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.

Trail Log: 11-18-2019

• Trail: Indian Head
• Miles: 4.3
• Riders: Self
• Horses: J'Lo
• Dog's: Shade and Hank

Notes: Needed a quick ride within a short hauling distance. Tried out a trail I'd not ridden before that panned out pretty good. Ran straight up Indian Head. The steep incline made up for the short distance...much to J'Lo's dismay. We took it pretty easy due to Shade being along and J' has an intermittent cough. Seems like she always gets one this time of year.

After downloading my tracks - it looks like I can connect this trail with a couple others I've ridden up there and make some nice, longer loops.

Record high temps make for a beautiful day to ride - but winter is lurking around the bend. Arizona or bust?

Trail Log: 11-15-2019

• Trail: WRT
• Miles: 5.87
• Ave mph: 3.5
• Max mph: 21.8
• Riders: Self
• Horse: Jack
• Dogs: Hank - Shade (shorter hike)

Notes: Hard not to climb in the saddle when it's so nice out. I needed to run to town for diesel. If I could grow my own diesel (and twinkies), I'd never go into town. I made the trip worth it by loading up Jack for a quick jog on the WRT.

I let him pick his speed on a couple of straight stretches not littered with gopher holes. I clocked him out at 21.8 mph effortless stride. We ran out of trail before asking him for more. The WRT is practically concrete  - so probably not a good idea. One of these day's we will head out to the Owyhee's and find a wide, dirt road to race on.

My dream barn

Trail Log: 11-9-2019

Trail: Twin Springs Rd to Nyssa (Twilight)
Miles: 11.4
Max mph: 18.5
Riders: Self - Lee - various others
Horses: J'Lo - Prince - various others

Notes: I had the last week pretty well planned out as far as what/where I was riding. Things seldom work out as planned so shuffled the deck and played the hand that was dealt. Turned out pretty good. Bagged a couple organized rides and took up an invite to help move cows on Saturday. I've only moved cows a few other times. Sometimes it can be chaos. This gather was fairly well organized. We did pretty good. I took J'Lo - thinking I might be moving cows on Jack the next day on a much longer drive. J did fine.

J and I found a stray calf even. We brought it in to the sorting pen. Either it, or it's brother - escaped the sorting and took off after who knows what. I was the only one outside the sorting pen on horseback so J and I took off after it. We almost had it turned but ran up on a badger hole land mine and had to pull up. The calf squirted through the fence and took off. I figured it wasn't worth breaking a leg or neck. About the same time, a gal took off after another calf and her horse fell in a hole and flipped ass-over-teakettle on her. Luckily, neither horse nor rider were seriously hurt.

Beautiful country - I miss living in the Owyhee's.

Trail Log: 11-7-2019

• Trail: Hwy 201 - Loves Res. Rd. 
• Miles: 15.90
• Ave mph: 3.5
• Max mph: 17.3
• Riders: Self - Patty D. 
• Horses: Jack - Mocha 
• Dogs: Hank

Notes: One of the most enjoyable days in the saddle in a long time. Was able to let the horses stretch out for a good run. Patty was familiar with the area from moving cows over the years but had not been to Loves Res. proper...so, we went.

It's not who you are, it's who you take riding with you and I picked an excellent riding partner this day. Patty shared her lunch of fresh vegetables - pepper jack cheese and green olives stuffed with garlic and jalapenos to die for. Beat the heck out of my jerky and Beanee Weenee's. Patty said not to get use to it though - she didn't make a habit of eating this well on the trail. I think she's fibbing - besides, I'd ride with her even if all she brought was brussel sprouts. *shudder*

Jack and Mocha are a great team. Jack can sometimes be a handful if your loping down the trail with another horse - everything is a race to him and he feels the need to keep out in front despite attempts to rein him in. Him and Mocha ran side by side and Jack didn't seem as anxious to outrun her and let me pull him in when asked. Proud of my pony.

If it weren't for the shorter days we'd probably still be out there.

Trail Log: 11-6-2019

• Trail: Eaton - Private Property
• Miles: 3.8
• Riders: Self - Sharon
• Horses: J'Lo and Elli
• Dog's - Ben - Rolland - Sally and Annie

Notes: A quick ride to check out a place to ride after getting permission from the landowner. It's close to home and has some potential.