Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay My, oh my what a wonderful day! Plenty of sunshine heading my way Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay.
I used to sing this a lot as a child... and Wednesday - the day of our water crossing trip-- was a good day for the tune. I have no bluebird on my shoulder BUT .. It's the truth, it's actch'll Ev'rything is satisfactch'll Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
Wonderful feeling, wonderful day! :)
No photo's the first leg of the trip... as we travel that so often. I started snapping in North Springfield... We BOTH had cameras today !! So WATCH OUT ... I may be converting Zoe into a photo addict.
You know how my horses love a nice sidewalk. It's warm then chilly - so we toggled our sweatshirts off and on. We are wondering just how cold that water might be. My camera is on its last legs - it takes photo's but will not turn off after - so I packed extra batteries just in case and also a spare pair of socks., thinking I could change after our crossing. You'll see later - while this plan made good sense in the planning stages - you'll see this was a silly, quite useless idea
Elektra's first trot past the Mobil station up on Route 106. We see our friends, the Gibson's, are parked in front of their little rented space across the highway so we decide to trot over and say HI.
Since Denise has taught me, horses CAN enter buildings -- I walk over to open the door.
The Gibson's are inside vacuuming -- so I elect to let them come outside for a quick chat instead of bringing my horse inside. Don't want to be a rude visitor.
Close to the North Springfield Dam area --- we can take a left further up here to enter the trails .. but we choose to trot further, cross the very tall one lane bridge over the dam. The first time we crossed this bridge on horseback was back in 2008 -- April 8th.. That year, there was still ice and some snow -- no water crossing then but we were treated to the governor's helicopter's landing very near us as we returned on the other side of the airport.
Peeking over the side of the narrow bridge.
Here's the floodplains... to the right of Zoe during normal summer years is dry. Keri rode down here the first time in her life when she was 6 years old on a 25 mile ride.
Here's the little path down to the water-- in mid-summer, this path is completely camouflaged with tall weeds and brush.
Keri takes her first step into the water. This initial cross is not deep -- maybe up to Keri's knees.. then, it reached Elektra's knees !! She's a good hand taller than Keri. OK - I think my shoes are getting wet.
Elektra is poking her nose in the water and blowing bubbles !! Silly dressage horse :)
My shoes are filled with water, so no point in changing socks when I am done here. At one point the river was over the top of my saddle...
Elektra is frolicking a bit in the water - so difficult for Zoe to hold the camera steady.
Here is the power dam -- just upstream from where we crossed. The sound of the water over this dam was extremely loud -- which is why I took the very short video- so everyone could experience the waterfalling... then we trotted and cantered across the field toward home- on the opposite side of the river.
We spent some time cantering up and down this fenceline.. and Zoe was showing off with Elektra's flying lead changes... which I was standing off in order to video -- but now my camera has died.. darn. I just though Keri looked quite attractive here -- but of course- she's mine... always beautiful.
Back through North Springfield.. where we eventually get onto the back dirt roads.
Chairs of some sort have been here as long as I can remember.
And Seriously Keri ? You're thirsty ?? I guess so.
The Gibson's are inside vacuuming -- so I elect to let them come outside for a quick chat instead of bringing my horse inside. Don't want to be a rude visitor.
They did get a kick out of it though.
We do miss some very nice trail by trotting over the bridge -- but ... the bridge is more of an obstacle for obstacle season. :)
Our last water crossing here in the floodplains was last year in July. If you are inclined to check that past post out, you'll see some of the same photo's only with lots of foliage and green growth. Due to all the precipitation we received in 2009, the crossing spot was almost as deep as it is this springtime at its highest.
Peeking over the side of the narrow bridge.
This is the Old Reservoir Road -- a trail for hiking, bicycling and horseback riding. It winds throughout the dam and flood area.. with nature trails here and there.
As the sign explains -- this area was once farms and homes.
Zoe and I talked about bringing Nimue and the cart over here but not sure how we'd get around these gates.. which I suppose are there to keep out motorized traffic. It would be loads of fun in the cart -- so we are going to give it a try -- we'll figure something out.
The trail which follows along the river -- quite littered with debris from the spring floods.
As the sign explains -- this area was once farms and homes.
Zoe and I talked about bringing Nimue and the cart over here but not sure how we'd get around these gates.. which I suppose are there to keep out motorized traffic. It would be loads of fun in the cart -- so we are going to give it a try -- we'll figure something out.
The trail which follows along the river -- quite littered with debris from the spring floods.
Here's the floodplains... to the right of Zoe during normal summer years is dry. Keri rode down here the first time in her life when she was 6 years old on a 25 mile ride.
Flooded floodplains ..
Here's the little path down to the water-- in mid-summer, this path is completely camouflaged with tall weeds and brush.
Keri takes her first step into the water. This initial cross is not deep -- maybe up to Keri's knees.. then, it reached Elektra's knees !! She's a good hand taller than Keri. OK - I think my shoes are getting wet.
Elektra is poking her nose in the water and blowing bubbles !! Silly dressage horse :)
Here's the deeper section -- my Loch Ness mare !
Or I guess since it's Vermont-- I'll say Champ (our own Lake Champlain monster)
My shoes are filled with water, so no point in changing socks when I am done here. At one point the river was over the top of my saddle...
Elektra is frolicking a bit in the water - so difficult for Zoe to hold the camera steady.
And here is our entertaining video clip of Zoe trying not to chuckle too much while her mother is in danger of being swept away downstream :0 The current was swift, the water deep -- but just WAY TOO MUCH FUN !! Why does this have to be so far from home -- because it would be so awesome if this was only a quick trot away.
Here is the power dam -- just upstream from where we crossed. The sound of the water over this dam was extremely loud -- which is why I took the very short video- so everyone could experience the waterfalling... then we trotted and cantered across the field toward home- on the opposite side of the river.
After what we just did -- these puddles are nothing -- but would be fun for Nimue if we can trot over here in the cart before the water dries up.
Soon we come up on the airport -- which is well fenced.
We spent some time cantering up and down this fenceline.. and Zoe was showing off with Elektra's flying lead changes... which I was standing off in order to video -- but now my camera has died.. darn. I just though Keri looked quite attractive here -- but of course- she's mine... always beautiful.
Back through North Springfield.. where we eventually get onto the back dirt roads.
We detour onto the Apple Tree trail --
I mentioned to Zoe -- I wonder if the owner reads my blog because once in a post I said something about asking him to clear away all the pine tree branches we had to duck under... the trail is very clear now. What a difference.
Chairs of some sort have been here as long as I can remember.
A very small water crossing here.
And Seriously Keri ? You're thirsty ?? I guess so.
What an incredibly satisfactch'll day !! Later in the evening when I went to take my shower, I noticed.. my lower legs were black from my chaps being so wet... whoops. Today is Friday and my boots are still wet. I am SO ready to repeat this ride !!!
Enjoy ~
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