before and after

Before the ride: I'm still asleep Mom, why is it so early?

The best way to try something new is to just jump in…with all four feet. Major got a present from Santa for being not-too-naughty (notice: not "good." I think Santa is slacking...): four new boots. Today we tried them out in glorious 60 degree weather (sorry for everyone who is freezing out there. Maybe these pictures can warm you a bit...)

a quick snack of luscious new grass

always love a good trail challenge: tractor, tarp and pipes, oh my!

I met my friend C and her adorable Connemara/Arab at the staging area. The day did not start out well when C's phone fell in the outhouse pit! No hope getting that back, might as well ride.

The trails are barely damp since we've still had no more rain. But the horses were fresh, the air clear, and the trails surprisingly empty. The lake was still as glass, and the sky dotted with clouds.

even in drought there is beauty...

I enjoyed the views and the ride too much to stop and take many pictures. The Pioneer Express trail (named because it was most direct route from Sacramento to the American River gold fields) is simply special: technically difficult with lots of rocky footing, then some lovely dirt areas perfect for higher speeds, a few small streams to cross, and always the views.

15 miles later we were back, Major was seemingly just warming up, with all four boots still firmly attached. I then took the time to sponge him off, hose his legs, wipe his sweaty face...and watch him roll it all dirty again in the muddiest place in the pasture. That's the after picture I should have taken!

After: Let's do that again! With kitty photobomber

detour: stinson beach

The New Year started off right: with a traditional uneventful ride. Then Major got a break, while I went on a mini-vacation to the beach.

first 2015 view (yes, that is a burned truck pushed over the cliff to Major's right. Classy.)

January brings weird weather to northern California, often very dry and cold, but no rain in sight. Perfect beach weather. I usually prefer beaches farther north, something about stark cliffs and rocks speaks to me. But this time a simpler beach was calling.

Stinson Beach is just north of San Francisco, and often has the crowds to prove it! It is near Muir Woods and great hiking at Mt. Tamalpais. But mainly it is a gorgeous long stretch of sandy beach, perfect for walking and exploring.

I hadn't been to Stinson for a few years. Then my SO and I counted: it had been when we first started dating, almost 15 years ago! OK, so it had been awhile. But not much changes at the beach.

found a sand dollar treasure: this was smaller than a dime!

But I can't sit on the beach all day, the mountain was calling, "Up, up!" And up we went, at first a tough switchback and stair trail, before leveling out on the coastal trail with spectacular views. 

green trail

up, up, up

hinting at views

ferny trails

worth it, view north-west towards Bolinas Lagoon

coastal trail

above it all

What comes up must go down, down, down a steep fire road with no switchbacks, killer on the legs! (note, next time just go back the other way!). In time for sandwiches on the beach, and an early sunset.

Do as I say, not as I do: don't go down this trail! Up would be better.

Stinson sunset

The next morning we had a coastal miracle: no fog. So hot chocolate in hand we walked the beach to see what the tide brought in.

sunrise over the sea cliffs

long winter shadows

someone built a cool castle we were lucky to see, the next wave took it down!

lovely sand patterns

sea treasure at sunrise

black turban snail shell

Winter might be here, but I'm going to take advantage of the few benefits: uncrowded beaches, sunny weather, and the time to enjoy it.

winter  perspective

welcome quietly 2015

I spent the last day of the year with the best view ever. 

While 2014 may not have gone as planned, I have no regrets. The expectation was of endurance plans, which were sidelined by an abscess and ulcers, then time and budget constraints.

But I still got this view all year. Major and I had a wonderful time on the trail. We did some great training (just passed the 600 mile mark) on beautiful trails, saw our average mph increase as we both got more comfortable at speed, and mainly had more fun than fights.

I hope 2015 brings many adventures with my quite brave (where the hell are you going, that's not trail?!) sure-footed (not OVER the rock!), very forward (just slow from warp speed please) horse. 

Happy New Year!

a very merry

Wishing everyone a very merry Solstice, Festivus, Christmas or whatever holiday you celebrate! With many carrots. 

Drawing of Major by my talented friend Chihiro!

conversations with major: define naughty

Hello Major. Wow, you're filthy.
Mom, let's go, let's go out.
Just hold on, let me open the gate and scoop some poop. Boy, you managed to even get it in your feed pan, great aim buddy....
let's go, let's go…FREE!
Get back in here! Major, knock it off!
I'm playing in the not-supposed-to place! Bite Bandit, tease Tux, tear up mud, wheeee! Uh oh…
Get over here. Now.
Um, Hi Mom, I wasn't doing anything…
No, back in the pen.
but…
No buts, just wait.

OK, now we can go for a walk.
a ride, let's go, let's run!
We can't, you're healing.
I'm fine
You had a fat leg for 4 days.
Just a flesh wound.
No you had an abscess, now you have a hole.
I'm fine.
Yes, you sure think you are. I'm not sure I trust you today.
Who, me?

We never do anything good.
We're walking right now. And last weekend you got handwalked to eat grass, and got special carrots!
Not fun.
Oh really? You loved the carrots.
yeah, I guess that was OK.

Time to head back buddy.
SNORT!
What was that for?
Nothing, thought I saw Santa.
Santa only comes for good horses, you're being naughty.
Define naughty…

Just stand here for a minute.
Can't stand still....urrgghhh!
Deal with it.

OK, we can jog home. I'm not too fast, so just slow.
TROT!
Just slow down, we don't need to do the big trot!
PRANCE, prance, prance
Ok, knock it off Prancer.
I'm not Prancer, I'm Major. 
sigh...

I think you're a bit too full of it, and everywhere is muddy slippery. Want to play in the arena?
It's boring in there, just going in circles.
Well, I'm not walking you acting like this, so we need a little behavior work.
Huh? I think I'm behaving.
You're behaving naughty.
It's behaving, right?
Just get in there.

Oh, you are full of it. I don't want to even ride you silly crazy beast.
Yeah, let's ride!
We'd have to go 20 miles to calm you down.
OK! Where is the trailer!?
I was kidding
Let's go!
Oh, winter is hard…
Trust me, I'll be good. This is my I'll be good face.
That's not helping Major.

Here, back in your pen, have a cookie.
COOKIE!
Wow, everything is just dialed to 11 today, isn't it?
11? I am 11!
Yes, now, play in your big pasture.
I think I'll just stand here under my shelter and poop.
Well, at least it's not naughty.
See, I told you I behave. 

 

henny penny

I'm Henny Penny, and the sky is falling!
Yes, it is supposed to, it's rain, and wind.
But the storm, oh my, the worst in five years.
Five years? Really? Worse than the five inches of rain in ONE HOUR we got last week?
Ummm, maybe.
Gee Henny Penny, what should we do?
Run for the hills! Worry, be scared!
Is this a horrible blizzard?
No.
Earthquake?
No.
A tsunami?
No. You're not playing along!
How about I make sure the horses are ok, that the property will drain, and stay away from localized street and stream flooding?
Um, ok, but that sounds…reasonable.
Yes, I know.

I am SO tired of the weathermen and news this week. I rarely watch the news, but did turn it on to see when the main rain would hit. There was a national live broadcast from a storm-whipped hilltop in San Francisco, with the poor reporter getting pelted with the rain. Yes, it's raining. Drive carefully, have flashlights and whatever you need. We need the rain, though this will not come even close to saving us from the drought (you need a few YEARS of average rainfall to do that). I think we've forgotten that we live in Northern California. It rains. ok, rant over.

We did manage to fit in a ride last weekend, out to the slowly-rising lake. Quite a few of the sandy trails are pretty rutted, and we stayed off the dirt trails to not mess them up. Usually we give it 24 hours after rain, as everything here drains pretty nicely (decomposed granite is great footing). 
 

yes, the lake is higher, though there's a long way to go.

In between storms and darkness there hasn't been much time to ride, so Major gets visited every day and we go walking about if it's not too wet. I like it, and so does he (green grass everywhere!).

He works on tormenting the other horses over the fence, perfecting his grass-snatching skills, and of course, being muddy.

Hi Bandit, what cha' doin?

OK OK! you're crabby, I've leave you alone!

There is still 10 days till the Solstice. But break out the muck boots, stiff curry brushes and welcome to winter.

seasonal stampede

I know California needs to get out of the drought, but I've gotten more than two inches of rain in the last HOUR. With thunder and lightning. Adding to the steady rain all day. Maybe a little moderation, please?

I was under the weather today (bad pun, sorry), so I mostly stayed home and did nothing. Well, I did play with ponies.

There was a tiny stampede on my dining table! I'm working on my seasonal cards, every year I make a little ornament. Every year I also wonder why I make them so complicated with lots of tiny paper cutting. Because making one or two is fun. By 50, not so much...

This year is horses, though I've also had the traditional seasonal robots, rocket ships and turtles too. Oh, sometimes a star or dove. Those are less interesting. 

I make generic for most folks, but friends this year will get an approximation of their horse with colors they like. But I have way too many friends with paint horses: they get a similar solid, I'm not that crazy. 

Well, maybe a little. I'm also working on a museum dinosaur display graphic, which also was on the table (yeah, I rarely cook, the dining room table and kitchen island are mostly used for crafts). So the dino was going to eat the ponies, Rraaarrr! 

I did manage to leave for a bit and check on Major. He was safe and dry under his cover, and didn't even meet me at the gate: he'd have gotten wet, and Princess Major can't have that. He was very happy to have soupy beet pulp with apples, since he hates to get wet I worry that he doesn't go out to his trough enough. 

I think I cook more for my horse than myself...though I did manage to make some leftover turkey soup tonight. Since it's still pouring rain, it sounds just right. Though I'll have to eat in the living room to avoid the stampede...