New Roads - new sights

Zoe and I decide to trot a new road.. I have not even driven my car down this road-- so it will be all new scenery and sights. This loop will require that we travel a short stretch of Route 10 - which is a speedily used narrow winding country highway. We'll need our trusty duo Keri and Teasel.




Our voyage begins on familiar back roads, nothing new here-- except -- what's this ?? This is some pretty extensive logging and chipping activity... right at the entrance of one of favorite and long time trails. I have to stop to discuss this with the loggers... they assure me that the trail will be left intact. Well, you can sure I will be keeping tabs on that !! I am planning in my head- first Sunday-- I'll just saunter in there in a stealthy manner on horseback and scope their work.

We trot down into North Springfield - here's the little Main Street market at the intersection.

And as Willie Nelson would sing - We're back on the sidewalks again :)

I got a big kick out of the clip clop on the long wooden bridge. :)

We cross over the highway onto Baltimore Road -

On the corner is New House - Old House.






I am always sad to see old houses fall into disrepair.

Well dressed "T" blends right in with the leaf littered roadside. He's stylin ' And these two trotted and cantered side by side nearly the entire trek.

A big herd of chickens... they are safe this holiday ! Also along the road- is a pig pen and I notice the electric fence is only a few inches from ground level. I know this is supposed to be enough for pigs-- but I am not liking it so much... I have seen pigs fly before :)




The views on Baltimore Road are beautiful despite the overcast skies. Lots of hayfields.

This vista reminds me of where the Flat Earth Myth was derived. I can totally relate to the ancient mariners fearing the big drop off the end of the world... Thank goodness for gravity which keeps us on the circle of this horizon.






Here's the main objective of the ride out today --

Gould Road ! A typical country road- seemingly on top of the world lined with those old maples so common in Vermont.

We have nice views from here - and I don't hesitate to over photograph it all :)

Gould Road turns to a narrow dirt road as it begins to drop into the forested valley.

I love this apple tree pruned into a triangle.

Mailbox.

Here's the reason for the notoriety of Gould Road in town. Frank Gould's museum.. which features his primitive styled art, old farm machinery and implements, engines, vintage washing machines and other old-timey 'stuff' .

These fellows are cute - I told Zoe.. watch out-- now that I have seen this, if I get industrious - it could be everyone on my Christmas list will receive a Green Mountain Tin Man as a gift. But I never seem to eat anything out of a can - so I don't have time to save any up. Look at his adorable sardine can feet.

This fellow on the milk can could be one of the Green Mountain Boys which formed Vermont's militia in the 1700's.

Gould Road exits out onto Route 10-- this is the widest section..not too bad here but later as it narrows, I am glad I have a mount I can mostly depend on.

We turn up Davidson Hill Road and decide to brave a short trail through woods and old meadow to cut over to Mineral Springs Road. We'll be in the woods only about 10 minutes and it is posted.. so we take a chance with the hunters.

Once we are on Massey Road- it's trot and canter home... stopping for a minute for my last photo of the day. I have passed this rock a zillion times since I moved to Vermont- never took a picture before this trip ! When I first moved here - these rocks were almost touching. Weather - with alternate freezing and thawing- has cleaved the rock further apart each year.

We had an awesome ride --

Hoping everyone's Thanksgiving was full of joy !

Winter nesting

After the big autumn time change, I always feel the urge to eat more and nest more. It's our ancient DNA messaging system telling us to prepare for the long winter I guess. A couple of years back - I was browsing in a very large equine supply store.. more than just a tack store, LOTS of merchandise.. I ended up purchasing a nice down filled parka for my winter riding. I have come to adore that coat -- I call it my nest. A few weeks ago-- my nest came out and I hunker down into it for chores and for those chillier riding/driving days. Just like these silly pot bellied pigs.. short days and the changing, weaker angle of the sun - all contribute to my inclination to arrange my own ways to stay warm and toasty.

On the days that I am busier, my afternoon chores are done in fall twighlight. Funny thing about these pre-winter days - once the sun is behind the tree line.. there is not much lingering light- it turns dark quickly.

This tricks me somedays.. still even now- adjusting to the difference in time and light. I get caught having to use my tractor headlights to finish up.

A week ago- I spooked up an owl with the tractor as I headed down the driveway. He landed up in this tree and sat there with his back to me for quite awhile- and was still there on my return..

There's one advantage to early darkness.. you get to see the world in different eyes, meeting new residents of the surroundings that are normally hidden during the day.

I am one that is completely addicted to season changes.. I am not sure if I could live without it. Mind you- I have never had to attempt it.. maybe I am stubbornly keeping blinders on about it.. but just when I am tired of the scenery, the weather -- I am rewarded with a change in season. It kind of keeps me more appreciative -- when I am so cold and weary of snow and darkness .. spring comes and reminds me I can be light and warm... when I have had enough of hot, long fatiguing days.. fall arrives and brings new days, new sensations. Season changing really agrees with me. :)

All done with chores for the day - the stove filled for the night... my house will be warm and cozy--time to retire to my own personal nest.

Now-- I know I will be whining at some point about snow, cold, biting wind -- but then.. it will be time for another change.

Enjoy ~

Battle of the Blogging

You might have noticed - I have not posted here recently... but I have been posting somewhere else ! Head over to the Ride-A-Curly blog and you'll see a flood of posts from Curly owners and riders. The month of November is another mini-contest with PRIZES for the most frequent written reports of their equine activities. I don't really view myself as particularly competitive- but I do love winning... so I have focused all my written dialogues in the direction of the RAC blog.

Also - it's time already to sign on for the new year of RAC -- amazing that this year is coming to a close. Denise Conroy.. author and creator of the RAC has added a new division -- the Jack Benny class of riders- anyone 55 and over. Myself-- I will be turning 60 in 2010 so I more than qualify there :)

We just found out that OYY Elektra and her dedicated rider, Zoe earned the ICHO NATIONAL DRESSAGE CHAMPION AT INTRO LEVEL. This has not been officially announced yet - but will be soon. I have to send a photo of the Elektra and Zoe for their Forum front page - where they will announce all the winners of their Curlies in Action - the show division.

We are still waiting on the announcement from the CSI (Curly Sporthorse International). As I mentioned -- we love winning :)

It's definitely fall here - with short days and a whole different angle of sun .. The trees are bare naked and smoke rises from every chimney in the vista. But we've been blessed with more sun than we have seen all year it seems and fairly warm weather. Great for riding and driving -- which we've done a lot of lately .. especially with OYY Nimue.. our driving queen.

We have even gotten out for some "family" drives with Zoe's son Dominic.

As you can see I have been working on some of my control issues and allowing Zoe to use the camera from time to time. :)

We weaned all the pony colts .. which went so quick and easy .. the Moms did not miss their boys at all. Maybe ponies mature a bit earlier.. no whining from them either... they are brave and independent.

OYY Niobe - one of those Moms now minus a nursling by her side- is back in training.. refresher and more for her.

She was started as an adorable western large pony (13 hands) and then it was time for her to deliver and have an extended maternity leave. She is taking to her new status as empty nester well -- enjoying the attention for herself.

Our lovely OYY Sweet Bee is already an oustanding mount - for pleasure, show and also therapeutic riding lessons... now, she's destined to also be a driving horse -- if all goes well. She's starting off in her grand-mother's harness, which two of her Aunts also use when they are pulling the cart !

Zoe and I are formulating plans to enter a few driving shows next summer.. so we need a driving horse -- Sweet Bee just may be the one ! She's already excelled at dressage and some jumping shows... we'll see.

And her handsome full brother - OYY Buster Brown is also back in harnes after a year or so off from work. He just turned 3 in October. Zoe and I are planning to get him pulling the cart and also get him under saddle this winter. It's not going to take long - he's so mellow and ready.

He has toured the back roads being ground driven with a great attitude..interested in his surroundings but focused on my direction. We met lots of traffic and stopped to chat with a neighbor too.

One of favorite pony mares - OYY HummingBird is also ready to start her saddle training. She had a small amount of harness training and then was shelved as a project... she's back in harness and pulling an evener... as soon as Zoe and I have time together she'll try the cart. She is backed - no saddle yet, just a human on her back. Just as we thought, no problems or anxieties what-so-ever from her. With her size (12.1 hands) it's an easy step up for Zoe.

HummingBird has the perfect disposition to become a super therapeutic lesson pony -- but she will be offered for sale since we have our upcoming OYY

Ceda.. who will never leave the farm !

So we have kept ourselves busy - and have also gotten in some great rides- short and long. With hunting season, we've stuck to the roads, but we're still having loads of fun in the saddle.

Enjoy ~

Exploration, Discoveries and Fresh Trail !

Early morning moon-set starts the day. This Monday was supposed to be the start of a new group for lessons, but paperwork was not completed in time- so -- darn... we have free time for a long ride !! After our short trip out with Keri and Reverie yesterday, we have plans to return to that trail and trot in and out, up and down every off shoot path we see.

We trotted up the snowmobile trail a few minutes from my house - exited the woods to a nice over look.

it's Keri and Elektra today.

Once we are back on the trail from yesterday, we begin our exploration. We find evidence of old fields and pastures - and this old well. The brush is very thick here- so we do not discover any remnants of a farm house or a cellar hole.

The well is well camouflaged.

The next path we follow off to the right- climbs up along a narrow ledgy ridge- with a great view, but a steep drop off. Here's the only spot I find to take a photo -






It eventually dead-ends at an airplane light beacon. The space at the top here is so tight, I can't even photo the entire tower.

It's a very pretty spot, but I was getting that quivery feeling in my legs that I always experience with heights :)

We turn around and back track to the trail... continuing the expedition.

Come across a lovely pond in the woods. From here, we spy a clearing... so we bushwhack a bit, cross a stonewall and follow our sighting. Another trail ! and some curious route signs here !

We have no idea where we are - and never did find any houses anywhere.. but obviously, these trails are kept groomed by someone.

So many choices !! left, right, trot up the mountain or down... most definitely- we need to come back here and conduct more reconnaissance !

We briefly take the trail that leads down- and it opens up into old fields. We find a collapsed barn with lots of antique farm equipment in the weeds.

An abandoned Ford truck. Whenever I see an old vehicle, I think of my sons (to whom any old discarded vehicle was treasure)-- mainly my Number One son. He was always a Chevy man though - according to him- Ford is Found On Road Dead.... well this honey is dead on the trail, but it does not look all that old.

It is not until we come upon this opening in the trees that we realize where we are ! We recognize the building -- it's quite far away, across the Black River and Route10/106 in North Springfield. We realize that we have discovered an awesome trail that opens up so many possibilities for rides out with no backtracking.




Another look out view-- this is the orchard that is up on the top of Orchard road :)

I zoomed in on the orchard itself here.

We did some more creative trotting - following trails .. and the rest of the trip- to tell the truth is a bit of a fog to me-- as most of the routes we toured were all new to us. We investigated as many of the paths as we could and decided to try to head in the direction of home. Somehow-- between this trail hunt and that.. we ended up at the end of Fairbanks Road at this old barn.

Fairbanks is a dead-end-- but we saw that there is a trail... OK-- more plans to head back over here to see where that goes ! In the meantime-- continue in the direction of home.

We traveled some more on a few back roads I have never been on- found a nice old logging trail short cut from one road to another... Came out at this beautiful pond where the sky is more brilliant on the water surface than it is in real life !

What a fun excursion -- with plans for much more investigation in that area. Now if the rains hold off for today(Tuesday) we have a big plan for a very long trip.

Enjoy the day ~