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June 13, 2019: Storm Rolling In

It’s overcast; there are low lying clouds on the distant peaks. Not fog, rather storm clouds. It’s also a bit chilly – temperatures are in the mid-50s. This evening there’s been some thunder and lightning, and bursts of rain. We ate dinner in the trailer (clam chowder) because it was also windy.

We finished the day’s five hour ride just as the storm was moving in. I would not like to have been caught in this one. We were lucky because we (again) got off to a very late start. This morning Pete filtered the day’s and evening’s water. There’s a stock tank into which creek water flows adjacent to our campsite. He also spent considerable time adjusting Hrimmi’s pack saddle. And putting the boots on the horses also took quite a while. Me, I put

Alys and Ryder having a conversation
Alys and Ryder having a conversation

the tent away and organized gear for packing. The horses are in the wood corrals, so I’ve been spared having to take down the highline, a task that I now do regularly.

We got off to our usual 11 a.m. start. It was then warm, windy, and sunny – there were at the onset of our ride, no clouds in the sky. We first did a ride on the right hand side of the road, up and down the switchback trail. The horses, who now are getting in condition, were full of spunk, as was the dog.

We rode over patches of granite rocks and through a pine forest. We encountered a few hikers and bicyclists who were all relaxed and very polite. It was proof that there can be multi-use trails with a minimum of user conflicts.

My saddle is listing to the left. I’m not sure what I’m going to do about this. Pete said we need to again consult with Dave.

We ate lunch in a large field surrounded by pines. Peanut butter sandwiches, fruit, and energy bars. We’ll wait until we are out on the trail before eating our dehydrated food. At the distance a controlled burn was taking place. The sky in that area was gray-black.

We could, in places, hear and see the Interstate traffic. Alas, we humans, in our haste to get from Point A to Point B in the fastest amount of time possible, have decided to ignore those who still value clean air and quietude.

Late this afternoon, we came to top of the Summit Trail where there is a car corral, an outhouse, and a notice board with nothing newsworthy on it. We took the nearby Cow Creek Trail, which was incredibly boggy. We rode the sides of the boggy sections, rubbing our knees up against the young Aspen trees, their leaves shimmering in the spring breezes.

My right knee was twice pinned against trees, as Tyra stepped to side of the trail, in order to avoid stepping in the mud. Grr, grr, grr. I’m a bridle path kind of gal. Give me firm, hard terrain, a direct path, and gentle ups and downs, and I’m a happy camper.

The high point of the day was the final downhill stretch. I rode Tyra with a light hand and a firm seat. She did fine. What’s she’s now learning is that we don’t quit when she gets tired. I told her otherwise, and we made it back to camp with the dog in tow.

Next: 163. 6/14/19: The View from the Back of the Trailer

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