ride along

You know how cops will take a kid on a ride along, to maybe scare them straight? This is like that, a reality ride. Not the pretty "Oh, I had a fun ride" (though it was, nevertheless). But what a real ride is actually like when things are…interesting. Come along for a mostly internal monologue about a recent ride. Ride along at your own risk…

To set the scene: Major and I were joined by C and Friday, still taking it easy after the series of unfortunate events at Cronan Ranch. We were going to try and not do too much, just ride from the stable, maybe a good hour, but I wanted to get some hill work in. Hills around here are interesting, They're either nice short hills, or 1000 foot climbs. Not much in between (in this general area). We're just doing short climbs on this ride. And by the way, lots of landmarks have names, that we've made up through the years. Do you do this in your area?

Heading out, up the first good hill out of the staging area. Major trots up, poor Friday is not warmed up yet and thinks Major is going to kill him. Walk through the poison oak forest. Down Mini Cougar Rock, across Sewer Road. Over to Beginners Hill, steep but fairly short, three sections. I know that new rock, which has been there for at least two years, is suspicious. Just trot Major, no cantering, just trot.

I hiked this hill this week and almost died. Good thing the horses are carrying us this time! Down Red Dirt Hill, over right. Trot along, turn, easy over to the rocks where M saw the cougar. Down the steep slick rock, don't jig, watch out for the branch, good boy, need to bring my clippers.

Over to Ridge Trail, now turn. Trot, we are not going home Major, don't be silly, over this way. Green glowing grass, don't stop. Up to Inspiration Point. Watch the branch, watch the stump, duck right, duck left. Just trot, dammit, trot, rocks, damn, cantering, circle, knock it off. Walk down to the bottom of the hill.

Nice view. Turn around, up the hill. TROTTING. NOT cantering, trot I said, seriously. Cantering, knock it off, up at the top, now circling. Could go back and do it again, while Friday waits up here. That would make it worse. One day I swear I'm coming out here and just doing this hill 50 times.

Away from home, down the other trail, leading to the lake. Found some lost mountain bikers, suggest they take the lower canal trail home, it's easier, plus the upper trail just for hikers and horses. Head back up the hill. HOME! Just trot, Major you've completely lost your mind, knock it off. NOT going home, slow, circle, around the tree, circle again. OK, you're lost leading privileges, Friday in front.

Down, with more sensible C and Friday leading. Follow ridge trail, how is Major in front again? Over the t-post trail, to Lookout Rock. Never tired of this view. There used to be a floating outhouse on the lake years ago.

Let's keep going on this trail. Left, left! Up this smallish hill, oh this doesn't go anywhere. Stop jigging, just walk. Now wait for Friday. Along the trail, across the stream, is this hill safe? Sometimes if it is wet this hill is nasty, but it is dry. We are just walking this hill. Good boy! Evil laugh, this is HARD on the horses. Even Major is working hard on this one. Friday took a break halfway up, completely convinced now Major is definitely trying to kill him.

Down the trail where I found the head of a creepy doll, left. Jigging, knock it off. Now turn on center trail, walk, stop jigging. Circle if you can't listen, oh, you can listen. Fine, we'll go straight. Right up the hill trail, slow down, watch out for the stabby bush.

Easy, slow, SLOW! Stop the manic trotting, just regular, circle, listen, back, down the trail where the bear pulled apart that old tree, across the mud, up the little hill, duck right for the branch, careful over the small slick rock, hey, slow down, we're leaving Friday behind. Oh, you won't slow, fine then, we WERE going home that way, turn right now, now up this hill, watch the rocks, I suggest slowing, No? OK have it your way.

Circle, listen. See, didn't that make life more difficult? You have lost leading privileges again. Friday to the front. Go this way or that? Where does this go again? Oh yeah, to the shortcut trail. You mean with Sacrifice rock? Yeah.

Do you want to go up Stabby Hill or Beginners Hill? Stabby Hill is the one C got poked and ripped her shirt. Lots of bushes to poke you. You lead C. Not so stabby when a sensible person is in charge, and not careening around the corners. Major you're fine back here, stop being crabby, just walk. Good boy.

Around the bend, take it easy, trying to cool the sweaty horses. Cantering, seriously? Friday is only trotting in front, you didn't need to catch up, pretty sure you can keep up with him. Truck ahead, probably out to do something nefarious. Lovely, ripping up more trails, let's go this way.

Down the side trail on red dirt hill, middle trail home. Good Friday is leading. Friday trots around the fallen tree, new trail is more curvy, watch knees! Let's take the hill way home. Down, duck for the head-high branch that is getting lower.

Wow, nice spook Friday. Really, at the decomposing log? Fine, Major in front again. Power walk home. Across the rock, oh cool, pretty coyote. Stand Major, good boy. Sorry to interrupt your dinner coyote, trying to stalk turkeys, good luck buddy, they're a lot bigger than you are!

Down down the hill, just walk, do NOT jump that little creek, good boy, into the field, you don't need to eat right now. Cross the street, now I'll get off. No you can't rub on me. Loosen the girth, take out the bit, now have a snack, turn off the GPS. Gross tick crawling up my shirt, better than my neck like last time.

Walking home, this is much nicer and calmer, see, not so bad a ride. Too cold to hose off the sweaty beast, brush this sweat off, quick towel, go eat dinner, you'll survive. I feel like ticks are crawling on me, shower needed!

Great ride. Problems? What problems?

mistakes were made

Started out with no one else on the trail. Beautiful blue skies, slight breeze, many miles to go. I was hoping to do a fitness-test type of ride, see where we stand about a month before our first ride of the season.

view of where one side of the Auburn dam footing would have been constructed

I headed down into the canyon. This previously nicely-wooded trail has been scalped! They are creating a huge fire break, which I understand is a great safety idea, but it sure is ugly. But it does allow for some different views.

Bridge not scary. Sign not scary. Plaque on rock: always scary.

Once down the hill we crossed the bridge and headed up the Cool side. Major just powers up this side, a nice gradual uphill, all singletrack, opening onto lovely rolling grasslands. Nice and green for another month, unless we get some more rain (please!).

lovely green hills

so many choices

busy staging area

It seems like everyone else had the same idea to ride on this beautiful day, but they were starting in Cool! The staging area was pretty full, and three trailers pulled in as I rode through. Too early for much of a break, Major was uninterested at the water trough and was more interested in watching the other horses, so we headed out.

scenes like this = why I ride

The Olmstead loop trail just goes and goes. Red dirt for miles. Surprisingly, I didn't see many other people out on this far outside trail. With no other company, Major got to hear me recite some poems as we trotted along (singing would be too painful). A woman walking a horse did bring Major into meltdown mode, till he figured out what it was.

our trail and the dam road, seemingly endless

I do think we both started to lose interest as the miles passed. I remember looking at my GPS at about 12 miles, knowing there was about 6 more miles of the similar trail, wondering if I just should have taken the cutoff I passed a little while ago. But no, we'd get through it. Major would trot along, no pulling, which was nice, but I'm sure he would have appreciated an equine friend for motivation.

Knickerbocker creek

We got to Knickerbocker creek, which was lovely and cool, and filled with salamanders swimming along! But it was just a short respite. Major still didn't want to drink, so we climbed out, his boots squelching, a bit refreshed.

blooming manzanita

suspicious stumps, blooming ceanothus

And on. More red dirt. I got off on the steeper downhills. And then came to the fateful sign. "Olmstead Loop Trail, Cool 1.7 miles. Training Hill (steep), Western States Trail 1.4." I knew heading home to the same point was actaully about 3 miles, and figured Training Hill trail cut off almost half of that, why not try it? It said steep, we've done steep, no problem.

take heed of the sign

It starts off gradually, to lull you into complacency. I was handwalking anyway, the Training Hill part is only .9 miles, no problem.

Are you sure you read this Mom? Steep? See this cairn? Dead guy underneath I bet.

gradual part, amazing view of the Sierras

And we walked down and down and down. Rocks and shrubs. The trail was quite often lined with blooming ceanothus, which has tons of little white flowers right now, smells awful and is full of bees. Down down, more rocks, Major slipped on a stretch of flat granite, my knees were hurting. Major was DONE. There are no switchbacks, just straight down the mountain.

I'm done. DONE. We can stop right here.

Poor guy, he was convinced I was dragging him to his death. If he does not like the trail, he tells me in no uncertain terms! So he kept stopping and looking at me questioningly, I kept dragging him down the hill. Down down down.

At the bottom, a nicer, less steep (!) part, looking up at a crazy runner.

That .9 miles took probably a half hour, if not more. At the bottom Major wanted to turn right, back towards Cool. I think he was completley confused as to where we were. Turning left back to Auburn he was balky for a bit until he figured out where we were.

We crossed No Hands again, and Major picked up the tempo. He didn't want to canter, didn't want to walk, just workman-like trot up the mountain for four miles. We crossed two creeks, where he didn't drink. And he had enough energy to give the stink-eye and prance past the cut logs.

Move the giant rock already! Roll it down the hill!

Final view of the river

Back at the Auburn staging area he dove into the trough, and drank his fill. And then dragged me over to the grass, and munched while he was untacked, boots removed, and hosed off (well, there was dancing around for the hosing).

Overall for behavior, he gets an A. I wasn't thrilled with his balkiness coming down the nasty hill, but when the worst your horse does on a 22 mile ride is stop on the trail till you urge him along, he still gets an A.

We covered 22 miles in 4:02 moving time, with about 30 minutes of rest in the middle. That includes 3,542 of elevation gain/loss. Just bit over 5 mph. I do think our speed/attitude (of us both!) would improve if we had a friend along. Major recovered great, looked perfect the next day, and was completely full of it two days later when I (attempted) to take him on a bareback forest ride (let's just say I was not completely recovered!).

We need to do more hills, maybe practice the shorter Auburn-Cool trail, at better speed. I know at home I can get the speedier workouts, and now I can fit in evening rides, which will help. We should be ready for our first ride at the end of April, but I'm a little worried, since it's the tough AR 50. But it's our home turf. We can do this.

solo

Many of my rides are solo rides. I like being able to choose where I'm going, speed, distance, etc. But I like riding with friends too, just a different kind of ride. I had a great ride earlier in the week with friends, and then headed out, just me and Major.

Tried to head out. As I dragged my horse up the lane, I wondered how slow he could possibly walk. Longingly looking at grass, stubbornly just stopping, the "I want to stay home" attitude was just like a sullen teenager (Yes, I remember those years. Sorry parents, I now apologize). Anyone else have solo ride issues?

Once on the actual trail he was a bit better, though needed far more encouragement as we headed away from home. I wanted to do a few hills, and we found a good one that goes up to a fancy housing development. We've done it before, but Major did not quite remember. When I pointed him away from the main trail and up the "new" trail, he took off. He either thought it was heading towards home, or just wanted to explore, but we bombed up that trail. Which unfortunately dead-ends at aforementioned fancy neighborhood. So down we went, prance prance prance.

riding solo, taking time to stop and walk down the hill

And up again. And down, and up. Repeat. I got off on some of the downs. I honestly thought he'd figure it out, as I tried to get him to just slow trot. No such luck, just a pulling contest. OK, onto the next hill. In disappointment to Major, we did not turn for home yet, but down the trail, till we got to another good hill. Up, up the old road, now it ends in a neat house with crap all over the yard. Too bad, neat place, awesome trail access.

And back down. This one we didn't repeat, I don't like the footing of mostly cracked asphalt covered in old leaves. But a nice view from higher than usual above the lake.

green glowing grass

solo view

We headed towards home, but not TO home. Major, of course, does not know the difference. No dragging this horse now! We're going home! Except we passed the turnoff. That's OK, there's another. Oh, we passed that too!

By this time I was just about DONE with my horse. But I knew I couldn't be until I got some better behavior. So down to the lake we went. As long as he just trotted, I left him alone. And finally about 9 miles into the ride he figured it out. Something clicked (or he got a tiny bit tired) and we were able to take it down a notch, and actually do some nice normal trotting, a few collected canters, and even walked without jigging.

solo tree

quiet, with vultures

That was when I was actually able to notice how lovely out it was. Birds were chirping. A slight breeze ruffled the still waters of the lake. Vultures drifted on unseen air currents. I took a deep breath, realizing how tense I'd been. Person feeds off of horse, horse feeds off of person, vicious circle.

solo idiot truck on state property

Going home we encountered another solo, this time a true idiot. Who drove his truck onto state property where no motorized vehicles are allowed, hoping to play in the mud or destroy something. Just lovely. And reported. (The problem is these trails are far from anywhere a ranger can easily access, and the parks have so little staff. But I always report, just so they know what is going on. There is a burned truck on the upper park trail. Seriously people, why live in this gorgeous area if you're going to ruin it?! Please go somewhere else. OK, rant over.)

Back through the forest was a nice cool down. I usually turn and go by Bread Rock, but this time went with Major's wishes, and took the Elephant Rock trail.

Elephant Rock: what, you can't see it?

Here it is.

Right after Elephant Rock is a tree branch that tries to kill you. I think it is worse that someone trimmed it off. It isn't trimmed short enough, and juts onto the trail to jab you in the ribs, or knock you down like a lance (idea courtesy of C, who mentioned it on a ride other day). Many obstacles on our trails!

Lance tree will try and get you, pay attention!

Back home it was warm enough for hosing, which was good because Major had the David Hasslehoff hairy chest thing going on. Long winter fur + sweaty = one non-sexy horse! In the end a good ride, while we continue to work on just about everything…

creature feature

It came from under the earth.
For ages it lay in leaves and rot, just waiting.
The rains came, the creeks filled.
And they came.
FOR YOU!

These little creatures have invaded local creeks and canals. They look like aliens with their smooth skin and strange yellow eyes.

just chillin'...

I'm ready for my closeup

But they are newts, specifically the Sierra Newt, which come out to mate in the water. The rest of the year they live a peaceful existence under leaves and logs, eating worms and other creatures. They are highly toxic (with the same toxin as the puffer fish), so don't snack on this little critter. (Though I did read that some garter snakes eat them, and have developed a resistance to their toxin, how cool!)

American River Canyon

On a walk last night they were out in full force, climbing around the canal, dangerously crossing our path. I rescued a few that were on the footpath, and set them carefully aside. Some were having some amorous encounters, others just looking for love, or maybe just a snack.

You lookin' at me?

so slow on the forest floor, in the water they're quite agile

We only see them about once a year, but I love it. Every year I walk along the canal like a little kid "Look, there's one! And another! Wow! Come over here!" The wonder of nature doesn't need to be majestic mountains or beautiful animals, it can be a small, slow, quiet creature, just stoically going about life. With orange accents.

catch ya next year. Later!

weather and trails, etc

This spring the weather in Northern California has been amazing. A few really cold days, but almost no rain, dry trails, great, right?

Not so much. While everything looks green right now, we are in some serious trouble. March didn't come "in like a lion", it was 70 degrees and blue skies. In December we had some massive storms, making the Sierra snowpack more than 125% of normal. And no rain since. Seriously. Northern California is shattering a record, and not a good one. The driest January/February in recorded history. Just under 2 inches of rain, when 17 is average. We are finally expecting some rain this week, I promise I won't complain. Much.

I have had a chance to do some exploring sans horse, going back to a park I hadn't been since I first got Major. Hidden Falls is a lovely park, that feels like Disneyland. Everything looks manicured. Every trail has lovely footing, all bridges are wide with handrails. I'm not used to that much civility on my trails!

two roads diverged in a wood...

pretty view (tiny distant horse has a great pasture!)

There is a lovely waterfall that you used to view just standing on a giant rock outcropping. Now for safety they put a deck and railing. It is a very pretty but kind-of dull place, and weekends it is packed with bikes and strollers.

Deadman Creek, different small waterfall (the large one is lovely)

the road home

And it only has 7 miles of trails, Not the best place to condition. But they will soon be adding more than 30 miles of trails on adjacent land, which would make the trip over there much more worthwhile. Maybe on a weekday, so we don't have to dodge so many strollers. And not so many people Major can try mugging for treats.

but it is lovely...

sidenote: The first time I took Major there was one of his very first actual outings. We went with friend B and Major’s buddy Friday. Trotting along, I soon realized Major didn’t quite know to stay on the trails like an experienced horse! We came around an inside banked corner, Friday kept going, Major just jumped up the bank and kept going straight up the hillside. It was pretty funny, I hadn’t TOLD him to turn, so he kept going. There was also a squirrel that kamikaze jumped over Friday’s head, interesting ride that day.


I also checked out a local quarry. Not a riding place, but just historical interest. I've lived in the area for more than 10 years, and haven't seen half the stuff practically in my own backyard. I think many of us are guilty of that. So I remedied the situation by taking SO and wandering around Griffith Quarry in Penryn.

evidence of the saw/chisel cuts slowly taken over by moss

piles of mossy granite boulders

There is a small museum with old tools, also telling of heyday of the area, the buildings that the Griffith Quarry granite was used (many in San Francisco) and then a small trail system. It is pretty sad how little is left: a big quarry pit, piles of granite, a few discarded cables and pulleys.

largest of the abandoned quarry pits

the quarry pit now just filled with water

Interesting but disappointing for history that more of the facilities didn't survive. I'm sure some were taken apart and used elsewhere The rest fell into disrepair. I do appreciate that about 100 years after it stopped being used, there is little human evidence left. It is slowly being consumed by moss and trees, only the large pit and unnaturally rectilinear stones will remain.

ferns fitting into cracks

quarry discards

All of this made me want to reread two books: The World Without Us was a book I really enjoyed that has stayed with me about how the earth will survive/recover if humans just vanished one day. Makes you feel pretty small. The other book is about someone small. A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving has scenes involving a quarry. That I reread every year and it breaks my heart. Every time. You think I'd get over it!

Maybe with the rain coming I'll get some reading done. And research new places to scout for upcoming adventures.

spring vaccines

Monday it was vaccination day at the barn. I was worried already. Major has previously had reactions, so I'm super careful. He gets the minimum needed. Now, I know this is different for everyone, and vaccinating anything is controversial. But I think vaccines are important, but have to balance that with the health of my horse.

Luckily I have a great vet I really trust. He makes suggestions, I research, we come to consensus. Today started with IV benamine. I don't like the extra cost, but it really seems to help. After that a quick vaccine shot. Major is a very good patient, and got carrots and some crack hay (alfalfa). And I waited and watched.

Trying not to look up into his pasture every minute, I dissembled and cleaned all my tack. And washed my girth, bridle and more. And then checked on him: eating peacefully, no issues.

I moved to my inside tack area. How does all this crap accumulate? There was stuff that should be at home, stuff from the trailer, just stuff. As my friend B noted, it was "chaos with orange accents." Love it.

Chaos with orange accents

And Major was still bright and perky, probably wondering why I was still at the barn. So we took a walk to munch on grass.

I left for the day, he seemed fine. No calls, even better! But the next day he was super sore, and a bit stocked up from not moving around. I should have kept him on the benamine. He had a tiny fever, and got a dose of benamine, and walked to eat grass, slowly and not very happy. I hate seeing him like that!

Wednesday much the same, but more willing to eat and trotted behind me as well. Still stocked up. Yesterday (Thursday) he was a complete idiot while being led, seemed to feel just fine! Stocked up in two legs that went away with hand-walking/prancing down the lane. Still won't bend his ouchy neck for a carrot, but pulled away dragon-snorting at two other horses galloping around. After that he didn't walk, but pranced, tail in the air, I don't know if his feet even touched the ground.

perky boy gets to just eat grass for awhile

He is so completely full of it, and needs a good long ride. But I'm giving him at least the weekend off, except maybe a hand-walk hike. He obviously has some sort of response still going on. I'm debating next year spacing the vaccines out even more. Since he already gets the minimum (in a 3 way shot) I could do each individually. I know this reaction is not much in the grand scheme of things, but I can see it is bothering my horse (and me!)

So I get some time to hike and chill out, Major gets to eat grass and probably scheme his next devious ride with me.