New Territory~

New views~

Today, was beautiful - early fog to stellar sunshine with an amazingly cool breeze.  Joyce & I met at the MHC & saddled up.  Having missed a turn for the ride Joyce had planned, she improvised & I ended up seeing a new area, always fun.  There was more climb that we expected, but both horses were really having a good day & are so well matched when they trot side-by-side. 

Fireweed!

We'd traveled the road in the first photo, then gone into the trees & soon broke out to see this view open up.  The sky was as blue as it looks!  This hillside was covered not with thistle, but with Fireweed!  Though the word weed is part of the plants name - if you've read this blog for any length of time, you know it's one of my very favorites.  The impact of all these plants in July will be just stunning & you can bet we'll be back next season! 

Next - stunning Douglas Fir

Soon we came into stands of very tall & beautiful Douglas Fir.  Joyce wondered why they hadn't been cut & soon that question was answered.

Beautiful creek~

There was this beautiful creek running down about the middle of where all these large trees were - so we're thinking that it's the set-back requirement that saved them.  The sound of the water flowing through the rocks sounded like the tinkling of bells...

On the downhill side, there was this huge boulder~

The huge boulder stood out even in the trees, have to wonder how or what brought it to rest in this spot?

Joyce checks her compass - Jesse was expecting a cookie!

At the top of the climb, we were disappointed to find just the usual logging turn-a-round, so time to turn back.  As always seeing things from the other direction is just as interesting.

Looking Northwest

Heading down, a huge raptor came sailing out over us!  He had light feathers in the mid-section of each wing & was bigger than most of the Eagles we see!  I've been searching - but have yet to identify what he was.  It was a thrill to watch him sail on the breeze with a minimum of effort :-)
On our way back, Joyce took us up my favorite running hill & without any urging, both horses broke into a gallop!  Our GPS units were showing over 20+ mph by the top of the climb!  A deep breath out of both & off we went! 

White snag - blue sky~

It was really a Great ride!  We covered almost 16-miles & both horses were still feeling fresh.  It's been over ten years since I've had Joyce for a consistent riding partner & as I told her today - she was greatly missed!