Summerin'

We worked at home most of the weekend - on just one small section of our woods - under the huge Black Cottonwoods.  Butch chainsawed all the big limbs, I did the smaller stuff & we both hauled it down to the burn pile.  Since I hadn't ridden - today was the day!  The heat is finally On...  Never my favorite time of year to ride - nonetheless - I got all the watering done early & drove north.  I was surprised to see several trailers at the parking area & cars parked along side the road.

Cleared Trail~

We took the trail through the woods & found that someone had cleared the last 100 ft. or so that always gets overgrown. 

Vine Maples

I decided on our usual loop & planned to find all the shade I could.  On these long days - the sun filtered through all the trees is so Beautiful!  Coming up the road where Farah had thrown me Post~  - I noticed this stump off to the side.  Dug into, chunks of bark scraped aside - no doubt about it - the bears were looking for grubs.

Stump~

I wasn't going to take Fast Trail - especially with a short sleeved shirt on, but I love the views.  Fast Trail is no longer fast :-)  Overgrown is a perfect description.  The birds were eating the Thimbleberries, but the blackberries aren't ripe yet.

On Fast Trail~

A nice breeze made the day bearable, but I could feel the temperature climbing.   I did the short video below of a short section of the trail to the Monument.  Carole - this is for you :-)

 

 There was one young guy at the Monument, sitting in the shade.   He didn't look our way or want to be social - so we respected his privacy & stayed away until he left. 

View of the Islands to the Northwest

Someone has mowed & everything looked great, except for a few small pieces of trash that I picked up as we left. 

The Olympics have been so stunning all weekend & today too.

Southwest down the Sound~

The edges of the little hillside that hosts the monument - are now growing the wild Sweet Pea.  They're so pretty when they're blooming - but depending on your preference - can be considered a weed.

Sweet Pea

The sky was such a deep rich blue, with the high white clouds, the wide open views of Summer.

Summer Sky~

When headed into the deep dark woods, a lady on a bike came at us so fast that I thought we were going to crash - but an evasive maneuver by Farah helped, along with my shout!  She mentioned something about Farah being the color of the shade.

Far Peaks~

These far peaks are so stunning, low clouds floating by.  

Whitehorse & Three Fingers

 As we started down, I dismounted, took off my helmet & walked a mile or so.  Farah was so good today - the Magnesium supplement we started her on over a year ago, along with the Vitamin B supplement that Cassandra recommended - seems to be doing the trick.  Spooking at bicycles was not a good thing!

Above it all~  Mt. Rainier

 Besides an unexpected leap over a muddy spot - we really had a great ride!  We never did see another horseman.  We did see a young guy with his phone out in front of him, just past the gate - clueless that we were anywhere around - playing Pokemon Go...  Where this craze will GO - is anyone's guess!

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!