Cruizing with Friends~

Joyce on her new mare Penny, Charlotte & Aliento, Mel riding Jesse

Joyce was determined to get me out today :-)  She knew the Bronco was in the shop, but said;  "Can't you use the big truck?"  Well...  yes - I could - I've only driven it twice... the second time was last night - when - after I told Butch I wasn't riding because I didn't have the Bronco...  He hitched up the horse trailer to the truck & said;  "Now you're driving us to the Centennial Trail meeting!"  Hum... I'd just gotten back from a ride, had made myself a hot mug of tea & was looking forward to kicking back on the way up there.  Instead - I got a lesson in getting out our gate, driving "his" diesel truck etc. :-)  Tea was still hot for the meeting :-)

Away we go!

It was Penny's first time on the trail & she was a champ!  Mel will be leasing Jesse for the ride season & Charlotte is planning on the first ride of the season!   

My first trillium of this spring

I was far from the first in our area to spot one & this specimen wasn't the finest - but there it was!  The harbinger of Spring in the Northwest!  Not as warm as yesterday, with some overcast & a little humid - it was a perfect day to be out on the trails.

Logged trails~

We rode through the leftover mess from the logging - it had settled a little, but with deep ruts & holes full of water, the horses had to pay attention to where they were stepping.  Finally we were through & I was thinking of how beautiful this trail had been - it was the one where we could really move out at the trot...

Rock here~

 We did a nice pace for the first five-miles, but Penny was tiring, so Joyce & Mel broke off to head back, while Charlotte & I did another quick five.  Farah actually went behind Aliento without much fuss, the bit was oh so nice!  Then - Farah lead & enjoyed the pace.  Besides both horses threatening to kick the other - after a short time, they actually were working well together.  When we stopped to chat - they grazed nose to nose.

Heading home, my final "worry" was getting back in our gate.  I cut it wide, very wide & slid through easily!  Yippee!   My husband was in meetings all day, but I sent him a text to say that his truck was home safe & sound!  :-)

The Glory of Green!

Down the Trail~

After days & nights of pouring rain - it was so great to see the clouds part & the blue sky appear!  Both Lynn & I were itching for a ride - so met at Lord Hill about noon.  It was still cool & the clouds were stubborn - but we didn't mind!  In just a few days - the buds on the trees were opening & the flush of light green assaulted the senses!  Then - there was the smell!  Of fresh air & fresh green & growing everything!

A new trail!

The BCH & Boy Scouts - along with other volunteers have been working on a new trail!  We took it to the point where it stopped, then turned & found another section to follow out.  It led around the lake & past a beautiful, full wetland.  Here though - the smells were of Skunk Cabbage!  Lots of water was flowing everywhere & the river was Full!

Green & glowing Wetland~

At times Lynn wasn't too sure exactly where we were - or where we'd come out - but we didn't care!  Farah started out ornery - but I'm paying attention - staying on task & letting her know that I'm not going to allow it.  Soon - she settled down & gave me a really nice ride.  In places she sunk deep into the freshly plowed dirt - but each time lifted us up & out without any fuss.

Lynn & Sophie

We rode down to where Lynn remembered an old homestead - the trees planted way-back-when were in full bloom!  The grass is so lush that each time we stopped all the mares wanted to do was graze!  The bugs were terrible though - swarming us any time we were anywhere close to water. We'd sprayed the horses down, but next time I'll be spraying me too!

 Ah Spring - how sweet it is!  We both felt truly blessed to be out on the trail on such a glorious day~

Saddle Time~

Heavy clouds, cool breeze~

I was very happy to be heading north today to meet-up with Linda for a ride.  I was hoping that saddle time would help.  There is the healing process that occurs whenever you lose someone - it takes time, lots of time & each day has to be taken at face value.  Riding is invaluable to anyone who appreciates just how much good a big, warm, horse can do for our soul.  Count did his best!

Count & Linda

Linda managed an almost smile & we enjoyed every mile.  At least as long as Linda's phone didn't ring with another problem that she was supposed to solve for someone.  Funny - when you need people to step up - it seems you end up giving them a hand anyway.  Regardless - we caught up on the local news & enjoyed what ended up being a decent day.  No rain!

Farah enjoys her fresh Salmonberry leaves~

As I took this photo - Linda reminded me that no indeed - this was not random browsing...

Count too~

It's "Trail Clearing"!  OH!  That makes all the difference - it's your state-of-mind!  What great horses we ride!  Not only do they take us miles & miles - they clear trail!  With all the use the trails that are supposed to be closed are getting - it's a good thing that someone is doing some clearing!  :-)

Prunus emarginata

 Today - we enjoyed the Wild Cherry trees!  Now in Full Bloom & smelling so sweet that they fill the air with their richness!  This time of year it's as if Washington explodes with Green!  You think this state is green - then comes Spring & you learn that what you thought was green - really wasn't! 

Welcome Spring!

On my morning walk~

Yes!  The skies cleared - at least a little - & I headed out for a walk-a-bout.  It's amazing to me how much things can change in just a day or two.  The Indian Plums started blooming so late this year - but now that they are - their flowers look like white lace against any background.    They love the cool temperatures.

Rascal & Nika

When I looked up from the viewfinder - my eye went right back to it!  :-)  As usual - now that they have to wear their PetSafe collars - I have company on my walks again.  We had to replace Rascal's - it had been "chewed" - by his friend I'm sure.  Another $69. into it - the new one has a light that blinks when the batteries are low.  Nice feature for that kind of money!  But I digress...

Indian Plum blooms with Mountain Ash behind~

Back to the walk...  Can't resist another photo of these.  But for color - at least this time of year, the Flowering Red Currants are the first for us here!

Bloom on the Flowering Currants

I used to hang hummingbird feeders in the early spring - but gave it up after I did some further reading & with all the natural sources of nectar - decided to forgo the artificial.  I've already seen a couple hummers & we should be seeing more soon!  I didn't get the flocks of birds that we usually do in late winter.  Will never forget the first morning I looked out to see Groosbeaks!

Nika eating the blooms off the Currants!

 Only a few birds out today - but I've seen lots of Chickadees up in the woods on the few nice days we've had.   The weatherman has reported that we've now had three times our normal rainfall for the month of March & the month is still far from over!  The creek has been flowing bank to bank & I love hearing the sound of running water!

The creek widens out near the road~

The boxwood's we planted a few years ago are finally getting big!  Soon they will be large enough to block the view of pavement.   Such a tough plant & one of the few that can eek out their existence where it's soaking wet in winter & cooking hot in summer.  The emerald greens have done such a fantastic job of insulating us from the road.  I've yet to count how many we've planted over the years.

Hellebore

The light in these photos is so indicative of the high overcast & off/on rain & thunderstorms that are our normal.  Here's to a Great Spring with warm days, sunshine, light breezes & all the things we enjoy this time of year!

Walk in our Woods~

Salmonberry Lane

It's May!  One of the two months of the year that I think are the most beautiful here in Western, WA!  The greens are so intense & the foliage so lush that I can almost spend my days drifting away inhaling the negative ions!  Since I'm going to be working on the farm the end of this month, I've been trying to get all the Spring "stuff" done!  Moving my geraniums out of the greenhouse & into pots around the house & yard.  Planted zucchini & summer squash in the garden.  Just a couple plants of each - but it should be plenty for the two of us.

With the beating that the Woods took this last Winter, we still have one very large limb out of the biggest of our Big Leaf Maples to chain saw up & figure out what to do with.  I try to find places even for the trees & downfall that ends up on the ground & usually on my paths!  It's a long way to haul it down to the yard & takes forever to use our small wood chipper - plus the noise...

Creek at West Woods

 I've found that the very best thing to do on these lovely days - is just to enjoy them!  I take that extra bit of time to walk, listen to the birds, admire the fresh green of the new ferns & the tinkling sound of the creek...  Time to be thankful for being alive!

Everybody's doing it!

How's this for "cute"?

Seems that baby pictures are "in" this spring :-)  So - I'll join the craze, feeling lucky to be the chosen one; to take some photos of the new babies on Dean's farm!  Cute is what grabs readers - I know it grabs me :-)
These baby Thoroughbreds are the up & coming winners at the track!  Their dams are race winning mares!  One of them - I've know since she was a foal!  I had faith her & she didn't disappoint me.  I know nothing about how to bet, but even with limited experience at the betting window - I won a couple hundred - & No!  I won't share her name :-)

"Like your hat Polito?"

Now I have to get these photos & others over to their owner so he can brag about them too :-)

About Farah~

Farah enjoying pasture time at the GFTF

I haven't written anything about Farah for a long while now.  I've not been able to ride her either - so maybe that's why...  Dean has recommended no riding until the leg is completely covered with new hair - no bald patches, no scabs etc.  

At this point - all seems to be good news.  There are only four dime sized scabs left, all toward the top of the white sock.  The rest have fallen off & new hair is finally growing! There's no heat or swelling either - a welcome improvement.

Since rumor had it that my little "sweetheart" had become something of a witch with a "B"- & - we actually had enough dry weather that things outside weren't soaking wet - she has been allowed time in the pasture!   Polito is careful to lightly wrap the leg to keep it completely dry.  If she could talk - she would tell you how happy she is!

When I arrived today, her tail was up over her back & she was prancing & talking to the horses on the other side of the fence.  She saw me pull up & how nice to have her come over to say "Hi"!  She's such a "people" horse & I love it when she wraps her neck around me & gives me a big horsey "hug" :-)   She consumed the dandelions I pulled for her faster than I could pull them :-)

Winter's light gold coat has almost completely disappeared, with the dark golden brown taking over.  Soon, soon now - I might be back to re-conditioning my "retirement" ride!  :-)

Spring! Hours away!

King Edward Flowering Currant

Very cold!  Blue sky!  What an incredible morning!  Wouldn't it have been nice to have had this weather yesterday...   I'll take it for today!   the buds on the flowering currants are holding their own.

Indian Plum blooming

One of the first Washington Native plants to bloom - lending the appearance of white lace to the light green of the new leaf buds.

Frozen ice on the ground covers~

Spring is around the corner!

Welcome Spring!

First photo with my new Cannon

What a magnificent day!  Sunshine, blue sky, white puffy clouds, then later the Huge Moon!  A day to celebrate!  Today, morning sunshine to afternoon clouds, but very mild.  This Hellebore has been planted in the woods for two years now!  A bit "leggy" due to the lack of sun -- but so nice to find fresh blooms to enjoy!