good night

17 years ago a feral kitten appeared in my backyard. My roommates and I called it "Tom" cat. It was not tame, but I trapped it and got her fixed. 

And she never left. Until I had to let her go last week. It was the right choice, and the hardest thing I've ever done. 

I do not believe there is anything past this world. But for 17 years I was her world, and she made mine whole. And that will have to be enough. 

Good night, Thomas. 

a simple tale

trail beckons

water rises

green glows

rocks recede

speed increases

walls fall

naughty waits

trail twists

tights tear

mud sucks

hasselhoff returns

horse rewarded

accidental finish

winter fuzzy ears

Have you ever just been trotting up the trail when a runner goes by? Then another? Then you're in the midst of one of the largest trail races in Northern California?

Yeah, I hadn't either, until this weekend.

I left the staging area intent on about 15 good hilly miles. About 5 miles in there was a man standing on the trail waving a couple runners on. There weren't many, I thought one of the local running clubs was just out for a day. Until a giant horde of them started coming down the mountain! We just gave trail, stood off to the side, let them pass. Moved on a bit, let them keep coming. We had to use shared trail for about a mile. I got asked if I knew the trail was closed about 50 times. Um no, or I wouldn't have come. It isn't technically closed, and I was very sorry to be in the middle of their race, but totally did not impede anyone's progress! I'm getting off trail as soon as I can!

two paths to choose, of course I picked the wrong one today!

I was so happy to see the turnoff for Pig Farm Trail (steep). That is literally what the sign says: steep. Yeah, steep, and nasty boot sucking mud. Up up up. Then stop, get off, fix boots. back on. Repeat. Fuck. I was not very happy at this point. And Major was raring to go!

Once at the top we headed to the staging area. Note: at this point I'm obviously an idiot.

And the staging area was closed. But not just closed, there were runner crews and cars and crazy everywhere. But I had to get through to get back to the other side of the trail, or detour back a really long way. (Stubborn or stupid, you decide. Probably both.) So I decided to chance it and led Major through the gauntlet of flags, streamers, balloons, blow-up finish line, blasting music and a timeclock. We crossed that finish line in 2:17.

previous finish line: add more banners this year, but fewer spectators for our crossing!

Except for one little jump forward Major didn't seem to mind the chaos. I don't think I need too many desensitizing clinics now! Once through the gauntlet, we headed to the other side of the staging area and left quickly!

tiny runner ahead, but not one of the racers!

ponds are full

but we still need more rain

I hate this part, Major too. Nasty footing.

crossing the creek, some salamander hanky panky,

The rest of the ride was the usual combination of lovely rolling hills and awful rocky trail. There is a spaghetti of trails out there, lovely ponds and creeks, though I always manage to get on the rocky, nastiest section eventually. There was one ridiculous moment when Major was stopped in his tracks. By a lost sweatshirt. On a bush. Luckily when we later saw a little tree wearing a lost hat he was fine. Major obviously possesses a fine fashion sense.

tiny salt creek

down, down more rocky trail

There was the nice pond trail, crappy rock trail, crossing Knickerbocker creek, more rocks, and going back down the hill. Major then lost all will to live and was convinced the horse apocalypse had come. I dragged him down the hill behind me for a couple miles, till I was annoyed and just got back on. At which point we encountered some riders heading our direction and Major had a miraculous recovery! Faker.

Major says "I think I'm done now"

All is lost...

going up Robie Point, almost home!

Ride up the Auburn side, one more death slog/hike down Robie Point, made a bit better with grass snacks (getting back on, damn, this horse has gotten taller.) Back at the trailer, four long hours later, 21 miles, unintentional overtraining. I wasn't planning such a long ride for at least another few weeks, but we had to get home somehow!

The real running trail race, 50k (31.2 miles) on super tough trail with tons of elevation, was won in a record-setting time of 3:04:48. That is seriously impressive! Major's real ride time minus stops: 3:27. Man totally beats horse. But I'm not trading in Major anytime soon. Except for the death slog/apocalypse sections, he was a star.

Training alone is hard, that motivation they get from other horses just isn't there. I do need more training with others, but that is a mental test for Major, not a physical one. Daylight has returned in the evenings, Spring is almost upon us (even though we never had winter) and we have many miles to go before we're ready for anything. But it's a start.

it's a hard knock life

Alternate titles for this post:
Many, many wrong turns later...
Do not enter, wrong way
Left turn at Albuquerque

P.S. As an aside, I was wandering old town Auburn that evening after dinner, and the Courthouse was just glowing. If anyone ever comes to town (like for Tevis), don't just drive by, but walk around it. The building, rock and brick work is just lovely.

Auburn Courthouse at night

impressive stairs

golden time

I was crabby. A 4:30 a.m. start to a super long annoying day at work that had led to me not getting off in time to ride. I wasn't in the mood to ride after dark in the forest. I didn't want to saddle up. I didn't want to hop on bareback. I wasn't in the mood to deal with any naughty behavior. But I also didn't feel like sitting around. In short, I admit, I was having a bit of a tantrum. Hey, it happens to us all sometimes (I hope!).

So I took a hike. Literally.

skeptical horse is reluctant

Major was a bit skeptical heading out on our hike. But he likes my recent plan: learn to walk and chew gum.

why are you up on that trail, just get on!

He will not grab a bite of grass while his feet are moving. I've never reprimanded him for trying, he doesn't even try. Stop moving, and he'll gobble it up. Every horse I have ever ridden will snatch grass when given the chance. Major is special. And annoying! My new strategy is to walk, slow way down, let him get a good taste, and I keep walking. When I get to the end of the lead rope I give a tug and a click, he comes trotting up to me, repeat.

hiking view: worth it

Golden sunset. Maybe it's not so bad out here, we should go back

He's getting better, but Major still can't walk and chew gum. But the green grass is overwhelming. And once I was out there, a mile into the forest, with my horse slightly ridiculously stopping and trotting to catch up, I felt much better. A stop with a lovely view sealed the deal. And back home I let him gobble the tall grass for awhile, and then snack outside his pasture (because the grass tastes better out there).

I can't hear you, my mouth is too full

sunset snack

Major and our hike got me out of my funk, though I was disappointed that I'd be away during the weekend. With a (hopeful) endurance ride coming up in two months, I was worried about continuing conditioning. Then I read the great "Check your privilege" blog, and I realized missing a weekend of riding to visit my grandmother was an important "excuse."

the drive was beautiful

goat hill! at the old dairy

I visited Grandma, and had a great time, went for some lovely walks "back home" and just decided to enjoy the time I had where I was, even if it wasn't conditioning the horse.

The small lake that felt so huge when I was a kid

the carousel at the park where I always wanted to ride the jumping one

curious geese

Because there will be rides, and hikes, there will be horses and there will be more views. But there aren't more grandmas.

fields of mustard

the trail less traveled

redemption at hidden falls

With recent naughtiness in mind, I headed out to a new location. I wanted to see some new trail, and I wanted to deal with my horse by himself.

We hadn't been to Hidden Falls since one of my very first trail rides on Major (pre-blog days)! They did a large expansion last year, which makes it a much better place for training (before there was only seven miles of trails in loops, a bit dull). Now there are lots of trails, lots of loops and everything incredibly well maintained. Compared to my usual rutted, eroded, fallen tree, duck for branches, rocky routes, this is Disneyland!

Are you sure we have to leave my hay bag behind?

We got to the normally very busy park early, and were only the second horse trailer and about 6 cars. We headed out, Major wistfully looking back at the trailer (because there was a hay bag back there, filled with crack alfalfa hay).

Our first trails were in the damp shade, but the footing was perfect, and we both warmed up quickly. Major loves to explore (me too) and just set into a fabulous working trot, up and over and around the great terrain, winding through oaks and along the creek where I could hear the waterfalls but not see them. I'd ask him to slow, and he would, but he wanted to go that nice pace, so I let him, and it was great!

cute little bridge

highly suspicious non-native rocks

lovely view

I dare you to get lost here!

At every intersection there is a sign, and at most there is a trail map too. The longest trail I did was about 2.5 miles, as they all interconnect and get a bit complicated, for a total of almost 14 miles. (For the detailed, the crazy list is: South Legacy Way to Pheasant Trail to Golden Eagle Loop to Black Rail Trail to Warbler to South Legacy Trail to Gold Finch Trail across Salmon Run Bridge to Grey Squirrel Trail to Deer Trail to River Otter Loop to North Legacy Way to Creekside Trail across Canyon View Bridge to North Legacy Way across Whiskey Diggins Bridge to Poppy Trail and back to the trailer.)

huge 34 ton capable bridge, I think we can make it

a view from the creek

suspicious rock with plaque, open potty...too many things to look at!

suspicious logs, why are they lined up along the trail?

There is a lovely creek to wade in, though at five miles in Major wasn't interested in drinking. We found one good hill climb on Deer Trail, shared trail with some nice bikers, had a kamikaze squirrel run in front of us and confronted the suspicious stacked rocks and logs. At 10 miles he drank a little and mostly splashed until I pulled him out of the water because I knew any instant he was going to lie down!

good hill on Deer Trail

oaks leafing out and stunning blue skies

this grass over HERE is better...

pretending to drink, more fun to play

love this little tête-à-tête, quite the conversation spot

Heading back we took the totally not scary (though signs would make you think otherwise) trail along the creek, and then walked the fire road to cool down. One last jaunt up Poppy Trail, where we encountered no fewer than eight groups of people coming down, and Major posed to have his sweaty picture taken by some Japanese tourists (I've had this happen twice before, I'm sure it is posted on some foreign visitor's Facebook page, so odd. But glad to be an ambassador of sorts!).

one way travel probably a good idea, a bit narrow for horses and bikes

a view down to the creek

the other big bridge

Major was hot, though not too tired, it was over 70 degrees

shaded fire break is a good place to get off and hike

at the end of Poppy Trail

Back at the trailer the staging area was now very full, packed with trailers and cars circling for spots, even the overflow lot was full. I counted 13 total trailers, too many cars and was glad everyone was out enjoying the day (but glad we were back and not sharing the trails with them). Major waited not so patiently for mash, ate some grass on the hillside, then we headed home.

I can see my mash. It's right there. I need it. Now.

poser

everyone else was out enjoying the day too

I was so glad to explore this new-to-me place, and will be back, as long as I can go early on a weekday again! I was so happy with Major's behavior, not a spook, no fights, and know that I have to battle his at-home demons on home trails. But it's all an adventure.

back home is best