Not If... When~

When I arrived at the Victoria parking about noon - it was full!  Just enough space for me to pull in between to other trailers.  Several riders were there I knew - Charlotte was kind enough to come over & say; "hi".  Overcast - with big thunderheads rolling by overhead - I put my jacket on the back of the saddle.

Foxglove & daisy's

We were only a mile out when Farah stopped - I couldn't see a thing & she moved on without urging.  Shortly after that, two deer appeared then disappeared into the woods.  We were staying on the roads, I wanted to move out & was short on time, with a Centennial Trail meeting at 5:30 in Snohomish.

About to reach the bottom of Fast Trail - without any warning - I was thrown!  Farah had suddenly gone into a violent spin & nothing was keeping me topside!  I'd grabbed mane - which allowed me to stay on her side until the edge of the road came up - which is where I hit - hard!  First my lower back, then my left shoulder & finally - the side of my head with a dull thud!  Farah ripped the last of the rein from my hand & took off at a trot back the way we'd come.

Realizing that nothing was broken, just blood dripping from a gouge in my hand - I crawled to my feet & called her name.  She stopped & waited for me to come up.  Once I had her - I was Furious!  She knew it - as I yelled & screamed at her - she took it with a look of stoic intensity.  I called Butch - told him I was in one piece & that HIS horse was in Big trouble!

Gee Mom...

I'd remounted & gone a short way when I realized I'd lost my sunglasses.  Dismounting - I started back down the road kicking at the low growing weeds trying to find them - when suddenly Farah blew herself up & stared at the woods!  In the next instant I heard a distinctive, loud but low huffing!  Branches breaking - the unmistakable sound of a large bear coming our way!  OK!  Forget the glasses!  I mounted fast & we booked it out of there!  Our last visit from the Bear cubs~

Mt. Baldy with rain moving in~

Once through Fast Trail - now almost totally overgrown, we galloped to the top of the mountain - a few raindrops falling by now.

Stunningly beautiful~

By the time we came out at the Monument - the sun appeared.

Olympics & Sound

I was still pretty shook, sitting down to eat my grapes, a bike rider appeared.  Holly asked me;  "What happened to you?"  I looked at her?  How did she know anything had "happened"?  She said;  "You're back is covered with dirt!"  Oh!  I told her my story - it was nice to have her company.

On our way down~

Starting back, the sun-breaks would come & go.  I missed my sunglasses - my favorite pair :-(

Mt. Baldy again~

There's something about the way the storms hug the Cascades through here - I always find somewhat mesmerizing...

Sun & showers

Ever changing - fascinating - a landscape I could watch for hours on end.  We got back to the trail-head in one piece.  As usual, ours was the last trailer in the lot.

Our ride home~

Dismounting - the stiffness hit...

My helmet - not quite "fine" but OK!

Just a scuff mark...

Back of my vest~

I had to rush to get ready for the meeting, Butch drove us to Russ's office at Willis Tucker.   We had our usual full agenda, but Duane didn't make the meeting - as representative for the tree farms - the largest of our adjoining landowners.  After hearing my story - everyone agreed it was a shame he wasn't present - since he needs to be reminded to keep his Bears under better control!  :-)

Where Mr. Bear found us~

A good ride is one where you can ride &/or walk away - I do think my helmet helped!