Back in the saddle?

For the past few years, I've had almost no opportunities to ride. Most of the time, I just didn't go because hubby wasn't well and he wanted to spend time with me [and Charlie] on the couch watching movies or something on the TV.

I skipped evening rides because I never knew how many more times the two of us would sit together on the couch after supper.

Last year, my friend Kristine asked me if I'd bring one of my mules to her place and ride with her. We could pasture my mule with her horses.

This way, we'd ride together instead of alone.

The more I thought about it, the more sense it made. No board fees, just fun riding.

Since I haven't ridden Siera in two years [kids have ridden her in the yard], I thought I'd better make sure that she'd be ready to go and safe.

I chose Siera because the two red headed sisters have been together since Sundance's birth here on the farm. They are like a unit. Sundance has a temper tantrum if I take her sister... Sunshine out for a ride. They hang together and Siera is odd mule out.

Maybe if she hangs with Kristi's gelding Johnny Cash [he is a looker too!], she will find friendship.
 

I've been saddling up to get the mail and to explore the ravaged woods on my neighbor's land.

I haven't taken Siera out and down the road as I have 2 neighbors that allow their dogs to chase cars and everything else that may go by in the crop fields or dirt road.

I can't get over the view I've missed for so long from the saddle.

We went down one of the old trails that has a new monster in it. I thought Siera would hesitate or even balk at walking by it.

Nope. She didn't care.

We rode up to it and Siera dropped her head looking for some grass. 

She could care less.

Everything worked on her. Her right, left, walk, back up, and the all important 'stand still'. 

We sat for a while watching the evening light drift through the forest. I heard a rustle and Siera pointed out a hen turkey moving through the forest with her brood. 

I guess Siera did okay. She was quiet, calm, and stood quietly while I gathered our mail. The two mules at home didn't bray for Siera, in fact they ignored the fact that she'd left the farm.

As for training and tuning up, I just go out with Siera and ask that she provide me with a safe journey. She is a trail mule. She is to deal with wildlife and forest things. Perhaps she'll learn something new when I take her to Kristi's. But I'm wayyyyy okay with a quiet ride that just moseys along.

The saddle I use on Siera is a very old Stonewall saddle that was used in Endurance riding. I like this saddle because it is light and it is designed after the McClellan Saddle. 

It fits her so well and is very comfortable for me.

👇

Edit.
2 days later her lameness showed up again. This will take her out of the realm of summer riding until we figure out what her on and off again soreness and stiffness is all about. Equine.
So strong, so incredible, and sometimes so fragile!

The Hike

We met up at 8am.

Two brave ladies carpooled with me and we met up with 4 other brave souls. I've known two of them from the gym at one time or another. We all headed down trail chatting and laughing.

The first leg of the hike was along the paved multi use trail. One of my friends had never hiked before in her life. The other had never gone further than 7 miles with me and only hiked rarely. 

I think Candace's group had been doing hikes and practicing to do the MammothMarch at the end of June which is a 20 mile hike event.

We all hiked in different small groups, sometimes all together, sometimes on our own. There was a lot of laughter and conversation. 

The sights were amazing as usual.

We encountered two sets of horse riders, a few bicyclists and a couple of folks walking on the paved trail.

Otherwise, we were immersed in nature and each others' laughter.

One of the games we played was 'walking' the Balance Beam otherwise known as a log.

Our hike was not about time or speed but all about enjoying nature and friendship along with laughter. We took frequent breaks and as promised, we did not leave the tired folks behind. 

My two friends who are new to hiking did stop at 15 miles. I walked on to where we'd parked and grabbed my car and returned to pick them up.

When asked if they'd do it again, the answer was a definitive yes. I promised to create shorter hikes. After all who does these crazy super long hikes?

We also witnessed some amazing wildlife!

I didn't have a decent camera with me, but we all stopped at one of the ponds to watch swans swimming with their cygnets.

We saw a fawn walk into the trail and lay down. I asked everyone to be quiet and walk around the fawn and not stop.

17.94 mi

Distance

7:21:48

Time

24:38 /mi

5:55:29

Moving Time

Friendship marks a life even more deeply than love. ...Friendship is nothing but sharing!

Elie Wiesel

So far

So far, there will be 5 other brave women joining me on my Birthday Hike to celebrate 7 decades on this crazy place we call Earth.

This is a huge surprise for me. I know all of the gals from the gym at one time or another. Two of the ladies are going to do the MammothMarch at the end of June which is a sponsored and paid event in South Central Wisconsin. The hike is 20 miles to be completed in at least 8 hours. Not a race, just a day of hiking with others. MammothMarches are held in most of all the lower 48 states that I know of.

I don't want to pay a big chunk money right now for a trip, the hotel room, the entrance fee for a t-shirt and a badge or goodies they are giving out. I figured to do this on my own and celebrate privately. I'm not a huge fan of fanfare or crowds. 

I feel quite blessed in life to have 5 women to join me on this crazy hike. The two that are doing the MammothMarch next month in Wisconsin. They are experienced hikers for the 4 to 5 mile range so this is a test for them.

One gal has never really hiked before so I'll be making sure she is okay. 
[I showed the newby a hydration pack, she was going to use one of those string back packs and put her water in it. The strings would eat up her shoulders so I sent her to the store to grab a hydration pack.]

Another one who is a new person to hiking asked what she thought was a dumb question. What happens if I have to go pee or ????

Bring TP and a baggy to collect your TP. Leave no trace. Not a dumb question.

Good shoes that are ready for the trail. There are plenty of rocks, roots, and things to trip on for half of the hike. 
A light backpack for water.
Good socks.
Water. Water. Water.
Some energy bars.

Water.
First aid kit.
Water.
Bug spray [though it shouldn't be too bad]

While at the gym, the coach came up and said that she and another CF member were 'going to try to come' too. But they didn't want to do the whole thing and 

how long will it take? 
What time will you be done?
[Me thinking...how the heck does one
judge time on an event like this?]

'Welllllllll,' I said, 'I guess I can tell you more when we complete the hike.'

'This is not a speed hike, I know that one of the folks that is coming along has never hiked. I will hike with her abilities in mind. Her pace will be our pace. I do not leave others behind especially if they have never hiked these trails which can be confusing. 

If you or others don't feel we are going 'fast enough' then by all means make sure you have a map and go ahead.'

Well how fast would you hike it?

Me...thinking for a moment. 
'When I hiked 11.5 miles just over a year ago for speed and endurance, I hiked it in 3 hours and 24 minutes. I was pushing it all the way.'

Coach seemed to think on that.
'I averaged 18 minutes a mile with best paces at 13 minutes a mile,' I replied. Half of the terrain on this hike will be very demanding and the last 4.5 miles will be on a paved trail.'

Coach then launched into her reason for wanting to cut it short or for not going. It entailed a long explanation about grandkids and parties and whatnot.

I shrugged. 'Look at the route, bring two vehicles one for the start and park one near a trail that you want to end at. Oh. And make sure you have a physical map. Those trail changes can be tricky.'

When I hike for speed, I go solo. I don't want to watch out for someone else. It is just me, the trail, and a clock. I love competing against myself. This may be one of the reasons I loved Cross-Country in College so much.

No one really believes me when I tell them the map and a compass would really make their hike easier.

I have spent 10 years hiking with others who have various skills and most of them were new to my kind of hiking.
I enjoy it, I relish it.
I love it.

I'm excited about this 'group' hike. Hopefully we will get along without any mishaps. In the fall, I will re-hike this same route just to see how fast I can do it solo.

Well, I did it.

I haven't thought much about riding now for two years. I've maintained my mules by making sure they are healthy and well cared for.

I didn't have much time to get back in the saddle and enjoy them.

Over the weekend, the gals got their classic spring haircuts.

Siera was the messiest one. But a bit of trim ....

Cleaned up her ears and mane!

Yeah--she didn't want me

to take her photo.

So yesterday I finally took her out of the pasture and saddled her up. She had some tail swishing but that could be because the flies were still after her or, she was unhappy about the prospect of working.

This mule is basically lazy. She won't do much of anything unless you ask politely. Get rough [my husband used to be rough with her] and she will do nothing. She will become a statue.

Hubby relented years ago that this mule was a lady mule like my mule Badger had been. She preferred my soft spoken ways to his growly gravel voice. Her name when he rode her was *goddammitSiera*.

I am the quiet one. I don't expect perfection every time I saddle her. I expect we get along and have a safe trip.

Anyway, there was no reaction when I mounted and rode her around the yard area. She did everything I asked of her.
Below is her listening to me to ask her to walk. The mule ears are like antenna, they point to what is interesting to her.

I then took her down through the neighbor's meadow and we took a short tour of some of the deer trails. I let her stretch her legs into a fast gait. 

It was a short ride that only lasted about 15 minutes, but she did everything I asked of her. Step out, walk, gait, stop, backup, and turn around.

Another crap shot, but here she is enjoying some yard grass while I put things away. Yes. She will stand in the yard and not leave. 

This is my mule that had never found her place with the other mules. She tolerates them but doesn't hang with them unless she is using their tails to swat flies.

When the Vet was here a few weeks ago he noted that she was a 'people' mule and that she preferred my company over her herd mates.

I like that.

But even more?

It looks like I'll be riding more and more. Siera will go to my friend's farm after June 5th. Then I will be riding with my friend and her horse Johnny Cash. 

Hopefully we will take lots of trail rides through her valley and streams this summer. She also has an indoor arena and outdoor arena. Maybe I can teach this mule a few new things.

I mean...wow....how did I forget how much I loved the sight of those ears from her back????

Just fun photo stuff...

This week and weekend have me all messed up on days and things to get done. 

So, I thought I'd just toss in some photos from my toy photography that I've done in between hikes and 'farm' work.

No explanation, just some fun stuff.

I've been busy with the yard work, gardens, and of course raising a Princess. 

[Created with AI from Google Photos]

 

Night out

First we had to set things up. 

Well, it took me quite a while to figure the tent stuff out. I even had some bad words to say, but I eventually got it done.

Here is the view from the pasture.

The view from behind the tent and canopy.

It took me a while to work up the courage to actually try this. I have camped once in the yard with my grand kids. Ariel and I made it through the night but it was a lumpy bumpy uncomfortable night.

I had a camping mattress I purchased last year to go on a camp cot. The dogs thought this was a perfect spot for them.

We sat out for a while and enjoyed a fire. I tossed in one of those color packets and enjoyed watching the flames perform for me.

I tried to get some sleep. We will have to work things out a bit better.

Hannah cuddled up on my chest or sat on my head. She also snores.

Oh Charlie.

He was sure that there was something under the tent. So he sat up and stared intently at the floor. I pulled him back to bed and he got up again to stare at the floor.

Sleep was evading me. So I gave it up and walked out to the edge of the woods. 

Stars, Milky Way, and Fireflies????

Wait. Fireflies?

Yes, they were out! This isn't a great shot, but I'm going to use it anyway. 

I have never been to this part of our land at night. I've always photographed the stars from the other end of this pasture.

The clouds moved off and then....The Milky Way!

I also took time to attempt a night shot of our little camp. Dang.
It looks so cozy that even I might want to camp there!

Wait.

I was!

I used a little camp light my daughter in law gave me to light up the inside of the tent and let the fire do the rest.

Just as I was starting to fall asleep nicely, I heard a bird in the forest sing a few notes. In a short while, the forest was waking up and birdsong was all I heard.

I opened the flap and stepped out. The birds did me a favor.

Good morning red and blue sky!

I checked the weather app and discovered it was going to rain in a few minutes. I must have learned something yesterday.  I took out the rain thingy and installed it in the predawn light. No curse words either!

I packed up the camera and some other things then headed to the house.

Adventure done.

I'll do it again.

Now for a nap.

[PS. No bugs.]
 

Cute dog and hanging out in the forest

Oh Darn.

This little dog.

Can that face be any cuter????

Did you know there is a study regarding Black Dog Syndrome?

Some feel that black dogs are adopted less frequently because they don't photograph well. [Apparently these are photos that are used to promote the dogs for adoption.] Other theories are that people just don't always like the color black. Or the color is associated with evil or misfortune. 

Clearly, I do not fall into that category. The color of a dog, cat, horse, mule, or any animal has ever made me consider anything different. The color of the animal isn't important. It is the character and temperament of the animal.

I will admit though, that Hannah and Charlie are a bigger challenge to photograph compared to Morris who was tri colored and easy to photo in any kind of light.

Our evening activities.
A little campfire, some lap time for the dogs, and time without distractions.

Here is the Killer Doe that the dogs saw. Charlie growled a warning to the doe and Hannah shook like a leaf.

Our little fire.

This space in the forest is so unique and beautiful. I am trying to figure out if I can mow the area with my little self propelled mower on its highest settings. It would be a shame to let it go wild again. 

I think Patrick is supposed to come and brush hog the meadow and hopefully this area twice this year.

The mules do go back here to get into shade and relax, but I am going out with the dogs any night that it is calm enough for a fire.

No. No terrible bugs have eaten us. Just Killer Deer.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Some photos from our day out working in the forest.

Have a nice weekend. Mine will be quiet.