Reports of a Blue Moon for New Year's Eve excited Zoe and I to the point of planning for a moonlit ride on the last evening of 2009. Late afternoon, it became evident this was not in the stars... heavy snows - heavy sky -- no visible moon. So we saddled up and headed out earlier in case the weather worsened. The roads are extremely icy, the trails are very wet still even with all the extreme freeze and snowcover.... where are we going to go ? We ended up heading up my small mountain trails across the road from the farm - which was tricky going. We tried to keep the horses to the side or the middle so they could dig into the crispier undisturbed snow. The springs are running like madwomen - freezing as they flow, creating unbelievable glaciers everywhere.
There's a very big flat rock for sitting on nice days - not that I ever sit much.. except in the saddle but it's a good thought :) This past summer I planted a large sprawling rose bush near the flat rock and several wild beach roses along the retaining wall in front. it will be pleasant to look at as I ride by :)
At the summit - we enter the quiet pine woods
We actually continue to climb, more gradually -- until we look for an old opening in the stone wall from way back when this was all pasture and farmland. There, we find another trail which presents a few choices for destination. 
Here's the Base of Operations - they chip all the smaller logs and tops for the chip furnaces so popular now.
The rest go on the log trucks - for firewood and lumber - I am surprised the guys are working today.
We trot down the back roads a bit and enter a different trail - we're not ready to return home quite yet !
Keri is not on her best behavior today - the unstable footing is making her anxious. Where she usually is perfection crossing mud/water/ice sections of the trail, she is rushy and her "cheeks" are out - which is the term I use when she is feeling recalcitrant and nervous. She puffs up her cheeks. :) At one particularly difficult spot - she could not decide if she was going to run through the ice and mud - or jump.. so she did a bit of both and more.. and nearly fell almost unseating me. Naturally I had a few words for her - because even though I love her to death.. I still call her names - and I called her a LONG list of names today :) But to her credit it was a challenging ride with the blowing snow, the bad footing and the ice balls that kept forming in her hooves.
We exit out of the trail into the pasture - and isn't there just something so enchanting about a wide expanse of virgin snow - no footsteps or prints yet ?
While I love sunshine - these greys and monotones are soothing too.
After we pass through the big field, we have to trot past the owner's house and down their town road/driveway... the woman said she liked us to ride by though - as she loves the horses.
Snowflakes and ice
when Keri is on the cross ties in the barn - I only hitch one of the ties- she always likes to stand with her head in the door of this stall.
While not our best ride - it still was great to get out into my saddle. I hope there is a big turn around with weather and riding conditions - as the roads presently are treacherous and the trails are not in great shape for trotting... we can still go out - but not much moving along and my body craves that :)
My beautiful Keri waits patiently on the hitchrail while I prepare myself for the winter wonderland ride. Careful layering and bundling required :)
Starting out on the small mountain road - past this tree I have always loved since we moved here. It's two Hornbeam which over the years grew together, apart and together again several times.
There's a very big flat rock for sitting on nice days - not that I ever sit much.. except in the saddle but it's a good thought :) This past summer I planted a large sprawling rose bush near the flat rock and several wild beach roses along the retaining wall in front. it will be pleasant to look at as I ride by :)
At the summit - we enter the quiet pine woods
We actually continue to climb, more gradually -- until we look for an old opening in the stone wall from way back when this was all pasture and farmland. There, we find another trail which presents a few choices for destination.
But what happened here ??? I knew they were logging up in here -- but wow-- where's our trail ? We wander bit - but the loggers are in here with big skidders and chainsaws -- felling huge trees... they don't see us and I don't want to get squished under a tree today. We'll have to find a way down to the road - and go to plan B.
We follow some skidder tracks in the snow - from where they have dragged trees and brush- it should head down to the landing.
Pretty winter views from up here - but next time we ride in this much snowfall-- I think we are going to need ski goggles :)
Here's the Base of Operations - they chip all the smaller logs and tops for the chip furnaces so popular now.
The rest go on the log trucks - for firewood and lumber - I am surprised the guys are working today.
We trot down the back roads a bit and enter a different trail - we're not ready to return home quite yet !
Keri is not on her best behavior today - the unstable footing is making her anxious. Where she usually is perfection crossing mud/water/ice sections of the trail, she is rushy and her "cheeks" are out - which is the term I use when she is feeling recalcitrant and nervous. She puffs up her cheeks. :) At one particularly difficult spot - she could not decide if she was going to run through the ice and mud - or jump.. so she did a bit of both and more.. and nearly fell almost unseating me. Naturally I had a few words for her - because even though I love her to death.. I still call her names - and I called her a LONG list of names today :) But to her credit it was a challenging ride with the blowing snow, the bad footing and the ice balls that kept forming in her hooves.
We exit out of the trail into the pasture - and isn't there just something so enchanting about a wide expanse of virgin snow - no footsteps or prints yet ?
While I love sunshine - these greys and monotones are soothing too.
After we pass through the big field, we have to trot past the owner's house and down their town road/driveway... the woman said she liked us to ride by though - as she loves the horses.
Keri and I trot up my driveway/road -- wet and chilled... I give her a pat -- it's OK that she was a bit rude today. :)
Snowflakes and ice
when Keri is on the cross ties in the barn - I only hitch one of the ties- she always likes to stand with her head in the door of this stall.
While not our best ride - it still was great to get out into my saddle. I hope there is a big turn around with weather and riding conditions - as the roads presently are treacherous and the trails are not in great shape for trotting... we can still go out - but not much moving along and my body craves that :)
We'll be riding again today - have not formed a plan as to where... stay tuned !
Happy 2010 !! Enjoy ~
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