Mother's Day Weekend and a sneaky ride

Spring has sprung early this year. I was whining some about the cold and wishing for warmer weather. Well, here it is -- BOOM-- all of a sudden... there's stuff to be done everywhere !! I should have known better and kept my wishes to myself. The gardens are growing already... weeds especially. Fields are greening up like mad... fence to be fixed, horses to be brushed, hooves are growing like the weeds, fenceline needs trimming already and the lawn needs mowing too... In short-- where do I start ? This year there is no gentle easing into springtime.. yikes ~

Zoe and I took our Mother's Day ride on Saturday.. we pondered, where to go this time ? Some time ago, we heard news that the "Campground" down the road aways had been sold. There is a wonderful trail through the campgrounds that we discovered about 15 years ago but after we had traveled it enough times to be in love with it.. the owners came out one day and asked us not to not to ride on it anymore. We have reminisced about that trail ever since, missing it. It made a great "connection" trail - trotting down the road, zipping into and down the Scott trail, crossing over Trebo Road into the ancient graveyard and down this campground trail. Today, we decided to try it and see....

By entering the trail from the Trebo side, we are actually doing the trek backwards-- it's more fun to enter it from the other side- but in case there are still owners who do not want horses traveling-- by riding it backwards- when we arrive at the other side, if the owners are upset with us-- we can always say we were lost and apologise. At least we will have the opportunity to ride it at least one more time.

These fun "signs" are posted along the way - so because we are riding from the opposite side- I had to stop, turn around, and take a photo of each one.

You can see they have been up for awhile-- the trees are growing in around the signs now.

Long ago, we loved to canter up this trail and smile at the messages along the way.




At the end, which is actually the beginning, we cross a bridge and enter the campground.

We discover, while there may be new owners (if the rumor was correct) -- the campground remains and there are campers there, so we slow down and walk quietly and invisibly.. taking a wide berth around the office/house... trying to leave no evidence of our ride just in case.

While we are out this way, we continue our trot over to ChesterBelle Farm, where I have a lease pasture for summer grazing--- I can check the fenceline from horseback. I have had the use of this pasture through 2 owners now, for almost 17 years. Riding the fence took a lot less time than walking it-- we scared up a flock of large wild Gobblers.. had to open the gate from horseback, cross many stone walls - so wherever we ride, whatever the month- we are always practicing obstacles of some sort.

it was a wonderful ride- and I got to cross- check fence - off my list of things to do !!




On the actual day of Mothers - I decided to string some fence and open up a new planting for my pony Mothers. It was a very sunny day with lots of wind- one of those days where you take off your sweatshirt and put it back on numerous times. 2 years ago, this area was over-run with brush, ferns, new growth trees and saplings. Now, it's a field I can actually mow !

Happy moms and babies... it's very early in the year to have grazing this nice.

While stringing the fence, I spotted this white and pink trillium. I don't usually see trilliums this color. Most often, they are dark burgundy.

These flowers have the scent of rotting flesh as they are pollinated by the flies that like meat gone bad. Thoreau compared its odor to that of a dead rat in a wall! Icky aroma- but beautiful sight.

Now-- off to check my list of things to do for today.

Enjoy the day ~