Mountain Santa

Several years ago - I wrote a Christmas story using my Grandson and other family members and friends/acquaintances as characters in the story. I've since learned that it has become a tradition in several families to read the story to their children/grandchildren. As a writer - that is the coolest thing ever...at least to me.

I came close to not finishing Mountain Santa. In the middle of writing, my granddaughter Sophia was in a serious accident that almost took her from us. I couldn't bring myself to work on the story. Sophia's character in my story was fighting for her life as the real Sophia was being flown to the Children's Hospital in Denver with an all to real fight of her own.  I didn't finish the story until our Pork Chop was fully recovered.

As each character in Mountain Santa is based on a real character in my life - I've often been asked the true identity of Nicolai Clausen. Yes - Nicolai was/is very much real. As for his true identity...well...one must first believe in the magic of Christmas to figure that one out.

The story originally existed on my old blog and I never thought to move it from Word Press to Blogger. I've recently been asked to please post the story to my newer blog. So...here it is again...Mountain Santa:

Click here to download Mountain Santa

Trail Log: 12-22-2019

Rob and Payette

• Trail: Little Willow
• Miles: 4
• Riders: Self - Rob @ 
• Horses: Jack - Payette
• Dogs: Hank - Shade (shorter hike)

Notes: It was too pretty to not saddle up. Blue skies, sunshine and 50°. I chanced taking Jack. He is still a little tender footed. I tried to pick an area that wasn't too rocky and had some sand to it. We picked Little Willow. It's a shorter haul so you don't mind cutting a ride short if need be. The ground was pretty slimy in spots, icy in others and sandy in some. I didn't want to push it so we cut the ride short at 4 miles. Even so, it felt great to be out and about. I'll lay Jack off until we head to Arizona where I'll have them both shod. His vet found a small bruise on his left toe but doesn't think he's abscessed. I couldn't help noticed it appears I live in a polar belt. Everywhere around me is snow-free zone while we are still covered in the white stuff. I'd call it the white menace - but we really do need the moisture.

A short hike for the dogs. Hardly any snow out there. 

Trail Log: 12-10-2019

J-bird

• Trail: Steck Park area
• Miles: 1.34
• Horses: J'Lo and Jack
• Riders: Self
• Dogs: Shade and Hank

Notes: Well, bummer - Jack is pretty gimpy. I just had their shoes pulled - I assume that's it...although he's never been tender before. Might be due to him walking on ice stilts on the WRT the other day. Maybe both. Praying it's just tender footed and temporary. Not use to my tough pony being laid up. :(

I rode J and ponied Jack  - he did ok on the really soft, mushy stuff. We cut it REALLY short. He didn't even want to unload out of the trailer. Gave him some butte and will lay him off until he's back to his sure footed self. Poor baby - you can tell it in his eyes he's sore.

These short rides are discouraging. Not a fan of winter. Think I'll go kick rocks and eat worms. :(

Sort footed pony

Trail Log: 12-5-2019

• Trail: Weiser River Trail
• Miles: 2
• Riders: Self
• Horses: Jack
• Dogs: Shade and Hank

Notes: Weather wasn't real promising but I had to run to town anyway so threw Jack in the trailer and got in a quick ride. Poor horse ended up walking on ice stilts most of the way so we cut it short. Time to pull shoes

Trail Log: 11-21-2019

• Trail: Eaton Rd. - Hog Crk. 
• Miles: 2.77
• Riders: Self - Sharon 
• Horses: Jack - Eli
• Dogs: Shade - Hank - Ben - Roland - Sally 

Notes: Getting in a few short rides weather permitting.