A Refreshing Mountain Climb

Saturday morning for whatever reason, I awoke with tangled thoughts and foggy eyes.. but Zoe and I had planned a trip up Mount Ephraim, so I knew that would clear my senses in the best way. The day- again- was perfect for a trot out so after lessons we tacked up our dynamic duo and headed out with grand anticipation. Here is a photo from my backyard of our goal, the roof in the trees in about one quarter of the way there-- to the TOP :) (barely visible, it's almost mid-center, just about at the treeline)

I took many photo's- the woods were beautiful, almost even more so than they are in the summer. The sound of water running was constant, with steadily melting snow and rushing brooks and streams. One of our best rides to date ! For the most part, this will be a photo journey-- too beautiful to choose just a few photo's.

Starting out, we have to cross the highway on the snowmobile trail. We find alternately snowy cover and bare ground as we travel. After crossing the highway, we get on what we call the Snow's trail (because people by the name of Snow used to live on the corner of the trail opening)

We can head straight on the official snowmobile trail, but we turn right into the woods on a lesser used trail, following the brook where we like to take green horses for a taste of brook walking.

Up ahead we turn left, to cross the brook and begin our climb up.

Everytime Keri comes to a stream crossing, she likes to play a bit and pretend she's thirsty. When she was much younger, this was a game of sorts-- she'd try to drink so I would loosen the reins-- then she'd JUMP the water. After a lot of practice-- now she just walks very mannerly through the water without fail.

We trot back onto the main snowmobile trail.

We get out onto the road again, extreme mud.



This old road leads past the Stellafane Observatory where people come from all over the world at the end of the summer to view the night skies.

The road leads all the way over the mountain to (obviously) the other side-- in Rockingham. There are many great offshoot trails, but today- our goal is the top. The mud road turns back into snow, ice and water past the Observatory. On the start of the trip, this ice over water was quite firm- but on the way home-- the horses were breaking through quite often. Trotting on the ice road made a hollow echoing sound-- fun.


Along the way- there were many others who had the same idea as we had-- to get out on such a beautiful day.. no horses though -- but lots of ATV riders. Some of them leisurely quiet riders who slowed down for us, Some of them large groups of young fast daring boys- who just revved up their engines and whipped by.

One rider stopped to chat and give us an update of what was ahead.

About mid way- there is a hayfield, which is mowed every summer believe it or not.. because it's a rough road to get here. We turn right to start the real upward climb. The sun is stronger as the trees begin to thin out for awhile.









Just ahead, Keri and I stop to snap some views.

The trail becomes woods again-

we meet more water for Keri to stop, splash and pretend water deprivation. We wind our way steadily climbing through the woods and snow- and reach the last part - at the last treeline. It gets brushy and warm again.

The last steep climb.

Seconds to the top now. A few views from Mount Ephraim -

I am not sure which is more visually satisfying-- the trip up or the views from the top. At any rate-- a super trot out, lots of fun-- and as usual.. Zoe and I had some ideas for our next trip out. We'll climb to the top, head out the opposite side down into Dutton District, and loop onto another lower mountain trail that will bring us back home.

Till next time -- Enjoy your day ~

Stringing Fence with the help of some Puppies

Sunday is the traditional day of rest-- but it seems I typically use that day to complete needed tasks I did not have time for during the week. I had an idea for a new fenceline that would form a lane of sorts-- a double fenceline creating a "dead-zone" of 40 feet which would, in theory, open up the possibilities to use each area for studs and mares-- with enough space between them to avoid any interest between the two. We'll see in the future if this works.

I gathered up all my supplies and tools- and the puppies, now 8 weeks old came along for the adventure. We headed out to the area I call the Orchard, because it's an old (very old) orchard :) I have been working on clearing this orchard, trying to bring it back... it was once a tangle of weeds, thorny brush, low growing junipers and pines. Most of the wood from the orchard went to warming the house this past winter. I think I can seed at least half of it this summer. Last summer, whenever I got the chance, I dug rock and pulled stumps with the tractor. It's looking a lot more clear and sunny now- with a few nice spreading maples for shade here and there.

The new fence will line this "road" that I have been building forever, which gives me access to more of the area with the tractor, so I can haul logs and firewood out from the lower regions.

Still more pine to clear out in here. I used the trees to string the fence.

The puppies had a great time investigating... running in the little brooks and climbing rocks. Their antics were a fun distraction--

The little first born fellow we call Dmitri was a big help carrying some of the supplies- The pups were also all a big help in opening the bags of insulators for me.

The fence is up-- for now I have my 3 younger studs on one side and my bred ponies on the other... but now I have the option of putting open mares in the orchard if my theory works out.

Today, the puppies get their 8 week inoculations and Wednesday the 2 girls- the one we call Rita (the lovely meter maid) and the chubbly girl her new owners have named Bailey are leaving. We'll miss them !

The weekend was the last of the warmer springlike weather - on Monday the wind was biting and the temperatures nippy. Back to wearing long underwear for now !

Enjoy your day ~

Our Saturday Ride

Another Saturday, another great excursion out with Keri and Teasel. The horses were excited as they must have heard Zoe and I discussing our itinerary. We have talked about cruising through the Chester Green for several years now, and never made the trip -- Yesterday was the perfect day for it. Sunny and warm- but not too warm. Ideal trotting weather. Keri had new shoes put on during the week as she had worn her other ones down.. she was pretty happy about it. We headed over Crow Hill again. Although we travel this road quite a bit lately, it's never boring with the gorgeous views.

We have lost so much snow where the sun can warm up the ground-- Here's where "T" fell in the ditch-- now open and fully visible. You might also notice here I roached Keri's mane. It was quite long, but following Denise's advice on mane care, I decided to start fresh with a sheared mane and the "treatments" .

We trotted over Crow Hill and turned right at the end- to head out onto Route 103.

We enter what is called the Stone Village, where we had a wonderful ride last year, (lots of photo's of that ride on the March 23 blog of 2008) only we came at it from the other direction on that day. The Stone Village is a cluster of 30 dwellings which line either side of the street all erected by 2 brothers from 1834- 1850's all built from local granite. The quarry is located up on Trebo Road. It is our intention to find that quarry-- there is a trail somewhere that leads to it- one day we looked for it... we still need to investigate some more on horseback !

The main road into the Stone Village- Route 103

Like Willie Nelson's Back on the Road again- I guess this could be our new theme song "Back on the Sidewalks Again" !!

Lined along the sidewalks of Stone Village are these tie rings from the days when all travel was by horseback or wagon/carriage.

A brisk trot through the village, then we cross over the highway onto Church Street- which is a little road I rarely travel, so the sights are all new to me and also for the horses.

The red light is flashing at the railroad crossing-- the train whistle is a loud warning, as the train has to signal its arrival at every crossing with a very loud blast... this is no subdued little toot-- but a repeated lusty intense resonant blare. We are wondering how the horses are going to react- although last year we did meet up with the train on several occasions, we were never quite so close to the train as this. But after last year's up-close and personal rendezvous with the Governor's helicopters landing right near us, the train should pose no problems.

The horses stand quietly and wait with the other traffic for the Green Mountain "express" to pass.

We reach the end of Church Street, where we cross the main road again and turn left to head down to the "Green". Chester is the "picture-postcard" town that comes to mind when you think of Vermont. The town green is encircled by small shops and historic homes from the late 1700's and early 1800's. Most New England's towns have a "green". A village green is a common open area which is a part of a settlement. Traditionally, such an area was land at the centre of a small agricultural settlement, used for grazing and sometimes for community events. Some may also have a pond, originally for watering stock.

I guess the most commonly known "Greens" of New England are Central Park in New York City and the Boston Commons and Public Gardens (where the famous swan boats are). Chester's Green is small but a real touristy attraction.

Approaching the actual green, sidewalks lined with the Inns and Cafes.

Now, if there were tie rings here still-- we could stop for a nice brick oven Pizza !

Past the now Fullerton Inn, originally built in the 1840's. Here is a postcard of the Fullerton Inn from 1909 and also what is looks like now.

As we trot along the shop lined street, we meet up with Zoe's number 1 daughter, Rena, who is having a sunny spring day picnic on the Green !

Time to head home- We have to cross over at the Jiffy Mart,

trot through Chester Depot again- cross the bridge spanning the beautiful Williams River.

On the way home we decide to veer off course on to some trail for a bit-- once again-- we find... the snow is still super DEEP in the woods ! We come out into the pasture and head back out onto the road home.

Another superb outing astride our adventuresome dynamic duo-- Keri and Teasel. Now-- where to head next week ?






Enjoy your day ~