Having a Fine Time~

Riding the north end of Victoria~

(The black is our route today.  Overlaid on part of the red from Monday's ride.)  I woke to rain...  it wasn't much - but it was enough to freshen the air.  It was overcast, but I ran out of the rain on the drive north.  We headed out - both horses with brand new shoes!  We decided to meander - it was one of those mornings.  Tired of the poor quality of my smartphone camera in the woods, I brought the Nikon Coolpix.

As we head out ~

Onto the trails~

Beavers created a spectacular wetland, but lots of trees are dying~

We climb up the ridge~

To the top~

Back into the woods~

Bears recently debarked this tree~

With the wind shift, the smoke rolled in~

Haze over Lake McMurray~

Linda & Count patiently wait :-)

 We did enjoy some INCREDIBLE trotting through the trees!  Count in the lead, Farah determined to keep on him...  missed the trees by the narrowest of margins!   I started yelling yippee as we cleared each one! :-)   Farah started flying up one hill - hitting 14 mph & then slipping so smoothly into a run that we were both sorry that the hill ended.

Both horses are running much better now with angles back up where they should be - another reminder that regardless of what the Farrier tries to schedule - when those angles start dropping & we're putting on these miles & hours on the trail - he needs to keep up!  :-) 

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!

Walk In the Woods~

Since we did not get the hoped for sunshine today, I'm posting a slideshow/video of the sunshine we enjoyed so much last Tuesday!  Yesterday, I found the tops eaten off my newly planted onions.  The little bunny appeared again last evening!  Two Beagles, a 1/2 Coyote & a rabbit???  What's wrong with that picture?  :-)

As if that wasn't enough -- the slugs had been out in force to eat on my Dill & "Chocolate" Basil!  Back to Lowe's this morning for more supplies!  More wire for the "Invisible fence" installation, (Not enough wire is included for five-acres.) to keep the Beagles Home!  Rabbit wire for around the garden, to keep those cute bunnies Out...  Pepper spray to dissuade any further "pests" from enjoying the fruits of my labor!  I mentioned to Butch there's a reason, I never plant much of a garden!  He says when I finally get to enjoy those onions or zucchini, I'll change my mind!