With Sandy & Ody!

Our friend Sandy pulled in shortly after we did on Wed. evening.  Of course she brought Odysseus - Farah's sire with her!  As you can tell from my smile & Farah's too - they are two of our very favorite riding companions - even if we only get together once a year!

We're ready to head out~

From a star filled night - we woke to an overcast morning.  Very mild temperatures & no wind!  Perfect riding weather!  Both horses recognized each other instantly.  I'll mention again that Farah treats Ody totally differently from any other horse she's ever been around.  It's obvious she likes him - maybe because he can keep up with her & yet she isn't intimidated when he's along side.

Out to the dune trails~

Our plan - was to ride out the dune trails, over to Nehalem Bay - then cross over to the beach side.  Low tide was about 10:30 a.m., so we'd have plenty of wet sand to ride on!

Farah & Ody, watching a boat on the bay~

We just couldn't get over our luck at the good weather window.  Even though both horses were full of energy - they were giving us a fine time :-)

Sandy & Ody~

We went as far as we could along the tide flats of the bay - the first time the tide had been so low - allowing us to follow along the south side of the jetty right up to where the ocean comes in.

Signage~

We turned back, following the jetty back to the trail across the end of the dunes.  There - we crossed over to the ocean side!  I called Butch, to let him know that we'd be heading north along the beach & hopeful that he'd come down to get some photos!

Rockaway from the jetty~

I zoomed in - to get this photo.  Cape Meares is just beyond~  We trotted all the way down the beach!  Just too much fun for us & our horses too :-)

Butch was waiting!

These two are so perfectly matched!

Every time we get them together - we wish we lived closer - what fun it would be to teach these two to move as a team :-) 

Heading north on the beach~

We rode on north - met up with friends - chatted - then continued on to where the small creek enters the Ocean at Mazanita.  Finally, since the day was getting darker by the minute, we turned back & met Butch heading back to camp with Nika & Rascal.

The Man behind the camera~

Almost a twelve-mile ride, with the trails we'd taken on the dunes & going north to Mazanita.  Once back, we had enough time to unsaddle before the rain came.

Rainbow over camp~

 We retreated to our respective camps - soon rewarded by a rainbow~  Butch built us a nice fire, we sat out & enjoyed a star filled night.  I'd let Farah loose to graze around our spot, but soon Butch said;  "Farah's gone."  I went looking & found her with Ody - they were rubbing each others withers.  I picked up Farah's lead, just as Ody must have made an inappropriate move & was rewarded by a loud squeal :-)

On the Way~

Grandson Ben's Dad dropped him off Tue. evening to spend the night.  Ben was traveling with us as far as Astoria, where his Mom would pick him up.  He'd have a few days to visit his family, before returning north with us.  He'd brought his BMX bike, it found a place on the front of the truck!

Making the turn onto I-405

 We met up as usual, with some of our group at Clearview.  A little late leaving - it was after 9:30 by the time we were on the road & turning south.  Once on I-5 - traffic was moving & we were catching up with our friends who'd taken the express toll lanes.

Across the Columbia~!

 By 12:30 - we were on the bridge, going over the Columbia & entering Oregon!  The usual plan is for everyone to meet-up at the Astoria Safeway for last minute supplies.  Ben & Papa got the bike off the truck & Ben stretched his legs - after having to share the backseat with Nika & Rascal :-)

Ben & his bike!

 We were actually first in the long line of rigs that were soon taking all of the parking along the side of Safeway's big lot.

Are we a caravan or what?  :-)

 Deciding to get something to eat on the road, we came out to find two really cute pixie's waiting for us!  Papa recognized them as our two youngest granddaughters!

Papa with Skyla & Josie!

 Josie, her mother tells us - is a fashion diva - always in a dress & always looking for the appropriate accessories for her outfit!  Skyla - on the other hand, loves pretty dresses too - but is also more of a tom-boy :-)

Josie, Grammy & Skyla

 I had to get my photo taken with these two little beauties too :-)

On the fender of the horse trailer :-(

 Skyla wanted up to see Farah, next Butch lifted Josie up - but obviously - that was the wrong thing to do!  Ms. Josie wanted nothing to do with being on the fender, or being so close to Farah!  Papa made amends & we ended the too short visit with kisses & smiles all around!

Setting up camp~

 It was just 3 p.m. when we pulled into the park!  Sunshine & a light breeze - just perfect!  Over the last few years, we've had really good weather all in all.  Sometimes cold, maybe a Lot of wind, even both one year - but never rain... 

Farah under her new cover~

 After looking at the long-range forecast - Janelle recommended that we purchase covers.  Costco got in a shipment just in time & we bought them out!  Really easy to put up & the 13x13 size fit perfectly inside the corral.

Rascal~

I'd put dinner in the oven when we arrived - our camp was set up & soon it was time for our evening pot luck!  Time to sit, eat & catch up with our friends, some of whom we only see once a year!  We're here!

Gettin' It Done!

Tools of the Trade~

National Trails Day!  A super sunshine morning to meet up at the Pilchuck Glass School parking for our work party!  A combination of Trailduster's & Cascade Horse Club members, along with neighbors & a couple representatives from a local bike club.

Where do we go from here?

As Linda has mentioned often, the hardest part of the job is organizing all the volunteers & sending then out to the various trails!  We ended up with a good group - probably close to 20 people & several that knew the trails well enough to head out & attack the trail of their choice!

Discussing the sign-in sheets~

We had to sign hold-harmless releases for the tree farm, then sign in to our respective BCH Chapters.  Paperwork out of the way - it wasn't long before we'd dispersed!  Butch & I had planned to work on one of the trails that leaves the Monument.  Heavily overgrown & tree branches in your face when you're riding.

Butch on the trail~

 With Butch using the weed-whacker ahead, I took my pruners & started in on the trees.  What a job!  I cut each & every one way back to the truck of the tree!  I'd get one done, turn back to look - & see everything I'd missed!  With the branches removed - it gives the blackberry vines one less thing to climb.  Where I could I walked back in & cut the blackberry at it's base - which might slow it down for a week or two :-)

Looking back at my work~

I don't know how far I got - not far enough - not out of the trees, but to where I stopped - this trail will not have to have limbs cut for a long while!  We headed back to the parking area after noon. 

There were a few horse trailers in the parking lot, several riders I knew rode back in.  I know all too many people who ride here frequently - who have never - to my knowledge attended a work party...  I personally would have a hard time justifying my use of this private land - without volunteering at least one day a year to maintain the trails - but that's just me.

On the door of the BCH Trailer~

Lunch was set out & boy did it look good!  Another big thank you - to the ladies who provided the wonderful food.  Homemade potato salad, baked beans, hot dogs, chips, mellons etc.  The ice cream treats - really hit the spot!

I loved the bandana on the inside of the door to the BCH Tool Trailer :-)  Really a Super day's work for a super crew of people, none too busy to volunteer their time to keep our trails open!

Darrington Equestrian Trails - Forward Motion!

Along the Whitehorse

Thursday night - we made the drive up to Darrington for a meeting at the Rodeo Grounds.  This meeting was to discuss what trails we've managed to get on a Map!  Several people have contributed to this effort, but a lot more work needs to be done.  Rumors of old trails - are exciting - but whether they still exist is always the question - until we can find people who know where they are & get them ridden & marked by GPS.

Another proposed trail~

Martha - the one woman force for Darrington Strong & other local Equestrians are determined to make Darrington a destination not only for mountain bikers, but for Equestrians too.  With so many entities owning the land - finding trails that can be improved - along with places large enough to accommodate trail-head parking for trailers - is an incredible challenge.

North Mountain, being so accessible from town & even eventually from Whitehorse Park, is at the top of the list.  Glen Grover of DNR has offered to  guide us - in a grass roots effort to delineate the most probable trails - on DNR property.  Other trails - go - or could go through National Forest land.   The ideal of course, are large loop trails, preferably through scenic areas, or with nice views.  A spot for lunch breaks always makes a day ride more pleasant too.

With the support of the DNR, Snohomish County Parks & the local Forest Service Representatives - things are looking very promising for Equestrian Trails in the Darrington area!  New Equestrian Trails?  Wouldn't that be grand?

On a personal note~

The other day, I had a discussion with riders who explained to me that they "write checks" in support of trails.  What they & many Equestrians don't realize is that it's a numbers game.  We need the numbers of volunteers that go out & work on BCH trail-clearing days, names on the sign-in sheet - volunteer hours - that then go to BCHA.  It's those hours that we exchange for the grant dollars that are used to keep existing trails open, repair damaged trails, or even build new ones!  Participation is required - signing those cards at trail-heads, staying involved in local trail issues, attending meetings, doing what you can to have your voice heard.

When I was working, we wrote checks & were members of the local BCH Chapters.  We even did some trail clearing - Competitive Trail was popular in those days & we liked to ride!  But the question keeps coming up...  Who clears the trails if You don't?  A group of volunteers, most of us in our 50's, 60's & 70's who have done it for years & years?  Yes - that's who.

Writing a check is an easy out.  If you know someone you can pay to clear trail for you - then by all means - hire them!  Otherwise - maybe it's time to think about the trails you enjoy & put in the time to maintain them.

To the Creek~

Through the big woods~

I'd been wanting to ride down to the creek for a while - it's about a 12-mile round-trip - the shortest way I know to get there.  At the trail-head, I was surprised to find several rigs already there.  The day was overcast & muggy.  Going through what's left of the big woods - is always so pretty.

Coyote Ridge Trail~

We ended up on the Coyote Ridge Trail - overgrown but passable.  All the blow-down had either been cut, or had ended up on the ground - easy to step over.

Candy Flower~

The little tiny Candy Flower was in bloom all along the sides of one of the trails we were on.  The southern trails don't see the use the the one's higher on the mountain do, since the trail-head was moved years ago.

On the trail~

 During last years trail-clearing party - we'd worked on several of these trails & they've stayed in good condition.  Not that there isn't plenty of work that needs doing this year!  Winter weather was harsh, lots of wind & plenty of clearing to be done at the upcoming work party on Sat.  So far, only eleven people have RSVP'd - the usual group of hard-core dedicated riders who continue year after year to make giving back part of their schedule.

Through the young Cedar Trees~

I love the section through the Cedars - it's amazing how much they've grown just since last year.  From what I've been told, the tree farms are planting more Western Red Cedar - they see it as the next big cash crop.  It takes so much longer to grow to any size - that it will be interesting to see how many years these trees stand.  (If I'm around to see it! :-)

At the creek~

We were both glad to get to the creek for our lunch break.  Farah loves standing in the water & yawning :-)  On the rocky shore, I took off my boots & waded in, while Farah again attacked the reed canary grass growing along the shore.  I wonder if I could count her hours?  :-)

Low flow~

The creek is down, no surprise there, amazing how quickly the snow on the Cascades has melted away this year.  The Glaciers were melting off last season, so anything that accumulated this winter, didn't have the usual base.

Our route~

We headed back & only took one wrong turn to find the trail we wanted.  We had to make some time, since we had a Traildusters meeting in Everett.  As we galloped up the hill, a little bunny came out right in front of us!  Farah slowed & put her head down as he hopped as fast as he could for almost 100ft. before turning off on his bunny trail :-)   Back at the bio-fuel field - a large, nice, healthy looking Coyote was standing off in the trees.

Once home, I had just enough time to give Farah an overdue bath!  We were both soaked by the time Butch pulled in the drive!