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| Harvey Creek~ |
When we came down to the creek, no less than FOUR very large Bald Eagles lifted into the air & flew upstream! Amazing! I'd already dismounted & to adjust the cinch. No one seems to make black leather latigo's so I was sent a brown one... I didn't want that - Jackie is sending me black beta. In the meantime I returned the brown one & was using one off my kid's saddle. Not the best solution, making me thankful for the roller buckles on my Montana Cincha!
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| Here's one of the big guys~ |
We took the muddy route through the forest & over the bridge - I realized that we were being
watched! I zoomed in to get this shot, but he was pretty close! There was - what I think - was a
Huge female, bigger than this guy - or maybe a youngster - in a nearby tree. No white at all & the head looked slightly different, wish the photo had come out.
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| At the Stillaguamish~ |
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Farah was
Way too Full of Energy!
Way! As we got past the bridge & onto the trail with enough rock that we usually walk it - I was suddenly grabbing leather as
someone burst into a Full gallop in a split second! Transition to a huge trot, we were wasting No time getting to wherever it was we were going! None!
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| The Stonewall Sport |
I finally figured out
why I was so sore from my last ride... You'd think after all the miles I've ridden I would wise up & raise my stirrups
before I get sore? I'd ordered a slightly longer fender, which resulted in longer straps - maybe I'll remember to measure my length one of these days. Once I had the stirrups up where I had some bend in my leg - everything was Much better :-)
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| On the Whitehorse |
It was beautiful out along the river, we went about 1/2 way to Arlington before I had to turn back. The rock was a little settled & Farah was still wanting to trot, so we did with a short gallop thrown in.
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| Lots of silt in the river~ |
Eagles were on short sandbar tearing into something. Didn't look like a Salmon - I doubt there are any & do wonder what the Eagles are doing for food this year?
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| The pretty part |
Heading back, just past this point, two huge trees were down across the trail. Someone had broken off some of the branches, I got off & Farah made both jumps. At the
Apache Junction corner, the sign was missing :-( Such a shame, we all enjoyed it. Again, Farah surprised me with another gallop, this time popping up & over 25-mph, in a very short sprint - with me asking for a slow down! She seems to be the happiest she's ever been under any saddle & is letting me know :-)
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| Sweat pattern |
Today, she worked up a full sweat, for the first time in weeks & weeks! I had that feeling that the energy had built up & I was right! Even with her winter coat, you can see that it's a very nice pattern. The pad is no longer slipping out the back either - what a relief after all the times I had to re-position it while using the Classic loaner. The saddle fits!
It was really a super ride - so mild that I ended up taking my coat off & riding in just my vest & thermal shirt. Doubt I'll bother with the thermal - if our weather stays this mild!
