For as stormy as Friday had been - Saturday arrived sunshine stunning - in all it's glory! I think all of camp slept in - it was so blissfully quiet - at least early on. We'd originally planned to do the afternoon train ride with Janelle & friends in camp. That changed when we heard from our daughter (who lives in Astoria) - that her family was coming down to visit us!
Out near the bay~
I was really looking forward to riding out to enjoy the sun on the dunes & on the beach. Farah again looked at where Sandy had been camping - still hopeful that Ody might be around :-) When we passed the horse ride concession, there was a long group of riders just returning from their ride. The wrangler said he'd seen me last evening & pointed me to a trail that I hadn't taken before.
Fishing dock~
The first time we came out on the bay - we could see north to the dock where Butch & I had walked the day before. We continued on & soon came to a beautiful little secluded valley. Still with mostly native grasses & so gorgeous. Almost like riding in a totally different country.
Farah admires the view~
Eventually, we wound our way back to the main trail & into the little secluded woods area that's so pretty. On the way - we found Foxglove competing with the Scotch Broom for growing space.
The first time we found the outhouse & hitching rails - we had a good laugh! I think it's probably a spot on the trail for the dudes that are out on those all day rides!
We pass the "facilities"~
The trail here, turns out east again & winds along to the next spot looking over the bay.
I think I've taken a similar photo - which gives the true view - of the destruction to a once vibrant - verdant grassland dune. The dark green is the Scotch Broom taking over... Can you imagine how beautiful it was in all native grasses? I've linked above to a recovery project elsewhere.
The tiny coastal forest~
Even here, in this tiny section of coastal forest - you see the Scotch Broom has gained a foothold & is edging out the ferns & natives. Amazingly adaptive even in the shade of the pines. We came to the end of the trail south & made the turn west.
Trail post on the horizon~
You can just see the post marking the start of the trail from the beach, near the jetty.
At the beach~
Since last year, somewhat of a trail has been made down & through the driftwood that piles up here during storms. The signage asks that we stay on trails & not enter the dunes to the north.
Farah~
There was a little wind & Farah knew that on this day she'd get to go! She was excited the minute her hooves hit the wet sand :-) I called Butch - he was already out on the beach taking photos of other riders & waiting for us.
We galloped all the way north until we reached Butch, passing another dude string on our way.
Then we did a little circling around Butch :-) I appreciate him taking the video, as it's helpful to get a chance to see how Farah moves & how I'm moving too. Our first time at the beach with the Stonewall saddle. It was nice to see that I'm not riding like a Monkey on a stick :-) Dean's favorite descriptive phrase for legs too far back, heels too high & body too far forward. At least it seems to be working for us!
Farah & Connie
With all the long trotting & galloping we did, Farah never once raised her shoulders, tossed her neck or bucked into the gallop. All things that she had done regularly in all the other saddles we've used. What a relief to know that she's comfortable - finally! I'm also really pleased with the performance of the Saddleright pad
that Cassandra recommended. We used it for the first time at Mt. Adams & it stays perfectly put, is thin & Farah's back looks super
when the saddle comes off.
Top of the dune~
Farah loves to attack the big dune going to the top of the trail to camp - so we did :-) Then we waited for Butch & the dogs to catch up :-) Back in camp, it was quiet, just the sound of the breeze in the trees & the birds chirping. Almost everyone on their way to the train ride. We had time for lunch, then sat out in the sun until the kids arrived!
Recently, I've had reason to appreciate the little things - more... There are so many little things that make up our world - from the smallest - to the largest - all are so unique to our life here on planet earth. Today, when Linda & I stopped for a short break - the air was filled with these beautiful tiny Dragonflies. So tiny, so delicate & yet full of life.
On the trail~
With the trails open, Linda asked if I wanted her to take me on a ride & that sounded perfect to me. We did trails, lots of trails! The wooded landscape is literally exploding with new growth. As we turned to each section - Linda would say; "Oh - this needs to get done!" With a work party coming up on June 4th - all we can do is hope that the many people who ride & enjoy this incredible area - will come up & spend a day clearing trail.
Linda & Count
Farah again refused to cross a muddy wet spot - she had done so well for so long - I have no idea why she's again refusing. Rather than ride the kind of wild leap that she took on the Quincy ride, I dismounted & sent her over - yes - she made a huge leap. She also spent a lot of time chomping on her bit - when Count was in front. Her preference is certainly for moving out - but I love enjoying the shaded beauty of the spring woods. We went out to the far north - Baby Bear trail. The mother bear & her two cubs have been spotted again this season.
From the Monument
It was just beautiful at the Monument - the Olympics visible through the high haze. Warm in the sunshine, but easy to tell that the weather plans to change. From here - we took the new trail that the Bike Club members finished the end of last year. Winding, very well laid out as a nice challenging trail for bikes, not quite large enough turns for a fast trotting horse. Still very soft in spots too, in another year or so it should settle.
New SaddleRight Pad
As we were making the turn up our road, Butch's truck made the turn in front of us! Butch picked up a box at the gate & I knew right away what it was! We unloaded Farah & tried the endurance style pad. It really seems to be a nice fit! It looks a little large under the Stonewall, which is a small saddle - but covers all the areas I like to have covered. The drop down rigging sits well on it too. I'd ordered a liner - but decided not to use it.
We went to Victoria today - to try out all the little changes that
Cassandra suggested in my tack. First, we moved the breast collar
attachments from the D's on the saddle - lower - to the stirrup hangers. That
moved the "V" of the collar lower on Farah's neck. I unsnapped the attachment to the saddle - to give Farah more room when she's grazing.
Fancy pad! :-)
The SaddleRight pad we're borrowing from Cassandra is at least ten-years old. The color has faded, but the padding is still in perfect condition. Only 1/2" thick - it fits Jackie's requirement of a thin pad for the Stonewall. I have an endurance style on order & hope it arrives before we leave. With a wool felt bottom, it doesn't slip & the saddle stays put on the suede leather top. Time will tell, but I'm liking it a lot so far.
Mt. Baldy -
It was a chilly, gray overcast day - but the kind of weather I love for riding. Just cool enough to keep the bugs down. Wearing a vest again seemed strange after the warm, record-breaking mid-80's of last week.
Looking back down the mountain~
We also tried raising the bit one notch. Farah's canines haven't erupted, but they were close enough to the bit I decided to raise it. Taking away any chance it was hitting. She was not chomping on the bit at all today. I also moved the reins from the bottom ring, to the middle one on the Mylar. Maybe not for competition but it seemed just fine today.
The Salmonberries were ripe! After the last two days of rain, they were so fresh & yummy! It seems early - I know I've made jam in June other years. It was one of my dad's favorites!
Farah in the Deep Dark Woods~
Before Cassandra's visit, someone told me that a good trainer is one that sets a goal for you. We were in the tack room, Cassandra walked over to the Mikmar Loose Ring Snaffle Sandra had me buy for Farah while she was in training. Putting it in her hand, Cassandra looked at me & said; "This is our goal - for you to be able to ride her in this, no matter what you're doing." I was caught totally off-guard & my face must have shown it :-) As her words sunk in, I realized it would be a goal to suit us perfectly! If we get to that point - we'll have arrived in more ways than one! Thank you, Cassandra!
