Blanchard Revisited~

Today's Loop

The more research I do on this area - surprisingly - the more I find out.  An area that conversationalists have been trying to protect - for many years now - with the "Blanchard Mountain Agreement".   This trail system is just over fifty-miles north, but worth the drive.  Charlotte invited me up for a ride & it had been a long while since I'd ridden there.  Farah's first time, I think.  Khari & I used to ride here with Diane & Elation.

Charlotte & Aliento check out the map~

Today - we were on a schedule, so had just enough time to do a nice loop & check out the trails.  I'm hopeful that I'll be riding them again this coming Monday - when I'm scheduled to join the "Best of America on Horseback" group for a ride to Lizard Lake that will eventually air on TV.   Either lunch or dinner is included - it was a little pricy - but I'm hoping for Farah & my two-seconds of fame!  :-)  Of course in the deep shadow of the woods, Farah's color blends right in!

In 95-97 I worked for a Broadcast & Industrial Video Equipment company in Everett - so I'm looking forward to seeing what equipment will be used & how the camera crew will go about filming a large group of horsemen on narrow trails :-)

Trails~

The trails are stunning - some degree of difficulty in places, where large rock cover the width of the trail - slippery when wet!  Not a problem we had today!  It was very dry & trails were as hard-packed as most I've ridden lately.  We saw a few hikers, a few on their mountain bikes - but everyone was pleasant & friendly.  From what I've been able to gather - this mountain & the recreational opportunities it holds are still threatened by possible development & continued logging - that supports the Skagit Valley economy.  Someday - maybe these counties will wise up & realize that tourism & recreation can & usually do - contribute many dollars to local economies.  Read here to see what the future may hold for this area.

Not far down the trail, Farah broke into a light sweat - unusual for her - then some foam on the neck.  After a few miles she was again dry.  I think it may had something to do with the anesthetic that she received yesterday for the float - now helped out of her system by a good ride & bath after! 

Horse of a different color~

Khari & Connie at Blanchard

How quickly things change - or at least it seems quick in retrospect...  Last year at this time I was riding a lot, only it wasn't Farah - it was Khari.  I'd decided to get her sold & the best way to do it was to continue to put on the miles & get her as fit as I knew how - ready to move up to the 100-mile rides that I had no ambition to do.  It wasn't until she was sold in June that I had the time to really concentrate on Farah.  I'm always impressed & amazed by people who have several horses & find time to work them all! 

After our lesson today with Sandra, I think both Farah & I had brain fade!  :-)  Finding out that it's not just one cue that alerts your mount to your wishes - it is - I'm learning, a combination of cues that tells Farah what it is that I'm asking her to do.   At least, when I manage to cue correctly & avoid the bad habits that I am working very hard at unlearning!  Farah is willing, tries very hard & does her best.  Her best is much better when it's Sandra doing the riding!  When I'm on-board - we have moments of feeling everything right & that's motivational - at least for me.

Jentry brought the girls up to meet me & Skyla wanted to ride.  Without much adieu I lifted her up & Jentry spotted from the off-side.  Farah - more than happy to be done with her lesson - walked off with her swinging "I'm going somewhere" gait & Skyla was on her way!  She glanced back once at her mother - a HUGE smile on her face!   Not one to give up easily - I'm still hopeful that at least one granddaughter will want to do some riding as she gets a little older! :-)

As a side note - after years of riding grays - I'm SO Happy to have COLOR!  :-)

Blanchard Ride~

Khari, Connie Darlene, Sable, Cinnamon & Kathy

Friday, we were riding "rain or shine".  I met Charlotte at the exit off I-5 & followed her to the trail head where Darlene & Kathy were waiting.  We were saddled & on the trails by 11 a.m.  The wind was blowing, it was cold & looked like rain was on the way - so we brought our rain gear.  We decided on the British Army Trail. 
 

Aliento & Charlotte too!

It was as steep, somewhat slippery & as full of sharp turns, rocks, roots etc., as I remembered from my one ride here, a few years ago with Diane.

Looking Southwest~

We set a good pace & covered a lot of ground.  By the time we reached the edge of the lookout area the rain was moving in & wind picking up even more.  After a short break, we headed back the way we'd come.  I heard my name?  Looked ahead & around the corner to see Patty & Kendal!  It was a gaggle of endurance women :-)  Back at the trailers we loaded the horses & headed to a little tavern in Algers for some Great burgers & beer!   Really nice way to end a day's good ride!  The drive home was through heavy rain & lots of traffic, a 100 mile round-trip for me, but well worth it!