R LAZY S RANCH – DAY 2.
After a rousing game of Kickball last night after dinner, Hubby was too keyed up to sleep very well last night. So, he slept in and missed breakfast.
However, being the dutiful wife, I asked the kitchen to make him ‘everything’ and I’d take it back to our cabin – which I did.
Happily, Hubby had a wonderful ranch breakfast in bed.
I slept very well and prayed for sunshine. The HorseGods either didn’t hear me or had more important miracles to accomplish this morning.
So, it is raining – again.
I’m sad that Hubby isn’t having the weather-glorious experience that I had last year… it was perfect.
But, he says he doesn’t mind and that it is beautiful here no matter what the weather.
TODAY
Today I am going to go on the morning half day ride.
I picked the ‘trotting’ ride because I am still gobstruck that Dove has such an amazing trot. I can sit it comfortably. Awesome! So, I’m trotting.
I figured a half day ride would be better than an all day ride – since it is raining. However, there are several going on an all day ride into a ‘never before seen on horseback’ part of the park. That should be cool!
As I write this right now, I have a half hour to prepare for the ride. I am going to dress in layers.
I will tell you about it when I return – however, at this moment, I just heard thunder so they may cancel all rides – lightening is bad.
THE MORNING RIDE IN PICTURES
When we arrived at the corrals for our morning ride, Angel was there to greet us – as always. That is her job…
I remember this horse from last year. He came in with Sky. They were friends.
These were the horses who didn’t have riders.
This was one of the beautiful meadows on the morning ride.
Wide open spaces in the Park… it isn’t raining – yet.
Do you see the elk?!
We started climbing and this was the view…
And this…
And this… note the full chaps on the rider behind me – a great idea on rainy days.
Dove’s ears framed this one. She was an excellent girl once again. Her trot is to die for. She’s listening to me…
Here we are, in another glorious meadow.
Here we sit – just mesmerized by the views.
I didn’t take any more photos until we got back from the morning ride. Dove was looking for her friends.
This horse, Romeo, has HUGE feet and a wonderful trot, too!
This is my horse, Dove, walking back into the napping place.
As you can see here, she is making her way to the favorite spot…
…right here. She will wait for her friend to arrive and they will nap here.
As I was walking back to the lodge for lunch, I saw these characters.
The black one looked friendly but the chestnut wasn’t sure…
He was very friendly.
I watched the kids come home…
After lunch, I snuck back to the corral to watch the horses sleeping. Dove is on the far right – in her favorite spot – with her friend.
THE AFTERNOON RIDE – RAINNNNNNNN and THUNDER!
Hubby joined me on the afternoon ride. All was pretty wonderful – what’s not to like, eh?
But, we did run into a pack of pack mules who scared my little mare. We also walked THROUGH a huge herd of elk cows and their babies. A few of them ran away but most just stood like statues – like a Hartford advertisement. BEAUTIFUL.
Towards the end of our glorious ride, the skies opened up once again and we were drenched. Luckily, we were fairly close to the ranch when the thunder and lightening started. Of course, we made it back in one, happy and sore piece!
Hubby went with me for the afternoon ride. I’m sitting on the porch swing.
While we were waiting to mount, Hubby felt very close to Angel… he also felt very confident in his riding attire. Hubby didn’t think it would rain.
The ride was absolutely glorious… I didn’t take any photos while we were deep in the woods because we have to stop in order for anyone to whip out their cameras… and I didn’t want to stop the group. But, we were deep inside the woods and we walked THROUGH an entire herd of elk cows and babies! Here you can see the Thunderheads coming in as we were riding back to the ranch.
At the end of the ride, both Hubby and I were soaked, sore and happy! You can see the kids arriving from their ride on the left.
As soon as we got back to our cabin, we took off our wet clothes and Hubby lit a fire. Wonderful!
Wow, what a wonderful place! Heaven on earth. So glad you and Hubby are having this nice vacation. Love the photos! Dove looks like a sweetheart, and I love the friendly black horse. :-)
LOVE your hubby’s boots…they look so neat!
So, did you know where hubby was taking you or was this trip a total surprize? Still, what a loving hubby to do this with you!