Saturday was one of our most beautiful days yet .. clear, crisp -- not warm enough for melting. We decided to trot down to the snowmobile trails and follow those - and the snow cover was firm and perfect, wide as a highway for some fast travelin' :) The horses were happy and we actually found new trail for the coming summer expeditions and formulated a new loop for the next ride out. And the SKIES --- as my best friend would say -- "firkin' awesome" :)
Blue days... All of them gone.. Nothing but blue skies ~From now on .. as I trot along .. Willie Nelson is the man crooning the tune - but you can choose your own ..
I added a gadget to the right where you can actually click to play... I uploaded a choice of Willie and Ella if you want musical accompaniment. Hopefully it works and you enjoy :)
Right at the beginning - we cross a snowmobile bridge that is part of some neighborhood controversy.. and poorly built at that. The horses don't love this one.
Photo's tell the whole story :)
Back into the woods again with sun and shadows.
We rode this trail a few times during the summer but at some point since then, the snowmobile clubbers have altered the route... we exited NOT where we though we would. No problem though - as we spotted some great off shoots for some future summertime expeditions.
Here, through the trees, we get our first clue for where we are.
We cross the road, through a gate and onwards we go. During the summer these gates are closed -- cows in the fields. For winter-time, this is superb riding and we get to travel to new places and see new sights.
a snowy highway ..One of the best features about the snowmobiles trails is ~ if we keep going, we can trot to Canada !! However, we always have to remember-- we still have to save time to get home again. Today was one of those days where we don't want to get out of the saddle
Through out the day - we met a few other riders of the motorized persuasion. Horses are not truly allowed on the trails - but everyone is friendly and waves.
saw a few snow shoers. Usually all we see of these quiet forest walkers is their prints.
More bridges - and another road crossing ahead.
I think I just said something funny to Zoe. We trotted and cantered to the crossing over Route 106 just to see it and formulate the plan for our next ride -- which will most likely lead to Hawk's Mountain again- but all snowmobile trail this time. Then we returned home on the back roads.
it's getting later in the afternoon now-- plenty of sunrays - but they are not emitting so much warmth as before. The dirt roads are still slick- so it's slow going on the return trip.
Teasel and Keri love to stay close. We don't allow for this often.. but we can trot and canter like this for miles ! They are so silly.
The further we get on the back roads- the more close the tree cover.. creating a dark tunnel. After our blazing trots and canters in the sun - we were delightfully warmed. Here, with the slow cautious walking, we became quite chilled.
Next time we follow this route we are going to do it in reverse... the cold slow part first -- and end up with the fast and furious. Also - in reverse, the trip will be almost all up hill.
Perhaps all of you are already bored with my canter video's but I had to add another -- because it was so much fun.. At one point you'll hear me politely mention to my mount she is too close to the tree...
A section I left out - due to some of camera fumbling and a lot of hushed conversation.. was when Zoe politely poked me and whispered 'deer' .... I am whispering back 'where? ' ... 'I don't see them' which of course I can't see anything with the camera up to my eye -- as we are cantering and filming... afterwards I am wondering -- why were we whispering--- I guess because our horses did not see the herd and we wanted to keep it that way :)
This was probably the best ride of 2010 :)
Enjoy ~
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