Two Cities, Two Trails

Since most of us are either under 2 feet of snow or 8 inches of rain, I have some trail eye-candy to share with you. (Nevermind that these photos were taken last month…)

First up, Cowboy H and I rode out from our ranch into the local State Park with a few other residents boarders. It was a gorgeous day!

From January 16:

Love the snow-capped mountains nearby!






Here I am on my mount (Maria was lame). Isn't he handsome? I am five and a half months pregnant here.

A week or so later, Cowboy H and I headed out to the desert for a little ride with the Desert Rose. We lucked out and landed another gorgeous day!

From January 25:

Cheers! Of course.


Isn't she fabulous!


Cowboy H and I borrowed horses instead of hauling ours all the way out there. I am nearly six months pregnant here. Photo courtesy of the Desert Rose.




There was water everywhere; it was so refreshing!

Hope y'all enjoyed a glimpse of what all this stormy weather will give way to in a few months. Stay safe and warm!

Trail Riding On Our Turf

Finally. I know, this post is pretty much two weeks overdue. But, I'm trying. So, hold on to your hats, this is going to be a long one.

Can you guess who's who?

After days and nights of rain, our planned ride day dawned bright, beautiful and clear. Cowboy H and I got out to our ranch fairly early and brought our ponies in from pasture, gave them each a bucket of grain, tacked up and waited. The girls waited patiently too. It was a sight we'll never see again. Lastly, Cowboy H put the finishing touches on his outfit.

By now, those of you who follow Jesses Desert Rose should know that EVERY ride is an excuse to get dressed to the nines, with matching tack as well. Well, a handful of years ago, the DR bought this pink striped shirt for Cowboy H. Every time we ride with DR, Cowboy H tries to remember to wear this shirt.

However, this time around, we added the tie. Yes, its pink and yes, its paisley. I don't know about anyone else, but I love a man in pink. Mmmmmm...

Anyway.

Soon, we heard the diesel truck rumbling down the drive. Once parked, there was much commotion as the handsome Crow was unloaded and fawned over, mimosas were handed out, magazines were presented and horses settled. Before too long, the mimosas were gone and we were in our saddles.

We rode out from our ranch, into the cow pastures and up the hill I broke my arm on. Just before dropping down into the state park, we stopped for the first photo op.

Wow, we were a colorful group! Also, I would like to mention that this photo is SOOC. I swear! I still can't believe how vibrant the colors are!

We rode into the state park on a trail that Cowboy H, the ranch girls, and I had made ourselves. It was a muddy, mucky, sloshy mess. The entire time, our ponies were ankle deep in mud or over-saturated soil. The ground sunk about four inches with every step. We crossed water about five times, none of them easy ones. Honestly, we should not have gone out that day, the ground was so bad, but that wasn't discovered until about 30 minutes into the ride. The first 40 minutes really were not that fun.

We finally made it to the actual state park trails and had to make our first pit stop. And yes, the DR was caught on her own two feet again.

Look at that strut!


I'm sorry guys. I just can't help myself.

Poor Cowboy H got stuck holding three horses!

Of course, we also took this opportunity to top off our glasses. Thanks Bossman!

And, we were off again.

Yes, the Bossman provides us with REAL glasses out on the trail!

The day was so beautiful we had to stop to take lots of photos.

Or, just take in the view.

We continued up a long hill, and were able to divert our attentions from the ground since the footing was a lot better. Much story-telling ensued.

Once we got to the top, we filled up our glasses, err I mean, let our horses blow a bit.

Please forgive me. Just look at him!

The ponies also got their fair share of trail treats. It was a lot of work just to keep their heads above their knees!

But can you blame them?

Eventually we worked our way down into the main area of the camp, the same place we started out when we gathered cows last time. We got stopped by a park ranger, because well, those dang cows were out again, and she wanted to make sure we knew where those dang cows were (apparently she was tracking them). Uh, cows? Lady, we're just here to ride. Then we were informed that the state park was actually closed to the public, but since we were "here for the cows" she'd let us slide. Aww, thanks. So, we pretended to look for cows. (None were spotted.)

Before long, we were at our lunch spot! The state park has a horse camping ground complete with pipe stalls, porta-potties and picnic tables.

And lunch was served!

Side Note: The Bossman supplies everyone with NEW wine glasses for lunch, because serving wine in the same glasses your champagne was in is just not acceptable.

We definitely took our time during lunch, telling more stories and finishing off two bottles of wine between the five of us. We also decided to head back home through the front entrance of the park and along the city streets. We really didn't want to slop through all the mud we had come in through.

If this doesn't show how small Bella was, I don't know what would.

Riding through the streets was not ideal, but also pretty uneventful with our group. If nothing else, it was a good experience for all the horses.

From there we were back at the ranch. All in all we were out on trail for about six hours, including the one hour lunch break. It was a really great ride, minus all the mud. Maybe in a couple months time, we can do it again?!?!

Anyone else want to join??

Weekend Getaway: A Desert Ride

Let me preface by saying that this particular ride has been in progress for over a year and a half! While Cowboy H and the Desert Rose have ridden many many trails together over the years, I had only gone on maybe two very short rides with DR. In November of 2008, we had scheduled a ride in the desert with DR and the two girls who work at our ranch. That was canceled when we had to evacuate our ranch because of a major wild fire. Cue a few months later, when we had the horses tacked and loaded up, and they closed the Indian Canyons due to excessive wind! About a month after that, the girls from the ranch and I hauled our horses out to the desert to ride with DR, but her daughter went into labor early! In short, this ride was way overdue.

After 3 days of rain in the desert, the horses were a little fresh, so the camera didn't come out until we had already climbed a bit.

Cowboy H and I had been in that snow just the day before!

On this particular ride, we hauled into the Indian Canyons, and started out on the Fern Canyon Trail. That sandy piece between the two hills is what we had taken to get where we were.

There she is, the infamous Desert Rose. We made her stay in the back. We weren't taking any chances this day.

You can really see the trail we had just ridden up in the above picture, and below is the trail we will be continuing to take up.

Of course, an early refreshment break was in order and the lemonade was busted out.

Yes, that's how I roll, camera in one hand, reins (maybe) and beverage in the other. What?

The Desert Rose and Cowboy H know how to roll too. Drinking and riding is the only way to go.

Cheers!

And now, I would like to take a moment to honor all the cowboy horses of the world. As evidenced by Redley's face here, its a cruel, cruel world.

Man, it ain't easy being an outlaw.

After a pretty good climb, the trail flattened out and we were back in a little wash, this one full of palm trees.

Hence the name Fern Canyon.

We did come across a down tree, which Cowboy H's and my long-legged horses were able to step over. Little Lady had to think about it for a bit, but ended up pretty much stepping over too.

Sorry that's so blown out. Remember, drink, horse, camera??

Before too long, we were back out in an open wash. Here, we let DR almost be in front.

It was neck and neck for a little while.

But alas, the Desert Rose was not to be trail boss this day, especially after I noticed this:

Yes, at one of our pit stops, DR had managed to get both her reins on one side of LL's neck.

Good thing we were there to save the day! Haha, actually, good thing Little Lady knows what this trail riding thing is all about.

Its alright, DR, I won't tell anyone. And I won't hold it against you. And maybe, just maybe, I'll let you be trail boss again.

Pretty soon, we were ready to go back down!

My mount, Sarge, is not so convinced.

He wants to think about it for a little bit. That's okay buddy. We'll wait.

In fact, we'll take one more beverage break with ya.

But, we came up, so we must go down.

Okay, the following pictures were most definitely the most difficult ones to take on this ride. I really wanted to capture exactly how steep the trail we were riding was, and I'm just grateful my horse stayed on trail.

Yes, Sarge, we're almost to the bottom. And a big ole watering hole awaits you!

Here we are in Palm Canyon, which we had taken the Vandeventer Trail from the Fern Canyon Trail to get to (if anyone cares).

There was a lot of water for it being the desert.

After drinking up, us humans needed a pit stop ourselves. And Sarge needed his professional portraits taken.

It was something we had worked out before hand. He agreed to keep me on trail and in the saddle, and offered to start his portfolio for him.

I'm so glad we were both able to hold up our ends of the deal.

Over at the other hitching rail, LL and DR were playing games.

Do you spy a Desert Rose?

At this point, we were just a short ride from the staging area, where the trailers were waiting for us. But first we had to get across this:

Oh how would we ever make it??

Hee hee. The fun way of course!

Thank goodness no one drowned!

I'd say, this ride was well worth the wait!