We've had a bit of a stretch of heat here in Vermont... and no water for quite some time. Ponds and rivers are down.. it's so hot even my silk flowers appear wilted !! I have not minded the heat so much, but I hate to see this lack of water. I like my pastures green and lush. However, farmers are making hay like crazy.
Once we turn onto Cook's Pond Road, we find it lined with hemlock.. so we snatch a couple of nice branches to test the theory.
Teasel did not love his hemlock hat - but it gave him some relief.
We reach the pond -- and see there are lots of possibilities for further exploration in this area. We'll absolutely return to spend some time poking around on the offshooot trails.
And one of my favorite old houses which stands along the Center Road. Weathersfield is full of history and the roads are named after people who came over to settle a long time ago.
In 1811 Consul Jarvis brought from Spain to his farm in Weathersfield Bow the prized Merino sheep, whose longer fiber revolutionized the woolen industry and stimulated sheep raising throughout the East. In the 1830's, Merinos were the state's principal livestock. Vermont is largely woods now, but at one time - tens of thousands of sheep dotted the hillsides. By 1837, there were 1,000,000 sheep in the state ! Hard to imagine as we trot through rough woods.
We trot down Cady Hill Road onto Reservoir Road ... which is dry and dusty. But just a little ways down - is the gate to the trail we have decided to take home.
We enter the floodplains -- further down than where we generally ride. To the right here is Stoughton Pond -- a medium sized pond built by the Army Corps of Engineers as part of the whole North Springfield Dam project.
It's lush down here -- but hardly flooded.
You can see the heat gathered here ...
Deep water was difficult to find... Teasel found this spot and was content to stand. Keri and I walked up and down the river exploring a bit. We stayed and played in the river for about an hour. Both Zoe and I wanted so badly to dismount and lay out in the water ourselves.
Here are the still waters that don't run all that deep today.
Reluctantly -- it's time to head home... we take the high trail - as it's much more shady. We follow the river and admire the views.
We reach the North Springfield Dam -- where on so many of our river rides we enter from this side. We took the LONG way around today -- doing the ride essentially backwards form the furthest point out possible... and really enjoyed it.
We finally had the opportunity to get some photo's of each other and our horses- wearing our award shirts and the horses with their outstanding Champion sashes !! WOW. Denise outdid herself with this !!
perhaps I am a bit biased.. but Fiona is such a gorgeous mare :) She looks SO pretty with her sash. Doesn't it just compliment her perfectly ?
On Wednesday, Zoe and I -- Keri and Teasel - finally got in our trip up along Skyline Drive, trotting around Weathersfield and exploring some new areas and sights. We got down into the Bow briefly and then back up onto Skyline.
Here we see, round bales that must have tumbled down from the steep hilly hay field across from here. I would not have wanted to be passing by on the road when they came racing by down the hill !
Skyline Drive is a lovely winding back road with outstanding views. Today -- the mountains are hazy with heat. Generally, you can see towns and landmarks as you gaze across. Today-- just the shadowy blue outlines of mountains in New Hampshire. Generally, I hate to admit a beautiful New Hampshire view - because I always say.. Vermont is a far prettier state. If I remember correctly, Robert Frost was once quoted saying something similar... He moved from New Hampshire to Vermont "to seek a better place to farm and especially grow apples." For the next four decades, Frost lived principally in Vermont, becoming the official poet laureate of the Green Mountain State. Frost wrote much of his verse in a log cabin in Ripton in central Vermont. He ended his Pulitzer Prize-winning poem, "New Hampshire," with the ironic words, "At present I am living in Vermont." and once said he much preferred the sights of Vermont over New Hampshire.
Due to the haze -- these mountains appear like clouds.
On days like this -- the deerflies are relentless. I remember my friend's suggestion of slipping a hemlock branch under the horse's bridle for relief. For some of the ride -- we carry maple branches and swat the flies away from Keri and Teasel's ears. There are no hemlock along Skyline.
On days like this -- the deerflies are relentless. I remember my friend's suggestion of slipping a hemlock branch under the horse's bridle for relief. For some of the ride -- we carry maple branches and swat the flies away from Keri and Teasel's ears. There are no hemlock along Skyline.
Once we turn onto Cook's Pond Road, we find it lined with hemlock.. so we snatch a couple of nice branches to test the theory.
Teasel did not love his hemlock hat - but it gave him some relief.
Keri on the other hand felt quite special with her headgear.
At the end of Cook's Pond Road - we find trail, which should cut over to the Center Road in Weathersfield.
We reach the pond -- and see there are lots of possibilities for further exploration in this area. We'll absolutely return to spend some time poking around on the offshooot trails.
Here's the old Weathersfield Meeting House.
And one of my favorite old houses which stands along the Center Road. Weathersfield is full of history and the roads are named after people who came over to settle a long time ago.
In 1811 Consul Jarvis brought from Spain to his farm in Weathersfield Bow the prized Merino sheep, whose longer fiber revolutionized the woolen industry and stimulated sheep raising throughout the East. In the 1830's, Merinos were the state's principal livestock. Vermont is largely woods now, but at one time - tens of thousands of sheep dotted the hillsides. By 1837, there were 1,000,000 sheep in the state ! Hard to imagine as we trot through rough woods.
More views -- from Center Road.
We trot down Cady Hill Road onto Reservoir Road ... which is dry and dusty. But just a little ways down - is the gate to the trail we have decided to take home.
We enter the floodplains -- further down than where we generally ride. To the right here is Stoughton Pond -- a medium sized pond built by the Army Corps of Engineers as part of the whole North Springfield Dam project.
It's lush down here -- but hardly flooded.
You can see the heat gathered here ...
Had to snap these lovely wood lilies which lined the path.
We reach our cooling destination !! The river. Teasel is especially pleased to be in the river - where he drinks and snorts and blows bubbles -- splashing water with his front leg.
Deep water was difficult to find... Teasel found this spot and was content to stand. Keri and I walked up and down the river exploring a bit. We stayed and played in the river for about an hour. Both Zoe and I wanted so badly to dismount and lay out in the water ourselves.
Here are the still waters that don't run all that deep today.
Reluctantly -- it's time to head home... we take the high trail - as it's much more shady. We follow the river and admire the views.
We reach the North Springfield Dam -- where on so many of our river rides we enter from this side. We took the LONG way around today -- doing the ride essentially backwards form the furthest point out possible... and really enjoyed it.
From here, we wind around and up -- out onto the road - through North Springfield on the sidewalks and home on the shady back roads. Keri and Teasel had a nice bath when we returned to the farm -- a big treat -- what a great ride ! It's wonderful to get out in the saddle for fun after worrying over shows and spending all day roasting ringside. :)
Now -- if you can remember back to May and our RAC mini challenge -- where I rode OYY Fiona all month and Zoe worked with OYY Queen Jane Approximately... perhaps you might have wondered about the outcome of that little contest.
in case you feel the need to travel back to the month of May and see a little of my experience riding a young green horse who is NOT Keri :)
Zoe and I were pleased and surprised to find out we were winners in each of our categories.
We finally had the opportunity to get some photo's of each other and our horses- wearing our award shirts and the horses with their outstanding Champion sashes !! WOW. Denise outdid herself with this !!
Two very beautiful girls....
Queen has been backed - maybe if she is not sold, Zoe will take her into some shows in the future.
perhaps I am a bit biased.. but Fiona is such a gorgeous mare :) She looks SO pretty with her sash. Doesn't it just compliment her perfectly ?
Very soon - Fiona will be back in driving training and perhaps even take Nimue's place ..
To end the day's report -- I also snapped a few photo's of OYY Elektra and her ribbons from the past weekend's show.
Elektra is a niece to Queen Jane. I am not sure yet where she inherited those big ears.. :)
Top O' The Hill Farm has planned a Curly Folks Get Together for the weekend of August 14th... Friday mid morning till Sunday whenever.. hopefully lots of Curly owners, lovers and dreamers will gather here for fun and socializing. We have a trail ride in the works -- which -- if enough people attend -- should be the largest group of Curly horses out on the trail at one time !! and hopefully also - we can encourage those who cannot attend.. they will go out on a "ride-with-me" curly trail ride along side us on cyber space trails. Other activities are still in the planning stages -- but it's going to be fun -- and the start of an ANNUAL tradition here at Top O' The Hill Farm !! I know it's rather late for announcement - but if any of you out there can mange it .. there are others who are flying in for it .. e-mail me and I can help to organize you all to travel together perhaps. I have some beds still available, floor space for those young enough to tolerate that... tents can be set up on the large lawn.... people can travel with campers with ample space for parking.
Today is raining -- and while I did have tasks planned for today -- I am thrilled to hear the sometimes gentle, sometimes downpour rainfall -- nourishing our poor parched ground and brook beds.
Enjoy the day ~
No comments:
Post a Comment