufD9SL2HPYE53hp2aJzjYbHOaLX0x6Q/s600/hidden%20falls%20bridge.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1dNjcNRCqjYqkoKpwkYL5mhkF_QS3qiLFFBmJM-0bnLs91633r_absNq0xkwJ8490xkm_3j6Vho7btiUxP1RpO9GrBd1mzovRu2eXupfeSo6V1v5hTRYq99Rgdrjxp40wAQ0P8iPthvqWiiRf6uB85o0O42ufD9SL2HPYE53hp2aJzjYbHOaLX0x6Q/w300-h400/hidden%20falls%20bridge.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hidden Falls bridge<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj59uyeSwJn23xg8MGi3iVRKW04Ide0DS_sXHsJ_18jHqX6YsD6ZkF39j8xJlGIo_WBxX31ULqAMoyBJ4lYlKnyOLgfgZrIgliJGl0OCHSLRU0-XiDcFynTQpFuMTTX0wDlC-5_aIlOMcX_4qMiMKvpiipWJCeNRtnkFvnTREoI0n1wB0WiNLTZf2O4pA/s600/dry%20summer.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj59uyeSwJn23xg8MGi3iVRKW04Ide0DS_sXHsJ_18jHqX6YsD6ZkF39j8xJlGIo_WBxX31ULqAMoyBJ4lYlKnyOLgfgZrIgliJGl0OCHSLRU0-XiDcFynTQpFuMTTX0wDlC-5_aIlOMcX_4qMiMKvpiipWJCeNRtnkFvnTREoI0n1wB0WiNLTZf2O4pA/w300-h400/dry%20summer.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our buddy S and Rocky behind us on a ride<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Home is another story, still! He is stupidly barn sour, and at some random point on a ride in the local forest decides "now" we've turned for home and gets stupid. We work on turning the other way, sidepassing, backing, one-rein-stops, big whoas, taking a different trail, etc. We also come home and ride in the arena, make him wait and not get put away after a ride, etc, but it is a serious work in progress. And he is super smart at figuring things out, but this one is a battle. If I can't ride consistently (there was a time in September when it was too hot, then smoky, for almost three weeks) it is back to square one.<p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_pL_z7vV8WQ3toF6F-rfHl2Iu_3eIgEVCPn4koi2t70L3QQdMbivUO76KKyCxiGcTc0zaKIouxRK6q3f-fMFzwH-gvO43J380blX-QCiXJo1V-5LtVwu_HFK_rWy8xHYL7ykzLqyWf9txv7d9apLmvRkMN2qkPNr_H83lDvEAlVVx3ExF1yh_oDw50w/s600/trailside%20house%20construction.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_pL_z7vV8WQ3toF6F-rfHl2Iu_3eIgEVCPn4koi2t70L3QQdMbivUO76KKyCxiGcTc0zaKIouxRK6q3f-fMFzwH-gvO43J380blX-QCiXJo1V-5LtVwu_HFK_rWy8xHYL7ykzLqyWf9txv7d9apLmvRkMN2qkPNr_H83lDvEAlVVx3ExF1yh_oDw50w/w400-h300/trailside%20house%20construction.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">huge new house along the trail<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKvxe-qr0kFil6mGCJ7fdFLtk91yapa-0JL-ktadbtObVqa9pRpIGcIl6rlFrfQQLCt35jFnGDtWN5XzhZ6HPOYN8WxpqQmjP7a-ZnvwCcSRIKjfJ_XBa8Dbp_iC0m9viFZnoZlKIHbf1CmGKMQP1Lh1aOKJRPMDG8B6YaixzkJ091toSQRoFpItvfPg/s600/overlook%20view.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKvxe-qr0kFil6mGCJ7fdFLtk91yapa-0JL-ktadbtObVqa9pRpIGcIl6rlFrfQQLCt35jFnGDtWN5XzhZ6HPOYN8WxpqQmjP7a-ZnvwCcSRIKjfJ_XBa8Dbp_iC0m9viFZnoZlKIHbf1CmGKMQP1Lh1aOKJRPMDG8B6YaixzkJ091toSQRoFpItvfPg/w400-h300/overlook%20view.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beeks overlook view<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>But yesterday we had a nice five mile ride. And coming back he was stupid again, sigh. So I tried all the things and something clicked, we walked part of the way home very nicely! I did want to see if he tried a trot for a few steps, then walk, then repeat if that would help his anxiety. But instead he was a pogo stick and I decided walking was in my best interest to stay in the saddle!</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTenZZsNKTI3YcMAE5VrbOb9rZK45xULPHEnR7O_4MrodQrRjBau7yCIi9gcpeciWGoItLnrd-G_B4l9AprDaeJ1HFVVNhuH44Bu9VUAG7xt37g26o8ooV7rF9vXd04JNjsQBgkoukvdIPX9hsHnXWwZPipJn7sM66Ppeb-bnCfoq31AOBwKNl3yh_Q/s600/last%20sunny%20ride.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTenZZsNKTI3YcMAE5VrbOb9rZK45xULPHEnR7O_4MrodQrRjBau7yCIi9gcpeciWGoItLnrd-G_B4l9AprDaeJ1HFVVNhuH44Bu9VUAG7xt37g26o8ooV7rF9vXd04JNjsQBgkoukvdIPX9hsHnXWwZPipJn7sM66Ppeb-bnCfoq31AOBwKNl3yh_Q/w400-h300/last%20sunny%20ride.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">last ride in daylight after work<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMbFpce-VU8HM7gLnuI1CjbXfP0bOJHXTxJe3jf1evMJWxfqB6Q1AGuGAnF_f1P_3P1UmBUcxpprU9oLQOObvjQ2s7r22SCZe9WbFikNRKEEJzL1_99CoDddlAOhHrg4Y9hAfMKzLml3UVQw3CIka8Qa-V4Rbg5k_mVQ4PSvjRe6qx-eJ44p7iqRBNvw/s600/waiting%20after%20ride.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMbFpce-VU8HM7gLnuI1CjbXfP0bOJHXTxJe3jf1evMJWxfqB6Q1AGuGAnF_f1P_3P1UmBUcxpprU9oLQOObvjQ2s7r22SCZe9WbFikNRKEEJzL1_99CoDddlAOhHrg4Y9hAfMKzLml3UVQw3CIka8Qa-V4Rbg5k_mVQ4PSvjRe6qx-eJ44p7iqRBNvw/w300-h400/waiting%20after%20ride.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">waiting, not patiently…<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>So my update is nothing exciting, and maybe that is part of my reluctance. How many times can I write about training rides? But we also have been hiking, as when I'm not in the mood for shenanigans (I'm sometimes just too burned out after work to deal with one more thing) we take a jaunt into the forest. Lots to see and explore. Last week was a flapping turkey with (what appeared to be) a broken leg. Sadly I'm sure he became coyote food that night. Now there are some puddles from recent rain, a challenge at first but then he was reminded of his manners and marched through. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdPgzV0ow59y-HupcaoKB_sFsWMho-2UuZDnxto2kObUHJp7gCZdcSq8xrxo8MaV10G_9sLECa0LLwCeD9TDXigVvdYuZqTW1KwJGnizgja3yC3_Ru-jE_njUFVJ2kI0HMsTXD7QyCZdsEBOKguDwGP1X_X47flj5RIbEUAaU-07tTyEFfMdP9ue1YlA/s600/fish%20toy.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdPgzV0ow59y-HupcaoKB_sFsWMho-2UuZDnxto2kObUHJp7gCZdcSq8xrxo8MaV10G_9sLECa0LLwCeD9TDXigVvdYuZqTW1KwJGnizgja3yC3_Ru-jE_njUFVJ2kI0HMsTXD7QyCZdsEBOKguDwGP1X_X47flj5RIbEUAaU-07tTyEFfMdP9ue1YlA/w300-h400/fish%20toy.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fish toy fun!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmBRpJVsXOkxxO-y6aABEqn6d7wNo7j_doeNBxRgaHuoojOBYkdNd1DL8D505xtVFWMXDzK6dxOPhPpXIBSQ5o17Kh_KnijF6b4so1BZ1Xr6i60wLzxzsUs0AL44craEn97SVblw-zGDqlcigkXwkoMjX-M3nIFIHfReFt69544k2lM_IchgUCbc6DZw/s600/arena%20trot.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmBRpJVsXOkxxO-y6aABEqn6d7wNo7j_doeNBxRgaHuoojOBYkdNd1DL8D505xtVFWMXDzK6dxOPhPpXIBSQ5o17Kh_KnijF6b4so1BZ1Xr6i60wLzxzsUs0AL44craEn97SVblw-zGDqlcigkXwkoMjX-M3nIFIHfReFt69544k2lM_IchgUCbc6DZw/w400-h266/arena%20trot.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">arena trot<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>We have also been spending time in the arena, some riding, but mostly some obstacle stuff. He doesn't need to be ridden five days a week, but he needs work to keep his mind busy. He is very smart and in one lesson each learned to pick up the cone (for a treat), pick up the fishy inflatable (for a treat), stand on the manhole cover (for a treat) and put your foot on the big rock (for a treat.) Sensing a pattern here? Yes, he likes treats! I'm really hoping to get a book on trick training, any suggestions? </p><p>My least favorite season has arrived. Darkness is descending, and riding after work gets much harder. But I'll keep on trying, and trying to write about it as well. Maybe I'll at least try for a photo a week, proof of life! On the home front Wesley is just so much fun, our latest game is chase and hide. When all the fun is done he reminds me that when things are hard a cat in your lap makes the world a better place.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtPmCXT3CDCVlG_V-x01IhF_OT--ZXp6PVV3qK6UfkYk-khvAwsMqkUQdCblh2kh4fksTA_TkRrVFaeds2cZ_yJOJvCf_bPMkw1j6-ITR8FBsb8Ey1Ug3exKh8C5EnBIOICZ-anw4MlqDzV_eyh7hZkwEvOJmnbWetGO0PlLXdI9LeVwv1oSB64879IQ/s600/wesley%20chill.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtPmCXT3CDCVlG_V-x01IhF_OT--ZXp6PVV3qK6UfkYk-khvAwsMqkUQdCblh2kh4fksTA_TkRrVFaeds2cZ_yJOJvCf_bPMkw1j6-ITR8FBsb8Ey1Ug3exKh8C5EnBIOICZ-anw4MlqDzV_eyh7hZkwEvOJmnbWetGO0PlLXdI9LeVwv1oSB64879IQ/w400-h300/wesley%20chill.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">watching for lizards<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXcYis3rS5GXpn6wInjnSjgU-t8mmRibI91ullGd-B4iXnPAEPvg2__wMr-bVtxJ4Pyp_ZTPrEeMpIH-2JmA4OKEOSURrOK-fUfbdQx2QmCcsiWgLs7cXghxJc2p3TULv7Gzb6APDyYHOtB5MprXO344L5eB-8_bwLRSwKoFTe573ePQdeeku6Ne6R1A/s600/wesley%20leaf%20chill.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXcYis3rS5GXpn6wInjnSjgU-t8mmRibI91ullGd-B4iXnPAEPvg2__wMr-bVtxJ4Pyp_ZTPrEeMpIH-2JmA4OKEOSURrOK-fUfbdQx2QmCcsiWgLs7cXghxJc2p3TULv7Gzb6APDyYHOtB5MprXO344L5eB-8_bwLRSwKoFTe573ePQdeeku6Ne6R1A/w300-h400/wesley%20leaf%20chill.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">just chillin' on my concrete leaf<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rol1KkuM098v7s7A90ZDNa_ydrLSVSGtkXqgUrW9NayT_bC9YFjVd7niGpQew_JElKfZ2vG1GztH1oBmrPda404AK5Prx-WaqAYR6VzYjMzHX1uE1aXvRyxHEA3G0RQJJpCtzD15b5QBirKGIpdIsC8HtiX0ICZcxmIAoUyxx5L4aQ7jiP0HCIvhHA/s600/wesley%20tv.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="461" data-original-width="600" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rol1KkuM098v7s7A90ZDNa_ydrLSVSGtkXqgUrW9NayT_bC9YFjVd7niGpQew_JElKfZ2vG1GztH1oBmrPda404AK5Prx-WaqAYR6VzYjMzHX1uE1aXvRyxHEA3G0RQJJpCtzD15b5QBirKGIpdIsC8HtiX0ICZcxmIAoUyxx5L4aQ7jiP0HCIvhHA/w400-h308/wesley%20tv.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">watching Wesley TV<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />irish horsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11289040711028666546noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4695120516623358773.post-58801252708271451942022-07-12T04:23:00.008-07:002022-07-12T04:23:00.177-07:00be cool<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDGresJ-FGnwRgfcAUUX5Yl2J8LdNkcS9MMwOUwrXdTGY4iT_gJa38bUNtGgU0YWVlth_yU9vu4OGVcyNtwErRJDYUFZAMeGx_jObyiZnY-TiScRyxR_UCrc5sA35J8rSicXruAITTQ-JZ9FoWFge45YVyTYLBDg_-22zifb3TpJm1fouE9yqhzPGxw/s600/1olmstead%20heading%20out.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDGresJ-FGnwRgfcAUUX5Yl2J8LdNkcS9MMwOUwrXdTGY4iT_gJa38bUNtGgU0YWVlth_yU9vu4OGVcyNtwErRJDYUFZAMeGx_jObyiZnY-TiScRyxR_UCrc5sA35J8rSicXruAITTQ-JZ9FoWFge45YVyTYLBDg_-22zifb3TpJm1fouE9yqhzPGxw/w400-h300/1olmstead%20heading%20out.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">heading out, somewhere new!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWe02oTkj9YvUQ8Bs-a1HANdY23YAJs89eG-ptWxQjEE_KG9aZ5meMkiSRr7ExfdNgMWUE0TaIbW3TNo6XlViXEOLJcjUqKuLiOxC5jlZAunewi6q_mWyOmykQ036UMB8QKM6pBBOMaL0Gjs7N-jHC8xa8JjGOfu3E3CqqE9Kb54C30YmF1xsaeSzIEA/s943/olmstead%20trails%20confusion.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="943" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWe02oTkj9YvUQ8Bs-a1HANdY23YAJs89eG-ptWxQjEE_KG9aZ5meMkiSRr7ExfdNgMWUE0TaIbW3TNo6XlViXEOLJcjUqKuLiOxC5jlZAunewi6q_mWyOmykQ036UMB8QKM6pBBOMaL0Gjs7N-jHC8xa8JjGOfu3E3CqqE9Kb54C30YmF1xsaeSzIEA/w255-h400/olmstead%20trails%20confusion.jpg" width="255" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is why I get lost, these are all the trail options!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>The Olmstead trailhead in Cool, CA is also part of Auburn State Recreation Area, but on the opposite side of the canyon from the Auburn Staging area (and driving the canyon is not particularity fun). I've ridden there quite a bit…but also manage to get turned around almost every time. I can memorize other trail systems no problem, but this one stymies me.<p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgUOhS315gg9fnKAE167pjpOfe5kRCv1ET6REiWb9zZuDtXgzqUqnJiPEWcJWsHMu6KSjosR3Eeao48fip1I_XRnsprOEX7gahjehyXMzDyMuZNLeNjVANY6MXQ44MQbuM_OyFEM089dfcHI81JEKH5FLTHNRvlkguypEiTKYN1jv0lK-vbt_4kiiSjQ/s600/2%20olmstead%20starting%20out.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgUOhS315gg9fnKAE167pjpOfe5kRCv1ET6REiWb9zZuDtXgzqUqnJiPEWcJWsHMu6KSjosR3Eeao48fip1I_XRnsprOEX7gahjehyXMzDyMuZNLeNjVANY6MXQ44MQbuM_OyFEM089dfcHI81JEKH5FLTHNRvlkguypEiTKYN1jv0lK-vbt_4kiiSjQ/w300-h400/2%20olmstead%20starting%20out.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lovely grassy meadow<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>So Miles and I headed out and I followed my GPS track from a ride (with C and Friday) almost exactly two years ago. It was unseasonably cool (a high of 80 expected, not like today, it is 104, yuck!) as we followed the creek then turned south to eventually get to the Rim trail. All went well for the first mile and a half, when we got to the large, muddy, creek crossing. It is more just standing water, a creek/pond. Miles was having nothing to do with the deeper crossing, so we went a little farther on where there is a tiny bridge and a shallower crossing. <p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBiyEXp1V8PqgEYsn8k9RhRB9hKSTxf8ZXMFKKFnNIxsysqUhRcFR6ylDENRbVTxV0STf-XUOR7gnjzunpaRW-UndBjdFuiL21uIwo8IT1f6YCtO2l6NsswlHtoke6nNsEMGe8Ka-51LIhpSLN6wG0DPgd1_enpDzjBBZ6O5oGnTrqOM4R7gSOsgeoTA/s600/3%20olmstead%20water%20fight.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBiyEXp1V8PqgEYsn8k9RhRB9hKSTxf8ZXMFKKFnNIxsysqUhRcFR6ylDENRbVTxV0STf-XUOR7gnjzunpaRW-UndBjdFuiL21uIwo8IT1f6YCtO2l6NsswlHtoke6nNsEMGe8Ka-51LIhpSLN6wG0DPgd1_enpDzjBBZ6O5oGnTrqOM4R7gSOsgeoTA/w400-h300/3%20olmstead%20water%20fight.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the dreaded creek actually not so bad…<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>The little bridge is a bit sketchy, so I hoped to cross the water. He was having none of it. So I settled in for a lesson. First just stand by the water. Fine. Take a step? Oh no! Ok, try again. And again. Did not like that water. So I got off and walked him across the sketchy bridge. I could have just got on and continued the ride but I wanted to work this water obstacle. This side was more gradual, and Miles put a couple feet in the water. Then he'd rapidly back up. So I got off again and led him in. He was fine with that. Once in the water he looked around and played, really dude?! But he was in without too much drama.<p></p><p>I turned to go back up the embankment and a water monster must have grabbed his foot. He leapt up the bank behind me (not touching me, good boy) and splattered me with mud. It looked like I'd been mountain biking through puddles. Sigh. I scraped off the mud and got back on. We walked back down to the creek, entered nicely, turned around, walked back up and continued on our way. Luckily that was the biggest problem of the day!<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnXKNk4IWJrVmusXuK0aLllzMg6OJmLObUwKbbeYoBvXY8HYlhQBOKVXFvaJVph1PkcSVbA0baAgQhfCsat2VQzkz9ysuUzoVlWKckaerDESv16plHXj9E4hoysoT2hoSKpfw6G12Y48FyVZo_aqeSbTf60WrFf832nSMyA4KCsZV86UZXVJiAbIfskA/s600/4%20olmstead%20pond.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnXKNk4IWJrVmusXuK0aLllzMg6OJmLObUwKbbeYoBvXY8HYlhQBOKVXFvaJVph1PkcSVbA0baAgQhfCsat2VQzkz9ysuUzoVlWKckaerDESv16plHXj9E4hoysoT2hoSKpfw6G12Y48FyVZo_aqeSbTf60WrFf832nSMyA4KCsZV86UZXVJiAbIfskA/w400-h300/4%20olmstead%20pond.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">first big pond</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhncC67sGuvOTlJer87KzUHGhDP0l8trJhC36ZYp2_zgG_X75tzphUz-OpZV8mM4F9-r-_eNonfNE1B1Uzcdgqpb4jjwLQBM4vsogarKw7OLmYJ6kjjamoC4GUjf5egWaSDRkZhujj62ZdmGIroiEdnu4oBorpk5X-2Hb5Nn8aSx11Fdaqg51DvI3y6rg/s600/5%20olmstead%20pond%20trail.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhncC67sGuvOTlJer87KzUHGhDP0l8trJhC36ZYp2_zgG_X75tzphUz-OpZV8mM4F9-r-_eNonfNE1B1Uzcdgqpb4jjwLQBM4vsogarKw7OLmYJ6kjjamoC4GUjf5egWaSDRkZhujj62ZdmGIroiEdnu4oBorpk5X-2Hb5Nn8aSx11Fdaqg51DvI3y6rg/w400-h300/5%20olmstead%20pond%20trail.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">creekside trail<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_4Eh-Va_H5N-aIM-GOzxT-rm7y9C0358w-S7soWROGkJMylf7xo4KrjotNbpvhqxTCYiYXCO3KBtlIBE05yH1C_958wZra7NQ5XxsP8CD375vyYRq_37cBnXkVobq2zgeSaOJci1FwoniVsLVntmsjKP_hSa4BSd_fTcEAj_xhCFScS2DEUZ0LdL3lQ/w300-h400/6%20olmstead%20fun%20single%20track.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is very fun single-track<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_4Eh-Va_H5N-aIM-GOzxT-rm7y9C0358w-S7soWROGkJMylf7xo4KrjotNbpvhqxTCYiYXCO3KBtlIBE05yH1C_958wZra7NQ5XxsP8CD375vyYRq_37cBnXkVobq2zgeSaOJci1FwoniVsLVntmsjKP_hSa4BSd_fTcEAj_xhCFScS2DEUZ0LdL3lQ/s600/6%20olmstead%20fun%20single%20track.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-v7lpbLuj3cYj_-R-c1auj1sVTNYM6A1A-FoTo7iNBfPsQfi7sPtaW9x4Yp2TNHCzPbeakNzenrSEkhhqZWKd4jeFMXHcWqp_KDJOub54bmIslh3BB4jtzrcye3UH1QwRV4kjAulkSZ8k53Gs_kGf5BFAweGKB1tyB-I_iaaEwih6OvuLch_Bxn8G-g/s600/8%20olmstead%20rim%20trail.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-v7lpbLuj3cYj_-R-c1auj1sVTNYM6A1A-FoTo7iNBfPsQfi7sPtaW9x4Yp2TNHCzPbeakNzenrSEkhhqZWKd4jeFMXHcWqp_KDJOub54bmIslh3BB4jtzrcye3UH1QwRV4kjAulkSZ8k53Gs_kGf5BFAweGKB1tyB-I_iaaEwih6OvuLch_Bxn8G-g/w300-h400/8%20olmstead%20rim%20trail.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rim trail<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWzWzL3NzmI8-Be5F6jTHKPAPf3uxx68VEfqKEkz2mZXwRkcdP1VUGuqB4_ktt7aQ5-gcZN8rAA76ePZGRlDPJ_aJu4RPosaLSw_AeQ6-Xf_bLUoxoDuPVC2rG6wVihGoP99lCgakvHFFsxWxhf-DkS_DXwr-7IA6Fp1RHHPA4VnGC-6PtFLBY3nFumw/s600/7%20olmstead%20rim%20trail.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWzWzL3NzmI8-Be5F6jTHKPAPf3uxx68VEfqKEkz2mZXwRkcdP1VUGuqB4_ktt7aQ5-gcZN8rAA76ePZGRlDPJ_aJu4RPosaLSw_AeQ6-Xf_bLUoxoDuPVC2rG6wVihGoP99lCgakvHFFsxWxhf-DkS_DXwr-7IA6Fp1RHHPA4VnGC-6PtFLBY3nFumw/w300-h400/7%20olmstead%20rim%20trail.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the view over to the Auburn side!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>The rest of the ride was nicely uneventful. I followed the pond/creek trail through the shade to the Rim trail. All these are my favorite single-track, and I didn't see another person out there all day. There is lots of creeks and water out there, which was really refreshing, though none of the other creeks caused even an ear flick from Miles, so maybe he just didn't like the mud in the first one?<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMeloRzir9xOXqkNg1mMEUVwrozZfz88ygnQAGipuaTiQAT9ana7OLW7dq_ZW0Bmj0RXjzaxAyw_DDtYn3nalAp661pxwqWvyorHNqO_DH9uhRN-F-5OX7MXFyxz2w9KnkuyD1kwlmryt-KC-S2fEYotX5tnsoldpJO-esBx4U0OuSy3ZaMCexKZJhfA/s600/9%20olmstead%20knickerbocker%20pose2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMeloRzir9xOXqkNg1mMEUVwrozZfz88ygnQAGipuaTiQAT9ana7OLW7dq_ZW0Bmj0RXjzaxAyw_DDtYn3nalAp661pxwqWvyorHNqO_DH9uhRN-F-5OX7MXFyxz2w9KnkuyD1kwlmryt-KC-S2fEYotX5tnsoldpJO-esBx4U0OuSy3ZaMCexKZJhfA/w300-h400/9%20olmstead%20knickerbocker%20pose2.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Knickerbocker Creek pose<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeoGwgL9LZn8cR3f8A_4xUdwEJ7b1RPMI2QyQfbGGaIq3SJ3Uc2-iHnpRaASeWydJOBtj7hWltKP2Y7949M96xcjK6qRrLPGqkGVA2UIhvapMkNuISRDe_dfWPldQhnH8yHJ3r3aUx-GwGlOkQk0ReomOZIAD0bMwNrEAz59_Y9E_samsukYUlIovIiw/s600/10%20olmstead%20knickerbocker%20drink.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeoGwgL9LZn8cR3f8A_4xUdwEJ7b1RPMI2QyQfbGGaIq3SJ3Uc2-iHnpRaASeWydJOBtj7hWltKP2Y7949M96xcjK6qRrLPGqkGVA2UIhvapMkNuISRDe_dfWPldQhnH8yHJ3r3aUx-GwGlOkQk0ReomOZIAD0bMwNrEAz59_Y9E_samsukYUlIovIiw/w400-h300/10%20olmstead%20knickerbocker%20drink.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even drinking, good boy!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwY-K8Vxwsz6oBOFhrN_deU6owU7fLflsB8wcauyGPq5WHkWjA_-SkyENHZA8UMZQ_J0vHITTra_VjySBTMrRNVaAWxot30Bh1wqrkeh8YJIgwE5wzhE6OvFrs25kMXEylD1-CXq3279F8B_3te5nsGZoMrQlA_ncKlVvaJCMztrqQl6tnzIFCwpHiOA/s600/12%20olmstead%20red%20dirt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwY-K8Vxwsz6oBOFhrN_deU6owU7fLflsB8wcauyGPq5WHkWjA_-SkyENHZA8UMZQ_J0vHITTra_VjySBTMrRNVaAWxot30Bh1wqrkeh8YJIgwE5wzhE6OvFrs25kMXEylD1-CXq3279F8B_3te5nsGZoMrQlA_ncKlVvaJCMztrqQl6tnzIFCwpHiOA/w400-h300/12%20olmstead%20red%20dirt.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The red dirt road back to the staging area<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjqdhhD5mWk8qK3Xl4KBzVcVBLr6CY_eGUvsCDL4EyRps4kCAvPE0qqgbktYsK5z106YfNg548NI7Ry2YUgfFLYFwrumDb9MbiPZBgeZQ0TfAaAPGzGn0qxWaL0s0_hpAemYZKLJXYw7IF1BqPbqqY5TypzzTzxV-SeuD8Qs2-XHf9nW05JS0w46yS_w/s600/13%20olmstead%20pond%20home.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjqdhhD5mWk8qK3Xl4KBzVcVBLr6CY_eGUvsCDL4EyRps4kCAvPE0qqgbktYsK5z106YfNg548NI7Ry2YUgfFLYFwrumDb9MbiPZBgeZQ0TfAaAPGzGn0qxWaL0s0_hpAemYZKLJXYw7IF1BqPbqqY5TypzzTzxV-SeuD8Qs2-XHf9nW05JS0w46yS_w/w400-h300/13%20olmstead%20pond%20home.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the other side of the pond going home<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Even on the hotter hills of red dirt he was pretty cheerful, and seemed to know we were heading back to the trailer. I haven't trailered him a ton of places yet, but am establishing some habits to make sure he likes going out, including an after ride mash (of nothing exciting, just beet pulp, alfalfa pellets and salt). He was quite enthusiastic!</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmuwSJu0xjJM1CoURvWXrHojQSd2emmTBmj2uUHTXJa6DXxyoKY_xjyLUAybxu7f1EAeW0ZWPZ_v26r7qcsg51U1t_NSzi2RpMzQLF_ncJbW_ebWV-MLxCxNlTk9xY51c9hnX1A2rDwZSlxhhlzGXUVwpjfvBr24q7kbmUQyS-lGTqNrhU1Ob81L7gQ/s600/14%20olmstead%20boots.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="444" data-original-width="600" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmuwSJu0xjJM1CoURvWXrHojQSd2emmTBmj2uUHTXJa6DXxyoKY_xjyLUAybxu7f1EAeW0ZWPZ_v26r7qcsg51U1t_NSzi2RpMzQLF_ncJbW_ebWV-MLxCxNlTk9xY51c9hnX1A2rDwZSlxhhlzGXUVwpjfvBr24q7kbmUQyS-lGTqNrhU1Ob81L7gQ/w400-h296/14%20olmstead%20boots.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hand-me-down boots worked surprisingly well!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoNMFkGyGfQy__NicIeeI47XBjfskw3vVlEDct3g8YMze4EsFxfmRiHCPdokEihkw-ISHMKdJIqgXS0oXKTWPnx_aUyQgoBedrneLKHS0Mt_VHPr_gr0LGKhrfpEOp4hssawJ6gbo_r7pSCoxmdxceYv1zGl9tp7qjQorgAJrTsfSFLhDihwcYTWbPpQ/s600/15%20olmstead%20mash%20face.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoNMFkGyGfQy__NicIeeI47XBjfskw3vVlEDct3g8YMze4EsFxfmRiHCPdokEihkw-ISHMKdJIqgXS0oXKTWPnx_aUyQgoBedrneLKHS0Mt_VHPr_gr0LGKhrfpEOp4hssawJ6gbo_r7pSCoxmdxceYv1zGl9tp7qjQorgAJrTsfSFLhDihwcYTWbPpQ/w300-h400/15%20olmstead%20mash%20face.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mash face<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Now that full summer is here these trails can be too hot unless we get there really early, so we might not explore Olmstead much more until fall. Though I'm tempted to go back and school that muddy crossing another time, but maybe closer to the end of the ride than the beginning! <br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9qz_bmZUSNOMVAUkDC8OJftQZym0QtWm4XOOYV-0gSOuhvDvq9fPS7vWqlwmPm_FTQrDLbz_a90QAwYHAPzYdTqrwzKIW5N77exrmtm23AhuOuclex82jfzV9YhKD2M8s2nEj9Htgl70AmMwptmicuGspv8Q_t1sEFq3lcAeCvAw28WvmATSY0H-6bQ/s600/wesley%20hard%20day.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="600" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9qz_bmZUSNOMVAUkDC8OJftQZym0QtWm4XOOYV-0gSOuhvDvq9fPS7vWqlwmPm_FTQrDLbz_a90QAwYHAPzYdTqrwzKIW5N77exrmtm23AhuOuclex82jfzV9YhKD2M8s2nEj9Htgl70AmMwptmicuGspv8Q_t1sEFq3lcAeCvAw28WvmATSY0H-6bQ/w400-h250/wesley%20hard%20day.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wesley had a very hard day and was grateful I was home<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>P.S. This is Tevis week, and the Auburn endurance community is in a fervor. It is quite exciting, and I'll be crewing for my friend S and Beau, her first Tevis. She and Beau knows these trails, Major and I rode many of them with her, it is bittersweet but I'm so excited for her. Full crew report to come later!<br /></p>irish horsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11289040711028666546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4695120516623358773.post-55354023834668975232022-06-29T05:03:00.001-07:002022-06-29T05:03:00.164-07:00auburn firsts<p>I'm lucky to have a wide variety of trails, but riding out of the Auburn staging area is still my favorite. You can take so many different trails, and if you don't want the elevation gain you can even stay on the upper terraces. I thought it would be a good place to take Miles for our first off-site ride.</p><p>I cajoled my friend S along, with her horse Rocky. He has been there and done that, and Sandy is a newer rider, a very good team. She even goes on my adventures, so she's brave too! I told her we would try not do any scary trails.</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja1PCkrWueYXbY_Yz4pung8CyX7B5DOMCy7sy1aDnyNHo9Z_WCeOhWpvp7-LA9W9VMYpc-DmhZfG0mpY5d_USSnZOgBGB9B3s7MPW2DY3fg5An7iVqIxzJwCpPYUm8DeoQ8WQZa5uexXr82YO5QXjsgXPV_WM05LDKc3FsWgnVRNEG8zmUWnpw3nloSA/s600/up%20robie%20point%20miles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja1PCkrWueYXbY_Yz4pung8CyX7B5DOMCy7sy1aDnyNHo9Z_WCeOhWpvp7-LA9W9VMYpc-DmhZfG0mpY5d_USSnZOgBGB9B3s7MPW2DY3fg5An7iVqIxzJwCpPYUm8DeoQ8WQZa5uexXr82YO5QXjsgXPV_WM05LDKc3FsWgnVRNEG8zmUWnpw3nloSA/w300-h400/up%20robie%20point%20miles.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">going up Robie Point<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>We just went around and about, and mostly stayed on the wider trails. I didn't take many pictures (two hands on the reins in new situations!) but we all had a good time. Miles likes to lead, but we made both horses switch off. Miles and Rocky both kept their heads when we came up from behind on an entire hiking group of rowdy kids, who moved aside but were pretty noisy, rummaged in their backpacks, pulling out lunches and clothes just as we walked by!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrCZro9gWwixE6G6IKLEhheLhW_wv5887FH9_8SE6ATHrfQ5RvpdKSKa8LpCz34M0UtuFJYub1cQFLCnLc-jyQZiszftxFI7vycfhc1Kggu1Mgm5RLh2wRm9IfEbFYfxpBZ-HH5cH2kCq-JTMnhwe7xHUcLuZ3lPH1ECjY9ueRSNdtoxm2G_1punRGhw/s600/auburn%20exploring%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrCZro9gWwixE6G6IKLEhheLhW_wv5887FH9_8SE6ATHrfQ5RvpdKSKa8LpCz34M0UtuFJYub1cQFLCnLc-jyQZiszftxFI7vycfhc1Kggu1Mgm5RLh2wRm9IfEbFYfxpBZ-HH5cH2kCq-JTMnhwe7xHUcLuZ3lPH1ECjY9ueRSNdtoxm2G_1punRGhw/w300-h400/auburn%20exploring%201.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">perfect weather and trail that day<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJwfLKlhXmCvEREoYa02Tpzp_zpPdLIh9vxJGuUWtSnjV6Rhx2TiBMEEBHEaP6oU09OZQMOlSnpuGNPFweZWmvqyUGhr14b1E0R1UagBiobH8Ehmt2hNe6w4stNvgvHnfaEpthabR4wUhNpyoEK0vMjlgCcEIrif6LiRU9fIKoTQCUt2wI9p32omVQA/s600/ride%201%20video%20still.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="338" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJwfLKlhXmCvEREoYa02Tpzp_zpPdLIh9vxJGuUWtSnjV6Rhx2TiBMEEBHEaP6oU09OZQMOlSnpuGNPFweZWmvqyUGhr14b1E0R1UagBiobH8Ehmt2hNe6w4stNvgvHnfaEpthabR4wUhNpyoEK0vMjlgCcEIrif6LiRU9fIKoTQCUt2wI9p32omVQA/w225-h400/ride%201%20video%20still.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">video still that S took of us<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>We did go up one steep trail with a drop off to get back a shorter way. It is a known trail but S noted later it was a little scary. Sorry! I think I don't even notice any more!</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDuheSZWMzAylepvUAv0YaA6SPJpOJrkeODAO4p42injotkTjDeyARBlo3seOwaKb-S2mh92w9_2Nu8_poykW9QNGe_gcgk0_CjANxkM7eoWSZiQrb5UJzfRtAXHykefCI3Vv2E4v8elJMvttqQP-bTKUYAzTUKsbrr62Tv_w6QP-QnF3kKrWS0XbHg/s600/miles%20and%20rocky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDuheSZWMzAylepvUAv0YaA6SPJpOJrkeODAO4p42injotkTjDeyARBlo3seOwaKb-S2mh92w9_2Nu8_poykW9QNGe_gcgk0_CjANxkM7eoWSZiQrb5UJzfRtAXHykefCI3Vv2E4v8elJMvttqQP-bTKUYAzTUKsbrr62Tv_w6QP-QnF3kKrWS0XbHg/w300-h400/miles%20and%20rocky.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miles and his buddy Rocky<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>The second time I went I pretty much repeated the same trail but by ourselves. Miles already had learned the way and when we continued going at one point he definitely knew what trail headed home!</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF8eiNLM7uCL17MYXGZvxDUPXLXV-YUqVUI1sPMG32qkhKRncF3YepyqU5suIDRetZCPGJHfQZKWtWZwLpQOUa0cwgWfTgruMtJUCAD4j7g_y-j3E9Ru2Uv9MKpDjQxghMQew7_ltQnhM6WSgANEJ5TGtQeyOZOPgxKLd-i-68w8PSc8qlTv_MlcBu3g/s600/miles%20looking%20back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF8eiNLM7uCL17MYXGZvxDUPXLXV-YUqVUI1sPMG32qkhKRncF3YepyqU5suIDRetZCPGJHfQZKWtWZwLpQOUa0cwgWfTgruMtJUCAD4j7g_y-j3E9Ru2Uv9MKpDjQxghMQew7_ltQnhM6WSgANEJ5TGtQeyOZOPgxKLd-i-68w8PSc8qlTv_MlcBu3g/w400-h300/miles%20looking%20back.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The long road back<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyAEFMQwxUUSFAx8mikYHCwymnjBdMDBlDI2KLD5QD_dsCfaUqKkcSJ1dJcx3D_BUbfwTIQLPRJL9Q-TuiNwUIe7pAwzcBioE-npgnb-P_SiIxBN_kVA1JQ9aTjR0Ku0zpCaRz5w0Ju5oUYIC_iBpf6GrmCHdGrPPlm2-24MqfmIz2e_577DwdqS4Vxw/s600/miles%20walking%20down%20robie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyAEFMQwxUUSFAx8mikYHCwymnjBdMDBlDI2KLD5QD_dsCfaUqKkcSJ1dJcx3D_BUbfwTIQLPRJL9Q-TuiNwUIe7pAwzcBioE-npgnb-P_SiIxBN_kVA1JQ9aTjR0Ku0zpCaRz5w0Ju5oUYIC_iBpf6GrmCHdGrPPlm2-24MqfmIz2e_577DwdqS4Vxw/w300-h400/miles%20walking%20down%20robie.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why are you turned around taking photos?<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>The third time I decided to go for it and go all the way down to the river. Much more elevation than we'd done, but Miles had done longer distance, so I thought he'd be ok and was going to take it easy. And I chose a weekday to not battle the crowds hiking to the <strike>street runoff</strike> "waterfall."</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyKC5VBUtGounkkwJWv6ktEgvtj1XbGLXNVwb32Rvitaj5lzas8DTcOc1P7M1lZcyY0qYgbrVuwlsev1j-QeL0O50kJ2vVirc0HI8dkMaMMVgmmEfEBo6AmhKp1Uw-xvMTTozUH4z-qzdsQR37wlMWV50qbANvSlm5bI40G1GZ-IjI3HlFzT8-mflDfQ/s600/before%20ride%20snack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="399" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyKC5VBUtGounkkwJWv6ktEgvtj1XbGLXNVwb32Rvitaj5lzas8DTcOc1P7M1lZcyY0qYgbrVuwlsev1j-QeL0O50kJ2vVirc0HI8dkMaMMVgmmEfEBo6AmhKp1Uw-xvMTTozUH4z-qzdsQR37wlMWV50qbANvSlm5bI40G1GZ-IjI3HlFzT8-mflDfQ/w266-h400/before%20ride%20snack.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the importance of pre-ride snacks<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Miles enjoys his pre-ride hay bag, but leaves it nicely as we head out. No Hands bridge is 1100 feet below the staging area, but it isn't a straight drop. It takes 4 miles where you follow an old railroad trestle (so flat), then drop down along a single track, then another level section. It is a really good variety of trail. Going down the only part I was worried about is the steep banks and the bridge at the "waterfall," so I hiked down and Miles was fine to follow. There was one small group of nicely quiet people, so all was well as we continued to the river.</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHsT6owX1B8PE4zxHsWE-poWfmHTPbySazixV9NM5-h7huNJbWHnEcGuOaYbBRUywV8V3asAXCY2We88Tf0eGXnZxkYk1vNrfAOIgVDNGjkK9ETDZ9C1an6vS1QHmqImA6KtNZFoG320cdgZv8U90DV_t5SsdvuvgKwchTGzV_yXKqxksq4omr-t1x1w/s600/miles%20no%20hands%20first.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHsT6owX1B8PE4zxHsWE-poWfmHTPbySazixV9NM5-h7huNJbWHnEcGuOaYbBRUywV8V3asAXCY2We88Tf0eGXnZxkYk1vNrfAOIgVDNGjkK9ETDZ9C1an6vS1QHmqImA6KtNZFoG320cdgZv8U90DV_t5SsdvuvgKwchTGzV_yXKqxksq4omr-t1x1w/w300-h400/miles%20no%20hands%20first.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and back across (this view is heading back to Auburn)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>And crossed No Hands for the first time! We just went across and back, he looked a bit at the sides (now ugly chain link) and down to the river below, but otherwise a non-issue. We went down below the bridge to get some water, where he was very good and actually drank. Sadly for him there were really no grass snacks down there.</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mIlkaXs6IoCHr66ypxhHsYhpBh-RPqrYhXT__qfBImYiQVxuTFHSqw_rRflExKyyanL4e6wLVMUczZtsSJ30875qSR2iXVKVlFFWO-5D-dUupqw33nRZYSHkPCkjZrFZ40-5w0dtgUPPUgfp-lfH5otBQYJnn1Y_WbUBTqZgzlnfMjyVUBtFJHTnug/s600/miles%20no%20hands%20river.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mIlkaXs6IoCHr66ypxhHsYhpBh-RPqrYhXT__qfBImYiQVxuTFHSqw_rRflExKyyanL4e6wLVMUczZtsSJ30875qSR2iXVKVlFFWO-5D-dUupqw33nRZYSHkPCkjZrFZ40-5w0dtgUPPUgfp-lfH5otBQYJnn1Y_WbUBTqZgzlnfMjyVUBtFJHTnug/w400-h300/miles%20no%20hands%20river.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">being dorky for his No Hands posed photo<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlSTVefsL5m3i1fsHxh6DLXUE2lNpZwPr8n1uXfMUn9yv02wTVpuY5nXXdcUw1RKQlCjlZ9ttJ-ctIsLumu0MSG9EBp-8NmGO7PjL6XsEpBdwR-fYDEMO0YgWMg5_1qc6mPs5Lw8_2n84VcXJO_WjiO_yCZSsqHKO03qmfa3QQruawj2uX19Q0l4xGQA/s600/river%20drink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlSTVefsL5m3i1fsHxh6DLXUE2lNpZwPr8n1uXfMUn9yv02wTVpuY5nXXdcUw1RKQlCjlZ9ttJ-ctIsLumu0MSG9EBp-8NmGO7PjL6XsEpBdwR-fYDEMO0YgWMg5_1qc6mPs5Lw8_2n84VcXJO_WjiO_yCZSsqHKO03qmfa3QQruawj2uX19Q0l4xGQA/w400-h300/river%20drink.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">actually drinking yeah!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>We headed back up and again, when we got to the waterfall, I was going to dismount but there was no one there. Miles has been very sensible so we rode down and crossed the bridge. Then I got complacent. Going up I should have showed him the best path to take, but I let him choose. He lurched over a big rock step (we should have gone more left) and fell to his knees. Ouch! I jumped off quickly and he seemed ok, but I walked him to the top to evaluate.</p><p>He definitely had skinned both his knees, and I rinsed them with water from my water bottle. I have other first aid in my saddle bag but they weren't bleeding, I was more concerned if he was lame and if I broke my new pony! I walked him out the next half mile, where he was chipper and prancing along, seemingly none the worse for wear. I got back on and we rode the rest of the three miles back to the trailer. </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiFFgD8eQvtKSiZebx-emvQP53ck3UPyJ4aGR5sDHcCBHSSCdqVGhuVDwdxvDfTbq84VOItoO1cT-Li74iGDJ6dXuOEsqYQjjqnXzObNXlPN0cEpoiFbXTDKayyq-Sz-Du5R2WlIxVLn3_CcCHinnQuyyWRVRAeoD4Q1dlYIa5PK5yvlppevPIjpP0vA/s600/after%20ride%20ouch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiFFgD8eQvtKSiZebx-emvQP53ck3UPyJ4aGR5sDHcCBHSSCdqVGhuVDwdxvDfTbq84VOItoO1cT-Li74iGDJ6dXuOEsqYQjjqnXzObNXlPN0cEpoiFbXTDKayyq-Sz-Du5R2WlIxVLn3_CcCHinnQuyyWRVRAeoD4Q1dlYIa5PK5yvlppevPIjpP0vA/w300-h400/after%20ride%20ouch.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Broke my new pony (but only a little)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>There I cleaned him up, applied some aluminum spray (my favorite) so he looked worse than it was! But he never took a lame step and everything has healed up fine. Lesson learned: I need to pay attention and tell green horse where to put his feet sometimes!</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_wDsfUqSeyQTTenLzH-8SHhiOOA3790BcTOk5UctVJX40twkxCfnLBAJkCGT6IIkMO754CXOfWmBStRElhYeuQDpu25ISP_BSR7ZTyEbjm4MvaU4XbQDH-uMlpcChh2ax0-nxgwOYr_r-jMV-GwR6Djj3rl-0q0B4d3cPkhJl3efaCgs31hScRPF58Q/s600/miles%20heading%20out.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_wDsfUqSeyQTTenLzH-8SHhiOOA3790BcTOk5UctVJX40twkxCfnLBAJkCGT6IIkMO754CXOfWmBStRElhYeuQDpu25ISP_BSR7ZTyEbjm4MvaU4XbQDH-uMlpcChh2ax0-nxgwOYr_r-jMV-GwR6Djj3rl-0q0B4d3cPkhJl3efaCgs31hScRPF58Q/w300-h400/miles%20heading%20out.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">heading out in the cool morning<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>For our last trip to Auburn we headed out very early as it was going to be a really hot day. I went the other direction (also a bit gun-shy about the section he fell on) and headed downstream to explore the trails over there. There is more gravel road and less single-track, though we did go down Cardiac Hill… carefully. We practiced some cantering on the roads and also tested his mettle on the big hill at Oregon Bar, where he was enthusiastic for the whole ride up. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_pzmV_vBFh5Hnt01H1LzrjIJX4yrr4CdZFPQxTkAkG6pDSP0u9AUcvkADFGz8xedmWdAlJkWzniqt8ybzWt52f1-gu8GNMS6a8satSpMO6Nndk5UKsTaFV3atA5AYyQEKrXcEFhcZ7eFIVnBcADoMJhIgcKdmyQeLpll5Wrz3FBx-ew2qjjRMgUsKaw/s600/found%20a%20snack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_pzmV_vBFh5Hnt01H1LzrjIJX4yrr4CdZFPQxTkAkG6pDSP0u9AUcvkADFGz8xedmWdAlJkWzniqt8ybzWt52f1-gu8GNMS6a8satSpMO6Nndk5UKsTaFV3atA5AYyQEKrXcEFhcZ7eFIVnBcADoMJhIgcKdmyQeLpll5Wrz3FBx-ew2qjjRMgUsKaw/w300-h400/found%20a%20snack.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finding a snack just about anywhere<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_MkCm0-rbvvrZutbYv5Pa-7wfbjbpJMWToGdziKJ91uj6r0ye2yn_MxzZRo7imPKLfMKf4s_3qYAyjwNkvz6QxUJDUk02MlgNqZaKx1xS9unFe55VCv4ZCifXHJ4PzhMm810QxbfRK-OWHBbA7ybbeICmCU06dVM8GYM9qo_xRkZq5VvXt8LfhhaGg/s600/cardiac%20bypass%20skeptical%20miles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="470" data-original-width="600" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_MkCm0-rbvvrZutbYv5Pa-7wfbjbpJMWToGdziKJ91uj6r0ye2yn_MxzZRo7imPKLfMKf4s_3qYAyjwNkvz6QxUJDUk02MlgNqZaKx1xS9unFe55VCv4ZCifXHJ4PzhMm810QxbfRK-OWHBbA7ybbeICmCU06dVM8GYM9qo_xRkZq5VvXt8LfhhaGg/w400-h314/cardiac%20bypass%20skeptical%20miles.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miles is skeptical about "Cardiac Hill"<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYSkP1lJCnZHJHral_Gfg2mxKgn9wIg5TzCmKr07S6Ov2wRhm6y4vmAaPSis9SSi_u-qz0ATxvzAPB7JVAHY0tMrhsT11RC6FL0DiYGx9zJ6ENPNmOFmDR0di83vPbh6gjTDquvrwohUGVSW7XNYIKKUWpf60ZQCH5LTAx-z-82HDa_IpexJVjkdNzSQ/s600/star%20thistle%20miles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYSkP1lJCnZHJHral_Gfg2mxKgn9wIg5TzCmKr07S6Ov2wRhm6y4vmAaPSis9SSi_u-qz0ATxvzAPB7JVAHY0tMrhsT11RC6FL0DiYGx9zJ6ENPNmOFmDR0di83vPbh6gjTDquvrwohUGVSW7XNYIKKUWpf60ZQCH5LTAx-z-82HDa_IpexJVjkdNzSQ/w300-h400/star%20thistle%20miles.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ouch, sorry about the star thistle<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>So I apologize for going on and on about four Auburn trips, I'm trying to get caught up. Miles has been very well behaved off site (better than at home!) with few spooky looks or hesitations. Bikes and hikers and dogs have been no problem. He certainly seems to have a good base on him, I don't know if it is his
previous experience, our 100 miles of walking, or just his breeding (or
all of them). We have a long way to go till we're tackling 25 miles of canyon trails for fun, but so far I think we're both having a good time getting there.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3pPTj0nWxb_3tDGU4LPJqV4u0dKHcWpuvCeXM9uyDNy2WSZeOXP4U9EIwwqwHuIpPl0f6XNyufBz4dB1NnOfgKkZ4PRJER9yO-Yu-KxiKk23BxZfJKkJTZmZwv_JrO462Ul4mUbnOqTbgKn5gcaccsFmwbF-adao59gUkh5X8QkR_SSxRxLm-J4L4jQ/s600/miles%20river%20view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3pPTj0nWxb_3tDGU4LPJqV4u0dKHcWpuvCeXM9uyDNy2WSZeOXP4U9EIwwqwHuIpPl0f6XNyufBz4dB1NnOfgKkZ4PRJER9yO-Yu-KxiKk23BxZfJKkJTZmZwv_JrO462Ul4mUbnOqTbgKn5gcaccsFmwbF-adao59gUkh5X8QkR_SSxRxLm-J4L4jQ/w400-h300/miles%20river%20view.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oregon Bar view<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4dWCCoJoJGz8p3zo1ZNX6yZIrdAud3JlJbW23HAf_jlPRwsSw6vEj2MEtiyXZ2-KHcE2cv7kM3R_H-Pr8WwYJ57aP0gr-lrF1q_j4KH0vQANPxtnDb4L1878_GhXxZImuHKcb7mbkBoRJ5Qtls3avjABzQoSsS4cSrXp8iov9T-2I5Bi-75xn97Ea9w/s600/melted%20wesley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="467" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4dWCCoJoJGz8p3zo1ZNX6yZIrdAud3JlJbW23HAf_jlPRwsSw6vEj2MEtiyXZ2-KHcE2cv7kM3R_H-Pr8WwYJ57aP0gr-lrF1q_j4KH0vQANPxtnDb4L1878_GhXxZImuHKcb7mbkBoRJ5Qtls3avjABzQoSsS4cSrXp8iov9T-2I5Bi-75xn97Ea9w/w311-h400/melted%20wesley.jpg" width="311" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wesley seems to have melted while I was out riding<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p>irish horsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11289040711028666546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4695120516623358773.post-82769312621876486952022-06-21T14:33:00.001-07:002022-06-21T14:33:00.153-07:00home trails<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq7HMVC5c6Xf-3w15zze5s1B3WdJ2N9qI1SLGVd5Maf93Qb-DM_JPlMTXNFTFAxzB6OKmNg5-T2ugP1ku58rEUUCmH64jHLJ4OggUQ8GwyPgJs-HxnQJ1AdXIIrV-7VJ35Mw6aD2fKDQFlRbT6p33L8HXWvJ56zrxV1cKMkxutqTzqdLUnh1wDYeb5iQ/s600/miles%20lookout%20rock.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq7HMVC5c6Xf-3w15zze5s1B3WdJ2N9qI1SLGVd5Maf93Qb-DM_JPlMTXNFTFAxzB6OKmNg5-T2ugP1ku58rEUUCmH64jHLJ4OggUQ8GwyPgJs-HxnQJ1AdXIIrV-7VJ35Mw6aD2fKDQFlRbT6p33L8HXWvJ56zrxV1cKMkxutqTzqdLUnh1wDYeb5iQ/w400-h300/miles%20lookout%20rock.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">very full lake view<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>We started off walking. I wanted to establish a good base and instill some good behaviors. I knew Miles had done more, but I wanted to try and do it right. Is this the right way? I don't know, I've read so many ways to work green horses, but this seemed sensible.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwDvLvGzZPW8rzVj5Y_FJQ4XLd0gdRv1w5LOjOn55Gxjs1SfrPSjFQKlFTsTOSsZzlsvOs7AcXnaqezkhHp9qPfyqkfDmvndE2x5LhKABogg6mkxaPLV-XvBx8evgWvlGG4ePRdOu0rk7op15CuTIoNoG8uS44fe2R7layAjTZczqxGzpAZun-KUKU8A/s600/miles%20green%20grass.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwDvLvGzZPW8rzVj5Y_FJQ4XLd0gdRv1w5LOjOn55Gxjs1SfrPSjFQKlFTsTOSsZzlsvOs7AcXnaqezkhHp9qPfyqkfDmvndE2x5LhKABogg6mkxaPLV-XvBx8evgWvlGG4ePRdOu0rk7op15CuTIoNoG8uS44fe2R7layAjTZczqxGzpAZun-KUKU8A/w300-h400/miles%20green%20grass.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">smorgasbord when the grass was high</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTK_bFOIJdwmOjpOnQSyaaww47_QBCMA_EsGOZMQAepUQ9vLtXoV_JVyEfjYbV5trMZU86U5Ih0ZoYGoyk_-9CqCQXmnDskXT_XwVv22yn_DpGLVlvMmBhbaWd9tXCKPJvUg6bbWuvhjEHn1KgI1rDXJ3gTgmXyWZVzbXWBP5yOJ14jqofv8LMBZsEKQ/s600/miles%20forest%20lupine.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTK_bFOIJdwmOjpOnQSyaaww47_QBCMA_EsGOZMQAepUQ9vLtXoV_JVyEfjYbV5trMZU86U5Ih0ZoYGoyk_-9CqCQXmnDskXT_XwVv22yn_DpGLVlvMmBhbaWd9tXCKPJvUg6bbWuvhjEHn1KgI1rDXJ3gTgmXyWZVzbXWBP5yOJ14jqofv8LMBZsEKQ/w400-h300/miles%20forest%20lupine.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lupine paths diverging<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcTUsb1CCfsve61NJEzsKDTQteGXQEfsogwmJRjyFn7MugckAAYNGMd8LsDmxp3oXG2B4s6hhdKueGSA9X4AUOl8eRQMfT0eSGIBtivlUl2kXlKj8zUXFr2afR-znc3Eguy6SU7rLpWo0dPI-WRFFJDgWhLV10NTIwfazjJalnX-kP3d453wpiDFaCNA/s600/miles%20epic%20skies.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcTUsb1CCfsve61NJEzsKDTQteGXQEfsogwmJRjyFn7MugckAAYNGMd8LsDmxp3oXG2B4s6hhdKueGSA9X4AUOl8eRQMfT0eSGIBtivlUl2kXlKj8zUXFr2afR-znc3Eguy6SU7rLpWo0dPI-WRFFJDgWhLV10NTIwfazjJalnX-kP3d453wpiDFaCNA/w300-h400/miles%20epic%20skies.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">under epic skies<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>Miles did not always agree. Going home should be faster. Or up hills should be faster. Or when his friend went around the corner we should catch up. Or sometimes just because. I'm pretty attuned to most of those tricks, so there were a lot of discussions that he did not win. What worked best for him: going home and working in the arena. Even just the road home became an arena extension.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi01tWoHuvlvhOd4RKVezPOiRuG_tt7t336S8oiQqo2MENpadpMs-Ou42ObcojMwnWswy3wZ6ySUJOFrN_wjMocoDHmrMhfjlxCLmbPOHCcrDgy02fF92SLE4pwn7wE5GymSO5oHsWM9IDo8CItCXzBe0Vvsy_vbAXhZ9QJVdnoKGXmsZTXbcoQzYn4w/s600/sandy%20up%20big%20hill.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi01tWoHuvlvhOd4RKVezPOiRuG_tt7t336S8oiQqo2MENpadpMs-Ou42ObcojMwnWswy3wZ6ySUJOFrN_wjMocoDHmrMhfjlxCLmbPOHCcrDgy02fF92SLE4pwn7wE5GymSO5oHsWM9IDo8CItCXzBe0Vvsy_vbAXhZ9QJVdnoKGXmsZTXbcoQzYn4w/w300-h400/sandy%20up%20big%20hill.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our friend S and Rocky coming up the hill<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-K3rCb7Xubz6Jhr2c-sJ9AgALAZuWIGwPHKsySRGfpfo27wafkNvtdcoGtCSwK1hEh568Ai8ypW7yPRUwyFNm6_73eUPldDNcBmFB_MjXc_M-QivSNssvDrHVJpjx18tS2uVXBAaLvxQSvZcMU0klN4IomnY53X2kTd9DCYSdC9wjxVI4ZCKDnfUY6A/s600/miles%20and%20Beau.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="381" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-K3rCb7Xubz6Jhr2c-sJ9AgALAZuWIGwPHKsySRGfpfo27wafkNvtdcoGtCSwK1hEh568Ai8ypW7yPRUwyFNm6_73eUPldDNcBmFB_MjXc_M-QivSNssvDrHVJpjx18tS2uVXBAaLvxQSvZcMU0klN4IomnY53X2kTd9DCYSdC9wjxVI4ZCKDnfUY6A/w254-h400/miles%20and%20Beau.jpg" width="254" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beau and Miles have a playdate<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>And still he has days where he forgets. And he forgets when we ride with others. And then he thinks back to his show days and wants to prance around. But we're working on that and it has much improved! He goes out with "Grandpa" Rocky, who isn't phased by Miles' antics. He also goes out with his pasture neighbor Beau, it is good to ride with people who understand our goals.<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhcLdGUloIneZv0S8HXkOBsLOtVZHb57JytOCNMYnu11S0pAdYYSRQ-DFW1KFw62g1b5wpG8iFMemvR2m34fezooT7dZGjQ534cA5lWuOX8LoGJFB1nrYOPiGbs7Y5Jae6MMf8135eUUdUsgienHjK3oxsg7hsNRnPLLsuH_i0ysOr8Bz7qdpfFk-X2A/s600/miles%20turning%20brown.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhcLdGUloIneZv0S8HXkOBsLOtVZHb57JytOCNMYnu11S0pAdYYSRQ-DFW1KFw62g1b5wpG8iFMemvR2m34fezooT7dZGjQ534cA5lWuOX8LoGJFB1nrYOPiGbs7Y5Jae6MMf8135eUUdUsgienHjK3oxsg7hsNRnPLLsuH_i0ysOr8Bz7qdpfFk-X2A/w400-h300/miles%20turning%20brown.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trails turning brown<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcECH79jJsSSXdy-u6zEgnRvH359fwtWBidZnihDolIr3-4v-eaqH1wyBDDcjiL5oEO76NE4PiVrUo_SgkA-524_dViksnyqbVIS_rSQ1m4g74X0kP6rNSOyW74Kxx9HruLO5v3pqNrFp_mIthEP3-d3VzYoDpXG5C3penOA4ITxysd6ufuu4RIohUsA/s600/miles%20expectation.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="418" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcECH79jJsSSXdy-u6zEgnRvH359fwtWBidZnihDolIr3-4v-eaqH1wyBDDcjiL5oEO76NE4PiVrUo_SgkA-524_dViksnyqbVIS_rSQ1m4g74X0kP6rNSOyW74Kxx9HruLO5v3pqNrFp_mIthEP3-d3VzYoDpXG5C3penOA4ITxysd6ufuu4RIohUsA/w279-h400/miles%20expectation.jpg" width="279" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">trying to creep closer to the treat tote<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>There weren't many photos in the beginning, as I needed two hands on the reins. We're much better now though, he'll stand forever if there are snacks available.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFU8cTEJaiadRPX60mHo39eZf2Ob_zDsm92cFtyCKYKFJ6lNrkV3WUx1vxuaVV3dfQlCfD92pTGi8-J1cfj6P6MuG9GHIYQ_t4V4Sy8J5-XMxOC9TscCELB9f7yUHV2X24-YCNS65pDPNhfuGJJC3hV2Jv-uBn0i4GkBFfZRGNovgHP3XBpME8RIrazg/s800/miles%20snack.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFU8cTEJaiadRPX60mHo39eZf2Ob_zDsm92cFtyCKYKFJ6lNrkV3WUx1vxuaVV3dfQlCfD92pTGi8-J1cfj6P6MuG9GHIYQ_t4V4Sy8J5-XMxOC9TscCELB9f7yUHV2X24-YCNS65pDPNhfuGJJC3hV2Jv-uBn0i4GkBFfZRGNovgHP3XBpME8RIrazg/w400-h300/miles%20snack.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">singletrack with pretty yellow flowers<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Ly3herD0moO6NzvhAV1HIn_lLL_JpctcdzfDJs9DAwpWhRNBmx-9bWlRIO2PPsV3kBJKA03zrBY9ToZy4izNWAQAYbs8J8i7WMbmxwK0W7yKEoXc0epWsgq3RoLYTq_QuMqZSA5EzXZF3cdBOIKbNkz8saQVSEZgWe_R_UXGKNnkKHuif1Fd2e8HMQ/s600/miles%20three%20oak%20knoll.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Ly3herD0moO6NzvhAV1HIn_lLL_JpctcdzfDJs9DAwpWhRNBmx-9bWlRIO2PPsV3kBJKA03zrBY9ToZy4izNWAQAYbs8J8i7WMbmxwK0W7yKEoXc0epWsgq3RoLYTq_QuMqZSA5EzXZF3cdBOIKbNkz8saQVSEZgWe_R_UXGKNnkKHuif1Fd2e8HMQ/w400-h300/miles%20three%20oak%20knoll.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">three oak knoll<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPRTCZzgujeCZEGXCsh_KFx8h6f28cCLjiPlcOOSZ5mMvHy233acHI0oWiUXluj6O2bUDmWvptQCUClJB0_FYMDkCnV51BF6dBBAxzW8CAjGv2XJhAf2VbdW-h0j_Df30ae3mZ0vT83Cam0jufxKl3qWRKr-4AU-bydNYHV5z0lOqcUOqr8SyvP7DYnA/s600/miles%20selfie.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPRTCZzgujeCZEGXCsh_KFx8h6f28cCLjiPlcOOSZ5mMvHy233acHI0oWiUXluj6O2bUDmWvptQCUClJB0_FYMDkCnV51BF6dBBAxzW8CAjGv2XJhAf2VbdW-h0j_Df30ae3mZ0vT83Cam0jufxKl3qWRKr-4AU-bydNYHV5z0lOqcUOqr8SyvP7DYnA/w300-h400/miles%20selfie.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am good at selfies, hi everyone!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>And he sure loves to eat! The grass has turned brown now but he still looks for snacks everywhere. I'm fine with when we stop he gets a snack, he hasn't figured out how to snatch and walk, we'll leave that for later! He is very expectant after a ride for treats. In the beginning I gave him too many, he's a bit too greedy for that. Now he just gets a couple (when he is caught in pasture, when his bit goes in, after I untack, when he's put away). Much nicer behavior after that was instituted.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLkhvith29LUPCyomn9HkkuDmwASJD7j0o5sup-7xcNXmDoY5lP-u5bLv4fktxFMQYI-bCQRJZzT1fEUfK1WuYnfPgZAs2FxAFBcaOD5KEjIqHP98ZhRIOoTM4Xfgp9EArKUhHdhuYCIMefbG_PJizFPef4rtt-GkqeQWDnclW-0BPvygBzuqFyPZJeA/s600/miles%20golden%20grass.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLkhvith29LUPCyomn9HkkuDmwASJD7j0o5sup-7xcNXmDoY5lP-u5bLv4fktxFMQYI-bCQRJZzT1fEUfK1WuYnfPgZAs2FxAFBcaOD5KEjIqHP98ZhRIOoTM4Xfgp9EArKUhHdhuYCIMefbG_PJizFPef4rtt-GkqeQWDnclW-0BPvygBzuqFyPZJeA/w300-h400/miles%20golden%20grass.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">golden grasses<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkeSTvoXgm1wh8WS6Ba3dSKtZdTJn_wNueJDCJhiOM9QF5HFT-e7jJlIPv8563ux583udRifzR0aGosn8ZIgjdHi96mWwFroAogd5Jdybydg9wfXNBPEZ04f3EUOuMntWdd51mEpfnE0KmrYMR_grC3lLdVJidAATK3HUBaec6BddqBQ1YjncJ6Y-oCQ/s600/miles%20after%20ride.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkeSTvoXgm1wh8WS6Ba3dSKtZdTJn_wNueJDCJhiOM9QF5HFT-e7jJlIPv8563ux583udRifzR0aGosn8ZIgjdHi96mWwFroAogd5Jdybydg9wfXNBPEZ04f3EUOuMntWdd51mEpfnE0KmrYMR_grC3lLdVJidAATK3HUBaec6BddqBQ1YjncJ6Y-oCQ/w266-h400/miles%20after%20ride.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">after ride posing<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Now we've walked 100 miles. It's been a good project to concentrate on, and it is nice when I arrive at the stable and whistle for Miles he whinnys back. We're working on walk/trot (and even some canter) for our second hundred. The miles have already flown by, we'll see what the summer holds…</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-bIoil_ZskwSJp5A_6zAsMSpaVTtaVZfLRjbMd4ZkgrtVcEO_uJGdhT5iWF0VB77JBcz6LCt4fxPd6c1FrKd7oDfSqEdL1XJfbaVki1aPObKSltaj3I64605tL8pLjyF1VuHLyuCgcouEkenw2feABfJni7UvW4YMRar6U9rEks4HfIZwkkDX3cWUFw/s600/wesley%20supervisor.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="402" data-original-width="600" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-bIoil_ZskwSJp5A_6zAsMSpaVTtaVZfLRjbMd4ZkgrtVcEO_uJGdhT5iWF0VB77JBcz6LCt4fxPd6c1FrKd7oDfSqEdL1XJfbaVki1aPObKSltaj3I64605tL8pLjyF1VuHLyuCgcouEkenw2feABfJni7UvW4YMRar6U9rEks4HfIZwkkDX3cWUFw/w400-h268/wesley%20supervisor.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wesley judging my work projects<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ET2Q3pxNxUd-qQj_JeQ_AExqtt8_6f0jLe46p1r-77Gsls1Ciual1e8aQu_Waz8rnk61_iQ2XqB4Cl_a7EYFJ4b52bnR6Mn5ETshTV3l920jb5Dw4MzisXTk0a_KgdbJUw0DbJaQC6DvIj33IosJnw8YrPnIXlqGkQ5SIOF92iKAMGKwJCXuhAyBIg/s600/wesley%20is%20cool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="489" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ET2Q3pxNxUd-qQj_JeQ_AExqtt8_6f0jLe46p1r-77Gsls1Ciual1e8aQu_Waz8rnk61_iQ2XqB4Cl_a7EYFJ4b52bnR6Mn5ETshTV3l920jb5Dw4MzisXTk0a_KgdbJUw0DbJaQC6DvIj33IosJnw8YrPnIXlqGkQ5SIOF92iKAMGKwJCXuhAyBIg/w326-h400/wesley%20is%20cool.jpg" width="326" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wesley thinks he is so tough posing with the deer skull<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />irish horsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11289040711028666546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4695120516623358773.post-47087378115622403122022-06-16T16:58:00.002-07:002022-06-16T16:58:58.428-07:00a year<p> It has been a year that Major has been gone. It seems so long and also like yesterday.</p><p>I'm sorry for the lack of updates. Things with Miles are going really well! We've had great progress and are moving into some longer rides. I'm not sure why I haven't written, I think about it, then the thought of sitting in front of the computer (after doing that all day) does not sound appealing.</p><p>I've been pretty lost, even with Miles, and Beau and friends, and everyone else. A Major-sized hole that can't be filled, only marked off with caution tape and walked around for awhile, till you get used to the hole being there and it isn't so scary. I'm not there yet.</p><p>I'm seeing the same trails through different ears, and it still doesn't seem right. But Miles can make me smile (especially when he nickers at me as I walk up to his pasture), and sometimes I forget long enough and have fun, the process will be long. I'm working on moving forward, even if it is to a very different trot.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEoqjRjE9Z7c36x3WoeeXbls75shX2PBY3Mi3ORoL-mPvXlULK_m-a6q0WOohmQeaHteT0Zx9Gzs34hZ6mOEXwEDiu5m4nUwu9tOBpkydxGXV69LutAO4iHaHaYIfYwcX7B5qmH54j2W5zR1w7ZY6yLZ0sE1vT8Qbfla1JCscyQ2cpWRP0XENN6KfdwA/s600/new%20ears%20same%20trails.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEoqjRjE9Z7c36x3WoeeXbls75shX2PBY3Mi3ORoL-mPvXlULK_m-a6q0WOohmQeaHteT0Zx9Gzs34hZ6mOEXwEDiu5m4nUwu9tOBpkydxGXV69LutAO4iHaHaYIfYwcX7B5qmH54j2W5zR1w7ZY6yLZ0sE1vT8Qbfla1JCscyQ2cpWRP0XENN6KfdwA/s320/new%20ears%20same%20trails.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">different ears, same trails<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>irish horsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11289040711028666546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4695120516623358773.post-59965099727505497382022-04-21T05:13:00.001-07:002022-04-21T05:13:00.187-07:00lupine lament<p>The lupine are not as amazing as last year, but I'd still seen some lovely images and wanted to get out there. This would be Miles' first time out at the lake (with me), and sometimes it is a lot (waves, wind, people, bikes). We started out through the green, green forest where he was very good, and then down to the lake.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi97Tihb_Yh5SEOltrRY0oZ0hOfa1nu_QDIW9f9h7IjwtJlE9xn1Ta_fsJ_Bhh1iwpnzxxBSr8C-GOC2FX3BPM06LmgQQP5vgASVTqyxZoE9eFO1yj92wLgLtKGQhJ8KLlbI8xgIbbetVyBYmcsehrDSYUByed8V7Iagmi-OPPQJpIlecPgtiAW2fgCiA/s600/forest%20green.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi97Tihb_Yh5SEOltrRY0oZ0hOfa1nu_QDIW9f9h7IjwtJlE9xn1Ta_fsJ_Bhh1iwpnzxxBSr8C-GOC2FX3BPM06LmgQQP5vgASVTqyxZoE9eFO1yj92wLgLtKGQhJ8KLlbI8xgIbbetVyBYmcsehrDSYUByed8V7Iagmi-OPPQJpIlecPgtiAW2fgCiA/w300-h400/forest%20green.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>I had gotten off to handwalk through the tricky rocky/driftwood access (I don't trust his footwork quite yet) and we came out on the lake and Miles had a good look about. Wide and open unlike the forest, but he wasn't too concerned.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixeJLP6RC3N_d4hGWzxKVZMS9hoxUMQTvgvyw-QC6C6x8DLeIgnysyKzjUMkB-m7HpEiWEqV_uUwP6rL3hrg7rO3Qla3KjVNJVFuBSY1m3ouzm1WAYHBlYaB0GRquWoN4tYMNSqDOXyj0NKyTkA-o4SPO4QFiKl92Id-dBY-XRVi1ssS7_Dwd7stnj-g/s600/whatsoverthere.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixeJLP6RC3N_d4hGWzxKVZMS9hoxUMQTvgvyw-QC6C6x8DLeIgnysyKzjUMkB-m7HpEiWEqV_uUwP6rL3hrg7rO3Qla3KjVNJVFuBSY1m3ouzm1WAYHBlYaB0GRquWoN4tYMNSqDOXyj0NKyTkA-o4SPO4QFiKl92Id-dBY-XRVi1ssS7_Dwd7stnj-g/w300-h400/whatsoverthere.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>We started off and immediately had to cross some deep mud, which took a little patience, but he walked though, no jumping, just needs ot take his time to look at things. We were riding along, I'd taken a few photos, and then it hit me.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4TkbdHP1pov233p34H9DX24jUUVbVtm8_0cqS6kb-C2mX6fTmxVbojPbb7foZ9FrNzvDNelUCRK7dwy8FyQS95J_jPtHBOyyssj-unPc-rp7dUo6nXAsT4TXOSkZ37l1v6wPif_F2CB2khspB-yeDAxaFr8yIaN3j-Dn422MEN8O385l96ZhT6VHTJQ/s600/my%20rock%20lupine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4TkbdHP1pov233p34H9DX24jUUVbVtm8_0cqS6kb-C2mX6fTmxVbojPbb7foZ9FrNzvDNelUCRK7dwy8FyQS95J_jPtHBOyyssj-unPc-rp7dUo6nXAsT4TXOSkZ37l1v6wPif_F2CB2khspB-yeDAxaFr8yIaN3j-Dn422MEN8O385l96ZhT6VHTJQ/w300-h400/my%20rock%20lupine.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTH32sR1xZyha6dA5gd5LFlqEfSO2742tAr95sZu2WVCKFJEEDq-0L8BWKxqZ-kwtSrcxwoPgmSr3Wbq2jXsu8e_vX0RMPH1hEdsM-xuAFEwegHczGLceClSTBePAjiRGuSSf6gdlSO_zfwuMNRyfvi22DkkygDP1O-aza-UCTPHP1LPJGdWLlijJRA/s800/water%20lupine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTH32sR1xZyha6dA5gd5LFlqEfSO2742tAr95sZu2WVCKFJEEDq-0L8BWKxqZ-kwtSrcxwoPgmSr3Wbq2jXsu8e_vX0RMPH1hEdsM-xuAFEwegHczGLceClSTBePAjiRGuSSf6gdlSO_zfwuMNRyfvi22DkkygDP1O-aza-UCTPHP1LPJGdWLlijJRA/w400-h300/water%20lupine.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>I was just sad. So very, very sad. I stopped Miles as I couldn't see through my tears. The last times with Major through here, all our lupine adventures, they felt gone. The rides with my friend C and her horse Shane, gone too soon as well. I know they are memories but the giant hole in me felt so very huge and raw right then. I'm sure Miles didn't understand at all when I got off and slowly walked him a bit.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUj51ClL-T7sRvwyIKU4JZORgsKsgXZIaicZWvROlJz7KfhLMWralABFk1cz1VXu7sBm0kr8eNk_War78RmxLNl_Is99eLlDmYB18jO94n1LBXddEunkpu4C89AQO1ENuWydZytRvNrb_gMamyokkwxY5Sdq6CY-rtsmTOjKbCN5IZmERea2LOnxkpag/s600/lupine%20thinking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUj51ClL-T7sRvwyIKU4JZORgsKsgXZIaicZWvROlJz7KfhLMWralABFk1cz1VXu7sBm0kr8eNk_War78RmxLNl_Is99eLlDmYB18jO94n1LBXddEunkpu4C89AQO1ENuWydZytRvNrb_gMamyokkwxY5Sdq6CY-rtsmTOjKbCN5IZmERea2LOnxkpag/w300-h400/lupine%20thinking.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>With a sigh to suck it up I got back on. Miles was very good at the lake, we even did some trotting! Well, until we returned to the forest, and he figured out where we were, and some barn-sourness appeared. We're working on it…by working. Circles and side-passing and backtracking and then we can walk forward without jigging. A good distraction.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSGiCClLMBy7ga1cnrw3PM7MbSkQ0SqbfTRnqZdYx2-4UU-BA4g3XL-bq6VABVfqEXT-dqRjWq3FzTPIJ-AmJm-L1v_WEr_MgXokKFskt2d6s_dKWSBhH-OdIIhq3tAKlE3gSioKRjmfoU70UaWvXP7sNsl8XMid8q3JwZiRy_qyfN8dGJy9HrdOyrxg/s600/beau%20trail%20lupine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSGiCClLMBy7ga1cnrw3PM7MbSkQ0SqbfTRnqZdYx2-4UU-BA4g3XL-bq6VABVfqEXT-dqRjWq3FzTPIJ-AmJm-L1v_WEr_MgXokKFskt2d6s_dKWSBhH-OdIIhq3tAKlE3gSioKRjmfoU70UaWvXP7sNsl8XMid8q3JwZiRy_qyfN8dGJy9HrdOyrxg/w300-h400/beau%20trail%20lupine.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqquGbXy0_jkU2SG_wUHHhjIJUlOMfYdIj7LROvrvsJVoMU8cDUq6T-0X1kTyWe8nYOwHBPOJBlnM-eXDHtTa1l2VJYZu9GEjg4rdzF7dRZHpiKN_fUfTi1R4I9uT_OYknfxS4f8lQ85uR6UuiqqArpQCiPl4gQRC3txajZ-Ksq_kGBjVFtyYzYHlBDA/s600/beau%20water%20lupine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqquGbXy0_jkU2SG_wUHHhjIJUlOMfYdIj7LROvrvsJVoMU8cDUq6T-0X1kTyWe8nYOwHBPOJBlnM-eXDHtTa1l2VJYZu9GEjg4rdzF7dRZHpiKN_fUfTi1R4I9uT_OYknfxS4f8lQ85uR6UuiqqArpQCiPl4gQRC3txajZ-Ksq_kGBjVFtyYzYHlBDA/w300-h400/beau%20water%20lupine.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>Then to top it all off I took Beau for a ride among the lupine a few days later. That day I found out my friend/Beau's owner has decided no more treatment, and is coming home for hospice care. I took some videos of his ears among the lupine, so she could feel like riding the trails. It is the least I could do.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGo2QORGe84q64MNEyey2kwoEnYnGNOx4fv25GzZ0MeE3u6VIlPdbf8YN0TXRwS90lUJuvClkk2nBi-pDxXvmNWFaYcGgoZ87jqGES-QlR4tcnbdW59V5jBrKhmCh-BTfSmL2lWslZcCJfz4-AfmWVppwZ4EuDyexOU7YQHVFFV_RMtVkwHt_YZ7fudQ/s600/beau%20lupine%20view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGo2QORGe84q64MNEyey2kwoEnYnGNOx4fv25GzZ0MeE3u6VIlPdbf8YN0TXRwS90lUJuvClkk2nBi-pDxXvmNWFaYcGgoZ87jqGES-QlR4tcnbdW59V5jBrKhmCh-BTfSmL2lWslZcCJfz4-AfmWVppwZ4EuDyexOU7YQHVFFV_RMtVkwHt_YZ7fudQ/w400-h300/beau%20lupine%20view.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> The lupine is still lovely this year. But a little harder to appreciate.<br /><p></p>irish horsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11289040711028666546noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4695120516623358773.post-79619087875366665562022-04-01T05:23:00.002-07:002022-04-01T05:23:00.173-07:00d.i.y.: desensitizing clinic<p>Do you have some random crap laying around the barn? And some horses who could use a bit of training or a wake-up day? Well, I did, so I created an arena full of obstacles made from mostly trash and a few dollar store purchases (less than $10). Make your own to <strike>torment </strike>train your beasts! </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtcjEREHDA7DeYdRQX3FrPI74EZt7tjH7DE6R6HqjoRLbYExvbIA3K2LBon9H_uwMwqLl0c5SJnvnVvjp8fiHjLljrOQFfsDBIVbtPYZooBlph_MbNpG0XvuKKADBpIUN6_66oAaKMePxqypFccFemYftHiRC3HOpAloQCG_fuBoPZ3n_WyRBpimUSeQ/s600/clinic%20participants.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="265" data-original-width="600" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtcjEREHDA7DeYdRQX3FrPI74EZt7tjH7DE6R6HqjoRLbYExvbIA3K2LBon9H_uwMwqLl0c5SJnvnVvjp8fiHjLljrOQFfsDBIVbtPYZooBlph_MbNpG0XvuKKADBpIUN6_66oAaKMePxqypFccFemYftHiRC3HOpAloQCG_fuBoPZ3n_WyRBpimUSeQ/w400-h176/clinic%20participants.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">people trying things out<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Miles was a previous halter horse. They wanted him to be wide-eyed with his head up and fancy, but I sure don't! (That is what the halter pictures look like to me! I'm sure there is much more to it.). I don't think he'd had much desensitizing done, so I've been jumping around like a lunatic on the end of the lead line (now no big deal), laying stuff over and around him, slinging my reins over his head, he's getting pretty used to my antics! <p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd9WK0xLLLtAUpaxB_XRmfuGev4BEZPvG_58eLIVfC7HNS-AHP4QogBmO3s1QtsDlOGDCN4DD1zFIcI6NPEq0Zl4Lf0U2A8BkV9DI20XdEoXrxUuP6enrtgrjpsqZWgMVOjMvhDwlFBJF5N-VKnxLE3OxW9cdqdGo8Q3Zd0OMrIuk3EQZH1ckQaRV1Uw/s600/bored%20by%20flower.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd9WK0xLLLtAUpaxB_XRmfuGev4BEZPvG_58eLIVfC7HNS-AHP4QogBmO3s1QtsDlOGDCN4DD1zFIcI6NPEq0Zl4Lf0U2A8BkV9DI20XdEoXrxUuP6enrtgrjpsqZWgMVOjMvhDwlFBJF5N-VKnxLE3OxW9cdqdGo8Q3Zd0OMrIuk3EQZH1ckQaRV1Uw/w400-h300/bored%20by%20flower.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pinwheel flower is dumb, even when it spins<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>But I wanted some more structured work at it. So I started digging around in the barn trash and behind the old sheds. Hmmm, strings and bags and hoses and jump standards, I can do something with these! </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicX7oU5diE3j4l6_RdBEauCoVueaVrep0GCULuf1IE4YMnDE_Iosv7_DqdVKqMLAIfc5W63hJH7kDYD16MxNnWqBixnSys0eEh85SFXaCTkPyqVM0eHDBZ-7abDLwZYYUX7UUaAJaECOm4DpHe5sJNaMlb6_CgfnceC-SF4db9JIhgs4fN3Kvh076Adg/s600/feed%20bag%20with%20cans%20inside.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicX7oU5diE3j4l6_RdBEauCoVueaVrep0GCULuf1IE4YMnDE_Iosv7_DqdVKqMLAIfc5W63hJH7kDYD16MxNnWqBixnSys0eEh85SFXaCTkPyqVM0eHDBZ-7abDLwZYYUX7UUaAJaECOm4DpHe5sJNaMlb6_CgfnceC-SF4db9JIhgs4fN3Kvh076Adg/w400-h300/feed%20bag%20with%20cans%20inside.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bag o' cans is TOO loud<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE6a3cqkiUG6GgsxUnwHV_s-I5LYIEepXOpFx14oHnnb0Eezug53I8eIKBgpTl2d8X6iq_IbvUxYOREdyfhmKpEOofIQBmPV4w70s5LObdQ-ZIqn8dQKZUpMhY7mV_P20ypZMTHYeLwZ7P_GZfOp7v0jtvsDkpQOpKxcwbvdrxJtrMSBdFzE-bN41guA/s600/fence%20feed%20bags.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE6a3cqkiUG6GgsxUnwHV_s-I5LYIEepXOpFx14oHnnb0Eezug53I8eIKBgpTl2d8X6iq_IbvUxYOREdyfhmKpEOofIQBmPV4w70s5LObdQ-ZIqn8dQKZUpMhY7mV_P20ypZMTHYeLwZ7P_GZfOp7v0jtvsDkpQOpKxcwbvdrxJtrMSBdFzE-bN41guA/w400-h300/fence%20feed%20bags.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">flappy feed bags hang on the fence<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>I did spend a few dollars at the dollar store (now the $1.25 store!). Pool
noodles, pinwheels, and a fabulous unicorn kite. No pictures of
the small inflatable fish (think Nemo), but summer supplies will be
coming in soon, so I'm thinking more inflatables will make an
appearance. <br /><p></p><p> I had 12+ obstacles. I did not get photos of all of them, but they were:</p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>hose with water/puddle</li><li>cardboard to walk on (this was a tough one for many)<br /></li><li>tarps to walk on (this too was harder than I thought for some)<br /></li><li>umbrella open but on ground</li><li>bag o' cans</li><li>fence feed sacks</li><li>hose snakes (pieces of old hose cut into safe lengths)<br /></li><li>pinwheels <br /></li><li>twine spiders (baling twine tied together then with a long string you could drag)<br /></li><li>plastic bag <br /></li><li>noodle pole</li><li>noodle walk</li><li>best of all: unicorn kite <br /></li></ul><p>I had a friend show up to help set up, but it was pretty easy. Then I wanted to walk Miles through and show him everything. The item he hated the most: plastic bag. Close second: the feed sack with loud aluminum cans inside. I walked though everything, showed him, gave him time to process, then put him away.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNdvq5GMEz6FcfvEzokjeqjIla0DUpH76zysCZHYN4imNb9vSRfgiVfm7-XSYZgglbSlMXVt18OgUElyUmO6CmYEMgmxGmf62Rp7QuFKJ74DaqtoA1xO2qCof9n5pJDlUwk6enxP9BNhmxaYdDENl_7eT5seql_KAuHD1uMh4oEX29qww874dzA67y4g/s600/hose%20snakes.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNdvq5GMEz6FcfvEzokjeqjIla0DUpH76zysCZHYN4imNb9vSRfgiVfm7-XSYZgglbSlMXVt18OgUElyUmO6CmYEMgmxGmf62Rp7QuFKJ74DaqtoA1xO2qCof9n5pJDlUwk6enxP9BNhmxaYdDENl_7eT5seql_KAuHD1uMh4oEX29qww874dzA67y4g/w400-h300/hose%20snakes.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hose snakes<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> Some other folks from the stable and next door came over to try it out. It was really interesting to see different horses reactions to the same obstacles. Some did not care, some jumped around, but we kept everyone safe. <p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidriesK3ZQEEXcuiiiC5J6lL330XwqGXMHmc_moBxZ79gz8OQkbV7il26FlKDcYuSS8ky08Sa5FUXyvelXWiZysPA1L2VQ-oD_Iv6yjEfZu6RG3dcii4feOndE5zj6S0Oi1K6aYHcPM54P8XfYereeAU17hM0ik4IRwYIuGCPn2Ia8XzPTFImQ5waZRw/s600/kite%20unicorn.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidriesK3ZQEEXcuiiiC5J6lL330XwqGXMHmc_moBxZ79gz8OQkbV7il26FlKDcYuSS8ky08Sa5FUXyvelXWiZysPA1L2VQ-oD_Iv6yjEfZu6RG3dcii4feOndE5zj6S0Oi1K6aYHcPM54P8XfYereeAU17hM0ik4IRwYIuGCPn2Ia8XzPTFImQ5waZRw/w300-h400/kite%20unicorn.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">best unicorn kite!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBG8vLfc7ci8RDYw4HD0GMGBBjCPepxsciwCRG1VxE3rLzQyeGy7s89ocths3vdo70OHr3J-YNlgUuc4RmDLpYHSGhOYuwotsR1V6rqH-IfxVUW11acnkxXsOxPwbGHt5lGVeKpb3Uwe4Dt3U6i7M8vXmG7ZdS0IItwExj8ntbiWuQiq3TH7z_cm2EoA/s600/kite%20eye.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBG8vLfc7ci8RDYw4HD0GMGBBjCPepxsciwCRG1VxE3rLzQyeGy7s89ocths3vdo70OHr3J-YNlgUuc4RmDLpYHSGhOYuwotsR1V6rqH-IfxVUW11acnkxXsOxPwbGHt5lGVeKpb3Uwe4Dt3U6i7M8vXmG7ZdS0IItwExj8ntbiWuQiq3TH7z_cm2EoA/w400-h300/kite%20eye.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">kite gets the side-eye<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> About an hour later I went through again with Miles and I think he had been processing some information back in his pasture. He did much better the second time. And has continued to improve! I know we are not encountering a wild pool noodle in the forest (though
being by a lake you never know) but it's just making sure his responses
are reasonable and he listens to me. It's hard to trust a new person he says (and horse I say!)<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXc8b80TZhsM6SjftsorMfBC6WgeFFwgF6GSaVRD-Po-jKqV4rJSmwb5ZJ3iNNj5X33GtFx-phF9UZjc5ni49ajE5pQAsBpKjnUIaNDd8jZ-91H5HORrmQxho7ihOv5IZBNHDfQ8kuIefeNQVmhbfC8EyZ_mZz1qutqC31hyE8Q1XpOYSce7RTFTWARA/s600/noodle%20pole.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXc8b80TZhsM6SjftsorMfBC6WgeFFwgF6GSaVRD-Po-jKqV4rJSmwb5ZJ3iNNj5X33GtFx-phF9UZjc5ni49ajE5pQAsBpKjnUIaNDd8jZ-91H5HORrmQxho7ihOv5IZBNHDfQ8kuIefeNQVmhbfC8EyZ_mZz1qutqC31hyE8Q1XpOYSce7RTFTWARA/w300-h400/noodle%20pole.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pool noodles (on dowels in an old pole)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3TK4LqmtvvQ5izkm4KR-KS3FvnTeJ0aDmHVLHCok7SnR3j2rWTAsQrqV5JQS7DHv-xF7ZsakpK64V8Tm2_CRORr02sya1lDmQOGjmWjTdZkec7XT7Qk3TXsd1zTkk0LP11VhHYSz4TEGWEfW0iIxW8VprpyWQBFxKu9cWTr0RBvgqtOjfSEAAM8bVhA/s600/noodle%20walk.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3TK4LqmtvvQ5izkm4KR-KS3FvnTeJ0aDmHVLHCok7SnR3j2rWTAsQrqV5JQS7DHv-xF7ZsakpK64V8Tm2_CRORr02sya1lDmQOGjmWjTdZkec7XT7Qk3TXsd1zTkk0LP11VhHYSz4TEGWEfW0iIxW8VprpyWQBFxKu9cWTr0RBvgqtOjfSEAAM8bVhA/w400-h300/noodle%20walk.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">noodle walk<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>It was so great for everyone, we all learned something about our horses, and I left all of the items in the arena (in a less-scary plastic bin) for later use. I've used a few every couple days, Miles is getting better and better about the scariest items and now mostly watches me with a look of "You sure are boring, just playing with the same toys over and over again. Can we go eat grass now?" </p><p>Ok, what obstacle would YOUR horse be nervous about? I'm just glad there were no clowns…<br /></p>irish horsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11289040711028666546noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4695120516623358773.post-78147145340771996522022-03-29T14:46:00.000-07:002022-03-29T14:46:18.142-07:00good boy Shane<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-xN0gTLGZW-PLhymxVhODfOKmCTMTWsF70JmgCwEcBYxK9_hcg_mYQKGKt7FXHTB3pNFq965jAAVzk7dv8UNkrpelzpJYZAmuWpK75Su-mwnO47kZauFtLKk6JG1zelgbsFj-nhX8L6SAdJY2P8HldOuki8H9iMZOleqsigdkhRZRnkKSZRei3ZBXEg/s600/shane%20in%20lupine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-xN0gTLGZW-PLhymxVhODfOKmCTMTWsF70JmgCwEcBYxK9_hcg_mYQKGKt7FXHTB3pNFq965jAAVzk7dv8UNkrpelzpJYZAmuWpK75Su-mwnO47kZauFtLKk6JG1zelgbsFj-nhX8L6SAdJY2P8HldOuki8H9iMZOleqsigdkhRZRnkKSZRei3ZBXEg/w400-h300/shane%20in%20lupine.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shane's first foray into the lupine<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>The horse world lost another good one the other day. Friend C’s
lovely horse Shane coliced, with a very bad twist. When even the doctors
say there is nothing you can do the decision is still heart-breaking.
</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOBRDO4dutKZXA4ZIagbIs1t6AbavNg2xkgx4eq8r2Gyo35vARquhO-tv5kkVXtXk5S-JfrrUsh7cVZ6xLvSo6YkkQc8vaSlD20dZ6AH-lnB-tu0cNGlUgbfhlMZo_paBEx_gcp7tX0ZK8ZKsEuELObNYh8MK1xxBbv8eS2IMB0m1Rz637JxkAr6C-Q/s600/shane%20and%20Friday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="429" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOBRDO4dutKZXA4ZIagbIs1t6AbavNg2xkgx4eq8r2Gyo35vARquhO-tv5kkVXtXk5S-JfrrUsh7cVZ6xLvSo6YkkQc8vaSlD20dZ6AH-lnB-tu0cNGlUgbfhlMZo_paBEx_gcp7tX0ZK8ZKsEuELObNYh8MK1xxBbv8eS2IMB0m1Rz637JxkAr6C-Q/w286-h400/shane%20and%20Friday.jpg" width="286" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shane learning the ropes with his best pal Friday<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHPUMrOgbRq73d55ggkFo2l247ImkapWX83R7dTw9x6LP4nDVKfNgRnnSYdae7M68jKjKFNL3dc8wa7tg2sQjEg7lHoArXql9KA2-VjJnvHKc9FEgQ6lkyLpqIHA3Ve0KdbiiOwqHLQ-ENriGE6Po1bKSWFQTQKfbMvNhWb2rYYHt56rUR2JBK6rlsfA/s600/shane%20sunshine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHPUMrOgbRq73d55ggkFo2l247ImkapWX83R7dTw9x6LP4nDVKfNgRnnSYdae7M68jKjKFNL3dc8wa7tg2sQjEg7lHoArXql9KA2-VjJnvHKc9FEgQ6lkyLpqIHA3Ve0KdbiiOwqHLQ-ENriGE6Po1bKSWFQTQKfbMvNhWb2rYYHt56rUR2JBK6rlsfA/w300-h400/shane%20sunshine.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">out on a beautiful ride<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div>I'd been so looking forward to riding out with her on Shane and me
on Miles, our new chapters. I know C had so many plans ahead of camping trips and other adventures. But sadly not to be. I was glad to be with
her as she said goodbye. But please, no more right now. <br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNE2-RG7l3tWS1vTNYA7crKA_B29TzbpGfvUdU93wmTMHn-4bbFXaEVSmBIAtUJuSVj4-q8a0pBBYwtW86m2N0oIbSE1yR6wO929RuDkpZDQkrf4EYLNflvUqJnLp1u46GfYUZKLhDlePO_mXLh2ZOSqcz7GwkRAgrpiVaThhgjRYccw10l9UrOwXPtw/s600/so%20handsome%20shane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="600" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNE2-RG7l3tWS1vTNYA7crKA_B29TzbpGfvUdU93wmTMHn-4bbFXaEVSmBIAtUJuSVj4-q8a0pBBYwtW86m2N0oIbSE1yR6wO929RuDkpZDQkrf4EYLNflvUqJnLp1u46GfYUZKLhDlePO_mXLh2ZOSqcz7GwkRAgrpiVaThhgjRYccw10l9UrOwXPtw/w400-h311/so%20handsome%20shane.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">he was so very handsome<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div>You were a good boy Shane and tried so hard. Thanks for the rides we shared. Wish there had been more.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-ngqniIbwh4nNeXFxLOkfBXGQ6XzEIaJN2Jgg37kD7KoQ-WME7GPezR2ZDJT1FcOtx5gh9YFi4Oi4xLK_ME2osG5lhKePVvZiftmzkQBAYtatqjRkZMKoCnXe9JYnRjFvamYaE58mNvYJ91LIqq2sskRHjaAHbNePcfFRP2oUyTGdYYmCHA-Nhe2Sg/s600/watching%20clinic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="600" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-ngqniIbwh4nNeXFxLOkfBXGQ6XzEIaJN2Jgg37kD7KoQ-WME7GPezR2ZDJT1FcOtx5gh9YFi4Oi4xLK_ME2osG5lhKePVvZiftmzkQBAYtatqjRkZMKoCnXe9JYnRjFvamYaE58mNvYJ91LIqq2sskRHjaAHbNePcfFRP2oUyTGdYYmCHA-Nhe2Sg/w400-h255/watching%20clinic.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shane and Friday watching some arena shenanigans<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />irish horsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11289040711028666546noreply@blogger.com3