A muggy weekend

Wow!  This weekend sure was hot and muggy.  The daily rains cooled everything off at the end of the day, but the mornings were hot!  So were the trail rides.  Luckily, not too many bugs so not really complaining. 

Lisa Dietrich was on Kai and I was on Heaven as we took off Saturday morning, July 27.  Today was to be the first day we "trailered" Heaven to a ride.  In case you haven't heard, Liz Kanan did work her magic and Heaven is getting on the trailer like a champ.  She is enjoying her breakfast there each day and we are working on backing off quietly - some days better than others, save for the one when she flew off so fast she hit her head.  I thought that might be the end of our trailer loading streak but Heaven managed to overcome and decided she could get back on. 

So we took a nice short ride to the end of the road, had a nice ride out on the Lee Ranch (Charles Bronson State Forest) using our open gate method to decide where to go.  Ultimately we ended up at a dead end and decided to turn around - we are still figuring out all the best trails out there and we were also trying to stay out of the very wet areas. 

Sadly, no camera so no pictures to share.

Sunday July 28, Heaven loaded right up into the trailer and I went over and picked up Caren Stauffer and Slim.  Heaven did really well on the short ride over and even better on our way to the Wetlands.  She is still backing off a little erratically but hopefully that will come with time.  She would prefer I let her turn around and walk out head first.  I may, but I really want her to do this quietly before I give in. 

My view from Heaven

Caren and I had really missed the Wetlands Park since we had been confined to the neighborhood for a few weeks.  The Wetlands really is one of our very favorite places to ride because of all the various wildlife you can see there.  It was very hot and humid, but not buggy and that's saying a lot.  We only rode about 6 miles - the large perimeter trail around the main park.

We did take a small detour onto a little known shady trail but the branches really need to be trimmed and too many spiders!  Yuk!

One thing I did think was amazing was the number of buzzards we saw.  We jokingly say that all the buzzards in Central Florida live in Wetlands Park and they dispatch from there but there were truly more buzzards than I have ever seen - they were everywhere.  I got this one great picture of a bunch of them drying their wings in a tree.  Kind of spooky looking. 

Have a great week - see ya next weekend!

Trapped in the Neighborhood

Well you might have heard, but my new beauty, Heaven, has decided she is not going to get in the trailer - not no way, no how.  So, for now, we are trapped in the neighborhood until Liz Kanan can work her magic. 

But, I'm not really complaining because we are very grateful for the fabulous trails we have less than one mile from my house.  Lisa Dietrich and I live in Lake Pickett Estates, an equestrian community.  First, our community has deeded bridle paths.  And, we have the Chuluota Wilderness area - more than 600 acres of beautiful trails located at the end of Curryville Road.  And if that isn't good enough, the State recently opened the Charles Bronson State Forest, more than 11,000 acres of Lee ranch property that connects with both the Little Big Econ river and the St. Johns river.  It also connects, if you know the way, to the Wetlands Park and the Seminole Ranch.  Also great places to ride. 

So you see, being trapped in the neighborhood just forces us to acknowledge the great riding we have in our own back yard. Any enjoy it!

On Saturday July 20, it was Caren Stauffer, Lisa Dietrich, Liz Kanan and me - along with our trusty mounts, Jake, Shalizar, Amora and Heaven - ready to hit the trail.  One thing about the Charles Bronson - it is a working cattle ranch so there are plenty of gates.  Lots of times, we decide where we are going to go based on which gates are open.  Today was no exception and we actually ended up in a place we hadn't been since the first time we went out on the ranch. Saw a gorgeous wild hibiscus in bloom.

 On Sunday July 21, 2013, It was Liz, Bob and I who headed out to the ranch.  We had a great time "riding the Serengetti" along the river - the day was overcast and there was a breeze so even though it was hot, it wasn't horrid.  Everyone was having a really good time, until we were focused on some cows ahead and three deer decided to jump right out in front of us!  That added a little excitement but happy to report we all kept our seats.  We counted about 17 deer that day, and more the day before! 

There's an old windmill on the property that the horses either love or hate, depending on what kind or weird, creepy noises it might be making but it sure does make for good pictures.  Hope you had a great weekend!  See ya next time!