Summerin'

We worked at home most of the weekend - on just one small section of our woods - under the huge Black Cottonwoods.  Butch chainsawed all the big limbs, I did the smaller stuff & we both hauled it down to the burn pile.  Since I hadn't ridden - today was the day!  The heat is finally On...  Never my favorite time of year to ride - nonetheless - I got all the watering done early & drove north.  I was surprised to see several trailers at the parking area & cars parked along side the road.

Cleared Trail~

We took the trail through the woods & found that someone had cleared the last 100 ft. or so that always gets overgrown. 

Vine Maples

I decided on our usual loop & planned to find all the shade I could.  On these long days - the sun filtered through all the trees is so Beautiful!  Coming up the road where Farah had thrown me Post~  - I noticed this stump off to the side.  Dug into, chunks of bark scraped aside - no doubt about it - the bears were looking for grubs.

Stump~

I wasn't going to take Fast Trail - especially with a short sleeved shirt on, but I love the views.  Fast Trail is no longer fast :-)  Overgrown is a perfect description.  The birds were eating the Thimbleberries, but the blackberries aren't ripe yet.

On Fast Trail~

A nice breeze made the day bearable, but I could feel the temperature climbing.   I did the short video below of a short section of the trail to the Monument.  Carole - this is for you :-)

 

 There was one young guy at the Monument, sitting in the shade.   He didn't look our way or want to be social - so we respected his privacy & stayed away until he left. 

View of the Islands to the Northwest

Someone has mowed & everything looked great, except for a few small pieces of trash that I picked up as we left. 

The Olympics have been so stunning all weekend & today too.

Southwest down the Sound~

The edges of the little hillside that hosts the monument - are now growing the wild Sweet Pea.  They're so pretty when they're blooming - but depending on your preference - can be considered a weed.

Sweet Pea

The sky was such a deep rich blue, with the high white clouds, the wide open views of Summer.

Summer Sky~

When headed into the deep dark woods, a lady on a bike came at us so fast that I thought we were going to crash - but an evasive maneuver by Farah helped, along with my shout!  She mentioned something about Farah being the color of the shade.

Far Peaks~

These far peaks are so stunning, low clouds floating by.  

Whitehorse & Three Fingers

 As we started down, I dismounted, took off my helmet & walked a mile or so.  Farah was so good today - the Magnesium supplement we started her on over a year ago, along with the Vitamin B supplement that Cassandra recommended - seems to be doing the trick.  Spooking at bicycles was not a good thing!

Above it all~  Mt. Rainier

 Besides an unexpected leap over a muddy spot - we really had a great ride!  We never did see another horseman.  We did see a young guy with his phone out in front of him, just past the gate - clueless that we were anywhere around - playing Pokemon Go...  Where this craze will GO - is anyone's guess!

Les Hilde - Harry Osborns State Forest - Day Three~

It rained off & on again for most of the night, but had stopped completely by morning.  We had a yummy breakfast;  bacon, eggs, toast!  Farah was nice & dry under her blanket, as was Count.  

Ready to ride!

Our friends had called & were busy with a fencing project that they wanted to finish.  We were disappointed - but ready with a Plan B!

Brightly on our way~

It was foggy & seemed chilly, but really wasn't cold at all.  After the beautiful days we'd enjoyed, we were subdued too.  Our plan was to go back, find & collect that Cauliflower mushroom!  I'd checked it out on-line & found out that they do indeed grow back each season, usually in the same spot.

Vine Maples along the trail~

This morning, Linda took a different trail out from camp, she knew how to connect to where we were heading - which is now a Big Secret!  :-)

Vine Maple branches covered with moss~

We rode through an area where the Vine Maple branches were covered with moss!  The entire area was it's own mini ecosystem.  Maybe due to the protection provided from the deep gully that ran along side.

Another "Shroom"

Riding along - this mushroom above stood out from all the surrounding green!  Growing straight up off of a branch!  The only one anywhere that we could see.

Woods~

In the woods, the yellows of the maples were almost neon bright in the misty fog. 

Linda & Count on the trail~

It was eerie, it was very quiet, not even a bird chirped. 

Signage~

It was kind of a cheap thrill for me to see this sign.  Following this trail must be tough - since the trail itself disappeared in more than one place that we saw.  Linda & Count are amazing at finding trail where none seems to be.  Linda took one - that went a way - then dropped us down a steep bank into a dry creek basin.  Once there - we both realized that if we'd followed anything - it was another Elk trail.  Getting back out - hum...  up a four-foot high steep dirt bank, the same one we'd just slid down.  I grabbed Farah's mane & almost before I could worry about it - she jumped!  That jump & our landing was So Smooth that I didn't even move in the saddle!  We were up & in the next instant I heard Count make the leap!  I wish I could have seen it!  Linda said;  "Amazing animals aren't they?"  Oh yes they are!

Cantharellus "cibarius"

Finding the correct section of trail, we found the Cauliflower mushroom right where we left it!  I'd brought a doubled plastic grocery sack.  I used my knife to cut it off at soil level & was amazed at the weight!  Maybe five pounds?   I tied it to the back D on the saddle & we took a short break.  Count moved off trail & uncovered a Chanterelle!  We started looking & found several right around us :-)

At the creek!

From there, we decided to take the easiest & shorted route back.  The sack was bouncing in the rear, so we stopped again.  I moved it to the front of the saddle, where I could support it a little more.  We sure didn't want mushroom mush!  The fog didn't relent the entire ride, I was feeling a little claustrophobic - which happens sometimes when I'm in the fog, heavy forest & can't see out.

Rascal waits :-)

Returning to camp - we were greeted by the sight above :-)  Rascal sitting on my camp chair - waiting!  He knows full well he's Not supposed to get on the chairs - but...  :-)  Butch had us packed up & ready to go!  His plan?  To the Brewery for a late lunch/ early dinner & beer!  We got there in time to see the Seahawks lose another game :-(

Cleaned!

I gave Linda a portion of the mushroom, the rest I cleaned!  Contrary to what I'd read - there wasn't one bug in it!  Just a few pine needles & it was spotless!  It is as described, almost like a noodle in consistency.  I browned it in bacon fat & added it to our soup last night with organic baby potatoes, carrots, onion etc.  All I can say is "yummy" - Very!

Having Fun Yet? Not!

Mt. Pilchuck~

The plan was to ride from the Morgan Horse Club - my first time - to find my way around on my own!  This is one place where I always rode with Joyce, it was so close to her house.  I've never had occasion to go on my own.  Pat was gutsy enough to want to join me :-)  Since she's known me as long as anyone - it took guts to take the chance!  :-)  We started out on the red/white/blue marked trail.  I was familiar with it - soon realizing that we were going out - the way that Joyce & I usually come back.  The trail was in remarkably good shape, someone had worked on the blackberry.

Going up the "White" trail

 When we arrived at the clear-cut, I recognized it too & took the "white" trail, that I'd ridden with Joyce earlier this year.  It's much better established now.  It was a gray morning, cool, cloudy & perfect for riding.  At over three miles, we came up onto the road.   While we were deciding whether to go up, or down - the decision was made for us!

Logging Truck, heading up~

 We could hear the roar & around the corner came the logging truck!  There was room off to the side to get out of his way & he slowed down for us.  I could tell from the road that it was being heavily used.  We decided to head on down, my idea was to just continue on the loop in reverse.  Other than turning back the way we'd come, there was really no way to get off the roads. 

Here we are :-)

We took an offshoot or two, I knew that none of them went anywhere - but we looked anyway.  Anywhere that looked like it might get us away from the truck traffic was a welcome idea - but not feasible.  So many of the old trails are blocked off.

The bridge over Pilchuck Creek

An oiler truck came up behind us - while we were trotting, we hadn't heard him - when we did, we got out of his way.  At an intersection, I took a wrong turn & soon realized that it had been - when we came to this bridge.  Just as we were debating whether to take it or not -  we heard another roar...
Instantly moving away - here came the truck, on the downhill grade.  Both mares handled the noise & dust so well.

The beautiful Destry

At this point, I decided to call Scott & was lucky to find him at home!  He knew right away where I'd gone wrong & directed us back up the hill.  During that trek - yet another truck came at us, around a blind curve.  When he saw us, he instantly started breaking - it was steep & he was headed for the bridge.  Once he got by, I couldn't get to the top of that hill fast enough!  I took the correct turn this time.  A few minutes later, Scott called to see if we'd made it.

The bright spot!

I can't say what a relief it was to get back on the jeep trail that would take us back under the power lines & back to the MHC parking.   Once onto the wooded trails, we ran into Lynette & Skeeter - they too had found out that the trucks are running.  I called Scott when we were back at the trailers - to tell him we were safe...

Our route~

I was amazed once I downloaded our track - that I had actually made the loop!  Yippee!  I will NEVER make the mistake of going down that hill to the river again - at least NOT when logging is happening!  So much for enjoying the climbs that this area offers - at least For Sure not during the week!  They're taking some of the huge timber left up near the top & the size of the gravel pile at the quarry tells me that they plan to do a whole lot more :-(

Under Tin Bridge~

Farah & Destry

When I rode through Pat's yard last night - we made plans to ride today!  I hadn't been to Bracken for a while, so that's where we headed.  First time in a long time that just the two of us have ridden together.  Our mares actually got on well - Destry can really walk out & Farah enjoyed some training on being in the rear!  At one point when Pat was teaching Destry to collect up, I asked Farah & instantly got a response!  She settled in today & really seemed to enjoy going out with a friend.

At the Stillaquamish

We took the long way & headed to the river.  From there I wanted to go far enough to see Tin Bridge - since the water is so low.  A little higher than it has been with last nights decent rain.

Pat & Destry

It's hard to believe that Destry is already 17-years old & that Pat was riding her dam when I was riding Alexi.  How the years have flown by...

Tin Bridge

It was pretty dramatic to see the bridge from the river bed!  A view that's not often seen - if it's ever been, with the river at historic lows...

Nice current still~

We stopped here for quiet a while, the sound of the water so soothing...  Farah almost went to sleep - until Pat saw a piece of wood sticking under the back edge of her left front shoe.  I tried using my hoof pick, no luck.  It was really jammed in under the brand new shoe.  Next - I pulled out Dad's Leatherman tool.  We'd bought it for him many years ago & I found it still in it's original box.  I've carried it on my saddle since - today saw it's first use.  Pat pried, I pried - we took turns...  Finally we got one piece out that would have pierced her frog...  We kept at it & finally got the final piece out!  Both horses just stood (Farah on three legs :-) enjoying the perfect day.

Looking up~

We started back, crossed the bridge & had our lunch at Cloverdale.  There - we found that someone has been working on the Whitehorse - pink paint sprayed in spots - & the trail is being hacked through!

Lots of Japanese Knotweed...

We started following the path - & I use the term loosely...  We soon came to a section where there was a deep ditch mostly hidden under the weeds.  Farah's rear dropped into a deep hole - she pulled us out.  At that point we could get up onto the rail bed - wisely deciding to turn back.  With the meeting coming up this week - after having summer off, I'm anxious to see how the schedule looks - to get this section in!

Stunning Vine Maple

Heading back, this vine maple gave us the first taste of what I hope will be the blaze of fall colors to come.  Since the leaves have been falling for weeks now, due to the drought - it will be interesting to see just how much color we get.

Farah came back relaxed & happy - as did we!  My favorite time of year to ride, I hope the weather give us both badly needed rains & those bright, crisp days of Fall!

First Snow~

Whitehorse & Three Fingers

It was 57 degrees when I drove through Arlington on my way to Victoria.  The sun was shining & it was a magnificent morning.  Since this time of year - once the storms start rolling through - I take those breaks in the systems when they come!

Looking NW from the Monument

Farah was on her "A" game this day - once we warmed up on a short stretch of slippery trail, she hit her trot & we were up on top in no time at all!  I think she understood when I said;  "Lunch break on top"!  :-)  I absorbed the sun & hiked a short way down the hill to get clear of the trees for the photo above.

Farah enjoying all the still growing grass~

I wanted to do our big loop, so we didn't stay long, but did go through the dark forest & over to see the view from Lake McMurray.

Pure white fresh snow on the far peaks~

 I wasn't surprised to see the fresh snow on the high peaks. All the rain we've gotten in the lowlands, it's time to expect to see it higher up.  I jogged down the long hill to the bottom & we picked up the trail that goes to the "green mile".  There we found that a couple small trees had fallen over the trail.  One I managed to push out of the way - the other I broke off.  Now the saw has to go back in my saddle bag!

On the Scott Mainline

By the time we came out of the woods & onto the old road, the sun was long gone & clouds had moved in.  The temperature seemed cooler too & I almost wished I'd taken a jacket!  We trotted the whole way to the latest clear-cut & there tried a new road that looked like it might head up the mountain.

The clear-cut

It ended well short of where I'd hoped we might tie-in to a road to the water station, so we had to turn back.  It was getting later in the afternoon by now & we had the big climb back to the top ahead of us.  Farah took it at a steady trot & was in a full sweat at the top.

Vine Maples in Red!

I did finally end my quest to find red Vine Maple leaves though & had to get the photo!  In the higher elevations this is their fall color, here they usually only turn yellow & fall off before it's cold enough to turn them red.

Farah enjoyed her gallop up the hill & we'd just turned onto a trail heading back when we both heard another horse!  Through the trees we could see a big chestnut with a man in black trying to catch us.  I stopped once out on the road & met Mr. Lutz on his big Tennessee Walker.  We made introductions & he said he'd been trying to follow our hoof prints for a while.  It was nice to have company on the way back to the trailer.

Once back in Arlington, I stopped for pizza & the temperature still read 57 degrees!  I was surprised since it felt colder - or maybe it was just me!  Once home - Farah got a warm bath, it was dark when we finished.  Yes - a sure sign that the seasons have changed & Winter will be here before we know it! On this ride we topped 1,300 miles-to-date!

Good Riding with Friends - Old & New!

Sharon, Pat & Betty

Now that Pat & Donnie are back in the saddle again - it's like ole times!  We also have a new neighbor who has ridden all her life - Sharon - with her gorgeous half-Arab paint.  Betty rode her very nice Morgan mare & works with Pat & Sharon.  Donnie was riding Rao - who Farah has taken a liking to. (The other horses had been out on the trail together & since Farah was the new girl - everyone wanted to kick her :-)  Rao just keeps an eye on her as he moves out with his super nice walk that matches up well with Farah's.

Donnie, Betty, Pat & Sharon

  It was really hard to believe that October is already well under way.  The day - seemed more like early Sept., warm, sunny & just perfect.  Donnie & Rao lead most of the way - we took about any trail we could find & found one twice :-)  I put Farah in back most of the time & she handled it well - only one or two impatient grunts :-)  She thinks she has competitive & non-competitive horses figured out - well enough that she stopped to eat & watched them go off.  But - when she does decide to catch up - she thinks she has to buck & pitch a fit on the way.

Down the trail~

There were several trailers in the parking lot when we arrived before noon - most had left when we returned, but we only saw two other riders on the trails.  We all laughed at ourselves, talking about the coolness in the woods compared to the open sunshine - in October?!

Taking a break~

The Vine Maples are all yellow now & look so pretty in the dark of the big woods - my camera still won't capture that color to my liking.  We were out just over three-hours & it still seemed too short.  In Arlington on the way home the temperature was still 72 degrees!   If this keeps up, I won't be getting anything done around home!