Fun on the Trail, Mostly

We were kinda glad a wind was blowing in a good direction when we spotted this swimmer not too far from us. 

Bill and Willie have already left for the day.  At O-600, Bill headed out the door to pick up Willie.  Talk during the planning session yesterday afternoon suggested that the breakfast burritos at Bonners Ferry's Super 1 are better than those at Samuels Store.

So, their tummies were going to have to wait for half an hour.  Once stocked up with breakfast and other food essentials (Gatorade), they were driving to an area in the East Fork of Boulder Creek. 

Then, they would begin a 5-mile hike, toting along fishing rods and that food and bound for an area that served as summer camp when Bill worked for the Forest Service out of Bonners Ferry Ranger District. 

Today marks an anniversary for Bill.  He likes to celebrate anniversaries of meaningful times in his life.  It was 40 years ago this summer that he lived in the camp on the East Fork, worked in the woods and fished. 

He may not work in the woods today, but he and Willie will definitely do some fishing. I have no doubts that they will have fun along the trail for their day-long outing.

In the meantime, Annie's trail toward Seattle and her home has begun this morning too. She left Boston Airport a little while before Bill and Willie took off.  

Annie had a fun week in Maine with her friends---sailing, geocaching, seafood chowder, sight-seeing, etc. 

In spite of the good times, her trail hit a bit of a bump yesterday, literally.  

While driving back to Boston, she was involved in a fender bender near the Maine-New Hampshire border.  Her rental car probably has some front-axle problems, but nobody was hurt and the other car sustained little or no damage.

Annie ended up riding to the Boston Airport area in a tow truck with the driver and his wife (who was watching a movie on a DVD player).  

I'm sure Annie won't forget the events associated with the end of this vacation.  We're all relieved that she is okay. 

My fun along the trail (first time this year) took place at the Ginter/Trout Creek Wildlife Management Areas. 

This area is where Lily and I went solo on our first-ever trail ride when she was 3 years old. These days, however, I like to go with other people on my rides.  Amazing what age does to one's perspective.

Earlier this week, Cindy (sitting on the left in the photo below) asked me if I'd like to join her and her new friend for a ride. Her friend Edie moved to this area less than three months ago, along with her husband and her two nice Quarter Horses, Cash and Slugger. 

Edie is a former ski instructor at Mammoth in California.  Since moving to the Selle area, she hasn't wasted much time in getting to know riding trails and learning about the horse activities around here. 

We met at the Ginter property parking lot.  I was anticipating some troubles with Lily who is not a groupie on the trails.  Yesterday, however, she behaved as good as gold with the exception of that same rocky section of trail where, about three years ago, she did a "High-O-Silver" rear on that downward stretch, to the amazement of all who watched. 

I hadn't forgotten that surreal scene as we slowly rose from the ground and my camera went flying in the air behind me (fortunately still attached).  Happily, I remained attached too, as my riding friends watched in amazement. 

On yesterday's trip down, Lily was a bit fussy, but offered nothing close to that day's performance. 

For three basic strangers and their horses, we managed pretty darn well, plodding up and down the beautiful trail, eating our lunch by a lovely creek and visiting.  

We also saw a moose cooling itself in a pond on the Trout Creek property, and a cute little fawn came down to the river for a drink, scampering off about the time I had my camera ready. 

It was nice to get out and go for a beautiful ride and enjoy the conversation.  Seems we all got along well enough that we're planning to get together and take on another trail soon. 

All that said, I guess I'll punctuate those thoughts with "Happy Trails." Enjoy your Friday. 

Edie and her 10-year-old gelding Slugger.  Edie had just re-mounted Slugger after picking up my fishing license which had dropped out of my bag.  Her horse is closer to the ground than Lily, so she nicely offered to pick up the license. 

Cindy, riding Edie's 24-year-old gelding Cash.  Cash has been up and down his share of trails in the High Sierras. He looks pretty good for an old man. 

One of the great scenes along the Ginter Property trail.