Beginning of the End~

My "trail" out~

It was hot & muggy, but not like yesterday - so I decided that I wanted to ride out from home & see what, if anything was going on.  The road above used to be about 10' wide...  now the alders have about filled it in!  We did get through.  Then we came to the ecology block & gate - someone had cut down another large alder & almost completely blocked the path around.  We made it...  Next - we headed out down the paving toward the creek.

Someone removed the blockage~

But the Beaver have Not been deterred!  A new lodge!

 I was sad to see that the surrounding Cedars had died off from too much water...  but always happy to see Beaver at work - even if they spooked Farah :-)  As we crested the short hill - the next view, made me sick...

Construction trailer~

More trees going down...

Mind you, this entire area had signs on posts saying "Native Growth Protection Area"!  I have photos from previous rides here over the years.  What a Waste!  Taxpayer dollars yet again...  So - we didn't go that way!

Trees cut across the trail~

Instead, I thought I'd just take our trail & head south toward the wetlands there...  We were only in a few feet when we came to the first of the trees cut to block the trail.  Farah jumped this one....  The next one I got off & managed to Move... The third set - I gave up & we turned back.  Out to the paving & walked out to the power lines & again headed south.  This time we managed to make it to our goal.

The creek was so low you can see the old bridge supports

Here was our turn-around spot.  We took a short break - then went back, happy to be on a trail through the woods - even if it may be one of the last times...  We went back out onto the power lines & back to the road that leads into the Development.

The gates have been re-installed...

With the gates back, I wanted to be sure I got back before they left & locked them for the day.  I wanted to go to the construction trailer & ask why they'd cut the trees?

Nice little fire burning - during a burn ban...

No one was around the trailer, but a guy was riding a mower along the edge of the roadway.  I hailed him & he shut the mower off - he was Russian & told me that he had no business card nor contact information until "tomorrow".  I'll go back for it!

I'm not the only one who's unhappy...

The trail we'd cleared last year - on our way home.

On toward home, you'd never know that we'd cleared this trail over 7' wide last year...  At the Cascade Horse Club meeting tonight, I spoke to Alan - who did think that I should contact the county about the tree cutting etc.  Think I will.

You can see how this view is changing...

As we crested the hill - I was actually shocked at the amount of logging that's going on east of Granite Falls...  Feeling a little sick, beaten by the blackberries & beaten by the rampant development & logging...  Before long - this entire state will be one huge highway I-5 - with solid development as it is going south...  Scary stuff.

Next time, I'll head north & see if I can still get through that way.  If I can't - no point in clearing my access trail anymore...  Saddened...

Sunshine & Thunderstorms!

We head back toward that For Sale sign from yesterday~

I've had to amend this post to include mention of Earth Day!  Our first on the Homestead - we planted trees & still are!  :-)

I really didn't expect to get in a ride today...  But the early afternoon was so pretty & even though the clouds were moving fast, there was plenty of blue sky.  So - I saddled up again & had a plan to check out the trails to the south - since we'd gone north yesterday.

Pilchuck Creek

Though it's hard to see under all the green - the creek flows through here from it's headwaters further up.  This land is home to the headwaters of no less than three different creeks - along with the numerous wetlands that I love so much.  Coming to our old "Clover Hill" the creek was beautiful!

Farah gets a drink~

 Pilchuck creek used to be full of Salmon.  In the fall - the banks would be covered with dead fish.  We were wading through one year - when one splashed unexpectedly & spooked our horses.

The creek flowing~

We went down the two trails that I re-discovered a few months ago to the place where the old bridge has fallen in - or been removed.

Farah was just Great!  She went through water up to her chest, then dropped down into a small ravine full of flowing water & a small waterfall!  The entire ride she worked on a loose rein & even in the middle of a heat cycle - used her head.  From this point - we made the turn to go back.

Caught by the rain!

Back in the future development - the rain hit!  One big dark cloud right over our heads - small hail pellets too.  We parked under the trees until the worst of it blew by...  Then started up to the power line & north.  The rain let up, the sun returned & my shirt actually started drying out!  Farah hit a good trot on our way back & I got chilled from the breeze :-)

Rain is Moving IN!

By the time we'd crested the hill - it was obvious that our good time was coming to an end!  It's just so gorgeous these spring days - that I'd spend All my time out riding if I could!  It seems so many riders get wrapped up in the conditioning aspect of riding...  For me - it's all about the Ride!

Slip & Slide~

Today's Route

The sun kept trying to break through the clouds this morning.  I checked the weather report & it looked like we'd have a few hours without rain!  Time to Cowgirl Up - saddle my mare with the Big Horn Saddle & ride!   Since we're now limited to one way out - we took it!  Farah was sinking in with every step, the frozen ground is now in the defrost mode, somewhat boggy & slippery.

Farah likes breaking ice!  When we came to some frozen, large puddles on the single track, she'd put a foot on - watch as her hoof broke through the ice, then place the other front foot on!  We'd listen for the crack & the ice would shatter out from her foot.    The sound of her breaking through, then the splash as she continued on was pretty cool.  Thin enough To break - that was Good!

At the "T" above, we turned south onto this trail

We took the above trail out to the power lines, went along it  for a way south - then turned in east onto the second trail.

Second trail heading east~

We followed it again - until we came to the creek & no bridge.  This time I decided to get off & climb through the underbrush to get a photo of this incredibly beautiful wetland.

Wetland, looking north~

It was a pretty quiet late morning, early afternoon.  The birds are tweeting again - happy I'm sure that maybe the freezing weather for this year is past?  It was almost 50, with a little breeze - my jacket came off, then back on.

Farah waits patiently :-)

 In one place, where we could actually pick up a trot, my stirrup fell off!  Ut Oh!  Stopped, recovered it & put it back on.  With the way I'd had the straps on the fenders shortened - there's no longer a bumper guard to keep them on.  Have to be sure that the Blevins buckles are secure.  I've added my sheepskin seat saver too - that's improved my comfort.  May look for a set of bucking rolls this weekend -that would give me a little more security too.  Farah's doing pretty well in it, some threats to buck - (Learned behavior?) but it's a little tight through the wither - so probably not much  better than what she's been putting up with.

Nice mess!

As we were returning through the future development/paved area... we found this mess!  Next, heard a truck coming.  The driver stopped - a couple who live not far away & were concerned about all the fast driving cars that were passing their house over the weekend & into the late hours of the night!  Amazing how short a time it takes for people to find out that a semi-private area is now open to the public...  Then trash it!  Nice people, they plan to call the police when they see that much going on again...  Amazing the stories that are circulating about this area.  How far can you go - can you get to Arlington on the Power Lines, etc., etc. etc.  

Farah watching the neighbor's cattle

By the time we turned for home, the temperature was dropping & the wind had come up.  We were home less than an hour when the rain started.  So very good to get out!  Hope the rest of the week isn't the total wash that the weatherman is predicting!

The Smell of Fall~

Our trail through the tall trees~

After two-days of canning in the kitchen - it was time to Ride!  Butch has taken some vacation days, originally we thought we'd have to make a trip to CO.  Thankfully - that didn't happen - so instead, we're both working on projects here at home, before the rains return.

Our trail west - brush cut~

 That said...  I was itching for some saddle time.  It was so late in the day by the time I'd finished the second batch of zucchini relish - it was easier to head out from here.  It had been awhile since we'd been out on "our" trails.  I was surprised that the air in the woods had the smell of Fall!  Just enough leaves on the ground to rustle as we passed through.  We haven't had enough brisk nights to start them turning yet, let alone falling.  What color we do have is from our dry summer.

At the north end

 It was obvious that the utility company had come through & done a lot of brush cutting under their lines.  Everything looked "wide-open" in comparison to a couple months ago.  Rounding the corner to head north at the upper end of our "loop" I found where they were putting all the debris.

Brush piles

We rode around, back toward the gas lines & turned back.  Still too early for sunset, but that's going to be changing fast!

Reed Canary Grass

Farah was determined to stop at her favorite grazing spot - where the Reed Canary Grass grows lush & thick in a low wet spot. 

Our Trail back~

The last section of trail that we take to get home, the same that we worked hours to clear a few weeks ago, has held up pretty well - even after the rains.  Next time through I'll have to be clipping blackberry though!

Mt. Philchuck

It was going on 7 p.m. when we crested the hill, a beautiful end to the day~

You Know The Feeling!

Ominous clouds~

Last week, when we loaded Farah into the trailer, Butch said;  "She's missing a shoe."  Those words a rider Never wants to hear - especially when you're loading up for several days of camping & riding with friends!  I ran back up to the barn, pulled two Renegades out of my bag & tossed them in. 

Farah was still on the first shoeing by our new Farrier.  She'd pulled her RF just the week before inspection, now - the RF was gone again.  As we were cruising down the highway for OR, I messaged our leader & found out that she had invited a Farrier!  Once at camp, I was introduced to Justin & he was kind enough to take the time to put on a shoe.  It was different from the ones she had on - with a little break-over built in. 

I took it easy all during our trip, hoping that the slight difference wouldn't cause a problem.  It didn't.  I was relieved to see Keith's truck pull up at our gate on Tue.!  He left that RF on, put on a LF that matched & put new steel on the rear.  There was plenty of growth & her feet looked great!

Today was our first test - these shoes passed with flying colors!  No forging, no clicking - Farah was as smooth going into her transitions as I could have wanted.  All Good!

Thimbleberry blooming!

It was Great to get out on such a cool, nice day!  We took our time, both of us happy to be out & about!  The Salmonberry are ripe!  I ate quite a few & gave some to Farah.  After spitting one out, she ate the others & wanted more!

Foxglove

We found Foxglove blooming too!  These trails used to be thick in foxglove, but no longer, too much grading, logging etc.  The other thing that hit us in the face - was...

Our trail home~

greenery!  Lots & lots of green & growing stuff!  Of course blackberry vines tangled in & catching us more than once!  I think I'll be doing some trail clearing of my own here in the next week or so!