Catch me if you can

This week's post is going to have to catch up the riding adventures of the past couple of rides - didn't get them posted in time but still want to share. 

Last weekend we had a nice group out at Little Big Econ - 7 of us at 7:30.  The trail wasn't too buggy and we enjoyed splashing in the river.  We had a couple of first timers with the group and we were happy to welcome them to the gang.  We hope they will want to join us again! 

 On Sunday August 18, 2013, long time friend Lisa Senecal and I rode at the Charles Bronson Forest.  We had hoped we would have a few more people but it seems everyone decided to sleep in.  Still, we had a nice ride out on the ranch, made a big loop and headed home. 

This past weekend on Saturday August 24, 2013, Lisa Dietrich, Caren Stauffer and I rode at the Orlando Wetlands Park.  We got a later start than expected because Heaven decided to escape, put on a bucking show, toss my new saddle, and run away sans anything to catch her with.  We "chased" her  around the parking lot for nearly an hour before she decided she had enough fun and let me quietly walk over and put a rope around her neck.  Needless to say, it didn't stop us from riding and we actually had a very nice ride.  Love the Wetlands Park!

To finish off the weekend, we headed back to Little Big Econ with a nice group - Lisa Dietrich, Caren Stauffer, Kim Huck and me.  A few more bugs than we would have liked, Heaven had a swollen leg from her antics the day before, but any day riding is better than a day doing anything else!  A great time was had by all.

Anoter Day in the Park (Wetlands Park)

Today, Sunday August 4, 2013,  it was only Caren on Slim and me on Heaven.  We had no other early risers.  Lisa is out of town and Gayle is also gone - this time to pick up Coup who has been in training.

We went out early - before 7:30 as it has been really hot and I had to be somewhere by 11:00 and didn't want to be late.  I'm planning an afternoon with friend Kerul at the shooting range, a first for me.

We rode the short side of the Park first and saw two really nice young bucks.  They were just beautiful.  I hope they stay on the Park side and off the Seminole Ranch.  Hunting season is right around the corner.

Representative sample - not the actual deer we saw

Then we headed over to the main part of the Park and rode a few loops in there.  We were mostly headed for the splashing pond so the horses could get a drink and cool off.  Caren and Slim splashed around for a while but Heaven was more interested in eating.

Another great ride - no major incidents although Slim did "the big spook" right at the end.  Really gave Caren a jolt - she couldn't even get out a single bird call!

Heaven gets next weekend off as I'm headed to Maryland to pick up my new puppy.  The ladies are on their own without me.   I'll see you in two weeks! 

Little Big Econ August 3, 2013

It was a great day for a ride at the Little Big Econ (LBE) with Caren on Jake, Kim on Nikki and me, of course, on Heaven.  It's Heaven's 8th ride, but who's counting?  I promise I'll stop after she's done 10 - that will be close to a 100 miles under saddle and that will be a great start. 

LBE was a little buggy but not as bad as we've seen it.  It was also very wet and the river was very high.  Still, a very nice ride with good friends.  Caren and Kim swear they saw a baby bobcat - I didn't see it so you'll have to take their word for it. 

We had a chance to splash a little at the river - fun.  Heaven walked right across the wood bridge like she'd been doing it all her life.  Even led across the bridge on the way back.  She really seems to have a pretty good brain - especially on the trail.  Thank you God. 

Caren and I have another adventure planned for tomorrow.  See you then!